The heart is deceitful above all things. Who can understand it?
When Juliana Issot’s godmother invites her to spend the month of Christmas for a house party in Yorkshire, Juliana feels compelled by affection to accept. Never mind that she escaped Yorkshire at first chance to secure a more glittering match in London, and the only matrimonial prospect at home is her childhood playmate, Willelm.
Willelm Armitage is a born and bred Yorkshireman, and as far as he is concerned, Juliana belongs here, too—and at his side. However, the one time he tried to convince her of this, she speedily gave him the right-about, making him question whether she truly was the right choice for him. After all, if she cannot see how well they suit, he is not about to force her hand.
A Christmas house party with pudding, games, charades, riding, and carols turns out to be just the thing to remind Juliana of how much she loves Yorkshire. But when her nostalgia slips into love will she be able to admit that Willelm knew the longings of her heart better than she knew her own?
My Review:
I seem to be attending a lot of Regency Christmas house parties this year and I’m loving it! Such a great way to keep a hero and heroine in close proximity, and to allow matchmakers free license. That’s what happens in ‘A Yuletide Carol’ much to my reader’s delight.
True confession: I wasn’t sure if I could warm to Juliana right at the start. We’re so opposite — she loves the busy atmosphere of London. All the balls and social gatherings and has been set on securing an advantageous match. So she’s a bit calculating when she arrives back home in Yorkshire. She’s definitely looking for a gentleman who will whisk her back to the gaiety of London society. I’m too much of an introvert to put up with all that nonsense, so I usually bond with outlier heroines who prefer the country and their books and animals to social climbing.
Happy to say Juliana did win me over by the end. That’s because Goutet (eep — new-to-me author!) creates some wonderful character growth in Juliana as she begins to set aside girlish dreams and comes to realize her feelings for Willelm might run deeper than she thought.
Willelm has been besotted with Juliana for a long time now. Friends since childhood, he discovered deeper feelings early on. Alas, they were not reciprocated so he has been nursing an unrequited love. I was sympathetic to Willelm right away and I think that might have something to do with why Juliana irked me in the beginning too. But, what’s a romance without conflict? Makes the happily ever after more satisfying. And this one was!
I enjoyed listening to the audio edition narrated by Stevie Zimmerman. She’s a favourite voice performer and she never disappoints.
GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:
This giveaway is for a print or ebook copy. Winner’s choice.
US – available in print or ebook — winner’s choice
Canada – available in print or ebook or audible (if available) — winner’s choice
International – ebook copy if you have a US Kindle account.
If you would like a chance to win a copy of the A Yuletide Carol, leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoread AT yahoo DOT ca. If you add an email to your comment, remember to use AT and DOT instead of @ and . in order to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email, please add the title to the subject line so it’s easy to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Friday December 20 2024.
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