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The Blooms of Norfolk #1
The Wager
Lord Chastain, darling of the gossip sheets, has seven days to turn a lady's head. Lady Iris, aware of the wager, finds the earl hard to resist. As the pair spend time together, Chastain finds his own head turned and Iris discovers you can't believe everything you read.
***The Wager was formerly published as The Christmas Wager in the Yuletide Happily Ever Afters anthology. This novella has been re-edited and expanded.***
***The Wager was formerly published as The Christmas Wager in the Yuletide Happily Ever Afters anthology. This novella has been re-edited and expanded.***
- GenresHistorical Romance
113 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 1, 2019
37 people are currently reading
103 people want to read
About the author
Angelina Jameson
20 books322 followersAngelina Jameson is a multi-published author of Regency Romance. Growing up in Las Vegas, Nevada, Angelina joined the US Air Force to see the world. Her dreams of visiting the United Kingdom were fulfilled when she was stationed at RAF Lakenheath in the beautiful countryside of Suffolk, England. Five years later she returned to the States, acquiring a love of not only all things British but also Regency and historical romance.
She currently lives in the great state of Alaska with her supportive husband and two sons. She loves to write with a steady supply of coffee nearby and one of three cats on her lap.
Follow Angelina on BookBub for the latest information on new releases. https://www.bookbub.com/profile/angel...
She currently lives in the great state of Alaska with her supportive husband and two sons. She loves to write with a steady supply of coffee nearby and one of three cats on her lap.
Follow Angelina on BookBub for the latest information on new releases. https://www.bookbub.com/profile/angel...
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
March 15, 2019
Lovely and Sweet!
Lord David Chastain, a recurrent object of ton gossip, is in the country seat of his friend Ambrose for Christmas. Having never been invited there before, he is suspicious of what has caused this sudden change of heart in his otherwise overprotective friend. When asked to pay some attention to Ambrose’s sister Iris (in hopes to disengage her affections from an unsuitable man), Chastain is at the same time afraid and excited.
He has no plans to marry, and Iris, as his best friend’s sister, has always been off-limits, but he cannot deny the pull he always felt towards her and how pleasurable it is to spend some time in her company.
Iris thinks he is the worst of rakes and believes herself immune to his charms. She is more concerned about the roman relics her friend Tom has found in a nearby site, or so she tells herself.
The story is sweet and romantic, and the characters are lovely. Ambrose is the best of brothers and always has his sisters best interests at heart, Lottie is beautiful and intelligent (although only those close enough can see that), and Rose is a little hellion. Their friend Lord Peake is a little aloof, but it just makes him more mysterious.
Can’t wait to read the next books in this series!
I got a copy of this book as a present from the author (Thank you!) with no strings attached. In any case, I had already a copy of the anthology in which it was previously published (Yuletide Happily Ever Afters: A Merry Little Set of Regency Romances).
Lord David Chastain, a recurrent object of ton gossip, is in the country seat of his friend Ambrose for Christmas. Having never been invited there before, he is suspicious of what has caused this sudden change of heart in his otherwise overprotective friend. When asked to pay some attention to Ambrose’s sister Iris (in hopes to disengage her affections from an unsuitable man), Chastain is at the same time afraid and excited.
He has no plans to marry, and Iris, as his best friend’s sister, has always been off-limits, but he cannot deny the pull he always felt towards her and how pleasurable it is to spend some time in her company.
Iris thinks he is the worst of rakes and believes herself immune to his charms. She is more concerned about the roman relics her friend Tom has found in a nearby site, or so she tells herself.
The story is sweet and romantic, and the characters are lovely. Ambrose is the best of brothers and always has his sisters best interests at heart, Lottie is beautiful and intelligent (although only those close enough can see that), and Rose is a little hellion. Their friend Lord Peake is a little aloof, but it just makes him more mysterious.
Can’t wait to read the next books in this series!
I got a copy of this book as a present from the author (Thank you!) with no strings attached. In any case, I had already a copy of the anthology in which it was previously published (Yuletide Happily Ever Afters: A Merry Little Set of Regency Romances).
August 11, 2019
Great
I found this a really good book. Iris is a great character. She doesn't want to know Chastain but he worms his way into her heart.
I found this a really good book. Iris is a great character. She doesn't want to know Chastain but he worms his way into her heart.
July 8, 2024
What happens when you overhear a wager on your love life? Mischief and mayhem to their plot! The trials she put him through and his admirable acceptance thwarting her nefarious plans is amusing. Lucky for the brother, love won in the end.
August 12, 2022
The very best of wagers
A sweet, well written Regency romance well worth the read! I look forward to the next bloom in the series!
A sweet, well written Regency romance well worth the read! I look forward to the next bloom in the series!
June 9, 2025
Iris overhears her brother and his friend making a wager that the friend will seduce Iris within a week. Iris thinks to herself, not on your life, bucko. She decides not to say anything and appear to go along with this farce while attempting to throw a wrench in it.
It turns out that the friend, Chastain, is a lot more charming than she ever thought. Iris and Chastain were very likeable it was adorable watching them dance around each other. There was another love interest and I was ready to not like him, but even he was a nice guy! There are no villains here.
Her two sisters and her brother are all different in their own rights and had a lot of depth. That's especially impressive because this is a novella. I look forward to their stories.
It turns out that the friend, Chastain, is a lot more charming than she ever thought. Iris and Chastain were very likeable it was adorable watching them dance around each other. There was another love interest and I was ready to not like him, but even he was a nice guy! There are no villains here.
Her two sisters and her brother are all different in their own rights and had a lot of depth. That's especially impressive because this is a novella. I look forward to their stories.
March 20, 2019
Great story
A wonderful story of misunderstandings and young love. I really enjoyed that the people were so real. The family really cared for each other and their community. Though they are the local aristocrats, they are good people that I would love to know. I know you would enjoy knowing them too
A wonderful story of misunderstandings and young love. I really enjoyed that the people were so real. The family really cared for each other and their community. Though they are the local aristocrats, they are good people that I would love to know. I know you would enjoy knowing them too
February 14, 2019
This was an interesting story in that Iris knows about the wager from the beginning and sets out to be completely indifferent. She even attempts to bore Lord Chastain with tedious holiday activities. When he seems happy to participate in all the Christmas preparations, Iris has to reevaluate her opinion of him.
I think there are more books featuring Iris' brother and sisters since there are story lines that are started or only hinted at in this novella. I'm looking forward to reading more about them.
I think there are more books featuring Iris' brother and sisters since there are story lines that are started or only hinted at in this novella. I'm looking forward to reading more about them.
December 30, 2019
Betting on love
Iris is being wooed by one of her brother's friends because of a wager between the two. What she doesn't anticipate is that she and Chastain will develop real feelings for one another. A sweet holiday romance.
Iris is being wooed by one of her brother's friends because of a wager between the two. What she doesn't anticipate is that she and Chastain will develop real feelings for one another. A sweet holiday romance.
May 4, 2019
A lovely bet that was just the push the couple needed to admit their attraction. Fun group of characters!
December 15, 2020
Highly recommend quick read
January 30, 2022
Didn’t want to it put it down.
Thank you, Angelina Jameson, for your ability to create characters with such depth. I couldn’t help but fall in love myself. Your words immersed me in their world and I forgot I was just an observer. I am one who appreciates subtleties instead of graphic images regarding intimacy. And you wove that into the story beautifully. I worried with them. I rejoiced with them and I fell in love with them.
From the very beginning, I hoped I would see more of each character and you did not disappoint. I was thrilled to find that I won’t have to miss Iris and Chastain, Ambrose and Lottie, or Rose and Auntie. I’m looking forward to getting to know them all!
Thank you, Angelina Jameson, for your ability to create characters with such depth. I couldn’t help but fall in love myself. Your words immersed me in their world and I forgot I was just an observer. I am one who appreciates subtleties instead of graphic images regarding intimacy. And you wove that into the story beautifully. I worried with them. I rejoiced with them and I fell in love with them.
From the very beginning, I hoped I would see more of each character and you did not disappoint. I was thrilled to find that I won’t have to miss Iris and Chastain, Ambrose and Lottie, or Rose and Auntie. I’m looking forward to getting to know them all!
November 20, 2023
4.5 stars. A very sweet short read that leaves me wanting more. I so would have read a fuller novel of these two! With it taking place at Christmastime, it was a perfect read as I get into the holiday spirit.
While short, you get the larger context of the setup between Iris and Chastain. It’s hard to connect with the characters in so little time, but I found greater success connecting with the Norfolk family and friends than I have with characters in other novellas. My interest is certainly piqued to continue with this author’s other stories!
While short, you get the larger context of the setup between Iris and Chastain. It’s hard to connect with the characters in so little time, but I found greater success connecting with the Norfolk family and friends than I have with characters in other novellas. My interest is certainly piqued to continue with this author’s other stories!
October 6, 2023
Super short but lovely read! My usual issues with stories this short is it is hard to connect with the characters, and they never are as flushed out as I would like but this book definitely did not suffer from that. It was a really sweet story, I just wish the climax/main conflict of it had been given a bit more time? It kind of fell flat, but besides that an excellent book!
September 25, 2023
an historical romance
A clean romance. Predictable but the characters are sweet and I loved the relationship between Iris and her sisters. All the men in the story are quite lovable too. It made for an ennoble read.
A clean romance. Predictable but the characters are sweet and I loved the relationship between Iris and her sisters. All the men in the story are quite lovable too. It made for an ennoble read.
November 14, 2023
easy read
I always enjoy a clean and sweet read along with a happy ever after end. So I enjoyed this book although I could see that the situation with Ambrose is not settled till a later book.
I always enjoy a clean and sweet read along with a happy ever after end. So I enjoyed this book although I could see that the situation with Ambrose is not settled till a later book.
November 27, 2024
Lovely romance and wonderful characters. A wager that turns everything around including Iris and David and their feelings for each other. A very enjoyable read and great start to this new series The Blooms of Norfolk.
December 11, 2023
I know it’s hard to flesh out characters and subplots in smaller books, but it can be done!! wish it was here 💔
September 7, 2024
A very decent short book. Very quick and easy to read. The pace of the story was really good and I enjoyed reading it
November 21, 2024
Good read
1st read the Chastins and story in a Christmas anthology this is a wonderful Christmas tale with a match making brother that no one suspects.
1st read the Chastins and story in a Christmas anthology this is a wonderful Christmas tale with a match making brother that no one suspects.
March 18, 2025
The Wager is an easy and fun read. I enjoyed this sweet, clean romance. I especially liked the female protagonist, Iris, who is a strong and determined leading lady.
Purchased from Amazon
Purchased from Amazon
February 9, 2020
The book appears to be on the line of keeping the readers interest. I would have like to see more romantic interest between Chastains in Iris. A little passion in there interactions go a long way. Perhaps give details oh Why Peake and other guest have joined Ambrose at their estate. Give more detail behind Ambrose.
If he’s the older brother, why is he not married? There more things that I have questions about. These are the things that come to my mind at this time. I apologize to the author for my review. Please don’t take this as the book not being good, but each reader has their likes in each book that they read.
If he’s the older brother, why is he not married? There more things that I have questions about. These are the things that come to my mind at this time. I apologize to the author for my review. Please don’t take this as the book not being good, but each reader has their likes in each book that they read.
May 29, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews