Two Turtle Doves

The Twelve Days of Christmas #11

by Emily E.K. Murdoch

It’s 1819, and two turtle doves just fell into her lap…

Joy Fitzroy will scream if she has to endure one more pity conversation about her lack of husband or marital prospects. After all, she’s still young. Mostly. And she is tired of having her lack of husband and children forced upon her—it’s not as though a family is going to fall into her lap.

But when a child does just that, bringing with it a dashing father who just happens to be able to undress Joy with his eyes, she’s absolutely determined not to lose her heart, nor her head, to the handsome widower.

Gilbert Kitteridge is devoted to two things, his twin daughters and his turtle doves. Love is something he simply doesn’t have time for. Lust however, that’s something entirely different. Joy Fitzroy is just begging to be plucked, and if he gets his way, it won’t be long before she’s under his body and begging for more…

Two turtle doves may need a stepmother, but Joy isn’t ready to believe in happily ever after's that easily.

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

122 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 16, 2022

About the author

Emily E.K. Murdoch is also known as Emily Murdoch.

Emily Murdoch is a medieval historian and writer. Throughout her career so far she has examined a codex and transcribed medieval sermons at the Bodleian Library in Oxford, designed part of an exhibition for the Yorkshire Museum, worked as a researcher for a BBC documentary presented by Ian Hislop, and worked at Polesden Lacey with the National Trust. She has a degree in History and English, and a Masters in Medieval Studies, both from the University of York. Emily is currently working on a new four part Regency novella series, two of which are now published.

You can follow her on twitter and instagram @emilyekmurdoch, find her on facebook at www.facebook.com/theemilyekmurdoch, and read her blog at www.emilyekmurdoch.com

Reviews

[Sophie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received an Advance Reader Copy from the publisher, via NetGalley. This in no way impacted on my view.

Joy Fitzroy is sick of her family walking on egg shells around her. Okay her younger sister has been married for 6 years, and has a child, but that doesn't mean anything. Joy longs for a family, but it's not as if one is just going to fall into her lap, is it? Well, when she storms out of the family home and seeks solitude in the park, she's taken aback when a child lands on her knee, and her more than handsome widowed father arrives with her sister. Gilbert Kitteridge never thought he'd find love, after his wife died in childbirth. He has spent his time utterly devoted to his twin daughters, his 'two turtle birds', but he does feel loneliness. Meeting Joy has awakened something in him, and he will do anything to have her, and keep her. I'm so happy for Joy, as I always felt like she was somewhat forgotten about, and she deserved to find happiness like so many of her family. Her and Gilbert were one of my favourite couples, and their story more than does them justice.

[Margaret · Rating 4 out of 5]

Joy Fitzroy is considered the oldest spinster in Bath. She's given up on love, then a child falls into her lap. Gilbert Kitteridge is a widower, with twin daughters who are drawn to Joy. He is, too. It may only be a few days since they met, but it takes little time to fall in love.
A short read with a quick romance for an HEA.
Descriptive sex.
I voluntarily read and reviewed a copy of this book from NetGalley.

[Diana N. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Poor Joy has had to watch most of her younger cousins marry and have kids. She just really wants a gentleman to finally see her.

Who knew that a random meeting in the park with a Widower's daughter could lead to romance. Little kids can be crazy!

Gilbert was cute in this book. He was not shy in telling Joy she was beautiful or sharing about his wife or twin daughters. He's a bit older than Joy (a little salt and pepper can be quite attractive), but they totally work together.

I know that Isabella was saved for last. She makes an appearance in this book and seems up to something. I can wait for the excited conclusion to the series since I have enjoyed them all so far.

Thank you Dragonblade and Netgalley for providing me a copy of this ARC for my honest review.

[Emilija · Rating 4 out of 5]

2021 52 Book Challenge - Christmas Mini Challenge - 2) Two Turtle Doves

This was an enjoyable short story about a regency lady, very much like Bridgerton. I liked Joy, who was a little sarcastic and the fact a child literally falls into her lap a couple pages after she asked for just that made me laugh.

[Bonnie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks to NetGalley for a copy of this story and this is my freely given opinion.

This is the second to last book of the 12 days series and about Joy, the unmarried Bath Fitzroy, sister to Harmony. Of course, with so many other female Fitzroy relatives with their husbands and children running about during the holidays, it seems quite a lack for Joy to not have a husband and family of her own and she is sick of being confronted by this - then suddenly a child literally falls into her lap.

This child is part of a set of twins, twins belonging the the handsome widowed Guy Kitteridge, and he and Joy seem to have a sudden and searing attraction to each other, especially as they keep running into each other.

I think this was likely my favourite of the series as their attraction was so very steamy and strong, and I liked that he was finding love after widowhood.

My only quibble was that it was all from her perspective and I would have loved to have had some insight into what Guy was thinking/feeling. But that seemed to be a theme of the series - it was all from the perspective of the femme Fitzroy of the story at the time.

4.25 stars out of 5

[Janet · Rating 4 out of 5]

Joy Fitzroy will scream if she has to endure one more pity conversation about her lack of husband or marital prospects. After all, she’s still youngish, it’s not as though a family is going to fall into her lap.
Until a child does just that, bringing with it a dashing father. Gilbert Kitteridge is devoted his twin daughters, whom he calls his turtle doves. Then he meets Joy Fitzroy & a bolt of lightning strikes
Joy is the penultimate Fitzroy to find love & another entertaining, delightful read, which I read in a sitting. Sparks fly between Gilbert & Joy, they are attracted to each other & they seem to bump into each other everywhere they go & the attraction grows. I really liked sharp tongued Joy & greying haired Gilbert & thoroughly enjoyed their story, plus it was lovely to catch up with Harmony
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read

[JudyAnnLovesBooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am always excited to read a single parent romance and when it is set in the regency period during the Holidays - well - Sign.Me.Up. 𝗧𝗪𝗢 𝗧𝗨𝗥𝗧𝗟𝗘 𝗗𝗢𝗩𝗘𝗦 was a delightful read. I enjoyed everything about Joy and Gilbert’s story. From their adorable meet cute to their off the charts chemistry, I was all in. I couldn’t read this Christmas novella fast enough! I’m giving 𝗧𝗪𝗢 𝗧𝗨𝗥𝗧𝗟𝗘 𝗗𝗢𝗩𝗘𝗦 the judy.ann.loves.books stamp of approval, TBR and Enjoy!

[InD'tale Magazine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rating: 3.5/5.0

Emily Murdoch has brought another great historical romance to readers with unforgettable characters all wrapped up in a neat bow with a plot that keeps the pages turning.

Read full review in the 2023 April issue of InD'tale Magazine.

[Kim · Rating 3 out of 5]

I flew through this one (pun intended). Gilbert seems like a peach of a silver fox and I’m about it. Joy and her family members are really good at jumping to conclusions. Like, ask a question!

Also, where do I find a husband in 4 days?? Asking for a friend.

[Izzie (on pause) McFussy · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5⭐️ Not for me.

[Kate · Rating 4 out of 5]

Joy Fitzroy (of the Bath Fitzroys) sometimes feels like she’s the oldest spinster in Bath. With her sister happily married and with a family of her own, and with all of her cousins settling down (except for Isabella) Joy sometimes feels like the odd one out. IF only she could have a family of her own for Christmas. It almost feels like fate when a child lands in her lap (quite literary) one day in the park. It’s there where she meets GIlbert Kitteridge - the child’s father and a very handsome widower who is not only attractive but a doting and loving father to two little girls. Attraction is instant and Joy finds herself drawn to Gilbert. Could Gilbert and his two turtle doves be the family Joy has longed for but not found so far? Or is it only lust and not the love she’s dreamed of.

I liked Joy. She’s a bit sarcastic and less dreamy eyed and head in the clouds than many of her cousins. And Two Turtle Doves is a very sweet and spicy romance. These characters have chemistry from the very first time they meet! And yes I wanted to know more about Gilbert. The blurb seems to indicate that he might only be looking for lust rather than love but I didn’t get to see that in the story. Because like the others in the series these novellas are quick. Which is great when you want a complete story in just over a hundred pages. But you don’t to dive overly deeply into their pasts and thoughts.

Seeing Joy’s sister Harmony (from Eleven Pipers Piping) and her husband now six years on from when we first met them was a delightful bonus and I liked seeing Joy interact with her brother in law.

This was a lovely story and I’m glad Joy got the future she was longing for.

[Sandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wishes really do come true...
The series continues with a feel good romance that flows well, emits a sweet warmth and has a hint of jealousy and a good spot of heat to pull you in and radiate an easy connection between Joy and Gilbert from meet cute.
Lonely and enviously craving a family of her own, almost spinster, Joy, glibly wishes for just that this Christmas ... a ready made family... and stumbles upon widower Gilbert and his delightful twin girls. Bringing so readily a spot of much needed affection and love as a heady, 'recognition of souls' come 'love at first sight' romance strikes and sparks instanteously.
This was a wonderfully enjoyable, quick read with a romance that flourished on being bold and honest enough to go after what you want and grab it tight. With the added bonus of getting to explore the sibling dynamic between Joy and Harmony and how much David truly cares and fits in as her brother-in-law.
I've really enjoyed getting to know and spending time with the Fitzroy ladies over the Christmas season, seeing how well the twelve days of Christmas theme is entwined and ending each tale with a smile on my face - Can't wait for the next and last book of the series!

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

Romances are all about wish fulfillment. You always find the best lovers in this genre. And thus, the 11th book in the series with the names taken from the song The Twelve Days of Christman, we learn that Joy doesn't want a man so much, as a built in family.

And there is the wish fulfilled, by finding a widower who wants the same.

And this being a novella, we get to the lusting and dirty bits fast and furiously. We find Joy kissing her gentleman in the alley way in Bath, pushing up against the wall, where he wants to do more, but fears he will be discovered.

I love this world that the author has painted of women who fear for their reputation more than getting pregnant, as reasons not to have premarital sex. All the books by her, so far, have that the theme that they desire sex, which is good and healthy, and the only thing keeping them back is their reputation.

So, while the themes running through these is not feminist, per se, it does point to the unfairness that the upper classes went through with their courting ways.

Another good quick romance.

Thanks to Netgalley for making this book available for an honest review.

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

She Had Lost Hope Of Meeting Someone.

Joy Fitzroy was the eldest of the sisters and not yet married. All her cousins apart from one had found their own love matches, but she never seemed to meet anyone that is until a child literally fell into her lap!
Gilbert Kitteridge was a widower who was looking for one of his twin daughters when he found her with Joy. Instantly he was attracted to her and when her sister his next door neighbour turned up with Joy, he couldn’t believe his luck.

Bing thrown together and admitting their attraction, the tender feelings they had for each other, quickly turned into a passionate interlude. Was it too soon to admit their love?

Gilbert since his wife had died had never been tempted with anyone although his daughters and his heart wanted to find the one person he could love. Joy sick of her family going on about marriage finally found her one true love when she least expected it.

A beautiful written story, showing that true love can be found it you patiently wait for it!

I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Gloria · Rating 5 out of 5]

Joy Fritzoy wishes for a child to fall in her lap.

Joy is tired of being one of the last Fitzroy girls to get married. That's all she hears is about her sister and cousins. How they are married and their children.
She has met a man that she has been attracted or interested in.
Until the day she had enough and walked out of the door and walked to the park. That is where a little girl landed in her lap. She was a four year old little girl. She wanted to know Joy's name. Also asked her a few more questions. Joy was looking around seeing if anyone was missing a little girl. Then she heard a gentleman calling out for his daughter.
He was Gilbert Etheridge, father of two turtle doves, as he called his twin girls.
Joy is attracted to him. But she doesn't want to admit it. Come to find out he is her sister next door neighbor. Little by little, the attraction is pulling them together. She worried that him being a widower, he might be using her. She doesn't want to get her heart broken.
Great story of two people who are really in love for their first time in their lives
Another great love story by Emily Murdoch

[Amberreads.alot · Rating 4 out of 5]

Be careful what you wish for! Joy Fitzroy, sick to death of having her single state thrust into seemingly every conversation, tells herself that the family she secretly longs for will never just fall into her lap. And then it quite literally does.

I liked this penultimate installment of Emily EK Murdoch's 12 Days of Christmas series of novellas. I have grown used to the somewhat abrupt endings and continue to appreciate the little details of the members of the Fitzroy clan detailed in prior books. While this book calls itself a standalone, I think it would be hard to jump into the Fitzroy family here without having read the previous books. This is a nice little love story between Joy and Gilbert, The small amount of angst is entirely self-created and the story is essentially a drama-free tale of a woman learning that she deserves the love she seeks. Gilbert seems a decent man, though it is hard to know when he truly decided he was going to marry Joy versus simply bed her. Another one where I wish we had had some of the MMC's POV.

Overall a solid read. 4 stars. Thank you to Dragonblade and NetGalley for an ARC of this book. The opinions herein are my own.

[Anonymous 5 · Rating 5 out of 5]

The eleventh installment of The Twelve Days of Christmas brings us the story of Joy Fitzroy and her happily ever after, although she is not easily ready to believe it. She longs for a family of her own, but has just not had much luck in finding a husband and she is tired of being the focus for her family's pity. When Joy decides to escape for a while to the park, she doesn't know what to think when she meets Gilbert and his two twin daughters. Gilbert has been devoted to his daughters since the death of his wife in childbirth, and never thought he'd find love again. But something about Joy makes him think and feel otherwise. Now, all he has to do is convince her that her happily ever after is right here in front of her.
This is yet another entertaining and charming addition to a lovely series and I was glad to see Joy get her happy ending. One more book before the series ends, and I can't wait to read it!
I received a complimentary copy from Dragonblade Publishing via Netgalley and am voluntarily leaving my review.

[Cherie S · Rating 5 out of 5]

He Found Someone, Wishes Can Come True:
This Fitzroy story involves Joy. She's a little older and disappointed that she is still unwed. She makes a silly Christmas wish and low and behold what a shock she is in for. Certainly, caught my attention.
This story is one of my favorites as it is quite fun and more than expected in the passion department. I loved the desirous attraction between Joy and Gilbert. The dashing handsome and charismatic widower.
The conclusion of the dinner scene was very well written. Certainly, had more than heart pounding.
A charming romance including two charming children that was really a fun laugh out loud story.
This entire series has been such a treat to read. The stories are short but, packed full of romance and enticing plots that involve the Fitzroy family at Christmas time.
Adult Advisory:
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advance copy for my honest opinion.

[Mary Hart · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 stars

Sweet story. Joy is annoyed to be one of the last in her family to marry. She's also annoyed at the way her family has written her off. She flippantly wishes for a ready made family and whilst angrily walking through the park in Bath meets identical twins and their father Gilbert. Joy thinks this is a one off and is sarcastic a bit rude. Unbeknown to her Gilbert lives next to her sister Helena who is delighted that Joy seems to be warming to Helena's husband David's friend. Gilbert is an older hero with greying hair but still keen to make passionate love to Joy. Luckily Gilberts sister-in-law has acted as the twins governess after the loss of Gilbert's wife in childbirth. She whisks the twins off to the country estate and so Gilbert can have his passionate enounter.

Only one tale left. I think this has been an engaging series.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Peggy · Rating 5 out of 5]

There are three Fitzroy brothers, each with different interests, each the father of daughters, twelve in total. Rupert Fitzroy has two daughters. Harmony is happily and musically married. This story is about Joy and Gilbert Kitteridge. Joy says the only way she will find a family is if one falls in her lap. Well, it sort of did. While sitting on a bench in Sydney Gardens, a little girl popped into her lap. When Gilbert, a widower, came to retrieve one of his two turtle doves (twin girls), it was love at first sight, for both of them. Gilbert is determined to pursue Joy, and she is determined to let him. Another cute and steamy look at the Fitzroy girls. Isabelle made a short appearance in Bath. What is she up to?
I received an ARC of this book from the publisher via NetGalley and am voluntarily reviewing it.

[Barbara "Cookie" Serfaty Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

Two Turtle Doves: (The Twelve Days of Christmas Book 11)

The love story of Joy and Gilbert. Joy is the last of Fitzroy's daughters to need to find a husband. One day in the village she meet Palomar. She is about four and had run away from her father and climb into Joy's lap. When he find her, Joy think he is the some handsome man she has every seen. It's love at first sight. Gilbert is the father of twins girl, his two turtle doves. Will he find love and a mother for his girls? Great story.

[Magen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is only my second read from this author but I will definitely be reading more! I really loved this, Joy is such a great main character with very real wishes and desires. She and Gilbert are so wonderful together, the chemistry is instant and I really enjoyed the little glimpses of the sort of relationship Joy will have with the twins. A lovely Christmas read!

Thank you to NetGalley and Dragonblade Publishing for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Avril Hemingway · Rating 4 out of 5]

A single parent romance set in the regency period during the Holidays. It's a very sweet and spicy romance. with characters who have chemistry from the very first time they meet. I wanted to know more about Gilbert but as these are quick novella's this didn't happen but apart from this a great series looking forward to the last one. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Donique Collins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Joy Fitzroy…older sister of Harmony, unmarried, feels disconnected from her family due to her marital status. Gilbert Kitteridge…father of twin girls, a widower, totally out of his element with his daughters. This was an adorable and steamy love story. I especially liked the h, I laughed each time she began mentally fantasizing. I almost felt sorry for the h, she had it bad. The H was nice but he didn’t hold my attention like the h. I really enjoyed reading this book. Oh my the steam is fire.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Joy is the last of her sisters to be married and she is tired of being pitied for it. When a widower’s children befriend her in a park, she discovers she has feelings for this man. Gilbert is instantly attracted to Joy and works to make her his. I received an ARC from NetGalley and Dragonblade Publishing for my honest review.

[Melinda Greathouse · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved Joy and Gilbert’s story. It is Christmas instalove at its finest, and I’m here for it. I loved the way the author portrayed Joy, and I was thrilled for her to get her happily ever after.

I received an ARC of this book for free and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Sara Adrien · Rating 5 out of 5]

Let's say that I am picturing this hero as the hottest and sweetest character and I could not put this book down. I loved the story and how it unfolded, really nicely done! Again, I read it in one sitting and enjoyed it immensely.

[Stephen Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

A marvelous penultimate continuation of the series

This is a marvelously written penultimate story that is a very engaging continuation to the series. This steamy plot is once again full of amazingly portrayed characters.

[Sandi Niemeyer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Family in her lap

Joy's Christmas wish is for a family to fall in her lap. On a walk in the park, she finds a little girl, who is followed by her twin sister and their widowed father. It doesn't take long for sparks to fly.
A well written, charming tale.

[AmazingJ · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Wonderful & Romantic Story.

The Story was Wonderful & Romantic as were the characters.

Another Story in where you only get the heroine's POV H none of the Hero's, even though it doesn't take away from the story.

I am looking forward to reading the next & last book in this series.