Really enjoyed the intertwined stories about a group of people stranded at an inn just before Christmas. ( )

I received an advance review copy from NetGalley, but my opinions are entirely truthful and my own. I had read multiple books from each of these authors previously and enjoyed them, so this book was a good fit for me.

Sabrina Jeffries- I've liked the previous books in the Duke Dynasty series average or better, but this one didn't work for me. Often holiday novellas require a little more slack cut to them, allowing them to be extra convenient due to their short length, and a bit sappier due to the holiday, but this seemed even a bit more flimsy than that. I didn't buy the events as plausible, and I didn't grow all that fond of the characters, AND I wasn't that very engaged by the rest. It wasn't absolute rubbish, but it was below average enough (for me) that I couldn't justify rounding up. 2 stars.

Madeline Hunter- This had a fairly slow start between rehashing some scene-setting events we already learned in the previous story (the story should be able to stand decently on its own, so I understand why these were repeated, it just contributed to the feeling of waiting for things to get going), and an illness that takes up quite a bit of page time in the beginning and obviously limits the potential of the chapters from that point of view. After that though it had pretty good pacing, and hooked my interest in the characters. The steam isn't 'fade to black', but it does stay pretty short and vague. So it felt a bit like a missed opportunity to me, who enjoys steam, but is probably fairly inoffensive to those put off by it. Overall I liked the characters and things wrapped up well. 4 stars.

Mary Jo Putney- I have read 6 prior books by this author, and enjoyed every one of them above average. But for whatever reason, I thought this one was terrible. I rarely give single stars, and all throughout the last half I was hoping I would be able to at least round up to a 2, but I just can't. I was bored, annoyed, AND disbelieving. I'm really kind of astonished. Not much happens, it's nearly entirely a series of conversations broken up by some menial tasks, and then some lines or a scene we've already seen earlier (some of them twice by this point) sprinkled in here and there. I actually don't mind conversation-heavy stories, but the dialogue was so stilted and basic that I felt like rolling my eyes. It seemed kind of like the dialogue in a less than mediocre play. Tons of things were spelled out to a simpleton degree in case the reader was incapable of putting two pieces of information together. And I usually enjoy animals in stories, but this one was so anthropomorphized that I would almost sooner believe a human somehow traded bodies with the cat than I would that this is reasonable animal behavior. lol. And then, to add insult to injury, there's hardly even a romance (vague spoiler) when one character basically sits on the fence til the 11th hour when there's a miraculous change of heart. I don't buy it. I really am very disappointed. This won't stop me from ever reading other stories by this author, because I quite enjoyed those previous ones, but if this had been my first from her I would have a low opinion of her writing potential. If you are in that boat, do consider giving her work another shot. 6 books to 1 makes this the anomaly rather than the norm.

For the collection as a whole, 2.5 stars rounded up. ( )

I am voluntarily posting an honest review after reading an advance readers copy of this story.

A Yuletide Kiss is a collaboration between 3 authors with all 3 stories taking place at the same time in the same inn. An Ice storm brings out the best in the stranded strangers. But not all of them are strangers. The beauty of this book is that we're finding out what happened to a couple of secondary characters from each of the authors books. I liked all 3 and was very pleased when I realized I was getting a kind of epilog of characters I'd wondered about. Fabulous. If you're a fan then you already know these 3 ladies can write good stories so if you're curious then dive in for a pleasant journey.

#MadelineHunter #SabrinaJeffries #MaryJoPutney #AYuletideKiss #KensingtonPress #historicalromance #romance ( )

A Yuletide Kiss

Three historical holiday romances that occur at an inn when unexpected guests are snowed in and must spend time together see three couples find their happily ever afters.

There were surprises, kisses, Christmas trees, mistletoe, baking, cooking, meals enjoyed, songs written then sung, secrets exposed, second chances for some and new love for others. This was a varied and fun holiday collection.

THE UNEXPECTED GIFT by Madeline Hunter
Jenna is a lovely woman dedicated to her inn and unwilling to see anyone turned away during a snowstorm. I enjoyed watching her and Lucas find one another as Lucas searched for the scoundrel and made things right.

WHEN WE FINALLY KISS GOOD NIGHT by Sabrina Jeffries
What a tangled web this story had to untangle. I enjoyed watching Flora get to the bottom of what happened eight years before and seeing how she and Konrad were able to find a way to be together.

WHEN STRANGERS MEET by Mary Jo Putney
Kate and Daniel had a very interesting story. How they met, what happened afterward and whether or not they might have a future together was fun reading. I am glad it worked out as it eventually did.

Did I enjoy this book? Yes
Would I read more by these authors? Yes

Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Books for the ARC – This is my honest review.

4 Stars ( )

I enjoyed this trio of novellas, centered around a group of stranded travelers. Each author provides the story of a different couple and alternate viewpoints of the same events. I liked seeing the diverse group come together to create a unique holiday experience. I especially liked the various Christmas traditions included. Funny moments go side-by-side with heartwarming ones and results in a lovely Christmas tale.

WHEN WE FINALLY KISS GOOD NIGHT by Sabrina Jeffries
Series: Duke Dynasty (Book 4.5)

When Flora Younger first met Konrad Juncker, she thought she'd found her match, only to have her hopes dashed. Konrad is now a famous playwright whose plays Flora has secretly panned in reviews. But a chance meeting in a secluded inn may help them rewrite this star-crossed romance…

I loved this follow-on to the Duke Dynasty series. On his journey to spend Christmas with friends, a sudden snowstorm strands him at a closed-for-the-holidays inn. When more travelers arrive, he umps in to help the innkeeper and is pleasantly surprised when one of those travelers is Flora Younger, the woman he loved and lost. Years earlier, they met and fell in love, but he bailed on her when he realized he couldn't support her as she deserved. Since then, he has become a famous playwright who is now at a crossroads in his career. Flora became a paid companion for Lady Whitmarsh and anonymously writes reviews for London plays and consistently bashes his.

The feelings between Konrad and Flora remain strong, but can they overcome their pasts to have a future together? Stuck together as they are, Konrad and Flora use the time to clear the air between them. I enjoyed Konrad's determined pursuit of Flora, even as he fears that he still can't give her what she deserves. At a crossroads in his career, Konrad's future depends on the secrets involving his plays. Flora finds herself falling for Konrad all over again but fears the same heartbreak. I loved seeing Konrad finally trust her with the truth and Flora's protectiveness for the man she loved. The ending was funny and sweet.


THE UNEXPECTED GIFT by Madeline Hunter

Jenna Waverly has closed her inn, anticipating a blissfully quiet Christmas, until a snowstorm brings the first of several strangers to her property. Lucas Avonwood, as charming as he is secretive, is on a mission to track down a scoundrel, but the inn's lovely owner is giving him a more compelling reason to stay…

Jenna closes her inn every year at Christmas to give her staff the time with their families and herself a chance to spend some quiet time. But when her stableman stumbles across an injured and feverish man, she can't turn him away. His arrival precedes that of several more stranded travelers whom she makes room for. Jenna spends her time going back and forth between nursing the stranger and taking care of her unplanned guests. I loved how she got the diverse group to work together, freeing her to spend more time with her patient.

I enjoyed watching the relationship develop between Lucas and Jenna. She's a practical woman but also one with a caring heart, and she's determined to pull him through his illness. Once he begins to recover, the sparks between them start to burn brighter. With the fate of her inn uncertain, her growing relationship with Lucas induces dreams of more. But Lucas is a man on a mission, and that mission may have unexpected ties to Jenna. When Lucas finds what he's looking for, he must find a way to solve the problem without hurting Jenna. Though I found the solution a little improbable, it worked to give them the future they wanted.


WHEN STRANGERS MEET by Mary Jo Putney

Kate Mcleod is shocked to find that her fellow guest in the snowbound inn is the dashing soldier who may or may not be her husband. Daniel Faringdon barely remembers that long-ago night when he rescued her from disaster, but the desire they discover now will be impossible to forget, or to ignore . . .

When Daniel returned to England to claim his inheritance after many years in India, he never expected to encounter the young woman he rescued. He barely remembers that night, just the fear of the young woman being auctioned off by her uncle. He remembers the drunk preacher who "married" them before Daniel turned her over to a friend who helped her return to England and her family. He gets the shock of his life when one of the other stranded guests is none other than the woman he rescued.

Kate MacLeod never forgot the handsome soldier who saved her from disaster, though she hasn't heard from him since then. Once she recovers from the shock of seeing him, she informs him that she was about to have him declared dead so that she can marry again. Stunned to discover that their marriage was valid, Daniel finds he's in no hurry to end their connection.

I liked the development of the relationship between Daniel and Kate. Kate is practical and competent in many areas and fits in well with the rest of the stranded travelers. Daniel worries about his return home after all these years, having left under trying circumstances. His time in India transformed him from a heedless boy to a mature and honorable man. Within a short time of talking to Kate, Daniel realizes that Kate touches something in him. He proposes that they consider remaining married. Kate is wary but willing to get to know him before deciding.

I loved watching Kate and Daniel spend time together. Kate is upfront about her life and plans for the future, including continuing to work. She hunts (loved that scene!) and willingly pitches in around the inn. Impressed by her abilities, Daniel makes it clear that he fully supports her while asking pointed questions about her almost fiancé. At the same time, Kate finds herself questioning her feelings for Edmund and considering staying with Daniel. Besides the fun encounters, they also spend some time sharing the less pleasant memories of their pasts. But when it's time to leave the inn, Kate isn't quite ready to commit until she can talk to Edmund. I ached for Daniel, who left wondering if he'd see Kate again.

I loved the ending. Kate gets her concerns addressed unexpectedly, freeing her to follow her heart. Daniel receives the loving support he needs to face his past in a heartwarming scene at the family home. ( )