Miss Locke's Christmas Secret by Anastasia Hayward Published by Anastasia Hayward on September 29, 2023
Genres: Fiction / Romance / Historical / Regency, Fiction / Romance / Holiday
Pages: 142
Format: ARC
Source: The Author
Buy on Amazon
She has a secret...
Three years ago, a rake stumbled into Amelia's bedroom, forcing her to cover up the scandal and hide it even from her family. Now at a Christmas party hosted by none other than said rake, Amelia is torn between staying the proper wallflower with a secret or blooming into the woman she was on that fateful night so long ago.
He is an open book...
Lord Sudbury, a recently reformed rake, knows that the quiet woman in the drab dress hides a fierce personality. Partnered together in a contest at his Christmas party, he is determined to figure out more than just the mystery game's clues.
Not everyone is as they seem...
Together again, their personalities clash and the closer they get to winning the game, the more Amelia worries that a rake's curiosity will lead to her ruin.
A Regency romance novella.
I received this book for free from The Author in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
This was the first time I had read this author, but when she read out with an offer to review her Christmas novella, I agreed to give it a try.
If you have been a Regency Reader for a while, you know this time of year I prefer the novella (Top 15 Regency Christmas Novellas). In part, it’s because I turn into a dedicated movie watcher as ‘Tis the Season for Rom Coms. But the other part is that the days are shorter (or feel so due to the fading light), and we are busy with holiday festivities, travelling, and cooking. So a short novella that I can devour in one sitting is ideal.
Miss Locke’s Christmas Secret, in this way, was a perfect fit. It was a quick read that packed in a lot of action. Although much of the character development occurred off page, it was nonetheless interesting to learn how the unlikely pair of MCs come together.
Both have secrets. Lord Sudbury’s is mostly that he is trying to be a reformed rake. But something about Miss Locke brings out the devil in him.
The Christmas house party is a fun setting for holiday games and the bringing together of the MCs whose introduction some years before changed them both.
The action brought a freshness to the story, there was little angst, and it was kisses only. Also very little mature content and no violence, aside from some friendly fencing matches. On the whole, this read could be enjoyed by most readers.
I wavered a bit on the stars, as it wasn’t quite a 4.5 for me, but definitely rated higher than a 4. I think I was hoping for a little more of the supporting characters, but recognize that is a challenge with limited word count. I also noted anachronisms, but nothing that was a deal breaker. Afterall, I believe in artistic license and I do think the author has a fair understanding of the genre/era.
I did like the resolution and of course, the HEA.
Overall, I would recommend for Regency Readers on the hunt for a short and sweet Christmas themed novella.
