The Marchioness of Darlington wants nothing more than a houseful of children, but after three years of marriage Poppy has given up hope. When she learns her husband doesn’t share her sense of loss, Poppy tries to soothe her aching heart by helping at a local institution for single women and mothers. But the arrival of an expectant mother only reignites her longing, driving the wedge between her … her and Gabriel deeper.
After losing his mother and sister in childbirth, Gabriel, the Marquess of Darlington, is secretly glad his wife hasn’t been able to conceive. He can’t bear the thought of losing her, not even to achieve their dream of having a family. Desperate to prove his love, Gabriel makes a shocking proposition. It’s a risk, but if he can overcome Poppy’s fears and hesitation, he can give her what she wants most for Christmas.
From the USA Today bestselling author of The Untouchables comes a Christmas Regency series! Don’t miss these holiday classics retold with love, passion, and heart.
Book One: The Red Hot Earl
Book Two: The Gift of the Marquess
Book Three: Joy to the Duke
more
It was truly a fortuitous day for us readers when this author realized her oeuvre didn’t contain any Christmas stories. She immediately set about remedying that with the Love Is All Around trilogy. The trilogy features the Stafford siblings and is set around the St. Stephens day festival and Hartwell House (a home for impoverished women). While the stories all occur at around the same time, none of them provide enough information on the other stories to provide any spoilers. The first book, The Red Hot Earl, featured the youngest sister, Bianca, but we were also introduced to the older brother, Calder (whom we’ve all loved to hate) and our heroine for this book, Poppy. The trilogy wrap-up will be Calder’s story in Joy to the Duke and I can hardly wait to see what turned him into such a sour curmudgeon!
We met Poppy in the last book and learned that something was wrong, but we never learned what it was. Now we know. Poppy and her husband, Gabriel, Marquess of Darlington, have been married for almost three years and Poppy has slowly come to the realization that there will be no children. It isn’t from lack of trying – she and Gabriel are a love match, but still, no children. She’s gotten more and more melancholy and she can’t bear to go to Hartwell House to see the children that are housed there. It just hurts too much. In her sadness, she’s even begun to withdraw from Gabriel.
Gabriel Kirkwood loves his wife to distraction and her current melancholy hurts him, especially since all he wants is her happiness. He doesn’t know how to help her, but he does know that he is happy that there have been no children. Not that he doesn’t want children – he does – he is just absolutely and totally terrified of losing Poppy and the child in childbirth. He lost his mother and his older sister to childbirth and Poppy lost her mother in childbirth. He cannot lose Poppy as well.
These two are so wonderfully and sweetly in love. It was a pure delight to see how they expressed their love and helped each other overcome their issues. The epilogue is wonderful and you’ll read the last word with a full heart and a warm-all-over feeling. If you want a truly uplifting and loving Christmas read, this one is for you.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Gabriel Kirkwood, Marquess of Darlington is working at Institution for Impoverished Women, aka Hartwell House when a very pregnant young woman arrives looking for a place to stay. Unfortunately there is no room at the house and she is going to be turned away, but when Gabriel overhears her saying she doesn’t want her child, he gets an idea and offers to let her stay in an empty cottage on his nearby estate.
Gabriel is married to the love of his life, Poppy is everything to him and he knows she wants a child, but after almost 3 years of marriage, it doesn’t seem like that is going to happen and if he is honest, Gabriel is fine with that, he lost his mother to child birth and Poppy’s mother and sister both died giving birth, so he is terrified of losing her. He sets Dinah up in the cottage and hopes to convince her to let them raise her child. But before he can talk to her about it, Poppy discovers her and thinks the worst.
Poppy is heartbroken that she can’t have a child and when she sees Gabriel entering the cottage, she thinks he is having an affair. Later when they talk, she learns that he is not as upset as she is about not having a child, she tells him she needs time to come to terms with her barren state and will be attending a house party with her sister. She avoids Gabriel, but does spend time with Dinah and tries to convince her to keep her baby, she tells her that they will help her figure it out. She goes the house party, but is not disappointed when her sister Bianca wants to leave early, she missed Gabriel and thinks she has come to terms with being childless.
When she returns, they reconcile and he tries to explain, they both agree to help more at Hartwell House, especially after learning her brother Calder, the Duke of Hartwell has withdrawn his support. They forge ahead and but Poppy doesn’t really begin to understand how deep Gabriel’s fear is until Dinah goes into labor. And when he confesses his memory of his mother’s death, he begins to shut her out and she tries to be understanding and supportive, but the gap between them continues to grow.
Later while visiting her brother, Poppy makes a discovery that will change everything between her and Gabriel, she is overjoyed, but worries that Gabriel will not share her feelings and while this could be the answer to her prayers, it may destroy her marriage.
This was a very emotional and surprisingly steamy novella, it is well written and flows nicely, with wonderful leads and great secondary characters. My heart just broke for Poppy and Gabriel, it was so obvious that they were in love but her infertility was becoming a major wedge between them. I loved watching them come to terms with it, both individually and as a couple, it was very touching and extremely well done. I was also sucked into the secondary storylines and cannot wait to find out what happens with her brother!
*I am voluntarily leaving a review for an eARC that was provided to me.*
Gabriel and Poppy are a wonderful happily married couple with one thing holding each of them back. It is a serious issue for both of them and I thought the way they worked through things, finally being honest about their feelings, was lovely. Their romance can be felt throughout the story. These two are beautiful people who are loving, kind and caring.
I received a complimentary copy from the author.
Poppy and Gabriel’s story made me feel a few emotions- love, romance, sadness, hopeful and happy. I do not want to say too much because I do not want to spoil the story for anyone. It was nice to read a story about a couple who were married- and married for love. This is the 2nd book in “Love is All Around” and it was just as good as the first. I can not wait for book 3 to find out what is going on with Calder.
Darcy Burke keep writing the beautiful stories I love to read.
I thought this was a beautiful story that intertwined Poppy and her sister Bianca’s stories. It takes place during the Christmas season where giving is from the heart and dreams can come true. It focuses mainly on Poppy and Gabriel’s childless marriage and the trials that come with it. We also get a peak into why their brother Calder is such a Scrooge, I received a complimentary copy and I am voluntarily reviewing.
I would have loved it if it was a little longer. But even so, it was an excellent story. Gabriel had lost his mother and sister to childbirth and he was terrified that he would lose Poppy. They had been married for three years and Poppy was worried that they would not have one. It broke her heart. She enjoyed helping out at Hartwell House, helping the women and their children. Gabriel usually helps out most days doing things around the house that needed doing. This is sexy and only for those older
readers. It was a big problem during that time that so many moms and babies were lost to poor medicine. This was easy to read and well written. I loved when they would get depressed over this issue but fight back and support each other and love each other even more. The characters are loving, kind, and, generous to a fault. I would highly recommend this novel.
I received this ARC from the author and voluntarily reviewed it.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advance copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Thank you to the author for this opportunity.
The Gift Of The Marquess, by Darcy Burke, was available at booksellers in October of 2019. Gift is book two in the Love Is All Around series. A Christmas trilogy based loosely on favorite holiday stories. This is The Gift Of The Magi, in essence only. I’d been waiting to find out what mysterious thing was wrong with Poppy, I’m a little disappointed. Of the three stories, this is my least favorite. Don’t get me wrong, it’s a good book, well written. I just never engaged with the characters. There were a little too much, too nice, too helpful, to humble, too everything. I understand now why our heroine was so quiet and upset all through book one.
Poppy Kirkwood, Marchioness of Darlington, is childless after 3 years of marriage. She’s consumed with baby fever. She’s got a great husband, enough to eat, nice family, but she’s not enjoying any of it. Her kind of obsession made it hard for me to love her, just like. Her husband, Gabriel, is ok with the way things are, unusual for a peer. He’s scared of the high fatality rate with childbirth. When Poppy comes to terms with things, he goes off the deep end. In the end things work out and we get an HEA. The story really is lovely and sweet, maybe I’m just bah-humbug this season.
#DarcyBurke #Netgalley #TheGiftOfTheMarquess #LoveIsAllAround
THE GIFT OF THE MARQUESS is the second book in the Love Is All Around series. The three stories in this trilogy are all happening simultaneously, so you could read them in any order, but I recommend you read them in the order of release.
It’s not hard to determine, based on the title, that this story is going to be patterned after The Gift of the Magi by O. Henry. That particular story is one of my favorite Christmas standard, but don’t assume you know the ending just because you know the classic.
The story of Poppy and Gabriel made me feel…. So many feelings! I was married over four years before my one and only little miracle came along. (He’s 31 now!) So, the melancholy and longing, the jealousy, and the misplaced anger are long remembered and easily recalled.
I wanted to read faster to find out what would happen. I wanted to read slower and savor every moment. I wanted it to never end and I couldn’t wait to get to the next book. This is why Darcy Burke is now counted among “must read” authors.
Note: While I received this book as a gifted ARC via NetGalley, my opinions are my own and are given freely.
Title: THE GIFT OF THE MARQUESS
Series: Love Is All Around #2
Category /Genre: Historical Romance
Recommended for: 18+ due to sexual content
Grammar/editing: received as an unedited ARC / errors excused
Received from: Darcy Burke
Poppy and Gabriel are deeply in love and have a completely happy marriage except for one thing. After three years of marriage, it seems they cannot have children. Poppy wants a child. Gabriel doesn’t want to deny her that wish and he would like to be a father. His mother and sister, as well as Poppy’s mother died giving birth, and he is terrified of losing Poppy in childbirth.
Working at Hartwell house, they meet a young woman who, sadly, does not wish to keep her baby when it is born. Gabriel offers to take the child for him and Poppy to raise. It doesn’t work out. Poppy is happy that the girl decides to keep her baby. About this same time, Poppy has a surprise for Gabriel. When she happily tells him that she is going to have a baby, the old fear grabs him. He cannot hide his feelings. What will happen now? How will this affect his relationship with Poppy?
Wonderful characters that you can’t help but love and pull for, and a sweet heartwarming story make this one not to be missed.
Just the absolute best story. Everything I like to read about and more. Such a great story I will read again and again. A keeper!!
The Gift of the Marquess by Darcy Burke and is the second book in the Love is All Around series! It is a great Christmas historical romance to get you in the mood for the holiday season that you definitely don’t want to miss.
Poppy and Gabriel want a family, but after three years of marriage they have given up of all hope. They fill their time working at a local home for unwed mothers and children, but it just isn’t the same. Poppy would do anything to have their own children and Gabriel would do anything to prevent it since losing his mother and sister during childbirth. This difference has caused them to be at odds with each other during what should be the most wonderful time of the year.
I’m definitely looking forward to reading the next book in this series!
I was given an ARC from the author/publisher. All conclusions are mine and mine alone.
I don’t like saying this, but I did not care for this book. I had a hard time getting into it, which is unusual. There wasn’t anything wrong with it I just could not connect with it. The characters, writing and story were good, but just not for me.
The Gift of the Marquess is the second book in the new series Love is All Around. The series is based on the Duke of Harwell (Calder) and his two sisters Lady Bianca and Poppy, the Marchioness of Darlington. The first book was Lady Bianca’s story and this book is Poppy’s. They can be read as standalone, but they are better if read in series. They take place around the Christmas holiday and some parts of the books overlap in time.
This story is unique in that Poppy is already married to Gabriel, the Marquess of Darlington. They have been married for three years and have had no children. Poppy is devastated, but Gabriel is secretly glad because he fears losing Poppy in childbirth, like his mother and Poppy’ mother. When Poppy learns of Gabriel’s feeling she feels betrayed and sad. She decides to go back to helping at the Hartwell House, an orphan’s home, only to learn that Gabriel has brought a young pregnant girl, Dinah, to stay in a cottage on their estate. After confronting him and learning the Dinah’s situation, she dedicates her time to Dinah and trying to convince her to keep her child. Poppy and Gabriel are in a dilemma, they would love to raise Dinah’s child as their own but know that Dinah would regret giving up her child later in life.
