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The Debutante Dares #5.5
A Very Daring Christmas
Christmas is the most daring time of the year.
Ladies are meant for ballrooms. But Lady Phillipa Hampton would rather have the open skies of Scotland where she can paint to her heart's content. She'd still be there now if she hadn't kissed her grandmother's silver-eyed steward last summer. And been caught. She was exiled back to London, but Grandmama’s Christmas trip to Town offers Pippa an opportunity—prove she cares nothing for Bram Shaw and win her way back to the land she loves.
Stewards aren't meant for ladies, and Bram Shaw knows it. But he doesn't like it. Not when his heart belongs to the artistic and daring Lady Phillipa, whose grandmother is a dowager duchess. And Bram’s employer. When Christmas brings him close to the woman whose kiss he can’t forget, he must hide his affection or lose his position in the dowager’s household. But adding another lost job to his long list will lose him the inheritance he’s been working years to secure.
The dowager holds two hearts in her hands, and the crafty old woman pits the former lovers against one another. Whoever finds her the most interesting Christmas gift wins a return to Scotland. She’ll take a companion or a steward, but not both.
Crowded London streets, eccentric shop keeps, violent-minded maids, and chaotic coffeehouses. Pippa and Bram will brave it all to find the elusive perfect gift to win their hearts desires.
But a single kiss can change everything, and sometimes the perfect gift isn’t bought with coin but love.
This is a Christmas novella to USA Today bestselling author Charlie Lane's new THE DEBUTANTE DARES series. The novella was previously published in the Holiday Anthology: Naughty or Nice. The novella can be read as a standalone book.
Ladies are meant for ballrooms. But Lady Phillipa Hampton would rather have the open skies of Scotland where she can paint to her heart's content. She'd still be there now if she hadn't kissed her grandmother's silver-eyed steward last summer. And been caught. She was exiled back to London, but Grandmama’s Christmas trip to Town offers Pippa an opportunity—prove she cares nothing for Bram Shaw and win her way back to the land she loves.
Stewards aren't meant for ladies, and Bram Shaw knows it. But he doesn't like it. Not when his heart belongs to the artistic and daring Lady Phillipa, whose grandmother is a dowager duchess. And Bram’s employer. When Christmas brings him close to the woman whose kiss he can’t forget, he must hide his affection or lose his position in the dowager’s household. But adding another lost job to his long list will lose him the inheritance he’s been working years to secure.
The dowager holds two hearts in her hands, and the crafty old woman pits the former lovers against one another. Whoever finds her the most interesting Christmas gift wins a return to Scotland. She’ll take a companion or a steward, but not both.
Crowded London streets, eccentric shop keeps, violent-minded maids, and chaotic coffeehouses. Pippa and Bram will brave it all to find the elusive perfect gift to win their hearts desires.
But a single kiss can change everything, and sometimes the perfect gift isn’t bought with coin but love.
This is a Christmas novella to USA Today bestselling author Charlie Lane's new THE DEBUTANTE DARES series. The novella was previously published in the Holiday Anthology: Naughty or Nice. The novella can be read as a standalone book.
118 pages, Paperback
First published October 18, 2022
78 people are currently reading
67 people want to read
About the author
Charlie Lane
72 books185 followersCharlie writes Regency romance that's lighthearted and hot. Her books have a little bit of angst, a lot of laughs, and a whole lot of heart and heat.
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
December 11, 2022
Ladies are meant for ballrooms. But Lady Phillipa Hampton would rather have the open skies of Scotland where she can paint to her heart's content. She'd still be there now if she hadn't kissed her grandmother's silver-eyed steward last summer. And been caught. She was exiled back to London, but Grandmama’s Christmas trip to Town offers Pippa an opportunity—prove she cares nothing for Bram Shaw and win her way back to the land she loves.
Stewards aren't meant for ladies, and Bram Shaw knows it. But he doesn't like it. Not when his heart belongs to the artistic and daring Lady Phillipa, whose grandmother is a dowager duchess. And Bram’s employer. When Christmas brings him close to the woman whose kiss he can’t forget, he must hide his affection or lose his position in the dowager’s household. But adding another lost job to his long list will lose him the inheritance he’s been working years to secure.
The dowager holds two hearts in her hands, and the crafty old woman pits the former lovers against one another. Whoever finds her the most interesting Christmas gift wins a return to Scotland. She’ll take a companion or a steward, but not both
This is a very good book. Pippa and Bram are meant to be together.
I borrowed this book from Kindle Unlimited. This in no way affects my opinion of this book which I read and reviewed voluntarily.
Stewards aren't meant for ladies, and Bram Shaw knows it. But he doesn't like it. Not when his heart belongs to the artistic and daring Lady Phillipa, whose grandmother is a dowager duchess. And Bram’s employer. When Christmas brings him close to the woman whose kiss he can’t forget, he must hide his affection or lose his position in the dowager’s household. But adding another lost job to his long list will lose him the inheritance he’s been working years to secure.
The dowager holds two hearts in her hands, and the crafty old woman pits the former lovers against one another. Whoever finds her the most interesting Christmas gift wins a return to Scotland. She’ll take a companion or a steward, but not both
This is a very good book. Pippa and Bram are meant to be together.
I borrowed this book from Kindle Unlimited. This in no way affects my opinion of this book which I read and reviewed voluntarily.
December 16, 2022
I have consistently loved Charlie Lane’s books. In this one, Pippa (sister of a duke’s wife) and Bram (steward to the duke’s grandmother) meet when Pippa goes to stay with the Dowager Duchess/Grandmamma in Scotland who has decided to prepare her for her debut into the ton. Apparently, she becomes entangled with Bram and when Grandmamma discovers this, she sends Pippa back home without even the opportunity to say goodbye. She pines for Bram, who has made no effort to contact her, and ultimately decides she was just a fling and she’d best get over him. Nevertheless, she wants to return to Scotland more than anything and aspires to remain a spinster.
Lo and behold, Grandmamma shows up for Christmas and brings Bram with her. Lest the reader believe Grandmamma is secretly looking to matchmake, she intends the exact opposite. In fact, she sets them against one another and announces the winner of the wager will be the one to return to Scotland with her. Bram knows that if he loses his job he will lose his inheritance, a castle near the Dowager Duchess. His dream is to gain his inheritance and ask Pippa to marry him, but she is convinced he doesn’t actually care about her. If he loses the wager, he loses the castle and he loses Pippa, but if he wins the wager, he loses Pippa. Pitted against each other and determined to convince Grandmamma there is nothing between them, Bram decides he loves Pippa enough to help her win the wager even if that means losing his job. The question is, how can they both have everything they want? I won’t ruin the story by giving away the ending. Turns out, true love does win.
Lo and behold, Grandmamma shows up for Christmas and brings Bram with her. Lest the reader believe Grandmamma is secretly looking to matchmake, she intends the exact opposite. In fact, she sets them against one another and announces the winner of the wager will be the one to return to Scotland with her. Bram knows that if he loses his job he will lose his inheritance, a castle near the Dowager Duchess. His dream is to gain his inheritance and ask Pippa to marry him, but she is convinced he doesn’t actually care about her. If he loses the wager, he loses the castle and he loses Pippa, but if he wins the wager, he loses Pippa. Pitted against each other and determined to convince Grandmamma there is nothing between them, Bram decides he loves Pippa enough to help her win the wager even if that means losing his job. The question is, how can they both have everything they want? I won’t ruin the story by giving away the ending. Turns out, true love does win.
December 5, 2022
Lady Phillipa Hampton would rather paint at her Grandmama's home in Scotland than participate in the season in London. But when she is caught kissing her grandmother's steward, she is exiled back to London and is desperate to regain her Grandmama's good opinion and return to Scotland. Bram Shaw knows that a steward is not meant to end up with a Lady, but Lady Phillipa has won his heart. When her crafty Grandmama returns to London with Braham for Christmas, she pits them against each other. Whoever can bring her the best gift will return with her to Scotland, the other will not. But as they struggle to find the perfect gift, they have to decide if they really want to return to Scotland without each other. I read and loved this story when it was part of the Naughty or Nice Holiday Regency Anthology, and I am so excited that it is now released as its own standalone short story! I loved the banter and tension between the characters as they search for gifts throughout London! I also loved the fun side characters. Phillipa's bloodthirsty maid and the cantankerous Grandmama were such fun characters! This was an incredible love story and a perfect regency romance to read around Christmas!
