All Is Mary and Bright

Belles of Christmas: Frost Fair #2

by Kasey Stockton

He's found the woman he wants to marry—it's a shame she is already engaged to someone else.

Mary Hatcher traveled to London to procure a trousseau for her upcoming marriage. When she attends the Frost Fair and meets a different man that ignites her interest, she tamps down the unwelcome feelings. But when her host’s son arrives at dinner and she learns he is the man she met at the Frost Fair, she has a new challenge: she must spend the Christmas Season in the same house as him without falling in love.

Andrew Bright, the Earl of Sanders can never live up to his father’s legacy, so why bother trying? When he runs into a charming woman at the Frost Fair and later learns she is his mother’s guest, he is overjoyed. At least, until he learns of her engagement. But friendship with her is better than nothing, until she threatens to push him into doing what he has long avoided—stepping into his father’s shoes.

Genres: Christmas, Romance, Regency, Historical Fiction, Historical, Fiction, Historical Romance

243 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 24, 2020

Reviews

[Kathy * Bookworm Nation · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kasey Stockton is a new-to-me author, I've seen her books around and have been wanting to give her a try for awhile. I thought this was a great introduction into her work and writing style. I found the story to be well-written, engaging and kept me turning the pages. The characters were easy to like, the romance had a nice forbidden element to it, so you're left wondering how they'll ever get a HEA...she's already engaged to someone else when the story starts!

Overall, I thought this was a fun regency, I loved the winter/Christmas setting, the storyline was fun and well paced, and I enjoyed it so much I look forward to trying more of Ms. Stockton's books.

Content Rated G
Clean romance - mild kissing, no language or violence, very mild religious elements

Belles of Christmas: Frost Fair Series

[Rebecca Lange · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lovely story…

I struggled a bit to get into the story, but it was still charming and quite romantic in the end. The characters are loveable and I don’t think you can help but fall in love with Andrew.

[S.A. Krishnan · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story in the 1800s about the Frost Fair where Mary and her mother are guests in Andrew's house. The meeting between Mary and Andrew was beautiful and I was left wondering whether they would ever get together because Mary was already engaged to someone else. However the stories went on with so beautiful moments and I enjoyed the characters and their interactions. Liked it.

[Julie Carpenter · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5*

What a clever idea for a series...The Frost Fair. What is the frost fair you ask? Why, it is a fair and celebration on the frozen river Thames. Could you imagine the fun and booths and merriment that would have occurred at such a fair back in the early to mid 1800s?

I enjoyed reading about Mary and Andrew's story. They both have different, yet similar things holding them back from embracing their future and their true selves. Through different circumstances they start to realize that they need to choose for themselves what is going to make them happy. Although, sometimes those chooses are hard as they are bound in certain ways. I know, that might all be a little confusing but I'm a no spoiler kinda gal. I promise you that it all makes sense as you read the book.

Mary and her mother are house guests and Andrew Bright's house. Or rather, his mother's guests. He keeps himself scare and hidden away from all these guests. But I have to say that their initial meeting had me laughing and smiling. Neither one knows who the other is and therein lies a bit of a problem when they first officially meet. Oh, it was great. Several misunderstandings abound within those couple of meetings and creates for some humor for the reader. I know I was entertained and giggling.

I really enjoyed Mary's character. She has spunk but she also is a very dutiful and loving daughter. Circumstances find her engaged to another yet her heart is slowly warming towards Andrew. And Andrew finds himself drawn home more than he ever has before in the previous couple years.

I loved when more and more connections between their families started to come forward. And the sweet family Christmas traditions that were shown. Andrew's family and siblings were fun. I loved the joy and happiness that his family and Mary's family were able to enjoy during their visit.

There are some surprises that occur and not all the surprises are pleasant. But I'll leave you to read the book and figure them all out.

This was my first time reading a book by this author and I enjoyed being pulled into this story. I'm looking forward to the other books in this series (multi-author series) as well as more books to be enjoyed by this author.

Content: Clean.

I received a copy from the author. All thoughts and opinions in the review are my own.

Happy Reading!!!

[Kristalyne, love.lovely.books · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book so soo much! I was searching for the perfect regency romance to read this Christmas season and this is it.

