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Joy to the Earl
As snowflakes fall, hearts will melt…
When Joy Whitfield’s carriage breaks a wheel in the middle of a snowstorm, she has no choice other than to shelter at the next inn, only to find out that there are no rooms left! A gentleman offers to give up his own…but the gentleman is also the man who broke Joy’s heart years ago. How can she tolerate sharing a roof with the monstrous earl?
Douglas, Lord Stirling, can’t believe Fate has tossed his old flame at his feet during the coldest night of the year. He still adores Joy, but can he convince her to forgive his past mistake, and trust him enough to give him another chance?
As the snow falls, hearts heat up, but can the magic of the season erase two lifetimes of regret?
A regency holiday romance full of the best things about the snow, getting stranded at an inn, and second chances for love.
When Joy Whitfield’s carriage breaks a wheel in the middle of a snowstorm, she has no choice other than to shelter at the next inn, only to find out that there are no rooms left! A gentleman offers to give up his own…but the gentleman is also the man who broke Joy’s heart years ago. How can she tolerate sharing a roof with the monstrous earl?
Douglas, Lord Stirling, can’t believe Fate has tossed his old flame at his feet during the coldest night of the year. He still adores Joy, but can he convince her to forgive his past mistake, and trust him enough to give him another chance?
As the snow falls, hearts heat up, but can the magic of the season erase two lifetimes of regret?
A regency holiday romance full of the best things about the snow, getting stranded at an inn, and second chances for love.
93 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 11, 2025
2 people are currently reading
9 people want to read
About the author
Elizabeth Cole
46 books163 followersElizabeth Cole is a romance author with a penchant for history, which is why she lives in an old house in an old city. She can be found hanging around libraries and archives, or curled in a corner reading, cat on lap. She believes in love at first sight. Then again, she also believes that mac 'n' cheese is a healthy breakfast, so don't trust her judgment on everything.
Get in touch with her at http://twitter.com/coleheartedgirl
Get in touch with her at http://twitter.com/coleheartedgirl
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
December 23, 2025
⁀➷ 4.25 ★ ´ˎ˗
a second chance romance with festive vibes? you know that i was immediately hooked. i devoured this book far too quickly, even for a novella. the banter and yearning between douglas and joy was absolutely everything. it’s very rare that i’m left wishing for a book to be longer, but this was one of those that i wish had been. bonus points for no stupid instances of unnecessary miscommunication.
“i’ll always regret listening to everything except my own heart. i know it’s too late for us, and i know that absolutely nothing i can say to you will erase the past. but perhaps this meeting was fated, if only so i could tell you how much i wish i’d done things differently before.”
a second chance romance with festive vibes? you know that i was immediately hooked. i devoured this book far too quickly, even for a novella. the banter and yearning between douglas and joy was absolutely everything. it’s very rare that i’m left wishing for a book to be longer, but this was one of those that i wish had been. bonus points for no stupid instances of unnecessary miscommunication.
November 7, 2025
Meet Joy & Douglas! Once upon a time they were almost engaged, until she found out on Christmas eve he had chosen another. Now they’re both stranded at an inn with not enough rooms during a blizzard...
Both happily widowed, she’s hated him for a decade, and he’s never forgiven himself.
With nowhere to go or hide, there’s little hope of avoiding each other – and her cold shoulder really doesn’t stand a chance against his charming persistence.
This man knows he’s done wrong and doesn’t beat around the bush. His honesty disarms her. Along with his confession and regret, the truth of both their sad marriages reveals itself, and soon their carefully rekindled connection stirs more than just their hearts 😉
There’s really not much more I can say about a 98-page novella without spoiling the plot & the fun... except that it’s a delightfully traditional second chance Christmas romance with some heartfelt grovel, sweet & spicy detail and a splash of steam.
A first for me by this author and a lovely quick read I really enjoyed!
Both happily widowed, she’s hated him for a decade, and he’s never forgiven himself.
With nowhere to go or hide, there’s little hope of avoiding each other – and her cold shoulder really doesn’t stand a chance against his charming persistence.
This man knows he’s done wrong and doesn’t beat around the bush. His honesty disarms her. Along with his confession and regret, the truth of both their sad marriages reveals itself, and soon their carefully rekindled connection stirs more than just their hearts 😉
There’s really not much more I can say about a 98-page novella without spoiling the plot & the fun... except that it’s a delightfully traditional second chance Christmas romance with some heartfelt grovel, sweet & spicy detail and a splash of steam.
A first for me by this author and a lovely quick read I really enjoyed!
November 6, 2025
Widow Joy Whitfield is on her way to spend Christmas with her cousin when her carriage becomes inoperable during a snowstorm, and she is forced to seek shelter at a nearby inn. Unfortunately, due to the weather, there are no rooms available, and she is wondering what she will do when she hears a gentleman offer to give up his room for her. She is grateful until she learns the identity of the man – Douglas Sterling, the man she loved ten years ago before he broke her heart by marrying another woman.
Widower Douglas Sterling, the Earl of Hollis is traveling to his estate to spend the holiday with his young son when a storm hits, and he is trapped at inn to wait out a storm. When he overhears the innkeeper talking about a woman who needs a room, he offers his, only to learn that the woman in question is Joy, a woman he courted years ago, but whom he hurt by marrying another woman without a word to her. He never stopped loving her and regretted not following his heart. Can he convince her to give him another chance?
This was a fast-paced, well-written, second-chance, holiday themed novella with interesting characters. Joy and Douglas were once in love, but Douglas decided to listen to his friends and family and marry someone closer to his social stature. A chance meeting and forced proximity ten years later give them a second chance at their happily ever after. I liked the idea of the story but would have appreciated a bit more information about the breakup and a lot more groveling. Overall, this was a quick, steamyish romance with likable characters and a heartwarming ending that I enjoyed reading and would be happy to recommend.
*I am voluntarily leaving a review for an eARC that I requested and was provided to me by the publisher/author. All opinions in this review are my own. *
Widower Douglas Sterling, the Earl of Hollis is traveling to his estate to spend the holiday with his young son when a storm hits, and he is trapped at inn to wait out a storm. When he overhears the innkeeper talking about a woman who needs a room, he offers his, only to learn that the woman in question is Joy, a woman he courted years ago, but whom he hurt by marrying another woman without a word to her. He never stopped loving her and regretted not following his heart. Can he convince her to give him another chance?
This was a fast-paced, well-written, second-chance, holiday themed novella with interesting characters. Joy and Douglas were once in love, but Douglas decided to listen to his friends and family and marry someone closer to his social stature. A chance meeting and forced proximity ten years later give them a second chance at their happily ever after. I liked the idea of the story but would have appreciated a bit more information about the breakup and a lot more groveling. Overall, this was a quick, steamyish romance with likable characters and a heartwarming ending that I enjoyed reading and would be happy to recommend.
*I am voluntarily leaving a review for an eARC that I requested and was provided to me by the publisher/author. All opinions in this review are my own. *
November 13, 2025
YAY! Another story from Elizabeth Cole! While my favorites will always be her full-length novels, I was delighted to devour this novella. Douglas and Joy's story isn't the typical coming of age romance: these are two people who've seen a bit of life and are coming to terms with the decisions that they made in their youth. Ms. Cole always does a beautiful job of portraying three dimensional, complicated but sympathetic characters, and "Joy" does that well, despite it's short format.
While Ms. Cole's novels are usually narrative heavy with tasteful spice, this novella definitely leans spicy/steamy. Still tastefully done, but the steam certainly takes on greater weight just by proportion of the story. The story also deals with gender and sexuality a bit more fluidly, which may be a pro or a con depending on your taste. Even if you prefer strictly straight spice, though, this is dealt with in a gentle way (trying so hard to give other readers a heads-up without spoiling anything!).
Overall, if you're looking for a quick evening's read with engaging characters and a side of steam, "Joy to the Earl," is for you!
I received a free advanced reader copy, and I'm am delighted to leave my voluntary review.
While Ms. Cole's novels are usually narrative heavy with tasteful spice, this novella definitely leans spicy/steamy. Still tastefully done, but the steam certainly takes on greater weight just by proportion of the story. The story also deals with gender and sexuality a bit more fluidly, which may be a pro or a con depending on your taste. Even if you prefer strictly straight spice, though, this is dealt with in a gentle way (trying so hard to give other readers a heads-up without spoiling anything!).
Overall, if you're looking for a quick evening's read with engaging characters and a side of steam, "Joy to the Earl," is for you!
I received a free advanced reader copy, and I'm am delighted to leave my voluntary review.
November 11, 2025
Oh, my what a wonderful story of lost love and second chances. Joy loss the love of her live when he up married some else with out say anything to her. Then she was wed to a much older man who only wanted her for arm candy. After ten years of more care giver the wife she is not an unhappy widow. On her way to visit her cousin for Christmas with her maid, Wren the are caught in the worst storm of the season! When the couch breaks down they are forced to stop at a little Inn. With the storm the place is over full and there are no rooms left. When a gentleman offers his room Joy is shocked to see her the man who left her.Douglas now an Earl and just as shocked to see her. His is also widower and not unhappy abut it either. The only person he cares about his is son, Kit. This is super fast read with plenty of wit, banter, second chances along with Christmas cheer too. A perfect bed time read with a hot cup of chocolate. This is a steamy read but with lots of regret and forgiveness too. I received and ARC from the author and wish to thank her. This is my honest open and am freely giving it. Grab a copy, with a warm drink and get started. You will love it.
November 23, 2025
Ten years ago, Douglas broke her heart when, without explaining anything to her, he married another woman. Joy them married an older man who wanted a young bride as an arm ornament. For years she was his care-giver and is now a widow. When she is caught in a snowstorm at an inn with no rooms available, a gentleman offers her his room. The kind man is none other than Douglas, the man who left her. Joy and Douglas, who is also now widowed, talk about their lives and regret for past decisions. This is a wonderful second-chance holiday story with a lot of soul searching, forgiveness, clever banter, and a Christmas miracle.
I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book.
I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews