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Christmas #2
A Christmas Scandal
In her latest romance, Jane Goodger weaves an unforgettable tale of a woman who thinks she's lost everything—until a little Christmas magic reunites her with the one man she could never forget...
Dashing, debonair, and completely irresistible, Edward Hollings has all of Newport buzzing—and to Maggie Pierce's surprise, she alone has caught his eye. But when the handsome earl returns to England without proposing, a devastated Maggie knows she must forget him. Life only gets worse for Maggie, as all her dreams of happiness and love come crashing down around her. When Maggie receives an invitation to go to England for the Christmas birth of her dear friend's baby, she accepts—vowing to keep her devastating lies and shameful secrets from the one man she has ever loved.
Edward vowed he'd never marry, but he came dangerously close with Maggie. She's beautiful, witty, indescribably desirable—and Edward can't forget her. When Maggie visits mutual friends for Christmas, Edward can't stay away. In fact, he finds himself more attracted to her than ever—a desire fueled even more by Maggie's repeated snubs. With the love he never thought he'd find slipping away, Edward is determined to make Maggie his own, no matter what the cost.
Dashing, debonair, and completely irresistible, Edward Hollings has all of Newport buzzing—and to Maggie Pierce's surprise, she alone has caught his eye. But when the handsome earl returns to England without proposing, a devastated Maggie knows she must forget him. Life only gets worse for Maggie, as all her dreams of happiness and love come crashing down around her. When Maggie receives an invitation to go to England for the Christmas birth of her dear friend's baby, she accepts—vowing to keep her devastating lies and shameful secrets from the one man she has ever loved.
Edward vowed he'd never marry, but he came dangerously close with Maggie. She's beautiful, witty, indescribably desirable—and Edward can't forget her. When Maggie visits mutual friends for Christmas, Edward can't stay away. In fact, he finds himself more attracted to her than ever—a desire fueled even more by Maggie's repeated snubs. With the love he never thought he'd find slipping away, Edward is determined to make Maggie his own, no matter what the cost.
335 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 2009
36 people are currently reading
188 people want to read
About the author
Jane Goodger
24 books286 followersI grew up in western Massachusetts and have lived most my adult life in New England. Thanks to my adventurous husband, I've also done brief stints in Virginia, Washington, D.C., and Naples, Italy. Although I've written four contemporary romances under the name Jane Blackwood, my first love is historical romances set in Victorian times. I've written 17 of those with more on the way.
I have three kids, one a college grad, one in college, and one still in high school (who's a fantastic writer). I love the Red Sox and the New England Patriots. I work full time, have an editing business, and in my free time write like a fanatic.
Above the desk in my office is this sign: "And They All Lived Happily Ever After." It may not be reality, but it's real nice to think about...
I have three kids, one a college grad, one in college, and one still in high school (who's a fantastic writer). I love the Red Sox and the New England Patriots. I work full time, have an editing business, and in my free time write like a fanatic.
Above the desk in my office is this sign: "And They All Lived Happily Ever After." It may not be reality, but it's real nice to think about...
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
July 17, 2011
This book was not what I expected, it was worse!
Maggie Pierce the heroine, is portrayed as a lovely witty creature, who previously fell in love with Edward when their mutual friends' (Elizabeth and Rand the Duke of Bellingham) marriage was arranged. Edward then leaves the country unexpectedly and Maggie is left quite hurt because she had fallen in love with Edward and he didn't even say goodbye. In the mean time her father has stolen and embezzled money from their friends (nice guy) and landed himself in jail. So, Maggie and her dimwitted mother Harriet, are destitute and don't want anyone to know until Maggie can secure herself a wealthy husband. She is invited to stay with Elizabeth whilst she is pregnant and keep her amused for over the Christmas. (I guess Christmas was in this book somewhere, it was lost amongst the waffle)
In comes Edward, back to see his friend Rand & Elizabeth with his sister, Amelia, in tow. This seems to be a good setup, obviously the story will now start to grow with some serious interaction between Maggie and Edward. But this isn't what happens. Instead, Maggie flirts openly with every man she can find, purposely and coldly in front of Edward. She knowingly setups up one man and pretends to want his advances, all the while repulsed by the mere thought of him kissing her, that and he is older than her father.
Edward and Maggie hardly have any interaction or conversation in this book. It's full of memories, inner turmoil about the past , which creates nothing new for the story to grow on and makes you wonder why the Author didn't write that book instead of this. Maggie flirts allot, coldly and purposely, which I think was awful, because it's obvious Edward loves her and it doesn't portray her as a very nice person. Furthermore, she lies herself into circles.
In the middle of all this, her mother is going round the twist, her friend is pregnant, Edward apparently asks Maggie and her mother to chaperone his sister Amelia. To which they fail miserably, they are too busy and interested in their own pursuits, to the point that Maggie doesn't even realise her mother hasn't been seen for hours and never even arrived at the party. Edwards sister is practically sleeping with some redneck texan Carson- who keeps trying to force her to have sex (I don't want to read about that) - and he doesn't even care, he lets him stay with them. When Maggie finally gets Edward she pushes him away and rejects him, then rejects everyone and leaves..
