Five years after breaking Amelia Chilson’s heart, he’s back. Robert Danbury wants the mistletoe kiss Amelia denied him years ago, but nothing more. Loving a woman again is an unthinkable risk. They just have to make it through Christmas without kissing or killing each other. Over presents and under mistletoe the past is revealed. Their mistakes are sweet, ugly, delicate, and unassailable. … Botanist Robert might be able to grow pineapples almost as perfect as the ones Amelia can picture in her embroidery, but they can’t change the past. Especially when Robert’s daughter is a constant reminder.
Then they’re caught innocently in bed together and Robert has an instant to choose: Amelia’s reputation, their lost love, or his conscience.
Length: 30,000 words
Tropes: second chance; enemies-to-lovers; scandal; compromised;
Heat level: medium-high.
Content Notes can be found before the Contents page.
Note: this novella was first published in the Love Rekindled at Christmas anthology.
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Allow a long afternoon for this adult Regency Christmas romantic comedy set at the Chilson family home which 23-year-old Amelia has returned to from her Great-Aunt Henrietta’s in London. I had an ARC from Booksprout and this voluntary review is my own opinion.
Amelia is horrified to discover that her parents houseparty is going to include the gentleman who rejected her five years previously but determined that this time she won’t allow him to break her heart. Past misunderstandings, hurts, fear and an adorable four year old abound in this second chance romance.
Not Very Believable
I usually love a second-chance-at-love Regency romance. If it is at Christmas, even better. Sadly, The Mistletoe Trap by Eve Pendle was too unbelievable for me to enjoy. The story was okay, but I didn’t like either the heroine or the hero. I’m just glad this was a fairly short read with a happy ending.
Content 411: In addition to some mild swearing, there is also some sexual intimacies.
I picked up this book expecting it to be a sweet Christmas read, but it was a lot more than that. I was impressed by the depth of some of the themes, and while I didn’t love the heroine, I found her to be very realistic and three-dimensional. We might not’ve been best friends, but I absolutely believed she was was real, ya know? Anyhow, it was a neat book!
This is a short but enjoyable read about second chances and misunderstandings. The book had an entertaining storyline that kept me engaged throughout. There was plenty of witty dialogue between the characters with a good dose of humor mixed in and gave me plenty of laughs along the way (starting with the title – quirky but cute!). The characters were interesting and likable and had great personalities, and you could definitely feel the chemistry between Amelia and Robert. This was a cute, short story and I would definitely recommend for a nice cozy afternoon read!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Good Characters Enliven Familiar Trope
This is the second book I have read by this author, and I enjoyed this one as I did the last. Even though this is a relatively quick-read novella, she has created some delightful characters—the hero and heroine, of course, most notably as well as the widower hero’s daughter. I always enjoy a book with a well-drawn child character. While sometimes the grand misunderstanding trope, where people who love each other are separated for years because of a misunderstanding gets blown up out of proportion, is overdone, this book succeeds because of the characters. The hero and heroine are believable and likable. I appreciated that the heroine has forged her own path in her time of separation from the hero, creating an embroidery business. She is strong and resourceful. The hero was conflicted, as most romantic heroes are, but we see his good side in how he treats his four-year-old daughter. It was sweet how the heroine and the little girl, who is very shy, got on so well at the very start. This is a steamy read. I liked how the writer was able to weave in references to embroidery in the sections told from the heroine’s perspective; it definitely could be a way that she would order and process her world.
I received a free copy of this book, but that did not affect my review.
A wonderfully romantic historical novel.
At the age of 18, Amelia is too shy to express her feelings towards Robert. He, on the other hand, does not believe that she answers his feelings and marries someone else. Amelia’s heart is broken and she promises never to get married. She leaves for London where she is a companion for her great aunt.
Robert loses his wife during the birth of his daughter. He focuses on the education of his daughter and promises never to marry himself again. He doesn’t want to lose another woman in childbirth. Amelia and Robert cannot keep their vow when they meet again after 5 years.
A sweet story with beautifully described love scenes. This story shows once again that communication is very important in a relationship. Before you know it you have lost what you have found
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
A Pineapple in a Pine Tree: A Regency Christmas Romance is an enjoyable holiday read.
The characters are well developed, likable, and have a past together. Is there any chance for them to have a future? The storyline is well written and engaging, with humour, misunderstandings, fun embroidery, drama, and steamy romance.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
A Regency Christmas Romance is a well written story with a good storyline that held my interest until the end. Amelia Chilson and Robert Danbury’s story had some moments that had me smiling as I read. I want to read more by this Author. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This is a second chance at romance for Amelia and Robert. Enjoyed this short sweet romance with some zany characters in this story.
This is a well written short story with a cast of colorful characters and an entertaining story line. The author does a great job moving the story with the misunderstandings,laughter and love. Add in the sexual and passionate romance with detailed scenes and you have an enjoyable read. It moves quickly and smoothly and gave me plenty of laughs reading this story and would recommend recommend this book.
I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book. All opinions in this review are my own and freely given.