A review by andrea_author
Mistletoe Christmas: An Anthology by Eloisa James, Erica Ridley, Christi Caldwell, Janna MacGregor

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.