This is an incredible forbidden romance set during the Frost Fair in London, which was such a fun thing to read about. I absolutely loved the meet cute and I knew I’d love this book from that moment!!!

Mary and Andrew are the most endearing characters. I love them so much!!! I love Caroline and Anne, and the mothers of course. The London townhome is so cozy. The Christmas traditions, the family time, the sweet and tender friendship to more between Andrew and Mary had my heart swooning!

I absolutely loved all of the books and reading happening in this story, and one book in particular just made me so happy to read about!

This novella is beautifully written, it captured my heart, and I hope to reread it again and again! If you’re looking for the perfect, sweet, swoony, and heartwarming romance definitely pick this beautiful story up. I think you’ll love it!
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I’m so thankful to @thecleanreadbookclub for recommending this amazing story.

[Deborah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved Andrew and Mary. I also loved that we met Andrew is a precious Christmas book last year! I loved him in that one and I was so grateful he got his own story. It was snowflake perfection!

[PhyllisRBooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh, this story...

This story satisfied the emotions that I love to feel when reading a great regency story. The characters are well developed and believable; the storyline has original elements that make it fresh with a few unexpected twists; and the hero is one that will you can’t help but adore. Set all of this in a homey, charitable Christmas season in London and you will want to read this story every year. This is definitely one of my favorites.

[Cait | GoodeyReads · Rating 3 out of 5]

HAD ITS MOMENTS.

BLOG || INSTAGRAM

This was cute, but definitely didn’t love it as much as the first in this series (and I have now put together that each book is by a different author too). There was charm here, I was hoping for a bit more though.

The plot dragged throughout. There were continual tangents about Pride & Prejudice. And I didn’t feel like it even fit in the story? I get where some allusions were made between the two novels, but it took me out of the book each time it talked about P&P.

I enjoyed Andrew so much. He was an amiable and alluring love interest who really seemed to mesh well with Mary. I liked how they bounced off each other and were able to communicate about there pasts and the things they struggled with. I don’t think it needed the extra fiance (not a love triangle, it was a contract of marriage for convenience) to make things come together.

The atmosphere is incredibly Christmas and holiday. I love that and it has me wanting to continue this series. Quick romances with a lot of pleasing aspects overall. Can’t wait to continue!

Overall audience notes:
- Regency Romance
- Language: none
- Romance: kisses
- Violence: a bad slip and fall causing a concussion

[Asheley T. · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5/5

I loved it! The story is set in London, 1814, at the Frost Fair on top of the Thames River. This is a real thing that happened: the river froze over and there was a festival on top of it, complete with retail booths, entertainment, and food.

Mary and her mother have come to London to spend Christmas with the Bright Family. Mary befriends and grows quite close to the three Bright children, including adult son Andrew. Mary is already engaged to a man that she does not love-the marriage was arranged by her father and doesn't look promising in the way of true love. Despite trying not to, Mary's proximity to Andrew while she is in his home means that they slowly fall for one another. The question they both (separately) wonder is: can the marriage contract that Mary has already signed be dissolved?

My favorite thing about this book is the relationship between Andrew and his two younger sisters, Anne and Caroline. They genuinely love one another and Andrew doesn't seem to mind spending a lot of time with the younger girls. Mary is a great addition to their group: she gets along with the girls and finds a lot in common with Andrew. The Frost Fair is the setting for only a short part of the book, but the characters do make reference to it throughout. The backdrop of Christmas, snow, and cold weather adds a lot of charm to this story. I loved the way everything ended.

[Stacey · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book! With plenty of Christmas traditions, likeable characters, and romantic chemistry All is Mary and Bright is a sweet holiday romance that Regency fans will love from beginning to end!

[Rebecca Trump · Rating 4 out of 5]

On Christmas Eve, I have finished a very engaging, very Christmasy tale by Kasey Stockton. All Is Mary and Bright is so sweet, charming and puts you in the mood for celebrating our Lord’s birth and compassion for our neighbor. If you haven’t read this adorable story, then I highly recommend it to you.

[Riella Cristobal · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this adorable book! All is Mary and Bright is the 2nd book in the multi-author Regency series The Belles of Christmas: Frost Fair. Mary has come to London to prepare for her upcoming marriage. Upon attending the Frost Fair, she meets an intriguing man, who she hastily pushes away. However, her plans are further thrown when she discovers that the man she met at the fair is actually the son of her host in London! Though Mary is determined to not fall in love, how can she not as she spends Christmas with their family? Andrew, Earl of Sanders, feels unprepared to fulfill his father’s footsteps, and is not even sure if he should try. He is delighted to discover that the lovely woman he met at the fair is his mother’s guest. The surprise of her engagement is less welcome, but at least they can be friends. As feelings change and secrets are revealed, will Christmas be a happy season?
This was such a cute story! It was a classic forbidden love story. They were both so honorable, even with the unexpectedness of finding each other. I loved watching them get to know each other. It was so sweet to also see the connection the families made. Mary and her mother were visiting the Sanders family, and they grew close to one another. Andrew’s sisters adored Mary and she loved spending time with them as well. They were becoming a family, building memories and traditions. It was so sweet to see Andrew and his sisters together! I was also grateful the way the story ended. I do not want to give anything away, but I will say that I think everything worked out great for everyone who mattered.
I loved both of these characters! Mary was so sweet. Her focus was on her parents, especially her mother. She wanted to take care of her mother and was willing to sacrifice for her happiness. Mary found faith in others, in their love and help. She was also a bookworm, which I loved! Mary and Andrew were able to connect through their shared love of books! Andrew was also so nice! He cared so much for his family, though he did not know how to be what he thought was the perfect son, brother, and earl. He had an ideal in his mind of what he should be, and always felt as if he was falling short. Yet, he too discovered how to trust those close to him and to find comfort in their love. Mary and Andrew helped one another and they enjoyed being in one another’s company. I would totally recommend this! Anyone looking for a clean sweet romance, especially if you like Regency novels, this is for you!

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the author. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.

[Maria Thomas · Rating 4 out of 5]

The title of this book is a rather clever use of characters' names. And the cover is lovely. The story is bright and cheerful for the most part. A dark cloud appears with Mary's intended that dampens the fun a bit. Obviously he is Mr. Wrong. He is pretty horrible. I'm always amazed that this kind of thing happened in real life. I can't imagine having to marry someone I don't know to save the family honor. Thank heavens things are different in my little world.

I enjoyed Mary and Andrew together. They had some fun banter and were obviously well matched. I liked Andrew and his relationship with his sisters as well. They are a loving family and Mary fit in so well. Mary is a good person who helps Andrew see more clearly who he is and how he can be happy with himself. We never see Mary's father but I didn't much like him. Her mother has some mental health issues but turns out to be a good mom in the end.

It is an enjoyable read with Christmas as a backdrop.

We know all along that this will turn out to be a happily ever after but I wasn't sure how we were going to get to that point so it was fun to read along and find out.

Sex: no
Language: no
Violence: Just a little force used against Mary

[Stacey · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was truly enjoyable for me. It was actually quite different to what I was expecting. The characters were all well developed and I particularly liked the interactions between all of the siblings and Mary, but especially the ones involving Andrew and his sisters. This added a beautiful layer of care and kindness to the story that set the tone well. Of course, my favourite interactions invoiced Andrew and Mary themselves but I won’t give any spoilers away. In addition to all of this there was a certain level of suspense to this story that I really enjoyed. It made me eager to continue reading and I didn’t wish to put the book down. I also really enjoyed the name of this story - I thought it was very well done - and liked that the characters from the previous book/series (A Duke for Lady Eve) was given a mention 😄 it makes me want to go back and read that one again now!
Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed this story and I am very happy to recommend any of Kasey Stockton’s novels to anyone who enjoys clean and wholesome Regency Era romance novels. I received an ARC of this book from the author, however this in no way influenced my opinion and I am under no obligation to leave a review.

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was my first book by Kasey Stockton, and it is possible that this one just didn't work for me, but it was so slow moving and, dare I say, boring that I didn't really care about the outcome of Mary and Andrew Bright's relationship. It wasn't until the very end that things started to get a little more exciting, but we are talking about the last 25 minutes or so of the audiobook, and by then, it was a bit too late. Still, I am giving it 3 stars because it did get better, and maybe the biggest problem is the narrator's voice, which didn't agree with me. It's possible that had I read it, it might not have seemed to drag on as it did. Clearly, not a holiday re-read for me ever again, but I might be willing to try others in this series.

2.5 stars, rounded up to 3

[Betsy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Get into the holiday spirit with this delightful, clean Regency Christmas read! I loved this charming tale of friendship and family ties which reunited two longtime friends and their children over the Christmas holidays. While I couldn’t help but love everyone in the household, it was heartwarming to watch Andrew and Mary’s relationship develop as well as to read of Andrew’s change in self-image as the story progressed. Treat yourself to a sweet Yuletide tale that will be sure to put you in the Christmas spirit!

[Berly · Rating 3 out of 5]

I want to start my review by saying that I've read (and listened to) other books by Kasey Stockton and have enjoyed them.

Sadly, for me this one was lacking. And I think it was because I listened to the audiobook. The narrator was not the best. She made the women sound like young girls. I kept picturing my high school class' senior play. The narration sounded like bad actors. It really detracted from the story. It wouldn't have been a 5 star rating, but it may have gotten 4 from me without that distraction.

If you want to consume this story, read it. Do not listen.

[Morgan Giesbrecht · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kasey Stockton never disappoints! I really enjoyed her take on the Frost Fair, and though forbidden love & love triangles aren’t usually my thing, here I actually didn’t mind it too much. Why? Because there was a depth to Mary & Andrew, their motivations, and their mutual attraction based on character rather than just physical appearance. Plus, I loved the Bright family & the Jane Austen book references!

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars. I feel like this story was written for me! I loved the inclusion of books/reading in the plot. I'm definitely a "reader for sport" and love a hero who will keep his lady supplied with books! This was a perfect read for the holidays with two likeable leads and not too much drama.

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

Listened to on youtube

[Christina · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5⭐️ — really, really, really sweet!!

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a delightful Christmas romance. I loved the family bonding and Christmas spirit of this story. Mary and Andrew were so wonderful together. I love how they helped each other and made each other better. There was so much love and service in this story that brought the holiday spirit. It was wonderful.

[Ashley Johnson · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed the beginning of this story and even the plot was promising, however it wasn’t as good as I had hoped. It seemed to drag around the halfway point and there wasn’t much progression to the story. Mary was also a bit moody for my tastes and didn’t have a very sunny disposition and it became a bit tedious. I don’t live plots where some is the martyr for the family and this one heavily leaned in to that idea. I did like a lot of the Bright family traditions that were sprinkled into this story and it had a very winter/holiday feel due to descriptions of the cold weather and the holiday festivities.

[Mashell · Rating 2 out of 5]

I listened to this book and the narration wasn’t the best. If I had read the physical book my rating probably would have been higher because the story itself was good. I just cant get past the odd narration. I almost stopped part way through

[Sarah (tn.bibliophile) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a sweet Regency Christmas read. It took me a bit to get into the story, but overall it was a cute read. I really liked the characters and setting.

Content Warning:
-Kisses only
-No language

[LeAnne · Rating 2 out of 5]

Usually I really enjoy Kasey Stockton’s books. However, this one I finished it just to finish it. I listened to the audiobook and the narration wasn’t the best. The heroine sounded so annoying by the end. So, I’m not sure if I disliked because of the actual story or because of the narration. Definitely read this one with your eyes if you give it a go. I’m chalking this one up as a one-off that I didn’t enjoy it. I will certainly read Kasey’s books in the future because I enjoy her writing style and her characters.

[Stacy · Rating 2 out of 5]

Honestly I was really disappointed to find out that she was already engaged and it felt very similar to the first book in the series and that drove me crazy from the start. I don’t even wanna finish the series right now. Besides that I felt like the book was slightly boring and couldn’t keep my interest. I have read one of her books before and really enjoyed it. Maybe this Christmas series just isn’t for me.

[Lauren · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love Kasey Stockton, but this was so slow and honestly a bit boring even though there were some lovely parts and Andrew was such a sweetie. Don’t get me wrong, there wasn’t anything terrible about it, but nothing really happened until the last fourth of the book and I found myself wanting to skip the slower parts.

[Kathy Holm · Rating 2 out of 5]

All Merry and Bright...book2

The story itself was simple and lovely...nothing exciting happening just the same old Regency
Theme...boring..boring!..I wish they had put a mystery I to the story!

[safa · Rating 2 out of 5]

girl i fell asleep while reading this ...