AnnMarie's Reviews > Mistletoe Christmas

Mistletoe Christmas: An Anthology, four stories by four wonderful authors:
Eloisa James, Christi Caldwell, Janna MacGregor and Erica Ridley.

There is one thing I love more than romantic Christmas stories, which is when there is an anthology of them that are set at the same event. The event in this anthology is the Duke of Greystoke's Christmas Revelry. Each author tells the tale of a different couple in attendance at the Revelry for one reason or another.

Eloisa's story A Mistletoe Kiss is about Lady Cressida, the Duke's youngest daughter. He treats her terribly, making her feel dowdy, trying to keep her to himself so that she can make sure that his Christmas event, which takes year-long planning, will be perfect and the talk of society. She has little self-confidence and believes she is past any hope of marriage.
Elias, Lord Darcy de Royleston is looking for a wife. The last person he is interested in for that post is Cressie, the very plain cousin of his friend and the Duke's heir, Val. Throughout the Revelry, he comes to see her in a different light and wants nothing more than to marry her. With an interfering Duke in the mix, will he be able to get what he wants?

Christi's story Wishing Under the Mistletoe is about the Duke's granddaughter Isabelle. Invited to be in charge of the Revelry's theatrical entertainment Isabelle doesn't know that the man she was once betrothed to, Cyrus, will also be at the Revelry. He has been tasked with helping her. He has no idea either that he will be seeing her there and the flood gates of the past whoosh open as soon as they see each other. Will they have a second chance at love, or will the thing that separated them in the past still stand between them now?

Janna's contribution Compromise Under the Mistletoe tells the story of a married couple Caroline, the Duke's Niece, and Stephen whose marriage is floundering. After a year apart they are both ordered to attend the Christmas Revelry together. They have to prove that they are happily married or the Duke won't let her have money that is in trust for her. Can they pull off the charade, or will it become more than make-believe?

Erica's contribution to Mistletoe and Mischief is the fourth and final story in the book. This time it only partly involves a relative of the Duke in as much as he wants his nephew Val to marry this season and provide the family with an heir. He could marry Miss Louisa Harcourt. She, with her mother, have been invited to the Revelry. Louisa's mother has told her that she has to find a husband this season and will push her towards whatever titled man she thinks might take her on. The problem is that the only man she is interested in is a famous poet. He isn't rich, and he isn't suitable. Louisa wants him but knows she has to keep her mother happy, so how will the predicament resolve?

This anthology was an absolute delight to read. It may be a Christmas themed book but it can be enjoyed any time of the year. It will definitely put you into the festive spirit.