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Millworth Manor #1
What Happens At Christmas
You are cordially invited to Christmas at Millworth Manor. . .
Camille, Lady Lydingham, requests the pleasure of your company at a festive house party, as she endeavors to coax a marriage proposal from Prince Nikolai Pruzinsky of Greater Avalonia.
The hostess's relatives will be in attendance--in this case, a troupe of actors hired to impersonate a proper English family in order to fool the Prince.
Gate-crashing, distractingly handsome first loves like Grayson Elliott are most unwelcome.
Games will be played.
Motives will be revealed.
Mayhem may ensue.
And hearts will be won--and lost--in the most romantic, magical season of all.
Please RSVP
"Cleverly conceived and flawlessly the perfect holiday treat." – The Chicago Tribune
"Alexander's divine Victorian Christmas confection provides an abundance of wit and warmth." -- Publishers Weekly (starred review)
Camille, Lady Lydingham, requests the pleasure of your company at a festive house party, as she endeavors to coax a marriage proposal from Prince Nikolai Pruzinsky of Greater Avalonia.
The hostess's relatives will be in attendance--in this case, a troupe of actors hired to impersonate a proper English family in order to fool the Prince.
Gate-crashing, distractingly handsome first loves like Grayson Elliott are most unwelcome.
Games will be played.
Motives will be revealed.
Mayhem may ensue.
And hearts will be won--and lost--in the most romantic, magical season of all.
Please RSVP
"Cleverly conceived and flawlessly the perfect holiday treat." – The Chicago Tribune
"Alexander's divine Victorian Christmas confection provides an abundance of wit and warmth." -- Publishers Weekly (starred review)
400 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published October 16, 2012
619 people are currently reading
3611 people want to read
About the author
Victoria Alexander
64 books1,323 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See this thread for more information.
New York Times bestselling author Victoria Alexander was an award winning television reporter until she discovered fiction was much more fun than real life. She turned to writing full time and is still shocked it worked out.
Since the publication of her first book in 1995, she has written thirty-one full length novels and six novellas. The Perfect Wife—originally published in 1996 and reissued in March 2008—hit #1 on the New York Times list. Sixteen of her books are bestsellers hitting the New York Times, USA Today and/or Publishers Weekly bestseller lists. With books translated into more than a dozen different languages she has readers around the world and has twice been nominated for Romance's Writers of America prestigious RITA award. In 2009 she was given a Career Achievement Award from RT Bookclub and was named Historical Storyteller of the year in 2003. In 2008 she was the keynote speaker for the Romance Writers of American annual conference in San Francisco. Victoria credits much of her writing success to her experiences as a reporter.
Her years as a broadcast journalist were spent in two radically different areas of the country: Nebraska and West Virginia. In West Virginia, she covered both natural and manmade disasters. She was on the scene when a power plant construction accident in a small town left 52 men dead. She once spent the night on a mountain waiting to learn of the fate of coal miners trapped in a mine collapse. Victoria was producing a newscast when her husband (who worked at the same television station) and several other journalists were held hostage by a disturbed Vietnam veteran. In Nebraska, she reported on the farm crisis and watched people lose land that had been in their families for generations. She covered the story that was the basis of the movie BOYS DON’T CRY and once acted as the link between police and a gunman who had barricaded himself in his home. Her investigative work exposed the trucking of New York City garbage to a small town dump in rural Nebraska.
During her journalism career, Victoria covered every president from Ford to Clinton. She knows firsthand what it feels like to be surrounded by rising floodwaters and inside a burning building. She’s interviewed movie stars including Kevin Costner, ridden an elephant and flown in a governor’s helicopter. She’s covered a national political convention and Pope John Paul II’s historic visit to Denver as well as small town festivals celebrating everything from walnuts to Glen Miller. Her work was honored by numerous organizations including the Associated Press who called a feature about a firefighter’s school "story telling genius". It was the encouragement she needed to turn from news to fiction. She’s never looked back.
Victoria claims her love of romance and journalism is to due to the influence of her favorite comic book character: Lois Lane, a terrific reporter and a great heroine who pursued Superman with an unwavering determination. And why not? He was extremely well drawn.
Victoria grew up traveling the world as an Air Force brat. Today, she lives in Omaha, Nebraska with her husband and her dogs. Victoria had two bearded collies, Sam and Louie (named from characters in one of her books). Sam (on the left), the best dog in the world for 13 ½ years, passed away in September 2010. Louie took on the position of loyal companion and did a fine job even though he doesn't understand that kitchen counter surfing is not allowed!
Now he's been joined by Reggie, also a faithful companion.
They all live happily ever after in a house under constant renovation and the accompanying parade of men in tool belts. And never ending chaos. Victoria laughs a great deal—she has to.
New York Times bestselling author Victoria Alexander was an award winning television reporter until she discovered fiction was much more fun than real life. She turned to writing full time and is still shocked it worked out.
Since the publication of her first book in 1995, she has written thirty-one full length novels and six novellas. The Perfect Wife—originally published in 1996 and reissued in March 2008—hit #1 on the New York Times list. Sixteen of her books are bestsellers hitting the New York Times, USA Today and/or Publishers Weekly bestseller lists. With books translated into more than a dozen different languages she has readers around the world and has twice been nominated for Romance's Writers of America prestigious RITA award. In 2009 she was given a Career Achievement Award from RT Bookclub and was named Historical Storyteller of the year in 2003. In 2008 she was the keynote speaker for the Romance Writers of American annual conference in San Francisco. Victoria credits much of her writing success to her experiences as a reporter.
Her years as a broadcast journalist were spent in two radically different areas of the country: Nebraska and West Virginia. In West Virginia, she covered both natural and manmade disasters. She was on the scene when a power plant construction accident in a small town left 52 men dead. She once spent the night on a mountain waiting to learn of the fate of coal miners trapped in a mine collapse. Victoria was producing a newscast when her husband (who worked at the same television station) and several other journalists were held hostage by a disturbed Vietnam veteran. In Nebraska, she reported on the farm crisis and watched people lose land that had been in their families for generations. She covered the story that was the basis of the movie BOYS DON’T CRY and once acted as the link between police and a gunman who had barricaded himself in his home. Her investigative work exposed the trucking of New York City garbage to a small town dump in rural Nebraska.
During her journalism career, Victoria covered every president from Ford to Clinton. She knows firsthand what it feels like to be surrounded by rising floodwaters and inside a burning building. She’s interviewed movie stars including Kevin Costner, ridden an elephant and flown in a governor’s helicopter. She’s covered a national political convention and Pope John Paul II’s historic visit to Denver as well as small town festivals celebrating everything from walnuts to Glen Miller. Her work was honored by numerous organizations including the Associated Press who called a feature about a firefighter’s school "story telling genius". It was the encouragement she needed to turn from news to fiction. She’s never looked back.
Victoria claims her love of romance and journalism is to due to the influence of her favorite comic book character: Lois Lane, a terrific reporter and a great heroine who pursued Superman with an unwavering determination. And why not? He was extremely well drawn.
Victoria grew up traveling the world as an Air Force brat. Today, she lives in Omaha, Nebraska with her husband and her dogs. Victoria had two bearded collies, Sam and Louie (named from characters in one of her books). Sam (on the left), the best dog in the world for 13 ½ years, passed away in September 2010. Louie took on the position of loyal companion and did a fine job even though he doesn't understand that kitchen counter surfing is not allowed!
Now he's been joined by Reggie, also a faithful companion.
They all live happily ever after in a house under constant renovation and the accompanying parade of men in tool belts. And never ending chaos. Victoria laughs a great deal—she has to.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 516 reviews
November 13, 2015
3.5 delightfully farcical stars!
What Happens at Christmas is such a fresh, amusing story! The characters are quirky, the story is unique... I really enjoyed it. Elizabeth Wiley does the narration and she has a lovely voice, and while she gave a lively performance, I had trouble distinguishing between characters - including, at times, the men from the women.
I'm giving 4 stars to the story, 3 to the narration - bottom line: 3.5 stars.
Reviewed for Affaire de Coeur Magazine
December 16, 2017
It is with a heavy heart that I only give this an average rating. What Happens At Christmas had such promise: a silly but entertaining plot, easy going leads, and an interesting secondary cast. However, while I enjoyed this story up to the 70% mark, it then went downhill as the same arguments were repeated over and over and the silly plot went on for so long that it veered into the unbelievable and I just wanted everything to end.
I'm not going to rehash the plot (it really does happen as the book blurb says), but I will add that there were several secondary characters who ended up being more interesting than the leads! Camille's twin sister Beryl and her husband Lionel...I could have read their story instead and I was always aching for them to be on the page (we sadly only get one scene--though it was a good one). Winfield, Gray's cousin, is also very funny and I enjoyed the banter he had with Gray whenever he was around. I see that I couldn't finish his book...but I did like his prequel novella.
Now Camille and Gray--at first, I liked them. They were intelligent but trapped in a farce and seemed to still find humor in the ridiculous. However, Camille was really self-centered and could never understand how she had hurt (and continued to hurt) Gray with her words and actions. Gray for his part was fun at the beginning, but soon he just became a bit bland when he was in the mix of all the other chaos going on in the book. I just really didn't understand how they so obviously loved each other despite not being able to communicate on a fundamental level.
Other story lines: we have small backstories for every actor, Camille's mother, Camille's sister Beryl (as well as her marriage with her husband, Lionel), Camille's sister Delilah, Uncle Basil, Winfield, Camille's father, a prince, and even five children at one point. It was a jam-packed book and the main romance suffered as a result.
This was a cozy and at times funny story, but I think it would have been better 50 pages shorter and with a heroine that had a little more self-awareness and a hero with a bit more spine. I'll still be continuing with the series and trying out Delilah's book next (and hopefully get more of Beryl and Lionel there!).
I'm not going to rehash the plot (it really does happen as the book blurb says), but I will add that there were several secondary characters who ended up being more interesting than the leads! Camille's twin sister Beryl and her husband Lionel...I could have read their story instead and I was always aching for them to be on the page (we sadly only get one scene--though it was a good one). Winfield, Gray's cousin, is also very funny and I enjoyed the banter he had with Gray whenever he was around. I see that I couldn't finish his book...but I did like his prequel novella.
Now Camille and Gray--at first, I liked them. They were intelligent but trapped in a farce and seemed to still find humor in the ridiculous. However, Camille was really self-centered and could never understand how she had hurt (and continued to hurt) Gray with her words and actions. Gray for his part was fun at the beginning, but soon he just became a bit bland when he was in the mix of all the other chaos going on in the book. I just really didn't understand how they so obviously loved each other despite not being able to communicate on a fundamental level.
Other story lines: we have small backstories for every actor, Camille's mother, Camille's sister Beryl (as well as her marriage with her husband, Lionel), Camille's sister Delilah, Uncle Basil, Winfield, Camille's father, a prince, and even five children at one point. It was a jam-packed book and the main romance suffered as a result.
This was a cozy and at times funny story, but I think it would have been better 50 pages shorter and with a heroine that had a little more self-awareness and a hero with a bit more spine. I'll still be continuing with the series and trying out Delilah's book next (and hopefully get more of Beryl and Lionel there!).
December 5, 2014
“Being willing to forgive is not the same as being weak. Indeed, it takes a great deal of strength to accept someone else’s acknowledgment of their mistakes.”
This was my first book that I picked up for my Christmas book marathon and I am so very glad I did! This was probably not only one of the sweetest and most adorable books I have ever read, but the humor was amazing as well, which was really nice because I wasn't expecting that!
I absolutely loved this book, will gladly read it again and again, and I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a beautiful and sweet Christmas book.
This was my first book that I picked up for my Christmas book marathon and I am so very glad I did! This was probably not only one of the sweetest and most adorable books I have ever read, but the humor was amazing as well, which was really nice because I wasn't expecting that!
I absolutely loved this book, will gladly read it again and again, and I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a beautiful and sweet Christmas book.
December 18, 2016
4.5 stars
This was a very amusing Christmas story.
Camille, Lady Lydingham, wanted the fairy tale life so when she met a prince who was travelling. Camille put a plan into motion designed to charm Prince Nikolai Pruzinksy of Greater Avalonia into proposing to her and making her a princess.
The problem was that she didn't feel that her family was the "right sort" to endear the prince to her, as they were quite eccentric. So Camille decided to hire a troupe of actors to portray a proper and respectable English family. While Camille and her married twin sister Beryl, Lady Dunwell, put their scheme into motion, Camille's first love Grayson Elliot came by.
Grayson had decided that Camille was the one that got a way and he came to woo her back. Unfortunately he walks into this grand spectacle of a Christmas holiday with Camille's faux family. Both Prince Nikolas and Grayson wanted to prove they were the right suitor. Her twin sister just wants her to be happy. The rest is just comedic genius.
I wasn't expecting to enjoy this story so much but it was funny. Camille was very likable even though she was a bit of a dreamer. I give her a A for the trying in earnest to pull of a ruse of this magnitude. It required nerves of steel and sheer willpower to remain committed when parts of her story were falling part. Camille and her sister improvised so well, I almost expected them to decide to go into the theater afterwards.
I liked the drama because it felt like watching a live play with the blunders, bloopers and improvisation. The romance was also sweet and heart felt. I was pleased with how the love story was resolved. The audiobook narrator did an awesome job with various voices. I was never bored in this story. If you want an entertaining Christmas story and a second chance romance, I highly recommend this one.
This was a very amusing Christmas story.
