Bah and a hum bug: Sebatian Rutherford, the new Earl of Gray, has no desire to settle down. Ever. The only thing he dislikes more than the idea of taking over his recently inherited earldom, and all it’s responsibilities, is Christmas. So, when he agrees to an arranged marriage to the former earl’s daughter, he plans on a quick wedding and a quicker return to his adventures abroad. Surely, even a … even a hint of Christmas cheer won’t need to be shared? But when his clever new wife, Lady Marabelle begins to thaw his heart, he finds that not only is family a joy, but Christmas may be the best season to lose one’s heart.
Deck the Halls:
Lady Marabelle loves Christmas. She loves everything about it. So, when she faces her first Christmas since the death of her beloved father, married to a man she’s never met, she decides to make sure that the Christmas hating new Earl must be taught the spirit of the season. But with each day toward Christmas that comes her way, she begins to find that perhaps a marriage of convenience can be a marriage of the heart and a veritable Christmas miracle.
This was originally included in the Limited Christmas Set ‘Twas the Night Before Scandal.
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Full review appeared on Reader’s Edyn on 11/15/17
Lady Marabelle Danvers is the last surviving heir to the Earl of Grey. Since she cannot assume such a title, it has been passed to the next male heir with the stipulation that he marry Marabelle. She’s ok with the arrangement since she’s been running the estate for years and will continue to do so as the Earl’s wife. But she knows little of her intended and is to marry him on the morning of his arrival. It is the beginning of the Christmas season and this will be her first without any of her family to celebrate with, so she’s determined to make the best Christmas ever with her new husband … except he hates the holiday, and people, and his new title, and England … but he seems to like Marabelle quite a lot. A conundrum indeed.
Sebastian Rutherford, Earl of Grey has been traveling the Indies since selling his commission from the army. He never thought to step foot back in England again – until duty called. He has every intention of claiming the title, getting his new bride with an heir, and then resuming his travels abroad. At least that’s his plan. But the lovely lady entices him with thoughts of a home, a family, a life full of love and traditions. He’s never experienced and thing like it, coming from a hard family with no use for affection or anything so frivolous as holiday celebrations. He’s finding he likes the idea more and more, but settling down will take a bit more convincing and Marabelle is determined to make it happen. If she can’t convince him over the holidays, then she can’t convince him at all – but her kisses are doing a pretty darned good job of it.
This is a super-fast novella read that can be tackled within a couple of hours. For such a short span of pages, I found the characters whimsical and engaging. Sebastian has been groomed for nothing but propriety and has never encountered a woman like Marabelle who adores life; especially the holidays. I enjoyed seeing a side of Sebastian that he kept guarded and hidden from others, but gave to Marabelle as a gift. And Marabelle’s excitement for the holidays and traditions within them is almost contagious. It seems to be for Sebastian, anyway. The two have a few differing ideals to work through, but as an arranged marriage, they ultimately suit to each other well. Sebastian in all his antisocial glory and Marabelle with her welcoming, joyous spirit complement one another; together finding a beautiful balance.
The reader is also treated to another fun couple within the book, the Duke and Duchess of Huntsdown. Olivia is a good friend of Marabelle and James was in the army with Sebastian. The couple is newly married and so they go on outings together and impart advice here and there. They have their own story in book 3 of the series, Duke Goes Rogue, which I’d very much like to read now. Most dialogue is between the couples is humorous with James and Olivia having already been through their “awkward period” and Sebastian and Marabelle new to marriage, muddling their way through becoming acquainted. As a historical romance, I found this novella a satisfying read with entertaining and charming characters. I plan to visit the rest of this series as soon as I get the chance.
Kindle version provided by Dog Eared Publicity/Author in exchange for an honest review.
I believe this is the first Eva Devon book I’ve read. I’m not sure how this author has flown under my radar. But after having read A Rogue’s Christmas Kiss, I will have to hunt down more of her backlist.
This was a short story and part of the Must Love Rogues series. I’m not read any of the books and I felt it stood alone, quite well. I probably would have gotten more out of the secondary characters if I’d read the series, but I didn’t fee like I was really missing much.
I’m a fan of the arranged marriage trope within historical romances. This book starts out as Sebatian and Marabelle meet just before their wedding. Sebatian is a confirmed bachelor, but is going into this wedding as a favor to Marabelle’s father. He goes into this marriage thinking that he’s going to remain indifferent and can beget his heir and then England. Marabelle on the other hand is still mourning the loss of her father and brother. She’s going into this marriage hoping that she’ll find love and companionship.
Since we have a novella and a romance, we know there’s going to be a happily ever after and a pretty simple plot line. There aren’t any external forces trying to keep these two apart. The story is really all about these two getting to know each other, adjusting to married life and well, falling in love. At times I felt that it was perhaps just a little too simple. But I was cheering them on and even had a couple tears come to my eyes.
All in all, this was an enjoyable Christmas read and I would recommend for those wanting an introduction to Eva Devon or a short historical romance.
My review originally posted at Romancing the Book.
**This was originally included in the Limited Christmas Set ‘Twas the Night Before Scandal.**
A quick, entertaining Christmas Romance with bah humbug earl and his lady, who loves everything about Christmas. Can she change his way of thinking to learn to love the holiday as well?
I so enjoyed the characters and the plot. The spirit of the holiday was palpable. As love grows so does the spirit of Christmas for the earl.
What an enjoyable read with some laugh out loud moments! Great for a relaxing, lazy afternoon. I had read this story when it appeared in “‘Twas the Night Before Scandal”, and it was great to re-visit again.
Rating: 4
Heat rating: mild
Reviewer: AprilR