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A Match Made in Mistletoe
A mistletoe wish …
All her life, Serena Talbot has been in love with the handsome boy next door, Sir Paul Garside. She always eagerly looks forward to Paul’s visit to her family over the Festive Season, even if he usually brings along his dark, sardonic friend Lord Hallam. This year, Serena is determined that Paul’s kiss under the mistletoe will lead to a proposal. Even if she has to enlist every ounce of Christmas magic she can get her hands on to make that happen.
But the mistletoe gets it wrong!
When Serena slips a sprig of mistletoe from the village kissing bough under her pillow, it’s not Paul who turns up in her dreams as the man she’s going to marry, but brooding, intense, annoying Giles Farraday, Marquess of Hallam. Still more annoying, once everyone arrives for the annual Christmas house party, she can’t stop watching Giles, and thinking about Giles. And kissing Giles, whether there’s mistletoe about or not. Now Paul wants to marry her, and Giles wants to seduce her–and Serena has a bone to pick with the old wives who came up with all this superstitious nonsense in the first place.
A Christmas of confusion lies ahead! Will mistletoe magic lead the way to a happy ending?
All her life, Serena Talbot has been in love with the handsome boy next door, Sir Paul Garside. She always eagerly looks forward to Paul’s visit to her family over the Festive Season, even if he usually brings along his dark, sardonic friend Lord Hallam. This year, Serena is determined that Paul’s kiss under the mistletoe will lead to a proposal. Even if she has to enlist every ounce of Christmas magic she can get her hands on to make that happen.
But the mistletoe gets it wrong!
When Serena slips a sprig of mistletoe from the village kissing bough under her pillow, it’s not Paul who turns up in her dreams as the man she’s going to marry, but brooding, intense, annoying Giles Farraday, Marquess of Hallam. Still more annoying, once everyone arrives for the annual Christmas house party, she can’t stop watching Giles, and thinking about Giles. And kissing Giles, whether there’s mistletoe about or not. Now Paul wants to marry her, and Giles wants to seduce her–and Serena has a bone to pick with the old wives who came up with all this superstitious nonsense in the first place.
A Christmas of confusion lies ahead! Will mistletoe magic lead the way to a happy ending?
153 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 14, 2016
72 people are currently reading
279 people want to read
About the author
Anna Campbell
90 books1,569 followersI've written 53 bestselling historical romances: 11 multi-award winning books for Hachette Grand Central Publishing and Avon HarperCollins, and more than 40 as an independently published author, These include my popular series The Sons of Sin (6 books), The Dashing Widows (7 books), The Lairds Most Likely (10 books), A Scandal in Mayfair (4 books), and Scoundrels of Mayfair (4 books). My new series, Cinderellas of Mayfair, launched with Sir Hugo Seeks a Wife in 2025.
When I'm not touring the world seeking inspiration for my passionate stories, I live on the beautiful east coast of Australia.
I've always been a voracious reader and I delve into many different genres, as you'll see if you check out my books list. Favorite authors include Dorothy Dunnett, Elly Griffiths, K.J. Charles, and Loretta Chase.
My website is http://www.annacampbell.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/annacampbell...
Twitter: AnnaCampbellOz
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Anna-Campbell/...
Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/anna-...
I love to hear from readers and you can contact me on AnnaCampbellOz@hotmail.com
When I'm not touring the world seeking inspiration for my passionate stories, I live on the beautiful east coast of Australia.
I've always been a voracious reader and I delve into many different genres, as you'll see if you check out my books list. Favorite authors include Dorothy Dunnett, Elly Griffiths, K.J. Charles, and Loretta Chase.
My website is http://www.annacampbell.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/annacampbell...
Twitter: AnnaCampbellOz
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Anna-Campbell/...
Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/anna-...
I love to hear from readers and you can contact me on AnnaCampbellOz@hotmail.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 77 reviews
December 8, 2016
Serena Talbot has only had eyes and heart for golden boy Paul Garside as far back as she can remember. Now that she's twenty-one, he's finally paying her the attention she's always wanted but the dark and broody Giles Farraday is distracting her from the man who's ready to marry her...in person and in her dreams.
Serena's grown up with both men as they were her brother's friends since childhood so she's knows them well, or so she thinks. The sprig of mistletoe she placed under her pillow brought the romantic dreams she was hoping for but not of the man she imagined.
I really liked this story, especially Serena. She's bright, resourceful and witty, easily someone that you can imagine both men finding appealing. She now sees the focus of her childhood affections through adult eyes and he's not so shiny. Her change in perspective made this feel like a modern story though it was very much a regency period piece in vernacular and setting. The banter between Giles and Serena was well written and pithy, the real heart of this tale of unrequited love that gets life. And, the spirit of the Christmas season was an important part of the story since everyone was under one roof for the holidays. That made for some very interesting interludes.
Short and lovely, this was a delightful story for the holiday season.
(I received an ARC from the author in exchange for an honest review)
Serena's grown up with both men as they were her brother's friends since childhood so she's knows them well, or so she thinks. The sprig of mistletoe she placed under her pillow brought the romantic dreams she was hoping for but not of the man she imagined.
I really liked this story, especially Serena. She's bright, resourceful and witty, easily someone that you can imagine both men finding appealing. She now sees the focus of her childhood affections through adult eyes and he's not so shiny. Her change in perspective made this feel like a modern story though it was very much a regency period piece in vernacular and setting. The banter between Giles and Serena was well written and pithy, the real heart of this tale of unrequited love that gets life. And, the spirit of the Christmas season was an important part of the story since everyone was under one roof for the holidays. That made for some very interesting interludes.
Short and lovely, this was a delightful story for the holiday season.
(I received an ARC from the author in exchange for an honest review)
February 9, 2017
Fans of Anna Campbell’s have been treated to a regular diet of new stories from her over the last year or so in the form of a series of novellas (
Dashing Widows
) and a couple of standalones. Her writing is extremely assured, warm and intelligent; and she has the knack of creating the most delicious romantic tension between her couples, something I always look for and appreciate. She has produced a novella for Christmas the last couple of years, and having enjoyed those, I eagerly picked up this year’s A Match Made in Mistletoe, the story of a young woman who comes to realise that the man of her dreams might not actually be the man for her.
Serena Talbot has been in love with Paul Garside for as long as she can remember, and is eagerly looking forward to the day when he will realise he feels the same way and ask her to be his wife. Like his friend Giles Farraday, the Marquess of Hallam, Paul is a regular visitor to the Talbot’s home; in fact, he and Giles spent most of their school holidays there, especially after Giles was orphaned at the age of eight. Now in their twenties, the two young men have been on the town for a number of years, and there’s no question that they are a pair of very eligible bachelors. Paul’s golden good-looks and his easy going manner make him a firm favourite with the ladies, although Serena is rather surprised to learn that it’s the darkly brooding Giles who is the most sought after. (Although to those of us who inhabit Romancelandia, this comes as no surprise!) As a child he was dark, swarthy and gangly and Serena has never quite been able to divorce the image of the boy from the man.
But that doesn’t matter. Paul – and Giles – are expected to arrive for the Christmas holiday, along with numerous family members and other friends, and Serena is convinced that this is finally going to be THE Christmas, the one where Paul declares himself and makes her dreams come true. And it certainly seems that is going to be the case. Paul makes his intentions perfectly clear – but strangely, it’s not his touch or his voice that is making her stomach flutter and her heart beat faster, but those of his saturnine friend. How can that be possible? How can Serena be in love with one man while another man’s kisses fire her blood and cause her to lose her wits?
The novella makes use of a couple of tropes I always enjoy; the besotted hero and long-time-friends-who-fall-in-love. Giles has loved Serena for years, but knowing of her preference for Paul, never thought he stood a chance with her and so cultivated an air of detachment, simply as a matter of self-preservation. While he always looks forward to Christmases with the Talbot family – which are full of love, fun and laughter – this year he anticipates heartbreak, as Paul has finally decided he’s ready to settle down and propose to Serena. My favourite part of the friends-falling-in-love trope is that moment when they start to see each other through new eyes; and Serena’s dawning realisation – that she finally sees Giles and, moreover, likes what she sees and what she has come to know of the man he is inside – is superbly realised.
The idea that Giles would offer to teach Serena about kissing so that she will know what to do with Paul is a rather flimsy plot device, but Ms. Campbell has written Giles’ longing for Serena and the heat of the sexual tension between the couple so well that it’s easy to forgive the contrivance and just enjoy those sensually romantic moments. But that’s not to say there’s nothing of substance in the story; there’s the real sense that we’re watching Serena mature before our eyes as she starts to see the difference between a girlish infatuation and real love and desire – and there’s a degree of angst in the sudden strain that their rivalry places on the relationship between Giles and Paul. I also very much appreciated that Serena has a loving and very sensible mother – something that is quite rare in romances, as parents are often estranged, eccentric or otherwise no good at being there for their offspring.
Serena and Giles are attractive, well-rounded characters and their interactions are a delight to read. While Serena may be naïve to begin with, she’s refreshingly honest with herself about her changing feelings, and Giles is a gorgeous hero; one whose life has been blighted by loss and who has learned to keep his feelings hidden – even as he longs to be known and loved.
Because the principals have known each other for years, their romance is believable and doesn’t feel rushed – plus Ms Campbell delays the seemingly obligatory sex scene until the epilogue, so it doesn’t feel unnaturally shoe-horned into the main story. I’m not a big fan of novellas as a rule, but A Match Made is Mistletoe is one I’d definitely recommend if you have an hour or so to spare during the festive season.
Serena Talbot has been in love with Paul Garside for as long as she can remember, and is eagerly looking forward to the day when he will realise he feels the same way and ask her to be his wife. Like his friend Giles Farraday, the Marquess of Hallam, Paul is a regular visitor to the Talbot’s home; in fact, he and Giles spent most of their school holidays there, especially after Giles was orphaned at the age of eight. Now in their twenties, the two young men have been on the town for a number of years, and there’s no question that they are a pair of very eligible bachelors. Paul’s golden good-looks and his easy going manner make him a firm favourite with the ladies, although Serena is rather surprised to learn that it’s the darkly brooding Giles who is the most sought after. (Although to those of us who inhabit Romancelandia, this comes as no surprise!) As a child he was dark, swarthy and gangly and Serena has never quite been able to divorce the image of the boy from the man.
But that doesn’t matter. Paul – and Giles – are expected to arrive for the Christmas holiday, along with numerous family members and other friends, and Serena is convinced that this is finally going to be THE Christmas, the one where Paul declares himself and makes her dreams come true. And it certainly seems that is going to be the case. Paul makes his intentions perfectly clear – but strangely, it’s not his touch or his voice that is making her stomach flutter and her heart beat faster, but those of his saturnine friend. How can that be possible? How can Serena be in love with one man while another man’s kisses fire her blood and cause her to lose her wits?
The novella makes use of a couple of tropes I always enjoy; the besotted hero and long-time-friends-who-fall-in-love. Giles has loved Serena for years, but knowing of her preference for Paul, never thought he stood a chance with her and so cultivated an air of detachment, simply as a matter of self-preservation. While he always looks forward to Christmases with the Talbot family – which are full of love, fun and laughter – this year he anticipates heartbreak, as Paul has finally decided he’s ready to settle down and propose to Serena. My favourite part of the friends-falling-in-love trope is that moment when they start to see each other through new eyes; and Serena’s dawning realisation – that she finally sees Giles and, moreover, likes what she sees and what she has come to know of the man he is inside – is superbly realised.
