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Secrets and Spies #3.5
Orchids & Mistletoe
Reclusive ex-spy Christopher ‘Kit’ Carlisle has barely left his country estate since his escape from wartime captivity, but a deathbed promise has forced him to London to seek out the beautiful—and frustratingly elusive—Emma Townsend.
Botanist Emma is back from Brazil, determined to keep her precious orchids alive long enough to present them to the Royal Society. For that she needs a hothouse, and the assistance of the one man who’s always made her heart beat faster: the broodingly handsome Kit.
When Kit reluctantly agrees to allow Emma—and her plants—to spend Christmas with him at his country estate, the attraction that simmers between them is hard to deny. In Emma’s company, grouchy Kit rediscovers the joy of being alive, while Emma can’t resist the impulse to make Kit smile again—or to steal his clothes while he’s bathing . . .
Botanist Emma is back from Brazil, determined to keep her precious orchids alive long enough to present them to the Royal Society. For that she needs a hothouse, and the assistance of the one man who’s always made her heart beat faster: the broodingly handsome Kit.
When Kit reluctantly agrees to allow Emma—and her plants—to spend Christmas with him at his country estate, the attraction that simmers between them is hard to deny. In Emma’s company, grouchy Kit rediscovers the joy of being alive, while Emma can’t resist the impulse to make Kit smile again—or to steal his clothes while he’s bathing . . .
78 pages, Paperback
First published October 11, 2022
40 people are currently reading
281 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 60 reviews
January 1, 2024
Twas cute but I needed more between them on page before those love declarations bc man that was whiplash. They knew each other before but did they REALLY? I don’t think so. Also I knew there wouldn’t be a sex scene but there should’ve been bc ?????
December 26, 2022
This book is not what we were expecting. You see, we were sold on the setup: Kit was imprisoned along with his BFF, who also happens to be Emma's brother. Kit survived, BFF did not. Kit also made a deathbed promise to take care of Emma. So when she shows up in town and informs him that she needs to use his hothouse to raise her orchids, he's pretty much all in. Also, his hothouse is so hot because it has a HOT TUB in it. (OK maybe it's just a natural hot spring, but it's been made into a bathing area surrounded by tropical plants. 10/10 would bathe in this hothouse hot tub.)
Look, were we WRONG to read "brother's best friend, close proximity, HOT TUB, mistress proposition" and expect some hothouse action? Because even if we weren't morally wrong, we were definitely surprised to find that Orchids and Mistletoe is a closed door romance. So, y'know, keep that in mind when reading it. It's still super cute and all, but after the bear adjacent spice from A Daring Pursuit we were just a little disappointed.
13-Word Summaries:
Meg: IF this were steamy the title would be: Willed to His Best Friend.
Laine: Checklist before wooing dead BFF's sister: get buff (again), she's in England, baths.
Look, were we WRONG to read "brother's best friend, close proximity, HOT TUB, mistress proposition" and expect some hothouse action? Because even if we weren't morally wrong, we were definitely surprised to find that Orchids and Mistletoe is a closed door romance. So, y'know, keep that in mind when reading it. It's still super cute and all, but after the bear adjacent spice from A Daring Pursuit we were just a little disappointed.
13-Word Summaries:
Meg: IF this were steamy the title would be: Willed to His Best Friend.
Laine: Checklist before wooing dead BFF's sister: get buff (again), she's in England, baths.
December 18, 2023
Orchids and Mistletoe is a holiday, historical romance novella from Kate Bateman. This one has a botanist heroine, an ex-spy hero who is her late brother’s friend, and was described as giving beauty and the beast vibes!
Kit Carlisle is an ex-spy, during the war he was held as a POW with the heroine’s brother, who asked for Kit to look after his sister Emma and return her locket right before he passed away in their shared cell. After escaping and a physical recovery after that, Kit is now able to return Emma the locket.
Emma is a botanist who just returned home from Brazil with an orchid. When Kit tracks her down she sees it as the perfect chance to ask a favor of him as well. Even though they haven’t seen one another in 3 years, she’s hoping he’ll let her use his hothouse for her orchids over Christmas. His country home, Ashford Court, was famous in horticultural circles for its unusual greenhouse, heated entirely by naturally-occurring geothermal springs and it would be the best possible place for her orchids to bloom.
This was so charming and cute and I could have read even more about this couple! We get kissing-only which I didn’t mind for this short read. We get a mistletoe kiss, ice skating, and a hothouse bathing scene (with him accidentally spying on her). I just thought these two were so adorable and perfect together and they had me excited for their future adventures together!
Kit Carlisle is an ex-spy, during the war he was held as a POW with the heroine’s brother, who asked for Kit to look after his sister Emma and return her locket right before he passed away in their shared cell. After escaping and a physical recovery after that, Kit is now able to return Emma the locket.
Emma is a botanist who just returned home from Brazil with an orchid. When Kit tracks her down she sees it as the perfect chance to ask a favor of him as well. Even though they haven’t seen one another in 3 years, she’s hoping he’ll let her use his hothouse for her orchids over Christmas. His country home, Ashford Court, was famous in horticultural circles for its unusual greenhouse, heated entirely by naturally-occurring geothermal springs and it would be the best possible place for her orchids to bloom.
This was so charming and cute and I could have read even more about this couple! We get kissing-only which I didn’t mind for this short read. We get a mistletoe kiss, ice skating, and a hothouse bathing scene (with him accidentally spying on her). I just thought these two were so adorable and perfect together and they had me excited for their future adventures together!
December 30, 2023
A sweet brother’s best friend-ish romance novella. No love scene, which was fine with me. Because of how sweet the romance was, I think a love scene would’ve changed the tone. I think I’ll end the year with this book. 🥰❤️❤️
December 11, 2024
TOO SHORT!!! I love the story of Kit and Emma! But this novella is TOO SHORT!!! After surviving for 18 months in a dank French prison and watching his best friend, Andrew, die, Kit, the Earl, is finally whole again and has a mission from Andrew. Give a locket Andrew had kept to his sister, Emma.
December 29, 2023
Things you should know before starting this book:
It's REALLY short (I know you are like well I can see my progress duh, but you'll still be surprised cause half this book is a preview for another book).
It doesn't have on page s3x (lots of s3xy scenes though).
Now that you know that. Please just go enjoy that read!
When the book ended, I was like, no! It's already over?
Was I sad it was over? -Yes.
Did I wish these two had a whole novel for themselves? -Also, Yes.
Did it make me love the book less? -ABSOLUTELY NOT.
It was still perfection. It was short, sweet, full of beautiful moments and characters with such chemistry.
Kate Bateman can do no wrong in my opinion. I just love how even with 50 pages I feel like I knew these characters so well and completely understood why they are such a perfect fit. It was fun, still got some emotional parts, characters had great interactions, lots of swoony moments. Just loved it. The comparison with the orchids was just so damn perfect. And I don't know, this story was just what I needed. Thank you.
It's REALLY short (I know you are like well I can see my progress duh, but you'll still be surprised cause half this book is a preview for another book).
It doesn't have on page s3x (lots of s3xy scenes though).
Now that you know that. Please just go enjoy that read!
When the book ended, I was like, no! It's already over?
Was I sad it was over? -Yes.
Did I wish these two had a whole novel for themselves? -Also, Yes.
Did it make me love the book less? -ABSOLUTELY NOT.
It was still perfection. It was short, sweet, full of beautiful moments and characters with such chemistry.
Kate Bateman can do no wrong in my opinion. I just love how even with 50 pages I feel like I knew these characters so well and completely understood why they are such a perfect fit. It was fun, still got some emotional parts, characters had great interactions, lots of swoony moments. Just loved it. The comparison with the orchids was just so damn perfect. And I don't know, this story was just what I needed. Thank you.
January 17, 2026
Christopher "Kit" Carlisle was rescued after extended captivity in France. After a year of recovery, he sets out to find the newly-returned-to-England Emma Townsend. She asks to use his hothouse; he allows it because it gives him a hot house (heh heh); they are in love.
1. Not enough here to convince me these two are going to make it work. Apparently they saw each other once a few years ago, and there's been boners ever sense, but now it's ~feelings, I guess?
2. Except Kit is one of those "doesn't use his words" heroes, so, um.
3. And Emma has this whole thing about being a botanist and an heiress, and, um.
4. Why in the world is it suddenly love? I didn't track, and it didn't quite work for me.
1. Not enough here to convince me these two are going to make it work. Apparently they saw each other once a few years ago, and there's been boners ever sense, but now it's ~feelings, I guess?
2. Except Kit is one of those "doesn't use his words" heroes, so, um.
3. And Emma has this whole thing about being a botanist and an heiress, and, um.
4. Why in the world is it suddenly love? I didn't track, and it didn't quite work for me.
December 23, 2023
FYI: no steam.
As in no steam between mc’s. Lots of steam due to the hot springs though 😂.
Great little novella!
As in no steam between mc’s. Lots of steam due to the hot springs though 😂.
Great little novella!
March 25, 2023
What remained of my Holiday/Christmas themed tbr books, was a fun and sweet novella about two seemingly completely different people finding their happiness together despite past tragedies.
I liked both Emma and Kit; their chemistry was nice and entertaining. They had fairly funny meet (again) cute, and the whole set up of him “lending” her his hothouse was pretty great. Obviously, I liked the bathing scenes the most (😉). Although, I think I’d enjoy the story much more if I read the previous books in the series (meaning to, they sounds interesting), as there was some references to characters I didn’t know, and it was slightly confusing in places.
Other than that, it was pretty fun read!
3,25/5 stars
I liked both Emma and Kit; their chemistry was nice and entertaining. They had fairly funny meet (again) cute, and the whole set up of him “lending” her his hothouse was pretty great. Obviously, I liked the bathing scenes the most (😉). Although, I think I’d enjoy the story much more if I read the previous books in the series (meaning to, they sounds interesting), as there was some references to characters I didn’t know, and it was slightly confusing in places.
Other than that, it was pretty fun read!
3,25/5 stars
October 14, 2022
This was a sweet little novella but, like usual, I wish it was a full length novel. I love Kate Bateman's books and characters and wanted a longer slowburn story for these two.
December 25, 2022
It was cute but too short even for a novella, there is no room to develop all its potential (which is huge) and it lacks depth for the same reason. I liked these characters and they deserved a more detailed story.
January 30, 2024
He wanted to live again. Not merely to exist, but to expose himself to the world. To all the highs and lows it had to offer, despite the risks.
3.5 stars
Even though I thought the cover for this novella is a bit misleading as there is no steam, I still found myself enjoying this quick read. Both Kit and Emma have pined after each other for some time, and I loved seeing them finally take that leap. Emma's zest for life is so contagious, and I loved watching Kit being pulled into her sunshine orbit. Wonderful HEA, just wish there had been more steam.
Tropes: brother's best friend, secret pining, war-ravaged hero, ambitious heroine, forced proximity, holiday fling, 'it's always been you' vibes, sensual but no steam💖
December 26, 2023
"Did you know that each type of orchid attracts its own particular pollinator? Some attract bees, while others need other types of insects. It means there’s an enormous variety in appearance between different kinds." Kit barely managed to grunt, and she carried on. "I like to think that’s true of people too."
I worship at the feet of Kate Bateman, but this wasn't my favorite. In her defense I don't typically care for romantic novellas because there is never enough time to build up tension or get to know the characters well enough to care. And if I don't have romance, I at least want steam, and for whatever reason this was fade to black? The Promise of a Kiss was also a novella but it worked much better for me, though it did have nearly 50 pages on this, which it could have benefitted from.
October 15, 2022
Trigger warnings: death of a sibling (in the past), incarceration (in the past), grief
3.5 stars.
This was extremely cute and I loved that Emma is a lady adventurer trekking off to the depths of South America in search of orchids on the regular. But it was FAR too short for my liking and given the length it felt like the whole thing was just the build up to the romance and then BOOM they're engaged and the story ends. I would happily have read this as a full length novel, but failing that, I would have been happy with another 50 or so pages to flesh things out.
3.5 stars.
This was extremely cute and I loved that Emma is a lady adventurer trekking off to the depths of South America in search of orchids on the regular. But it was FAR too short for my liking and given the length it felt like the whole thing was just the build up to the romance and then BOOM they're engaged and the story ends. I would happily have read this as a full length novel, but failing that, I would have been happy with another 50 or so pages to flesh things out.
December 25, 2024
I’m a bit disappointed tbh, I felt like the book just ended very abruptly and even though I really liked it overall I felt like there could have been a better conclusion. After LOVING Desert Island Duke I just expected more. Reading this on Christmas was great though! And I did really like the botany moments :)
December 31, 2025
This was great and I would have loved it to be a full novel. Fun little Christmas time novella to add to your lists for next year!
