Book Review: His Mistletoe Bride

Author: Vanessa Kelly
Publication Date: October 1, 2012
Publisher: Zebra

Blame It On The Mistletoe...

When Major Lucas Stanton inherited his earldom, he never dreamed his property would include the previous earl’s granddaughter. Phoebe Linville is a sparkling American beauty, yes, but with a talent for getting into trouble. Witness the compromising position that forced them into wedlock. Whisked away to Mistletoe Manor, his country estate, it isn’t long before she is challenging his rules—and surprising him in and out of bed.

Phoebe has no intention of bowing to Lucas’ stubbornness, even though he offers all that she wants. His kisses and unexpected warmth are enticing, but Phoebe is determined to show the Earl of Merritt what real love is all about. And if that takes twelve nights of delicious seduction by a roaring fire, she’s more than willing to reveal her gifts very slowly…

“‘I may have been raised in a Quaker household,’ she finally said, ‘but you will find I am no rustic from New Jersey. My father was a well-educated man, and my mother had several Seasons in London before she married. Between them, I believe my education to be as accomplished as that of any English girl of good family.’” – Finished Copy pg. 23

“Phoebe gaped at him. She had known him only a short time, but despite his sometimes imperious manner, he had treated her as carefully as a piece of fragile stemware. But now he not only sounded angry, he looked it. His mouth had thinned into a hard line and his eyes had transformed to a cold, silvery gray.” – Finished Copy pg. 49

“They passed through the heart of England’s garden, yet everything looked dreary, a perfect match to her own mood. She had spent the last few days in a tumult of anticipation, worry, and outright dread, all leading up to one thing. Her wedding day.” – Finished Copy pg. 167

 

Oh how I love the holidays! Especially spending them with characters like Phoebe and Lucas at a place called Mistletoe Manor. Their story joins them after the passing of Phoebe’s grandfather and Lucas’ inheritance of, well……Phoebe. These two make an enjoyable, yet unlikely, couple and I do not think that the backdrop could have been any more engaging. I was immediately interested in their entire story and was ready to see how it all played out. The majority of my interested was in how the Christmas Cheer would unfold, and I was surely pleased with that as well!

When I learned that Phoebe was a Quaker I immediately expected a quiet and meek girl who never caused any trouble. Well first off, shame on me for being stereotypical. Secondly, I was dead wrong. I couldn’t tell if I was going to like Phoebe at first, but I quickly warmed up to her after a few scenes. I think it was the way that she tested Lucas and really challenged his decree. Whenever Phoebe was in a tight situation, she sure could weasel her way out of it. She was confident and did not let the fact that she was a Quaker keep her from standing out. Very well developed character.

Lucas was a tough cookie to break, but Phoebe was just the woman for the job. I wanted to scream and yell at him quite frequently because of the way he tried to keep his distance from Phoebe. I wanted him to stop being such a coward and allow someone like Phoebe to love and care for him. There is a strong physical and emotional bond between these two and it unravels as the novel does.

The Christmas season plays such a huge role in this book. If this story were to be told without the backdrop of Christmas then it would never be the same. Mistletoe Manor, as I have mentioned, was wonderful and great for people with vast imaginations like mine. I have this place now engrained in my brain and I am wondering if Vanessa’s Mistletoe Manor looks anything like the one I have dreamed up. If you are anything like me, when someone mentions Christmas you instantly feel like cuddling up by a tree with warm, fuzzy socks! This book gave me that warm and cozy feeling. I would suggest it to anyone!

***Thank you to the author for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review***