Holiday Mini Review: The Viscount's Christmas Temptation by Erica Ridley

Title: The Viscount's Christmas Temptation
Series:: The Dukes of War 0.5
Author: Erica Ridley
Format: egalley
Pub. Date: November 1st 2014
Source: Netgalley Invitation & Intrepid Reads

Description via Goodreads:

Certain individuals might consider Lady Amelia Pembroke a managing sort of female, but truly, most people would be lost without her help. Why, the latest on-dit is that rakish Viscount Sheffield is canceling the fête of the year because he hasn't time for silly soirees. He doesn't need time—he needs her!

When a flash of lightning destroys the venue for his family's annual Christmas ball, Lord Benedict Sheffield intends to enjoy a relaxing holiday for once. But after twelve days of beguiling Lady Amelia's guerrilla tactics, he's up to his cravat with tinsel . . . and tumbling head over heels in love.

★★★ ★

Three and a half stars.

Before I even talk about the actual novella, can we just take a moment to admire the artwork? I love it. It manages to look Christmassy while also drumming up fairy tale imagery. It definitely puts me in mind of Snow White. I really like the coloring and I find this cover very appealing from a book buyer standpoint.

Now, the story. I really liked the main character, Lady Amelia Pembroke. She's a bit sassy and likes to be in control. She has back up plans for her back up plans and knows what people want before they even do themselves. She's always prepared for any kind of event, and can hold her own. I don't often read romances, let alone historical romances, that have such meticulously organized characters. It was a nice change of pace. I liked watching her romance blossom and seeing what would happen about her precious plans and the holiday party.

That being said, this is a novella, so every thing happens super quickly. It's nice in the sense that you can sit down and read it in one go, but not so nice in the way that it makes the romance seem very whirlwind and rushed. I do know that it's because the novella has only 100 pages to tell its story, but I did notice.

I think that overall this is a light, romantic read that nicely set the tone for the start of my holiday-themed reading season. Though it was a bit rushed and not just enough, I feel that it effectively serves its purpose. This short story is a prequel of sorts to the first full length, upcoming book in the Dukes of War series, The Earl's Defiant Wallflower. It introduces the time and the characters and the style of writing, acting like a nice little literary amuse-bouche. It worked, because I would definitely check out the next book to see what happens. Fans of regency romance/historical romance, especially with a holiday twist, this novella might be for you.

Thanks to Netgalley and Intrepid Reads for my copy in exchange for my honest review.