A SNOWDROP VALLEY BEGINNING… Single, disgruntled in love from past hurts, she disappears into the world of books as a manuscript reader for a mid-level publishing company on the East Side. Plagued with guilt for a mistake that took her mom’s eyesight, Lucy dreams of achieving financial success despite growing medical bills and unpaid rent. Her only hope of survival is to publish her little Christmas novel despite repeat rejections by big publishers. When her boss requests her publishing recommendations for the month, Lucy submits her manuscript under a false identity against strict company guidelines in what becomes the great holiday literary hoax of Manhattan where lies spin out of control and stockings are filled with coal instead of chocolates.
Known as the ice fish of Big Apple Books, William Harcourt longs for acceptance from a nitpicky father who rules the publishing industry with an iron fist. When a sweet Christmas manuscript about a father and daughter in a fictional book town crosses his desk, he believes it to be the ticket that will bring his company into the Top Five and finally gain him his father’s love.
Ideal reading for fans of sweet and clean contemporary romance authors such as Debbie Macomber, Sheila Roberts, Holly Martin, Tilly Tennant, and Debbie Mason.
PROFESSIONAL REVIEWS::
“There is likely going to be no better, more uplifting contemporary romance novel for the 2019 season than My Christmas Darling. Just the recipe for cozying up on a cold winter’s day and warming the heart.”
– Midwest Book Review
“My Christmas Darling deftly captures the magic of Christmas in New York City. The Christmas season transforms every street and softens every hardened denizen and secret Scrooge.”
– Jack Magnus – 5 Star Review – Reader’s Favorite
“Vivien has written a sweet holiday story that feels familiar, but is fresh and new. An enjoyable romance filled with powerful life lessons, all blended perfectly into a book that is hard to put down.”
– Reader’s Favorite Book Reviews and Award Contest
“If it’s a heart-rendering, romantic holiday story that is desired to mirror the Christmas spirit, then My Christmas Darling is truly a winner.”
– Donovan’s Book Shelf – Diane Donovan
“Vivien Mayfair delivers a wholesome and heartfelt holiday gift with her new book, My Christmas Darling, a classic tale of unlikely lovers tumbling together. Laden with quaint charm and holiday cheer, this slightly story is cozy and quick, with clever writing that will amuse throughout andenough heartstring-tugging to keep romance readers hooked. With Manhattan as alively backdrop and a penchant for memorable narration, Mayfair’s book offers an innocent escape.”
-Self-Publishing Review, ★★★★
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Lovely, sweet and humorous Christmas romance with Scrooge and lovely Lucy. It captures the Christmas spirit beautifully. Can hardly wait to read more by this author
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
My Christmas Darling has all the makings of a Lifetime or Hallmark Christmas movie. It gives you all the feels. Lucy has dreamt of being a published author while William wants his father’s respect and acceptance. The story is beautifully written and the characters are so real. I received this as an ARC for free on BookSirens.
This is my first book by this author and I’m really glad I checked her out. If you’re looking for a clean Christmas story that will put you in the Christmas spirit, make you laugh, and put some love in your heart, I recommend you grab My Christmas Darling by Vivien Mayfair. You will be flipping the pages to see what happens with Lucy and William.
I always look forward to reading Christmas books and this one did not disappoint me. It was a great read but it dragged on and on about stuff that had nothing to do with Christmas. I can not wait to read more from this author.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
William, Lucy’s boss and the publisher, comes off as a rather gruff person, but he secretly loves Christmas. Lucy longs to be a writer, but she’s got a string of rejection letters a mile long. She submits her Christmas book to the monthly committee – under a pen name, of course – which sets off an entire series of unintended consequences. They both have issues from their pasts, things that are keeping them from moving forward. Much like the last book I read from this author, there’s a book theme to this book. This was a nice book – it was easy reading, but fairly long. The characters were quirky and fun.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I haven’t read Ms. Mayfair before but will be adding her to my list of authors to keep reading. I love Christmas, books and romance so this was a winner for me from the beginning. It was a sweet read even though it was a little far-fetched. It definitely has a HEA with a fairy tale feel. Really enjoyed it.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review
Two people with things in their pasts that they have to overcome in order to find their happy ending. I enjoyed reading Lucy Carpenter and William Harcourt ‘s story about how Snowdrop Valley comes to be. I want to read the other books in this series. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
My Christmas Darling is a lovely holiday novel by Vivien Mayfair with engaging characters and a solid storyline. I definitely recommend it.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Lucy got caught up in a lie wanting to help her mom with medical expenses and publish her book. She never expected the lie to get so big or to develop feelings for her boss William, the ice- fish. Her ex Mark was a selfish self-center jerk and I don’t why he kept coming back when she kept insulting him and blowing hot and cold. William acted like a grinch, but he was a secret lover of Christmas, who felt he had to compete with his father. There were a lot of over the top funny moments in this book. It was wacky at times.
I want to visit this town.
This is a sweet book just right as a holiday read. Lucy is a writer who keeps getting rejection letters but she keeps on trying. If you think this is the only problem Lucy has well you would be wrong because her life right now kind of sucks. Now her boss William Harcourt was a bit of a Grinch Christmas had terrible memories for him and his family never celebrated. I have to say when Lucy was telling William about Bibi book was thrilled but with that reading comes some interesting twists in the story. I enjoyed the piece it was well done and fun. I did receive a free copy of this book and voluntarily chose to review it.
Lucy works at a publishing house by day, but her dream is to be a writer. She has sent out the manuscript for her first book to so many publishers, but has only gotten letters of rejection. She is starting to feel like she is no good as a writer, but she really thinks her Christmas book is wonderful. A series of mix-ups and an act of desperation leads Lucy to submit her book the her boss. She thinks he won’t like it because he seems like kind of a Grinch. Apparently he has a secret Christmas fetish and falls in love with her book. She starts seeing William in a new light. He is actually a really big teddy bear underneath, which just makes her feel worse about lying to him. It becomes clear that they are starting to have feelings for each other. Will Lucy be able to admit the truth before it is too late? This was a sweet little romance, and a delightful addition to the Snowdrop Valley Series.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Oh man, this book was exhilarating and kept me in a high state of anxiety! I never wanted to put it down. It felt like we were on the edge of the climax the entire time! I thought the story was wonderful and unique and I want to read the book Lucy wrote! I am excited to read more from this author.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Delightful Opening for New Series
This heartwarming Christmas romance will touch your heart in any season. The Christmas background is just sublime with decorations, trees, carols and plenty of snow. The romance adds the whipped cream to that piece of pie with carriage rides through central park and racing up the stairs of the Empire State Building. Add to that the publishing industry and all of the game playing of that industry. I can’t wait for the next episode in this series as this should be a set of books to keep. I received this ARC book for free from Book Sirens and this is my honest review.
My Christmas Darling by Vivien Mayfair
Book starts out with works by the author and where to buy them from. Preface and dedication start this book off.
Like this book for many reasons: Lucy has a job reading books all day and gets paid to do that-my dream job!
She blames herself for her mother’s health problems because she had come to the police station one night to get her and got hit by a drunk driver.
Lucy finishes her holiday book and submits it to over 75 agencies and they all reject it. When prompted for the best reads for the month with her boss she gives him her book with a different name at the bottom.
He’s troubled ever since his mother died at Christmas and since then the family never celebrated the holiday again-til this year. He’s agreed for some decorations at work. He runs the publishing company but his father owns one of the big 5 in the city.
He just needs that one break to top his father’s success and the holiday read he’s given is it. He continues via email Bibi and gets to know her better and he can get a movie deal for her and lots of proceeds prior.
It’s just what Lucy’s mother would need. Lucy is not happy that her best friend has to pose as the author and it’s wearing on her and she thinks she will confess to the boss….
William is enjoying the company of Lucy and I love hearing about the collection of publications he has in his library-precious.
Things get out of hand and there are many misunderstandings.
Love the ending didn’t see it coming….the town sounds a bit unbelievable to me but was a good read.
Can’t wait to read more from this author. There are little snips of cheer at the start of every chapter.
Other notes at the end include: Literary works referenced, authors name, excerpt for A Sleepy Hollow Kiss, summary of her other works: Wedding at Walden Pond, Dreams of Mistletoe, Once Upon a Thanksgiving. A note and about the author are also included at the end.
Like how the character got her name but after the first several chapters I had heard enough of the cliches.
Received this review copy from the author via Book Sirens and this is my honest opinion.
What a great start to a new series. I really enjoyed this book. It had a cool concept and was an enjoyable read. Strong characters development, engaging story line that drew me in, and easy to visualize description to detail.
Written as a 3rd person, multi pov with what I consider a HFN ending, but honestly, we know they will live HEA.
Would I recommend this book? Yes
Would I read more from this author? Yes
Sassy Beta Reading and Review
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I love the cover of this book and the story is just as beautiful. I enjoyed the characters and their relationships except for William and his father. I think that particular relationship needed a little less drama or mention in the book and that is what kept me from giving it 5 stars. However, it does open your eyes to family, what you’ll do for them and how it can be misunderstood. It really is a charming read.
I received an ARC of this book and have offered my honest, unbiased opinion.