Linda Rae Sande

I never want to read about a wedding on Christmas ever again.

I am so so so glad I am FINALLY done with this. The relief! While I actually enjoyed more of the stories than I expected, this went downhill when I read the whole second half over the last week.


THINGS I LEARNED FROM THIS ANTHOLOGY (in categories cause I'm just that sick of everything)
Plot & character things
- All men speak in a rich baritone
- A woman's hair is always long and usually curly
- Every blonde woman is an angel (twice the show more angel if her hair is also blonde & curly)
- Scotsmen are always rugged and we'd forget they're Scottish if they didn't call the heroine "lassie" in at least every second sentence
- Epilogues only exist to show us that the heroine is pregnant
- Isn't it funny to call this heroine in Christmas romance anthology Holly? So original!

Sex things
- "It's called a cock."
- There's always oral sex before the virgin is deflowered (or "claimed", as most stories put it. By his rod.)
- "What was that?!" - "It's called an orgasm."

Actual serious criticism
- People of color didn't exist in 19th century England, not even as servants (except for that one story)
- Neither did queer people
- Beta readers for spelling and grammar? We don't need them cause we're just THAT good. 99% of these mistakes were things spellcheck should've picked up on, what are you even doing?!
- Apparently spanking is so sexy that there's no need to distinguish it from abuse. Hard disagree.


INDIVIDUAL RATINGS (to be taken with a grain of salt, especially those at the beginning - when I wasn't sick of the premise yet - and those at the end, when I was too sick of the premise. I've also got an update with a mini review after every single story for you to enjoy...)
Hell's Wedding Bells - 4 stars
Two Lady Scoundrels and a Duke - 1 star
A Wicked Wedding - 5 stars
The Lady's Guide to Mistletoe and Mayhem - 1 star
The Russian Betrothal - 4 stars
Beautifully Reckless - 2 stars
The Mistletoe Mistress - 3 stars
Deeds Not Words - 2 stars
Holly and the Beast - 3 stars
The Winter Bride - 3 stars
Mistletoe Kisses - 3 stars
The Christmas Countess - 2 stars
Mischief and Mistletoe - 2 stars
Kidnapped With the Knight - 1 star
The Russian Prince's Bride - 4 stars
Christmas Charity - 3 stars
The Angel of an Astronomer - 4 stars
Wassail, Wagers and Weddings - 3 stars
Highland Yule - 1 star
Marrying Miss Bright - 3 stars
Kiss Me, Macrae - 3 stars
Holly and Old Lace - 1 star
Home for Christmas - 2 stars
A Spinster at the Highland Court - 2 stars
The Holiday Hussy - 1 star
December Debauchery - 3 stars
Wedded in Winter - 2 stars show less

**** SPOILER ALERT ****
While I was reading "The Bargain Of A Baroness" I was strongly put in mind of the "A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To The Forum" movie as Sande channeled their inner Mel Brooks. The hilarity includes a shocked grandson telling his grandfather, in a proper Victorian manner, "TMI Grandpa!" I burst out laughing! The shenanigans continue with, among other things, many characters proclaiming "I'm not getting any younger!" Instead of phone tag, the Victorian version, show more footman tag, is played instead.
As always Sande does a top shelf job of character development and world building. Graham Wellingham, for example grows quite a little as a character as the book progresses.
I particularly liked the contrast of the two romances, wait, did I mention that the author, nearly always, gives the readers two romances in one book? How can you beat a two for one deal? Now back to my original point, I like the contrast of the slow pace of the turtle and Hannah's story and the nearly warp speed of Henry and Laura's story. Sande does a fantastic job of balancing the two throughout the book.
I highly recommend this fun romp of a tale. I thoroughly enjoyed the reading of it.
In the interest of transparency, I was given a review copy of this book and I am voluntarily sharing this review.
It is my own honest opinion.. show less

I was smiling the whole time I was reading this delightfully entertaining and romantic book. The characters are smart, witty, and so very ready for love to find them. I always look forward to this author’s well-written, excellently paced books – partly because I always get TWO romances – but mostly because they are just consistently good reads. If you are looking for a navel-gazing, angsty, woe-is-me kind of story – well, this isn’t it. The characters are bright, happy, show more well-adjusted, and have wonderful families who love them. That said, their journey to their HEA is never dull!

Vivian and Christina have been best friends forever. Both are lovely, smart, accomplished, and follow all of society’s rules. Vivian, however, is getting very tired of being prim and proper because it hasn’t gotten her anywhere. Not only has she not had any proposals – she hasn’t even had a suitor. She assumes it is because she is so very tall – taller than most of the men she meets. What other reason could there be? She has a nice dowry enough to draw at least a few men’s interest, but not one man has remotely shown an interest. Not since Sebastian left four years ago – Sebastian the man she always thought she’d marry.

Sebastian was always restless – always seeking one more thrill, taking one more risk, bedding one more woman. However, he’d known since Vivian’s come out that she was the one he’d marry – when he was ready – he just hadn’t ever been able to be ready to settle down. He left for his grand tour the day after he almost ruined her and he hasn’t been back since. Four years is a long time, but he didn’t mean to be gone that long. He spent the last two years living in a monastery in the Alps and he’s a changed man. He’s changed his reckless ways and he’s ready to wed Vivian – he just has to convince her. While Sebastian has calmed down and settled – it appears Vivian has gotten a bit bolder. Hmmm

Viscount Richard Hartwell received his title just a few weeks ago when his father died. I think Richard might have been my favorite character. He was one of the most naïve men you could ever meet. Other than his time at Eton, he has never been away from his country home. His home where there were no women – no aunts, no sisters, no cousins, no mother. He had never had any female influence on him at all. He’s only in London to take care of all of the paperwork involved in the transfer of the Viscountcy from his father to himself. And – well – maybe find a bride so he can set up his nursery and ensure the continuation of the title. But – as he’s settling all of the Viscountcy requirements he is hit with revelation after revelation after revelation about his father, his family, himself, his mother. Much too much for one man to absorb in such a short span of time – except for the calm, steadying influence of Christina.

I can certainly recommend this book. It is delightfully entertaining and you’ll love all of the characters – both major and minor. OH! BTW – it has the very best epilogue.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. show less

Terrific addition to the Lyon's Den series. Annabelle is recently widowed and has a five-year-old son. She needs another husband so that her son has someone to teach him what he needs to know. But as a former courtesan, Annabelle worries that her past will come back to haunt her. That fear is realized when a former client recognizes her, and she is concerned that he may reveal her secret. Annabelle takes her mother's advice and goes to Mrs. Dove-Lyon for help securing a match.

Jeffrey needs show more help. Due to the deaths of his father and older brother, Jeffrey has inherited the earldom. Unfortunately, the estate's coffers are empty, leaving him needing a wealthy wife. Upon the advice of his lawyer, he appeals to Mrs. Dove-Lyon for help in finding a rich woman to marry. Having just encountered his former favorite courtesan and inadvertently insulted her, his preferences for a wife are pretty specific.

The first meeting between Jeffrey and Annabelle was quite awkward. Annabelle's fear of being recognized was realized and by the man she has never forgotten. Jeffrey's comment was insulting, and he earned her reaction. I liked his immediate regret and attempted to apologize. He doesn't give up trying to make amends, and his visit the next day has much better results. It doesn't take long for them to reconnect and discover their feelings are as strong as ever. I enjoyed watching their developing relationship. Both quickly regret their arrangements with Mrs. Dove-Lyon, but they are committed and must follow through. The tension mounted as the contest for her hand drew near, as there was another contender for the top spot. The match was intense, with a twist I didn't see coming. I loved how it ended.

Besides the relationship between Jeffrey and Annabelle, there were a couple of secondary romances and some surprise family developments. Annabelle's mother, Lucy, is mourning the loss of her longtime protector and Annabelle's father. Then, a man from her past reappears, showing interest in resuming where he left off many years earlier. I enjoyed watching the development of this later-in-life romance. Lucy also receives a visit from her late protector's legitimate son.

Upon his father's death, Anthony was shocked to learn of his longtime mistress and the existence of a half-sister. I loved his acceptance of Lucy in his father's life and his excitement at discovering he had a sister. Having thought he was now alone in the world, he is thrilled to have a sister and a nephew. I loved the first meeting between Anthony and Annabelle and their immediate ease with each other. Anthony also meets a young woman who knocks him for a loop. I loved Natalie.

I also adored Annabelle's son, Benton. I loved his seriousness as he fulfilled his role as the new viscount, especially when he was introduced to women. His fascination with the toy soldiers was fun, especially when he and Jeffrey got together.

The book finished with an epilogue that took place six years later. I loved catching up with the various characters.

#netgalley show less