I loved the characters and could feel their pain of wanting a child. This book touches the heart of those who have suffered the same but also gives us hope. I can’t wait to read Calder’s story and learn what had happened in his past to cause his bitterness. I received an ARC and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This is the second book in the Love All Around series. I did not enjoy this book as much as the first. I felt that it was focused solely on Poppy and Gabe’s infertility. I would have rather had some mystery or crime they solve as the main focus of the story and their fertility issues as a side issue in the story. I am looking forward to reading Calder’s story. I received an ARC for my honest review.
Wow. There’s quite a lot going on here. And for anyone who has struggled with fertility issues, this story could be considered slightly triggering. Poppy and Gabriel are fantastic characters. Having been married for several years now, they’ve already made it past most of the worst miscommunication problems that often plague the newly wedded. That doesn’t mean their journey is all smooth sailing though; they still have their moments of ‘humans behaving badly’ where they don’t talk the issues through. No matter what else is going on, it’s easy to feel the love these two have for one another. I thought their emotional vulnerability came across as very realistic and I loved that both characters had growth they needed to accomplish. I felt that their issues resolved a bit too easily, but I realize that it happens that way in real life on a fairly regular basis. I’m dying to see what happens in the next book now.
I received a complimentary copy of this book through NetGalley.
A sensual historical romance about a young couple who is already wed. The story is about their differing views about having children. You will sympathize with both Poppy’s view and Gabriel’s concern. My surprise was a scullery maid who was literate and could cipher. Call me elitist but I didn’t think people who were not high born were educated enough to read Shakespeare. I felt there could have been a story there, but it was not followed through. A lovely story.
I received a free copy from Netgalley. This is my unbiased review.
While Poppy Kirkwood, Marchioness of Darlington, helped her sister deal with their obscure brother (after he inherited her father’s duchy and became a scrooge), she also faced a problem that made her sadder every day.
After three years of marrying Gabriel, they could not have children.
For Poppy this was a real martyrdom.
The couple used to help Mrs Armstrong at Hartwell House, a house that helped impoverished women to live and work in, keeping their children close.
Poppy loved being around the kids, reading to them, but for the past fortnight she couldn’t go there anymore.
On the other hand, Gabriel, despite loving his wife very much and knowing her desire to be a mother, did not feel the same desire as her.
Gabriel had lost his mother at the time of his younger brother’s birth. And years later, his older sister also had the same end. For him, childbirth was synonymous of death. How could he want something that would make him lose the woman he loved?
Because of this, the couple goes through a turbulent period.
Until at Hartwell House comes a girl, a single mother, about to give birth, who said she didn’t want her son.
Was this the chance Gabriel and Poppy had for their much-desired son?
Among disagreements with her husband, her older brother, fire, and the arrival of St Stephen’s Day, Poppy would have a lot to deal with, plus the news that could completely change her life.
5 stars
The Gift of the Marquees is an enchanting tale. I love everything about it! It’s a thoughtful and loving story. I can’t wait to read the third book to complete all the holiday happily ever afters.
This is a very emotional and loving journey for a already married couple and it was a true treat to see them grow as a couple while working on their issues together….. I really enjoyed this heartwarming read from beginning to end. Great reading!
Gabriel and Poppy have been married for three years. Try as they might, (and they enjoy the ‘trying’), they have yet to conceive. Poppy and Gabriel have different feelings on the subject of their fertility, and they’re not quite the same. The couple actively supports a local home for poor mothers with young children and spends a great deal of time there, which satisfies each in a different way.
As a result of their association with the house, they meet a young unwed mother in need of help. Will their help involve adopting her child?
Sweet holiday story about family, parenthood, and love. The characters and the plot are interesting and the reader becomes invested in the outcome because of the issues they face. This is the second in a trilogy of holiday stories, and I am looking forward to the next. I definitely recommend it.