All I Want for Christmas Is a Duke (Entangled Scandalous)

by Maire Claremont and Delilah Marvelle

[Angie]

★★★☆☆ Merry Christmas, Mrs. Robinson by Delilah Marvelle

I quite enjoyed this holiday romance! It's chock full of tropes that I enjoy: friends to lovers, second chances, secret identity, and older woman with younger man. Jane fell in love with the charming and mysterious Mr. X over letters, and wed who she thought was the man behind the moniker. Unfortunately, she had been duped. Her husband only wanted her as a prize, since she was a famed opera singer. When he unexpectedly died, she gave up her life of fame and entered a life of solitude. Then, her best friend from adolescence returns to town after claiming his title. Of course, Martin is the real Mr. X and he plans to reveal himself, because it's never too late for true love.

While I did adore everything happening in this novella, something was missing for me. I can't quite pinpoint what it is though. Despite its short length, it felt like a complete story. I liked the characters and believed their feelings for each other, but maybe that spark wasn't there? I never felt fully drawn into them, I suppose. Sure, I did want them to get their happily ever after, but I wasn't actively rooting for them, if that makes sense. This was definitely a cute romance though.

★★★★★ The Twelve Days of Seduction by Maire Claremont

I do believe I enjoyed this one even more the second time around! It's still only a nearly perfect novella, because I still want it to be a full length novel! The duke’s seduction of his governess was over far too quickly. It was delicious, tortuous, and should have been dragged out more! But I'm rounding my rating up, because I love it! Alexander Hunt is ready to throw his daughter’s governess out into the snow when he learns that she’s not who she said she is. Ana Grey is really Adriana Flint, an authoress from a poor family. However, the discovery of her identity is just an excuse, since Alexander wants her in his bed. He proposes that she become his mistress instead. Adriana has a proposal of her own: he has twelve days to seduce her, or else she gets to stay as governess. Game on!

Of course, Alexander and Adriana have to fall in love. Her seduction was much more than a sexual feat. It made the duke look at her as more then what she can provide for him. He even started considering the rest of his staff as people rather than just servants to be commanded. But the actual seduction was great, too! Alexander and Adriana are sizzling! They definitely did not make it the full twelve days, and Adriana’s position at the end also changed. It all just moved way too fast. I did get teary eyed in the epilogue, because the duke’s small heart grew three sizes that day. The Twelve Days of Seduction is a fabulous story and left me wanting more (both times)!

Read more of my reviews at Pinkindle Reads & Reviews.