REVIEW: A Grosvenor Square Christmas
A delightful Regency historical anthology by four talented “new to me” authors. Also currently a freebie at Amazon and Barnes and Noble.
A Grosvenor Square Christmas
Authors: Anna Campbell, Shana Galen, Vanessa Kelly, Kate Noble
Category: Regency Historical Anthology
Release Date: Oct. 14, 2013
ISBN: 9780991902576
Rated 4 out of 5 Stars
Format: eBook
A GROSVENOR SQUARE CHRISTMAS is a great concept that easily creates a cohesive anthology. The widowed Countess of Winterson, Lucy Frost, throws great parties with the help of her secretive butler, Philbert. They have the reputation for bringing together unexpected, happy-ever-after couples as part of their party’s allure. Amongst the crush at Lady Winterson’s annual Christmas Ball, four more couples will find love. Is there magic in the air at No. 3 Grosvenor Square Place, or is it simply the mistletoe or perhaps, the butler has something to do with it?
Normally with anthologies, I find a favorite amongst the stories and one or two that I don’t like very much. This time, I enjoyed all four stories in A GROSVENOR SQUARE CHRISTMAS because they kept me entertained with laugh-out-loud moments and sweet romantic stories, were all well-written and each novella made me curious for more.
THE SEUCTION OF A DUCHESS, A SONS OF THE REVOLUTION story by Shana Galen… In the first story, a widowed duchess is reintroduced to her former footman after they’ve been apart. Can this familiar face of her former footman actually belong to the illustrious French Fox she has more than admired for years?
THE SEDUCTION OF A DUCHESS is a great reunion story with a clever twist. Loved the unexpected in this short story.
ONE KISS FOR CHRISTMAS by Vanessa Kelly… In the second story, Nigel Dash plots to make his feelings known to Miss Amelia Easton, with the support of his good friend who is doing his best to push this sensible, but currently obsessed, man forward.
ONE KISS FOR CHRISTMAS is excellent party fun with superb male characters whose posturing made me laugh. It exemplifies what a man will do, no matter how embarrassing, for the woman he loves. Very cute.
HIS CHRISTMAS CINDERELLA by Anna Campbell… A mistress, with no hope for a future with her lover, finds out what it’s like to feel like a princess at the annual Christmas Ball.
HIS CHRISTMAS CINDERELLA is an enjoyable rendition of a fairytale classic. The fairy godmother replacement is an exquisite character and welcome surprise. The fairytale ending is just right.
THE LAST FIRST KISS by Kate Noble… A childhood friendship is renewed in adulthood with a plan for the girl next door to finally get the kiss from the man she loves; by proving she is no longer an admiring adolescent.
This is a great reel-him-in story where the hero can’t see the forest for the trees. It is really entertaining to watch the girl get her man. THE LAST FIRST KISS has a welcome ending which ties up the anthology neatly.
Reading historical anthologies during the holiday season has become a tradition I can’t seem to resist. Even though this anthology had a connectivity that united the stories, it was easy to stop at the end of one, get something done quickly, and then rush back to gobble up the next story. Bet you can’t read just one!
A GROSVENOR SQUARE CHRISTMAS is the perfect example of a well-organized, entertaining anthology that entices the reader to continue from story to story. A GROSVENOR SQUARE CHRISTMAS illustrates why a Regency party can be such an addictive theme, and will, hopefully, bring new readers to one of my favorite sub-genres of historical romance. I love the humor, the witty repartee and the self-confident male characters who cannot resist these charming ladies.
Review written by Dorine, Courtesy of TBR Mountain Range.
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What are your goals for 2014 to increase or decrease your own TBR Mountain Range? Do you set reading goals or have other reading traditions you like to follow from year to year?
January 3, 2014 at 9:27 am
I read this one too late in 2013 and loved it! Every story was a winner IMHO.
I’m not a speed reader the way some of the members on the RJ group are. I’m lucky to finish a book in a week…more like 1 every 1.5-2 weeks is my speed. That said, I did set a reader goal at Goodreads at 40 books for the year. It is the same as ’13 goal, which I met…but just barely! I suppose I should challenge myself and increase the number, at least by 1 book. Maybe I’ll do that just to see if I can make it.
January 3, 2014 at 8:22 pm
I’m glad you enjoyed it, too, Karen.
I want to read more in order to deplete my enormous TBR. HA! But, I don’t want it to interfere with my active lifestyle either, so I think it has to be a number that works with all our goals.
I didn’t make my goal this year. I read 50 books in 2012, so I bumped my goal to 75 and read 64. Still, I’m pleased because I increased. I’m setting my goal to 75 again this year to see if I can make it 😀 If not, it will be fun trying.
Good luck with your goal, Karen 🙂