December 22, 2023
Go, girl, give us nothing.
December 22, 2021
This is part of A Merry Christmas Belles and Rakehells anthology with other authors.
I hate how Goodreads marks anthologies or collaborations as one book when there are several stories in each one. I created this as a separate book so it would count as 1 read.
For such a short read it was a great story. Kate Bateman got a lot of depth out of her characters.
I hate how Goodreads marks anthologies or collaborations as one book when there are several stories in each one. I created this as a separate book so it would count as 1 read.
For such a short read it was a great story. Kate Bateman got a lot of depth out of her characters.
December 25, 2021
A nice novella. I’ve never seen a botanist heroine who travels to discover flora- pretty cool!
November 11, 2022
Short, clean, and cute Christmas historical romance.
December 24, 2022
💐 Orchids and Mistletoe 🎄
A Secrets and Spies Series novella
✒️ Kate Bateman
https://www.facebook.com/kcbatemanaut...
Release Date 10/11/2022
Publisher Kate Bateman
➪ https://a.co/d/axYBnLA
𝗕𝗹𝘂𝗿𝗯
Reclusive ex-spy Christopher ‘Kit’ Carlisle has barely left his country estate since his escape from wartime captivity, but a deathbed promise has forced him to London to seek out the beautiful—and frustratingly elusive—Emma Townsend.
Botanist Emma is back from Brazil, determined to keep her precious orchids alive long enough to present them to the Royal Society. For that she needs a hothouse, and the assistance of the one man who’s always made her heart beat faster: the broodingly handsome Kit.
When Kit reluctantly agrees to allow Emma—and her plants—to spend Christmas with him at his country estate, the attraction that simmers between them is hard to deny. In Emma’s company, grouchy Kit rediscovers the joy of being alive, while Emma can’t resist the impulse to make Kit smile again—or to steal his clothes while he’s bathing . . .
NB: This sweet addition to the Secrets & Spies series features the ‘best friend’s sister’ trope, with hints of Beauty and the Beast.
𝗥𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄
I do not know if all readers are like me, very fickle beings, jumping from one book to another, often forgetting how much they enjoyed so-and-so authors’ work to go to their next gem.
It was thanks to my previous read I remembered I had the author’s Christmas novella sitting on my eshelves. So nothing better than the present moment to finally keep my promise to myself.
In all it is a fun and sweet read of a sort of friends as they share a mutuel acquaintance. Kit and Emma are already past halfway point before rekindling their relationship. Each knows and understands the other, their hopes and pains.
Kit survived and only now is thinking to rejoin the living. Emma is living in some way her dream life even if she has to adapt them to her era.
An entertaining fast paced kind of courtship for those two already half in love friends.
4 stars
𝗦𝘁𝗲𝗮𝗺 𝗹𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹 kisses and naughty thoughts
https://www.instagram.com/reel/Cmjlfn...
https://m.facebook.com/story.php?stor...
#bookstagram #historicalromance #romance #romancebookblog #romancebookblogger #bookblog #romanceauthor #bookblogger #2022read #bookstagrammer #bookreview #romancebookreviewer #arcreader #katebateman #romancestagram #readersofinstagram
A Secrets and Spies Series novella
✒️ Kate Bateman
https://www.facebook.com/kcbatemanaut...
Release Date 10/11/2022
Publisher Kate Bateman
➪ https://a.co/d/axYBnLA
𝗕𝗹𝘂𝗿𝗯
Reclusive ex-spy Christopher ‘Kit’ Carlisle has barely left his country estate since his escape from wartime captivity, but a deathbed promise has forced him to London to seek out the beautiful—and frustratingly elusive—Emma Townsend.
Botanist Emma is back from Brazil, determined to keep her precious orchids alive long enough to present them to the Royal Society. For that she needs a hothouse, and the assistance of the one man who’s always made her heart beat faster: the broodingly handsome Kit.
When Kit reluctantly agrees to allow Emma—and her plants—to spend Christmas with him at his country estate, the attraction that simmers between them is hard to deny. In Emma’s company, grouchy Kit rediscovers the joy of being alive, while Emma can’t resist the impulse to make Kit smile again—or to steal his clothes while he’s bathing . . .
NB: This sweet addition to the Secrets & Spies series features the ‘best friend’s sister’ trope, with hints of Beauty and the Beast.
𝗥𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄
I do not know if all readers are like me, very fickle beings, jumping from one book to another, often forgetting how much they enjoyed so-and-so authors’ work to go to their next gem.
It was thanks to my previous read I remembered I had the author’s Christmas novella sitting on my eshelves. So nothing better than the present moment to finally keep my promise to myself.
In all it is a fun and sweet read of a sort of friends as they share a mutuel acquaintance. Kit and Emma are already past halfway point before rekindling their relationship. Each knows and understands the other, their hopes and pains.
Kit survived and only now is thinking to rejoin the living. Emma is living in some way her dream life even if she has to adapt them to her era.
An entertaining fast paced kind of courtship for those two already half in love friends.
4 stars
𝗦𝘁𝗲𝗮𝗺 𝗹𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹 kisses and naughty thoughts
https://www.instagram.com/reel/Cmjlfn...
https://m.facebook.com/story.php?stor...
#bookstagram #historicalromance #romance #romancebookblog #romancebookblogger #bookblog #romanceauthor #bookblogger #2022read #bookstagrammer #bookreview #romancebookreviewer #arcreader #katebateman #romancestagram #readersofinstagram
December 24, 2022
Series: Secrets & Spies #3.5
Rating: 4 stars - It was really good
I picked this book up because of this beautiful cover. This was a wonderful and sweet Christmas romance with two people finding love and healing. Kit is a veteran who is still struggling with his PTSD from being a POW and grief from his best friend's death. Emma is an independent woman who just wants to study plants and have adventures. She requests the use of Kit’s hothouse to protect a new species of orchid she discovered but their time together quickly turns into more.
“How could he possibly explain that he felt like those orchids of hers? That he’d been in his own ‘dormant stage’ for the past eighteen months, but . . . maybe she was coaxing him to bloom again?”
Kit and Emma’s relationship was short, sweet, and filled with a lot of tension. These two have wanted each other since they were teenagers and now are finally getting their chance to be together. Emma brings Kit out of his depressive haze and fills his life with laughter again. I loved the tension between these two, especially with all the hot springs scenes. Overall this was a short and sweet holiday romance that I couldn’t put it down.
Trigger Warnings: death of best friend and sibling; grief; depression; mention of extended recovery after starvation and imprisonment;
You can also find my reviews at Red-Haired Ash Reads.
Rating: 4 stars - It was really good
I picked this book up because of this beautiful cover. This was a wonderful and sweet Christmas romance with two people finding love and healing. Kit is a veteran who is still struggling with his PTSD from being a POW and grief from his best friend's death. Emma is an independent woman who just wants to study plants and have adventures. She requests the use of Kit’s hothouse to protect a new species of orchid she discovered but their time together quickly turns into more.
“How could he possibly explain that he felt like those orchids of hers? That he’d been in his own ‘dormant stage’ for the past eighteen months, but . . . maybe she was coaxing him to bloom again?”
Kit and Emma’s relationship was short, sweet, and filled with a lot of tension. These two have wanted each other since they were teenagers and now are finally getting their chance to be together. Emma brings Kit out of his depressive haze and fills his life with laughter again. I loved the tension between these two, especially with all the hot springs scenes. Overall this was a short and sweet holiday romance that I couldn’t put it down.
Trigger Warnings: death of best friend and sibling; grief; depression; mention of extended recovery after starvation and imprisonment;
You can also find my reviews at Red-Haired Ash Reads.
December 9, 2023
"Orchids and Mistletoe" by Kate Bateman, a part of the Secrets & Spies series
.
Cover: 5/5
Story: 2.5/5
Steam: Zero steam. A shared kiss.
Ending: HEA
.
Series or Stand Alone: part of a series but had no issues reading without reading any other part of the series.
.
England, Regency Period (1816)
Former Secret Agent
Botanist
Christmas Novella
Close Proximity
Best Friend's Sister
Grumpy/Sunshine
Country Estate
.
I felt this (extremely short) novella had some great writing and an interesting plotline from the get-go. Unfortunately, this title is incredibly rushed. I understand it's a novella, but this needed at least 40 more pages to round it out.
