Once Upon a Winter's Eve (Spindle Cove)

by Tessa Dare

Spindle Cove is a haven for women. A haven which is led by Susanna Finch with the goal of providing a safe place for those with delicate constitutions, overbearing family members, scandalous secrets or outlandish hobbies. There are few year round residents and even fewer male ones. Until Bram and his men turn up and are tasked with starting a militia. Although these books could be read by themselves, the plot makes much more sense having read the first book.

Violet Winterbottom has spent the past year in Spindle Cove, hiding from heartbreak and betrayal. Unfortunately her family have had enough and have demanded she return to Town at once. The night before she is to go, she is busy hiding in the corner of Spindle Cove's ballroom when she is interrupted by an injured and familiar man who bursts into the room and collapses at her feet.

I enjoyed this novella a lot more on the second read. The first one, I had read some of the other Spindle Cove books but not the first one and I was a bit lost on the plot. The second time round, the plot was a bit stronger and there were a lot of in jokes to be discovered. But my biggest complaint still stands - the ridiculousness that was trying to escape on a time limit but stopping every thirty seconds to kiss, make out and sleep together. Honestly, have some restraint.

I really liked Violet - she was all gun toting and ass kicking and that was awesome - although I wished there was more of it. Christian was a mixed bag. His grovelling kind of sucked. I mean he had some good romantic lines but he also waffled a bit too much. I wanted him to just sit down and explain to Violet what the hell was going on. The longer he stalled or whatever it is he was doing, the more annoyed I got. The romance was eased by the fact they had a history - it made it easier to swallow the instalove that was going on. There were some pretty swoon worthy parts but it was let down by the ridiculousness.

The plot was pretty thin but about what you expect of a novella. It was strengthened by it's relationship with the first book in the series and the appearance of some familiar characters. Overall it was an alright read - it made me smile and it made me laugh. 2.5 stars, rounded down to 2.