Betrothed by Christmas by Jess Michaels & Elizabeth Essex
A Holiday Duet

This delightful duology provided me with escape, fun and holiday cheer as I read about two women who meet and form a plan to provide for their future. One wants nothing to do with marriage though she has been chosen as most beautiful of her sisters and thus more likely to land a wealthy husband so given a month to find him and the other knows her father will soon marry her off if she doesn’t find someone she prefers to marry who will live according to her own rules and regulations. Neither woman ends up with what she thought she wanted when the story began but both did end up with just what they wanted by the end of their stories. It was interesting that the male leads in both books were not the first sons of titled men. The two men were much more than what they appeared to be on the surface and brilliant even if others might not realize it. I really liked both Henry and Simon for some of the same and completely different reasons. Jess Michaels is one of my favorite authors and I believe, having just read my first book by Elizabeth Essex, that she very well could become a favorite, too.

Did I enjoy this book? Definitely!
Would I read more by these authors? Without a doubt

Thank you to NetGalley and The Passionate Pen for the ARC – This is my honest review.

5 Stars

3 for Michaels' "A Lady's Gift for Seduction"
4.5 for Essex's "A Lady's Gift for Scandal"

I requested this anthology of two interrelated Christmas Regency novellas because I'm a big fan of Elizabeth Essex. I hadn't read any Jess Michaels' books before.

The collection opens with Michaels' story, "A Lady's Gift for Seduction." The opening scene features the heroines of both novella at a December party in 1814, where twenty-two-year-old Lady Evangeline suggests to Miss Thomasina (Tamsin) Lesley (Essex's heroine) that getting herself "lightly ruined" by a male wallflower will allow her to work on her biography of Bess of Hardwicke than marry any of the silly men being thrown at her by her marriage-minded mother. For some unstated reason, though, Evangeline decides to pursue the scheme for herself, too, at least in part, thinking that her neighbor Henry Killham will make for the perfect "biddable groom," "one who would thwart her own father's potential interference and give her a lasting independence that few ladies of her sphere ever enjoyed." I'm not quite sure why Evangeline doesn't just ask Henry to marry her, rather than try to seduce him; he's held a torch for her for ages (as we are told in the scenes written from his POV), and she feels jealousy when Miss Lesley initially thinks of Henry as a candidate for her own ruination. But this seems like one of those stories we're supposed to laugh at, rather than laugh with, the heroine, which aren't my favorite. I also didn't understand why Henry's father, or Evangeline's, would be so upset about Henry's scientific pursuits; it wasn't a shocking thing at the time for an aristocrat to pursue scientific discoveries, or to publish same; it would not be "dragging the family name in the mud of trade."

The story becomes less silly, and more interesting, once Evangeline finally does confide in Henry, and the two decide to marry. Afterwards, both are feeling a bit at sea—Henry, because he has to promise (falsely) to give up his scientific endeavors in order to gain permission to wed from Evangeline's father, and Evangeline, who is afraid of Henry's kindness, afraid of giving up any sort of control, afraid of loss. I didn't at all care for the self-sacrificing nature of the resolution of the black moment; even though the other partner rejects said self-sacrifice, it still seems necessary that the sacrifice be offered, in order for the reconciliation to happen...


"A Lady's Gift for Scandal" by Elizabeth Essex is far more intelligent, and far more delightful, than the earlier novella. (And far more elegantly written too: "She was a counterfeit diamond at best, a determined bluestocking being made to masquerade as a marriageable ninny in search of an equally marriageable ninny of a man."). The "male wallflower" whom Evangeline suggests that Tamsin request to help her with her "light ruination" is Colonel Simon Cathcart, or "Simple Simon," a man who has returned from the war mentally damaged. Or so Simon would have society believe. For a man weary of "honing his instincts while curbing his impulses," which had "left him tangled in such knots that he no longer trusted himself," Simon far prefers to have everyone think him addlepated than to continually ask him about the glory of his war experiences. But of late, Simon's role of "everyone's favorite idiot" is growing a bit tiresome, and Miss Lesley's surprising proposal promises the kind of fun that he hasn't allowed himself to have in a long, long time.

