#BookReview ~ Mischief and Mistletoe #HolidayRomance

Mischief and Mistletoe by Mary Jo Putney, Jo Beverley, Joanna Bourne, Patricia Rice, Nicola Cornick, Cara Elliot, Anne Gracie, Susan King

Unwrap the most romantic of Regency delights in this sparkling holiday collection...

Christmastime in England--a time for passionate secrets, delicious whispers, and wicked-sweet gifts by the fire. From a spirited lady who sets out to save her rakish best friend from an unsuitable engagement, to a bold spy who gets the unexpected chance to win the woman he's always loved, to a vicar's daughter who pretends to be a saucy went, these holiday tales will make you curl up in front of the fire for a memorable season of mischief and mistletoe...



My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Review

There are eight holiday romances included in this anthology and I enjoyed all of them. I admit, I even got a little teary-eyed over a few of them. Because these are all short stories and there are so many, I'm only going to try to write my thoughts in a sentence or two for each.

She Stoops to Wenchdom by Mary Jo Putney ~ Oh, this was an exciting one to start off the book. The heroine disguises herself as a barmaid for a chance to kiss the handsome hero so she can stop pining after him. I loved the interaction between these two. This is one of those stories that are so good, I'd like to read a longer version.

Miss Brockhurst's Christmas Campaign by Jo Beverley ~ This was probably my favorite in this collection. Penelope Brockhurst has been in love with Ross Skerries since childhood, but she never thought he'd feel the same about her. Now she's to spend Christmas with him and his family as well as a woman who is interested in marriage with him. Watching Penelope's interactions with Ross and her rival were entertaining to say the least. Loved it!

Intrigue and Mistletoe by Joanna Bourne ~ This had so much story in it that I would have preferred to read a full-length novel. There was a lot of backstory to this couple.

Wench in Wonderland by Patricia Rice ~ This was another favorite! I cried with this one. The poor hero is overwhelmed with his responsibilities and his household is a mess. In sweeps the heroine, with a mistaken identity issue, who manages to fit perfectly into his life. But when her true identity is revealed, is it possible for them to have a happily-ever-after?

On a Wicked Winter's Night by Nicola Cornick ~ A sweet story of a second chance romance and the fear of discovery.

Weathering the Storm by Cara Elliot ~ This was different from the typical Regency romances that I've read, but enjoyable.

The Mistletoe Bride by Anne Gracie ~ To date, I've loved every Anne Gracie novel I've ever read and this short story is no different. It's another case of mistaken identity as a woman traveling to live with her miserly uncle is mistaken for the "mail-order-like" bride that the hero needs to secure his inheritance. I loved this one!

A Wilder Wench by Susan King ~ In one short story, this author includes the tale of several generations of family as the heroine is forced to take drastic measures to save her brother.


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