Camille, Lady Lydingham, wanted the fairy tale life so when she met a prince who was travelling. Camille put a plan into motion designed to charm Prince Nikolai Pruzinksy of Greater Avalonia into proposing to her and making her a princess.
The problem was that she didn't feel that her family was the "right sort" to endear the prince to her, as they were quite eccentric. So Camille decided to hire a troupe of actors to portray a proper and respectable English family. While Camille and her married twin sister Beryl, Lady Dunwell, put their scheme into motion, Camille's first love Grayson Elliot came by.
Grayson had decided that Camille was the one that got a way and he came to woo her back. Unfortunately he walks into this grand spectacle of a Christmas holiday with Camille's faux family. Both Prince Nikolas and Grayson wanted to prove they were the right suitor. Her twin sister just wants her to be happy. The rest is just comedic genius.
I wasn't expecting to enjoy this story so much but it was funny. Camille was very likable even though she was a bit of a dreamer. I give her a A for the trying in earnest to pull of a ruse of this magnitude. It required nerves of steel and sheer willpower to remain committed when parts of her story were falling part. Camille and her sister improvised so well, I almost expected them to decide to go into the theater afterwards.
I liked the drama because it felt like watching a live play with the blunders, bloopers and improvisation. The romance was also sweet and heart felt. I was pleased with how the love story was resolved. The audiobook narrator did an awesome job with various voices. I was never bored in this story. If you want an entertaining Christmas story and a second chance romance, I highly recommend this one.
December 25, 2012
This was a thoroughly enjoyable read; filled with warmth, humour and quite accurately painted family relationships. I liked that the heroine was in her thirties rather than a debutante or ingenue, and also that she had been content in her first marriage to a man who was kind and decent.
The theme running throughout the novel is one of second chances - not just for Grayson and Camille, but also for Beryl and her husband, for their parents and the sisters' relationship with each other and their errant father.
Camille and Grayson are very likeable characters, and the farcical element of the story is handled deftly and with a sure hand.
A smile-inducing holiday for any time of the year.
The theme running throughout the novel is one of second chances - not just for Grayson and Camille, but also for Beryl and her husband, for their parents and the sisters' relationship with each other and their errant father.
Camille and Grayson are very likeable characters, and the farcical element of the story is handled deftly and with a sure hand.
A smile-inducing holiday for any time of the year.
November 10, 2019
Lady Camille Lydingham loves her family, but she wants to impress Prince Nikolai of Greater Avalonia and her family can't fulfill that role. So she hires actors to impersonate her family and the servants of the manor.
As Camille tries to impress and win over Nikolai, she doesn't anticipate the wrinkle that Grayson Elliott puts in her plan. Everything that can go wrong does.
This story brought quite a few LOL moments and I enjoyed it.
As Camille tries to impress and win over Nikolai, she doesn't anticipate the wrinkle that Grayson Elliott puts in her plan. Everything that can go wrong does.
This story brought quite a few LOL moments and I enjoyed it.
February 28, 2022
Ik heb de Nederlands talige uitgave gelezen : Droomprins voor de kerst - Candlelight Historische roman 1109 .
De weduwe Camille Channing heeft een buitenlandse prins op het oog als haar volgende echtgenoot . Ze wil hem voor zich winnen door hem een traditioneel Engels kerstfeest aan te bieden . Ze huurt een toneelgezelschap in om de rollen van familieleden te spelen . Maar dan staat opeens haar jeugdliefde Grayson Elliott na elf jaar bij haar op de stoep . Hij wil het spelletje wel meespelen en doet zich voor als een verre neef . Tot overmaat van ramp duiken er steeds meer echte familieleden op . En is die prins eigenlijk wel wie hij zegt te zijn ?
Dit is een heerlijke komedie met leuke dialogen . Ik zou het 3 en een half sterren geven als het kon . Afgerond naar beneden omdat het verhaal vaak wat in herhalingen vervalt .
De weduwe Camille Channing heeft een buitenlandse prins op het oog als haar volgende echtgenoot . Ze wil hem voor zich winnen door hem een traditioneel Engels kerstfeest aan te bieden . Ze huurt een toneelgezelschap in om de rollen van familieleden te spelen . Maar dan staat opeens haar jeugdliefde Grayson Elliott na elf jaar bij haar op de stoep . Hij wil het spelletje wel meespelen en doet zich voor als een verre neef . Tot overmaat van ramp duiken er steeds meer echte familieleden op . En is die prins eigenlijk wel wie hij zegt te zijn ?
Dit is een heerlijke komedie met leuke dialogen . Ik zou het 3 en een half sterren geven als het kon . Afgerond naar beneden omdat het verhaal vaak wat in herhalingen vervalt .
October 30, 2012
How I laughed out loud with this book! I honestly do not think I have laughed so hard while reading a book in such a long time. I was so invested in this entire setting, as well as the lives of the characters, that I could not stop reading until I had finished. At first I got such a cozy feel right off the first page and then I started to realize the wit and spark that all of Victoria Alexander’s characters carried; I was blown away with my first time reading this author, and it will most certainly not be the last.
Camille, Lady Lydingham, is recently widowed and has her sights set on a new man, a prince to beat all! At the start of Camille’s story we are placed right in the middle of a scheme that she has devised in order to have Prince Nikolai fall right into her arms. Are you ready for her scheme? This is the best part. Lady Lydingham has hired a stage of actors to fill in for her family this holiday season. Yes, you heard right. The entire Christmas season will be carried out with people who are not her real family. Except for her twin sister, Beryl, who claims that she would not miss this event for anything in the world. So this is where our fun begins. Prince Nikolai is very fond of Charles Dickens and has requested a Christmas that rivals the ones in Dickens’ beloved novels. And this, my lovely readers, is exactly what Camille seeks to give him.
What Camille doesn’t expect is a visit from someone from her past. Enter Grayson Elliot. Oh, the romance and tension that was filling the air when these two shared any room or conversation. I loved Alexander’s writing when it came to romance, what passion and intrigue! I fell in love with their back story and each of them. When we first meet Grayson we learn that he has not seen Camille in eleven years, but still you can feel his love for her has never faltered. You have to be dang good at what you do for this to have an effect on your readers!
***Thank you to the publishers at Netgalley for providing me with a e-copy of this book in exchange for my honest review***
Camille, Lady Lydingham, is recently widowed and has her sights set on a new man, a prince to beat all! At the start of Camille’s story we are placed right in the middle of a scheme that she has devised in order to have Prince Nikolai fall right into her arms. Are you ready for her scheme? This is the best part. Lady Lydingham has hired a stage of actors to fill in for her family this holiday season. Yes, you heard right. The entire Christmas season will be carried out with people who are not her real family. Except for her twin sister, Beryl, who claims that she would not miss this event for anything in the world. So this is where our fun begins. Prince Nikolai is very fond of Charles Dickens and has requested a Christmas that rivals the ones in Dickens’ beloved novels. And this, my lovely readers, is exactly what Camille seeks to give him.
What Camille doesn’t expect is a visit from someone from her past. Enter Grayson Elliot. Oh, the romance and tension that was filling the air when these two shared any room or conversation. I loved Alexander’s writing when it came to romance, what passion and intrigue! I fell in love with their back story and each of them. When we first meet Grayson we learn that he has not seen Camille in eleven years, but still you can feel his love for her has never faltered. You have to be dang good at what you do for this to have an effect on your readers!
***Thank you to the publishers at Netgalley for providing me with a e-copy of this book in exchange for my honest review***
January 13, 2015
I usually don't read Romance (and this definitely falls into the Christmas Romance category), but this was a thoroughly charming, and funny, funny, funny read!
December 9, 2012
Since I detest romance novels and don't read chick lit, it surprised even me to find myself ordering this from the library and enjoying it. The description of a 30 year old widow named Camille (Lady Lydingham) of 1886 England deciding to try to get a marriage proposal from a prince from an Eastern European country that no longer exists (unknown by Camille) but who is really an actor playing a part to try to get hold of her money left to her by her husband with the help of her twin sister Beryl (Lady Dunwell) and her husband Lord Lionel Dunwell and a troupe of lousy actors who are to play servants and impersonate her mother and other sister Delilah just sounded hysterically funny and it was.
Camille had wanted to give the prince a perfect English Christmas straight out of Dickens (actually the Dickens Christmases weren't that great) and feared her oddball family was too much. Her father had abandoned the family years ago and her mother told everyone he was dead. The mother spent years bringing in assorted lovers and deposed royalty. The youngest sister, the widowed Delilah, is stuffy and spending the holiday in London with their mother while their father's twin brother Uncle Basil is off somewhere (he is a lecher).
Enter trouble. First of all, the members of the acting troupe do the most ridiculous things. Most of them were in service before going into acting but the woman playing her mother is senile and can't remember the name she is under and keeps calling actors by their real names. The fake Uncle Basil is as much of a pervert as the real one. And the floozy playing Delilah keeps trying to get the prince into her own bed. She also spills the beans to Grayson Elliott about what is going on, mistaking him for an actor.
Grayson Elliott was Camille's friend her whole life and grew up nearby. His parents died and he was raised by his Uncle Roland and his wife. He has a cousin Win who is funny and has had a bunch of fiancees. The two boys were raised as brothers and his Uncle Roland fully intended to give him work and plenty of money but Grayson left for America to seek his fortune (his mom had been American). He has returned after 11 years fabulously wealthy and still in love with Camille. Eleven years earlier, he had startled her the day before her wedding to Harold (Lord Lydingham) by declaring he loved her. She protested that she was to be married but none of the three sisters had been in love with their husbands (just needed to better themselves through marriage as women had few options then) but she led him to think she was refusing him since he wasn't rich and he left town the next day for 11 years, not even returning 3 years ago when she was widowed.
After Grayson learns what is going on from the floozy actress when he brings a basket of baked goods from his uncle and aunt, he sees an opportunity to win Camille over and pushes his way into the crazy scenario pretending to be Camille's cousin. One thing I was annoyed with was how the two of them spent most of the book whining that the other had broken his/her heart 11 years ago. I wanted to say, "Grow up already" to Grayson. He had years to tell Camille he loved her and as she was engaged for almost a year before the wedding, there was plenty of time. Instead of leaving the country, he could have fought for her, and when she was widowed, he's had three years to return. The only reason he returned was Win sending him a message that Win's dad was dying (which wasn't true except that we all are dying).
Things get very sticky when the very real mother and sister Delilah return home and have to take on parts, Camille and Grayson smolder for each other, Grayson has Win "rent" 5 little boys, son of the butcher Mr. Carroll (Carrolls for Christmas), Beryl's husband shows up and finds the prince fondling his wife , and Camille's dad who has been away for 20 years returns.
I laughed through the whole book, the "romance" wasn't too intrusive (the humor predominated), the family and the acting troupe are full of off-the-wall characters, and the lone sex scene was hot. The women here, though hampered by the times they lived in on how to become rich and gain power over their lives, are in no way traditional. They each married rich lords and all three husbands conveniently died and left them with money and property for life that has left them free to do as they wish. Though the father tried to return home for years, the mother would not let him and had lovers though she carried on that he should have just come on home and asked why he didn't. Beryl and Lionel (her second husband) had been notorious about having adulterous affairs but had fallen in love and decided to be faithful. Obviously these gals made the system work for them. This book reminded me some of Jane Austen's writings with women trying to grab a rich lord.
All in all, this is a fun read for the holidays.
Camille had wanted to give the prince a perfect English Christmas straight out of Dickens (actually the Dickens Christmases weren't that great) and feared her oddball family was too much. Her father had abandoned the family years ago and her mother told everyone he was dead. The mother spent years bringing in assorted lovers and deposed royalty. The youngest sister, the widowed Delilah, is stuffy and spending the holiday in London with their mother while their father's twin brother Uncle Basil is off somewhere (he is a lecher).
Enter trouble. First of all, the members of the acting troupe do the most ridiculous things. Most of them were in service before going into acting but the woman playing her mother is senile and can't remember the name she is under and keeps calling actors by their real names. The fake Uncle Basil is as much of a pervert as the real one. And the floozy playing Delilah keeps trying to get the prince into her own bed. She also spills the beans to Grayson Elliott about what is going on, mistaking him for an actor.
Grayson Elliott was Camille's friend her whole life and grew up nearby. His parents died and he was raised by his Uncle Roland and his wife. He has a cousin Win who is funny and has had a bunch of fiancees. The two boys were raised as brothers and his Uncle Roland fully intended to give him work and plenty of money but Grayson left for America to seek his fortune (his mom had been American). He has returned after 11 years fabulously wealthy and still in love with Camille. Eleven years earlier, he had startled her the day before her wedding to Harold (Lord Lydingham) by declaring he loved her. She protested that she was to be married but none of the three sisters had been in love with their husbands (just needed to better themselves through marriage as women had few options then) but she led him to think she was refusing him since he wasn't rich and he left town the next day for 11 years, not even returning 3 years ago when she was widowed.
After Grayson learns what is going on from the floozy actress when he brings a basket of baked goods from his uncle and aunt, he sees an opportunity to win Camille over and pushes his way into the crazy scenario pretending to be Camille's cousin. One thing I was annoyed with was how the two of them spent most of the book whining that the other had broken his/her heart 11 years ago. I wanted to say, "Grow up already" to Grayson. He had years to tell Camille he loved her and as she was engaged for almost a year before the wedding, there was plenty of time. Instead of leaving the country, he could have fought for her, and when she was widowed, he's had three years to return. The only reason he returned was Win sending him a message that Win's dad was dying (which wasn't true except that we all are dying).
Things get very sticky when the very real mother and sister Delilah return home and have to take on parts, Camille and Grayson smolder for each other, Grayson has Win "rent" 5 little boys, son of the butcher Mr. Carroll (Carrolls for Christmas), Beryl's husband shows up and finds the prince fondling his wife , and Camille's dad who has been away for 20 years returns.
I laughed through the whole book, the "romance" wasn't too intrusive (the humor predominated), the family and the acting troupe are full of off-the-wall characters, and the lone sex scene was hot. The women here, though hampered by the times they lived in on how to become rich and gain power over their lives, are in no way traditional. They each married rich lords and all three husbands conveniently died and left them with money and property for life that has left them free to do as they wish. Though the father tried to return home for years, the mother would not let him and had lovers though she carried on that he should have just come on home and asked why he didn't. Beryl and Lionel (her second husband) had been notorious about having adulterous affairs but had fallen in love and decided to be faithful. Obviously these gals made the system work for them. This book reminded me some of Jane Austen's writings with women trying to grab a rich lord.
All in all, this is a fun read for the holidays.
January 21, 2015
Very fun book, with a theme of second chances. Camille is well known in her family for her impulsiveness and the fact that it usually gets her in trouble. This one has the potential to do the same. Camille is very stubborn once she makes up her mind and nothing is going to stop her. She has the chance to land a prince as her next husband. The catch is that he wants to experience an old fashioned English Christmas. Most of her family is away, and they're rather unconventional anyway, so she hires a troupe of actors to fill in. What can go wrong? Well, the actors are not the best and seem to have some trouble remembering their parts. Then Camille's old friend Grayson shows up. They had been close friends as children, then the day before she married someone else he told her he loved her. She was stunned as she had loved him for a long time. But she thought it was too late and they said some things to each other and Grayson took off for America. After eleven years he is back. He walks in on the production and decides to "help" by sticking around as her cousin. Camille now has to cope with his reappearance which stirs up old feelings. She also begins to feel that maybe being a princess to a man she doesn't love isn't what she wants after all. I loved seeing her try to manage her actors who weren't doing quite what she asked them to do, and trying to adjust to all the changes that happen. It gets even more interesting when her real family shows up. Grayson has finally come home after making his fortune. When he sees Camille again, he realizes that he still loves her and is not about to lose her again. I loved the way he was there for Camille even though his "help" at times purposely stirred things up. I also liked the way that he was trying to protect her from herself. Both he and Camille had to finally talk about the events of their past in order to move on with their future. I liked the fact that Grayson admitted his mistakes but also wasn't going to give up. Some of the situations that cropped up were so funny that I could hardly read because I was laughing so hard. I loved the secondary characters - Grayson's cousin Win who is the one who got Grayson home, Camille's twin Beryl who is snarky and sarcastic, but supportive, the troupe of actors who just can't seem to keep in character, and Camille's mother and sister who show up and have to be fitted into the play in some manner.
January 18, 2013
Camille, Lady Lydingham needs to impress a Prince, and she has the perfect plan. She will create a picturesque Christmas for him, just as he has read in Mr Dicken's novels, including the perfect family, some ice skating and a few carols, surely he will propose to her after that and she will finally be a Princess and have the Prince of her dreams. All she needs to do is a hire some actors to play her family...what could possibly go wrong?
I can hear what you are all thinking...why is she reading a Christmas book in January? Why indeed, I may have been a very bad girl (I am now on Santa's Naughty List) and forgotten about this book! Which was a HUGE mistake! It was such a funny, heartwarming book, it certainly helped me lift my January blues.
This book was basically a farce, but in a good way, everything that could go wrong with hiring actors to play your family and all the servants did in fact go wrong, and as you can imagine, there is quite a lot of room for things to go tits up! And it was hilarious, I loved every single second of it, reading the witty banter between the characters and reading their reactions to the increasingly ridiculous situation kept a huge smile on my face.
The romance was also very sweet, I started off not sure about Camille, she seemed quite mercenary and shallow at first, but the more I read and got to know her character the more likable she became. The romance though was gentle and sweet so don't go in inspecting sheets scorching sex.
This is a perfect Christmastime read, it is choc full of humour, quirky families and long lost loves.
I can hear what you are all thinking...why is she reading a Christmas book in January? Why indeed, I may have been a very bad girl (I am now on Santa's Naughty List) and forgotten about this book! Which was a HUGE mistake! It was such a funny, heartwarming book, it certainly helped me lift my January blues.
This book was basically a farce, but in a good way, everything that could go wrong with hiring actors to play your family and all the servants did in fact go wrong, and as you can imagine, there is quite a lot of room for things to go tits up! And it was hilarious, I loved every single second of it, reading the witty banter between the characters and reading their reactions to the increasingly ridiculous situation kept a huge smile on my face.
The romance was also very sweet, I started off not sure about Camille, she seemed quite mercenary and shallow at first, but the more I read and got to know her character the more likable she became. The romance though was gentle and sweet so don't go in inspecting sheets scorching sex.
This is a perfect Christmastime read, it is choc full of humour, quirky families and long lost loves.
Want to read
November 1, 2014Currently free on Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00EUDKH1K/r...
October 18, 2021
I really enjoyed this. Camille and Grayson. As well as a couple other hidden love stories. This story starts out with a shallow heroine and a run away hero for eleven years.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 24, 2012
Review posted on Demon Lover's Books & More
I have come to look forward to Victoria Alexander’s Christmas novels. This year’s was just as fun and yet, I felt that it wasn’t quite as good as His Mistress by Christmas or My Wicked Little Lies (books 1 & 2 in Sinful Family Secrets series).
This one starts out with twin sisters Beryl and Camille talking about Camille’s ridiculous plot to ensure the man (a foreign prince) who’s courting her both has the perfect English Christmas and proposes to her as well. Their family is not quite “normal,” so since no one is in the country, Camille hires a troupe of actors to play her family.
Let the games begin!
The farce is off to a raring start when Camille’s new “sister” decides her part would be much better played if she were a tart. The lady who plays her mother can never remember her own name, let alone that of the part she’s playing. And while all of this drama is just getting started, Camille is hit with a blast from the past.
Gray has just blown back into Town under the impression his uncle, the man who raised him, is dying. Lo and behold his uncle is in great health.It was a trick his cousin played to get Gray to come home. Gray bailed 11 years ago and hadn’t come back once. The day before his long-time friend Camille was to get married, he walked in, declared his love out of the blue, and when Camille didn’t immediately declare her undying love right back, he left for America to make his fortune.
Camille is shocked to see Gray in her family’s country house, but since he won’t leave and decides to stay on through Christmas as her cousin, she’s stuck with him. And a house full of actors, her twin sister, and one foreign prince.
This book had the potential to have a ton of sexual tension, but I felt so much of it wasn’t there. Immediately we see that Camille and Gray are the love interests, but that leaves the third wheel, Nikolai the prince (who may or may not be who he seems). I felt this is why I couldn’t enjoy this story to the fullest. Nikolai is used as a plot device and nothing more. He is around when it’s convenient and he has a very small role. Which is sad because he’s the whole reason for the Christmas farce!
Gray and Camille finally have it out over what happened a decade ago, and I did enjoy that, but I really had a hard time feeling any deeper connection to the two main characters. I enjoyed Beryl and Lionel’s small scene better than any other (which if you’ve read the previous book, makes it all the sweeter).
Then the ending scenes began. At first when Camille’s real mother and real sister show up, I thought it was great. Her mother is quite a fun lady. But something happens with Camille’s father that really bugged me. The ending was way too easy, too tidy. I love a good Happily Ever After, don’t get me wrong, but this ending was incredibly convenient.
While I liked the book well enough, it wasn’t as fun and witty as her other books. The drama felt contrived and the Prince was used only when it was convenient, or when Camille needed to make Gray jealous. This was ridiculous since the whole point of the charade was to entice the prince to propose by Christmas. He was rarely around. If there's going to be a love triangle, for the love of all that's holy, actually use the characters!
***ARC courtesy of Kensington Books
December 28, 2013
Camille has given up in find love for herself. Once eleven years ago, she had love, but the man she loved never fought for her when it mattered. So now a widow, she is determined to snatch up a prince. So she organizes a house party, to show the Prince a traditional Christmas family gathering, hires actors to act as servants and some family members, with only herself and her sister as real members of the family. Then all her dreams to marry a prince may go down the drain when Grey, the man she once gave her heart to, has returned and at the worst moment possible. Grayson Elliot, once loved Camille, but she was about to marry another man, so when she gets married, Grey leaves and makes his fortune. Now eleven years later, he knows that he will need to fight with everything at his disposal to gain the one woman who has always been the keeper of his heart. The only problem is, she is trying to marry a prince, and Grey will need to prove himself to win her over, and show her that their love is worth fighting for.
What Happens At Christmas is the first in the series, and when I was at my library, I was looking for a good Christmas read, and this definitely fit the criteria I was looking for. There is something about historical romances set in this holiday season, and What Happens At Christmas definitely was perfect for this time of year. Its been quite some time since I have read this author, but her earlier books were some of my first romances so this author is very dear to me. So I knew I needed to get back to reading her, and What Happens At Christmas was the perfect way to start reading her again. Even though it took me longer than I thought it would take to read this, I thoroughly enjoyed this one. There was such a playful and teasing manner to this story. The story begins with the heroine trying to catch a prince, and sets up a delightful scheme to win him. Then a past love returns and all hell breaks loose, wagers are debated, and a battle of the wills begins. The plot wasn't thick with intrigue or anything, but it was full of mystery and fascinating dilemma's. The relationship between Grey and Camille is definitely rocky and unstable at times, but at other is lively and delectable.
Overall I couldn't help but fall in love with this yuletide themed romance that is fun and full of twists and turns. Exceptional in the writing, astounding in the creativity, and plenty of dramatic characters to warm you on a cold evening. EARTH SHATTERING TO THE SENSES!!
What Happens At Christmas is the first in the series, and when I was at my library, I was looking for a good Christmas read, and this definitely fit the criteria I was looking for. There is something about historical romances set in this holiday season, and What Happens At Christmas definitely was perfect for this time of year. Its been quite some time since I have read this author, but her earlier books were some of my first romances so this author is very dear to me. So I knew I needed to get back to reading her, and What Happens At Christmas was the perfect way to start reading her again. Even though it took me longer than I thought it would take to read this, I thoroughly enjoyed this one. There was such a playful and teasing manner to this story. The story begins with the heroine trying to catch a prince, and sets up a delightful scheme to win him. Then a past love returns and all hell breaks loose, wagers are debated, and a battle of the wills begins. The plot wasn't thick with intrigue or anything, but it was full of mystery and fascinating dilemma's. The relationship between Grey and Camille is definitely rocky and unstable at times, but at other is lively and delectable.
Overall I couldn't help but fall in love with this yuletide themed romance that is fun and full of twists and turns. Exceptional in the writing, astounding in the creativity, and plenty of dramatic characters to warm you on a cold evening. EARTH SHATTERING TO THE SENSES!!
December 23, 2023
Although this book began as a laughable, Regency romance, at about 85% was a graphic intimate scene that totally stopped my reading. Too bad that this has turned me off to reading any other books by this author.
January 1, 2024
I’m not saying that the Regency time period does Christmas better than any other time period, but this book really pulls the reader in and surrounds them with the beauty and the spirit of the holiday. I can certainly see why Camille was so insistent on giving Nikolai the full effect of an English countryside Christmas as I was completely drawn into the elegance, charm and beauty of the home and the Christmas finery and frippery.
I loved that Camille’s so-called brilliant plan is so full of holes and nearly every time she manages to catch her breath, something else happens to make this undertaking all the more tasking. Of course, hiring a troupe of actors to play one’s family is definitely not a clever idea, especially when the actress portraying your mother can’t remember her name! Of course, the arrival of your first love, the man who broke your heart eleven years ago and vanished without a word is bound to add a few unplanned complications.
I loved Camille and Grayson individually and as a couple. There’s a lot of unresolved hurt and anger they need to work out, but it was so clear they were perfect for one another and though eleven years have elapsed since they have seen or spoken to one another, it felt like no time had passed at all. I couldn’t pick a side as they both are carrying pain from the past, but Camille is definitely the more stubborn of the two.
In addition to the madcap behaviors occurring at Millworth Manor, the spirit of the holiday is keenly felt as decorations are put up, a fresh evergreen is cut down and brought inside and there is ice skating at a nearby frozen pond. Everyone has a role to play to pull off this Christmas charade and it was so much fun to watch it all unfold.
My Final Verdict: I highly recommend this book to readers who enjoy Christmas themed stories as well as historical settings that really bring the traditions of the period to light. Christmas is a time for new beginnings and what better way to begin again than with a second chance at love?
I loved that Camille’s so-called brilliant plan is so full of holes and nearly every time she manages to catch her breath, something else happens to make this undertaking all the more tasking. Of course, hiring a troupe of actors to play one’s family is definitely not a clever idea, especially when the actress portraying your mother can’t remember her name! Of course, the arrival of your first love, the man who broke your heart eleven years ago and vanished without a word is bound to add a few unplanned complications.
I loved Camille and Grayson individually and as a couple. There’s a lot of unresolved hurt and anger they need to work out, but it was so clear they were perfect for one another and though eleven years have elapsed since they have seen or spoken to one another, it felt like no time had passed at all. I couldn’t pick a side as they both are carrying pain from the past, but Camille is definitely the more stubborn of the two.
In addition to the madcap behaviors occurring at Millworth Manor, the spirit of the holiday is keenly felt as decorations are put up, a fresh evergreen is cut down and brought inside and there is ice skating at a nearby frozen pond. Everyone has a role to play to pull off this Christmas charade and it was so much fun to watch it all unfold.
My Final Verdict: I highly recommend this book to readers who enjoy Christmas themed stories as well as historical settings that really bring the traditions of the period to light. Christmas is a time for new beginnings and what better way to begin again than with a second chance at love?
December 20, 2020
Camille, Lady Lydingham dan saudari kembarnya, Beryl, mengadakan acara unik di rumahnya, yaitu membuat drama yg diisi oleh aktor-aktor sbg pengurus dan pelayan rumahnya. Demi mendapatkan hati Pangeran Nikolai Pruzinsky, Camille berharap pria itu bakal terkesan. Tapi rencana Camille tidak sejalan dgn skenarionya, terutama sejak kedatangan Grayson Elliot, cinta pertama Camille, yg memutuskan pulang setelah dari Amerika selama sebelas tahun. Awalnya Grayson sekadar bertamu, tapi malah menjadi melibatkan diri dalam sandiwara Camille sbg sepupunya.
Dan tidak disangka-sangka, jumlah "tamu" di rumah tsb makin bertambah dgn kedatangan Ibu Camille dan adiknya, Delilah. Dan tidak disangka-sangka "ayah yg hilang" juga kembali. Mereka semua menceburkan diri dlm sandiwara ini. Grayson dgn intensif menyelidiki si pangeran gadungan ini. siapakah dia sebenarnya?
Well, utk ukuran novel bertema Natal, novel ini ringan, cukup bagus dan menghibur. Lucu dan menghibur dgn banyak kesalahpahaman tingkat ringan. Tema romansanya juga Cinta Lama Bersemi Kembali, dimana masing-masing pihak merasa satu sama lain terlalu egois dan mementingkan uang. Kedua karakter sayangnya menurut saya biasa-biasa saja, gak bakalan bikin saya terngiang-ngiang. Buat pembangkit Christmas spirit, boljug baca buku ini deh.
Dan tidak disangka-sangka, jumlah "tamu" di rumah tsb makin bertambah dgn kedatangan Ibu Camille dan adiknya, Delilah. Dan tidak disangka-sangka "ayah yg hilang" juga kembali. Mereka semua menceburkan diri dlm sandiwara ini. Grayson dgn intensif menyelidiki si pangeran gadungan ini. siapakah dia sebenarnya?
Well, utk ukuran novel bertema Natal, novel ini ringan, cukup bagus dan menghibur. Lucu dan menghibur dgn banyak kesalahpahaman tingkat ringan. Tema romansanya juga Cinta Lama Bersemi Kembali, dimana masing-masing pihak merasa satu sama lain terlalu egois dan mementingkan uang. Kedua karakter sayangnya menurut saya biasa-biasa saja, gak bakalan bikin saya terngiang-ngiang. Buat pembangkit Christmas spirit, boljug baca buku ini deh.
December 19, 2012
I love holiday themed books, and this is the first I have read by Victoria Alexander, but I can assure you it will not be my last. What Happens At Christmas was a deliciously, hysterical, heart-warming tale that quickly put me in the holiday mood. I adored the characters the author brought to life in 1886 London and would love to meet them all again.
We first meet Camille, Lady Lydingham and her twin sister Beryl, Lady Dunwell in the Ladies Tearoom at Fenwick and Sons, Bookseller. While they were not drinking coffee my beverage of choice I was so delighted that woman even then knew the coolest place to hang out was in a bookstore that serves hot beverages! Camille is a wealthy widow who is scheming to have a prince from an obscure country propose to her. Both she and her sister married the first time for financial security and this time she wants to marry for adventure. She is plotting to create the perfect Dickens’s Christmas to host the prince at their country home. Beryl sees this as yet another one of Camille’s clever plots that always seem to go awry; but none the less she finds herself assisting. In their discussion Beryl confesses that she and her husband are smitten with each other and that maybe this time Camille should marry for love. The events that take place between December 21 and Christmas day had me laughing and turning the pages as one complication after another arouse. The biggest complication of all occurs when a man whom she once loved shows up on her doorstep after eleven years..
I adored Camille; she really does not know what she wants and has to figure everything out the hard way. She is oh so clever and the trouble this girl creates was brilliant. Long ago her heart was broken and she has never truly forgiven the man. Beryl is snarky and I loved her remarks and fierce loyalty to her sister. Gray, an orphan raised by his uncle as the second son, took off to the Americas after the woman he loved rejected him. He has made his way and is quite successful but has never forgotten the woman who broke his heart. I loved the interaction between Camille and Gray and at times wanted to shoot them both. While the prince was also vying for Camille’s hand he became a secondary character. The cast of characters who appear at Camille’s country estate were all unique and I enjoyed their mannerisms and the complications they added. Alexander takes the time to add depth to even the secondary characters and I so appreciate that about her.
What Happens at Christmas had a very clever plot and the twists the author added at every turn had me completely enthralled. It was so much fun to see what event would occur next, and I quickly connected with the characters right down to the butler. I have always loved feisty, strong heroines who seem to get themselves in a pickle and Camille was remarkable. There was not as much sexual tension as I would have liked, and we are only treated to a mildly steamy scene. I loved the romance and the race to get my happily-ever-after.
If you love historical romance and holiday themed novels with feisty heroines and lovable heroes then What Happened At Christmas is definitely for you. Victoria Alexander has been added to my must read holiday books authors list.
I want to thank Kensington for providing this ARC in exchange for my unbiased review.
Kimba @ Caffeinated Book Reviewer
We first meet Camille, Lady Lydingham and her twin sister Beryl, Lady Dunwell in the Ladies Tearoom at Fenwick and Sons, Bookseller. While they were not drinking coffee my beverage of choice I was so delighted that woman even then knew the coolest place to hang out was in a bookstore that serves hot beverages! Camille is a wealthy widow who is scheming to have a prince from an obscure country propose to her. Both she and her sister married the first time for financial security and this time she wants to marry for adventure. She is plotting to create the perfect Dickens’s Christmas to host the prince at their country home. Beryl sees this as yet another one of Camille’s clever plots that always seem to go awry; but none the less she finds herself assisting. In their discussion Beryl confesses that she and her husband are smitten with each other and that maybe this time Camille should marry for love. The events that take place between December 21 and Christmas day had me laughing and turning the pages as one complication after another arouse. The biggest complication of all occurs when a man whom she once loved shows up on her doorstep after eleven years..
I adored Camille; she really does not know what she wants and has to figure everything out the hard way. She is oh so clever and the trouble this girl creates was brilliant. Long ago her heart was broken and she has never truly forgiven the man. Beryl is snarky and I loved her remarks and fierce loyalty to her sister. Gray, an orphan raised by his uncle as the second son, took off to the Americas after the woman he loved rejected him. He has made his way and is quite successful but has never forgotten the woman who broke his heart. I loved the interaction between Camille and Gray and at times wanted to shoot them both. While the prince was also vying for Camille’s hand he became a secondary character. The cast of characters who appear at Camille’s country estate were all unique and I enjoyed their mannerisms and the complications they added. Alexander takes the time to add depth to even the secondary characters and I so appreciate that about her.
What Happens at Christmas had a very clever plot and the twists the author added at every turn had me completely enthralled. It was so much fun to see what event would occur next, and I quickly connected with the characters right down to the butler. I have always loved feisty, strong heroines who seem to get themselves in a pickle and Camille was remarkable. There was not as much sexual tension as I would have liked, and we are only treated to a mildly steamy scene. I loved the romance and the race to get my happily-ever-after.
If you love historical romance and holiday themed novels with feisty heroines and lovable heroes then What Happened At Christmas is definitely for you. Victoria Alexander has been added to my must read holiday books authors list.
I want to thank Kensington for providing this ARC in exchange for my unbiased review.
Kimba @ Caffeinated Book Reviewer
October 23, 2012
Victoria Alexander has penned a delightful novel that mirrors a Charles Dickens type English Christmas. Camille, who has been widowed for a number of years, has met a man calling himself Prince Nikolai Pruzinsky of the Kingdom of Greater Avalonia located somewhere in Central Europe. He is traveling incognito and has dreamed of a true English Christmas. So, Camille, who is smitten by the Prince, decides to give him that perfect English Christmas. As her mother and sister are out of town for Christmas, she decides to use their home for this Christmas get-together. She hires a number of actors to play family members and servants and the story opens. An old flame of hers, whom she has not seen in years, shows up. He wants to rekindle their relationship. While he feels there is something that doesn't seem true about the Prince, he invites himself to stay for Christmas and thus the fun begins. Bit by bit the actors add confusion and humor to the mix along with real family members who show up one by one. There are a number of characters in this novel so you need to keep up with them, but the humor of each of them is laugh out loud funny. I'm guaranteeing your Christmas won't be as much fun as this one was. A must read.
December 31, 2015
Quick, light and funny. I was pleasantly surprised by this new-to-me author. There was so much in this book, it makes me wonder how one could keep the pace like this in each book one writes - are all of Victoria Alexander’s books stuffed with so much story?
Camille, Lady Lydingham, is throwing a traditional Dickens English Christmas for a Prince that she plans to garner a proposal from. The problem is that her family is somewhat eccentric, and in an effort to be "normal", she hires actors in their places.
Never mind the silliness of the plot. Hilarity ensues. I was amused by each unexpected arrival and the whimsy and fun of each character.
The romance of the book is subtle and not over the top, a great balance to the very grand play going on around them. There was a point in the book where I realized that I much appreciate a good verbal fight between characters over a great big misunderstanding any day of the week. I thought the banter, both playful and in anger, were done so well.
The ending was a little weak to me - the great rhythm between our H/hr lost to create a problem for the finish. There was a face palm moment, "Why did they do that!". And the overly romantic gesture was not to my taste. I obviously like a romance, just, not the corny variety
Camille, Lady Lydingham, is throwing a traditional Dickens English Christmas for a Prince that she plans to garner a proposal from. The problem is that her family is somewhat eccentric, and in an effort to be "normal", she hires actors in their places.
Never mind the silliness of the plot. Hilarity ensues. I was amused by each unexpected arrival and the whimsy and fun of each character.
The romance of the book is subtle and not over the top, a great balance to the very grand play going on around them. There was a point in the book where I realized that I much appreciate a good verbal fight between characters over a great big misunderstanding any day of the week. I thought the banter, both playful and in anger, were done so well.
The ending was a little weak to me - the great rhythm between our H/hr lost to create a problem for the finish. There was a face palm moment, "Why did they do that!". And the overly romantic gesture was not to my taste. I obviously like a romance, just, not the corny variety
November 7, 2012
What a wonderful read!
Not normally a fan of Christmas stories, however this book will have to go on my list of all-time favorites. From the first page until the very end I was pulled into the setting, the lives of the characters and the events as they were unfolding.
The story centers around Camille who decides to hire actors to play the role of her family in order to impress a foreign prince who wants to experience an English Christmas. When a man from Camille's past knocks on her door her plans are thrown into utter chaos and that is only the beginning.
The characters were wonderfully developed and I can't remember the last time I laughed so much while reading a book.
Fun and lighthearted this book is a must read!
Not normally a fan of Christmas stories, however this book will have to go on my list of all-time favorites. From the first page until the very end I was pulled into the setting, the lives of the characters and the events as they were unfolding.
The story centers around Camille who decides to hire actors to play the role of her family in order to impress a foreign prince who wants to experience an English Christmas. When a man from Camille's past knocks on her door her plans are thrown into utter chaos and that is only the beginning.
The characters were wonderfully developed and I can't remember the last time I laughed so much while reading a book.
Fun and lighthearted this book is a must read!
January 2, 2013
A jolly English Christmas in the country...only this one is a farcical romp starring Camille as she sets her sights on winning the hand of a mysterious (phony, perhaps?) prince and in order to do so she hires a cast of characters to impersonate her family ensuring her prince an authentic English Christmas. All goes awry when the long absent (eleven years) childhood chum Grayson arrives from America and decides he will play the part of Camille's cousin.
More mayhem ensues to make for a most enjoyable read.
More mayhem ensues to make for a most enjoyable read.
December 15, 2016
Christmas historical romantic farce. This was the first book I read in my annual Christmas romance reading marathon. It was quite entertaining. I could not really like the heroine or her family much as they seemed to be very shallow. But, as it was a farce, I would guess the characters need to be silly for it to actually be humorous. The heroine set up quite a tangled web of deception, and it got more tangled as it went along. I could not respect the intelligence of the heroine, nor the morals of her family, but I was pleased with the hero and the way everything was tidied up at the end.
December 13, 2019
I had to give this five stars, because it was such a pleasant surprise amid my stack of Christmas books. I still find myself smiling about it two days after finishing. It's a delightful story set in 1895 in an English country manor. The characters are endearing and enjoyable, and combined with the plot and setting, brought to mind a lighthearted version of Downton Abbey and the Charlotte and Thomas Pitt characters of Anne Perry's novels. I didn't expect to enjoy it so much! I highly recommend it if you're looking for a thoroughly enjoyable story.
November 16, 2015
The farce was mostly well-done but a bit too over-the-top. I had a hard time with the romance, they were both idiots and Camille was unreasonable. They're an interesting family for sure; I may try another book in the series.
March 20, 2014
Despite witty and funny dialog/banter, most of this book was boring boring boring. I just couldn't get into it and skimmed my way through. I am glad it's over.
January 5, 2016
Rated 3.5
Review to come
Review to come
December 18, 2016
A cute Christmas romance.
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