Rosemary Stevens: How the Rogue Stole Christmas

MARGERY VOWS TO HAVE A MERRY CHRISTMAS, EVEN IF IT KILLS HER!

The yuletide season has always cursed Lady Margery Fortescue with bad luck. This year the cottage roof caves in. So she reluctantly accepts an invitation to a house party–only to be accosted at a nearby inn by a rogue too handsome and too rich to have any sense. While he does graciously propose, after he realizes she is a lady of Quality, Margery ungraciously declines.

But when the arrogant Lord “Reckless” Reckford and his wicked grin appear at the same holiday gathering as Margery, she mistakenly concludes that the unrepentant rake is determined to steal her Christmas–or even worse . . . her heart!

Two wounded hearts finding each other at Christmas…and the sparks fly. The H/h are likable, and fortunately (or unfortunately depending on your preference) not too much time is spent beating the dead horses of their former tragic marriages. Instead, the focus is on how these unlikely lovers happen to be at the same house party…and fall for each other hard.

Lady Margery is living in genteel poverty and seclusion with her companion cum nursemaid after a disastrous marriage ended with her husband’s untimely demise. She is resisting attending a neighbor’s house party, but as things at home go from bad to worse, she opts for a little respite.

Lord Reckless Reckford, a rakehell of the first order, has to shepherd his wayward nephew away from the hells and also opts to attend Lady Altham’s house party. That the merry widow Lily Carruthers will be in attendance is a welcome consolation.

There is a H/h meet cute, a villainous majordomo, and a whole lot of characters filling the silly but warmhearted Lady Altham’s house.

The story was engaging, cute…maybe a tad slow in parts, but altogether entertaining. The Christmas elements were spread throughout, although were not part of the broader theme/story (except maybe its significance to the heroine).

Having never read Stevens before, I was pleasantly surprised by her clear affinity for the era/genre. The characters were true enough to the era to avoid the distracting cringes, and if their motivations or actions were maybe a tad bit modern…it could be forgiven.

There is a little action hunting down the villian, mild competing love interest, and a little stranded in the snow action, but overall the main thrust of the story is allowing the H/h to fall in love. Not earth shattering or mind blowing, but a good way to pass an evening or two.

5 Stars 3.75 out of 6 Entertaining read that features likable H/h and Christmasy touches.