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Lords of Disgrace #2
His Christmas Countess
A Christmas baby…
Grant Rivers, Earl of Allundale, is desperate to get home in time for Christmas. But when he stumbles upon a woman all alone in a tumbledown shack, having a baby out of wedlock, it's his duty to stay and help her.
…leads to wedding vows!
Grant knows all too well the risks of childbirth, and he's seen enough tragedy to last a lifetime. So once he's saved her life, Grant is determined to save Kate's reputation too…if she will consent to marrying a stranger on Christmas Day!
Grant Rivers, Earl of Allundale, is desperate to get home in time for Christmas. But when he stumbles upon a woman all alone in a tumbledown shack, having a baby out of wedlock, it's his duty to stay and help her.
…leads to wedding vows!
Grant knows all too well the risks of childbirth, and he's seen enough tragedy to last a lifetime. So once he's saved her life, Grant is determined to save Kate's reputation too…if she will consent to marrying a stranger on Christmas Day!
288 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 17, 2015
57 people are currently reading
213 people want to read
About the author
Louise Allen
424 books331 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See this thread for more information.
This author also writes under the name Francesca Shaw.
I have had my nose buried in a history book - fact or fiction - for as long as I can remember, but even more important to me are the places and the objects that conjure up the past. My first attempt at historical fiction at the age of eight was three pages of improbable medieval drama set in the local castle.
With a degree in geography and archaeology I love to try and 'read' the landscape and the buildings in it for clues about the past. Virtually any place can trigger ideas for plots, but I am particularly inspired by Venice, Burgundy, Mediterranean islands and the Hertfordshire and Norfolk countryside.
I live in England in a village in Bedfordshire with my long-suffering husband. He is not sure whether to be flattered or alarmed to be told he is the inspiration for all my romantic heroes! Whenever possible we escape to our cottage on the North Norfolk coast where Percy, the bossy pheasant, allows us to share the garden.
My resolution every time I start on a new plot is to plan it carefully, make copious notes first and write lots of drafts in a disciplined and orderly manner. What inevitably happens is that the story starts to write itself in my head until it gets completely out of control - meanwhile my study floor becomes a sea of open books, prints and maps and I am found sitting in the car at traffic lights, muttering dialogue. At that point I have to start writing, knowing full well that the hero and heroine are going to take over and sabotage all my attempts at discipline. It is, after all, their story.
This author also writes under the name Francesca Shaw.
I have had my nose buried in a history book - fact or fiction - for as long as I can remember, but even more important to me are the places and the objects that conjure up the past. My first attempt at historical fiction at the age of eight was three pages of improbable medieval drama set in the local castle.
With a degree in geography and archaeology I love to try and 'read' the landscape and the buildings in it for clues about the past. Virtually any place can trigger ideas for plots, but I am particularly inspired by Venice, Burgundy, Mediterranean islands and the Hertfordshire and Norfolk countryside.
I live in England in a village in Bedfordshire with my long-suffering husband. He is not sure whether to be flattered or alarmed to be told he is the inspiration for all my romantic heroes! Whenever possible we escape to our cottage on the North Norfolk coast where Percy, the bossy pheasant, allows us to share the garden.
My resolution every time I start on a new plot is to plan it carefully, make copious notes first and write lots of drafts in a disciplined and orderly manner. What inevitably happens is that the story starts to write itself in my head until it gets completely out of control - meanwhile my study floor becomes a sea of open books, prints and maps and I am found sitting in the car at traffic lights, muttering dialogue. At that point I have to start writing, knowing full well that the hero and heroine are going to take over and sabotage all my attempts at discipline. It is, after all, their story.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews
November 20, 2015
If I want to read historical romance, my first stop is usually
Harlequin/Mills and Boon. For all the snobbery – even amongst romance readers – the simple fact is that there’s better and more historically accurate HR coming from this publisher than any other.
His Christmas Countess is better than the first book in the series, which is really saying something because I loved the first one and added it to my “Best of 2015” list. What makes this series so great is that the books are perfect standalones. No annoying, lengthy catch-up scenes to show how happy and fertile past characters are.
Louise Allen is one of those rare, magical authors of the subgenre who knows how to create a true sense of an era, and has her characters acting accordingly.
She adds in little bits and pieces from the past without clobbering us with a history lesson. And her characters take social rules of the time into account and act according to them, rather than tossing them all aside and behaving like “feisty” Disney characters.
One of my favourite things about this book is the way both characters behaved towards each other. There were heaps of secrets and misunderstandings, but even if they first reacted in anger, they then stopped and thought about it, and behaved sensibly and maturely. They respected each other even before they had a real reason to.
Another thing I loved was the way the relationship developed. They’re thrown together at the very start, but trust and love and family come later.
This book takes us across two Christmases, with a full year in between, which does two good things: it makes the relationship believable, and it stops the Christmassy feel from becoming cheesy.
To top it off, the plot beyond the actual romance is both tied to the relationship but also solid enough that this doesn’t just become a book about two people being together. That’s where a lot of romances lose me.
Recommended for fans of Regency romance.
Harlequin/Mills and Boon. For all the snobbery – even amongst romance readers – the simple fact is that there’s better and more historically accurate HR coming from this publisher than any other.
His Christmas Countess is better than the first book in the series, which is really saying something because I loved the first one and added it to my “Best of 2015” list. What makes this series so great is that the books are perfect standalones. No annoying, lengthy catch-up scenes to show how happy and fertile past characters are.
Louise Allen is one of those rare, magical authors of the subgenre who knows how to create a true sense of an era, and has her characters acting accordingly.
She adds in little bits and pieces from the past without clobbering us with a history lesson. And her characters take social rules of the time into account and act according to them, rather than tossing them all aside and behaving like “feisty” Disney characters.
One of my favourite things about this book is the way both characters behaved towards each other. There were heaps of secrets and misunderstandings, but even if they first reacted in anger, they then stopped and thought about it, and behaved sensibly and maturely. They respected each other even before they had a real reason to.
Another thing I loved was the way the relationship developed. They’re thrown together at the very start, but trust and love and family come later.
This book takes us across two Christmases, with a full year in between, which does two good things: it makes the relationship believable, and it stops the Christmassy feel from becoming cheesy.
To top it off, the plot beyond the actual romance is both tied to the relationship but also solid enough that this doesn’t just become a book about two people being together. That’s where a lot of romances lose me.
Recommended for fans of Regency romance.
December 21, 2016
4.5 stars rounded up
His Christmas Countess is book two in Louise Allen’s most recent series, The Four Disgraces , in which the heroes are a group of young men who earned that sobriquet as a result of their daring exploits at school and university. For some reason, I read the first , third and fourth books when they came out and missed this one – which was a mistake, because while I enjoyed the others and rated them highly, this is the best of the lot.
It’s Christmas Eve and Grantham Rivers is on his way from Edinburgh to Northumberland, where he hopes to get to the bedside of his dying grandfather in time to say his final goodbyes. When his horse goes lame, and with the weather worsening at every moment, he has little alternative but to take refuge in a shepherd’s hut or “bothy” – and is astonished to discover that he is not the only one stranded in the middle of nowhere while waiting for the storm to pass. A heavily pregnant woman is sheltering there, too, and Grant who, while not a doctor, has studied medicine – recognises the signs of early labour.
Kate Harding was all but pushed into the arms of the man who ruined her by her unscrupulous brother, who now intends to blackmail her child’s father. Threatening to take Kate’s baby from her in order to ensure her co-operation, her brother sent her to Scotland until the birth, but when – at last – the chance to escape arose, Kate took it, and made her way to the nearest coaching inn. But her money was stolen, leaving her penniless; the weather is closing in and she is alone, friendless and scared, with no alternative but to wait out the coming snowstorm in a nearby bothy. But it seems someone else has had the same idea. The man who enters is tall, dark, handsome and somewhat severe, but he quickly reassures her, telling her he is a doctor and that he will make sure she is safely delivered.
Grant, a widower, has a young son by from his first – disastrous – marriage, and is well aware that six year old Charlie needs a mother. He is also heir to an earldom – something he neglects to tell Kate, understandably in the circumstances – and has been feeling guilty about the fact that he has neglected to do the one thing his grandfather had asked of him, and marry again. Impulsively, and as Kate nears the end of her long labour, he suggests that they marry – he needs a mother for his son, her child will need a father – and as they are in Scotland, all they need do is declare their intent to wed before witnesses. A couple of passing shepherds are pleased to perform that service, and Grant and Kate are married, shortly before her daughter, Anna, makes her way into the world.
Given the remoteness of Grant’s home, and the fact that as a medical man, he is unlikely to move in the same circles as her brother, Kate believes she has found the perfect refuge. So when they arrive at Abbeywell Grange and she hears Grant addressed as “my Lord”, she is shocked. Grant tiredly explains that his grandfather – who just passed away – was the third Earl of Allundale, and that he (Grant) is now the fourth earl, and Kate is immediately worried. An earl will be expected to spend some of his time in London and Kate has no wish to return to the scene of her disgrace or to risk an encounter with her brother. But what’s done is done, and she recognises she is in no fit state to think about much more than caring for her daughter and taking comfort in the warmth and safety of her new home.
Shortly after his grandfather’s funeral, Grant tells Kate that he must go to London to consult with his solicitor and to see to various other matters of business. He ends up being away for almost six months, and finally returns home to find things much changed. The wife he had left a tired, pale shadow is now a pretty, vibrant young woman with a quick wit and keen intelligence; and Grant is not a little surprised at the strength of the attraction he feels towards her.
Grant’s first marriage was a passionate love match – or so he’d thought, until his beautiful wife began to show signs of mental instability that turned into hatred. He is still haunted by the manner of her death and clams up every time Kate tries to get him to tell her what happened. But Kate is persistent. She never bullies or demands and eventually Grant realises that she deserves the truth. The one black mark I can make against Kate is that while Grant shares the truth of his past with her, she does not do the same, causing him to continue to believe that she is still carrying a torch for Anna’s father. Kate knows she needs to come clean, but, not wanting to jeopardise their marriage, makes some poor decisions and tries to deal with her brother herself. But those are my only criticisms of what is an otherwise excellent book.
As the story takes place over a year – we get two Christmases for the price of one! – the romance is allowed time to develop and we watch Kate and Grant progressing from physical attraction to a deeper emotional connection. The love scenes are sensual and romantic; nicely steamy but not over the top for this type of story, and written with an extremely sure hand.
Louise Allen has crafted a wonderful story about two strangers thrown together by circumstance who progress from mutual friendship and respect to passionate attachment. They have to get to know each other and both of them make mistakes and say and do things that annoy the other, yet they are both mature enough to be able to own up to those missteps, apologise for them and move on. Even though both are keeping secrets, there’s an honesty to their relationship that is refreshing, and a sense that these are two people who are going to make a go of things, no matter how shaky the start to their life together. All in all, His Christmas Countess is a superbly written, beautifully paced romance and it’s going right onto my keeper shelf.
His Christmas Countess is book two in Louise Allen’s most recent series, The Four Disgraces , in which the heroes are a group of young men who earned that sobriquet as a result of their daring exploits at school and university. For some reason, I read the first , third and fourth books when they came out and missed this one – which was a mistake, because while I enjoyed the others and rated them highly, this is the best of the lot.
It’s Christmas Eve and Grantham Rivers is on his way from Edinburgh to Northumberland, where he hopes to get to the bedside of his dying grandfather in time to say his final goodbyes. When his horse goes lame, and with the weather worsening at every moment, he has little alternative but to take refuge in a shepherd’s hut or “bothy” – and is astonished to discover that he is not the only one stranded in the middle of nowhere while waiting for the storm to pass. A heavily pregnant woman is sheltering there, too, and Grant who, while not a doctor, has studied medicine – recognises the signs of early labour.
Kate Harding was all but pushed into the arms of the man who ruined her by her unscrupulous brother, who now intends to blackmail her child’s father. Threatening to take Kate’s baby from her in order to ensure her co-operation, her brother sent her to Scotland until the birth, but when – at last – the chance to escape arose, Kate took it, and made her way to the nearest coaching inn. But her money was stolen, leaving her penniless; the weather is closing in and she is alone, friendless and scared, with no alternative but to wait out the coming snowstorm in a nearby bothy. But it seems someone else has had the same idea. The man who enters is tall, dark, handsome and somewhat severe, but he quickly reassures her, telling her he is a doctor and that he will make sure she is safely delivered.
Grant, a widower, has a young son by from his first – disastrous – marriage, and is well aware that six year old Charlie needs a mother. He is also heir to an earldom – something he neglects to tell Kate, understandably in the circumstances – and has been feeling guilty about the fact that he has neglected to do the one thing his grandfather had asked of him, and marry again. Impulsively, and as Kate nears the end of her long labour, he suggests that they marry – he needs a mother for his son, her child will need a father – and as they are in Scotland, all they need do is declare their intent to wed before witnesses. A couple of passing shepherds are pleased to perform that service, and Grant and Kate are married, shortly before her daughter, Anna, makes her way into the world.
Given the remoteness of Grant’s home, and the fact that as a medical man, he is unlikely to move in the same circles as her brother, Kate believes she has found the perfect refuge. So when they arrive at Abbeywell Grange and she hears Grant addressed as “my Lord”, she is shocked. Grant tiredly explains that his grandfather – who just passed away – was the third Earl of Allundale, and that he (Grant) is now the fourth earl, and Kate is immediately worried. An earl will be expected to spend some of his time in London and Kate has no wish to return to the scene of her disgrace or to risk an encounter with her brother. But what’s done is done, and she recognises she is in no fit state to think about much more than caring for her daughter and taking comfort in the warmth and safety of her new home.
Shortly after his grandfather’s funeral, Grant tells Kate that he must go to London to consult with his solicitor and to see to various other matters of business. He ends up being away for almost six months, and finally returns home to find things much changed. The wife he had left a tired, pale shadow is now a pretty, vibrant young woman with a quick wit and keen intelligence; and Grant is not a little surprised at the strength of the attraction he feels towards her.
Grant’s first marriage was a passionate love match – or so he’d thought, until his beautiful wife began to show signs of mental instability that turned into hatred. He is still haunted by the manner of her death and clams up every time Kate tries to get him to tell her what happened. But Kate is persistent. She never bullies or demands and eventually Grant realises that she deserves the truth. The one black mark I can make against Kate is that while Grant shares the truth of his past with her, she does not do the same, causing him to continue to believe that she is still carrying a torch for Anna’s father. Kate knows she needs to come clean, but, not wanting to jeopardise their marriage, makes some poor decisions and tries to deal with her brother herself. But those are my only criticisms of what is an otherwise excellent book.
As the story takes place over a year – we get two Christmases for the price of one! – the romance is allowed time to develop and we watch Kate and Grant progressing from physical attraction to a deeper emotional connection. The love scenes are sensual and romantic; nicely steamy but not over the top for this type of story, and written with an extremely sure hand.
Louise Allen has crafted a wonderful story about two strangers thrown together by circumstance who progress from mutual friendship and respect to passionate attachment. They have to get to know each other and both of them make mistakes and say and do things that annoy the other, yet they are both mature enough to be able to own up to those missteps, apologise for them and move on. Even though both are keeping secrets, there’s an honesty to their relationship that is refreshing, and a sense that these are two people who are going to make a go of things, no matter how shaky the start to their life together. All in all, His Christmas Countess is a superbly written, beautifully paced romance and it’s going right onto my keeper shelf.
December 10, 2016
B-r with Luli:)
Grant Rivers, a future Earl of Allundale, had hoped to be back home to celebrate Christmas with his son and his dying grandfather. But, alas, somewhere on the Scottish boarder his horse became lame and Grant was forced to seek shelter at a lonely tumbledown cottage. There is another inhabitant there- a woman giving birth. Grant decided to stay and help her.
For Kate, a sudden appearance of a confident male with a deep calming voice who called himself a doctor, is the answer to all her prayers. And she is absolutely right. It seems that right from the start, the story is one miraculously turned thing or event after another and, if not miraculous, than very-very convenient. I don’t know how else to describe them.
• Miraculously, Kate feels a budding attraction to Grant while in pains of childbirth.
• Even though Grant misrepresented himself as a doctor, he conveniently attended a medical school for two years in the past while waiting for his Earldom.
• Despite never attending a human birth, he is miraculously ahead of his contemporaries in applying frequent hand-washing and sanitizing technique- practice benefits of which where not recognized/ discovered until 1847.
And then Grant’s quick decision to marry Kate before she even gave birth... Putting aside a suspend belief of a future Earl marrying a stranger who is giving birth to another man’s child, this is not Grant's first marriage. He was married before to a woman who he barely knew and the marriage was very unhappy. His willingness to marry a stranger in these circumstances is nothing short of a miracle. But there is more:
• We are conveniently on the Scottish side of the Scottish/ English boarder where the marriage rules are not as strict. A couple simply had to pledge yourself to your chosen partner and in the presence of another.
• And lo and behold, miraculously, two farmers just happened to pass by providing the right number of witnesses at the right time and the right place.
• Conveniently, Grant already has a son, so he doesn’t have to think too much about having another man’s child as a potential heir. And if there was any danger of it, the child conveniently turned out to be a girl.
• Conveniently, the wedding took place very-very shortly before the child was born – no baby out of wedlock to deal with.
Moving along. I though the author did a good job in showing how both Kate and Grant made attempt for their marriage to work despite secrets they kept from each other. Their relationship was one of mutual respect and their romance was progressing nicely. There was a moment where I thought the author decided to go with a big misunderstanding trope. Luckily, I was wrong – the protagonists behaved like adults and talked it through and prevented it to linger.
All was good, but shortly after, the story became boring. Everything and everyone was so perfect and perfectly boring at the same time. I was hoping if we didn’t really have internal to their relationship conflict to at least have a good external one. But, no, the way the secrets revealed was conveniently easy or nothing short of miracle.
Even though the story was not as enjoyable as I thought it would be, reading it with my friend Luli was very entertaining. Thank you, Luli for a great B-r! :)
2.5 stars
As I was reading the story, I kept changing my opinion of it from pleasant to mildly pleasant to bored with all this perfection to perfectly boring.Grant Rivers, a future Earl of Allundale, had hoped to be back home to celebrate Christmas with his son and his dying grandfather. But, alas, somewhere on the Scottish boarder his horse became lame and Grant was forced to seek shelter at a lonely tumbledown cottage. There is another inhabitant there- a woman giving birth. Grant decided to stay and help her.
For Kate, a sudden appearance of a confident male with a deep calming voice who called himself a doctor, is the answer to all her prayers. And she is absolutely right. It seems that right from the start, the story is one miraculously turned thing or event after another and, if not miraculous, than very-very convenient. I don’t know how else to describe them.
• Miraculously, Kate feels a budding attraction to Grant while in pains of childbirth.
• Even though Grant misrepresented himself as a doctor, he conveniently attended a medical school for two years in the past while waiting for his Earldom.
• Despite never attending a human birth, he is miraculously ahead of his contemporaries in applying frequent hand-washing and sanitizing technique- practice benefits of which where not recognized/ discovered until 1847.
And then Grant’s quick decision to marry Kate before she even gave birth... Putting aside a suspend belief of a future Earl marrying a stranger who is giving birth to another man’s child, this is not Grant's first marriage. He was married before to a woman who he barely knew and the marriage was very unhappy. His willingness to marry a stranger in these circumstances is nothing short of a miracle. But there is more:
• We are conveniently on the Scottish side of the Scottish/ English boarder where the marriage rules are not as strict. A couple simply had to pledge yourself to your chosen partner and in the presence of another.
• And lo and behold, miraculously, two farmers just happened to pass by providing the right number of witnesses at the right time and the right place.
• Conveniently, Grant already has a son, so he doesn’t have to think too much about having another man’s child as a potential heir. And if there was any danger of it, the child conveniently turned out to be a girl.
• Conveniently, the wedding took place very-very shortly before the child was born – no baby out of wedlock to deal with.
Moving along. I though the author did a good job in showing how both Kate and Grant made attempt for their marriage to work despite secrets they kept from each other. Their relationship was one of mutual respect and their romance was progressing nicely. There was a moment where I thought the author decided to go with a big misunderstanding trope. Luckily, I was wrong – the protagonists behaved like adults and talked it through and prevented it to linger.
All was good, but shortly after, the story became boring. Everything and everyone was so perfect and perfectly boring at the same time. I was hoping if we didn’t really have internal to their relationship conflict to at least have a good external one. But, no, the way the secrets revealed was conveniently easy or nothing short of miracle.
Even though the story was not as enjoyable as I thought it would be, reading it with my friend Luli was very entertaining. Thank you, Luli for a great B-r! :)
January 14, 2016
Very good book. Grant was introduced in His Housekeeper's Christmas Wish, as one of four friends known as the Lords of Disgrace. He's a widower who is headed home from Belgium to spend Christmas with his son and grandfather. At the beginning of this book, he's been delayed on his journey by an injury, has received word that his grandfather is ill, and is desperate to get home before he passes. He doesn't expect to come across a woman in labor, with no one to help her except him.
Kate fell for a rake who refused to marry her when she got pregnant. Her brother decided to use her pregnancy to blackmail the man in question, and threatened to take Kate's baby if she didn't cooperate. When she manages to escape from her brother, her troubles continue when she is robbed and ends up alone and in labor. Help comes in the form of a man who claims to be a doctor.
Grant has been plagued by the memory of his grandfather's wish for him to marry again. He feels guilty because he's been putting it off, not really wanting to go through all that again. Kate's predicament as an unmarried gentlewoman gives him the idea of marrying her. It will fulfill his grandfather's wishes, give his son a mother, and himself the wife he knows he needs. When he makes his proposal to Kate, she is surprised, but the practical side of her knows that marrying him would be a good thing. He's willing to accept her daughter, she would have a safe place to live, and wouldn't have to face her brother or ex-lover again. So she accepts thinking that Grant is a country doctor. As they are still in Scotland at this point, a statement of their intentions in front of witnesses sees them married.
The next day, as they make their way to Grant's home, both are a bit stunned at what they have done and unsure if it was a good thing or not. Discovering that Grant is the heir to an earl that has just passed away is an even bigger shock to Kate, but what is done is done. Grant gets Kate settled in his home, but heads for London a few days later because of the things that must be done about his inheritance. He tells Kate that he'll be gone for several months, but it's her home now and to do as she wishes.
Over the next several months they correspond, but the letters are pretty superficial. Grant starts to feel guilty about abandoning Kate and finally goes home, only to discover a far different woman than the one he remembered, one that he finds extremely attractive. Kate also realizes that the rescuer she remembers pales before the handsome man she has married.
I liked both Kate and Grant. From the time they are reunited they are determined to make their marriage work. I loved the fact that they talked about their expectations calmly and honestly. Their chemistry is there from the start, and their compatibility in the bedroom is a great foundation for the rest of their relationship. Though both have been honest in their expectations for their marriage, each of them has secrets that have influenced their behavior. I also liked the way that even when angry words are exchanged, after things calm down they are able to talk about what caused their anger and deal with it.
Grant's first marriage was an arranged one and was not happy. His wife's death is something that he tries to keep buried in his past, though it still gives him nightmares. He refuses to talk about it with Kate, though she can see that it haunts him. She is determined to get him to see that only by facing those memories will they stop controlling his future. At the same time, Kate has flat out lied to Grant about her own past and her baby's father. She feels that, as long as they stay away from London, she will be safe from any repercussions. Of course, Grant is an earl and they have to spend time in London because of it.
Over the months they spend together at home, they slowly get to know each other. I loved seeing their relationship grow, as Kate gets more confident in her role as countess, and Grant realizes that she is nothing like his first wife. I really enjoyed the visit from Grant's three friends, including Alex and his wife from the first book. It was great to see how well Kate fit in with them, and I loved how much alike she and Tess were. I also loved the way that Tess and Alex could both see the love that Grant and Kate had for each other, even if they refused to admit it.
When Grant and Kate go to London, she is very nervous about what could happen. She knows she has to confess the truth to him, but she worries about what it will do to their relationship. Instead of just trusting him and telling him straight out, she takes some rather risky actions that could put her in danger. Meanwhile, Grant has realized that something is really bothering her, and because of his past with his first wife has some trust issues going on. His actions end up on a collision course with hers, and there was a real worry about what it was going to do to their marriage. But once again, the maturity of the characters shines through, and they work things out in a most satisfactory manner. There are actually some rather amusing results from the whole thing that made the ending even more enjoyable. The book ends one year from the beginning with a very romantic Christmas gift from Grant to Kate.
Kate fell for a rake who refused to marry her when she got pregnant. Her brother decided to use her pregnancy to blackmail the man in question, and threatened to take Kate's baby if she didn't cooperate. When she manages to escape from her brother, her troubles continue when she is robbed and ends up alone and in labor. Help comes in the form of a man who claims to be a doctor.
Grant has been plagued by the memory of his grandfather's wish for him to marry again. He feels guilty because he's been putting it off, not really wanting to go through all that again. Kate's predicament as an unmarried gentlewoman gives him the idea of marrying her. It will fulfill his grandfather's wishes, give his son a mother, and himself the wife he knows he needs. When he makes his proposal to Kate, she is surprised, but the practical side of her knows that marrying him would be a good thing. He's willing to accept her daughter, she would have a safe place to live, and wouldn't have to face her brother or ex-lover again. So she accepts thinking that Grant is a country doctor. As they are still in Scotland at this point, a statement of their intentions in front of witnesses sees them married.
The next day, as they make their way to Grant's home, both are a bit stunned at what they have done and unsure if it was a good thing or not. Discovering that Grant is the heir to an earl that has just passed away is an even bigger shock to Kate, but what is done is done. Grant gets Kate settled in his home, but heads for London a few days later because of the things that must be done about his inheritance. He tells Kate that he'll be gone for several months, but it's her home now and to do as she wishes.
Over the next several months they correspond, but the letters are pretty superficial. Grant starts to feel guilty about abandoning Kate and finally goes home, only to discover a far different woman than the one he remembered, one that he finds extremely attractive. Kate also realizes that the rescuer she remembers pales before the handsome man she has married.
I liked both Kate and Grant. From the time they are reunited they are determined to make their marriage work. I loved the fact that they talked about their expectations calmly and honestly. Their chemistry is there from the start, and their compatibility in the bedroom is a great foundation for the rest of their relationship. Though both have been honest in their expectations for their marriage, each of them has secrets that have influenced their behavior. I also liked the way that even when angry words are exchanged, after things calm down they are able to talk about what caused their anger and deal with it.
Grant's first marriage was an arranged one and was not happy. His wife's death is something that he tries to keep buried in his past, though it still gives him nightmares. He refuses to talk about it with Kate, though she can see that it haunts him. She is determined to get him to see that only by facing those memories will they stop controlling his future. At the same time, Kate has flat out lied to Grant about her own past and her baby's father. She feels that, as long as they stay away from London, she will be safe from any repercussions. Of course, Grant is an earl and they have to spend time in London because of it.
Over the months they spend together at home, they slowly get to know each other. I loved seeing their relationship grow, as Kate gets more confident in her role as countess, and Grant realizes that she is nothing like his first wife. I really enjoyed the visit from Grant's three friends, including Alex and his wife from the first book. It was great to see how well Kate fit in with them, and I loved how much alike she and Tess were. I also loved the way that Tess and Alex could both see the love that Grant and Kate had for each other, even if they refused to admit it.
When Grant and Kate go to London, she is very nervous about what could happen. She knows she has to confess the truth to him, but she worries about what it will do to their relationship. Instead of just trusting him and telling him straight out, she takes some rather risky actions that could put her in danger. Meanwhile, Grant has realized that something is really bothering her, and because of his past with his first wife has some trust issues going on. His actions end up on a collision course with hers, and there was a real worry about what it was going to do to their marriage. But once again, the maturity of the characters shines through, and they work things out in a most satisfactory manner. There are actually some rather amusing results from the whole thing that made the ending even more enjoyable. The book ends one year from the beginning with a very romantic Christmas gift from Grant to Kate.
January 20, 2021
I’ll admit that I was a little stumped on what to pull out for a comfort read this month. By definition(at least for me), the comfort reads in my bookcase tend to be books I’ve read and reread several times over. However, when I posted my TBR Challenge pick for last month, a mutual romance reader on Twitter piped up to recommend The Christmas Countess as a great comfort read. And, as it turns out, she was entirely right.
The main action of the book starts on Christmas Day, as Grant Rivers, Earl of Allundale, takes shelter from the weather only to discover that someone else has had the same idea. Kate Harding has not only gone into the shepherd’s hut to get out of the cold, though. She is in labor. While he had to give up his medical training to take over his aristocratic duties, Grant still remembers enough to help Kate through the delivery of her daughter. In order to protect her from the life of an unwed mother, he offers to marry her right on the spot.
If you like romances featuring couples that are already married, this one will be perfect for you. Grant and Kate marry at the beginning of the story, Grant takes her home and then he disappears to London until the following spring. Despite the title, the bulk of the book is set after Grant’s return.
Both characters in this book have dealt with their share of trauma. Kate’s greedy brother essentially got her into her predicament by purposely setting her up with a rake for reasons of his own. Kate’s marriage provides her a measure of security, but she still fears her brother’s schemes as well as what might happen should Grant learn the truth of her background. And as we see Kate come to care more and more for her husband, the author does a wonderful job of showing how this increases her anxieties and builds tension between the couple.
This is a partial review. You can find the complete review at All About Romance: https://allaboutromance.com/january-t...
The main action of the book starts on Christmas Day, as Grant Rivers, Earl of Allundale, takes shelter from the weather only to discover that someone else has had the same idea. Kate Harding has not only gone into the shepherd’s hut to get out of the cold, though. She is in labor. While he had to give up his medical training to take over his aristocratic duties, Grant still remembers enough to help Kate through the delivery of her daughter. In order to protect her from the life of an unwed mother, he offers to marry her right on the spot.
If you like romances featuring couples that are already married, this one will be perfect for you. Grant and Kate marry at the beginning of the story, Grant takes her home and then he disappears to London until the following spring. Despite the title, the bulk of the book is set after Grant’s return.
Both characters in this book have dealt with their share of trauma. Kate’s greedy brother essentially got her into her predicament by purposely setting her up with a rake for reasons of his own. Kate’s marriage provides her a measure of security, but she still fears her brother’s schemes as well as what might happen should Grant learn the truth of her background. And as we see Kate come to care more and more for her husband, the author does a wonderful job of showing how this increases her anxieties and builds tension between the couple.
This is a partial review. You can find the complete review at All About Romance: https://allaboutromance.com/january-t...
December 25, 2025
4 stars
I haven’t read many category historical romances, but this was great! A classic marriage of convenience between a woman who is on the run but has to stop to give birth in a shack, and the not-doctor who comes across her during a storm. The set up makes the story sound unhinged, but it was actually very… gently romantic?
I really liked both characters. They were both practical and believably good people, but obviously still had missteps for the plot. I also enjoyed how their backstories were revealed, it didn’t feel too drawn out, so that’s a testament to the writing I guess!
I haven’t read anything else by this author, but I will be checking her backlist.
(Catching up on reviews of December reads, so thoughts will be scattered.)
I haven’t read many category historical romances, but this was great! A classic marriage of convenience between a woman who is on the run but has to stop to give birth in a shack, and the not-doctor who comes across her during a storm. The set up makes the story sound unhinged, but it was actually very… gently romantic?
I really liked both characters. They were both practical and believably good people, but obviously still had missteps for the plot. I also enjoyed how their backstories were revealed, it didn’t feel too drawn out, so that’s a testament to the writing I guess!
I haven’t read anything else by this author, but I will be checking her backlist.
(Catching up on reviews of December reads, so thoughts will be scattered.)
July 24, 2024
La serie è dedicata a quattro nobili, amici sin dai tempi dell'Università, che hanno come simbolo personale uno dei quattro elementi.
Il secondo volume ci presenta Grant Rivers, associato all'acqua (sempre per il nome), vedovo e malinconico, con un peso che si trascina dietro dal passato e con l'unico amore del figlioletto Charlie per il futuro.
Ma mentre cerca di rientrare a casa per Natale, pure ferito, s'imbatte in uno degli incontri che ti cambiano la vita per sempre: trova una giovane in pieno travaglio e la fa partorire, grazie agli studi interrotti di medicina. E poi fa ciò che l'onore gli impone, sposandola con la cerimonia scozzese dei due testimoni.
Solo che quando gli sposini e la neonata giungono a casa, scoprono di essere divenuti nel frattempo conti, con una serie infinita di responsabilità sociali e familiari, e non si conoscono neppure tra loro.
Romanzo coinvolgente, ricco di sentimenti con personaggi pragmatici... e si festeggia Natale!
Il secondo volume ci presenta Grant Rivers, associato all'acqua (sempre per il nome), vedovo e malinconico, con un peso che si trascina dietro dal passato e con l'unico amore del figlioletto Charlie per il futuro.
Ma mentre cerca di rientrare a casa per Natale, pure ferito, s'imbatte in uno degli incontri che ti cambiano la vita per sempre: trova una giovane in pieno travaglio e la fa partorire, grazie agli studi interrotti di medicina. E poi fa ciò che l'onore gli impone, sposandola con la cerimonia scozzese dei due testimoni.
Solo che quando gli sposini e la neonata giungono a casa, scoprono di essere divenuti nel frattempo conti, con una serie infinita di responsabilità sociali e familiari, e non si conoscono neppure tra loro.
Romanzo coinvolgente, ricco di sentimenti con personaggi pragmatici... e si festeggia Natale!
December 6, 2016
*B-r with Lyuda*
You can find this review in English below.
Iré al grano, lo mejor de esta historia ha sido la compañía. De nuevo Lyuda muchas gracias por la b-r, me lo he pasado pipa! ;)
Esta es de las pocas historias que me han dejado igual. Ni frio ni calor, ni le he odiado ni me ha gustado. Ha sido demasiado simplona, con unos personajes demasiado perfectos y con una trama demasiado conveniente. Aunque me temo que si no la hubiese leído con mi amiga Lyuda, igual ni la hubiese terminado.
Hasta tal extremo ha sido sosa que hoy, 3 días después de leerla no consigo poner en pie la mayoría de los detalles. No es una historia que vaya a recomendar, pero si aún no estás convencid@, puedes leer la reseña de Lyuda . Es maravillosa y no podría añadir más.
:)
***
I will get to the point, the best of this story has been the company. Again, Lyuda, thank you very much for the b-r, I have had a blast! ;)
This story has been one of these that have left me blah. Neither good nor bad, I neither hated it nor liked it. It has been too simplistic, with characters too perfect and with a plot too convenient. Although I fear that if I had not b-r it with my friend Lyuda, I would not have finished it.
So far it has been so bland that today, 3 days after reading it, I can´t recall most of the details. It is not a story I´m going to recommend, but if you are still unconvinced, you can read Lyuda´s review. It is wonderful and I could not add anything more.
:)
You can find this review in English below.
Iré al grano, lo mejor de esta historia ha sido la compañía. De nuevo Lyuda muchas gracias por la b-r, me lo he pasado pipa! ;)
Esta es de las pocas historias que me han dejado igual. Ni frio ni calor, ni le he odiado ni me ha gustado. Ha sido demasiado simplona, con unos personajes demasiado perfectos y con una trama demasiado conveniente. Aunque me temo que si no la hubiese leído con mi amiga Lyuda, igual ni la hubiese terminado.
Hasta tal extremo ha sido sosa que hoy, 3 días después de leerla no consigo poner en pie la mayoría de los detalles. No es una historia que vaya a recomendar, pero si aún no estás convencid@, puedes leer la reseña de Lyuda . Es maravillosa y no podría añadir más.
:)
***
I will get to the point, the best of this story has been the company. Again, Lyuda, thank you very much for the b-r, I have had a blast! ;)
This story has been one of these that have left me blah. Neither good nor bad, I neither hated it nor liked it. It has been too simplistic, with characters too perfect and with a plot too convenient. Although I fear that if I had not b-r it with my friend Lyuda, I would not have finished it.
So far it has been so bland that today, 3 days after reading it, I can´t recall most of the details. It is not a story I´m going to recommend, but if you are still unconvinced, you can read Lyuda´s review. It is wonderful and I could not add anything more.
:)
June 1, 2016
A book that causes warm cozy emotions.
I think the author, Louise Allen has hit a home run with this novel. IMO, readers can expect a good romance from Harlequin books and this approximately 300 page love story does not fail.
It's a good story of a compromised lady rescued by Grant Rivers, one of the characters from, THE LORDS OF DISGRACE series. The story starts with a good attention grabber and continues with a thrilling marriage of convenience trope.
Although it contained a Christmas theme, the timeline consisted over a one year peroid. I thought, the expanded timeline helped with the characters' development compared to Christmas novellas that lack in development and details. I enjoyed that Catherine is not a wimpy heroine and Grant is not a Scrooge. I felt the author's talent shined when she displayed the introspections and behaviors of the major, male characters. The other minor characters felt more one dimensional. Also, the proses were nicely written and the dialogue exhibited their emotions.
This couple was very attracted to another and experienced a healthy marriage within the bedroom, (lots of scenes.) As with any marriage between strangers there are issues that must be dealt with and resolved. In addition, stories with children are fun to read.
A streamy Christmas story with mild villains and a HEA.
I think the author, Louise Allen has hit a home run with this novel. IMO, readers can expect a good romance from Harlequin books and this approximately 300 page love story does not fail.
It's a good story of a compromised lady rescued by Grant Rivers, one of the characters from, THE LORDS OF DISGRACE series. The story starts with a good attention grabber and continues with a thrilling marriage of convenience trope.
Although it contained a Christmas theme, the timeline consisted over a one year peroid. I thought, the expanded timeline helped with the characters' development compared to Christmas novellas that lack in development and details. I enjoyed that Catherine is not a wimpy heroine and Grant is not a Scrooge. I felt the author's talent shined when she displayed the introspections and behaviors of the major, male characters. The other minor characters felt more one dimensional. Also, the proses were nicely written and the dialogue exhibited their emotions.
This couple was very attracted to another and experienced a healthy marriage within the bedroom, (lots of scenes.) As with any marriage between strangers there are issues that must be dealt with and resolved. In addition, stories with children are fun to read.
A streamy Christmas story with mild villains and a HEA.
December 4, 2016
When Caz first recommended "His Christmas Countess" I was a little hesitant because of the premise. Well. Wow. I loved this book! The writing was flawless and I tell you this reader so appreciates reading an historical written properly! I loved how reasonable everyone is in this book. It's all about two strangers working out a relationship that started very abruptly. Well done, Ms. Allen!
February 9, 2020
Love this one and this series. I've read 2 or 3 times, so bumping up to 5 stars. If you like marriage of convenience stories, this is a good one to try.
not-finished
December 19, 2023DNF at 47%
I will probably pick this up again. It was pretty interesting but I found myself getting bored. The hero started off likeable but then became less like able as the story went on.
Probably will pick back up later.
I will probably pick this up again. It was pretty interesting but I found myself getting bored. The hero started off likeable but then became less like able as the story went on.
Probably will pick back up later.
February 18, 2017
I really like this installment of the series. I wish that she had trusted him sooner, but watching them fall in love was sweet and beautiful. She gave him the courage to face his demons, and when her secrets came out he It made me so happy.
Also, his completely ridiculous reaction to being happy and realizing he was in love was so amusing. I love clueless heroes who don't realize they've fallen in love until it hits them in the head like a brick.
Also, his completely ridiculous reaction to being happy and realizing he was in love was so amusing. I love clueless heroes who don't realize they've fallen in love until it hits them in the head like a brick.
May 15, 2023
“Anziché dipingere o suonare, sarebbe stato meglio che le fanciulle imparassero a conoscere la vita, pensò, così avrebbero saputo che un incontro al chiaro di luna poteva avere conseguenze tragiche e che non dovevano fidarsi nemmeno dei parenti più stretti��
Kate è in preda alle doglie, la vigilia di Natale, rintanata sotto ad un tavolo.
Sta fuggendo dal fratello, da un ignobile ricatto; sta combattendo per la creatura che vuole nascere e per la libertà di entrambe.
Ma è sola e terrorizzata, e tra una contrazione e l’atra prega per un miracolo, che si materializza sotto forma di un uomo con una benda in viso che lo fa assomigliare ad un pirata.
Un uomo che, in seguito a una serie di incidenti – suoi e del suo cavallo- si è fermato nello stesso cottage dove Kate sta per partorire; all’inizio è sgomento, poi prende in mano la situazione e aiuta quella donna.
La aiuta e intanto pensa che lei potrebbe aiutare lui a sua volta: ha bisogno di una moglie e di una madre per suo figlio, deve mantenere la promessa fatta al nonno morente e quella giovane sembra la risposta a tutti i problemi.
“ legarsi per la vita a una completa estranea era un atto di carità alquanto rischioso. O forse era soltanto un gesto egoista, compiuto per mettere a tacere la coscienza, nel tantativo di assecondare suo nonno e mantenere la promessa? (…) solo il tempo gli avrebbe confermato se la sua era stata una decisione saggia o una scommessa folle” .
Quello che non sa, è che anche lei oltre al bisogno immediato ed evidente, cerca aiuto e sposarsi è la soluzione a gran parte dei suoi problemi.
Sono in Scozia e per la legge locale basta dichiararsi sposati alla presenza di due testimoni e il caso vuole che, di lì a poco, passino da quelle parti un fattore e suo figlio. Il gioco è fatto.
La mattina di Natale Kate è sposata all’uomo che le ha detto di chiamarsi Grant e che la porterà alla sua tenuta, dove si prenderà cura di lei e della bambina che hanno chiamato Anna Rosalind.
Kate scopre che l’uomo che l’ha salvata (in tutti i sensi) è il Conte di Allundale, un uomo importante e stimato a Londra, città dalla quale è scappata e dove non ha certo fretta di tornare : lì il suo passato, i suoi segreti verrebbero a galla. E non serve che il marito sappia…ma per quanto riuscirà a tenere le cose nascoste?
Intanto, nella sicurezza e nel riparo della campagna inglese, ha il tempo per riprendersi dalle fatiche del parto e conoscere meglio l’uomo che ha spostato, il suo figliastro Charlie, la servitù e la casa.
Scopre che Lord Allundale è un uomo saggio, intelligente, e anche molto affascinante. Ha delle regole su cui non transige e un passato di cui non parla per il male che fa, e che gli causa orribili incubi che però, da quando c’è lei, sembrano dargli tregua.
Lui e Kate sono poi così diversi e, quando dopo qualche mese di assenza di Grant dalla tenuta di campagna, i due si rivedono, tra loro scatta qualcosa che se all’inizio è solo attrazione, col tempo diventa altro. Qualcosa che nessuno dei due vuole definire.
Perché la loro felicità è fragile e la loro storia si regge sulle verità nascoste, sulle bugie di Kate che non ha mai rivelato l’identità del padre biologico di Anna, limitandosi a dire che è morto. Ma è davvero così?
Quando Londra chiamerà la famiglia Allundale a presenziare agli eventi mondani, il castello di carte crollerà?
Scopritelo leggendo la storia della Contessa di Natale!
Oh! Ogni tanto un Harmony storico e un po’ pepato è quello che ci vuole! Mi mancavano le storie a lieto, lietissimo fine, scorrevolissime e piene di muscoli sodi, occhi penetranti, odore di maschio e fascino.
Grant è molto sexy, anche se all’inizio quando ho letto di quel viso “tipicamente inglese” per un attimo è balenata alla mente l’immagine di Re Carlo (dato poi che è fresco di incoronazione e lo si vede più spesso del solito) e mi è sceso l’ormone sotto i piedi.
Poi ho detto al mio cervello: sentiammè, sono io che leggo e interpreto e dunque chi è il nostro inglese che ci fa ballare le ovaie al ritmo di samba e chachacha?? Taaac è arrivata l’immagine di Colin Firth e allora sì, sì che mi sono rimessa in carreggiata e sono entrata in pieno nel clima di inizio Ottocento (1819 per essere precisi), tra crinoline, guantini e Lord a cui sfilare gli stivali fissandoli negli occhi, mordendosi castamente il labbro e domandando: “Vi piace molto cavalcare?”
Ora torno in me. Questo nel romanzo non c’è, mea culpa! Anzi colpa di Colin e dell’effetto che mi fa. Ecco.
Tornando alla Contessa di Natale: sono felice di aver trovato una donna che cresce, fisicamente e emotivamente, e mi è piaciuto che abbia avuto carattere! (ampiamente dimostrato dall’inizio, fuggendo in barba alle conseguenze e non cedendo ai ricatti), è bello leggere di una donna che si mette in gioco e non si perde d’animo.
Mi sono piaciuti i richiami a Barbablù e a Jane Eyre ( come non pensare a Lady Rochester?) e mi sono proprio divertita nel leggere le descrizioni degli abiti e del negligè e della scena in cui Grant conta i lacci e li sfila uno a uno! Mi ha dato qualche idea!
Un plus sono i dialoghi tra Kate e Tess, esempio di solidarietà femminile e complicità.
Che dire? Ci ho passato un bel pomeriggio, mentre fuori pioveva, con la copertina sul divano: senza pesantezza, senza grandi colpi di scena e con la certezza del lieto fine. A volte serve proprio questo, a me di sicuro.
Quindi il mio voto è 3 stelle e mezzo.
Buone letture e alla prossima!
Kate è in preda alle doglie, la vigilia di Natale, rintanata sotto ad un tavolo.
Sta fuggendo dal fratello, da un ignobile ricatto; sta combattendo per la creatura che vuole nascere e per la libertà di entrambe.
Ma è sola e terrorizzata, e tra una contrazione e l’atra prega per un miracolo, che si materializza sotto forma di un uomo con una benda in viso che lo fa assomigliare ad un pirata.
Un uomo che, in seguito a una serie di incidenti – suoi e del suo cavallo- si è fermato nello stesso cottage dove Kate sta per partorire; all’inizio è sgomento, poi prende in mano la situazione e aiuta quella donna.
La aiuta e intanto pensa che lei potrebbe aiutare lui a sua volta: ha bisogno di una moglie e di una madre per suo figlio, deve mantenere la promessa fatta al nonno morente e quella giovane sembra la risposta a tutti i problemi.
“ legarsi per la vita a una completa estranea era un atto di carità alquanto rischioso. O forse era soltanto un gesto egoista, compiuto per mettere a tacere la coscienza, nel tantativo di assecondare suo nonno e mantenere la promessa? (…) solo il tempo gli avrebbe confermato se la sua era stata una decisione saggia o una scommessa folle” .
Quello che non sa, è che anche lei oltre al bisogno immediato ed evidente, cerca aiuto e sposarsi è la soluzione a gran parte dei suoi problemi.
Sono in Scozia e per la legge locale basta dichiararsi sposati alla presenza di due testimoni e il caso vuole che, di lì a poco, passino da quelle parti un fattore e suo figlio. Il gioco è fatto.
La mattina di Natale Kate è sposata all’uomo che le ha detto di chiamarsi Grant e che la porterà alla sua tenuta, dove si prenderà cura di lei e della bambina che hanno chiamato Anna Rosalind.
Kate scopre che l’uomo che l’ha salvata (in tutti i sensi) è il Conte di Allundale, un uomo importante e stimato a Londra, città dalla quale è scappata e dove non ha certo fretta di tornare : lì il suo passato, i suoi segreti verrebbero a galla. E non serve che il marito sappia…ma per quanto riuscirà a tenere le cose nascoste?
Intanto, nella sicurezza e nel riparo della campagna inglese, ha il tempo per riprendersi dalle fatiche del parto e conoscere meglio l’uomo che ha spostato, il suo figliastro Charlie, la servitù e la casa.
Scopre che Lord Allundale è un uomo saggio, intelligente, e anche molto affascinante. Ha delle regole su cui non transige e un passato di cui non parla per il male che fa, e che gli causa orribili incubi che però, da quando c’è lei, sembrano dargli tregua.
Lui e Kate sono poi così diversi e, quando dopo qualche mese di assenza di Grant dalla tenuta di campagna, i due si rivedono, tra loro scatta qualcosa che se all’inizio è solo attrazione, col tempo diventa altro. Qualcosa che nessuno dei due vuole definire.
Perché la loro felicità è fragile e la loro storia si regge sulle verità nascoste, sulle bugie di Kate che non ha mai rivelato l’identità del padre biologico di Anna, limitandosi a dire che è morto. Ma è davvero così?
Quando Londra chiamerà la famiglia Allundale a presenziare agli eventi mondani, il castello di carte crollerà?
Scopritelo leggendo la storia della Contessa di Natale!
Oh! Ogni tanto un Harmony storico e un po’ pepato è quello che ci vuole! Mi mancavano le storie a lieto, lietissimo fine, scorrevolissime e piene di muscoli sodi, occhi penetranti, odore di maschio e fascino.
Grant è molto sexy, anche se all’inizio quando ho letto di quel viso “tipicamente inglese” per un attimo è balenata alla mente l’immagine di Re Carlo (dato poi che è fresco di incoronazione e lo si vede più spesso del solito) e mi è sceso l’ormone sotto i piedi.
Poi ho detto al mio cervello: sentiammè, sono io che leggo e interpreto e dunque chi è il nostro inglese che ci fa ballare le ovaie al ritmo di samba e chachacha?? Taaac è arrivata l’immagine di Colin Firth e allora sì, sì che mi sono rimessa in carreggiata e sono entrata in pieno nel clima di inizio Ottocento (1819 per essere precisi), tra crinoline, guantini e Lord a cui sfilare gli stivali fissandoli negli occhi, mordendosi castamente il labbro e domandando: “Vi piace molto cavalcare?”
Ora torno in me. Questo nel romanzo non c’è, mea culpa! Anzi colpa di Colin e dell’effetto che mi fa. Ecco.
Tornando alla Contessa di Natale: sono felice di aver trovato una donna che cresce, fisicamente e emotivamente, e mi è piaciuto che abbia avuto carattere! (ampiamente dimostrato dall’inizio, fuggendo in barba alle conseguenze e non cedendo ai ricatti), è bello leggere di una donna che si mette in gioco e non si perde d’animo.
Mi sono piaciuti i richiami a Barbablù e a Jane Eyre ( come non pensare a Lady Rochester?) e mi sono proprio divertita nel leggere le descrizioni degli abiti e del negligè e della scena in cui Grant conta i lacci e li sfila uno a uno! Mi ha dato qualche idea!
Un plus sono i dialoghi tra Kate e Tess, esempio di solidarietà femminile e complicità.
Che dire? Ci ho passato un bel pomeriggio, mentre fuori pioveva, con la copertina sul divano: senza pesantezza, senza grandi colpi di scena e con la certezza del lieto fine. A volte serve proprio questo, a me di sicuro.
Quindi il mio voto è 3 stelle e mezzo.
Buone letture e alla prossima!
December 1, 2023
This is such a great book and perfect Christmas reading.
A lone, pregnant woman and a young man on his way home home to see his dying grandfather. They’re about to save each other and on Christmas Day too.
A lone, pregnant woman and a young man on his way home home to see his dying grandfather. They’re about to save each other and on Christmas Day too.
December 28, 2021
DNF, I got about 40% into the book. First of all this not especially a Christmas story, despite the title and the cover. Secondly I just wasn't buying the chemistry between this couple. I kind of liked the beginning, the hero rescuing the heroine, helping to deliver the baby, the impulsive decision to marry her, etc. Then once she was safe in his home I thought oh here comes the good part, they'll get to know one another and slowly fall in love, but that is not what happened, instead he took off for five months, only sending perfunctory letters home on occasion. Then he comes back and all of a sudden there is this attraction between them, and I'm just like based on what? I just found myself losing interest and not really caring if they slept together or not. It is a shame, because I liked the premise, and I have read this author before and liked some of her other stories, but this one just didn't do it for me.
December 7, 2025
DNF p. 160.
I'm about midway through and I must confess that I'm just a bit bored with it all. We spend a lot of time inside the main character's heads as they worry, ruminate, dither, and generally mull endlessly over the minutia of their feelings. I've also never been a fan of *the big secret* being the main conflict of the story. We all know it's going to come out badly and I can't enjoy the book knowing this sword of Damocles is about to drop, probably at the 80% mark. Kate is a bit boring and in spite of being a new mother never once has a thought about her newborn infant daughter. She spends her every moment thinking about literally everything else from menus to her husband's potential mistresses but never a single moment is given over to her daughter. The hero was kind of pathetic, cowardly and largely absent having scurried off within days of getting married to hide for 6 months in London. What a wuss.
I'm about midway through and I must confess that I'm just a bit bored with it all. We spend a lot of time inside the main character's heads as they worry, ruminate, dither, and generally mull endlessly over the minutia of their feelings. I've also never been a fan of *the big secret* being the main conflict of the story. We all know it's going to come out badly and I can't enjoy the book knowing this sword of Damocles is about to drop, probably at the 80% mark. Kate is a bit boring and in spite of being a new mother never once has a thought about her newborn infant daughter. She spends her every moment thinking about literally everything else from menus to her husband's potential mistresses but never a single moment is given over to her daughter. The hero was kind of pathetic, cowardly and largely absent having scurried off within days of getting married to hide for 6 months in London. What a wuss.
June 13, 2024
In Inghilterra nel 1819, Grant Rivers, Conte di Allundale, sta cercandoi di tornare a casa in tempo per le feste, però, si imbatte in una donna, nascosta in una baracca diroccata che sta per avere un bambino. La situazione non è semplice e lui si sente in dovere di fermarsi ad aiutarla. Grant conosce fin troppo bene i rischi legati al parto e ha vissuto sufficienti dolori nella sua famiglia. Per questo una volta che ha salvato la vita alla bella Kate Harding è determinato a salvarle anche la reputazione. Illusa e abbandonata da un uomo privo di scrupoli, lei ha paura ad accettare l'offerta che Grant le fa: sposarlo entro il giorno di Natale. Kate accetta, ma nessuno dei due racconta la verità all'altro sulla loro vera identità ed un giorno entrambi dovranno affrontare il loro doloroso passato. Questo li dividerà o li unirà?
April 28, 2024
The thing I appreciated most was that Kate while not beyond accepting help, also tried to solve problems by herself. To me this made her character 'real' and very likeable. I also appreciated how she had a grip on her position – e.g. she knew exactly that she would have to command the respect of their servants or her position in the household would always be unbearable.
I did appreciate the slow-burn and the fact that Grant and Kate were able to laugh together.
My main relief was towards the end when Grant trusted Kate enough to let things play out. He understood that what she said to her brother while he was eavesdropping, may not have been the whole truth. So he didn't jump to conclusions, however damning it sounded. I highly appreciate that the author didn't fall for writing this sort of misunderstanding.
Allen may not have thought about this but my first, second and final thought regarding Madeleine was that she was probably gay imo. That being said, this trope that Grant is a tortured soul until Kate shows up due to him feeling culpable when it comes to his first wife's death... this trope to establish him as brooding etc. because of his first wife's shortcomings needs to be kicked hard. At least Allen didn't feel the need to completely villify Madeleine. I appreciate it since that is such a pet-peeve of mine.
I did appreciate the slow-burn and the fact that Grant and Kate were able to laugh together.
My main relief was towards the end when Grant trusted Kate enough to let things play out. He understood that what she said to her brother while he was eavesdropping, may not have been the whole truth. So he didn't jump to conclusions, however damning it sounded. I highly appreciate that the author didn't fall for writing this sort of misunderstanding.
Allen may not have thought about this but my first, second and final thought regarding Madeleine was that she was probably gay imo. That being said, this trope that Grant is a tortured soul until Kate shows up due to him feeling culpable when it comes to his first wife's death... this trope to establish him as brooding etc. because of his first wife's shortcomings needs to be kicked hard. At least Allen didn't feel the need to completely villify Madeleine. I appreciate it since that is such a pet-peeve of mine.
July 31, 2018
I am LOVING this series. I'm not usually big on historical stories, mainly because I don't always understand the lingo, but I'm pleasantly surprised and delighted by this one. Kate and Grant are fantastic characters facing real problems. Problems of self-doubt, betrayal, broken trusts and deep seated heartaches. Their story is one of a kind of second chance love, second chance at happiness. I believe this is now one of my favorite stories and I can not wait to read the next book in the series. Well done to the author.
August 26, 2017
I really enjoyed this one, despite my general indifference to Christmas romances and the fact that I find Allen's work sometimes uneven. The hero and heroine both make conscious efforts to be adults and form a healthy partnership.
December 20, 2019
Another Christmas themed sappy story. Perfect.
Actually these are pretty well written.
Since it's a 4-parter (each book another one of the friends gets his story told), I seriously need to think about whether I want to read the other too.
Actually these are pretty well written.
Since it's a 4-parter (each book another one of the friends gets his story told), I seriously need to think about whether I want to read the other too.
December 30, 2017
Loved this series - historical romance at its best!
February 23, 2019
I enjoyed reading about this couple's journey towards a love match, Charlie n Anna are great additions too
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 30, 2020
Excellent historical details and writing. An engaging, dramatic, slow burn, traditional recency romance. Starts at one Christmas and ends at the next. I enjoyed it!
May 13, 2022
Well, surprise! I thought this book would be light, but it has the conflict. And important. Though the ending feels a bit rush. I quite like it.
January 28, 2023
4.5 stars
Read
December 10, 2025had to dnf
the lies were too much
the lies were too much
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