What do you think?
Rate this book
Regency Seasons #4
A Bit of Mistletoe
Everett Casemore, the very serious Marquess of Berkswell, returns home for Christmas, slightly shaken by the death of an old friend. Determined not suffer the same fate at the hands of a woman, Berks resolves himself to eternal bachelorhood. Unfortunately, both his resolve and his peace of mind are threated by the arrival of a very pretty, but most unsuitable lady. Miss Theresa Birkin knows better than most than an error in judgment can lead one down an unfortunate path. If only she’d been wiser when she was younger. If only she hadn’t followed her heart. If only she’d met Lord Berkswell long before now.
108 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 13, 2014
16 people are currently reading
54 people want to read
About the author
Ava Stone
132 books227 followersAva Stone is a USA Today bestselling author of Regency historical romance and college age New Adult romance. Whether in the 19th Century or the 21st, her books explore deep themes but with a light touch. A single mother, Ava lives outside Raleigh NC, with her son and two black and white tuxedo kitty cats. She loves classic movies, researching history, and traveling whenever she gets the chance.
Feel free to visit her at www.avastoneauthor.com and www.desolatesun.com
Feel free to visit her at www.avastoneauthor.com and www.desolatesun.com
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
October 10, 2017
This was so funny in places I couldn’t stop laughing. After Berk’s friend was killed by his wife, with a poker iron to the head, and Berk went to his friend’s funeral and the casket was open and the mortician did a lousy job fixing Arrington’s face Berk became obsessed with poker irons and thinking Miranda and Pippa were mad and were going to bash their husband’s heads in when they got mad at them. Then he starts thinking Tessie was mad too and was keeping an eye on all the poker irons and the women. He was sooo funny sometimes.
This was my favorite of all the novellas in this series but I did read them out of order. I mean, I read book 5 last December and books 1 through 4 the past few days. Crazy, I know.
There was no sex in this story but a little thoughts of sex by Berk. No swearing.
December 7, 2019
Denial of love
I really enjoy the series so far! The books are a quick read and I truly love how the characters are written and developed so well! Sometimes when you are denied, you realize it is the very thing you want! I prefer to read in order, and I suggest it as you get to know Ava Stones other characters!
I really enjoy the series so far! The books are a quick read and I truly love how the characters are written and developed so well! Sometimes when you are denied, you realize it is the very thing you want! I prefer to read in order, and I suggest it as you get to know Ava Stones other characters!
November 18, 2016
This one was enjoyable and slightly different from the rest, a good mix up.
I don't think that I will read the rest of the series as I'm not as interested in the story lines. The author seems to use this series of novellas to dump ant small ideas she has had for stories, sometimes relating to her other series. This makes it confusing and has made me loose interests.of I where the author I would have done books 2, 3 and 4 and then left it.
I don't think that I will read the rest of the series as I'm not as interested in the story lines. The author seems to use this series of novellas to dump ant small ideas she has had for stories, sometimes relating to her other series. This makes it confusing and has made me loose interests.of I where the author I would have done books 2, 3 and 4 and then left it.
May 16, 2018
As always Ava knows how to write the Christmas magic. I couldn't put this one down especially once I realized who the girl was. They in no way got off on the right foot and I wasn't sure how they would get on the right track, but when they did it was perfect. The little things of his siblings and great aunt and her uncle were just the right touch to add to the magic. I couldn't believe who kept pushing them together! I loved the end where he understood the fire iron.
Theresa learned from her past what following your heart can lead to and she will not let that happen again. I loved that she would go toe to toe with him, but also listened and understood him. She knew he was different from others.
Berks made a dumb choice when he decided to never marry, and he knew it once he saw her. Behind that serious face is a man you love for saying things wrong and listening to his friends. I loved him the moment he went out in the snow storm.
Copy provided for an honest and voluntary review.
Theresa learned from her past what following your heart can lead to and she will not let that happen again. I loved that she would go toe to toe with him, but also listened and understood him. She knew he was different from others.
Berks made a dumb choice when he decided to never marry, and he knew it once he saw her. Behind that serious face is a man you love for saying things wrong and listening to his friends. I loved him the moment he went out in the snow storm.
Copy provided for an honest and voluntary review.
June 11, 2023
Overall this book was good. I LOVED Tessie. She was wonderful.
Berks got on my nerves when he said that not matter if Richard was a gambler or drinker (or being unfaithful) that what happened to him is undeserved like yes but no that man cheated and his wife killing can serve as a warning for all the other idiots out there. Harrison at least has some sense.
Also, Berks changed his mind in 3 hours after our wonderful girl ignored him. I have nothing to say.
OMG the things he said to her when at the pond. I am speechless, I have absolutely no words. I will smack him for you Tessie so that you don’t have to touch him.
Tessie is AMAZING. Finally a woman with a backbone who doesn’t just say but actually does.
The epilogue was the best thing ever!!!
I think it would have been cool is this book was written where Berks doesn’t judge Tessie right away and instead sympathizes with her and then becomes one of her good friends who protects her from other men with wrong intentions and Berks find a lady he fancies and Tessie ends up finding a guy she likes.
Berks got on my nerves when he said that not matter if Richard was a gambler or drinker (or being unfaithful) that what happened to him is undeserved like yes but no that man cheated and his wife killing can serve as a warning for all the other idiots out there. Harrison at least has some sense.
Also, Berks changed his mind in 3 hours after our wonderful girl ignored him. I have nothing to say.
OMG the things he said to her when at the pond. I am speechless, I have absolutely no words. I will smack him for you Tessie so that you don’t have to touch him.
Tessie is AMAZING. Finally a woman with a backbone who doesn’t just say but actually does.
The epilogue was the best thing ever!!!
I think it would have been cool is this book was written where Berks doesn’t judge Tessie right away and instead sympathizes with her and then becomes one of her good friends who protects her from other men with wrong intentions and Berks find a lady he fancies and Tessie ends up finding a guy she likes.
April 5, 2018
Would have enjoyed this book only if it had not been written in American instead of being written in English.
Page 6 she was as mad as a March hair.Bad hair day huh?
Then they are talking about a relative who eats quite a lot he is busy inhaling every morsel in Bombay. Stuffing his nose huh ? How disgusting. I guess I didn't realize that there are people who
think ingesting and inhaling are synonymous.
Couldn't digest any more,sawry. Getmeouttahere... She could not even know while writing this,that in England,a Berk was slang for a confirmed moron and nincompoop.Calling the hero Berks is a bit too much, what?
Page 6 she was as mad as a March hair.Bad hair day huh?
Then they are talking about a relative who eats quite a lot he is busy inhaling every morsel in Bombay. Stuffing his nose huh ? How disgusting. I guess I didn't realize that there are people who
think ingesting and inhaling are synonymous.
Couldn't digest any more,sawry. Getmeouttahere... She could not even know while writing this,that in England,a Berk was slang for a confirmed moron and nincompoop.Calling the hero Berks is a bit too much, what?
September 7, 2020
A wonderful read of a deserved 2nd chance for love.
Berkwells/Berks- uppity, Lord who vowed not to marry after his friend was murdered by the wife.
Theresa/Tessie- believed she was in love with someone who loved her too and made bad choices.
I enjoyed reading this engaging story with witty dialogue and loveable characters. Their story has a loving justified and complete HEA! Enjoyed the epilogue
Berkwells/Berks- uppity, Lord who vowed not to marry after his friend was murdered by the wife.
Theresa/Tessie- believed she was in love with someone who loved her too and made bad choices.
I enjoyed reading this engaging story with witty dialogue and loveable characters. Their story has a loving justified and complete HEA! Enjoyed the epilogue
April 25, 2024
Quick easy, insta-love story set around the Christmas holiday (although only the brief mention of it being Christmas and having mistletoe). Hero started out like a real jerk and was nice to see the heroine stick up for herself.
July 11, 2019
The highlight of this book had to be the morbid thoughts that Berkswell kept having about the fire poker. Nice little story, short and sweet.
December 8, 2014
In this novella, a gentleman swears off marriage after his friend is murdered by his wife. However, he rethinks his pact when he meets Theresa Birkin and finds she is a beautiful breath of fresh air and someone he is willing to take a risk marrying.
While the writing was good, the story itself was a average and not that believable. Berks (our hero) says some pretty terrible things to Tessie and I'm shocked she was able to look past them and find Berks honorable. I wouldn't have wanted him that's for sure!
We were introduced to characters from other novellas by Ava Stone, whom I typically like, and I will be checking those out. This novella is skippable though. 2.5 stars.
While the writing was good, the story itself was a average and not that believable. Berks (our hero) says some pretty terrible things to Tessie and I'm shocked she was able to look past them and find Berks honorable. I wouldn't have wanted him that's for sure!
We were introduced to characters from other novellas by Ava Stone, whom I typically like, and I will be checking those out. This novella is skippable though. 2.5 stars.
December 28, 2015
Not as satisfying as other Ava Stone stories
This is Berks' and Tessie's story. After the murder of a life long friend by his wife, Berks swears off women. Tessie still suffers from her ruination.
I was really put off by Berks' attitude that a woman would have to be mad to want to kill a philandering husband or to get involved with a notorious rogue. Nothing was the man's fault.
His change of heart does not seem genuine. His character also does not seem to match from pervious stories.
This is Berks' and Tessie's story. After the murder of a life long friend by his wife, Berks swears off women. Tessie still suffers from her ruination.
I was really put off by Berks' attitude that a woman would have to be mad to want to kill a philandering husband or to get involved with a notorious rogue. Nothing was the man's fault.
His change of heart does not seem genuine. His character also does not seem to match from pervious stories.
January 7, 2019
I find it daft that Berkswell assumed that his brother, Harry, would tell their brother-in-law, Jason, about Tessie's fall from grace when it was clear as crystal that Harry disliked Jason much less share something very sensitive.
Additionally, Harry just insulted his sister and Jason's wife, Philippa, when Jason commented, "What kind of a girl would involve herself with the likes of Stalbridge?" and he retorted, "The same could be said about any girl who would involve herself with you."
Additionally, Harry just insulted his sister and Jason's wife, Philippa, when Jason commented, "What kind of a girl would involve herself with the likes of Stalbridge?" and he retorted, "The same could be said about any girl who would involve herself with you."
December 2, 2018
Funny dialogue between the two protagonists. The hero was a real jerk at first but also came across as someone who spoke too honestly for company which is not really being a jerk but just socially inept. After a very rocky start the author deftly brought the two together. The other two couples were very interesting, I want to find their stories. Liked this "new to me" author very much.
December 2018: Not as interesting this time. Changed rating from 4 to 3.
December 2018: Not as interesting this time. Changed rating from 4 to 3.
March 26, 2015
Sin and redemption
Tessie loved the wrong man, and it nearly ruined her, except only a few people know, and they've sworn to secrecy. One of those was Harry, who confided in his brother, Berks. When Berks meets Tessie, he's enchanted. But he keeps saying the wrong thing, hurting her, then apologizing. It's a very bumpy ride indeed on the road to their Happily Ever After.
Tessie loved the wrong man, and it nearly ruined her, except only a few people know, and they've sworn to secrecy. One of those was Harry, who confided in his brother, Berks. When Berks meets Tessie, he's enchanted. But he keeps saying the wrong thing, hurting her, then apologizing. It's a very bumpy ride indeed on the road to their Happily Ever After.
June 6, 2015
Charming book, nicely written.
Read
August 14, 2017Very good story!
Short but a wonderful read! Don't make promises you find you can't keep! There's someone when you least expect it!
Short but a wonderful read! Don't make promises you find you can't keep! There's someone when you least expect it!
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews