Mistletoe Christmas

by Eloisa James, Christi Caldwell, Janna MacGregor, and Erica Ridley

[Nadz@Totally Addicted to Reading]

I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

A Mistletoe Kiss by Eloisa James

A Mistletoe Kiss introduces Lady Cressida, the youngest daughter of the Duke of Greystoke. Now I was not a fan of the duke because of his abuse of his daughter over the years. He used her to plan his famous revelry, letting everyone believe he was the mastermind behind this huge event. To rub salt into the wound, he took away her chances of getting married by refusing to offer a dowry on her behalf, all because he wanted her to continue planning the event, even after his death. He made her feel unworthy. So, one could understand her insecurities about her ability to attract a prospective husband and why she didn’t buy Elias’s sudden interest in her.

Cressida was a wonderful character. I loved how she slowly gained her confidence regarding her attractiveness. I had fun watching her put Elias in his place. He was so used to women falling all over him. It was a novelty for him when Cressida showed a lack of interest. It was fun watching him grovel.

The romance developed quickly and, to be honest, it didn’t feel authentic, at least on Elias’s part. His feelings were so sudden, especially seeing he paid her no attention over the years.

Overall, an adorable read.

Wishing Under the Mistletoe by Christi Caldwell

In Wishing Under the Mistletoe, Christi Caldwell delivered  an adorable Christmas second chance romance. Isabelle, the granddaughter of the Duke of Greystoke, ended her engagement ten years ago. She did so believing her betrothed, Cyrus, valued his business more than their relationship. During that time, she left home to pursue her passion as a play-writer.   

Now she has returned home to direct the theatre production of Cinderella at her grandfather’s famous revelry. A dream she harbored since childhood. What she never expected was to be partnered with the man she left ten years ago. Feelings they thought dead came alive and sparks flew with a vengeance.

It took ten years, but they finally got it right. They never blame each other for the break-up, but took responsibility for their role in the ending of their relationship. Such a wonderful and endearing couple, which made it easy to root for them. I adored this story and the end totally had me swooning.

Compromise Under the Mistletoe by Janna MacGregor

In Compromise Under Mistletoe, Lady Caroline Whitmore, granddaughter to the Duke of Greystoke, has been separated from her husband, Stephen, for a year. She left the matrimonial home as she felt neglected by her husband. Now she needs him to accompany her to the Duke’s famous revelry and help her pretend they have reunited, so she could get early access to her inheritance. Stephen plans to use this occasion to woo his wife and convince her to return home.

I enjoyed this story, despite the frustration actions of the couple. Their problems arose out of their failure to communicate. Stephen had a difficult task convincing Caroline he had changed. She shot down his many attempts of try to show her how much he appreciated her. The fact she never communicated to him how she felt and what she needed from him made me want to scream.

I loved how it all worked out in the end, although something serious had to happen for them to recognize what had been missing from their marriage all along. 

Overall, a solid story.

Mischief and Mistletoe by Erica Ridley

Mischief and Mistletoe introduce Miss Louisa Harcourt, 23 years old without a marriage prospect. An article in the gossip column, painting her as being dull and undesirable, hindered her prospects of finding a husband. This di not phase Louisa, as her interest lies in writing poetry. Her mother, however, had different ideas. Forced to attend the duke’s famous revelry, as her mother saw it as her last chance to find a suitable husband. Someone who possessed a title. 

Louisa dreaded going to the revelry, especially knowing her mother was pushing for to entertain the two most undesirable candidates. Then she met Ewan, a fellow poet, and the revelry no longer seems such a horrible place to be.

I enjoyed Louisa and Ewan’s story. They made a wonderful couple, but Ewan had a secret, which, if revealed, could ruin his chance with Louisa. This secret weighed heavily on him, the more he got to know Louisa. His support of her dreams enhanced their relationship. His romantic gestures were sweet and fitting.   

Mischief and Mistletoe was a wonderful story, and I loved how it all worked out for Ewan and Louisa.




This review was originally posted on Totally Addicted to Reading