Joan Smith: The Kissing Bough

Nicholas Morgan returns from the war in Spain with a surprise for his friends and family, who assume he will marry his childhood companion, Jane Ramsey. But then he shows up with a beautiful, but correspondingly vain and vulgar, brewer’s daughter as his fiancee-and the stage is set for an intriguing holiday celebration. em>

Another Joan Smith Christmas theme Reg Rom, The Kissing Bough has all the elements of an enjoyable Reg read, but is missing…something. Maybe the H/h just aren’t as strong, or the foils too easily unlikeable. It also could’ve been that by the time Smith gets to the romance I lost interest.

The hero has returned from war, and instead of returning home to marry his childhood sweetheart, he instead tumbles head long in love for a beautiful, rich Cit’s daughter. After a swift courtship, he decides to bring home his fiancée on his first visit to his uncle’s (who he to inherit from) estate and the annual house party of family.

In residence happens to be his childhood sweetie and her Aunt, so awkwardness looms on the horizon. However, with the machinations of some well intended friends, the awkwardness ends up being a result of the faux paux of the Cit and family.

What is curious is that unlike anti-heroines, the hero isn’t being forced to marry for money. Instead, it seems he is in full on lust…Smith seems to hint that it may be a PTSD sort of coping mechanism. Yet, he seems to recover pretty quickly when his beloved suggests redoing the drapes. So, yeah, parts are a little–convenient? It was also potentially really funny material that seemed to be off so that instead it alternates between annoying and sad.

It wasn’t awful by any stretch of the imagination, and readers who enjoy reading about Napoleanic vets or second chance friends to lovers may enjoy this sweet and clean shorty.

5 Stars 3 out of 6 Not one of Smith’s best, but still a passable Seasonal read.