How the Dukes Stole Christmas audiobook

Three gorgeous novellas from three of my favorite writers...and a fourth from me! Merry merry!

this was such a fantastic anthology of Christmas historical romances my favorite was the one by Sarah MacLean but I loved all of them!

The main reason I got this book was “Meet Me in Mayfair" by Tessa Dare. And it was as good as I thought it would be.Louisa meets at a ball the man who owns her family home. Duke of Thorndale only wants to sell all his London properties and go back to Yorkshire. He hates London and he believes that all the Londoners lie all the time and they want to take advantage of him.Louisa is desperate. Duke does not know who she is, but maybe she can enthral himconvince him not to sell her home, so that her family does not move in the middle of nowhere.A night walk around frozen cold beautiful London will make Luisa and James fall in love. James is not that heartless and horrid apparently and Luisa decides that maybe moving to Isle of Jersey wouldn't be that bad. She likes James and she does not want to ask him anything in return.My favourite part of the book is when James finally takes Luisa back to her home.Louisa slipped her arms free of his coat and draped the garment over the the back of his chair, brushing his shoulder with her fingertips. Thank you for sharing your coat.Holding his teacup in one hand, he used the other to pull out the chair next to his. Sit next to me.She accepted with reluctance, edging her chair aside to create space between them. I don’t want to give my family ideas.Beneath the table, he caught her chair leg with his boot, dragging her close. Let them have their ideas.Her heart fluttered in her chest. They hadn’t exchanged a single word in the entire exchange. Not even so much as a glance. Yet as Louisa poured herself a cup of tea, he casually pushed the sugar in her direction, as though he’d been doing so every morning for years and years.There is a misunderstanding towards the end. Duke learns who Luisa is and he thinks that she tried to tricked him, but this is another story with happy ending. So nothing to worry about.The story is wonderfully romantic and sweet.Well, there are 3 more stories in the book by authors that I haven't read before, but I believe I have reached my limit with Christmas romance for this year. Maybe I will try them next Christmas.

My favorites were surprisingly the ones not by my favorite authors! I loved Sophie Jordan's Scottish Duke romance and Joanna Shupe's Gilded Age romance (it was my first time reading JS too). This anthology is just perfect for anyone looking for Christmas romances – there are FOUR of them!

What a great group of authors! They are all so talented and they came together to bring us Christmas joy and smut! I loved how each one of the stories had something to do with snow and shortbread even though in most of the stories the shortbread wasn’t tasty.This was such a fun holiday read and I’m so glad I got to buddy read it with my friends!

So, I got my Christmas spirit going a bit early this year with my reads. I do have to say that I did enjoy all but the last novella on the Dukes. It was a delightful read and I must say that Sarah MacLean's novel was the height of them all. Recommend this read and as a summation of them all, I am rating this as a 3.5 rounded to 4-Stars.4-Stars

Meet me in Mayfair by Tessa Dare - 5 starsdefinitely my favourite from the whole book :) but I expected nothing less, since Tessa Dare is one of my favourite authors :) her writing style is just… *sighs happily* it always works for me :) would I love to read more about this couple? absolutely :) but this adorable novella was enough to bring me joy :)The duke of christmas present by Sarah MacLean - 2,5 starshands down my least favourite of the book… but to be honest, I expected it… don’t get me wrong, I love Sarah MacLean’s writing style, and it was really good here as well, it’s just that the second chance romance trope is one I tend to avoid in stories, cause I really don’t like it… purely because of personal preferences :) especially when it’s only a novella, I don’t think there is enough pages to build such a story well, and that was the case for me here… there just wasn’t enough time for me to buy into them getting back together so fast after such a long time apart… I loved seeing glimpses of their relationship before, but at the same time the switching back and forth between timelines threw off the pacing of the story… just not for me, and that’s ok :)Heiress alone by Sophie Jordan - 4,5 starsthis was my second favourite story of the book :) written by a new to me author, I am now definitely planning on checking out her other stories ;) we have a heroine who loves books and a grumpy scot as the hero and I was sold :) yes, it once again took place over a very short amount of time and had some absolutely ridiculous things happening but I loved it all the same :) it was fun and sexy and gave me all the wintery vibes I wanted :) Christmas in Central Park by Joanna Shupe - 4 starsthis was written by another new to me author who totally sold me on her other stories :) I enjoyed it more than I thought, and again, even though I would have loved to see more time pass for these two to form a relationship, it was a cute christmas-y story :) now I am definitely very curious to see what she can do with a full length book, cause it seems she writes heroines how I love them the most, smart and independent :)XOXOA

These were all adorable! The Sophie Jordan and Joanna Shupe ones were my faves of the bunch.

«How the Dukes Stole Christmas» ha sido mi romance de época de diciembre (intento leer uno al mes por lo menos) y era el ideal porque es una antología de relatos navideños. Lo que ha sido una grata sorpresa ha sido que los cuatro relatos son retellings de otras historias navideñas famosas. Dos de ellas me han resultado fáciles de identificar, las otras dos la verdad es que no las conocía, pero me parece un toque superguay. No os voy a decir nada por si queréis que sea una sorpresa de qué historia son retellings.He disfrutado mucho de la lectura de este libro. Aunque en una antología siempre hay algún relato que se disfruta más que otros, en general puedo decir que todos me han gustado, aunque en uno de ellos la relación me ha parecido demasiado rápida. Que son relatos cortos y quizás es de esperar, pero en los otros tres me ha parecido todo más equilibrado. Si tuviera que elegir un favorito, creo que sería el de Sarah MacLean, que era la única autora a la que había leído previamente. Pero me ha gustado conocer la pluma de las demás autoras y ojalá tenga la oportunidad de leer más de ellas pronto.

I love holiday novellas. I think they are the perfect way to get a quick jolt of that Christmas spirit. And I think this is a strong collection, overall. I can DEFINITELY see myself returning to this collection every year. A very fun read.Meet Me In Mayfair - 3 starsTo be honest, I think this was the weakest one of the 4. But whatever, it's Tessa Dare. It's still cute. I just think that after the low moment, we needed to see more from the hero/ heroine and instead it just fast forwards to the resolution. Given that this is the shortest story, I'm not entirely sure why Dare couldn't have included a little bit more. Rushed ending. The Duke of Christmas Present - 5 starsOK, so obviously I am biased since I do a podcast with Sarah, but this was best story in the collection to me. It's highly structured with a back and forth between now and then, and it makes for a really pleasing story. Given that it's a Novella, I was thought there was some really wonderful character development of both Eben and Jack. Also, this book had really strong secondary characters, Jack's Aunt and Eben's business partner. Super great. Just what I want from a Christmas novella. Heiress Alone - 5 starsI loved this story, maybe because I've always loved Home Alone. I love that Annis is thrilled to be left alone and the whole way the story with the Sinclair evolves is pretty awesome. Very sexy and I was absolutely into it. Again, really strong secondary characters. Loved this story.Christmas in Central Park - 5 starsThis book actually made me SO NERVOUS when I was reading it. Like, I was ACTIVELY ANXIOUS about how it was all going to turn out. I loved the heroine and her big group of friends who work together to basically make sure she can keep her job. This one gave me ALL THE FEELS.

It has been a long time since I was excited about an anthology. When four of the reigning queens of historical romance decide to pair up, I was over the moon ready for these sweet novellas. I mean, a whole anthology featuring grouchy Dukes?? What’s not to love! This book was the epitome of sweet. To be honest, I have read excellent novellas from both Tessa Dare and Joanna Shupe, so my expectations were a little higher for those two. Overall, this book is the perfect Christmas read and I highly recommend. All four novellas are connected by ~love~ shortbread cookies.“Meet Me in Mayfair” by Tessa Dare**3.5 Stars**I feel like Tessa Dare has recently read Evicted: Poverty and Profit in the American City by Matthew Desmond. This was a cute little story about a woman who had one night to convince a Duke not to evict her family and fell in love instead. I could have used a little bit more steam to be honest.“The Duke of Christmas Present” by Sarah MacLean**5 Stars**You know, I am glad I’m not the only one who wondered what Scrooge would have been like if his young love had worked out or come back. This was everything I didn’t know I needed in a second chance Christmas novella and I loved everything about it.“Heiress Alone” by Sophie Jordan**3 Stars**Home Alone retelling! The heroine’s awful family leaves her in their drafty Scottish castle. Hot Scottish Duke comes to the rescue of course! This one just missed the mark a little bit for me. Still sweet and sexy, which I enjoyed.“Christmas in Central Park” by Joanna Shupe**4 Stars**Joanna Shupe knows how to write a dang good novella. I don’t know what she was basing this off of, but I loved it. The heroine was amazing and Duke, the hero, was adorable and pretty darn romantic. So much great story building packed into a few pages.**I received an ARC of this book in order to provide an honest review**Find/Follow me on Twitter Instagram and my blog !!

I received this book for free from Author in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review. It's that time of year.  The weather is changing and I'm ready to get into the holiday spirit!  One of my favorite books to read this time are holiday books and historical romances are the understated choice.  The small town contemporaries and cowboys get all the glitz and glamour (I blame Hallmark) but there's something endearing and sweet about a holiday historical romance.  Enter this anthology.  First of all, I had to read it because Tessa Dare writes some of the best holiday novellas you'll find.  These three stories have a common factor revolving magical shortbread."Meet Me in Mayfair" by Tessa Dare - 4 Stars“I tell you,” Kat said, “this marrying scheme is balderdash. If I were the eldest, I’d be carrying out a different plan tonight.”Maggie sighed. “We’ve discussed this. Murdering the duke is not a plan.”“Of course it isn’t,” Kat replied. “Murdering the duke is an objective. A plan requires specifics. A concealed pistol. A hidden dagger. Poison-tipped darts.”“Shortbread,” Louisa suggested.Kicking things off with the reason why I decided to read this.  A Duke is in London to settle some of his business, including evicting some tenants from his city properties before returning home.  Louisa Ward needs to find a husband in order to save her family from ending up without a home.  But as luck, or the holiday spirit turns out, she finds the very Duke evicting them.  This is everything charming and romantic I've come to expect from Ms. Dare.  I gobbled it up without stopping."The Duke of Christmas Present" by Sarah MacLean - 3.5 Stars...he was struck with twin emotions -- a desperate desire to hear what she had to say and abject terror that she was about to tell him that he was too late and she had chosen another.I don't remember having read Sarah MacLean before so this may be my first.  While I also enjoyed this story and it was sweet an charming as well, I found myself a little less connected.  The Duke of Allryd has loved Lady Jacqueline (aka Jack) since they were young.  But it's been 12 years since she's been gone.  Decisions that were made affected the course of both of their lives and now it's time for that second chance.  I just wanted a little more and at times I found this fell into the miscommunication category."Heiress Alone" by Sophie Jordan - 4 StarsDamnation...Perhaps he wasn't decent. After all, he'd brought this lass here. He'd put a soon-to-be-nun in his bed and he'd done things to her no one should ever do to a virtuous woman with such holy aspirations. She was right. He was not a decent man because he wanted to continue right where they'd left off this morning and corrupt the hell out of her.Ah but there's nothing better than a sexy Laird.  Wait... being stranded, snowbound, alone in his castle for the holidays.  Annis family rushes to England for the holidays from their home in Scotland and they don't realize they've left her behind.  It's not safe for her to stay alone with thieves running around.  I really enjoyed these two! They had great chemistry and the story was cute and entertaining.  I've only read Ms. Jordan in other genres so this was my first attempt at her historical romances and it won't be my last."Christmas in Central Park" by Joanna Shupe - 4 StarsShe was having a hard time remembering why kissing him was a terrible idea.Inhaling, she tried to shake her head despite his gentle grip. “I am not one of those women.…”He swept an errant strand of hair behind her ear. “I know—and that is not why I am here. This is not some sort of a game or passing fancy to me. Quite the opposite. You are remarkable, Rose. Unlike any woman I’ve ever met.” He gave a dry chuckle. “In fact, if this were a century or two ago, I might challenge your husband for you.”Her chest tightened but she strove to keep the mood light. “Pistols at dawn?”I really wasn't sure what to expect from this one.  It's my first time reading Joanna Shupe, but also my first time reading this particular setting (both time and place).  Duke Havemeyer is the owner of the paper and single Miss Rose Walker is actually the real person behind the pen name Mrs. Walker, the married socialite advice columnist that seems to be the biggest hit his publication has.  Now, after a big scandal, he needs her help in charming the board to keep his position and wants her to host a dinner party for them.  Shouldn't be a problem for a woman of her standing.  Except she now has to face all the lies she's created around her persona.  And fight the supposedly wrong attraction they feel for each other.  This was probably one of my faves from this anthology.  It was so much fun!  And different.  Plus packed full of holiday spirit.  I'll be reading more of this author as well.So as you can see, if you are ready to get in the holiday spirit look no further.  HOW THE DUKES STOLE CHRISTMAS will warm your heart and leave you with a smile on your face.*ARC provided by authorReviewed by Francesca❤ ♡ Don't want to miss any of our posts? 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