justcatherine's review
3.0
3.5 stars. Alice is widowed and determined to marry someone who will treat herself and her young son well. The Christmas setting is crucial to the story because in a careless moment when asked when he might have a new papa, Alice offered that maybe Father Christmas would bring one. Alice undertakes a risky plot to give her the best chance at getting to know what the men in her area are truly like and disguises herself as a fictitious "distant cousin" (Mr. Allen) to enable her to spend time at the local club and befriend and spend time with them in a setting where they're more likely to show their true selves.
Meanwhile, Lord Brooks has accompanied friends to the area to spend the holiday with his aunt and enable one of them to pursue his suit of a young woman who left the city before he could secure her hand. He is in a precarious position financially due to being taken advantage of by his man of business (who received a cut of the profit) and the man who swindled him out of one of his most valuable properties. He is hoping to find someone to marry for their money to enable him to continue to care for his estates and tenants, but his aunt is scheming to help him marry for love instead.
Holiday events bring Alice and Lord Brooks across one another's paths, but also Lord Brooks and Mr. Allen. The latter two become good friends, but previous history prejudices Lord Brooks against any connection with Alice. The need to maintain two distinct looks is challenging for Alice and within the last half of the book, I was concerned that her ploy would be found out! There are some sweet scenes with Alice and her son, and I was happy for how things worked out for them, as well as Lord Brooks.
The book was sprinkled with letters written by the aunt to a friend, which worked as a way to share her perspective of things, but they felt a little out of place and were an awkward start to the story. Overall it was a sweet Christmas read and I'm glad I read it.
Meanwhile, Lord Brooks has accompanied friends to the area to spend the holiday with his aunt and enable one of them to pursue his suit of a young woman who left the city before he could secure her hand. He is in a precarious position financially due to being taken advantage of by his man of business (who received a cut of the profit) and the man who swindled him out of one of his most valuable properties. He is hoping to find someone to marry for their money to enable him to continue to care for his estates and tenants, but his aunt is scheming to help him marry for love instead.
Holiday events bring Alice and Lord Brooks across one another's paths, but also Lord Brooks and Mr. Allen. The latter two become good friends, but previous history prejudices Lord Brooks against any connection with Alice. The need to maintain two distinct looks is challenging for Alice and within the last half of the book, I was concerned that her ploy would be found out! There are some sweet scenes with Alice and her son, and I was happy for how things worked out for them, as well as Lord Brooks.
The book was sprinkled with letters written by the aunt to a friend, which worked as a way to share her perspective of things, but they felt a little out of place and were an awkward start to the story. Overall it was a sweet Christmas read and I'm glad I read it.
bookishwayfarer's review
3.0
For my full review: https://www.bookishwayfarer.com/blog/review-a-wish-for-father-christmas-by-laura-rollins
Last holiday season, I read several of the Christmas Match books, a series of holiday novellas set in Regency England. A Wish for Father Christmas is the first in the series (although, the books do not have to be read in order), & overall, I enjoyed it. I had a couple of issues with it, but all in all, I found it to be a feel-good, easy-to-read holiday story.
Last holiday season, I read several of the Christmas Match books, a series of holiday novellas set in Regency England. A Wish for Father Christmas is the first in the series (although, the books do not have to be read in order), & overall, I enjoyed it. I had a couple of issues with it, but all in all, I found it to be a feel-good, easy-to-read holiday story.
booknallnight's review
5.0
I haven't read much romance as the genre tends to be a little over-the-top at times for me. I recently saw this series recommended as a must-read for a sweet Christmas romance and I decided to take a chance.
Oh man, am I glad I did. Not only did I breeze through this in one sitting, my heart was left filled with love and joy once I finished. Little Joseph especially stole my heart and I felt such a deep kinship with Alice that I was fully immersed in her story and loved the outcome.
Going outside my comfort zone certainly paid off with this recommendation and I can't wait to read the rest of this series.
Oh man, am I glad I did. Not only did I breeze through this in one sitting, my heart was left filled with love and joy once I finished. Little Joseph especially stole my heart and I felt such a deep kinship with Alice that I was fully immersed in her story and loved the outcome.
Going outside my comfort zone certainly paid off with this recommendation and I can't wait to read the rest of this series.
atwaroski's review
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
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