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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
112 people are currently reading
25 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 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 ☃️
January 13, 2026
Oliver, Duke of Crestfield loved Christmas as a child, until his father scolding for dancing and told him it was not the behaviour of a duke. So Oliver learnt to here Christmas and avoid it if possible. b it his friend Laertes nephew to the Duke of Briarwood set him up to fail, and having lost the water Oliver found himself spending Christmas at the Briarwoods estate, and being encouraged to join in.
Phoebe Laertes sister has just finished her first season and can't wait to fall in love like her parents and cousins have, when she first sees Oliver across the room she knows he's the man for her, but he's so proper and isn't enjoying Christmas as she does, and Laertes is very much against them getting involved.
Great to join the Brirwoods again.
Phoebe Laertes sister has just finished her first season and can't wait to fall in love like her parents and cousins have, when she first sees Oliver across the room she knows he's the man for her, but he's so proper and isn't enjoying Christmas as she does, and Laertes is very much against them getting involved.
Great to join the Brirwoods again.
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.
January 12, 2026
After finishing a 4-book medieval mystery series, I needed something light. This book was perfect. It's the 17th in a series and I hadn't read any of the others, so it was a total surprise. What fun. I loved that it had a strong female lead character in Phoebe who wasn't afraid to speak her mind and step up to challenges. Definitely not one of the regular romances with an insipid march of tea trays in and out of the drawing room. I'm going back to the beginning of the series when I need something light to brighten my day. Thank you Eva Devon for some relaxing reading.
February 15, 2026
Love shared multiplies
Briarwood family is exceptional in their celebration of love and joy at Christmas. Laertes invites his grumpy Duke friend and the experience opens his eyes to the unfair meanness of his father who did not think dukes should dance- lots do! Well done. Loved all the characters- mom, gradma and the uncles too
Briarwood family is exceptional in their celebration of love and joy at Christmas. Laertes invites his grumpy Duke friend and the experience opens his eyes to the unfair meanness of his father who did not think dukes should dance- lots do! Well done. Loved all the characters- mom, gradma and the uncles too
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 - 9 of 9 reviews