December 1, 2022
A controlling dowager duchess, her steward, and a marquess’s daughter are involved in a power struggle. When the dowager duchess caught Pippa and Bram in a passionate kiss, she separated them by sending Pippa back to London while she and Bram stayed in Scotland. Six months later, they were all together for the Christmas holidays, and Bram and Pippa found themselves in a competition devised by the Dowager Duchess, the stakes of which were quite high. However, things did not go according to her plan, and despite her threats and machinations, love prevailed. This story is fraught with emotional struggles and challenges, not the least of which is Pippa’s rather blood thirsty and annoying lady’s maid. One of the most satisfying themes of this tale, is the acceptance, unconditional love and support of both Pippa’s and Bram’s family members (Dowager Duchess excluded). I found this story to be engaging and entertaining, with a lovely ending.
March 17, 2024
To short, could have been so much more
Yes, this is a novella and is suppose to be short. However this story could definitely had more. You meet the three main characters, a young lady, a grumpy old lady and a young handsome man. The young woman and the young man had a history and you find out a out it In a small snipit into the past at the start of the book. They get past the what looks like hate for each other to o any film d out that they still love each other and wnt to be together. Even though people mainly the old lady. However they overcome that and admit to each other they still love each other and they want to be together. There is one sex scene in the stroy . over all a good short novella that is part of a group of books but can be read as a stand alone.
Yes, this is a novella and is suppose to be short. However this story could definitely had more. You meet the three main characters, a young lady, a grumpy old lady and a young handsome man. The young woman and the young man had a history and you find out a out it In a small snipit into the past at the start of the book. They get past the what looks like hate for each other to o any film d out that they still love each other and wnt to be together. Even though people mainly the old lady. However they overcome that and admit to each other they still love each other and they want to be together. There is one sex scene in the stroy . over all a good short novella that is part of a group of books but can be read as a stand alone.
December 1, 2022
This Charlie Lane’s novella was previously published in an anthology and is connected to her Daring series. And this time her characters take a real dare by falling in love! I loved both the hero and the heroine, but the real treat is the old dowager duchess, who is a recurring character of the series. She is constantly coasting the line between a villain and a positive character and she’s so very intriguing! And in this novella we even get a glimpse into the next book!
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
February 15, 2025
Oh My Word!
A muddling Grandmother! And she's quite nasty if she doesn't get her own way.
But Philippa and Bram are determined to have their happy every after and they are strong and very loving characters.
It was a very easy to read story which I enjoyed tremendously.
I have actually just finished reading an early copy of this book in the collection entitled The Kiss that Conquered and am happy to leave my voluntary review above.
A muddling Grandmother! And she's quite nasty if she doesn't get her own way.
But Philippa and Bram are determined to have their happy every after and they are strong and very loving characters.
It was a very easy to read story which I enjoyed tremendously.
I have actually just finished reading an early copy of this book in the collection entitled The Kiss that Conquered and am happy to leave my voluntary review above.
November 30, 2022
Read in the Naughty or Nice Anthology.
Banished from Scotland for an indiscretion, Lady Pippa cannot wait to return to the place she feels at home. But is it the place, or the man she left behind?
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book from the publisher. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Banished from Scotland for an indiscretion, Lady Pippa cannot wait to return to the place she feels at home. But is it the place, or the man she left behind?
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book from the publisher. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
December 1, 2022
This is a brilliant read.
Wonderful well written plot and story line that had me engaged from the start.
Love the well fleshed out characters and found them believable.
Great drama and romance with wonderful world building.
Can't wait to read what the author brings out next.
Recommend reading.
I read a complimentary advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest review.
Wonderful well written plot and story line that had me engaged from the start.
Love the well fleshed out characters and found them believable.
Great drama and romance with wonderful world building.
Can't wait to read what the author brings out next.
Recommend reading.
I read a complimentary advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest review.
December 2, 2022
Lady Phillipa Hampton loves Scotland and hates crowds. She has been sent to Grandmama to prepare her (and her manners) for her debut into Society. Bram Shaw is Grandmama’s steward. Pippa and Bram are more than attracted to each other, but Grandmama puts a stop to it, for a while. Will Pippa and Bram be the next unconventional match in a notably unconventional family? Daring story.
