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Gentlemen of Virtue #1
A Merry Christmas
A fairytale Christmas setting with childhood friends thrown together at every turn. What could go wrong?
Joshua Fielding is looking forward to a quiet Christmas-tide, something he has desperately missed during his time with the army. His loud, boisterous family celebrate the festivities in a manner far different from that of his aristocratic colleagues. It promises to be all he has hoped until a name from the past comes back to haunt him. His childhood Barnaby Tremaine.
Merry Roxton loves Christmas. This one promises to be the best yet, since Barnaby Tremaine, son of the local lord, has been courting her. Merry has never been permitted a London Season, Due to her father’s refusal to be shunned for making his money in trade. However, she is determined to make a grand match. Then Captain Joshua Fielding returns and challenges everything she thought she believed.
Joshua Fielding is looking forward to a quiet Christmas-tide, something he has desperately missed during his time with the army. His loud, boisterous family celebrate the festivities in a manner far different from that of his aristocratic colleagues. It promises to be all he has hoped until a name from the past comes back to haunt him. His childhood Barnaby Tremaine.
Merry Roxton loves Christmas. This one promises to be the best yet, since Barnaby Tremaine, son of the local lord, has been courting her. Merry has never been permitted a London Season, Due to her father’s refusal to be shunned for making his money in trade. However, she is determined to make a grand match. Then Captain Joshua Fielding returns and challenges everything she thought she believed.
- GenresRomanceHistorical
164 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 1, 2025
298 people are currently reading
26 people want to read
About the author
Elizabeth Johns
63 books363 followers Like many writers, Elizabeth Johns was first an avid reader, though she was a reluctant convert. It was Jane Austen's clever wit and unique turn of phrase that hooked Johns when she was "forced" to read Pride and Prejudice for a school assignment. She began writing when she ran out of her favorite author’s books and decided to try her hand at crafting a Regency romance novel. Her journey into publishing began with the release of Surrender the Past, book one of the Loring-Abbott Series. Johns makes no pretensions to Austen’s wit but hopes readers will perhaps laugh and find some enjoyment in her writing.
Johns attributes much of her inspiration to her mother, a retired English teacher. During their last summer together, Johns would sit on the porch swing and read her stories to her mother, who encouraged her to continue writing. Busy with multiple careers, including a professional job in the medical field, author and mother of small children, Johns squeezes in time for reading whenever possible.
Johns attributes much of her inspiration to her mother, a retired English teacher. During their last summer together, Johns would sit on the porch swing and read her stories to her mother, who encouraged her to continue writing. Busy with multiple careers, including a professional job in the medical field, author and mother of small children, Johns squeezes in time for reading whenever possible.
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
December 22, 2025
4.5 ❄️
🎄 This was a pleasant surprise - I just found it scrolling through the options on Kindle unlimited, was struck by the cover, saw it had good reviews, and decided to give it a chance. I'm so glad I did!
🎄 This Regency Christmas novella stands head and shoulders above others in the genre, mostly due to the delectable and carefully crafted prose. If you love beautiful writing that verges on the poetic, you will really enjoy this book.
🎄 The characters and the setting create a delightfully Christmas-y scene, making it the perfect read for this time of year.
🎄 I would have liked a little more development in the first half of the villain's relationship with our heroine because as is, it seemed a bit of a thin premise for what follows. My only other complaint is I would have liked our hero to be a little more active in the plot: as it is, he's a bit of a passive character.
🎄 All in all, a pleasant Christmas surprise read for me that I thoroughly enjoyed.
🎄 This was a pleasant surprise - I just found it scrolling through the options on Kindle unlimited, was struck by the cover, saw it had good reviews, and decided to give it a chance. I'm so glad I did!
🎄 This Regency Christmas novella stands head and shoulders above others in the genre, mostly due to the delectable and carefully crafted prose. If you love beautiful writing that verges on the poetic, you will really enjoy this book.
🎄 The characters and the setting create a delightfully Christmas-y scene, making it the perfect read for this time of year.
🎄 I would have liked a little more development in the first half of the villain's relationship with our heroine because as is, it seemed a bit of a thin premise for what follows. My only other complaint is I would have liked our hero to be a little more active in the plot: as it is, he's a bit of a passive character.
🎄 All in all, a pleasant Christmas surprise read for me that I thoroughly enjoyed.
Read
March 5, 2026AND IT JUST ENDED???
NO WEDDING!!!?? NO EPILOGUE WITH BABIES???
Okay, all jokes aside, that was a fun and enjoyable little story. I loved how accurate it was, the Regency Christmastide vibes, and the adorable small children. Gotta love big families!
The story did seem stretched out a bit more than I'd prefer, and the heroine took ages to make the super obvious choice presented to her. That said, it was still a sweet little romance.
I admit there was something off about the writing. Repetitive, maybe? Or maybe melodramatic is the better word?
NO WEDDING!!!?? NO EPILOGUE WITH BABIES???
Okay, all jokes aside, that was a fun and enjoyable little story. I loved how accurate it was, the Regency Christmastide vibes, and the adorable small children. Gotta love big families!
The story did seem stretched out a bit more than I'd prefer, and the heroine took ages to make the super obvious choice presented to her. That said, it was still a sweet little romance.
I admit there was something off about the writing. Repetitive, maybe? Or maybe melodramatic is the better word?
November 2, 2025
This was a wonderful Christmas romance. The characters were well-written and it flowed at a good, steady pace.
Joshua was home for a holiday break after years of war and did not think he was ready for marriage. Merry was ready for marriage and didn't want to find her self on the shelf so she liked the local Baron's son's attention.
The Roxton and Fielding families spent the Christmas holiday season together. Joshua and Merry's mothers made sure to get them together as much as possible. Merry had a suitor that Joshua knew to be a blackguard. He made it his mission to protect Merry. Together they find love.
I highly recommend this book and other books by this author.
Joshua was home for a holiday break after years of war and did not think he was ready for marriage. Merry was ready for marriage and didn't want to find her self on the shelf so she liked the local Baron's son's attention.
The Roxton and Fielding families spent the Christmas holiday season together. Joshua and Merry's mothers made sure to get them together as much as possible. Merry had a suitor that Joshua knew to be a blackguard. He made it his mission to protect Merry. Together they find love.
I highly recommend this book and other books by this author.
January 12, 2026
This story focused on Joshua Fielding - a soldier who is home for the holidays, and Merry Ruxton. Merry is approaching spinsterhood and now has the attention of Barnaby Tremaine, the son of the local Lord. She has always had a crush on Joshua, but having someone from the more prestigious class pay attention to her and potentially offer marriage - might be the last chance she has to marry. However, as the story unfolds it becomes apparent that Barnaby is not the upstanding individual she thought. There is some intrigue, but in my opinion the story was slow and somewhat dragged out.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 7, 2026
📚✨ BOOK REVIEW ✨📚
A Merry Christmas
Gentlemen of Virtue, Book 1 by Elizabeth Johns
⭐️⭐️⭐️
📝 My Thoughts:
I’ll be honest, I only picked this up because I wanted to read The Lost Cipher (Book 2) and my OCD wouldn't let me skip the first in the series! We are back in the Regency era, and while the atmosphere is cozy, the main characters definitely don't know what they want. Meredith (Merry) is so desperate not to become a spinster that she lets herself be completely fooled by Barnaby Tremaine, the Baron's son. It was frustrating to watch her accept all his excuses when it was clear he was just a "rogue" after her fortune. Then there is Joshua. He’s a war-weary Captain who seems more protective than actually in love at first. I wasn't sure if he actually had feelings for her or if he was just listening to his mother, who basically had to tell him that he’d loved Merry all along! I did admire him for the dramatic rescue after the kidnapping, but the pacing felt off.
💖 Why I Loved It:
The "carnival of noise" with the two families celebrating Christmas together was very heartwarming.
🔖 Favorite Quote:
“Whatever else happens, she trusts you, and that is worth more than all the proposals in Christendom.”
📌 Final Verdict:
Meh It did its job as a series opener, but I found myself eager for it to end. If you’re looking for a formal, on-page proposal, you might feel like you missed it, the book ends on a very subtle note of "intent" rather than a big grand gesture. Pleasant enough, just not especially memorable. Onward to Book 2.
#BookReview #RegencyRomance #ElizabethJohns #HolidayReads #GentlemenOfVirtue #Bookstagram #CleanRomance #HistoricalRomance
A Merry Christmas
Gentlemen of Virtue, Book 1 by Elizabeth Johns
⭐️⭐️⭐️
📝 My Thoughts:
I’ll be honest, I only picked this up because I wanted to read The Lost Cipher (Book 2) and my OCD wouldn't let me skip the first in the series! We are back in the Regency era, and while the atmosphere is cozy, the main characters definitely don't know what they want. Meredith (Merry) is so desperate not to become a spinster that she lets herself be completely fooled by Barnaby Tremaine, the Baron's son. It was frustrating to watch her accept all his excuses when it was clear he was just a "rogue" after her fortune. Then there is Joshua. He’s a war-weary Captain who seems more protective than actually in love at first. I wasn't sure if he actually had feelings for her or if he was just listening to his mother, who basically had to tell him that he’d loved Merry all along! I did admire him for the dramatic rescue after the kidnapping, but the pacing felt off.
💖 Why I Loved It:
The "carnival of noise" with the two families celebrating Christmas together was very heartwarming.
🔖 Favorite Quote:
“Whatever else happens, she trusts you, and that is worth more than all the proposals in Christendom.”
📌 Final Verdict:
Meh It did its job as a series opener, but I found myself eager for it to end. If you’re looking for a formal, on-page proposal, you might feel like you missed it, the book ends on a very subtle note of "intent" rather than a big grand gesture. Pleasant enough, just not especially memorable. Onward to Book 2.
#BookReview #RegencyRomance #ElizabethJohns #HolidayReads #GentlemenOfVirtue #Bookstagram #CleanRomance #HistoricalRomance
November 28, 2025
A Merry Christmas by Elizabeth Johns
Joshua Fielding is home at Wychwood Hall for the first time in five years. He’s in the army and hasn’t had a chance. But this Christmastide, here he was. His siblings and the Roxtons were all there. He loved the noise and chaos. The only thing he didn’t like was the pesky little girl who grew up into a beautiful young woman. That wasn’t his dislike…it was who was courting her!
Meredith “Merry” Roxton was one and twenty, feeling she had little choice in marriage. Definitely no one in this sleepy little village she lived in. So, when Barnaby Tremaine had smiled at her…she grabbed her chance. To marry into a title and get out of this village for the first time. She wasn’t happy that Joshua had warned her against Barnaby. For Pete’s sake…just because someone is a bully as a child doesn’t mean they can’t grow out of it. Right?
Another page-turning adventure with awesome characters.
https://justjudysjumbles.blogspot.com...
Joshua Fielding is home at Wychwood Hall for the first time in five years. He’s in the army and hasn’t had a chance. But this Christmastide, here he was. His siblings and the Roxtons were all there. He loved the noise and chaos. The only thing he didn’t like was the pesky little girl who grew up into a beautiful young woman. That wasn’t his dislike…it was who was courting her!
Meredith “Merry” Roxton was one and twenty, feeling she had little choice in marriage. Definitely no one in this sleepy little village she lived in. So, when Barnaby Tremaine had smiled at her…she grabbed her chance. To marry into a title and get out of this village for the first time. She wasn’t happy that Joshua had warned her against Barnaby. For Pete’s sake…just because someone is a bully as a child doesn’t mean they can’t grow out of it. Right?
Another page-turning adventure with awesome characters.
https://justjudysjumbles.blogspot.com...
November 18, 2025
A clean story. A soldier returns home after a few years for Christmas and sees how family friend’s daughter has grown up. Whilst they all have a trade background, she in turn is being pursued by the son of a Lord. So this a classic quiet hero returning, finding a tiresome little
girl has grown up, and a drunken gambling Lord needing a rich wife to clear debts. It was a nice shortish story. I did wonder that Merry’s father or even Joshua’s or their children had not heard about Tremaine and his debts etc. It appeared well known in London, and I am sure word of the Dunnings and daughter staying with the Brutons and Tremaine would have spread to Merry’s family gathering. She is well known and seen around the community so…. Likewise servants would know. It also begs question why Lord Dunning had even brought his daughter as he must have heard about Tremaine in London. But despite my ruminations on this a pleasant tale. I will try the next in this series.
girl has grown up, and a drunken gambling Lord needing a rich wife to clear debts. It was a nice shortish story. I did wonder that Merry’s father or even Joshua’s or their children had not heard about Tremaine and his debts etc. It appeared well known in London, and I am sure word of the Dunnings and daughter staying with the Brutons and Tremaine would have spread to Merry’s family gathering. She is well known and seen around the community so…. Likewise servants would know. It also begs question why Lord Dunning had even brought his daughter as he must have heard about Tremaine in London. But despite my ruminations on this a pleasant tale. I will try the next in this series.
December 22, 2025
Marrying Merry
This is a beautifully written story. Merry is a smart and quick-witted single young woman with a large dowery from her father, who earned his money in trade. Captain Joshua is home on leave from the army after approximately 8 years away. They have known each other their whole lives, but this Christmas, something shifts. Merry finds herself in a bind, hoping to marry, and also to not get schackled with someone who just wants to take her $ and
This is a beautifully written story. Merry is a smart and quick-witted single young woman with a large dowery from her father, who earned his money in trade. Captain Joshua is home on leave from the army after approximately 8 years away. They have known each other their whole lives, but this Christmas, something shifts. Merry finds herself in a bind, hoping to marry, and also to not get schackled with someone who just wants to take her $ and
November 9, 2025
clean and wholesome romance
This story is a great way to enjoy the magic of Christmas.
Both the hero and heroine have their own journey to find themselves and what they truly want before finding each other’s hearts.
I recommend this book and author.
I hope there will be more of the series!
This story is a great way to enjoy the magic of Christmas.
Both the hero and heroine have their own journey to find themselves and what they truly want before finding each other’s hearts.
I recommend this book and author.
I hope there will be more of the series!
November 26, 2025
Good read
A soldier returns from war to find a childhood friend has grown into a beautiful woman. The woman is being courted by the Baron's son. The man is a rogue of the first order. The soldier rescues the woman and finally declares his love.
Common theme, well written, no mystery, and a happy ending.
A soldier returns from war to find a childhood friend has grown into a beautiful woman. The woman is being courted by the Baron's son. The man is a rogue of the first order. The soldier rescues the woman and finally declares his love.
Common theme, well written, no mystery, and a happy ending.
December 14, 2025
By far a favorite
Elizabeth is by far one of my favorite authors and this book did not disappoint. I am always excited for a new book by this author. The characters have depth and emotions run high in her books. There is so much to be had here; romance, intrigue, family, faith, a clean wholesome story.
Elizabeth is by far one of my favorite authors and this book did not disappoint. I am always excited for a new book by this author. The characters have depth and emotions run high in her books. There is so much to be had here; romance, intrigue, family, faith, a clean wholesome story.
January 5, 2026
A Wonderful Christmas Novella
This novella reads like a full length book with the depth of the characters and the development of their relationship. The Christmas feel was fabulous-warm cozy and festive. I am giving it only four stars because the ending seemed a little flat to me but overall a really good read
This novella reads like a full length book with the depth of the characters and the development of their relationship. The Christmas feel was fabulous-warm cozy and festive. I am giving it only four stars because the ending seemed a little flat to me but overall a really good read
November 24, 2025
Excellent!
A very well written characters and the storyline is so good! A lot of tender thoughts on human nature and the consideration of Joshua to help Merry see for herself the truth of the situation. Very sweet and tender love story.
A very well written characters and the storyline is so good! A lot of tender thoughts on human nature and the consideration of Joshua to help Merry see for herself the truth of the situation. Very sweet and tender love story.
November 29, 2025
well done
There are writers who can write a story and then there are writers who know how to use words. This is an enjoyable story but written with beautiful words and images. Very enjoyable as these kinds of writers are fairly rare.
There are writers who can write a story and then there are writers who know how to use words. This is an enjoyable story but written with beautiful words and images. Very enjoyable as these kinds of writers are fairly rare.
December 30, 2025
the man on the cover needs lighter hair.
Terrific story and a terrific cast of characters. I loved that the ML went to his mother for advice on winning the FL, and received good advice and support.
Terrific story and a terrific cast of characters. I loved that the ML went to his mother for advice on winning the FL, and received good advice and support.
March 5, 2026
I was expecting more from this book. Slow burn and little romance. Merry is a very strong female but I almost quit reading the book when she succumbed to Tremaine's exposed deception. Joshua was too calm and unobtrusive regarding Merry's relationship with Tremaine.
November 1, 2025
Elizabeth Johns always writes a great story!
Read
November 18, 2025I read this on #KindleUnlimited
November 20, 2025
Joshua back from the Army longs for a quiet time at Christmas with his family. Things don’t seem to be turning out that way. Don’t miss out on this beautiful story.
December 10, 2025
So sweet, I really enjoyed this right up to the end because all that and we don't even get to see them married!?!? He doesn't even actually ASK HER. The dang book just ENDS.
December 14, 2025
sweet holiday romance
Sometimes the thing we’ve been looking for has been in front of us all along. This is a perfect story for the Christmas season
Sometimes the thing we’ve been looking for has been in front of us all along. This is a perfect story for the Christmas season
December 22, 2025
I love these characters. Joshua is steady, kind, protective and good. Merry is feisty, determined and caring. The romance is sweet, the friendship enduring. I loved this book.
December 24, 2025
Fantastic
Thoroughly enjoyed these characters and their lives. A wonderful Christmas story filled with fun, witty characters and a little twist.
Thoroughly enjoyed these characters and their lives. A wonderful Christmas story filled with fun, witty characters and a little twist.
January 9, 2026
Granna
This was such a wonderful story!! It kept me reading for hours. I love the struggle and then the happy ending!!
This was such a wonderful story!! It kept me reading for hours. I love the struggle and then the happy ending!!
January 18, 2026
This was such a beautiful story, written with heart, wit and intelligence. I will read this again and again!
February 25, 2026
Beautiful Christmas romance
I really enjoyed these characters. I enjoyed the love story and the moments of quiet camaraderie. Childhood friends to lovers. Clean romance.
I really enjoyed these characters. I enjoyed the love story and the moments of quiet camaraderie. Childhood friends to lovers. Clean romance.
February 9, 2026
I really enjoyed this book! I have been in a book slump for 6 months, so reading hasn't been easy, and I was able to get lost in this story.
This was a quiet and unassuming love story between Joshua and Merry. It was just two people discovering what they really wanted out of life and not realizing they were the perfect match.
While the story takes place during Christmas, it reads more like a winter story than a holiday story, so you can really pick this up to read in any season.
This was a quiet and unassuming love story between Joshua and Merry. It was just two people discovering what they really wanted out of life and not realizing they were the perfect match.
While the story takes place during Christmas, it reads more like a winter story than a holiday story, so you can really pick this up to read in any season.
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews