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Mistletoe Christmas: An Anthology by Eloisa James, Erica Ridley, Christi Caldwell, Janna MacGregor
winemakerssister's review
3.0
Short stories surrounding the old Duke's annual Christmas revelry. As with most anthologies, the quality varies from mediocre to good.
dianed's review
4.0
This anthology tells 4 stories of events that occur during the Duke of Greystoke’s annual Christmas Revelry house party. Even on his deathbed the Duke is still controlling the lives of the people around him. He is the ultimate villain changing his will, not to be kinder but to be more controlling.
Eloisa James A Mistletoe Kiss tells the story of the Duke’s youngest daughter Cressida. She is practically an indentured servant to the Revelry. While her father takes all the credit, she does all the work. Her confidence has been worn down by her father over the years and now he is giving her dowry of a Scottish Estate away to tie her to the Revely even after his death. His heir Viscount Denham will inherit it only on the condition that he continues the Revelry for the next 10 years. The Duke practically bequeaths his daughter to Val so she can continue her work. Without anything to look forward to she is determined to escape. Val comes up with a plan to solve both of their dilemmas. He proposes that his friend who lives on the neighboring estate will marry her so she can have a life and he can continue with the Revelries. What starts out as a convenient plan turns into a true love story for Cressie and Lord Darcy de Royleston.
Wishing Under the Mistletoe by Christi Caldwell tells the story of long lost love. Ten years earlier, Cyrus and Isabelle had been betrothed for almost 3 years. He was so focused on growing his wealth to deserve her that he lost her forever. When they both show up at the Revelry and are assigned the job of working together to create the yearly pantomime the old feeling come back. Can Cyrus pus aside his need to make money and accept the love that Belle is offering him again?
Janna MacGregor’s Compromised Under the Mistletoe tells the story of a married couple who have been living apart. Since Stephen spent most of his time worried about the farm and ignoring his wife, Caroline decided to move to London and focus on her interest in the arts. They are attending the Revelry in the hopes that her uncle, the Duke, will release her trust money. He will only do so if he is convinced that the couple is happily married. They need to put on a show for the Duke and his spies to convince everyone that they are in love. This is helped by the quantity of Mistletoe everywhere in the manor. While faking their love story, they find that they are really in love and can work out their problems to be together again.
Erica Ridley’s Mischief and Mistletoe tells the story of Louisa Harcourt who’s mother is wanting to have her make a match at this house party. Louisa is a poet and is attracted to the one man who would be unacceptable to her mother – Mr Ewan Reid, a fellow poet (or is he). While she tries to be attracted to the titled men she is drawn to Ewan. They form a friendship knowing it will end with the Revelry but as the days go by they fall in love. Unfortunately, Ewan isn’t who he appears to be and it threatens to ruin everything. Can these two ever find their way back to their Happily Ever After.
I received an advanced copy of this book in return for an honest review.
Eloisa James A Mistletoe Kiss tells the story of the Duke’s youngest daughter Cressida. She is practically an indentured servant to the Revelry. While her father takes all the credit, she does all the work. Her confidence has been worn down by her father over the years and now he is giving her dowry of a Scottish Estate away to tie her to the Revely even after his death. His heir Viscount Denham will inherit it only on the condition that he continues the Revelry for the next 10 years. The Duke practically bequeaths his daughter to Val so she can continue her work. Without anything to look forward to she is determined to escape. Val comes up with a plan to solve both of their dilemmas. He proposes that his friend who lives on the neighboring estate will marry her so she can have a life and he can continue with the Revelries. What starts out as a convenient plan turns into a true love story for Cressie and Lord Darcy de Royleston.
Wishing Under the Mistletoe by Christi Caldwell tells the story of long lost love. Ten years earlier, Cyrus and Isabelle had been betrothed for almost 3 years. He was so focused on growing his wealth to deserve her that he lost her forever. When they both show up at the Revelry and are assigned the job of working together to create the yearly pantomime the old feeling come back. Can Cyrus pus aside his need to make money and accept the love that Belle is offering him again?
Janna MacGregor’s Compromised Under the Mistletoe tells the story of a married couple who have been living apart. Since Stephen spent most of his time worried about the farm and ignoring his wife, Caroline decided to move to London and focus on her interest in the arts. They are attending the Revelry in the hopes that her uncle, the Duke, will release her trust money. He will only do so if he is convinced that the couple is happily married. They need to put on a show for the Duke and his spies to convince everyone that they are in love. This is helped by the quantity of Mistletoe everywhere in the manor. While faking their love story, they find that they are really in love and can work out their problems to be together again.
Erica Ridley’s Mischief and Mistletoe tells the story of Louisa Harcourt who’s mother is wanting to have her make a match at this house party. Louisa is a poet and is attracted to the one man who would be unacceptable to her mother – Mr Ewan Reid, a fellow poet (or is he). While she tries to be attracted to the titled men she is drawn to Ewan. They form a friendship knowing it will end with the Revelry but as the days go by they fall in love. Unfortunately, Ewan isn’t who he appears to be and it threatens to ruin everything. Can these two ever find their way back to their Happily Ever After.
I received an advanced copy of this book in return for an honest review.
fdarlene491's review against another edition
4.0
I am voluntarily posting an honest review after reading an advance reader copy of this story.
Mistletoe Christmas is a holiday anthology with 4 stories all taking place at the same house party. This kind of cooperation between the four authors must have been time consuming and hair pulling. To their credit it works. The Duke of Greystoke is throwing what may be his last Christmas gala house party. No one has a clue that his poor overworked, overlooked daughter is the mastermind behind the event of the season. Cressie's story is heartbreaking, he own father refuses to see her worth and it's warped her sense of self. Thank goodness she gets her HEA, though it's a rough journey. My favorite is the last in the quartet, Louisa lives in her head like so many of us do. She manages to get through social situations by bringing out her "automaton", the polite façade that follows all the rules and never puts a foot out of line. Gosh it sounded familiar. The Duke's amazing party turns out to be the setting for four lovely HEA's that are well deserved. I found the all to be a delightful way to spend the day.
#MistletoeChristmas #EloisaJames #ChristiCaldwell #JannaMacGregor #EricaRidley #Christmas #romance HarperCollins
Mistletoe Christmas is a holiday anthology with 4 stories all taking place at the same house party. This kind of cooperation between the four authors must have been time consuming and hair pulling. To their credit it works. The Duke of Greystoke is throwing what may be his last Christmas gala house party. No one has a clue that his poor overworked, overlooked daughter is the mastermind behind the event of the season. Cressie's story is heartbreaking, he own father refuses to see her worth and it's warped her sense of self. Thank goodness she gets her HEA, though it's a rough journey. My favorite is the last in the quartet, Louisa lives in her head like so many of us do. She manages to get through social situations by bringing out her "automaton", the polite façade that follows all the rules and never puts a foot out of line. Gosh it sounded familiar. The Duke's amazing party turns out to be the setting for four lovely HEA's that are well deserved. I found the all to be a delightful way to spend the day.
#MistletoeChristmas #EloisaJames #ChristiCaldwell #JannaMacGregor #EricaRidley #Christmas #romance HarperCollins
hammock_and_read's review against another edition
5.0
I didn't know about this one since its a combination of four authors and three I hadn't read yet, well needless to say this was a happy surprise of how much I loved these little novellas that complete a the story around the Duke's huge Christmas party- we get to look into many different lives with this one. I loved all the writing and enjoy each of the flow with the plots, characters that build throughout the books, side characters, so many different voices, the party though many eyes, and just the whole party. We get 4 HEA's with this one!
I'm going to have to read more of the back list of these authors as I really enjoyed this and each their novellas. I don't think I have read an Anthology before but especially around the holiday books this is a cute idea!
5 stars
3.5 steam
I'm going to have to read more of the back list of these authors as I really enjoyed this and each their novellas. I don't think I have read an Anthology before but especially around the holiday books this is a cute idea!
5 stars
3.5 steam
jujubeelia's review against another edition
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
The stories were really cute. I wasn’t a big fan of the pacing for the second story, but overall I found it a fun, lighthearted Christmas read.
steph01924's review against another edition
2.0
This was fine. Two stars only because I didn't finish 3/4 of the stories in their entirety.
- The first one about Lady Cressida, who runs the Revelry, was decent enough. Stick it to your shitty dad, Cressie!
- I didn't care for how dense Cyrus was in the second and they got back together too quickly for me.
- Stephen got very schmoopy and the story became entirely too sappy at the end where I skimmed to, especially knowing the way he treated her during their first year of marriage. I also didn't like how Caroline, at the end, was like, "oh, this was my fault too. I could've done better." Like...your husband ignores you except for in the bedroom for a year, and you told him you didn't like it, but he didn't change so you left to find your own autonomy, and YOU'RE in the wrong somehow? Lady, I think not.
- The last story featuring Louisa by Erica Ridley was sounding VERY similar to the characters from her most recent novel I just read, where the woman's mom is desperately pawning her daughter off on any man with a hint of money and she just goes along with it because she's like a broken doll. I know how it ends; I read it already, also, the guy she's going to fall in love with is a poet and you know how I feel about those.
I'm pretty sure others are going to enjoy this a lot more than I will; wasn't horribly written, but like opening an uninspired set of body wash from B&BW at a white elephant party, I wasn't looking for what this was giving, so I'm regifting to someone else.
- The first one about Lady Cressida, who runs the Revelry, was decent enough. Stick it to your shitty dad, Cressie!
- I didn't care for how dense Cyrus was in the second and they got back together too quickly for me.
- Stephen got very schmoopy and the story became entirely too sappy at the end where I skimmed to, especially knowing the way he treated her during their first year of marriage. I also didn't like how Caroline, at the end, was like, "oh, this was my fault too. I could've done better." Like...your husband ignores you except for in the bedroom for a year, and you told him you didn't like it, but he didn't change so you left to find your own autonomy, and YOU'RE in the wrong somehow? Lady, I think not.
- The last story featuring Louisa by Erica Ridley was sounding VERY similar to the characters from her most recent novel I just read, where the woman's mom is desperately pawning her daughter off on any man with a hint of money and she just goes along with it because she's like a broken doll. I know how it ends; I read it already, also, the guy she's going to fall in love with is a poet and you know how I feel about those.
I'm pretty sure others are going to enjoy this a lot more than I will; wasn't horribly written, but like opening an uninspired set of body wash from B&BW at a white elephant party, I wasn't looking for what this was giving, so I'm regifting to someone else.
lkm1d4's review against another edition
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
andrea_author's review
5.0
Four couples find love at a Christmas house party in this anthology featuring four stars of Regency romance. Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC I received. This is my honest and voluntary review.
A Mistletoe Kiss by Eloisa James:
Cressida may be a duke's daughter, but her father's insults have convinced her she'll never attract a husband. Now, on his deathbed, he's changed his will to leave her without a dowry. Her cousin, the duke's heir, suggests his wealthy friend Elias consider Cressie for his wife. Can Elias break through her distrust to convince her he's sincere?
The duke has really done a number on Cressie, wanting her to stay with him and run his household rather than marrying. She has no self-confidence when it comes to men, and Elias has an uphill battle. Fortunately, he's patient and proves he can be the man she needs. This is a fun, original story.
Wishing Under the Mistletoe by Christi Caldwell:
Isabelle and Cyrus broke their engagement ten years ago, and have since focused their energies on their careers: she as a playwright, and he as an accountant. When they see each other again at a house party, their attraction sparks back to life. Can they resolve their differences and find happiness at last?
This is a poignant story, with both characters realizing that they took each other for granted the first time around. It's an emotional journey as they find their way back to each other.
Compromise Under the Mistletoe by Janna MacGregor:
Feeling neglected by her husband, Caroline left Stephen a year after the wedding. Now, a year later, her uncle the duke insists that she reunite with Stephen if she wishes to receive her inheritance. At the duke's house party, they pretend to be devoted to each other. Can they work through their differences and find true love?
The sparks fly between Caroline and Stephen: the hurt and anger of their separation, as well as the powerful attraction between them. They both show a lack of maturity, in their pride and unwillingness to communicate. But as the story progresses, they realize they were both at fault and demonstrate the growth they need to repair their marriage. This is an entertaining and ultimately satisfying story.
Mischief & Mistletoe by Erica Ridley:
Louisa needs a husband. At least, that's what her mother keeps telling her. The duke's party is prime ground for husband hunting, with eligible noblemen present. But Louisa can't deny her interest in poet Ewan, despite his low birth. When his secrets come out, will they drive her away?
Erica Ridley is a master at creating characters with small strokes, so that even novellas feel like richly developed stories. There's so much emotion in this story, with both Louisa and Ewan torn between what they want for themselves, and the ambitions of their families. It's fun and heartfelt and a very satisfying read.
A Mistletoe Kiss by Eloisa James:
Cressida may be a duke's daughter, but her father's insults have convinced her she'll never attract a husband. Now, on his deathbed, he's changed his will to leave her without a dowry. Her cousin, the duke's heir, suggests his wealthy friend Elias consider Cressie for his wife. Can Elias break through her distrust to convince her he's sincere?
The duke has really done a number on Cressie, wanting her to stay with him and run his household rather than marrying. She has no self-confidence when it comes to men, and Elias has an uphill battle. Fortunately, he's patient and proves he can be the man she needs. This is a fun, original story.
Wishing Under the Mistletoe by Christi Caldwell:
Isabelle and Cyrus broke their engagement ten years ago, and have since focused their energies on their careers: she as a playwright, and he as an accountant. When they see each other again at a house party, their attraction sparks back to life. Can they resolve their differences and find happiness at last?
This is a poignant story, with both characters realizing that they took each other for granted the first time around. It's an emotional journey as they find their way back to each other.
Compromise Under the Mistletoe by Janna MacGregor:
Feeling neglected by her husband, Caroline left Stephen a year after the wedding. Now, a year later, her uncle the duke insists that she reunite with Stephen if she wishes to receive her inheritance. At the duke's house party, they pretend to be devoted to each other. Can they work through their differences and find true love?
The sparks fly between Caroline and Stephen: the hurt and anger of their separation, as well as the powerful attraction between them. They both show a lack of maturity, in their pride and unwillingness to communicate. But as the story progresses, they realize they were both at fault and demonstrate the growth they need to repair their marriage. This is an entertaining and ultimately satisfying story.
Mischief & Mistletoe by Erica Ridley:
Louisa needs a husband. At least, that's what her mother keeps telling her. The duke's party is prime ground for husband hunting, with eligible noblemen present. But Louisa can't deny her interest in poet Ewan, despite his low birth. When his secrets come out, will they drive her away?
Erica Ridley is a master at creating characters with small strokes, so that even novellas feel like richly developed stories. There's so much emotion in this story, with both Louisa and Ewan torn between what they want for themselves, and the ambitions of their families. It's fun and heartfelt and a very satisfying read.
blodeuedd's review against another edition
3.0
Mistletoe Christmas by Eloisa James
Poor Cressida, her father was such an asshole! Put her down her entire life so she could not see her worth. At least she knows she is awesome at organizing the yearly party (that her asshole father takes credit for). She stays in the shadows, until someone finally notices her. Awww Elias, he saw beyond everything and the both deserved their happiness
Wishing Under the Mistletoe by Christi Caldwell
I get why she left him, he was all about work. Gotta make some money to prove everyone he is worthy..though! I sure would have liked to see how on earth a stableboy ended up engaged to a Duke's granddaughter?!
Anyway a nice second chance romance. They talk it through, they see the light
Compromise Under the Mistletoe by Janna MacGregor
Another second chance romance. Married couple had lots of hawt sex, but never talked (like hello it takes the both of you.) And now they are pretending to be in love, and will obvi finally talk and be happy again.
Mischief & Mistletoe by Erica Ridley
Lady Louisa is a spinster thanks to gossip columns. Now is her last chance, and she is seen for once, but gives her heart to a poet. And awww, xmas times, they fall for each other and well he does have a bad secret. Grrr
All in all sweet and good stories. It sounds like a fun revelry for sure. And at the end I am left thinking, whose original story is it? When will the viscount find love? He needs love too ;)
Good narrator, since it was 4 stories, I never felt lost, I always knew in which story I was even though some characters walked through them all. Nice distinct voices.
Poor Cressida, her father was such an asshole! Put her down her entire life so she could not see her worth. At least she knows she is awesome at organizing the yearly party (that her asshole father takes credit for). She stays in the shadows, until someone finally notices her. Awww Elias, he saw beyond everything and the both deserved their happiness
Wishing Under the Mistletoe by Christi Caldwell
I get why she left him, he was all about work. Gotta make some money to prove everyone he is worthy..though! I sure would have liked to see how on earth a stableboy ended up engaged to a Duke's granddaughter?!
Anyway a nice second chance romance. They talk it through, they see the light
Compromise Under the Mistletoe by Janna MacGregor
Another second chance romance. Married couple had lots of hawt sex, but never talked (like hello it takes the both of you.) And now they are pretending to be in love, and will obvi finally talk and be happy again.
Mischief & Mistletoe by Erica Ridley
Lady Louisa is a spinster thanks to gossip columns. Now is her last chance, and she is seen for once, but gives her heart to a poet. And awww, xmas times, they fall for each other and well he does have a bad secret. Grrr
All in all sweet and good stories. It sounds like a fun revelry for sure. And at the end I am left thinking, whose original story is it? When will the viscount find love? He needs love too ;)
Good narrator, since it was 4 stories, I never felt lost, I always knew in which story I was even though some characters walked through them all. Nice distinct voices.