What's so wonderful here isn't just the amusing premise; it's the way that Tamsin and Simon interact, especially the sheer pleasure and joy Simon takes in Tamsin as a person:

"For some reason he could not name, he liked her. He liked the bossy bundle of deliciousness who couldn't see past her own nose, but assumed all the world beyond her gaze should be as she saw it. There was something hopeful about that assumption. Something reassuring. And reassuringly human. She wanted to be the heroine of her own story. In short, just his type."

Tamsin's competence and dry humor gradually leads Simon to reveal bits of himself while still wearing the guise of Simple Simon, while his "light ruination," all under her direction, piques Tamsin's interest far more than she initially thought it would. And while their "fake ruination" plans do lead to some kissing, their relationship is based as much on their discovery of shared intellectual interests as it is on physical attraction. The previous story talked about the protagonists relating to one another as equals, but here we actually see two people interacting as equals, and appreciating both their similarities and their differences.

I've rarely read such a delightful take on the "fake engagement" trope.

A joint Christmastime venture by Jess Michaels and Elizabeth Essex telling the story of two friends determined to live life on their own and what happens when the best laid plans to awry.
If I had to choose, I did like Michaels version better. The hero in that story was more endearing.

This was a loosely interconnected novella duo by Jess Michaels and Elizabeth Essex, featuring two ladies who don’t want to marry finding their HEAs - my average rating is 4.5 stars, rounded up.

<b>A Lady’s Gift for Seduction by Jess Michaels – 5 stars</b> – Lady Evangeline & Thomasina “Tamsin” Lesley meet at a ball, both worry that if they don’t find a husband, their fathers will choose for them. When Tamsin says she doesn’t want to marry, Evangeline has a suggestion, they should consider “male wallflowers” and she chooses Henry Killam, aspiring astronomer and younger son of Viscount Killam. Henry like Evangeline – always has – but she is out of his league. She is the daughter of a duke and he is the second son, whose father threatens to cut off if he doesn’t give up his “work”. But Evangeline offers a solution – marry her. What follows is a steamy and delightful tale of a woman who erroneously believes she has fallen for a man she can manipulate.

<b>A Lady’s Gift for Scandal by Elizabeth Essex – 4 stars</b> – Miss Thomasina “Tamsin” Lesley has until Christmas to find a husband or she will be married off to her father’s heir, her cousin Edward, an odious man who only wants her because she is beautiful. But in reality Tamsin doesn’t want to marry at all, she wants to live in London with her Aunt Dahlia and write, but her mother refuses to consider that option. So when Evangeline suggests being “lightly ruined” so her mother will reconsider and introduces her to Simon Cathcart, the second son of a second son and a former soldier who has been dubbed “Simple Simon”. She immediately likes him, he is handsome and very agreeable. She explains that she doesn’t want to marry and asks for his help in convincing her mother that she is no longer marriageable. Simon agrees mostly to alleviate his boredom and because he likes her too. But as time passes and she gets to know Simon and learns his secrets, maybe being ruined isn’t the way to finding her HEA or is it?

Both stories where well written and entertaining, I thought all the characters were likeable and that the stories were paced well. Jess Michaels’ offering was a bit steamier, but they were both had love scenes that were on the warm side. Personally, I thought the whole “lightly ruined” ploy was a bit unbelievable and complete ridiculous, but it was a very entertaining read regardless. I enjoyed this book and would be happy to recommend it.

*I am voluntarily leaving a review for an eARC that was provided to me by NetGalley and the publisher.*

Betrothed by Christmas is a lovely pair of Regency romances by Jess Michaels and Elizabeth Essex that take place during the Christmas season. It's a fun setup that the stories are related, as the heroines meet at a ball and plot to avoid marriages they don't want. Also, both heroes, attractive as they are, appear to be "masculine wallflowers", which just adds to the fun.