The idea that Giles would offer to teach Serena about kissing so that she will know what to do with Paul is a rather flimsy plot device, but Ms. Campbell has written Giles’ longing for Serena and the heat of the sexual tension between the couple so well that it’s easy to forgive the contrivance and just enjoy those sensually romantic moments. But that’s not to say there’s nothing of substance in the story; there’s the real sense that we’re watching Serena mature before our eyes as she starts to see the difference between a girlish infatuation and real love and desire – and there’s a degree of angst in the sudden strain that their rivalry places on the relationship between Giles and Paul. I also very much appreciated that Serena has a loving and very sensible mother – something that is quite rare in romances, as parents are often estranged, eccentric or otherwise no good at being there for their offspring.
Serena and Giles are attractive, well-rounded characters and their interactions are a delight to read. While Serena may be naïve to begin with, she’s refreshingly honest with herself about her changing feelings, and Giles is a gorgeous hero; one whose life has been blighted by loss and who has learned to keep his feelings hidden – even as he longs to be known and loved.
Because the principals have known each other for years, their romance is believable and doesn’t feel rushed – plus Ms Campbell delays the seemingly obligatory sex scene until the epilogue, so it doesn’t feel unnaturally shoe-horned into the main story. I’m not a big fan of novellas as a rule, but A Match Made is Mistletoe is one I’d definitely recommend if you have an hour or so to spare during the festive season.
December 19, 2018
Anna Campbell's Christmas novellas have been hit or miss for me over the years. I always try them out because she is a strong writer, I always learn new words (her vocabulary is IMPRESSIVE), and when her novella is good, it's REALLY GOOD (e.g., Her Christmas Earl...and now this one).
I actually put off reading this story because the blurb made the heroine sound a bit silly and I thought this would be an awkward love triangle sort of situation. Luckily, it really didn't read that way. Serena does start out with cow-eyed love and an old wives tale superstition, but she quickly grows as a character and she starts to really see the true man meant to be her match. This novella included all the tropes I like, friends-to-lovers, man loving his best friend's sister, and a character-driven story at a house party.
Throw in some holiday cheer, a society mother who actually cares about her daughter, some swoony kissing scenes, no awkwardly added sex scenes before marriage simply to add a sex scene (there is one in the epilogue after marriage though), and some well-written heart-to-heart conversations and you have a Christmas tale I'll definitely be reading again!
Merry Christmas to me! Highly recommend this one :)
I actually put off reading this story because the blurb made the heroine sound a bit silly and I thought this would be an awkward love triangle sort of situation. Luckily, it really didn't read that way. Serena does start out with cow-eyed love and an old wives tale superstition, but she quickly grows as a character and she starts to really see the true man meant to be her match. This novella included all the tropes I like, friends-to-lovers, man loving his best friend's sister, and a character-driven story at a house party.
Throw in some holiday cheer, a society mother who actually cares about her daughter, some swoony kissing scenes, no awkwardly added sex scenes before marriage simply to add a sex scene (there is one in the epilogue after marriage though), and some well-written heart-to-heart conversations and you have a Christmas tale I'll definitely be reading again!
Merry Christmas to me! Highly recommend this one :)
December 26, 2019
Can't say I cared for this one at all. One star for the storytelling and the H , but that's it.
This novella has many of the elements of historical romance that irk me:
1) The very experienced H who gets the blushing virgin.
2) The blushing virgin who asks said rake for kissing lessons, amongst other things.
3) A girl who can't figure out her own dang mind about who she loves.
4) The h's other suitor always assumed that he was going to marry the h, but carried on as a bachelor for years.
5) An h who is silly enough to offer up her virginity because she can't control her hormones.
All in all, this one was not for me. I know most of what I mentioned above is par for the course in Regency romance, but that doesn't mean I have to like it. :)
This novella has many of the elements of historical romance that irk me:
1) The very experienced H who gets the blushing virgin.
2) The blushing virgin who asks said rake for kissing lessons, amongst other things.
3) A girl who can't figure out her own dang mind about who she loves.
4) The h's other suitor always assumed that he was going to marry the h, but carried on as a bachelor for years.
5) An h who is silly enough to offer up her virginity because she can't control her hormones.
All in all, this one was not for me. I know most of what I mentioned above is par for the course in Regency romance, but that doesn't mean I have to like it. :)
January 2, 2017
As reviewed at Roses Are Blue: http://wp.me/p3QRh4-sy
For years, Serena Talbot has been in love with her neighbor, Paul, and has been patiently waiting for him to notice that she's all grown up. Serena has a feeling that at this year's Christmas houseparty, Paul will finally really see her and ask her to spend her future with him. While anticipating Paul's arrival, Serena decides to indulge in an old superstition. She slips a bit of mistletoe under her pillow, and goes to bed, expecting to dream of her future spouse. The only problem is - it's not Paul she dreams about. Instead, Giles Farraday, her brother's friend and frequent visitor shows up as her love. Giles was orphaned as a child, and has been spending holidays with Serena's family since he was only eight years old. Over the years, Serena mostly ignored him because she only had eyes for Paul.
Now, as the guests begin to arrive, Serena is feeling unsettled by her dream, and is now aware of Giles in a way she never has been before. Unknown to anyone else, Giles has loved Serena for years, and was fully aware that she only wanted Paul. He and Paul are best friends, and he made no attempt to win Serena's affection, feeling it would be hopeless anyway. Yet, now Serena's eyes follow him, and he sees sensual curiosity there. Serena convinces herself that she only wants Giles to teach her how to kiss, so that when Paul finally kisses her, she will know what she is doing. Giles' kisses have a strong effect on Serena, and she can't stay away from him. But, it's Paul she wants, isn't it?
What a tangle this turns into! Paul decides he's ready to settle down with Serena, yet she's strangely elusive these days. Giles knows he's only being used, but he can't stay away from Serena either. As for Serena, she's not sure which way is up. While Paul was not really a villain at all, he was actually quite likable, I still was rooting for Giles. The dark, brooding, sexy, sad man stole my heart. I'm a sucker for a character with a sad childhood, and when he suffers from unrequited love, too, I am lost. I love how Anna Campbell painted the two men so differently - Paul was golden in looks, and had a sunny personality, while Giles was dark and had a bleak past and hidden depths. Can a new attraction overrule a lifetime of dreams? Serena has to sort out her true feelings and bring an end to this love triangle.
A MATCH MADE IN MISTLETOE is a short but compelling read. I couldn't put the book down without knowing that Serena was going to make the right choice. The author skillfully showed Serena's youth in some of her actions, and caused me to wonder if this story would end the way I wanted it to. I'm a huge fan of epilogues, and there is a lovely one here. I'm happy to recommend this well written and engaging book which contains much more depth than a typical novella. The backdrop of the Christmas holiday just adds to the pleasure of the reading experience.
For years, Serena Talbot has been in love with her neighbor, Paul, and has been patiently waiting for him to notice that she's all grown up. Serena has a feeling that at this year's Christmas houseparty, Paul will finally really see her and ask her to spend her future with him. While anticipating Paul's arrival, Serena decides to indulge in an old superstition. She slips a bit of mistletoe under her pillow, and goes to bed, expecting to dream of her future spouse. The only problem is - it's not Paul she dreams about. Instead, Giles Farraday, her brother's friend and frequent visitor shows up as her love. Giles was orphaned as a child, and has been spending holidays with Serena's family since he was only eight years old. Over the years, Serena mostly ignored him because she only had eyes for Paul.
Now, as the guests begin to arrive, Serena is feeling unsettled by her dream, and is now aware of Giles in a way she never has been before. Unknown to anyone else, Giles has loved Serena for years, and was fully aware that she only wanted Paul. He and Paul are best friends, and he made no attempt to win Serena's affection, feeling it would be hopeless anyway. Yet, now Serena's eyes follow him, and he sees sensual curiosity there. Serena convinces herself that she only wants Giles to teach her how to kiss, so that when Paul finally kisses her, she will know what she is doing. Giles' kisses have a strong effect on Serena, and she can't stay away from him. But, it's Paul she wants, isn't it?
What a tangle this turns into! Paul decides he's ready to settle down with Serena, yet she's strangely elusive these days. Giles knows he's only being used, but he can't stay away from Serena either. As for Serena, she's not sure which way is up. While Paul was not really a villain at all, he was actually quite likable, I still was rooting for Giles. The dark, brooding, sexy, sad man stole my heart. I'm a sucker for a character with a sad childhood, and when he suffers from unrequited love, too, I am lost. I love how Anna Campbell painted the two men so differently - Paul was golden in looks, and had a sunny personality, while Giles was dark and had a bleak past and hidden depths. Can a new attraction overrule a lifetime of dreams? Serena has to sort out her true feelings and bring an end to this love triangle.
A MATCH MADE IN MISTLETOE is a short but compelling read. I couldn't put the book down without knowing that Serena was going to make the right choice. The author skillfully showed Serena's youth in some of her actions, and caused me to wonder if this story would end the way I wanted it to. I'm a huge fan of epilogues, and there is a lovely one here. I'm happy to recommend this well written and engaging book which contains much more depth than a typical novella. The backdrop of the Christmas holiday just adds to the pleasure of the reading experience.
December 5, 2016
The best part of Christmas for an Historical Romance Reader is the Christmas Novellas and I especially look forward to Anna's Christmas stories. This Christmas story is about a young lady who thinks she is in love with someone and realizes that she would rather have his best friend. Serena Talbot is a confused young lady who now doesn't know how to stop wanting Giles, a childhood friend and the best friend of the man she thought she would always marry. I have always loved Anna Campbell's stories and this one is no exception. I didn't like Serena at first, she was just a spoiled brat who suddenly changed her mind and wanted Giles kisses instead of Paul's. That is what makes Anna a great writer, by the end of the story you are rooting for Serena and Giles to have their HAE and Paul to be ok with it. This a lovely novella that can be read on a cold winter's night in your favorite chair with a cup of hot chocolate. I highly recommend it!!!
December 5, 2021
Just go read Lord Dashwood Missed Out by Tessa Dare. It's a perfect novella and you will get a lot of drama and humor out of it.
December 5, 2016
Debated between 3.5 and 4 stars, but went with the latter. There were several things that I really disliked, but overall was still a great read that I would highly recommend!
No time to write full review, so:
Praise
— Giles was absolutely lovely; love the tortured-hero type, and of course, whenever there's a "secret love" aspect, we get to benefit from the third-person narrative POV and get to hear all the delicious and heart-wrenching feelings and thoughts the hero has
— Great building of attraction
— The chemistry is so well-written and the romance scenes between these two are fantastic (get a fan!)
Criticism
— Don't like the love triangle plot ploy OR the lessons in seduction/kissing plot ploy
— We kept on being told that Paul was a good guy, but he came off as an arrogant prick sometimes (which is also mentioned, but not enough I feel)
— At some point, when she's wanting to kiss again the second time, Serena should really put a stop to the Paul storyline; I get that she's still very confused and unsure, has been in love with Paul since she was young, and there is no official agreement for her to put a stop to, but there ARE expectations this year
— Really felt like she was using Giles sometimes—he feels that way (rightly so), and it's quite heartbreaking and a little thoughtless
No time to write full review, so:
Praise
— Giles was absolutely lovely; love the tortured-hero type, and of course, whenever there's a "secret love" aspect, we get to benefit from the third-person narrative POV and get to hear all the delicious and heart-wrenching feelings and thoughts the hero has
— Great building of attraction
— The chemistry is so well-written and the romance scenes between these two are fantastic (get a fan!)
Criticism
— Don't like the love triangle plot ploy OR the lessons in seduction/kissing plot ploy
— We kept on being told that Paul was a good guy, but he came off as an arrogant prick sometimes (which is also mentioned, but not enough I feel)
— At some point, when she's wanting to kiss again the second time, Serena should really put a stop to the Paul storyline; I get that she's still very confused and unsure, has been in love with Paul since she was young, and there is no official agreement for her to put a stop to, but there ARE expectations this year
— Really felt like she was using Giles sometimes—he feels that way (rightly so), and it's quite heartbreaking and a little thoughtless
December 10, 2017
4.5 stars
This is a lovely story about a young woman who falls in love with an adonis and almost overlooks the man of substance standing in his shadow.
Serena's adolescent adoration of Paul Garside has been a family joke for years. All the same, the match would meet the approval of everyone. He is a close friend of Serena's brother and a neighbor with lands that march with the Talbot estates. Only this year, when it seems Paul has finally made up his mind to settle down, she suddenly notices his friend Giles.
Giles has been a frequent visitor to the Talbot home since he was orphaned at a young age. Serena captivated him when they were children but his feeling for her has matured over the last few years since she turned seventeen. But he's always stood back, letting his friend Paul shine. But something has changed wit Serena and maybe Giles is no longer content to stand by and let Paul take Serena as his bride.
This is a sweet story, with two people maneuvering around each other, hardly daring to act on their attraction. Serena is confused by her sudden feeling for Giles and he is afraid of a rebuff, know of her fascination with the handsome Paul.
A very enjoyable read with Anna Campbell's trademark sizzle.
This is a lovely story about a young woman who falls in love with an adonis and almost overlooks the man of substance standing in his shadow.
Serena's adolescent adoration of Paul Garside has been a family joke for years. All the same, the match would meet the approval of everyone. He is a close friend of Serena's brother and a neighbor with lands that march with the Talbot estates. Only this year, when it seems Paul has finally made up his mind to settle down, she suddenly notices his friend Giles.
Giles has been a frequent visitor to the Talbot home since he was orphaned at a young age. Serena captivated him when they were children but his feeling for her has matured over the last few years since she turned seventeen. But he's always stood back, letting his friend Paul shine. But something has changed wit Serena and maybe Giles is no longer content to stand by and let Paul take Serena as his bride.
This is a sweet story, with two people maneuvering around each other, hardly daring to act on their attraction. Serena is confused by her sudden feeling for Giles and he is afraid of a rebuff, know of her fascination with the handsome Paul.
A very enjoyable read with Anna Campbell's trademark sizzle.
December 15, 2016
As is the norm with Anna Campbell novellas, I lap them up :) Nothing new here, this novella has all the warmth & comfort of her trademarks, and all their faults too.
Pros
-The writing! It flows beautifully and draws you into the Talbot's world
- All the delicious angst.. And Giles, the lonely tormented hero <3
Cons
-The friendship between the two men came off as badly developed and juvenile
- I hated the ploy about the 'tutorials in kissing'
-All the mentions of 'other women' going around XX
Pros
-The writing! It flows beautifully and draws you into the Talbot's world
- All the delicious angst.. And Giles, the lonely tormented hero <3
Cons
-The friendship between the two men came off as badly developed and juvenile
- I hated the ploy about the 'tutorials in kissing'
-All the mentions of 'other women' going around XX
November 10, 2020
I loved this book, it was well worth waiting for.
It's a short Christmas tale of course, but the reason I loved it was the hero and heroine. The heroine thought she had everything worked out. Until she looked again, and saw the hero and saw loneliness.
Loneliness - often a big feature of many people's christmasses. Thank you Anna.
It's a short Christmas tale of course, but the reason I loved it was the hero and heroine. The heroine thought she had everything worked out. Until she looked again, and saw the hero and saw loneliness.
Loneliness - often a big feature of many people's christmasses. Thank you Anna.
January 7, 2021
Sweet and festive tale
5 stars
At 153 pages, this is a sweet tale that is perfect for a short diversion away from all the Christmas madness.
Serena has been in love with Paul since she can remember but this Christmas it’s his best friend, Giles Hallam that she hopes she’ll meet under the mistletoe. Our heroine is but 21 years old and this adds to the sweetness of the tale. What I particularly liked about Serena’s character is that while young, she almost matures before our eyes as she realises the difference between youthful infatuation and real love and desire. She didn’t play games, she was as honest with herself as she could be and I really liked her confusion over her feelings. And her interactions with Giles were fun to read.
Giles is perfectly my type of hero; Brooding and lonely yet filled with love for a woman he knows he can never win. It might be mean of me but I like watching my hero and heroine go through the emotional wringer of doing what they want versus what they should. While Giles is definitely dark and brooding (but himself still young at 25), he also has an easy manner about him that made him more than two dimensional. Anna Campbell excels at angst and while there’s not much of that in this story, there are glimpses of it in the relationship between Giles and Paul.
Paul is worth a mention as a secondary character as it’s easy to write a character that we hate and hope won’t win the girl - it must be so much harder (but so much more realistic) to write one that’s a decent sort of chap. I also really loved the brief scenes of Serena with her mother - such a nice relationship.
For the majority of the book there’s lots of kissing. It’s when you get to the epilogue that anything more occurs. It was nice to see the story - and the relationship between Giles and Serena - continue after their declarations. I do love a good epilogue.
This is a short but satisfying story that has some nice festive touches. It’s sweet, it’s light but you’ll fall in love with Serena and Giles as they fall in love with each other. 5 stars.
December 6, 2016
MS Campbell's stories are a must read for me and I am never let down by one, she has a way with words that are magical they open up a whole new world for me they take me back to the times of manners and rules that are made to be broken by the rakes of London and this one is no exception.
Serena Talbot has had her heart and mind fixed on one of her brother's best friends Sir Paul Garside forever and she is determined that this Christmas with the help of mistletoe she is going to get her man but the dream she has is not what she expected and there is another man to watch out for another close friend of the family Lord Hallam what does this magic hold for Serena.
Giles Farraday The Marquess of Hallam has visited the Talbot family at Christmas for many years and has always been made welcome and he has had his dreams of the beautiful Serena but she has only ever had eyes for his friend Paul, so when Serena agrees to let him help her in the art of kissing the mind runs amuck with sensual thoughts from them both after that first kiss.
This is such a fun and enjoyable story that will keep you turning the pages as Giles wakes Serena up to the emotions and feelings that come with kissing could Serena have been wrong about the person she truly wants what has the mistletoe done to her, her mind is aflutter with thoughts and emotions. I can highly recommend this story do yourself a favour and sit back and relax with this fabulous story it is a beautiful Christmas one and yes you will be smiling very much when you get to the HEA. Thank you MS Campbell for another fabulous story.
Serena Talbot has had her heart and mind fixed on one of her brother's best friends Sir Paul Garside forever and she is determined that this Christmas with the help of mistletoe she is going to get her man but the dream she has is not what she expected and there is another man to watch out for another close friend of the family Lord Hallam what does this magic hold for Serena.
Giles Farraday The Marquess of Hallam has visited the Talbot family at Christmas for many years and has always been made welcome and he has had his dreams of the beautiful Serena but she has only ever had eyes for his friend Paul, so when Serena agrees to let him help her in the art of kissing the mind runs amuck with sensual thoughts from them both after that first kiss.
This is such a fun and enjoyable story that will keep you turning the pages as Giles wakes Serena up to the emotions and feelings that come with kissing could Serena have been wrong about the person she truly wants what has the mistletoe done to her, her mind is aflutter with thoughts and emotions. I can highly recommend this story do yourself a favour and sit back and relax with this fabulous story it is a beautiful Christmas one and yes you will be smiling very much when you get to the HEA. Thank you MS Campbell for another fabulous story.
December 27, 2016
2.5 stars.
I didn't like this nearly as much as the last AC Christmas novella I read. I made it through the entire story, but I contemplated stopping once or twice. The writing- in terms of language and flow and pacing- is fine. The issue I had was with the MC's. I really didn't care for any of them. Serena was immature, flighty, spoiled, and really didn't show any reason for two men to both be vying for her hand other than being pretty, supposedly. Giles was okay, but I thought he was a bit shady, purposefully manipulating Serena with the silly "kissing lessons" nonsense to try to move in on his best friend's almost-betrothed. Paul was no better- full of himself, a bit hot-headed, and oblivious. It's hard to get into a story when you don't care about what happens to any of the characters. The plot was very contrived and simplistic imo; I know this is a novella, but the love triangle here was a bit soap opera-ish. Serena continued to think she was supposed to marry Paul for way too long considering she kept wanting to sneak around and make out with Giles. Everyone just seemed very immature. Serena seemed more in lust than in love; there was never any evidence that what she felt went beyond physical at all. Anddd...once the inevitable ending finally came, it was spoiled with Serena's insecurities and asking Giles about former women...in bed on their wedding night. Why? A big ol' "meh" for me.
I didn't like this nearly as much as the last AC Christmas novella I read. I made it through the entire story, but I contemplated stopping once or twice. The writing- in terms of language and flow and pacing- is fine. The issue I had was with the MC's. I really didn't care for any of them. Serena was immature, flighty, spoiled, and really didn't show any reason for two men to both be vying for her hand other than being pretty, supposedly. Giles was okay, but I thought he was a bit shady, purposefully manipulating Serena with the silly "kissing lessons" nonsense to try to move in on his best friend's almost-betrothed. Paul was no better- full of himself, a bit hot-headed, and oblivious. It's hard to get into a story when you don't care about what happens to any of the characters. The plot was very contrived and simplistic imo; I know this is a novella, but the love triangle here was a bit soap opera-ish. Serena continued to think she was supposed to marry Paul for way too long considering she kept wanting to sneak around and make out with Giles. Everyone just seemed very immature. Serena seemed more in lust than in love; there was never any evidence that what she felt went beyond physical at all. Anddd...once the inevitable ending finally came, it was spoiled with Serena's insecurities and asking Giles about former women...in bed on their wedding night. Why? A big ol' "meh" for me.
December 23, 2016
You should not miss this absolutely delightful Christmas romance. Serena is confused, Paul is ready to propose and Giles is no longer holding back his feelings for Serena. She can’t stay away from Giles and she is trying to avoid Paul. It is very obvious to us, the readers, that she should be with Giles but will she see it that way. Anna Campbell has given us another well written, deeply romantic Christmas novella filled with sexual tension.
This one is perfect for reading by the fire, with your hot toddy (or cocoa) and just enjoying the holiday spirit.
http://ladeetdareads.wordpress.com
This one is perfect for reading by the fire, with your hot toddy (or cocoa) and just enjoying the holiday spirit.
http://ladeetdareads.wordpress.com
December 3, 2016
A very lovely Christmas romance.
December 10, 2016
Love Anna Campbell's writing. She certainly knows how to put a story together. I just fell in love with Giles.
Lovely Christmassy story.
5*****
Lovely Christmassy story.
5*****
January 20, 2017
Fantasies become different when they are real life experiences.
did-not-finish
May 27, 2020DNF @ 6%
Ok, so... What Recency romance characters say "Hi."? That feels wrong! This is not written like a historical. The dialogue feels like a contemporary romance. And there's too many weird descriptions... "Beside her, her ebullient gray-haired father was almost incandescent with anticipation." "Her mother... looked equally pleased in her serene way." "...her brother Frederick, tall, dark, and exuberant..." YUCK.
Ok, so... What Recency romance characters say "Hi."? That feels wrong! This is not written like a historical. The dialogue feels like a contemporary romance. And there's too many weird descriptions... "Beside her, her ebullient gray-haired father was almost incandescent with anticipation." "Her mother... looked equally pleased in her serene way." "...her brother Frederick, tall, dark, and exuberant..." YUCK.
November 16, 2017
My Musings
This is an enjoyable Christmas read. It has some wonderfully tender moments, especially at the end of the book. In the beginning, I had a few reservations with the heroine, but she was engaging enough for me to like even though she didn't recognize what she should have. Other than that issue, this is a great story.Happy ☺reading 📚!
This is an enjoyable Christmas read. It has some wonderfully tender moments, especially at the end of the book. In the beginning, I had a few reservations with the heroine, but she was engaging enough for me to like even though she didn't recognize what she should have. Other than that issue, this is a great story.Happy ☺reading 📚!
December 20, 2017
This was fine? I picked this up because I’m in the mood for holiday stories and I saw it on Dear Author and the accidentally falls for someone while thinking character has been in love with someone else is a trope I tend to like, but the writing just wasn’t quite there for me. The plot and characters lacked some nuance that would have turned this okay story into one I really enjoyed.
September 25, 2022
As a reader, one of the things I look forward to every time around Christmas are the Christmas stories and I’m always very excited to read Anna Campbell’s one! The last few years she has always surprised us with a sweet and wonderful Christmas story and this year she even wrote TWO Christmas stories. One you can find in the anthology ‘Under the kissing bough’ and the other one is this one ‘A match made in mistletoe’.
This story is about Serena Talbot, a young woman, who knew from when she was a child that she would someday marry her childhood friend Paul Garside. There never was a doubt about it. He was the man of her dreams. So why did the mistletoe under her pillow make her dream about Paul’s quiet friend Giles Farraday? Serena is very upset about it but she doesn’t have much time to think about it because family and friends are arriving the next morning for the yearly Christmas party at her parental home. Two of the guest are Paul and Giles. But something strange has happened. Because this year Serena is very conscience of the presence of Giles. When did he became so manly and so darkly handsome?!? Serena still remembers the long and awkward boy from her childhood but that boy has changed into a man that she can’t stop looking at.
But more things are different this year, Paul is finally taking an interest in her. Her dream of marrying Paul will come true at this party. That’s fantastic news, so why isn’t she more happy about it? Why is she more interested in Giles his company and in his kisses? Serena is so confused and the more time she spends with Giles the more she’s wondering if the dream from the mistletoe was right. Is Giles the right man for her but what about her lifelong dream of marrying gentle and handsome Paul?
One thing is for sure, her life will be very different after this Christmas party.
I really enjoyed this story about a young woman who realizes that sometimes a child’s fantasy can be very different from a woman’s dream. I liked the tradition of the kissing bough and especially the kissing lessons! Anna Campbell knows how to write a great story. Although this is a novella, Anna Campbell gives us a wonderful love story with everything that you can wish for.
This story is about Serena Talbot, a young woman, who knew from when she was a child that she would someday marry her childhood friend Paul Garside. There never was a doubt about it. He was the man of her dreams. So why did the mistletoe under her pillow make her dream about Paul’s quiet friend Giles Farraday? Serena is very upset about it but she doesn’t have much time to think about it because family and friends are arriving the next morning for the yearly Christmas party at her parental home. Two of the guest are Paul and Giles. But something strange has happened. Because this year Serena is very conscience of the presence of Giles. When did he became so manly and so darkly handsome?!? Serena still remembers the long and awkward boy from her childhood but that boy has changed into a man that she can’t stop looking at.
But more things are different this year, Paul is finally taking an interest in her. Her dream of marrying Paul will come true at this party. That’s fantastic news, so why isn’t she more happy about it? Why is she more interested in Giles his company and in his kisses? Serena is so confused and the more time she spends with Giles the more she’s wondering if the dream from the mistletoe was right. Is Giles the right man for her but what about her lifelong dream of marrying gentle and handsome Paul?
One thing is for sure, her life will be very different after this Christmas party.
I really enjoyed this story about a young woman who realizes that sometimes a child’s fantasy can be very different from a woman’s dream. I liked the tradition of the kissing bough and especially the kissing lessons! Anna Campbell knows how to write a great story. Although this is a novella, Anna Campbell gives us a wonderful love story with everything that you can wish for.
February 4, 2017
I loved this book! I had some issues with the initial download and it took a bit of doing, but I finally got a copy and it was definitely worth the wait!
Giles has loved Serena for years but Serena only has eyes for Paul.
When Serena places mistletoe under her pillow to dream of her future husband, she is sure she will dream of Paul. But instead she dreams of Giles!
When Giles and Paul arrive at her families home for Christmas, the expectation is that Paul will finally ask for her hand, which is exactly what she wants, right?
An innocent kiss under the mistletoe has Serena questioning everything she has ever believed she wanted and opens her eyes to the man who has always been there but whom she never really saw.
This was such a sweet story! It was well written, flowed nicely, had some steamy moments, a bit of conflict and the magic of mistletoe. In short, it was perfect little novella!
Giles has loved Serena for years but Serena only has eyes for Paul.
When Serena places mistletoe under her pillow to dream of her future husband, she is sure she will dream of Paul. But instead she dreams of Giles!
When Giles and Paul arrive at her families home for Christmas, the expectation is that Paul will finally ask for her hand, which is exactly what she wants, right?
An innocent kiss under the mistletoe has Serena questioning everything she has ever believed she wanted and opens her eyes to the man who has always been there but whom she never really saw.
This was such a sweet story! It was well written, flowed nicely, had some steamy moments, a bit of conflict and the magic of mistletoe. In short, it was perfect little novella!
December 10, 2016
If Christmas is time for sweet treats then you won't go wrong with this delightful little love story. A love triangle of sorts - Paul and Giles had grown up with Serena's older brother Frederick. Since their school days, they had always visited the Talbot home especially at Christmas time. Since the first, Serena had dreamed of marrying Paul when she grew up. This was the year but when she put the mistletoe under her pillow - it was Giles that she dreamed about.
Just when Paul hd finally came around to the idea of marrying Serena, she finally noticed Giles. What she didn't know was that he had been in love with her from the first. The two men and one woman add just enough spice to provide the perfect Christmas treat. This is a fast read and worth taking the time for a lovely holiday rest.
Just when Paul hd finally came around to the idea of marrying Serena, she finally noticed Giles. What she didn't know was that he had been in love with her from the first. The two men and one woman add just enough spice to provide the perfect Christmas treat. This is a fast read and worth taking the time for a lovely holiday rest.
December 23, 2016
How cute was this?! Just what I needed - something short, something sweet and something Christmasy that actually felt Christmasy!
I'm not usually a fan of novellas, and as a result I wasn't quite sure I wanted to read this, but I'm so glad I did. One of the main problems I have with novellas is that there is not enough time to set up the characters properly and not much room for a plot but I didn't really have those problems with this novella. I think I would have preferred it if it had been longer, and to be fair there wasn't much of a plot or character development (I think it helped that the characters had known each other for years so it wasn't completely out of the blue) but it didn't matter in this case.
I also really loved the writing and I would really like to read some of Anna Campbell's full length works at some point in the near future, I think I'd really enjoy them.
I'm not usually a fan of novellas, and as a result I wasn't quite sure I wanted to read this, but I'm so glad I did. One of the main problems I have with novellas is that there is not enough time to set up the characters properly and not much room for a plot but I didn't really have those problems with this novella. I think I would have preferred it if it had been longer, and to be fair there wasn't much of a plot or character development (I think it helped that the characters had known each other for years so it wasn't completely out of the blue) but it didn't matter in this case.
I also really loved the writing and I would really like to read some of Anna Campbell's full length works at some point in the near future, I think I'd really enjoy them.
December 7, 2016
Serena Talbot has been in love with Paul Garside for most of her life. She has absolutely no doubt that this will be the year that she marries her prince charming. After a mistletoe bewitched dream filled with superstition reveals her future husband as Giles Farraday, Lord Hallam, Serena finds her curiosity at a peak. And after Giles shows up to Christmas festivities at the Talbot residence she becomes very confused, very quickly. Does she follow her old dream of marrying the man she's "loved" for nearly a lifetime, or does she follow her heart to awaken a passion she never dreamed could exist?
December 1, 2020
3.5 stars
Anna Campbell’s holiday novellas are always a quick, fun dose of holiday atmosphere. This one isn’t quite as good as some of her other ones but it was still really well written and full of regency angst. Giles and Serena have been friends since their childhoods. And while Serena has only had eyes for their friend Paul, Giles has been secretly pining for Serena for years. But could this Christmas be the one where Serena finally sees Giles in a whole new light? Cue lots of mistletoe rendezvous.
Anna Campbell’s holiday novellas are always a quick, fun dose of holiday atmosphere. This one isn’t quite as good as some of her other ones but it was still really well written and full of regency angst. Giles and Serena have been friends since their childhoods. And while Serena has only had eyes for their friend Paul, Giles has been secretly pining for Serena for years. But could this Christmas be the one where Serena finally sees Giles in a whole new light? Cue lots of mistletoe rendezvous.
December 4, 2016
I always look forward to Anna Campbell's new Christmas novella every year. I enjoyed this as usual. I love the theme where one of the main characters is secretly in love with the other. I know I'll be reading this one again.
Like many others, I had some issues with the download. The kindle file had only the cover page and no content! But I contacted the author via her Facebook page, and she had a copy emailed to me very quickly.
Like many others, I had some issues with the download. The kindle file had only the cover page and no content! But I contacted the author via her Facebook page, and she had a copy emailed to me very quickly.
May 18, 2017
A Delightful Tale.
An endearing story of a young woman outgrowing her childhood crush and finding love in the most unexpected of places.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author. I was not compensated for my review, and I was not required to write a positive review. The opinion expressed here is my own.
An endearing story of a young woman outgrowing her childhood crush and finding love in the most unexpected of places.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author. I was not compensated for my review, and I was not required to write a positive review. The opinion expressed here is my own.
December 31, 2019
Anna Campbell’s novella, A Match Made in Mistletoe was the perfect read to finish off the festive season and reading year. I’m so glad I had the chance to fit in another Christmassy tale as they always put a twinkle in my eye and a sparkle in my day.
A Match Made in Mistletoe was a sweet and charming tale and the epilogue finished off the story very nicely.
A Match Made in Mistletoe was a sweet and charming tale and the epilogue finished off the story very nicely.
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