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teresab78's review
5.0
This was a delightful regency story with the twist of an M/M romance. I liked how the author dealt with the fact that such relationships were not only taboo, but illegal at the time, yet Andrew and Thomas's love was still right and beautiful. I loved the secondary characters and the family dynamics as well.
janif49's review
5.0
I am not usually a lover of historicals (besides Outlander, the book that got my back in to reading after a 20 year "break) I LOVED The Christmas Wager! It was wonderful. I could feel the tension between Andrew and Thomas, the tension of going back home where Thomas was not wanted, the drearyness of a non-festive Christmas season in a sad, lonely house.
I loved the adventures Andrew, Thomas, Hew and Duncan took with Susan. It was wonderful "seeing Hew leap up the tree to grab the mistltoe and explore the forest for Christmas trees.
The entire story was lovely and I would love to read at least a short to see how the men live (hopefully happy and safe) in old England where men like them were i constant danger of jail or death. I kept wishing they lived in the here and now so they would be safer but of course it is just a book! <~~ had to remind myself of that a time or two!
I loved the adventures Andrew, Thomas, Hew and Duncan took with Susan. It was wonderful "seeing Hew leap up the tree to grab the mistltoe and explore the forest for Christmas trees.
The entire story was lovely and I would love to read at least a short to see how the men live (hopefully happy and safe) in old England where men like them were i constant danger of jail or death. I kept wishing they lived in the here and now so they would be safer but of course it is just a book! <~~ had to remind myself of that a time or two!
bibliophile24's review
5.0
I read this because a goodreads friend gave it five stars, and I have to agree! What a great story!
sab_rose's review
4.0
Classic story of both parties liking each other but don't want to be make it obvious with many twists thrown in!
It was total from alternating POV between Andrew and Thomas. It was sometimes difficult to realize who was speaking because there were no titles like in other alternating POV books.
It was total from alternating POV between Andrew and Thomas. It was sometimes difficult to realize who was speaking because there were no titles like in other alternating POV books.
crtsjffrsn's review
4.0
When Lord Thomas Barrington left his family home six years ago, he expected he might never return. His father, the duke, made it very clear that if Thomas was unwilling to follow his duty to the family, he was unwelcome in their home. Of course, duty to his family being marriage to a woman he didn't love meant that Thomas could never oblige.
But Thomas has lost a bet to his best friend, Andrew Nash. And it's a bet that Thomas can't pay. Andrew is willing to accept something else in return: a Christmas at Barrington Hall. A Barrington Hall Christmas has always been a spectacular affair. So Thomas can understand why Andrew wants to witness it. But he's still very unhappy about the prospect of once again coming face-to-face with his father.
The big surprise when they arrive, however, is not the duke's attitude. It's that Christmas is no longer celebrated at Barrington Hall. And Thomas could let that go, except that he's disappointed that his niece, Susan, doesn't get to celebrate one of the best holidays of the year. So he sets out on a mission to bring Christmas back to his family home.
Brewing alongside all of this, though, is Andrew's unspoken attraction to Thomas. And then there's the feelings Thomas has when he looks at Andrew that he can't explain. Exploring and giving in to those feelings isn't part of Thomas's plan. And then there's the fact that doing so would be a crime. But can someone deny their passion even if they strive to bury it in the deepest recesses of their being?
--
What a fun historical! Yes, there is the m/m romance element, but this is about so much more than that. It's about family, expectations, grief and loss, discovering yourself, forgiveness...the list goes on and on. The fact that Thomas is already on uneasy footing with his father is also an interesting element. (So often, it's the whole dating a man thing that leads to estrangement in a historical novel.) That really brings the family issues to the forefront of this story. And they are handled wonderfully.
Solid recommendation from me!
But Thomas has lost a bet to his best friend, Andrew Nash. And it's a bet that Thomas can't pay. Andrew is willing to accept something else in return: a Christmas at Barrington Hall. A Barrington Hall Christmas has always been a spectacular affair. So Thomas can understand why Andrew wants to witness it. But he's still very unhappy about the prospect of once again coming face-to-face with his father.
The big surprise when they arrive, however, is not the duke's attitude. It's that Christmas is no longer celebrated at Barrington Hall. And Thomas could let that go, except that he's disappointed that his niece, Susan, doesn't get to celebrate one of the best holidays of the year. So he sets out on a mission to bring Christmas back to his family home.
Brewing alongside all of this, though, is Andrew's unspoken attraction to Thomas. And then there's the feelings Thomas has when he looks at Andrew that he can't explain. Exploring and giving in to those feelings isn't part of Thomas's plan. And then there's the fact that doing so would be a crime. But can someone deny their passion even if they strive to bury it in the deepest recesses of their being?
--
What a fun historical! Yes, there is the m/m romance element, but this is about so much more than that. It's about family, expectations, grief and loss, discovering yourself, forgiveness...the list goes on and on. The fact that Thomas is already on uneasy footing with his father is also an interesting element. (So often, it's the whole dating a man thing that leads to estrangement in a historical novel.) That really brings the family issues to the forefront of this story. And they are handled wonderfully.
Solid recommendation from me!
maya56's review
4.0
Even with the historical and cultural discrepancies, I still thoroughly enjoyed this book! I would not be averse to revisiting these characters again.
the_novel_approach's review
4.0
Reviewed by Sammy for The Novel Approach
The Christmas Wager is an edited re-release by Jamie Fessenden, and I must say while it is obvious to those of us familiar with this wonderful author’s work that it is among his earlier work, it is also a very sweet and romantic Christmas story that I think many will enjoy. Set in the genre of historical fiction, the story traces the relationship between two friends. While not peers, exactly, as one is gentry and the other a lower class man who has made himself successful in business, the two nevertheless are fast companions. So, it is not unlikely that when Andrew asks Thomas to take him to his country estate to celebrate Christmas, Thomas acquiesces despite the fact that several years earlier his father had practically disowned him and has not spoken to him since. Thomas had, at that time, refused to marry the woman his father had chosen for him. While he doesn’t actually admit that women in general hold little interest for him, he most definitely does not wish to marry and give up his bachelor life.
So when the two visit Thomas’ home, it is still a rather frosty situation to say the least. Things only get more complicated when Thomas’ father gives his son an ultimatum in the form of a wager—either get the palatial home ready for Christmas, to include a ball of sorts, or be cut off financially for good. Thomas rises to the occasion, casting aside his normal helpless demeanor, and with the help of his mother and Andrew, as well as many faithful servants, manages to invite most of the local village to a Christmas dance. Along the way, his father, who is not done meddling in his life, brings back the very girl he was once meant to marry, and Andrew reveals his long held affections for Thomas. Both are a true shock, but as plans and feelings fall into place, there are more surprises to come.
There were many factors to this novel that worked so very well. The chemistry between Andrew and Thomas was apparent to all but Thomas, and, while a bit farfetched, Thomas’ realization that he could indeed have feelings for Andrew that were other than just friendship was definitely in the realm of believability. Also, the conniving aspect of Thomas’ father was rather spot on—cruel and devious, the ulterior motives that were revealed in the final chapters were definitely a real twist. I’m not sure I could buy into them fully, but it gave a most satisfying left turn to the story.
Perhaps what was most satisfying about this novel was the slow build to the discovered emotions that Andrew hid, and the responding yet tentative way in which Thomas came to realize the depth of his own feelings for his friend. This was so nicely done. The two were really lovely, and they worked so well together as both dear friends and more.
All in all, The Christmas Wager is a sweet Christmas tale that many will enjoy year after year—worthy of a reread despite a few fantastical moments, and definitely a well written historical romance for those who love the genre.
The Christmas Wager is an edited re-release by Jamie Fessenden, and I must say while it is obvious to those of us familiar with this wonderful author’s work that it is among his earlier work, it is also a very sweet and romantic Christmas story that I think many will enjoy. Set in the genre of historical fiction, the story traces the relationship between two friends. While not peers, exactly, as one is gentry and the other a lower class man who has made himself successful in business, the two nevertheless are fast companions. So, it is not unlikely that when Andrew asks Thomas to take him to his country estate to celebrate Christmas, Thomas acquiesces despite the fact that several years earlier his father had practically disowned him and has not spoken to him since. Thomas had, at that time, refused to marry the woman his father had chosen for him. While he doesn’t actually admit that women in general hold little interest for him, he most definitely does not wish to marry and give up his bachelor life.
So when the two visit Thomas’ home, it is still a rather frosty situation to say the least. Things only get more complicated when Thomas’ father gives his son an ultimatum in the form of a wager—either get the palatial home ready for Christmas, to include a ball of sorts, or be cut off financially for good. Thomas rises to the occasion, casting aside his normal helpless demeanor, and with the help of his mother and Andrew, as well as many faithful servants, manages to invite most of the local village to a Christmas dance. Along the way, his father, who is not done meddling in his life, brings back the very girl he was once meant to marry, and Andrew reveals his long held affections for Thomas. Both are a true shock, but as plans and feelings fall into place, there are more surprises to come.
There were many factors to this novel that worked so very well. The chemistry between Andrew and Thomas was apparent to all but Thomas, and, while a bit farfetched, Thomas’ realization that he could indeed have feelings for Andrew that were other than just friendship was definitely in the realm of believability. Also, the conniving aspect of Thomas’ father was rather spot on—cruel and devious, the ulterior motives that were revealed in the final chapters were definitely a real twist. I’m not sure I could buy into them fully, but it gave a most satisfying left turn to the story.
Perhaps what was most satisfying about this novel was the slow build to the discovered emotions that Andrew hid, and the responding yet tentative way in which Thomas came to realize the depth of his own feelings for his friend. This was so nicely done. The two were really lovely, and they worked so well together as both dear friends and more.
All in all, The Christmas Wager is a sweet Christmas tale that many will enjoy year after year—worthy of a reread despite a few fantastical moments, and definitely a well written historical romance for those who love the genre.
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