His Duchess Under the Mistletoe
Good tidings… Of second chances! Sullivan MacKay knows destiny’s wicked humor firsthand. At seventeen, Sully’s plans to run away with his orphanage sweetheart, Trudy, were interrupted by a life-changing discovery—he’s a duke’s lost heir! Knowing his title could give Trudy a better life, he left to claim it, but vowed to return… Years later Trudy has made a vow of her own: She will never marry, instead dedicating herself to her scientific pursuits. Following an unexpected Christmas reunion with old flame Sully, not even the December chill can disguise the burning embers of their lost love, awakening glimmers of a second chance…
Purchase Link - https://books2read.com/u/bzE06q
His Duchess Under the Mistletoe is a heartwarming Christmas romance that delivers a satisfying slow-burn second-chance love story set against a festive backdrop.
I really liked both main characters, particularly Trudy. Her determination to pursue a career in science and make her mark in a field that often overlooked women made her an engaging and admirable heroine. I loved seeing her intelligence, ambition, and passion shine throughout the story. It was also refreshing to see the secondary characters listen to her ideas, value her contributions, and encourage her ambitions.
While I liked Sully overall, I struggled with the fact that he abandoned Trudy without a word in the past. It was a painful betrayal, and I was glad the story didn't let him off the hook easily. Watching him work to regain Trudy's trust made their eventual reconciliation feel earned and much more satisfying.
One of my favourite aspects of the story was how Trudy's scientific ambitions intersected with Sully's work at the museum. It created an interesting and believable way for them to reconnect and spend time together again. Their shared interests gave depth to their relationship beyond the romance and provided a strong foundation for their second chance.
The Christmas setting added plenty of warmth and charm to the story. The preparations for the Christmas ball and Trudy's extended stay over the festive season created the perfect opportunity for the pair to remain in close proximity, gradually rebuilding their connection. The slow-burn romance unfolded naturally as they spent more time together, allowing old wounds to heal and new feelings to emerge.
Overall, His Duchess Under the Mistletoe is a cosy, festive romance filled with warmth, family, second chances, and personal ambition. With a likeable heroine, a hero who has to earn his redemption, and plenty of Christmas spirit, it's an enjoyable seasonal read that leaves you with that comforting holiday feeling.
Author Bio
Jeanine Englert’s love affair with mysteries and romance began with Nancy Drew, Murder She Wrote, and her Grandmother’s bookshelves full of romance novels. She is a VIVIAN®, Golden Heart®, and Romance Novelists Association Finalist as well as a Silver Falchion, Maggie, and Daphne du Maurier Award Winner in historical romance and mystery. She was also named the 2024 Georgia Author of the Year in romance for A Laird without a Past.
Her Scottish Highland historical, Regency historical, and historical mystery novels revolve around characters seeking self-acceptance and redemption. When she isn’t wrangling with her characters on the page, she can be found trying to convince her husband to watch her latest Masterpiece or BBC show obsession. She loves to talk about books, writing, her beloved rescue pups, as well as mysteries and romance with other readers. Visit her website at www.jeaninewrites.com.
Social Media Links – FB: https://www.facebook.com/JeanineWrites
Twitter: https://twitter.com/JeanineWrites Website: https://www.jeaninewrites.com
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Regency Fairytale Series Giveaway! (Open to US Only)
Enter for the chance to win Jeanine Englert’s last Harlequin Historical series! You can win signed paperback copies of Cinderella's Charade with the Duke, Beauty and the Brooding Viscount, and His Duchess Under the Mistletoe along with a bracelet inspired by the series and book swag!
*Terms and Conditions –US entries welcome. Please enter using the Gleam box below. The winner will be selected at random via Gleam from all valid entries and will be notified by Twitter and/or email. If no response is received within 7 days then Rachel’s Random Resources reserves the right to select an alternative winner. Open to all entrants aged 18 or over. Any personal data given as part of the competition entry is used for this purpose only and will not be shared with third parties, with the exception of the winners’ information. This will passed to the giveaway organiser and used only for fulfilment of the prize, after which time Rachel’s Random Resources will delete the data. I am not responsible for despatch or delivery of the prize.
https://gleam.io/Y2y5K/regency-fairytale-series-giveaway-open-to-us-only
