“If her [Tanya Anne Crosby’s] intentions were to write her loyal fans a hug… mission accomplished.” —Whiskey & Wit Book Reviews
Once upon a time, Alexandra Grace Huntington believed in fairy tales. She oohed and aahed over gowns from Courtauld’s, never wore black unless in mourning, always minded her social graces, and never, ever indulged her inner bluestocking. Now her world has come … indulged her inner bluestocking. Now her world has come crashing down like a thousand shards of glass. Her father is a dastard, her mother blames her for taking his side. (Rightly so, considering everything Lexie has learned.) She’s home alone for the holidays, all alone, no siblings, no friends, and not a shred of pride remaining. But that’s all well and good, so far as Alexandra is concerned, because everything she thought she knew was wrong. Her best friend had it right all along, and the Universe had seen fit to reward Claire with, of all things, a crown (quite literally). However, while Lexie once aspired to the same, she has changed. When she’s unexpectedly invited to celebrate one last holiday with her best friend, she can’t accept quickly enough… only how did one comport oneself after everything that was said and done?
Benjamin W. Wentworth III, the seventh Earl of Highbury, has been through his own travails. He nearly drove his family to ruin, and now, after spending weeks in debtor’s prison because of Alexandra Huntington’s father, and coming shockingly close to losing his life and endangering his sister, he realizes that all that glitters is simply not gold. The last thing he desires is to saddle himself with a woman like Alexandra, with whom he once shared a passion for the Season. Now, he’d rather choke himself with a silk cravat than endure an instant with someone so vain, so self-indulgent, so giddy and witless. He only wishes his sister would leave off with the holiday matchmaking—mustn’t she realize how much he has changed? When Lexie arrives to celebrate one final Christmas before his sister leaves for Meridian, it is all Ben can do to avoid the empty-headed chit. Unfortunately, his sister and her friends have festooned the entire house with mistletoe, and to make matters worse, Lexie is proving to be someone else entirely, and he’s about to reaquaint himself with the art of kissing beneath the mistletoe.
“Crosby’s characters will keep readers engaged…” —Publisher’s Weekly
“Tanya Anne Crosby writes remarkable love stories.” —New York Times bestselling author, Lisa Kleypas
“Tanya Anne Crosby weaves a hauntingly beautiful spell with the stroke of a master’s pen…” —RT Book Reviews
“Tanya Anne Crosby writes stories that light the darkest corners of history with the warm, glowing beacon of love.” —Nationally Bestselling Author Pamela Morsi
more
I purchased this as part of a multi author bundle called DUKE THE HALLS!
Much sadness and contempt in this story. Another story I felt I was missing something. So many character’s that have had their stories told in other books that it didn’t flow for me.
Wrong names used was also confusing. I did like the beginning when they were teenager’s and discovering their feeling’s for each other. Then BAM, the h’s father does some awful things (only explained briefly in this story) and the h loses touch with those she grew up with. Only spirit of Christmas was a lot of talk about Mistletoe.
Little on romance, we do get an extended epilogue which you DO NOT have to download separately – oh how I dislike that. Little on romance, HEA and a small tad of spice – heat level 1.5 out of 5. I’ve enjoyed many other stories by this author, but this one had too many holes, unless you’ve read the series. (ljb)
Once again Tanya has a wonderful story with strong characters. I messed up again and read this one not knowing it was part of a series. Oops. Luckily there is enough of the history given it was not hard to follow the story. Alexandra Grace Huntington was the typical young lady of the time. She followed all the social graces. Did every single thing her mother and father wanted her to do. She acted like everyone wanted her to till her world come crumbling down overnight. Her father is in prison, her mother doesn’t speak to her and all her so-called friends want nothing to do with her.
When at her lowest and being all alone at Christmas she receives an invite from her late best friend to come spend it with her.
Benjamin W. Wentworth III was once part of her list of best friends, now he hates her and her family.
With good reason, her worthless father tricked his out of his money and sent him to prison.
The last thing Ben needs is to see Lexie at his home. He remembers her as a young debutante, vain and self-involved. (which is how her mother told her to act).
What a great emotional story for a Christmas read. These two have a lot to learn and every more
to overcome. There is a lot of drama, twist and turns to a happy ever after.
I hope you give it a try. Nothing better for season then love, and 2nd chances.
Alexandra Huntington once had two best friends, but after what her father did to them she is frightened that they will blame her. Her father is now in prison and her mother, who she has fallen out with lives in the countryside. So this Christmas season is going to be rather lonely, with only the servants for company.
Ben Wentworth, Earl of Highbury is recovering after his imprisonment. He was stupid enough to trust the wrong person and nearly got himself and his sister killed, or worse.
Luckily his sister has found her Prince charming and everyone is safe and happy again. Well nearly everyone. A wedding and a birth are imminent over this Christmas season.
This is part of a series and I think, to truly enjoy this story it’s best to have read the others.
We have fabulous characters that have been through a nightmare and are trying to find a new direction in life.
A very enjoyable read.
The Art of Kissing Beneath the Mistletoe
The Prince & the Impostor Book 3
by Tanya Anne Crosby
A wonderful addition to the series. I so loved getting to see Alexandra and Benjamin‘s story blossom especially after the way her father treated her best friend and her brother the man that she’s forever been secretly in love with.
The life that she had before “the fall out” is gone, no more extravagant dresses and jewels trying to impress, although it was more for her mother’s benefit. Alone and with no one to share the holidays Alexandra is saddened that the person she wants to be with the most hasn’t reached out, why would Claire want to continue the friendship after all her father has put them through! When she unexpectedly gets a missive from Claire she jumps at the opportunity. What she didn’t expect was that she would be faced with Ben, and the memories of having her first kiss under the mistletoe, although secretly she yearns to see him.
An enjoyable holiday inspired story, very well written that brings the series to a satisfying ending. A perfect quick story to read just in time for the holidays!
Thank you Tanya Anne Crosby for the wonderful holiday read!
I received a complimentary copy. This is my honest unbiased opinion.
Alexandra Grace Huntington aka Lexie, life has fallen apart, her fairy tales life has been destroyed by her scoundrel of a father. A shamed her father tried to ruin Benjamin W. Wentworth III, the seventh Earl of Highbury and his family Lexie has been hesitant to reach out to her best friend Claire Wentworth his sister. She’s often thought about Claire and her brother after all she and Ben shared her first kiss under the mistoletoe.
She’s home alone for the holidays until she unexpectedly invited to celebrate one last holiday Claire before she marries. Claire being quite the matchmaker draws Ben and Lexie to her side and let fate take over. Ben tries to avoid Lexie at all cost. But fate keeps throwing them under the mistoletoe. Their lives have taken a downturn and they have a chance at true happiness if they have the courage to see that what they want most, happiness is right in front of them. A great story of love and redemption, family loyalty and true friendships. An excellent story with wonderful characters I voluntarily wrote a review for.
What a wonderful Christmas story! Alexandra once had it all, beautiful dresses, family, friends and secretly in love with Benjamin Wentworth until her life was shattered. Now alone no family, no friends, no social life and spending Christmas alone once again. When Alexandra gets an unexpected invitation from her once best friends to spend Christmas she decides to go even knowing she will see Ben and be faced with the devastation her father created. Ben feels guilty enough after he nearly bankrupted his family and was sent to debtors prison because of Alexandra’s father, now he finds out her sister has invited her for the holidays. Ben’s sister has other plans for Alexandra and Ben, and Christmas is the perfect time for love! This was such a joy to read, I loved all the mistletoe and of course all the rules for the art of kissing beneath the mistletoe! Wonderful read!
We were first introduced to Alexandra in A Crown For a Lady, she was Claire’s best friend, Lexie. She was also the daughter of the fiend Huntington, who kidnapped Claire. If you’ll recall, Claire’s brother, Ben, was also featured in that tale. He was the one who gambled away the family funds and ended up in debtors’ prison, underhandedly by Huntington. After not seeing each other for some time, Ben and Alexandra are reunited in this fabulous romance. The attention to detail is phenomenal. Tanya’s words had me shivering in the winter chill and inhaling the scents of the blossoms. The characters jumped from the pages and danced with my soul. I just love reading stories from talented authors and Tanya is among the best. If you have not yet read the other two books in The Prince and the Imposter series, do yourself a favor and grab them today.