ONCE UPON A CHRISTMAS KISS is a novella in the Wicked
Widows series by Manda Collins. Although I've read the
previous books in this series, I think that readers new to
the series would still be able to enjoy ONCE UPON A
CHRISTMAS KISS as well. The romance that develops between
Sir Lucien Blakemore and Winnie Nightingale is very
believable because they are not strangers to each other.
They met while Winnie was working as a governess in his
friends household and a friendship and attraction bloomed.
After the awkward scene in which Lucien and Winnie first
see each other at Lord and Lady Hurst's house party, I
worried that would set the tone for their interactions the
whole time. Happily that was not the case. After the
initial awkwardness because of their unspoken attraction,
it's not long before they remember that they are friends
and relax a little.
ONCE UPON A CHRISTMAS KISS is full of
sexual tension as the attraction between Lucien and Winnie
grows. I like that this is a story with the hero pursuing
the heroine. I also like that Lucien is also a little
quicker to fall for Winnie before she falls for him, and
that he admires her for who she is as a person. I think
Lucien is the right balance between alpha protective hero
and caring, passionate hero.
In addition to the enchanting romance, there is a little
danger and mystery thrown in. Some mysterious person is
harassing Winnie. Some of it is just nasty but some of it
is physically harmful as well. I like that she chose to
take Lucien into her confidence almost right away. Working
together to try and uncover the villain's identity is
something that brings them closer together and helps them
realize their true feelings for each other. I love this
aspect of the story. For me, the mystery adds an extra
layer of excitement, without obscuring the romance.
I love historical romances with a house party theme, and
it's especially delightful when it takes place around
Christmas. ONCE UPON A CHRISTMAS KISS is a charming tale
that transports you to a Christmas from a long ago era with
mystery and romance to delight. I liked the secondary
romances Manda Collins includes in ONCE UPON A CHRISTMAS
KISS. These other romances add to the story without drawing
attention away from Lucien and Winnifreds love story. I
look forward to reading more stories by Manda Collins.
When Sir Lucien Blakemore arrives at his cousin’s estate for
a week long Christmas party, he’s shocked to see Miss
Winifred Nightingale among the other guests. Employed by his
neighbor back in Yorkshire, the governess with the lovely
eyes has always seemed off limits, but she’s visiting here
as a guest—and there’s nothing like a little mistletoe to
make the spirits bright…
Miss Winifred
Nightingale never dreamed a holiday visit with her sister
would lead to both ladies spending Christmas as the local
lord’s guests. But the big surprise is when she finds the
handsome Sir Lucien Blakemore staying there too. The
attraction between them is undeniable, but will an old
nemesis and a party guest bent on mischief make their first
kiss under the mistletoe their last?
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