Miss Amelia’s Mistletoe Marquess

enni Fletcher has gone and done it again, easily one of the best, yet!! I utterly adored this books, Jenni has sent me out to sea on a raft of enchantment, longing and serious all-out ruination of a crush on the leading man, honestly, I may never be the same again, how could you do such a thing to me? I am ruined, plus I am sinking in the copious amount of tea that I consumed over the course of this book – really, I have guzzled enough to sink a submarine!

Hmmm, I think I must have strayed off topic a tad there….it’s all Cassius’ fault, I just can’t cope with how much I love this man, maybe cake will distract me from my devilish thoughts?

Anyhow, I really must start talking about the book and not his lordships fine rear-end – so, this is the second book in the new multi-author series, and what a cast of fine writing minds with have on this series, we really are spoilt. I haven’t read the first book, yet but I didn’t think I missed out on anything, this is definitely a stand-alone.

Firstly, I felt a real connection with Amelia, she spoke to me on a level that most heroines don’t, I have only ever come across one other time in a book when the heroine spoke to me as Amelia did. I got her completely, I understood her completely. I understood yearning for adventure, her guilt that those traitorous thoughts have taken hold in her mind when her family needs her so, I understand her love for her family and her deeply ingrained need to do all she can for them even scarifying what she wants for them, I saw so much of myself in her, so to see her get her happily ever after was like a balm to the soul.

After the death of her father ten years ago, Amelia’s life and her whole personality has changed dramatically, gone has the adventuresome, fun-loving and carefree Millie and in her place has stepped serious, dutiful, practical and always reading to do all she can; Miss Amelia. Responsibility of her new role within the Faiclough Foundation, which was founded by her parent’s many years before is now pressing down on her slender shoulders. Her life goes from bad to worse when Amelia reluctantly attends a house party her usually restrained temper gets the better of her – good on ya’ lass! – which is one thing but when the carriage she is waiting for leaves without her she chooses to walk home rather than plead help from the very woman she insulted. The snow falls, she becomes ridiculously lost and ends up knocking at the door of a cottage for shelter, an action which will change the whole course of her life, when a growling, dishevelled bear of a man opens the door – not an entirely bad thing to be faced with, I can assure you

Gorgeous, captivating and brooding Cassius Whitlock – oh, be still my rapidly beating heart!! How much do I love this guy? I have the real weakness for fragile and tormented heroes, I love them, they are like Jaffa cakes to me, I can’t get enough of them and Cassius is right up there with the very best yet. He is not just a brooding, damaged, fragile and growling beast…but my goodness, is he as sexy as hell…with a fine firm rear end *coughs, I am becoming obsessed*

He is hiding from the world in his little gatehouse, hoping that life and responsibly will pass him by as he sinks deeper and deeper into his own fragile and guilt-ridden mind. He doesn’t want anyone to know of the darkness that lurks within him, that appears in his nights as terrors, which wakes him and leaves him feeling further guilt and embarrassment then he did before, so being in the gatehouse he thinks himself safe. That is until he hears the gentle and constant tapping on the door, as much as he wants to be alone he is a gentleman through and through, he is a thoroughly decent chap even if his very mind is clouded, he can’t leave ‘Just Millie’ out in the cold so an act of kindness turns into an act of honour.

I really love that night in their little sanctuary of the gatehouse, where they get to know aspects of the other that not even their nearest and dearest know. This is writing at it’s very best, there is no denying that there is something very special happening between the two of them, those scenes are heartfelt, emotional and very funny – coming to rescue with a brolly wearing not a lot more then your undergarments will always be a winner for me

After their shared night in the gatehouse, they are unfortunately discovered which results in our hero doing the thoroughly decent thing and proposes a marriage of convenience, which is where Jenni Fletcher’s remarkable writing really comes into his own. As what follows is a journey of discovery as they walk into married life with shadows hanging over them both, they each have their own issues which they must overcome, they find their way to allowing themselves to let go of their own reservations and just be happy.

I loved everything about this, the entire cast of character’s are brilliant, each fits perfectly within the story, I adore the banter between Millie and Cassius, they just gel together like two broken peas in a pod, their journey to their happily ever after is beautiful. The whole book is so enchanting and hugely enjoyable.

There really is no denying that Jenni Fletcher has a real gift, she is a tremendously talented writer, with every book which she adds to her rapidly growing CV, she pushes the boundaries of her writing and every time she creates a piece of perfection.

4.5 stars as reviewed at Roses Are Blue: https://wp.me/p3QRh4-143

Amelia “Millie” Fairclough is a teacher at the family owned Fairclough Foundation, which is currently experiencing some financial difficulties, as is her widowed mother. A proposal from the curate, Gilbert, has Millie seriously considering marriage with a man she doesn’t love, other than as a friend. The marriage would greatly improve her circumstances, and her mother’s, as well. Millie ponders the situation as she walks home from a social function, due to a misunderstanding regarding who was riding in which carriage. A sudden nasty turn in the weather, and a wrong turn by Millie, and she’s in a very precarious situation. She’s lost, and the snow is piling up. Thank heavens for the cottage up ahead which appears to be occupied. Surely the people living there will give her shelter for the night.

Cassius Whitlock, the new Marquess Falconmore, has been reduced to hiding out in his own gamekeeper’s cottage, in order to avoid Sylvia, the widow of his recently deceased cousin. Sylvia is so desperate to keep her home and to provide for her daughters, that she’s willing to seduce her cousin-in-law if that’s what it takes. Cassius is a soldier who served in Afghanistan and India, and has his own demons to deal with, without having to fend off the advances of Sylvia. When he hears a pounding on the cottage door, he fears Sylvia has managed to track him down, but the lovely half-frozen snow-woman is a stranger to him.

Though Cassius only wanted solitude, he offers shelter to Millie. As she begins to thaw out, they begin to talk about anything and everything, even her family’s circumstances, and her potential marriage. There is even a stolen kiss exchanged before Millie scurries off to bed. As soon as it’s light enough, Millie sneaks away, hopeful of not being discovered. Her hopes are not to be realized, as she is seen and recognized by a servant, and soon the gossip starts. Cassius, willing to do the right thing, calls on Millie and proposes. The last thing Millie wants is to force Cassius into marriage. He, however, is very persuasive, and convinces Millie that a quick wedding is the only solution.

You would think that the start of the marriage would be rocky, but as it turns out, things go very well. Millie fits easily into the household, even managing to figure out cousin Sylvia’s real reason for pursuing Cassius so fervently. Right from the start, Millie and Cassius work as a team, helping each other, and becoming friends and lovers. Cassius was shouldering so much misplaced guilt from his time as a soldier, yet he opens to Millie’s care, which he absorbs into his wounded heart.

Cassius and Millie are so perfect for each other, and they soon begin to realize that they are falling in love. There is one final conflict and piece of drama to overcome before their happy ever after is attained. I love how each of these characters perfectly seemed to fill a need that the other had. Their relationship was fun, caring, and passionate. The story was warm, heartfelt, and emotional. MISS AMELIA’S MISTLETOE MARQUESS is book two of a four book series about the Fairclough family, but easily stands alone. I haven’t yet read book one (but I soon will) and did not feel at all lost. I totally enjoyed this well written book, which makes for a great read in any season.

Miss Amelia’s Mistletoe Marquess
Secrets of a Victorian Household Series #2
Jenni Fletcher
https://www.facebook.com/JenniFletcherAuthor/
Release date 12/01/2019
Publisher Harlequin Historical / Mills&Boon Historical

Blurb :

The virtuous Miss Fairclough…

…now faces ruin!

Part of Secrets of a Victorian Household. When Amelia Fairclough had sought refuge in a blizzard, a brooding stranger had given her warmth and shelter. She’d even tried to soothe him of his demons in return. But as she scurried home at dawn, she was spotted! Now he’s in the parlor, offering to do the honorable thing. Surely she’d be a fool to turn down the new Marquess of Falconmore!

My review :

when two very opposite persons are tricked into a mariage of convenience, is there a chance for more waiting them …

This is my first read by Mrs Jenni Fletcher, and it was a very enjoying one.
Even if this book is second in a series, no need to have the first story to get into the storyline.
Still I will read the first one as I really want to know more about Amelia’s sister.
This book is a lovely story of letting the past go and move on to find who is really hiding behind their practical facade.
Both grieved their loss their own way, one mourning in silence and putting her chagrin aside by engrossing herself in work when the other tried to bury his guilt as it overwhelms and fills his dreams.
Amelia is a two faces person, the prim and proper Miss Fairclough and Millie her more free alter-ego. For ten years, she let her busy character commands her every action, and when for once she throws caution to the wind, she finds herself grazing ruin.
Cassius is bearing his new position as a burden, because he is alive when others lost their life. Since he lives with this guilt looming over him, feeling he has no right to enjoy anything when others are not here to share it with him.
Plus the weight of having lost so many dear souls prevent him to any further attachment.

Then they find themselves together thrown in a life they never expected, he a soldier now a Marquess, she a miss running a foundation for destitute or fallen women now a marchioness.

At a time I did not understand why instead of make do with the attraction they both shared, he chooses to lock everything and face their impending marriage all aloofness and icy demeanor out. Hopefully it was for a very short time, until Millie showed him the wrongness of his attitude. Yet, when everything seemed to shine for them both, she too rejected their own happiness, so afraid to not deserving it too.
They both get their epiphany, but in the meantime, they rebuilt themselves in the person they might be thanks to the other, up to them to decide if it is worth risking their heart.

In all, a lovely journey of two persons who despite the circumstances realize it might have been the best that ever happened to them.
4.5 stars

https://www.facebook.com/429830134272830/posts/515263989062777?d=n&sfns=mo

This is the second book in a four-book collaboration series. Each book is written by a different author and features a different member of the Fairclough family. Lilian Fairclough, a widowed mother of three – Lottie, Amelia, and Silas – has continued to run the charitable foundation for indigent and needy women since her husband died ten years ago. The foundation is floundering and they may soon find themselves homeless. The first book in the series, Miss Lottie’s Christmas Protector by Sophia James, released November 1st and the next two will be following soon after this one.

Ten years ago, when her father died, the spontaneous, fun-loving Millie Fairclough ceased to exist and was replaced by prim, proper, staid, responsible Amelia Fairclough. She felt responsible for protecting the legacy her father left behind. She’s lovely, self-sacrificing and caring, but has no clue about the effect she has on others.

Amelia and her mother are visiting relatives when she has a bad experience at a gathering given by one of the local gentry. She’s never comfortable in those social situations and when she just needed to get out of the room for a while, the coach that was supposed to deliver her back to her relative’s house left her. Well, a walk home in the cold will just help to cool down her temper – at least until the temperature plummets and the snow starts. When she is near freezing, lost, and just can’t go any further, she sees smoke coming from a chimney and seeks sanctuary at the cottage.

Cassius Whitlock, Marquess of Falconmore, is a haunted man. He’s home from the wars in India and Afghanistan – scarred on the inside. His best friend died while he was saving Cassius’ life and then his cousin (close as a brother) died in an accident and left him a title he never wanted. Sometimes he just has to escape it all. One cold, blustery, snowy winter evening he was at his refuge when he heard a knocking on the door.

Cassius angrily jerks open the door to the cottage, expecting to see his cousin-in-law, when the lovelies snowman he’s ever seen stumbles in the door. They have no choice but to spend the night together in the cottage without the benefit of a chaperone. They spend the evening talking and sharing things they’ve told no one else. Early the next morning, she leaves and walks back to her relative’s home. They’ll never see each other again – except – someone saw her leaving and knew who was staying in the cottage – and they spread the rumor. Now, it is either marry or be ruined.

Millie and Cassius are both in need of love and support and somehow, they manage to give that to each other. It was lovely to watch them heal and find their happily ever.

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