Skip to main content
PBS logo
 
 

Book Review of A Historical Christmas Present

A Historical Christmas Present
reviewed on + 929 more book reviews


This anthology consisted of three stories by Lisa Kleypas, Lynsay Sands, and Leigh Greenwood. This review contains spoilers.

Lisa Kleypas I Will is part of the Capital Theatre series. I didnt like Logan and Madelines story but Andrew was intriguing. So I was excited to read his story. In the beginning I did get a little annoyed with Carolines mother and brother because they were such useless leeches, but as soon as the story moved towards Andrew and Caroline together it was great fun. Dialogue between them was engaging and had a little humor. Then towards the end the story it got really dumb. Caroline pretty much rapes Andrew to receive his confession. And I have no idea why Andrew didnt tell Caroline he was being blackmailed into marriage. Did he really think it would be better to break her heart by letting her think he used her or because he had no choice? And all this time Caroline knew her cousin (aka blackmailer) was a murderer yet she kept silent until it would benefit herself? Still, it was a decent story. I give it just a little under three stars.

Surprisingly I liked Lynsay Sands Three-French Hens the least. I usually read her immortals series and have only read one of her historical romance. That book made me laughed so hard. Although there were some funny parts to this story, I hate plotlines where people switch roles or have to pretend to be someone else. I also hated the ending. If I was Brinna I would always wonder if Royce was marrying me because of me or the money. It was fun but the end just didnt have the happily ever after feel to it. 2 ½ stars.

Father Christmas turned out to be my favorite of the three stories. I have never read Leigh Greenwood before but Im interested to see what her other works are like. There are no steamy sex scenes but the story is quite sweet. Some might find it boring because there isnt really any action but Joe Ryans nonstop dialogue with the animals somehow adds to the charm of the story. Four stars.