Mo Daoust
WHAT HAPPENS UNDER THE MISTLETOE is a wonderful Christmas-themed anthology by four historical romance superstars. I reviewed the novellas in the order in which they appear in the book. THE HEIRESS AND THE HOTHEAD is a fascinating story about the paltry conditions of mill workers in the early 1820s. The author’s research is most impressive, there are exciting plot twists, and an authentic feeling of Regency Christmas permeates the novella. The sexual chemistry between Stephen and Amanda is blistering, they challenge each other intellectually, and as people; there is a lot of passion on several levels. Sabrina Jeffries outdid herself with the excellent THE HEIRESS AND THE HOTHEAD! In TWELVE KISSES, Karen Hawkins revisits the world of the Oxenburg princes, as Crown Prince Nikolai Romanovin and his grandmother Grand Duchess Natasha Nikolaevna – one of my favourite fictional characters ever – spend Christmas in Scotland. Ms. Hawkins has penned a superbly entertaining story, gorgeously written, with swoony moments and several chuckles along the way. Two proud and headstrong characters battle their way to a happy-ever-after the second time around, unknowingly with the help of the formidable Grand Duchess. A most scrumptious morsel! BY ANY OTHER NAME is clever, fast-paced, and beautifully written, and there are none of the usual annoying misunderstandings common to this kind of trope; very well done indeed! SWEET RUIN is a very clever story about a bookish daughter of a peer and a dazzlingly dashing commoner. Ms. Duran’s prose flows seamlessly, the dialogues are witty, and the story is captivating mostly because Georgie and Lucas are such engaging characters and they have wonderful chemistry. SWEET RUIN is a delightful romance about how lies can so dreadfully ruin what could have been. I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Sue Galuska
This book is a collection of four Christmas novellas from Sabrina Jeffries, Karen Hawkins, Candace Camp and Meredith Duran. The Heiress and the Hothead is the story of Lord Stephen Corry and Amanda Keane, Jeremy Keane's sister. I loved these two together. They both tended to speak their minds and were both also stubborn. I love how they worked together to find out secret things about the London mills. And the whole thing about the mistletoe was wonderful! Great characters and a great happy ending! Twelve Kisses to Midnight is Marcus Sutherland and Kenna Stuart story of second chances. This was very entertaining. I loved how they ended up at the secret cabin. And I really enjoyed Tata Natasha...this woman was too funny. By Any Other Name was Rylla Campbell and Gregory Rose's story. It was fun how these two met! I loved how they were both just so drawn to each other. I loved how they played a game of cat and mouse in the beginning. I wish we say more of what happened with Elenore and Andrew though. Sweetest Regret is Georgie Trent and Lucas Godwin's story of second chances. I just adored this story. I loved how they both were wrong about past events and how they came together in the end. It was perfect. Overall, this was a wonderful book of four great Christmas stories!
Isha Coleman
From the moment I found out about What Happens Under the Mistletoe I knew I had to have this book. Containing some of the most prolific voices in historical fiction and regency romance makes this read a serious plus. A celebration of love, life and the magical blessings the season brings. On a cold night, What Happens Under the Mistletoe will take the chill away. I received an ARC of this story in exchange for an honest review.