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The Yuletide Engagement
A ring in her stocking?
When Patrick McGrath offers to take Ellie to her company's Christmas party, she reluctantly accepts. If nothing else, she can show the world -- and her cheating ex-boyfriend -- that she's not nursing a broken heart. But, Ellie has to ask herself, what does a wealthy and powerful man like Patrick want with an ordinary girl like her?
It doesn't take long for Ellie to find out -- and it's hard to resist the lure of mistletoe...and marriage!
When Patrick McGrath offers to take Ellie to her company's Christmas party, she reluctantly accepts. If nothing else, she can show the world -- and her cheating ex-boyfriend -- that she's not nursing a broken heart. But, Ellie has to ask herself, what does a wealthy and powerful man like Patrick want with an ordinary girl like her?
It doesn't take long for Ellie to find out -- and it's hard to resist the lure of mistletoe...and marriage!
192 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published December 1, 2003
4 people are currently reading
112 people want to read
About the author
Carole Mortimer
1,296 books907 followersI have written almost 250 romance novels in contemporary and Regency.
I am a USA Today Bestselling Author and recipient of the 2015 RWA Lifetime Achievement Award. In 2014 I received a Pioneer of Romance Award from Romantic Times in the US and in 2012 I was recognised by Queen Elizabeth II for my 'outstanding service to literature'.
I am very happily married to Peter with six sons, and live on the Isle of Man
I am a USA Today Bestselling Author and recipient of the 2015 RWA Lifetime Achievement Award. In 2014 I received a Pioneer of Romance Award from Romantic Times in the US and in 2012 I was recognised by Queen Elizabeth II for my 'outstanding service to literature'.
I am very happily married to Peter with six sons, and live on the Isle of Man
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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
November 27, 2015
Ellie Fairfax (secretary in a law firm) recently broke up with her boyfriend Gareth (who works in the same law firm) after she found out he had been cheating on her with the boss's daughter. With the company Christmas party fast approaching, she needs a date to show everyone (all her co-workers) that she isn't pining over Gareth. So one night, after drinking too much wine, she tells her brother Toby she needs to find a man to go to the party with---someone like Patrick McGarth (Toby's wealthy entrepreneurial boss). One day Toby comes home from work---with Patrick! It seems Toby told Patrick of Ellie's predicament, and Patrick has agreed to take her to the party. But, unknown to Ellie, he has been secretly attracted to her since he first saw her a few months ago.
I really liked the hero, Patrick. He was handsome, charming, and obviously crazy about the heroine. I also liked Ellie. Her parents died in a car crash eight years ago and she has looked out for her younger brother, Toby, ever since. This story didn't have that much to do with Christmas, but I didn't mind. I really enjoyed this book. It was a fast, easy, and romantic read!
I really liked the hero, Patrick. He was handsome, charming, and obviously crazy about the heroine. I also liked Ellie. Her parents died in a car crash eight years ago and she has looked out for her younger brother, Toby, ever since. This story didn't have that much to do with Christmas, but I didn't mind. I really enjoyed this book. It was a fast, easy, and romantic read!
January 3, 2015
This is definitely a pleasant and serviceable Christmas romance. I didn't find it that impactful otherwise. I did think it was adorable how close Ellie was to her brother. I liked that it was fairly evident that Patrick was into her. I wasn't that impressed by the plot about Ellie's ex-boyfriend, although he was definitely a sleazeball. I think this book lacked intensity that I crave in my HP books, so that was probably my major issue with this book.
I can't think of much more to say than that.
I can't think of much more to say than that.
December 29, 2019
Very sweet read. Loved Patrick, the H. He’s a good guy with a strong sense of family and strong moral code.
The h, Ellie, was dumped by her boyfriend Gareth when he met the daughter of the owner of the company they worked for. Gareth had illusions of grandeur and the boss’s daughter was the quickest way to achieve them.
When Ellie needed a date for the company holiday party, her brother, a real sweetheart, asked his boss, Patrick to accompany her. Much to Ellie’s horror. However, the situation got complicated and she decided to go to the function with Patrick.
That was the beginning of their relationship. Romantic at times, but built of a shaky foundation with lots of insecurities on both ends.
I have to give props to Patrick for not giving up and fighting for what he wanted. Literally.
I enjoyed this one. It was lovely.
The h, Ellie, was dumped by her boyfriend Gareth when he met the daughter of the owner of the company they worked for. Gareth had illusions of grandeur and the boss’s daughter was the quickest way to achieve them.
When Ellie needed a date for the company holiday party, her brother, a real sweetheart, asked his boss, Patrick to accompany her. Much to Ellie’s horror. However, the situation got complicated and she decided to go to the function with Patrick.
That was the beginning of their relationship. Romantic at times, but built of a shaky foundation with lots of insecurities on both ends.
I have to give props to Patrick for not giving up and fighting for what he wanted. Literally.
I enjoyed this one. It was lovely.
November 27, 2012
I would of loved to see the hero and heroine portray a better relationship to make the villain more jealous. At the end I would of loved to see the villain get what he deserved, instead it felt limited.
December 30, 2020
Una bobada. Por lo menos no está mal escrito. Como había leído uno de la autora muy erótico, busqué otro. Pero bueno, es un Bianca.
July 2, 2025
Liked it
Though nowadays i don't like presumptuous h but still this one was not as bad.
H was smitten with her and seemed surprised that the h couldn't see his love !!
Though nowadays i don't like presumptuous h but still this one was not as bad.
H was smitten with her and seemed surprised that the h couldn't see his love !!
May 21, 2017
I found this book in my house and decided to read without expectations but... really?! It's one of the most ridiculous books I've ever read.
The characters were just plain, I didn't connect to anyone. Ellie was a successful mature woman, apparently, but then she acts like a stubborn child getting stupid ideas from God knows where. And you need to build a relationship to fall in love the way they said they felt about each other! Or maybe the world works different from what I knew. The were just meeting each other and then they jumped to absolute love. It didn't make any sense.
The characters were just plain, I didn't connect to anyone. Ellie was a successful mature woman, apparently, but then she acts like a stubborn child getting stupid ideas from God knows where. And you need to build a relationship to fall in love the way they said they felt about each other! Or maybe the world works different from what I knew. The were just meeting each other and then they jumped to absolute love. It didn't make any sense.
January 2, 2020
This was just ok.
i liked that the Hero was smitten from the start, though the heroine didn't think so.
I dont know why the heroine couldn't tell her friend that her fiance (ex of the heroine) was a duche. The friend may not have listened to her parents, had they put their foot down about the boyfriend, but she may have listened to the heroine. Besides everyone in the office where they both worked, knew that the fiancé dumped the heroine for the wealthier friend.
The Hero did not give up on the heroine, despite her pushing him away, which was a good thing.
Not much angst but the douchy fiancé ex kinda gets his comeuppance in the end, the friend breaks off with him.
i liked that the Hero was smitten from the start, though the heroine didn't think so.
I dont know why the heroine couldn't tell her friend that her fiance (ex of the heroine) was a duche. The friend may not have listened to her parents, had they put their foot down about the boyfriend, but she may have listened to the heroine. Besides everyone in the office where they both worked, knew that the fiancé dumped the heroine for the wealthier friend.
The Hero did not give up on the heroine, despite her pushing him away, which was a good thing.
Not much angst but the douchy fiancé ex kinda gets his comeuppance in the end, the friend breaks off with him.
August 26, 2022
Ugh this was just BEAUTIFUL.
January 21, 2023
Una storia troppo banale e secondo me a tratti no sense.
Ha tutti li elementi per essere una fan fiction ma un pochino scadente:
-la protagonista bionda, bella e occhi azzurri con un fisico pazzesco
-l’ex fidanzato che la infastidisce e le fa del male
-il fratello con cui gioca e scherza di continuo
-niente genitori perché morti
-un figo pazzesco con un’eredità da paura che si innamora follemente di lei ma glielo dice solo all’ultima pagina
Questa roba la leggevo a 16 anni e assolutamente niente contro le fan fiction, anzi! Ma questa è veramente oscena.
Ridicola e ad un certo punto non vedevo l’ora di finirlo
Ha tutti li elementi per essere una fan fiction ma un pochino scadente:
-la protagonista bionda, bella e occhi azzurri con un fisico pazzesco
-l’ex fidanzato che la infastidisce e le fa del male
-il fratello con cui gioca e scherza di continuo
-niente genitori perché morti
-un figo pazzesco con un’eredità da paura che si innamora follemente di lei ma glielo dice solo all’ultima pagina
Questa roba la leggevo a 16 anni e assolutamente niente contro le fan fiction, anzi! Ma questa è veramente oscena.
Ridicola e ad un certo punto non vedevo l’ora di finirlo
September 26, 2025
Hero was a sweetie who was smitten from first sight. He was all too happy to escort heroine to a company Christmas party (remember those before austerity cuts?) - even though heroine thought he was just doing it out of duty.
It was the heroine who ruined the story for me. She is the living example of "assume makes an ass out of u and me. " Her leaps in logic were ridiculous and I hated how shrill and mean she got with the hero "to protect her feelings."
Her ex was a psychopath and needs to be in jail. At least he lost his job - but there's no indication that his stalking was going to stop.
All in all, no warm fuzzies from this one.
It was the heroine who ruined the story for me. She is the living example of "assume makes an ass out of u and me. " Her leaps in logic were ridiculous and I hated how shrill and mean she got with the hero "to protect her feelings."
Her ex was a psychopath and needs to be in jail. At least he lost his job - but there's no indication that his stalking was going to stop.
All in all, no warm fuzzies from this one.
January 9, 2018
453 ـ يغزو أحلامي :
كارول مورتيمر
روايات احلام
لا الألم ولا القلب المحطم هما ما منعا فير فاكس من دعوة باتريك ماك غراث لمرافقتها إلى الحفل السنوي الذي يقيمه مديرها .فباتريك هو من فرض نفسة عليها بالقوة برغم كل احجاجاتها في تلك الليلة كان يعتقد أن إيليا ما تزال متعلقة بصديقها القديم فيتلك الليلة أرادت أن تؤكد له أنه كل ما تتمناه . لكن هل يصمد حب إيليا اليافع أمام رياح الماضي وأسرارة!
كارول مورتيمر
روايات احلام
لا الألم ولا القلب المحطم هما ما منعا فير فاكس من دعوة باتريك ماك غراث لمرافقتها إلى الحفل السنوي الذي يقيمه مديرها .فباتريك هو من فرض نفسة عليها بالقوة برغم كل احجاجاتها في تلك الليلة كان يعتقد أن إيليا ما تزال متعلقة بصديقها القديم فيتلك الليلة أرادت أن تؤكد له أنه كل ما تتمناه . لكن هل يصمد حب إيليا اليافع أمام رياح الماضي وأسرارة!
January 9, 2018
453 ـ يغزو أحلامي :
كارول مورتيمر
روايات احلام
لا الألم ولا القلب المحطم هما ما منعا فير فاكس من دعوة باتريك ماك غراث لمرافقتها إلى الحفل السنوي الذي يقيمه مديرها .فباتريك هو من فرض نفسة عليها بالقوة برغم كل احجاجاتها في تلك الليلة كان يعتقد أن إيليا ما تزال متعلقة بصديقها القديم فيتلك الليلة أرادت أن تؤكد له أنه كل ما تتمناه . لكن هل يصمد حب إيليا اليافع أمام رياح الماضي وأسرارة!
كارول مورتيمر
روايات احلام
لا الألم ولا القلب المحطم هما ما منعا فير فاكس من دعوة باتريك ماك غراث لمرافقتها إلى الحفل السنوي الذي يقيمه مديرها .فباتريك هو من فرض نفسة عليها بالقوة برغم كل احجاجاتها في تلك الليلة كان يعتقد أن إيليا ما تزال متعلقة بصديقها القديم فيتلك الليلة أرادت أن تؤكد له أنه كل ما تتمناه . لكن هل يصمد حب إيليا اليافع أمام رياح الماضي وأسرارة!
January 8, 2019
3.5 Stars....
April 21, 2020
Disappointing. Not a "Sexy" story at all, should have been published as a "Sweet" story instead. I was expecting too much I suppose.
March 16, 2021
3.5/5 η βαθμολογία του!
May 21, 2023
Meh. Well-written but nothing special. Found the h hard to like. Too prickly, too quick to jump to conclusions about the H’s motivations. I’ve read better books from this author.
August 28, 2023
Not clear why he felt for her? Because he saw her in Bikini!!!!!!! As if he never been to the beach!!!!!! ⛱
February 9, 2025
Lame. Boring. Not this author's best effort.
December 22, 2025
*Si no disfrutas de lo que haces o con quien lo haces, la vida carece de sentido
*Estuvo bonita esta historia. Final feliz!!!
*Estuvo bonita esta historia. Final feliz!!!
June 15, 2020
Well done with emotional connection between characters and with readers. Good minor characters add depth.
December 15, 2011
WHAT! First of all, I downloaded this book to my phone bc I wanted to read a red ht romance without my BFF librarian looking at me in shame. THERE WASN'T ONE SEX SCENE!! And it was so unrealistic I mean c'mon people you need to have a court ship before you can get married!!! Who's old fashioned now Mortimer?!
Read
January 10, 2013I don't mind a pg rated romance (as in no sex scenes), but Ms. Mortimer's excessive use of exclamation points in order to convey heated moments was a bit much. There were also times I simply wanted to slap some sense into the heroine, she got in her own way so much trying to maintain her pride. Finally, the HEA at the end came together a little too quick & easy, even for a harlequin romance.
December 19, 2014
A cute, quick read. There were a bit too many secrets though and everyone being related somehow... and the exclamations at the end of each chapter sort or drove me a bit crazy, but other than that it was a decent book. I gave it 4 stars because I was in the mood for a romance and this one gave me exactly what I was looking for.
October 1, 2012
I love Carole Mortimer, I also really liked the story. The thing was, the idea of getting married so soon seems so surreal to me and although it might come out as whirlwind romance still seems to early and abrupt to discuss marriage. But, it was a good read.
October 18, 2015
La storia dei fratelli, la spiccata ironia dei protagonisti
(che mi fanno sempre ridere, il che in un libro non guasta),
le frasi doppio senso, scritte con molta eleganza,
fanno come sempre per me, un libro molto apprezzato!!!
(che mi fanno sempre ridere, il che in un libro non guasta),
le frasi doppio senso, scritte con molta eleganza,
fanno come sempre per me, un libro molto apprezzato!!!
August 26, 2014
كارول مورتيمر عندما اقرأ الاسم اتأكد ان القصة رائعة كل قصصها متنوعة
وتختلف اختلافا كبيرا عن الاخرى وكلها تستحق 5 نجوم
وتختلف اختلافا كبيرا عن الاخرى وكلها تستحق 5 نجوم
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews