Welcome to week three of my Holiday Reads! I’m trying not to feature the same author twice. Gotta say, it’s a bit more difficult than I thought it’d be!
What I am reading this week
This week I’m reading The Scandal Before Christmas by Elizabeth Essex. A fun Regency novella set in the days before Christmas.
Rating
Heat Level: 🔥🔥
Loveability: 💗💗
Heartbreakability: 💔
Why I chose this book
I have read several books in the Reckless Brides series and enjoyed them. Plus, CHRISTMAS!
About the book….don’t worry, there are NO spoilers!
When tragedy strikes, Lieutenant Ian Worth finds himself in need of a wife by Christmas. While deep in his cups, he confesses his dilemma to a former ship captain, who then offers his eldest daughter as a prospect. Ian agrees to marry the woman, sight unseen.
Anne Lesley is shy, plain, and thoroughly overwhelmed by her loud, boisterous mother and somewhat indifferent father. Knowing her prospects are otherwise slim for finding a husband at the advanced age of 22(!), she agrees to the arrangement.
When her parents agree to a holiday visit at Ian’s cottage by the sea, he finds he must flatter and woo her into becoming his wife, despite her quiet, unassuming ways.
What I enjoyed about it
It’s a fun holiday romp full of obnoxious families, shy spinsters, a meddling servant and Christmas miracles. :)
I can’t say I was a fan of Ian at first. He starts out as a rather shallow fellow, and his talking around Anne instead of to her during their initial meeting didn’t sit too well with me. But as the story progresses, he comes to realise there’s more to her than he initially thought. Anne grew on me, as well. She isn’t so much quiet, as just overpowered by her mother, but she has a quiet strength to her and does put her foot down when one-on-one with her mother.
I did love Pinky, though. He is a fun character and is basically Ian’s guide in his courtship of Anne. His meddling sets things in motion to get them together.
Is this an author I’ve read before?
Yes. I enjoy the Reckless Brides series, most of which are in some way tied to the Navy and the sea. To see more of the Reckless Brides, stop by and visit Elizabeth Essex.
What keeps me coming back for more?
I like the adventure of the sailing stories. Most Regency stories are limited to London and the season, but Elizabeth Essex breaks the pattern and sends her characters out to sea.