Quite readable even with a wicked stepmother and an implausably easy ending. ( )

I am a fan of Ms. Fairchild's, but this Christmas story was disappointing. On the plus side, the author made great use of the warm baths of Bath--the first time I have seen them used as a setting. (I wonder if they were mixed-sex in 1819). I liked the way the plum pudding trinkets were woven into the fabric of the story, and the way the heroine was sweet, courageous, independent by necessity, loyal, and virtuous. The chemistry between Jane Nichols and the Duke of Chandrose sizzled, there was a great build-up of tension without the use of overt sensuality. I liked the way the epilogue was woven into the final pages without it's own stand-alone chapter. It was deftly written.

Now for the weaknesses, after a great build-up the end came in a rush in which all difficulties were swept away in a poof. A most unrealistic HEA ending brought the curtain down. Throughout the story the main characters seemed to agree that a love match was the only reason to marry--though birth and wealth were also important--so much so that the absence of love was sufficient reason for a man to call off an engagement. This was not the norm in this strata of society at that time.

As the story opens, the Duke had *just* jilted his fiancee. He goes from sour, cynical, and disappointed in love to on-his-way-to-captivated-by-someone-else in a day or two. At this time, a gentleman could not break an engagement without ruining himself in the eyes of his class. (Of course, we are not talking about the local squire, but a duke). This type of error in worldview seriously damaged the credibility of the story.

To sum it up, this book is not representative of Elisabeth Fairchild's work. If you want to read a terrific, unusual Regency romance try one of her other books. ( )

Didn't finish. Lost inerest. ( )