It's a bit of a shame because I genuinely was interested in both of the main characters. When I turned the page and saw it was the end, I was, in truth, disappointed. It is difficult but this had the potential to be such a great story, but the brevity made this title fall flat. I liked this story, but it has left me wanting.
Give it a read if you read the series or need something extremely short to read. Otherwise, maybe skip it because you will be left wanting more!
This is a zero steam title. I wasn't expecting that from Bateman based on another read I have read by her. However, they do share a steamy kiss and some naughty observation time.
.
Read as a self-purchased ebook. Honest review left voluntarily.
.
CW (may contain spoilers):
.
.
.
.
.
Incarceration
De*th of best friend
Prisoners of war
.
Cover: 5/5
Story: 2.5/5
Steam: Zero steam. A shared kiss.
Ending: HEA
.
Series or Stand Alone: part of a series but had no issues reading without reading any other part of the series.
.
England, Regency Period (1816)
Former Secret Agent
Botanist
Christmas Novella
Close Proximity
Best Friend's Sister
Grumpy/Sunshine
Country Estate
.
I felt this (extremely short) novella had some great writing and an interesting plotline from the get-go. Unfortunately, this title is incredibly rushed. I understand it's a novella, but this needed at least 40 more pages to round it out.
It's a bit of a shame because I genuinely was interested in both of the main characters. When I turned the page and saw it was the end, I was, in truth, disappointed. It is difficult but this had the potential to be such a great story, but the brevity made this title fall flat. I liked this story, but it has left me wanting.
Give it a read if you read the series or need something extremely short to read. Otherwise, maybe skip it because you will be left wanting more!
This is a zero steam title. I wasn't expecting that from Bateman based on another read I have read by her. However, they do share a steamy kiss and some naughty observation time.
.
Read as a self-purchased ebook. Honest review left voluntarily.
.
CW (may contain spoilers):
.
.
.
.
.
Incarceration
De*th of best friend
Prisoners of war
December 23, 2023
Characters: Kit and Emma
Closed door novella
Kit (Christopher) has been attracted to Emma (his best friend’s little sister) for years. For six months he was imprisoned with his best friend as prisoners of war, and unfortunately Andrew got sick. Before he passed away he gave Kit a locket to give back to Emma.
Kit has been home and decides to pay Emma a visit so he can give her back her locket.
Emma is a botanist, who is trying to get her discoveries noticed, unfortunately for her she is a woman and isn’t allowed in the club.
After Kit gives her back her locket, she enlists the help of Kit to help her keep her orchids alive.
This was sexy, but some may be disappointed in this because there aren’t any sexy times in this novella. Honestly i would have enjoyed those as well, but i still had a good time with this novella.
There is making out and nude bodies, just no naked bodies joined together.
Closed door novella
Kit (Christopher) has been attracted to Emma (his best friend’s little sister) for years. For six months he was imprisoned with his best friend as prisoners of war, and unfortunately Andrew got sick. Before he passed away he gave Kit a locket to give back to Emma.
Kit has been home and decides to pay Emma a visit so he can give her back her locket.
Emma is a botanist, who is trying to get her discoveries noticed, unfortunately for her she is a woman and isn’t allowed in the club.
After Kit gives her back her locket, she enlists the help of Kit to help her keep her orchids alive.
This was sexy, but some may be disappointed in this because there aren’t any sexy times in this novella. Honestly i would have enjoyed those as well, but i still had a good time with this novella.
There is making out and nude bodies, just no naked bodies joined together.
December 25, 2022
Sweet, charming, uplifting and swoony.
This catered wonderfully to what I like in historical romances with a forced proximity theme, childhood crush to adult pining on both sides, a botanist heroine, a scarred, reclusive hero and both spending Christmas days practically alone in our hero's manor.
The characters were very well drawned out and both liakable, thanjs to the author's beautiful and skillful writing.
Even for a novella, this could have been a bit longer and therefore explore more "possibilities" this set-up had to offer.
A few times the themes i.e. "christmas decorations" and "christmas presents" felt a bit too modern but on the whole this was very satisfying despite not seeing any "bed scenes".
An ideal Christmas read!
Reading format: owned paperback
This catered wonderfully to what I like in historical romances with a forced proximity theme, childhood crush to adult pining on both sides, a botanist heroine, a scarred, reclusive hero and both spending Christmas days practically alone in our hero's manor.
The characters were very well drawned out and both liakable, thanjs to the author's beautiful and skillful writing.
Even for a novella, this could have been a bit longer and therefore explore more "possibilities" this set-up had to offer.
A few times the themes i.e. "christmas decorations" and "christmas presents" felt a bit too modern but on the whole this was very satisfying despite not seeing any "bed scenes".
An ideal Christmas read!
Reading format: owned paperback
December 24, 2022
This was very cute, with an engaging, adventurous heroine and a sweet and super hot hero.
Loved it, but wish the last 25 pages of my ebook were actually part of the novella—it needed it! There’s lots of complaints around these days of illustrated covers and how they don’t show accurately whether a book has spice/steam whatever you want to call it, but this one I think falls into the same trap. The cover is AMAZING and very much insinuates we’ll get that steam and we don’t. It’s totally possible that I just don’t know anything about this author and such, but the cover didn’t match the lack of steam for me.
But also like, still 4 stars because it was very good. Just wanted more.
Loved it, but wish the last 25 pages of my ebook were actually part of the novella—it needed it! There’s lots of complaints around these days of illustrated covers and how they don’t show accurately whether a book has spice/steam whatever you want to call it, but this one I think falls into the same trap. The cover is AMAZING and very much insinuates we’ll get that steam and we don’t. It’s totally possible that I just don’t know anything about this author and such, but the cover didn’t match the lack of steam for me.
But also like, still 4 stars because it was very good. Just wanted more.
December 11, 2023
Oh my gosh I LOVED THIS. It was a short and sweet (and a little spicy) novella that fits perfectly at the end of the Secrets and Spies series.
Emma is hoping to honor her late brother by getting a new Orchid named after him by the Horticultural Society. She needs a hothouse, though, and Kit just happens to have one. Kit is a veteran who was not only childhood friends of Emma and Andrew's, he also the man who was a prisoner of war with Andrew at the end of his life. Emma and Kit bond over their shared love dearly departed Andrew as they celebrate Christmas.
This story is filled with highlightable lines and deliciously tense scenes between Emma and Kit, ending in a super swoonworthy finale. SUCH A GREAT TIME!!!
Trigger warnings: prisoner of war, death of brother/friend (off page)
Emma is hoping to honor her late brother by getting a new Orchid named after him by the Horticultural Society. She needs a hothouse, though, and Kit just happens to have one. Kit is a veteran who was not only childhood friends of Emma and Andrew's, he also the man who was a prisoner of war with Andrew at the end of his life. Emma and Kit bond over their shared love dearly departed Andrew as they celebrate Christmas.
This story is filled with highlightable lines and deliciously tense scenes between Emma and Kit, ending in a super swoonworthy finale. SUCH A GREAT TIME!!!
Trigger warnings: prisoner of war, death of brother/friend (off page)
November 21, 2023
Kit ficou preso com Andrew, e prometeu entregar uma peça a sua irmã Emma, caso o segundo viesse a falecer. E ao encontrar com ela, o coração errou umas batidas. Hoje, crescida e botânica, chegou do Brasil com espécimes de orquídeas, as culpadas por juntá-los na propriedade de Kit que possui uma ótima estufa.
Ambos têm desejos um pelo outro, até que…
Ah, já deviam ter colocados na mesa há muito tempo! Um romance divertido e com um inesperado final!
Ambos têm desejos um pelo outro, até que…
Ah, já deviam ter colocados na mesa há muito tempo! Um romance divertido e com um inesperado final!
October 20, 2022
sweet and fulfilling story
Emma is a free spirited intelligent women who is in control of her own destiny. Kit is recovering from his captivity but ready to live. Theirs is a story of unrequited love of a younger sister for her brothers best friend, and he is the friend who has a crush on his bff’s younger sister.
Emma is a free spirited intelligent women who is in control of her own destiny. Kit is recovering from his captivity but ready to live. Theirs is a story of unrequited love of a younger sister for her brothers best friend, and he is the friend who has a crush on his bff’s younger sister.
June 16, 2024
Well, that was disappointing. Seeing the cover, I really expected some spice but there was none. The ending and the relationship felt really rushed and the chemistry and plot didn't really develop well either. This would have been a great read if we had maybe 150 pages or so. The spark was definitely there. Sad it wasn't so. I'm rounding off the rating to 2.5 stars.
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