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The Notorious Briarwoods #17
The Duke's Absolutely Grumpy Christmas
The Duke of Crestfield lost a wager to Laertes Briarwood and now he’s stuck. He must attend a Briarwood family Christmas and act like he loves it. There’s just one significant issue. The duke thinks Christmas is for fools! But when he meets Lady Phoebe, all his skepticism is put to the test. For her merry wit, dancing, and insistence that Christmas is the best time of the whole year just might crack the armor around his icy heart.
Lady Phoebe, daughter of Perdita Briarwood, is betting that Christmas is when she will meet the man for her, just as her mother did! And when a handsome duke shows up on her family’s doorstep, she can’t believe her fortune. But she quickly sees that his jaunty love of Christmas is all an act, and though his kisses make her heart bright, she fears that even the joy of the Season and a Briarwood Christmas will not be enough to thaw the Duke’s resistance to holly, cheer, and a love that could be bigger than any gift.
Lady Phoebe, daughter of Perdita Briarwood, is betting that Christmas is when she will meet the man for her, just as her mother did! And when a handsome duke shows up on her family’s doorstep, she can’t believe her fortune. But she quickly sees that his jaunty love of Christmas is all an act, and though his kisses make her heart bright, she fears that even the joy of the Season and a Briarwood Christmas will not be enough to thaw the Duke’s resistance to holly, cheer, and a love that could be bigger than any gift.
- GenresChristmas
164 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 5, 2025
96 people are currently reading
20 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
December 8, 2025
Putting me in the Christmas Spirit 🎄😊
The intent was to help a man get through the holidays, but if you know the Briarwoods, then you must know there’s far more to it than that. Someone will be getting married. And somebody will discover exactly what they need to be the best of who they are.
*******
Spoilers!
Themes, characters, and a few details from the story are discussed below!
Stop now if you wish to be surprised!
*******
When you’ve lived with a legacy of pain, it can feel impossible to trade it for one of love and acceptance, especially self-acceptance. And Perdita’s daughter Phoebe is as loving as a lady can be, even when her Duke is closed and angry for reasons he won’t share. In a moment of uncertainty, Phoebe speaks to her mother about falling in love and says she may have made a terrible mistake. Perdita tells her the most wonderful thing: “Those don’t exist.” A pair of people, it seems, need not be perfect for their love to be good. And we do not always have to understand in order to be willing to accept the truth of someone when we love them.
Freedom to be himself and still be loved is exactly what the titular Duke of Crestfield has never known, and that kind of acceptance is the only thing that would ever reach him. It makes sense, the way he sees it, that he is — he must be — untouchable. Except that Phoebe offers the very thing he never had, the thing that he wants to pass on to his own children someday instead of hurt and rejection. It is the truth that he has the freedom to live and move and be himself, that he is love despite perceived imperfection, and that he is in the perfect place to find a path to joy and peace among the Briarwoods. Along with the very same hope that never entirely left his heart.
I’m so delighted, having just finished reading the story. As with so many Briarwood stories, the reflection shimmers into the present. For are we not this way as well? Don’t many of us still look to celebrations of togetherness with at least a speck of dauntless hope that we will give and receive love most of all? If you do, this book will make sense. If not, perhaps this book will shine enough twinkling light into the winter dark to offer you a glimpse of how beautifully you shine too. It’s not the celebration that is joyous or difficult, after all. It is the experience of the heart.
Happy Holidays ☃️
The intent was to help a man get through the holidays, but if you know the Briarwoods, then you must know there’s far more to it than that. Someone will be getting married. And somebody will discover exactly what they need to be the best of who they are.
*******
Spoilers!
Themes, characters, and a few details from the story are discussed below!
Stop now if you wish to be surprised!
*******
When you’ve lived with a legacy of pain, it can feel impossible to trade it for one of love and acceptance, especially self-acceptance. And Perdita’s daughter Phoebe is as loving as a lady can be, even when her Duke is closed and angry for reasons he won’t share. In a moment of uncertainty, Phoebe speaks to her mother about falling in love and says she may have made a terrible mistake. Perdita tells her the most wonderful thing: “Those don’t exist.” A pair of people, it seems, need not be perfect for their love to be good. And we do not always have to understand in order to be willing to accept the truth of someone when we love them.
Freedom to be himself and still be loved is exactly what the titular Duke of Crestfield has never known, and that kind of acceptance is the only thing that would ever reach him. It makes sense, the way he sees it, that he is — he must be — untouchable. Except that Phoebe offers the very thing he never had, the thing that he wants to pass on to his own children someday instead of hurt and rejection. It is the truth that he has the freedom to live and move and be himself, that he is love despite perceived imperfection, and that he is in the perfect place to find a path to joy and peace among the Briarwoods. Along with the very same hope that never entirely left his heart.
I’m so delighted, having just finished reading the story. As with so many Briarwood stories, the reflection shimmers into the present. For are we not this way as well? Don’t many of us still look to celebrations of togetherness with at least a speck of dauntless hope that we will give and receive love most of all? If you do, this book will make sense. If not, perhaps this book will shine enough twinkling light into the winter dark to offer you a glimpse of how beautifully you shine too. It’s not the celebration that is joyous or difficult, after all. It is the experience of the heart.
Happy Holidays ☃️
December 28, 2025
You don’t have to live in pain……..
This was another good Briarwood story that showed that love can conquer all. This story brought back some of the other Briarwood family members, which I always like to revisit them. I did feel the back and forth with Oliver and Phoebe was a bit frustrating. It seemed like it was taking him a long time to choose happiness instead of darkness. Their interactions were entertaining and full of witty banter, but their love seemed a bit rushed progressing from attraction to love quickly. This was a novella with love, banter, great characters, a hero with mental childhood trauma, good friendships, self acceptance, light steam, and a HEA.
This was another good Briarwood story that showed that love can conquer all. This story brought back some of the other Briarwood family members, which I always like to revisit them. I did feel the back and forth with Oliver and Phoebe was a bit frustrating. It seemed like it was taking him a long time to choose happiness instead of darkness. Their interactions were entertaining and full of witty banter, but their love seemed a bit rushed progressing from attraction to love quickly. This was a novella with love, banter, great characters, a hero with mental childhood trauma, good friendships, self acceptance, light steam, and a HEA.
December 1, 2025
Oliver, the Duke of Crestfield has hated Christmas since an incident with his father when he was a child. When he loses a bet to Laertes, he has to attend the Briarwood Christmas party.
When he meets Laertes's sister, Phoebe, he feels an instant attraction to her.
The chemistry between Phoebe and Oliver was interesting as she attempts to make him feel the Christmas spirit again.
There are lots of fun, quirky secondary characters, and a bit of steam in this makes you feel good Christmas story.
When he meets Laertes's sister, Phoebe, he feels an instant attraction to her.
The chemistry between Phoebe and Oliver was interesting as she attempts to make him feel the Christmas spirit again.
There are lots of fun, quirky secondary characters, and a bit of steam in this makes you feel good Christmas story.
December 3, 2025
Grumpy Duke meets sunshine, fun and all things Christmas. The true meaning of Christmas shines through with the best gift of all - love and happiness. A love that's worthy for both Phoebe and her Duke.
January 2, 2026
The Duke of Crestfield hates Christmas because of his father's cruelty one year. Laertes Ripton, Perdita's son tricks him into coming to Heron House for the season, where he falls in love with Laertes' sister Phoebe.
December 7, 2025
Briarwoods…wonderful
I think I have read all the 17 notorious briarwoods and they have on been wonderful, funny, happy, romantic and just wonderful.
I think I have read all the 17 notorious briarwoods and they have on been wonderful, funny, happy, romantic and just wonderful.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews