A CINDERELLA CHRISTMAS
Historical Romance / Christmas Novellas
AUTHOR:
Sabrina Jeffries
Mary Jo Putney
Anna Bradley
RELEASE DATE:
October 27, 2026
PUBLISHER:
Kensington Publishing
ISBN/ ASIN NUMBER :
9781496756015
RATING:
4.5
THE MISTLETOE MAIDEN –
Sabrina Jeffries
RATING: 4.5
https://www.sabrinajeffries.com/
Noel Davenant, Viscount of Cokesbury, searches for a
Christmas gift to brighten his mother’s spirits. He encounters an old friend of
his late sister – a young woman who has returned from a detention camp in
France. When Noel notices that she and her family have fallen on difficult
times, he decides to help them. Eve stirs feelings that he would rather avoid. Which
woman will Noel choose? The woman he feels nothing for or Eve?
Eve Archer and her family have returned to England after
years in a French detention camp. While they wait for her brother to be
recognized as their father’s heir, she and her mother support themselves
through embroidery. She happens upon Noel when her brother picks his pocket. He
and his mother encourage her to enter an embroidery contest. Can Eve win both
the contest and Noel’s heart?
My heart wept for Noel and his mother. They both remained
trapped in grief over Natalie’s death. I understand Noel’s reluctance to open
himself to love only to risk losing it again. What I adore the most about Noel
is his willingness to help Eve and her family. First, it stemmed from her
friendship with his late sister. Then it
morphed into genuine feelings.
I could not help but like Eve. Despite all the trials and
hardships, she has endured, Eve did not become bitter or jaded. I admire how
she and her mother refused to wait for rescue. They instead used their
embroidery skills to support themselves, until they could settle James’
inheritance issues. What I love the most about Eve is how she fought for what
she and Noel had. She refuses to let him settle for a safe yet loveless future.
THE MISTLETOE MAIDEN is a part of Sabrina Jeffries’
historical romance series, LORDS OF HAZARD. I am unsure where this story falls
in the series order. Jonathan Leighton, the hero of HAZARD TO A DUKE’S HEART,
book one, is mentioned briefly. The only clear connection is that Eve and her
family were also held at Verdun, a French detention camp.
I usually avoid holiday-themed stories, especially
Christmas ones. However, I could not pass this one up because of Sabrina
Jeffries. I have been a longtime fan and reader of her works. I did not mind
this one. Christmas is clearly part of the setting, but the holiday theme never
feels forced.
THE CINDERELLA CHALLENGE –
Mary Jo Putney
RATING: 4
https://maryjoputney.com/
Cameron Tremayne is one of many abandoned gifted children
adopted by the Earl and Countess Tremayne. He works for the Home Office’s
gifted department. When his father receives a warning about trouble at a naval
dockyard, Cameron goes to investigate. He meets Casey, another gifted and the
one who tipped them off. Is she Cameron’s destined one? Will Casey’s ability to
an asset to his investigation?
Casey Harris works as a clerk at the naval dockyard. She
has spent most of her life disguised as a man. After overhearing threats
against the Inspector General, Casey alerts the Home Office. She never expected
the handsome agent sent to investigate to discover her secret. Cameron makes
Casey wonder if she is ready to shed her disguise and live as a woman. Can they
find the mastermind behind the plot? And what future awaits Casey afterwards?
I feel for both Casey and Cameron. Both were abandoned by
their biological families because of their gifted abilities. And both found
people, like them, who took them in and became their surrogate family. I like
how Cameron encourages Casey to take her time in figuring out her future. That
she did not need to rush into anything.
The only nitpick I have is Casey and Cameron’s open
display of affection. I thought that was a big no-no in that time era amongst
the haute ton.
THE CINDERELLA CHALLENGE is a part of Mary Jo Putney’s
historical romance series, DANGEROUS GIFTS. I have read a book or two by this
author in the past. However, I have not read the two full-length books in this
series. The story can easily standalone. Couples from the previous books do
appear but have a small part to play in the plot.
I like the series’ premises -people with certain
heightened abilities in the regency era. However, this short story did not sell
me on picking up the prior two or continuing. What I like the most about this
novella is how understated the Christmas theme is. It reads like a regular book
set in winter, with the occasional mention of a family’s Christmas ball. It
made this kind of holiday story much easier for me to read.
A WINTER’S WISH –
Anna Bradley
RATING: 4.5
https://www.annabradley.net/
Gabriel Scott, the sixth Duke of Hawthorne, feels
unworthy of his title. His valet persuades him to host a holiday house party to
meet eligible women. However, Gabriel
finds himself drawn to one guest’s servant. When they accidentally meet in his
conservatory, he pretends to be the gardener. As they spend time together,
Gabriel is certain that she is the perfect candidate for his duchess. Will his
deception ruin his chances with Estella? Or will another obstacle stand between
them?
Estella Harley has worked as a servant for her stepmother
and stepsisters since her father’s death. They travel to Scotland in hopes of
attracting the duke’s attention to her eldest stepsister. While exploring the
castle, Estella encounters a mysterious man who claims to be the gardener.
Gabriel makes her almost believe in fairy tales again, but not everything is as
it seems. Will Estella’s stepmother destroy any chance she has with Gabriel? Or
will she be trapped in servitude for the rest of her life?
Gabriel is such a cinnamon roll! I like the fact that he
is aware of his many shortcomings. How his inability to converse (or flirt)
with women causes him anxiety. It is a nice change of pace from the usual
dominant, alpha type of hero.
I sympathize with Estella. The difficult years she
endured under her stepmother’s spite and pettiness. And how her life changed
from one of comfort to outright slavery. I am surprised no one in the haute ton
was aware of what was going on. I like the fact that Estella found an
unexpected ally in her younger stepsister. They share a quiet, unspoken
camaraderie.
A WINTER’S WISH is a Cinderella retelling. I am uncertain
if it belongs to any of Anna Bradley’s existing series. I have read a few of
the author’s books before. Like the previous two stories, the Christmas theme
is subtle, barely there, which I enjoyed. I could easily pretend it was a
regular story set in winter.
I have two nitpicks. One is
the time skips. In one chapter, the couple meets and interacts. Then, in the
next, a week has passed. I felt a bit cheated out of seeing Estella and Gabriel
getting to know each other. I think the story would have worked better as a
full-length novel.
My other nitpick is that Estella’s stepmother and one
stepsister faced no consequences for their actions. That did not sit well with
me. I wanted to see more backlash for their cruelty towards Estella… or some
legal action. I guess I am a little bloodthirsty.
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