First up is A Lady's Gift for Seduction by Jess Michaels. Lady Evangeline doesn't want her father to choose a husband for her; she prefers to pick her own "biddable" husband so she can manage him. Evangeline is all about managing others. Her sights settle on Henry Killam, a handsome astronomer with whom she has a casual friendship. Henry's father is enraged by him...how dare his son publish a paper on astronomy and appear to be in trade! His father is going to cut him off if he doesn't find a woman to marry and stop his scientific work. Hmmmm. Could Evangeline and Henry help each other out by marrying? This is a charming friends to lovers story, with some steamy sexy time added to the mix. Evangeline learns that life cannot be managed as easily as she thought...and neither can Henry!

Next we have A Lady's Gift for Scandal by Elizabeth Essex. Though I really enjoyed both stories, this was my favorite due to charming hero Simon. Miss Tamsin Lesley will be forced to marry her father's odious heir unless she finds her own suitable husband. However, she doesn't want to marry; she wants to be a bluestocking who enjoys intellectual pursuits. She decides being "lightly ruined" will get her what she wants, so she enlists the aid of Simon Cathcart to ruin her. Simon is a former military officer who appears to be a bit dimwitted and cheerful; however, there is much more to Simon beneath the surface, and he has secrets. I just loved their romance! It was obvious that Simon had hidden depths. I was charmed by his attraction to the beautiful and bookish Tamsin, and how he found her governess-y spectacles sexy. He let Tamsin take charge of her ruination so she wouldn't be frightened of their intimacies. Their time in a carriage? Totally steamy goodness! Don't let this entertaining Christmas duet pass you by!

I received an ARC of this book courtesy of the publisher and NetGalley. I received no compensation for my review, and all thoughts and opinions expressed are entirely my own.

This novel is an absolutely perfect Christmas read, I will definitely be re-reading this closer to the festive season!

I'm not sure how I feel about this anthology. These are two very good authors who have written 2 very strong heroines. Both heroines meet two very intelligent men. I just felt the heroines a little too modern in their thinking.
I just couldn't connect with the story. It just wasn't something that when I finished I felt like I'd want to reread.

I am not usually a lover of anthologies (I feel like too many short stories in one go tend to dilute each other in my brain) but I am lover of all thins Christmas. So when I saw this book had two historical romances, both set at Christmas time and both about romances involving masculine wallflowers, I was all Sign Me Up!

Book One A Lady’s Gift for Seduction by Jess Michaels
I loved the scheming mind of Lady Evangeline and her bespectacled Scientist hero, Henry who was just so very lovely. The chemistry between them was palpable and the sex scenes were both delicious and many. The external conflict threatening their union was both large enough to be a genuine worry and small enough to be dealt with realistically within the shorter book. Lady Evangeline is also struggling throughout with her own need for control in all things and this added a nice amount of internal conflict. Great solid historical romance that hit all the right notes needed for a good story to the point I couldn't even tell it was a novella.

A Lady’s Gift for Scandal by Elizabeth Essex
Both of these stories are set over the same few weeks in the run up to Christmas so I was little worried going into book 2 I'd be annoyed or bored at having to re-read the same few encounters between the two heroines from the other side. I should not have worried, Tamsin and Simon's story is 100% their own but just as enjoyable. I was a little uncomfortable at first with Simon's faked 'simpleton act', finding all the 'What Hos' and 'Jolly Goods' a bit much. But seeing Tamsin grows so fond of them helped immensely. There were fewer sex scenes in this story compared to the first but it lost none of steaminess for it.

Together these are a lovely pair of sweet historical romances featuring bright, determined women and the male wallflowers who are delighted by them. A perfect treat to get you in the festive mood.

Here we have two very different Christmas short stories set at the same time, they both feature some of the same characters even though they are written by two very different authors. Both books are set around two young ladies that come to the same conclusion that they would rather be ruined than be married off to a man not of their own choosing. They both form a plan to find a man each, a wallflower to be precise that will help them become gently ruined in the eyes of society so that they can live their own life on their own terms.
I really enjoyed both of these stories even though they were written in entirely different styles, they were both very engaging, and the plots were interesting. I do wish that there had been a little more of an emphasis on it being the Christmas season in both stories as I thought that it was only really mentioned briefly and not part of the focus of the story which I expected to read a lot more about, but other than that they were really good.
Two great heartwarming stories to read if you have a couple of hours spare on a cold winter afternoon.

A Lady's Gift for Seduction by Jess Michaels

I loved this short story!! Our hero, Henry, is wallflower. He has spectacles. He has a hobby that everyone in his family and social sphere seem to disapprove of. The heroine, Evangeline, has a take charge, be in control personality. She thinks she can manage the hero when she realizes she can use a relationship with him, but she quickly finds herself out of her depth. Really really enjoyed this story. It had enough conflict, tension, in depth character development to make me happy. And the steam! Definitely will be checking out more Jess Michaels. I believe this was my first story by her. My only complaint was the heroine was not easy to love and annoyed me a bit, especially towards the end. But it was nice seeing the more stereotypical roles reversed in the relationship.

A Lady's Gift for Scandal by Elizabeth Essex

As much as I enjoyed the first story of this duet, I think this one is my favorite. Tamsin thinks she can get what she wants out of life if she can just be 'lightly ruined'. She strikes a friendship with Evangeline and gets introduced to simple Simon. I adored Simon. I thought his character was just so different. If you love a man who lets the woman lead the way and is a true gentleman about consent, I think you will like this story as well. He's so much a gentleman. I loved watching them fall in love. It was so accidental and perfect. I did feel the heroine took it a little far with her poor mother at the end. I actually felt really bad for her mom in this story with the way she acted. Tamsin came off as rather self absorbed.

Overall I was extremely impressed with these two short stories. I will definitely be checking out more by these authors, as this was my first taste of both.

4.5 stars rounded to 5

A Lady's Gift for Seduction by Jess Michaels

Evangeline has no plans to marry anytime soon as she's found anyone that will make her happy. But fearing that her father may choose her spouse, she decided to find a biddable man that will let her continue as she has. Henry has just been told by his father that unless he stops with his astronomy research, he will be cut off. But when Evangeline starts to flirt with him, he thinks she might be the solution to his dilemma. But since she has never seemed to have an interest in him beyond a friend before this, he wonders what she is up to...

A Lady's Gift for Scandal by Elizabeth Essex.

Tamsin only wants to live the life of a bluestocking, but her mother is determined to marry her off before she is forced to marry her father's heir. Tamsin (along with Evangeline) come up with a plan to get her ruined just enough so that marriage to her cousin is not an option. They settle on Simon, who is a soldier having recently returned from war and a wallflower. But Tamsin soon realizes that there is much more to Simon than anyone would suspect. Could Tamsin's ruination turn into something much more exciting?

I throughly enjoyed both of these stories. I loved that they were tied together by the heroines of each and they they had overlapping events. Micheals and Essex have similar writing styles so the two stories flowed together like they were written by one author. I'm hoping that we get more duets like this one from these two!

Two great connecting stories by two great authors. ‘A Lady’s gift for seduction’ by Jess Michaels brings together Lady Evangeline and Henry Killan who know each other but almost from afar. Henry’s father is threatening to disinherit Henry as he has published his mathematical work on the discovery of a planet. The fear of a sin who is in trade means that Henry may not be able to pursue his life!s dream and yet it seems that Evangeline is giving him the ability to continue his work on the premise that they marry. Evangeline fears her father will force her to marry so she wants to be able to decide who will be her husband so she can dictate the rules in her household.
I loved that this story was the reverse of many historical romances. Both Evangeline and Henry are so well suited with Henry doing all that he can to please Evangeline whilst she is so determined. Theirs is an intense but wonderful romance. 5 stars.
‘A lady’s gift for scandal’ by Elizabeth Essex follows on from the same ball in the previous book with Tamsin wishing to be ruined by Colonel Simon Cathcart as she does not want to marry her cousin nor anyone for that matter. Simon likes that everyone believes him to have been affected by his wounds during the war yet he soon finds that Tamsin’s plans to lead a single life after her ruination are not quite what he truly wants. A lovely read 4 stars.
I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

A Lady’s Gift for Seduction – Jess Michaels
This is a very different story for Jess with the hero being a bit of a wallflower and the heroine being a Diamond. It took me a little while to get into the short story but once I got the hang of a different type of story, I really enjoyed reading it. Evangeline has trouble not managing everyone to Henry’s discontent. I love the astronomer angle. These two learn to live their lives (and Evangeline learns to let go) the way they really want and I thought the story was beautiful.

A Lady’s Gift for Scandal – Elizabeth Essex
It has been a while since I have read an Elizabeth Essex story and I found this one to be an endearing story. I loved the story of Simon and Tamsin and their strange little courtship. I thought it was wonderfully lovely. So girls, do not discount a man who claims to be dodgy in the brain. You never know what he is really like.

Two sexy short stories. First, Jess Michaels introduces us to lady Evangeline and Tasmin. The two ladies meet at a party and Tasmin wishes to be discraced so she wouldn't have to marry her cousin. Lady Evangeline introduces Tasmin to Simon and lady E goes with Henry. The first story is Evangeline and Henry. She wants to manage him, but he is not manageable.
Tasmin and Simon set out on a path to ruin only to find her mother is against him because he's a mere Lt. Col. Tasmin and Simon do the unthinkable and fall in love with each other. Can they change her parents minds. Lovely, short stories

A lady’s gift for seduction - Trying to have control over her own future, Evangeline looks for a husband who can be manipulated to her way of thinking. Henry has been given an ultimatum by his father to either give up his scientific research or be disinherited. Since they are already friends, when she hears of this she decides Henry would be the ideal husband. The book is a good read in that, in the end they realize they love each other. It is a sweet love story and worth reading.
A lady’s gift for scandal - A wonderful love story about a young lady, Tamsin and a gentleman, Simon who played at being slow of mind. Neither expressed the desire to never marry but their plans fell by the wayside when they discovered each other and their opinions on marriage changed. It is a great love story and I enjoyed reading it.
This is an excellent book that contains two stories that are a great read and I would highly recommend it.

This is my fair and honest review, in my own words, in return for this ARC. Good authors and well written. Unfortunately, in my opinion, any Christmas story tends to disappoint.

Thank you Netgalley for the ARC and the opportunity to read and review this title.

These are two historical novellas centered around two young ladies wanting to take control of who they marry in a society that limits their abilities to do so. They both hatch plans to capture male Wallflowers, a nice flip on a common romance trope.

Betrothed by Christmas has two stories, one by Jess Michaels and the other by Elizabeth Essex. In both, the heroines are seeking independence from their situations, and looking towards atypical romance heroes for help. In Michaels’ story, the hero is an awkward scientist “wallflower” and in Essex’s novella, it’s a war hero who pretends to be dim to get peace. The stories were sweet, but somewhat forgettable, and the actions by all seemed anachronistic (eg single women sending messages to single men, and suggesting meetings?) enough to jar me out of reading. Both story concepts were better than their execution.

Review based on ARC provided by Netgalley. Views are my own.

Two linked stories set around Christmas about heroines looking for the perfect man to help them win their independence.

These were not my favorites by these authors. I had a hard time getting wrapped up into the stories and I found it hard to keep my interest. That said, I do enjoy these authors, especially Jess Michaels, and look forward to what’s next.

Thanks to the publisher for a review copy via NetGalley.

A Lady’s Gift for Seduction
Jess Michaels
https://www.facebook.com/JessMichaelsBks/

Blurb :
Lady Evangeline is a Diamond of the First Water, but she fears her father will match her to his own advantage, not hers. She decides marrying a biddable groom is the only way to salvage her future and chooses her old friend, astronomer Henry Killam. But she soon realizes Henry isn’t quite as manageable as she first believed and her feelings for him are stronger than she ever imagined.

My review :

What a woman to do when she wants to have control of her own destiny...

Oh how I loved this idea of Society Diamonds going after men Wallflowers!
It is such an enjoyable twist of the classic rakes and wallflowers meet.

My heart aches for Henry, because of his birth, he is subject to the will of everyone. He had little choice in life, and few freedom, especially when he is longing for other goals than gambling and whoring as he is expected.
He knows he is nothing in the society scale, a disposable being at the beck and call of others more powerful over him.
Why he is overlooked by everyone, no wealth, no title to expect and no interest for socialite entertainments.
So he watches from afar the one woman whom has caught his heart.
But he is not without failure, I adored his analytical view of things, he weighs and balances everything around him
Even his own reactions, until he himself misses the one point he shouldn’t have.

When Evangeline is in the same situation, she shuns her feelings to only retain control. Loosing her focus would put her in a similar situation as the women of her family, and she refuses to be a casualty. So much, she appears icy when it is about sentiments, with only one focus, to reach her own goal, why she will wager Henry’s own dreams.
I confess I had problems with Evangeline at first, but then the story unfolded and she had every right, to be wary of others. She knows her kin cares for her in their own way, but she is expendable if necessary. Never had she ever come first, other’s needs always override hers.

I loved the grand gesture of Henry to win Evangeline trust, it is no groveling, it is proof of his indefectible affection for her.
Mrs Jess Michaels has done an astonishing job with these two characters, they are so flawed they truly step out of the paper pages like blood and flesh persons.
A must read, 5 stars

A Lady’s Gift for Scandal
Elizabeth Essex
https://www.facebook.com/elizabeth.essex.37/

Blurb :
Miss Tamsin Lesley desires above all else to be a bluestocking and lead an intellectual life. The only thing standing in her way is her father’s heir, who wants her along with her father’s estate. To foil him, Tamsin enlists the services of masculine wallflower Simon Cathcart to ruin her. But the road to ruination leads to far more pleasurable places than Tamsin could ever imagine, and her charming wallflower proves to have secrets of his own.

My review :

When looking for ruin, a young miss finds herself drawn to a man supposed so wrong for her...

What a delightful read it was, Mrs Elizabeth Essex has delivery a witty exquisite tale of seing beyond the appearance.
It was a perfect plea for the conditions and rights of those considered undeserving.
For Tamsin, it is certain, she has very few choice except comply to her family’s will and secure a future for them through her marriage or risk everything a choose a more scandalous path which may cost her everything too.
I do understood her conflicts, why she tiptoes with her « ruination », at time very unsure of what she is really looking for.
Simon has seen too much and survived, but he came back from war, a changed man. So much, he wants in his own way to retire from ton’s entertainments. Why he presents himself as a simpleton.
He does his duty for his family but avoid to engage in the usual society’s plays. Preferring the quiet places until a miss barges in and disrupts his rest.
They are two conflicted persons, Tamsin as she oscillates between her dreams and her duties until she decides to take her destiny in her sole hands, well with a little outside help too.
Simon is a mystery, at time I thought I knew why he chooses to hide his true self but when his real motives were exposed, I was taken aback and with surprise enchanted.
This bewitching tale had me entranced, it was just impossible to put it down until the very end.


5 well deserved stars for these two captivating novellas.
I was granted through Netgalley an advance copy by the publisher, I purchased also my own.
Here is my true and unbiased opinion.