Once Upon a Christmas Eve by Elizabeth Hoyt Series: Maiden Lane #12.6
Published by Forever Yours on December 5, 2017
Source: NetGalley
Genres: Christmas Romance, Novella, Historical Romance
Pages: 92
Format: eARC
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Adam Rutledge, Viscount d'Arque, really rather loathes Christmas. The banal cheerfulness. The asinine party games. And, worst of all, the obligatory trip to the countryside. His grandmother, however, loves the holiday—and Adam loves his grandmother, so he'll brave the fiercest snowstorm to please her. But when their carriage wheel snaps, they're forced to seek shelter at the home of the most maddening, infuriating, and utterly beguiling woman he's ever met.
Sarah St. John really rather loathes rakes. The self-satisfied smirks. The sly predatory gazes. Oh, and the constant witty banter rife with double meaning. But in the spirit of the season, she'll welcome this admittedly handsome viscount into her home. But as the snowstorm rages, the Yule log crackles, and the tension rises, Sarah and Adam find themselves locked in a fiery, passionate kiss. If love is the true meaning of Christmas, it's the one gift this mismatched pair can't wait to unwrap.
Once Upon a Christmas Eve made me smile. Adam is a bit of a scoundrel, but has a soft heart, and even though he definitely deserves his reputation with women, he never “ruins” anyone. Sarah has run into at least one rake before, knows Adam and know his type and doesn’t want anything to do with him. So of course, in between their verbal jabs and avoiding each other, they fall in love. They make a good couple who will keep each other on their toes.
This is a novella, so the romance progresses quickly. To be honest, I wish the story had been longer. I would have liked to see more of Sarah and Adam and had their relationship progress a little more evenly. I love the Christmas house party setting and especially the last scene. I may have to read more of Hoyt’s books soon.
This was a wonderful Christmas romance — sweet and fun and a tad bit steamy.
About Elizabeth Hoyt
Elizabeth Hoyt is a New York Times bestselling author of historical romance. She also writes deliciously fun contemporary romance under the name Julia Harper. Elizabeth lives in Minneapolis, Minnesota with three untrained dogs and one long-suffering husband.
I’d like this one
I kind of wish I had read some of the series first. I have the feeling I would have known some of the other cahracters better that way.
Not my usual read but it does sound interesting!
I don’t tend to read a lot of historical romance, but sometimes they do grab my attention.
Ideal reading for a quick me up.
Especially this time of year when everything is so busy.
Christmas and romance…always fun! 😀