April 3, 2023
A delightful seasonal addition to the series
This is a delightfully crafted seasonal addition to this brilliant series. It is a story that is full of emotional turmoil, and characters that have been created with immense strength and courage to achieve their desires. A very engaging read.
This is a delightfully crafted seasonal addition to this brilliant series. It is a story that is full of emotional turmoil, and characters that have been created with immense strength and courage to achieve their desires. A very engaging read.
February 22, 2025
This Christmas romance novella, which begins The Debutante Dares series, was a captivating class divide lovers story. A debutante, a steward, a Doweger Duchess, and other delightful characters made for a delightful and entertaining read. I enjoyed how true love overcame all obstacles. I recommend reading.
May 1, 2025
A charming read
This is a charming read and though set at Christmastime it’s not overly concerned with the holiday. The characters are strong and you root for them from the start. A nice installment of the series. Looking forward to the next book.
This is a charming read and though set at Christmastime it’s not overly concerned with the holiday. The characters are strong and you root for them from the start. A nice installment of the series. Looking forward to the next book.
December 4, 2022
It turns out to be a very daring Christmas for Pippa and Bram. I loved this story, and their way back to each other. A simple kiss that starts it all. A wonderful love story.
December 5, 2022
I caught myself grinning several times while reading this book. It is cute, funny, sweet and a little naughty. In other words, perfect!
August 9, 2023
Pippa's story
Well written. All the feels. Page turner. I couldn't put the book down once I started. I was glued to the pages
Well written. All the feels. Page turner. I couldn't put the book down once I started. I was glued to the pages
February 20, 2024
This is the 1st book I read by Charlie Lane. I'm sorry I stopped reading this story 📖 at chapter 3 because it didn't grab my interest.
March 28, 2024
What a great story! Charlie Lane is such a talented writer. Can’t wait to read the rest of the series.
December 22, 2024
Read as part of the Naughty or Nice Anthology
January 1, 2025
I liked it very much! I've read very few books in which the heroine has claustrophobia or social anxiety disorder. The romance was wonderful & sweet. I know it was frowned upon in those days for servants & aristocrats to have a relationship, but the Matriarch of the family is quite harsh & mean to pit servants & relations against one another to find the best gift for the matriarch at Christmastime. Especially when the Heroine was not going to go back to Scotland anyway.
December 28, 2022
Two souls kept apart by two warring nations- society & propriety. Love that gave me all the butterflies, feasting on the tensions of angst and isolation.
Phillippa Hampton has never liked crowds, she shies away from everyone and everything until she meets the Dowagers handsome steward. Bram opens a side of Pippa that she never lets free, her naughty side. Kept locked inside never daring. But his love forces her to dare. To dare to be herself, to dare to defy the dowager and claim her own happiness.
This story fills you with light, a tender joy that is unmatched. I found myself burrowing deep into the story, like a cozy blanket revelling in each of their tender moments. I knew Pippa was a character I could relate to. One who shies away from people, but at her core loves her dear ones and embraces her naughty, teasing nature. I was overjoyed by their happiness. Underneath that love story was another story of a cantankerous Dowager who rules over all. She loves her family, and wants the best for them but is clouded by her own past. Her and Bram’s teasing relationship, brought me great joy. He proved to her that love is worth the risk. 💕
Phillippa Hampton has never liked crowds, she shies away from everyone and everything until she meets the Dowagers handsome steward. Bram opens a side of Pippa that she never lets free, her naughty side. Kept locked inside never daring. But his love forces her to dare. To dare to be herself, to dare to defy the dowager and claim her own happiness.
This story fills you with light, a tender joy that is unmatched. I found myself burrowing deep into the story, like a cozy blanket revelling in each of their tender moments. I knew Pippa was a character I could relate to. One who shies away from people, but at her core loves her dear ones and embraces her naughty, teasing nature. I was overjoyed by their happiness. Underneath that love story was another story of a cantankerous Dowager who rules over all. She loves her family, and wants the best for them but is clouded by her own past. Her and Bram’s teasing relationship, brought me great joy. He proved to her that love is worth the risk. 💕
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews