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Hamilton Sisters #3
It Happened One Christmas
Two Strangers, One Enchanted Christmas
Quinton Roxbury, son of an earl and as charismatic as a prince, thinks St. Nick has provided him the perfect bride in rich, ruthless Lady Emmeline Tarleton.
Lisette Hamilton could not have wished for a more reasonable beau than stable, staid Henry Brooks.
But on one wintry London day, the magic of the season intervenes, bringing Lisette and Quinton together just long enough to realize that there is more to love than to connections or contentment. And the passionate moment they share will force them both to choose between the perfect lives they always wanted and a desire they've only just discovered...
Quinton Roxbury, son of an earl and as charismatic as a prince, thinks St. Nick has provided him the perfect bride in rich, ruthless Lady Emmeline Tarleton.
Lisette Hamilton could not have wished for a more reasonable beau than stable, staid Henry Brooks.
But on one wintry London day, the magic of the season intervenes, bringing Lisette and Quinton together just long enough to realize that there is more to love than to connections or contentment. And the passionate moment they share will force them both to choose between the perfect lives they always wanted and a desire they've only just discovered...
332 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published October 1, 2011
37 people are currently reading
252 people want to read
About the author
Kaitlin O'Riley
14 books119 followersKaitlin has always loved books and loved to read.
As a young girl growing up on the New Jersey shore (yes, she is a Jersey Girl!) she spent hours and hours reading at the beach, out on the front porch, and in her bedroom very late at night when she was supposed to be sleeping. She would walk to the little public library in town and choose books as if they were delicious treats in a candy store. She read all the classic “girl” books: Little Women, as well as every other book written by Louisa May Alcott, the entire Anne of Green Gables series, and The Secret Garden, by Frances Hodgson Burnett. All of these stories took place in another time period, so different from her own life and that was very appealing.
Kaitlin fell in love with historical romances when she was fourteen years old and first read Mistress of Mellyn, by Victoria Holt. Even before she devoured every single one of her books, Kaitlin was hooked on historical romance fiction. She then moved on to the likes of the novels by Kathleen Woodiwiss (Shanna and The Flame and the Flower) which she read stealthily, when her older sisters were not home to see that she was reading their books. However, her all time favorite book was, and still is, Margaret Mitchell’s Gone With the Wind. Now she adores the works of Lisa Kleypas, Julia Quinn, and Phillipa Gregory.
Her love of reading translated naturally to a love of writing. She has written personal journals since she was fourteen and has adored every creative writing class she took in school. She actually wrote her first romances when she was fifteen, with her best friend. Sadly, they had no clue what they were writing about in those spiral notebooks, having no romantic experiences to draw from at that point! Most of those early efforts were tossed in a fireplace, but one notebook still survives to haunt her.
In college Kaitlin took a detour from writing and became a foreign language major, spending her junior year in Spain. And because stories of the past always intrigued her, she also studied history.
Kaitlin now lives in sunny Southern California with her family, where she is busy writing her next novel!
Q&A with Kaitlin O’Riley
On Writing:
How do you come up with the ideas for your books?
This is probably the question most frequently asked of me, and probably asked of most writers. I’m sure each author has her own methods of inspiration. As for myself, my ideas come to me in different ways. Sometimes I just close my eyes and imagine. Other times ideas come to me while listening to music. I often get inspiration from conversations with my family and friends. A lot of my writing, especially the dialogue, happens naturally, while I’m writing at the computer. The characters I’ve created will just start talking.
Why do you write historical romance?
Because I love the genre and always have. I’m also a bit of a history buff. Past eras fascinate me--the elegant clothing, the styles, the mannerisms, the confining societal elements. The past always seems more romantic and it has already happened it’s easy to idealize it. (Even when I look back to the 1980’s!) Sometimes I think I was born in the wrong century, but then again I couldn’t do without some of the modern comforts, like air conditioning and electricity.
Are your characters based on people you know in real life?
Now that’s a tricky question and one that could get me in trouble. I suppose most of the characters are combinations of everyone I know or have ever known. I don’t think I have ever intentionally based one particular character on one particular person. (And if I did, I’m not telling who it was!) However, I do use names of family members and friends for characters and even add the names of local places from my hometown in my books, for the amusement of those who know me.
Which is your favorite of the books you have written?
They are all my favorites in different ways. But I must say I enjoyed
As a young girl growing up on the New Jersey shore (yes, she is a Jersey Girl!) she spent hours and hours reading at the beach, out on the front porch, and in her bedroom very late at night when she was supposed to be sleeping. She would walk to the little public library in town and choose books as if they were delicious treats in a candy store. She read all the classic “girl” books: Little Women, as well as every other book written by Louisa May Alcott, the entire Anne of Green Gables series, and The Secret Garden, by Frances Hodgson Burnett. All of these stories took place in another time period, so different from her own life and that was very appealing.
Kaitlin fell in love with historical romances when she was fourteen years old and first read Mistress of Mellyn, by Victoria Holt. Even before she devoured every single one of her books, Kaitlin was hooked on historical romance fiction. She then moved on to the likes of the novels by Kathleen Woodiwiss (Shanna and The Flame and the Flower) which she read stealthily, when her older sisters were not home to see that she was reading their books. However, her all time favorite book was, and still is, Margaret Mitchell’s Gone With the Wind. Now she adores the works of Lisa Kleypas, Julia Quinn, and Phillipa Gregory.
Her love of reading translated naturally to a love of writing. She has written personal journals since she was fourteen and has adored every creative writing class she took in school. She actually wrote her first romances when she was fifteen, with her best friend. Sadly, they had no clue what they were writing about in those spiral notebooks, having no romantic experiences to draw from at that point! Most of those early efforts were tossed in a fireplace, but one notebook still survives to haunt her.
In college Kaitlin took a detour from writing and became a foreign language major, spending her junior year in Spain. And because stories of the past always intrigued her, she also studied history.
Kaitlin now lives in sunny Southern California with her family, where she is busy writing her next novel!
Q&A with Kaitlin O’Riley
On Writing:
How do you come up with the ideas for your books?
This is probably the question most frequently asked of me, and probably asked of most writers. I’m sure each author has her own methods of inspiration. As for myself, my ideas come to me in different ways. Sometimes I just close my eyes and imagine. Other times ideas come to me while listening to music. I often get inspiration from conversations with my family and friends. A lot of my writing, especially the dialogue, happens naturally, while I’m writing at the computer. The characters I’ve created will just start talking.
Why do you write historical romance?
Because I love the genre and always have. I’m also a bit of a history buff. Past eras fascinate me--the elegant clothing, the styles, the mannerisms, the confining societal elements. The past always seems more romantic and it has already happened it’s easy to idealize it. (Even when I look back to the 1980’s!) Sometimes I think I was born in the wrong century, but then again I couldn’t do without some of the modern comforts, like air conditioning and electricity.
Are your characters based on people you know in real life?
Now that’s a tricky question and one that could get me in trouble. I suppose most of the characters are combinations of everyone I know or have ever known. I don’t think I have ever intentionally based one particular character on one particular person. (And if I did, I’m not telling who it was!) However, I do use names of family members and friends for characters and even add the names of local places from my hometown in my books, for the amusement of those who know me.
Which is your favorite of the books you have written?
They are all my favorites in different ways. But I must say I enjoyed
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
December 10, 2022
3.5 It took me too long to get into the story.
September 6, 2016
Sweet and tasty holiday treat. I loved the heroine, Lisette, and thought the author did a very skillful job of showing five sisters, alike yet different, not an easy job. It also really reminded me how delicious it can be JUST to be kissed, thoroughly and well.
The subplot with Tom the street urchin felt a little distracting and repetitive in spots. Although I didn't know how, I knew he would be rescued in the end, so it was hard to feel fully vested in his peril. I very much liked how the romantic rivals for Lisette and Quinton were in and of themselves likeable characters, making that conflict much more intense.
Read it, you'll enjoy it!
The subplot with Tom the street urchin felt a little distracting and repetitive in spots. Although I didn't know how, I knew he would be rescued in the end, so it was hard to feel fully vested in his peril. I very much liked how the romantic rivals for Lisette and Quinton were in and of themselves likeable characters, making that conflict much more intense.
Read it, you'll enjoy it!
March 30, 2025
Another lovely story in the Hamilton family saga! Lisette was always kind of the quiet sister, the one who kind of was just mellow and content in the background. In this book, she's brought into the forefront, and it was quite nice getting to fully know her! She turned out to have more steel and spine than she had let on before, while still maintaining a gentle and caring personage. I liked her a lot! Our MMC, Quinton, was quite nice too. I hadn't seen too much of him in the sequel series, so was less familiar with him than other family members, but he was a great guy, and a perfect fit into the family. Helped that he was already friendly acquaintances with both Lucien, and my darling Jeffrey, of course. But it was fun seeing him meet the Hamilton girls, and fall into their charm as they all do.
Despite the title, the Christmas focus was not at all overwhelming through the course of the story. Obviously, there were little background mentions and signs of the season, but I was happy that it wasn't all totally Christmas, Christmas, Christmas stuff in my face, since it's March now while I'm reading this, and I'm so hard in my bring on Spring, and Summer and sunshine and heat and green things growing mode right now, lol. Toward the end, there was a lovely scene/chapter session on Christmas Eve, but at no point did I ever feel like I had gone back in time to a few months ago when I was watching Hallmark holiday romances, lol. So that was good, because I was a little worried it might not click with me full and properly since I'm just not in holiday mode right now, y'know?
Another lil cute thing I liked in this one was getting to see little Phillip, son of Lucien and Colette (and whose own future-set book I'm still wanting to get my hands on!!), and meeting baby Sara, and seeing Juliette and Harrison, and all the other family members, all the sisters, Lucien's parents, Jeffrey... hey-hey the gang's all here! A dang enjoyable read, and though it lacked the Society dramatics of Colette's book, and the pure adventure of Juliette's, I feel like this one was actual just perfectly suited to Lisette, and her personality! And... I gotta say, the way Lisette and Quinton kept running into each other, the way they felt a connection to each other despite other obligations and plans... it did, just a lil, remind me of Mara's book in the sequels. That same sense of 'we absolutely don't know each other, and probably wouldn't have really met or interacted, but fate, destiny, the universe, is pushing us together and it's irresistible' kinda thang. I liked it ;)
Despite the title, the Christmas focus was not at all overwhelming through the course of the story. Obviously, there were little background mentions and signs of the season, but I was happy that it wasn't all totally Christmas, Christmas, Christmas stuff in my face, since it's March now while I'm reading this, and I'm so hard in my bring on Spring, and Summer and sunshine and heat and green things growing mode right now, lol. Toward the end, there was a lovely scene/chapter session on Christmas Eve, but at no point did I ever feel like I had gone back in time to a few months ago when I was watching Hallmark holiday romances, lol. So that was good, because I was a little worried it might not click with me full and properly since I'm just not in holiday mode right now, y'know?
Another lil cute thing I liked in this one was getting to see little Phillip, son of Lucien and Colette (and whose own future-set book I'm still wanting to get my hands on!!), and meeting baby Sara, and seeing Juliette and Harrison, and all the other family members, all the sisters, Lucien's parents, Jeffrey... hey-hey the gang's all here! A dang enjoyable read, and though it lacked the Society dramatics of Colette's book, and the pure adventure of Juliette's, I feel like this one was actual just perfectly suited to Lisette, and her personality! And... I gotta say, the way Lisette and Quinton kept running into each other, the way they felt a connection to each other despite other obligations and plans... it did, just a lil, remind me of Mara's book in the sequels. That same sense of 'we absolutely don't know each other, and probably wouldn't have really met or interacted, but fate, destiny, the universe, is pushing us together and it's irresistible' kinda thang. I liked it ;)
December 5, 2018
I really do enjoy a "I know it will all work out in the end" type of book but even when I deliberately read a book such as that (such as this one) I always find myself holding my breath wondering how it will all turn out.
I'm constantly worried about scandal and second thoughts that, even though I know they will get together and be happy in the end, I'm still scared they won't.
Even though I still love books like that. They give my mind a happy vacation while also being interesting enough for me to actually see it through til the end.
This was a classic example of such a book. Love at first sight (practically) meets pressing social conflict. A description that would have most readers groaning at the cliche. But I liked it. I'm really enjoying these Hamilton sisters. They're all so different in personality that it makes their individual stories all the more desirable.
I'm constantly worried about scandal and second thoughts that, even though I know they will get together and be happy in the end, I'm still scared they won't.
Even though I still love books like that. They give my mind a happy vacation while also being interesting enough for me to actually see it through til the end.
This was a classic example of such a book. Love at first sight (practically) meets pressing social conflict. A description that would have most readers groaning at the cliche. But I liked it. I'm really enjoying these Hamilton sisters. They're all so different in personality that it makes their individual stories all the more desirable.
November 29, 2020
This is the third book in the Hamilton Sisters series. This is Lisette’s story. While she does not spend much time in the book shop, she is the sister who is left to care for their mother Genevieve, who is demanding and selfish. Lisette doesn’t want romance she is happy with her long-time suitor, until she meets Quinton Roxbury, a man who is so different to anyone she has known. Quinton is an architect who has a dream to build houses for the poor and remove them from the slums to help them improve their lives. Lisette shares a similar dream to help the poor and she does this by teaching all the staff of the book shop to read and write from the shop assistants to the delivery boys. The book has much potential, but instead Kaitlin O’Riley makes the book twee and slightly patronizing especially the ending with young Tom Alcott and his mother Anna.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 16, 2021
I have a mixed feeling about this, I actually take pity of their fiance and fiancee. Lisette seemed to be so close with her fiance's mother. And after she broke off their engagement, there was no news about their relationship. And also Emmeline, well, she did came out as snobby, but maybe that was because she was hurt. Lisette and Quinton did have an affair after all, and Emmeline's fear of how the scandal would affect her was valid. She would be the one who was humiliated. Well, that sure was much better than a loveless marriage, but still I was hoping Lisette and Quinton's marriage would be held after some time passed. But no, they married straight away albeit in private.
January 18, 2021
Probably 2.5 stars rounding up.
Has cheating (although none of the characters are married). Insta-love with some actual emotional connection but overall it was a bit too over the place with plots and themes to feel super connected.
Has cheating (although none of the characters are married). Insta-love with some actual emotional connection but overall it was a bit too over the place with plots and themes to feel super connected.
June 29, 2018
Wonderful series! Original and great characters.
January 3, 2022
Very romantic
November 27, 2013
This was #3 on my pile of Christmas Fluff reads, more of a Victorian Christmas romance rather than my favorite Regency time period. No complaints, it actually was surprisingly enjoyable! I liked that the generally predictable story held my attention with a line up of interesting characters and a curiosity of just what was going to unfold next.
The “mysterious” story of young pick-pocket/thief, Tom, and his struggling mother within the main story was a refreshing curiosity. Somehow we readers knew they would play an important part… I figured it out eventually, but the heart-warming ending made it a richer Christmas story.
My complements and thanks to author Kaitlin O’Riley for not letting the main two characters play Secret Romance Ping-Pong, where they constantly volley their doubts, hesitations and feelings. A little is ok, but going on forever, (like some romance authors do) gets really tiresome. O’Riley didn’t and I find it refreshing.
My only complaint is with the picture on the front. Many times Quinton Roxbury is clearly described with light, golden color hair. Clearly the person who worked on the front cover art didn’t have a clue. Not a biggie, but it bugs me! I like when the picture on front is an important illustration to the story inside.
It was a fun story. Maybe I’ll read it again some day, or maybe I won’t…
The “mysterious” story of young pick-pocket/thief, Tom, and his struggling mother within the main story was a refreshing curiosity. Somehow we readers knew they would play an important part… I figured it out eventually, but the heart-warming ending made it a richer Christmas story.
My complements and thanks to author Kaitlin O’Riley for not letting the main two characters play Secret Romance Ping-Pong, where they constantly volley their doubts, hesitations and feelings. A little is ok, but going on forever, (like some romance authors do) gets really tiresome. O’Riley didn’t and I find it refreshing.
My only complaint is with the picture on the front. Many times Quinton Roxbury is clearly described with light, golden color hair. Clearly the person who worked on the front cover art didn’t have a clue. Not a biggie, but it bugs me! I like when the picture on front is an important illustration to the story inside.
It was a fun story. Maybe I’ll read it again some day, or maybe I won’t…
January 11, 2012
Like a perfect piece of divinity, this holiday tale is frothy and satisfying. A serendipitous meeting between Lisette, one of five sisters who works in her father's bookstore, and Quinton, a rising young architect, throws a monkey wrench into each of their future plans. The snowy London setting and another chance meeting with a poor street urchin adds to the story's charm. If you enjoy sweet romance and have a soft spot for Christmas, you will love this book. Recommended!
January 8, 2013
Starting this one after consuming the first two in this set, I find these light reads that had enough history and less waffle than most (some others seem to go into great lengths to over describe things). I love all the sisters, their friends and the love story of each one so far. Jeffrey is so amusing, getting caught up in a few plots and schemes set out by certain sisters.
Currently waiting for the next one to be released.....
Currently waiting for the next one to be released.....
May 28, 2015
Don't remember everything about this story, but there was something about it I did not like.I do remember the sisters had different responsibilities as owners of the bookstore. It is okay as a Christmas Story but I like Christmas stories with cozy fireplaces, snow blizzards, cabins or family gatherings.
December 21, 2011
This is the third in a series about sister who own a bookshop but somehow manage to participate in society. Nice writing, a little awkward at times. The author includes some interesting details about other classes of society. Very sweet romance between Lisette and Quinton.
July 20, 2011
3.5/5.0
For a complete review visit Affaire de Coeur magazine, hard copy or online at: http://affairedecoeur.com/ - October 2011 issue.
For a complete review visit Affaire de Coeur magazine, hard copy or online at: http://affairedecoeur.com/ - October 2011 issue.
December 14, 2011
3/5 (C/C-)
January 1, 2012
It wasn't that it was a bad story, just not my cup of tea. I like my stories a little more plot heavy while this was more a string of random encounters.
March 8, 2020
4 Stars
December 4, 2012
Enjoyable love story with a little bit of steam. Super likable protagonists.
December 29, 2012
Too predictable and slow.
January 20, 2014
cute quick read, but would have been better to just leave it like a traditional regency romance, the sex only subtracted from the book.
March 17, 2016
I read this is a very short time and then forgot to put it on my goodread's page. It was a nice Christmas story. Easy to read. Stayed true to the genre.
December 18, 2021
The cover of this book lead me to believe it was going to be a lot more steamy. Incredibly bland, no spark.
November 18, 2014
It was a little long-winded for me, I did a lot of skimming!
December 3, 2014
Christmas fluff read from the library. These are always good fun.
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews