The Duke and Miss Christmas (The Heirs' Club of Scoundrels Trilogy, #2.5) by Amelia Grey Series: The Heirs' Club of Scoundrels Trilogy #2.5
Published by St. Martin's Paperbacks on October 13th 2015
Genres: Adult Historical Romance
Format: Kindle Edition
Source: Publisher
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I received this book for free from Publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Crispin, the Duke of Hurst, has never met a woman he couldn't handle--until he's hit over the head with a basketful of mistletoe by a young lady who mistakes his intentions. When he gets into a tussle with her--and she can hold her own--Crispin knows he has finally met his match.
Miss Gwen Prim is mortified that she attacked a duke, but even more concerning is the way her resolve melts when she's near him. She's never felt this way about a London gentleman in her life. And with the magic of Christmas in the air, she may end up with a proposal she didn't expect...in this delightful Regency gem, The Duke and Miss Christmas by New York Times bestselling author Amelia Grey
Delightfully charming and sweet read, too bad it ended up being so short.
When Crispin, the Duke of Hurst finds a young injured girl, the last thing he expected was to suddenly be attacked by her older sister with a basket. After striking him in the face and causing a cut under his eye, Gwen and Crispin ends up in the tussle. Unaware that Crispin is a duke who was only trying to help her younger sister Sibyl, she accidentally mistakes him for an attacker and boy can Gwen hold her own.
“Let me up, you foul beast!” She ground out a hiss as she struggled to break free.
Not a chance in hell, he thought as his fingers tightened.
When the realization who she had attacked finally sinks in, Gwen cannot help but feel bad and a little ashamed for striking the duke and not giving him a chance to escape. Her past had made her wary of other gentleman but she cannot help the attraction between them.
Loved the banter, loved the plot-line, and characters full of wit and humor but unfortunately because this is a novella, it made me wish for so much more. I think I especially loved Sibyl, Gwen’s cheeky young sister. She had to be my favorite part of the story. It is a shame that this is a trilogy because I do hope Miss Sibyl get’s her own book.
She gave him a smoldering expression of defiance and crossed her hands over her chest. “I don’t cry,” she stated firmly. “Crying is for babies.”
Thought I really did enjoy Grey’s writing and humor, it was the reason this novella fell a little short for me. I really liked Crispin and wished this was a full length novel. I wanted to feel more of a connection between the two characters but it was quite quick and I guess because everything was so quick I just couldn’t connect.
Another reason I gave it 3.5 stars is that I felt Gwen was a bit careless in the beginning. She could have really hurt her sister. Plus at the end, Gwen admitted in her rent that she loved Crispin but a little after she says to him, well you don’t know that I love you, and he acts like she never said it. That was kind of a blooper it felt on that part.
Overall, it was enjoyable, though quick. I needed something like among all the thrillers I have been reading, and this definitely gave me that. Do I wish it was longer? Absolutely, especially since this was a Christmas romance and I love to get lost in those.
Jennifer Bielman @ Bad Bird Reads
Sucks when you are really into a book and it’s a novella and it’s too short. Gwen sounds feisty.
Kelly
Ooh, this certainly sounds a little saucy Lily, but can see why you would have had a few issues with it though. Sometimes a storyline is just too BIG to fit into a novella. I love a great Christmas romance too, especially seeing most are set in wintery wonderlands and we’re usually sweating our asses off in Australia over the holidays. Great review Lily and love the spooky new look, super cute! <3
Kelly recently posted…You’re The Kind of Girl I Write Songs About
Melliane
It’s nice somtimes to have a story like that, even if it’s not awesome, it sounds good. I’m curious.
kindlemom1
I love the fun Halloween theme Lily! What a good idea!
Glad you liked this even if it wasn’t perfect. 😉
kindlemom1 recently posted…WoW Pick of the Week
blodeuedd
I think if it had been loner it could have been even better
blodeuedd recently posted…Contemporary Wednesday:The Sweetest Thing /Forever After
Angela @ Simply Angela
That mistletoe can be dangerous. lol I love Grey’s writing but haven’t tried this series yet. Too bad it was so short. There have been so many novella that’s had potential to be great reads if only they were a bit longer.
Love the Halloween design, by the way!
Angela @ Simply Angela recently posted…High Country Hideout by Elle James
Sophia Rose
Sometimes it doesn’t pay to help someone. LOL. Poor guy getting coshed for being nice.
I have a few reads that I wish were full novels. Some just need more time to develop.
Sophia Rose recently posted…Top Five Favorite Things About Bikers by Katie Ashley
Heidi
I read another review of this yesterday, and you both feel the same way. I rarely find a novella that I love too, I usually want more.
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kimbacaffeinate
Too short is always a problem. I love your Halloween theme!!
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Melissa (Books and Things)
Sometimes it is good when we want a longer book and sometimes not. At least you enjoyed what you had even if parts fell flat. Does make me curious about her full length novels.
Melissa (Books and Things) recently posted…Blog Tour with Giveaway!: Havoc Rising by Brian S. Leon
Carla @ Lipstick & Mocha
This one sounds incredibly fun! Too bad it’s a short story
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Naomi Hop
That is the sad thing about novella’s, you tend to enjoy them and want more! Gwen and Crispin sound like interesting characters!
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Renee (Lover of Romance)
I do hate it when it ends short. I am pretty excited to read this one though, since I like Amelia Grey. Especially with Christmas coming up soon.
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Lola
This sounds like a good one even though it was a bit short. I like the use of christmas colours on the cover. With novella’s it often feels like the romance develops just a bit too fast as there’s less time for them to get to know each other. Great review!
Lola recently posted…Lola’s Ramblings: What do you like to see in stories?
Kathryn
Sounds good on the whole. Always a challenge a novella with its limited pages. Love the bit about her using the basket to knock him around. Good points about why you didn’t rate it higher.
Kathryn recently posted…After You. Jojo Moyes