The same Christmas wish has haunted Emily Nicholls for years — to have a family of her own. But six years of marriage resulted in no children, and the widowed Emily now cares for others as a governess. She loves her work, and it allows her to care for her parents who can no longer support themselves. But it does not quite fill the hole in her heart.Lord Charles Blythe, Earl of Doverton, … Doverton, absolutely must produce an heir to prevent his loathsome cousin or the man’s obnoxious son from inheriting. Since the death of his wife, however, Charles has no desire to wed any of the young, empty-headed women that society thrusts at him.
When Charles impulsively tells his cousin he is to marry, he chooses the first woman he sees in the crowd at a ball. Shocked to find out she’s a governess, he nevertheless convinces her to join his family for Christmas to participate in the charade. They must fight their attraction, however, for Charles needs a son, the one thing Emily knows she cannot give him.
Is there any chance for their Christmas wishes to come true?
For readers over 18 due to some steamy content.
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What a wonderful Christmas tale! So full of romance and Christmas spirit, it brings the holiday season closer to us this year. Ellie continues to entertain and provide a delightful story that warms the heart and provide a great read for Christmas!
When governess Emily heads into the ballroom during her employers’ party to fetch the doll of one of the children she takes care of, she never thought her whole life would change. Stopped by a couple of men, she’s informed that she’s the fiancé of one of the men.
Lord Charles Blythe shocked himself when he grabbed the arm of the passing woman and informed his cousin that he was getting married to her. Of course, his cousin Edward doesn’t believe him. Edward and his son Thaddeus are next in line for Charles’ title if he doesn’t produce a male heir. Edward of course knows this and uses every opportunity to slyly point that out to Charles. After the stranger flees, Charles follows her and discovers that the woman he selected to be his new “bride” is none other than the governess to Lord and Lady Coningsby, his host for the evening. When Charles asks Emily to pretend to be his fiancé, she agrees. After all the money she will be paid is enough to set her family up for a while.
Spending the Christmas holiday away from her family wasn’t something that Emily looked forward to, but it was for the good for her family. With her father sickly, the family depends on the salaries that Emily and her sister Teresa earns. This money from Lord Blythe will really help her family out and for that reason alone Emily agrees.
Will Emily be able to handle the Christmas holidays with Lord Blythe, his daughter Margaret, and his cousins and their families? Will she be able to hide the fact that she’s a mere governess and not really Lord Blythe’s fiancé? Will her dearest Christmas wish actually come true?
Y’all, if you love Regency Romance, I definitely recommend Ms. St. Clair. I love her writing, her characters, her stories. I love the romance, the descriptions, the characters. I can’t wait to read another story by this author.
**I read this story using my Kindle Unlimited subscription
Another wonderful seasonal story
This is another wonderfully written seasonal story, that has a plot that has you gripped from start to finish. The characters are brilliantly portrayed, and manage to overcome their fears and obstacles. This is a brilliant book that will suit all those who love spicy historical romances, that have a bit of intrigue.
Can their Christmas wishes come true, definitely in Her Christmas Wish by Ellie St. Claire.
Emily and Charles are wonderful characters that you can’t help getting swept up in their world. They both find their happily ever after and build a family based on love and affection. A lovely story to get you into the Christmas spirit.
Betrothed to an Earl
Emily is a governess to help support her family. She’s also a widow who never had children. Her dearest wish is to find love and have a family. When Charles, Earl of Doverton, impulsively tells his cousin Emily is the woman he is to marry, he has no idea how much his life will charge. A very good feeling romance that embraces the holiday season of hope and love. Put this one on your TBR for warm Christmas reading.
Can a childless widowed governess and an widowed Earl who feels he needs to marry to produce an heir so his nasty cousin doesn’t inherit his title find love? It started as a charade to get his gloating cousin off his back about the inheritance, but the more time Charles and his emotionally distance young daughter Margaret spend with with Emily, the happier and closer they feel until they wonder if they can imagine life without her? I loved young Margaret who held herself off from her father and everyone else because she had been hurt, but Emily finds a way to connect to her and break through her silence. Charles’ relatives were really stuck up and dastardly and I was so happy to see them get their comeuppance in the end. This was a nice Christmas Regency romance.
When I finished the last page, I felt disappointed. I did not want it to end. Such a heart filled holiday romance started out of pride and was supposed to have been followed through as a ruse. I absolutely adored the main characters. Such kindness, such feeling, such honesty, such patience and tolerance. At times this tore at my heart when the spirit of Christmas was not being observed in one home but was in another home. As the lead female character brought her traditions of Christmas to the straitlaced home, she found acceptance from few. The relationships in the story were varied, complex, hostile, interesting and well written. I was so happy at the revelation revealed at the end. It could not have ended on a more positive note. A wonderful Christmas romance. A must read and I highly recommend it.
Emily is a governess, she lost her husband at a young age and left without children that she wanted very much, she works to help support her aging parents. His Lordship The Earl of Doverton, Charles is not interested in the young woman of the season, the main problem is he would rather be single except for the fact if he doesn’t wed and produce an Heir hid digestible cousin will inherit. He meets said cousin at a ball and out of frustration tells him he is to marry, he grabs the next women to walk near him and introduces her as his betrothed, then his cousin traps him into having to invite the woman to his home for the holidays. Emily accepts because of the money she is offered which will help her family make it through the winter. What was not to happen was the strong pull between them, Emily knew he needed an heir and that she was barren but just a short meeting of their hearts to keep her warm in her memories surely It would be ok. Then his family finds the truth what happens next is sure to ruin the holidays for all.
Emily, a widow that never was able to have children of her own, is now working as a governess. During a party at the home she is working, Charles, Earl of Doverton, while talking with his cousin who plans to inherit, Charles grabs Emily and states that she is his upcoming bride. Going along with the ruse to help aide her own family, they find that love can be found even under interesting circumstances. There’s adventure, blackmail and of course Romance in this Christmas Story. Loved the characters and story line. Would highly recommend.
A delightful, heartwarming story that shows there is still hope for those who most need it. Two souls meeting by a strange quirk of fate, or maybe you could say pride, as it pertains to Charles, Lord Doverton. Speaking with his odious cousin, who could not wait to inherit Charles’ title and money due to Charles not having a male heir, he boasted he was to be married and grabbed the lady walking past in the ballroom. Really? Of yes, a fortuitous happening! Emily was the governess to the couple who were hosting the ball!
Well, not to tell you the entire story (although I truly would love to because it was perfect!) Emily was persuaded to spend time at his estate during Christmas pretending they were engaged. Little did she know she would be the angel that was needed!
Charles was such a reserved man, due to circumstances and upbringing. While Emily was all that was good and no nonsense… The journey to their happy ending was worth the wait and I can only say, it brought a sigh and smile I could not contain!! Perfect!
Emily a widow and now a governess is given an offer she cant refuse. Charles needs to remarry and while wanting to prove his cousin wrong randomly pick a women saying she is his fiancee. While giving her ann offer she couldnt walk away from the magic of christmas brings two people together.
I really enjoyed this book like Emily I could relate to her love of christmas , tradition , and most of all family. Loved how the magic of christmas gave Charles and Margaret a real family and Emily true love. Great book.
A wonderful feel good story about a surprise meeting, an offer that couldn’t be refused, finding each other, blackmail and so much more
in this wonderful story.
ONE FABULOUS ADVENTURE!!!
Awe struck! Ellie not only blew the roof, she blasted the vault wide open with this engaging storyline and gripping plot with on point realism so rich and lively with all the back and forth banter and the camaraderie it takes your breath away. Ramping all the swirling emotions into play with every color on the spectrum. Twists and turns abound with a plethora of vexing contingents propel this baby blasting to life flawlessly. Drama, intrigue, tension, turmoil and suspense grabs your attention and total focus from start to finish. Speculations, hope, strength, revelations and determination press forward, fusing this little gem together piece by piece flawlessly. Diving head first, witnessing the trials and tribulations that tests our characters in ways they never saw coming. The characters personalities are authentic and realistic with depth and qualities it’s easy to relate. The scenes are so colorfully descriptive it balances out each scenario as they play off one another perfectly. Remarkable job Ellie, thanks for sharing this bad boy with us.
Emily is a widow working as a governess. Lord Charles needs to marry again to get a male heir. He asks Emily to pose as his fiance. Lovely plot and romantic.
This is a complex tale intricately woven. Love growing where no hope exists. Lord Doverton needs a son and heir because the current heir to his title, is his horrid cousin and his obnoxious son, Thaddeus. Mrs Nicholls, a widowed governess masquerades as the betrothed to Lord Doverton. Will this buy him the time to find a wife? Anything to take the smug look off his cousin!
Really enjoyed the humanity in this story. Lovely characters. Heartwarming tale.
I received an ARC copy of this book from the author and am voluntarily leaving a review.
As a matter of pride, Charles needs someone to pose as his fiancé during his annual Christmas house party. Emily agrees as her family is in need of the money he offers. But things rarely go as planned. I received an ARC of this book.
Sweet Regency Romance. The miracle of Christmas certainly is represented in this wonderful storyline. Charles persuades Emily to act as his fake fiancée over the Christmas period. He didn’t expect her to have such an influence over his household. Can he really let her go when after Twelfth Night is over? This book made me smile all the way through, although I could have shaken Edward for his comments. Don’t miss this one.
A story with the best of Christmas spirit. Charles picks Emily out of a crowd at ball to pretend to be the woman he would marry. Spending time together and getting to know each other leads to the startling discovery of love. Emily is a sweet and adorable character that always has a positive outlook. She is able to warm Charles’ heart and bring him closer to his daughter. Charles gets to learn the true meaning of Christmas and gain a happy family as well.
Emily Nicholls married her best friend James but six years of marriage resulted in no children, and the widowed Emily now cares for others as a governess. She loves her work, and it allows her to care for her parents who can no longer support themselves. Lord Charles Blythe, Earl of Doverton, absolutely must produce an heir to prevent his loathsome cousin Edward or the man’s obnoxious son Thaddeus from inheriting. Since the death of his wife, however, Charles has no desire to wed any of the young, empty-headed women that society thrusts at him. When Charles impulsively tells his cousin he is to marry, he chooses the first woman he sees in the crowd at a ball. Shocked to find out she’s a governess, he nevertheless convinces her to join his family for Christmas to participate in the charade. Charles loves his daughter Margaret but his wife poisoned her against him.
A lovely Christmas story with a fake engagement of two people both widowed & in their thirties. They come from very different backgrounds but neither can deny their attraction. I loved both Charles & Emily. He was the upright fairly dour Earl & she the loving caring governess who immediately bonded with Margaret & was determined to bring father & daughter together, the scone making was so very heart warming. I read this well written book in an afternoon, I was captivated from the first page & held until the last.
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read
I love Ellie St. Clair’s books, the stories are great but the characters she creates are so loving & you really do want to be a part of their lives. This book was no different except for one extra thing, a Christmas Wish was Granted & it made for an even greater ending.
Charles Blythe, Earl of Doverton was a stern, handsome man who was a stranger to his eight year old daughter, Lady Margaret. He & his wife had been living separate lives, her & Margaret in the country estate & he was in London – his wife wanted nothing to do with him, she turned Margaret against him & refused to let him see her. Now his wife had died & he needed to find a way back to his daughter. Mrs. Nicholls (Emily) is a lovely, kind & happy governess who is working to help her family with expenses after her father, a barrister, has fallen ill. Charles & Emily meet at her employer’s ball when she is searching for a doll left in the ballroom by one her charges & an awkward situation with his cousin (who will inherit the earldom since Charles doesn’t have a son) finds her in a faux betrothal.
All of the fun starts her when she goes to masquerade as Charles’ betrothed & convince his family of the upcoming marriage. Lady Margaret pulls at your heart strings as she has been through so much at such a young age. Charles & Emily get their HEA but the journey is a romantic one with his horrible family members & her wonderful family members.