She ends up on a ship, that sinks, and the drama doesn't stop here folks. She heads back to New York with a gun to kill a man that wronged in the past regarding her Father and his imprisonment. But wait! Surviving the shipwreck has given Maggie an epiphany and after she visits her father she decides to just yell at the guy instead of shoot him. rolls eyes!!! Then comes back to England to try and get Edward back after she kicked him to the curb. Maggie's mother Harriet, with her big mouth, almost ruins everything. If it had been me, I would have flung mashed potato in the woman's face to shut her up!!
Then the Epilogue isn't about our two lovers, oh no, it's about Edwards sister, Amelia and her Texan beau, and how she has been waiting 6 months for a letter from him to ask her to marry him and to go to Texas, but she is so dense she still hasn't realised that they guy hasn't written for her because he doesn't want her to come.
This was all over the place, it goes from Maggie barely being able to stop herself from running and kissing Edward, to being a total bitch to him. The story was so messy, I couldn't even remember where people were. I felt the strong desire to throw the book down and give up, but forced myself to finish it, I am a glutton for punishment.
Maggie Pierce the heroine, is portrayed as a lovely witty creature, who previously fell in love with Edward when their mutual friends' (Elizabeth and Rand the Duke of Bellingham) marriage was arranged. Edward then leaves the country unexpectedly and Maggie is left quite hurt because she had fallen in love with Edward and he didn't even say goodbye. In the mean time her father has stolen and embezzled money from their friends (nice guy) and landed himself in jail. So, Maggie and her dimwitted mother Harriet, are destitute and don't want anyone to know until Maggie can secure herself a wealthy husband. She is invited to stay with Elizabeth whilst she is pregnant and keep her amused for over the Christmas. (I guess Christmas was in this book somewhere, it was lost amongst the waffle)
In comes Edward, back to see his friend Rand & Elizabeth with his sister, Amelia, in tow. This seems to be a good setup, obviously the story will now start to grow with some serious interaction between Maggie and Edward. But this isn't what happens. Instead, Maggie flirts openly with every man she can find, purposely and coldly in front of Edward. She knowingly setups up one man and pretends to want his advances, all the while repulsed by the mere thought of him kissing her, that and he is older than her father.
Edward and Maggie hardly have any interaction or conversation in this book. It's full of memories, inner turmoil about the past , which creates nothing new for the story to grow on and makes you wonder why the Author didn't write that book instead of this. Maggie flirts allot, coldly and purposely, which I think was awful, because it's obvious Edward loves her and it doesn't portray her as a very nice person. Furthermore, she lies herself into circles.
In the middle of all this, her mother is going round the twist, her friend is pregnant, Edward apparently asks Maggie and her mother to chaperone his sister Amelia. To which they fail miserably, they are too busy and interested in their own pursuits, to the point that Maggie doesn't even realise her mother hasn't been seen for hours and never even arrived at the party. Edwards sister is practically sleeping with some redneck texan Carson- who keeps trying to force her to have sex (I don't want to read about that) - and he doesn't even care, he lets him stay with them. When Maggie finally gets Edward she pushes him away and rejects him, then rejects everyone and leaves..
She ends up on a ship, that sinks, and the drama doesn't stop here folks. She heads back to New York with a gun to kill a man that wronged in the past regarding her Father and his imprisonment. But wait! Surviving the shipwreck has given Maggie an epiphany and after she visits her father she decides to just yell at the guy instead of shoot him. rolls eyes!!! Then comes back to England to try and get Edward back after she kicked him to the curb. Maggie's mother Harriet, with her big mouth, almost ruins everything. If it had been me, I would have flung mashed potato in the woman's face to shut her up!!
Then the Epilogue isn't about our two lovers, oh no, it's about Edwards sister, Amelia and her Texan beau, and how she has been waiting 6 months for a letter from him to ask her to marry him and to go to Texas, but she is so dense she still hasn't realised that they guy hasn't written for her because he doesn't want her to come.
This was all over the place, it goes from Maggie barely being able to stop herself from running and kissing Edward, to being a total bitch to him. The story was so messy, I couldn't even remember where people were. I felt the strong desire to throw the book down and give up, but forced myself to finish it, I am a glutton for punishment.
December 25, 2014
I forgot how much I love this author
November 19, 2018
I know I was reading this for fluff, but this book actually made me angry! Everyone in this novel is painfully STUPID. For Christ's sake, stop lying, open your stupid mouth and tell people how you feel! Does everyone in Regency England just lie constantly? Maggie's mother is a total idiot, Edward's sister is another total idiot, and pretty much everyone spends the entire time lying to each other. Nothing could salvage this train wreck of a book.
May 28, 2012
I didn't understand that for as promising as this story sounded, ultimately it wasn't as wonderful as I expected. Edward and Maggie were great characters with a lot of sexual attraction for each other; unfortunately those particular scenes, however intense, were too few. On the plus side, their love for each other rang true. I particularly liked how the author focused on Edward's love for Maggie and his struggle with jealousy. Maggie suffered multiple crisis, which were realistically portrayed, and she was often at her emotional breaking point. Unfortunately, as the story progressed the plot wasn't so smooth, with some scenarios being weak and rather anticlimatic.
Maggie and Edward were definitely the highlight of the story as it should be with romance novels. It's just that several secondary characters weren't developed which makes me wonder why the author would include them in the first place. Also its abrupt ending sure didn't help matters and lacked the grand finale feel I expect from a satisfying read. 3.2 stars.
Maggie and Edward were definitely the highlight of the story as it should be with romance novels. It's just that several secondary characters weren't developed which makes me wonder why the author would include them in the first place. Also its abrupt ending sure didn't help matters and lacked the grand finale feel I expect from a satisfying read. 3.2 stars.
December 5, 2015
I bought this book because I needed to read a book set in my home town, and the back cover said that they meet in Newport. They did. In a previous book that I hadn't read. That was my fault, I guess, should have stayed with book 1. Anyway, apart from that, the book was alright. Kind of over the top and all over the place, but it was more or less what I expect from a romance novel. I do wish there had been more about Christmas and less about guys trying to force women to have sex with them.
December 6, 2020
3.5
This book could do without Maggie's mom.
This book could do without Maggie's mom.
August 25, 2020
It is 1893 New York and Maggie is in a quandary as to help her father - embezzlement is not a nice predicament for her family or status and five years in jail is absolutely devastating! Maggie has just had a wonderful season of balls, merriment and the spring of first love with gorgeous English gentlemen of the 'Noble' sort! But her decision making has turned sour and her dear girlfriend has asked for her company in England; and so Maggie and her mother set off to an adventure that really changes her life - so that she should no longer feel unworthy of a love that she has a right to have. Wow, this is truly a romance with Jane Austen's vibes but definitely with a 20th century twist of innocent love, lust and happiness for ever!!
December 30, 2019
I’m getting in a few good “Christmas” books while it’s still the season. This book takes place over several months although Christmas does feature and there is technically a scandal, but not right at Christmas, so I feel the title is slightly a misnomer. I did however enjoy the book and am interested in the others in the series after reading this one. Maggie would probably be an excellent poker player which is partly why her relationship with Edward doesn’t progress horribly fast at first.
May 15, 2020
was ok it as pretty fast paced in the beginning but started to lose a bit at the end
and kinda dropped the ending a lil was a lil disappointed plus there was a big lead up to his sister ameila with the cowboy she was in love with and was gonna run away to marry ... but it didnt reallt show what happened Unless they have their own book or something ? as a lil disappointed at the ending to be honest but was a cheap book I got on sale so was ok for light read
and kinda dropped the ending a lil was a lil disappointed plus there was a big lead up to his sister ameila with the cowboy she was in love with and was gonna run away to marry ... but it didnt reallt show what happened Unless they have their own book or something ? as a lil disappointed at the ending to be honest but was a cheap book I got on sale so was ok for light read
November 27, 2021
Many underlying themes including finding yourself and your inner strength. The side characters are complete people and not just for decoration around the hero/heroine. I wasn't sure several times while reading the book, but after finishing it realized I liked it more than I thought I would.
September 16, 2019
The first book,I read about the reluctant heiress, had me. Afterwards,the others went down a hill. I have not been enjoying the other books,any more.
November 14, 2025
This book had so much depth within the story and I think it worked really well.
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February 22, 2021I picked up the first book in the series and then had to search for book two. After reading book two I felt the need to find book three. I loved the characters and enjoyed the historical romance.
December 17, 2022
I had read this trilogy years ago, and decided to reread this for my Christmas 2022 reads. Had a lot of emotion and tense situations. Maggie and Edward’s story was taut with sexual tension. Make sure to read the others so you know the other characters
December 25, 2012
This was a great book! Great story with twists and turns. It's got a great convoluted epic plot-line going, a bit like a soap opera, but I love that angsty kind of feeling. Loved the heroine. She found such inner strength that made me not only like her but respect her.
November 7, 2009
Followup to Marry Christmas, with Maggie and Lord Hollings. Good though a bit drawn out.
October 25, 2012
I thought this book was awful, but am going to try one more book by her.
June 17, 2013
This book could have been so much better. There wasn't nearly enough interaction between the two main characters and the plot didn't feel cohesive enough.
January 1, 2014
good characters
July 23, 2016
I loved this story! It was great! The characters were fantastic and the story line was not just exactly what you would expect but instead had some twists. Mostly, I really liked the characters
December 27, 2015
Lots of angst in this fairly complex story but a decent read nonetheless.
March 2, 2010
Goodger, Jane is the author. Good story just a little slow getting the couple together.
January 8, 2011
Pretty good story but I was ready for it to end about 50 pages before it did so.
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews