A scandalous love under the mistletoe.

It’s Christmas time in London and Rafe Bowman has arrived from America for his arranged meeting with Natalie Blandford, the very proper and beautiful daughter of Lady and Lord Blandford. His chiseled good looks and imposing physique are sure to impress the lady-in-waiting, and if it weren’t for his shocking American ways and wild reputation, her hand would already be guaranteed.

Before the courtship can begin, Rafe realizes he must learn the rules of London society. But when four former Wallfowers try their hand at matchmaking, no one knows what will happen. And winning a bride turns out to be more complicated than Rafe Bowman anticipated, especially for a man accustomed to getting anything he wants. However, Christmas works in the most unexpected ways, changing a cynic to a romantic and inspiring passion in the most timid of hearts.

2022 will go down as the year of Lisa Kleypas for me! I have read 18 Lisa Kleypas books this year, which is wild to me, because I haven’t read 18 books by another single author, much less 18 books by one author in a single year! I think I can officially crown her as my favorite author, and what better way to wind down this year than with her Christmas novel. I have loved the Wallflowers series so much, and A Wallflower Christmas is such a lovey cherry on top. It was so much fun to catch up with all the original Wallflowers and see a bit of an extended epilogue for them all. Each one of their love stories was so wonderful, and seeing how they’re all doing now was really fun and felt like coming home. I loved how they all took Hannah under their wings and dubbed her an honorary wallflower. Each woman had their hand in Hannah’s love story, and it was heartwarming to see that kind of love and support be poured down upon her. I love a book with strong female friendships, and the Wallflowers are some of the strongest friendships I’ve read about.

I quite liked Rafe and Hannah both together and individually. Rafe is the brother of Daisy and Lillian, two of the Wallflowers, and it was fun to see them so invested in his love story. Rafe is a rake with a heart of gold and a soft core. He’s sentimental and sweet and so romantic. Some of the things he does and says (and writes) had me fanning myself and getting teary at the same time. He’s come to meet Natalie, who he’s essentially been assigned to marry, but he’s much more interested in her companion, Hannah. Hannah is strong and kind, and one to root for for sure.

I loved returning to Stony Cross Park for Christmas. I adore a strong Christmas theme in historical romance novels because I’ve always been a huge fan of the traditional Christmas preparations. The way Christmas is celebrated in these novels, with candles and real greenery brought it from outside, traditional foods and carols… it just makes me feel so cozy to read about. Hannah chooses to read “A Christmas Carol” to the children in the library each night by a roaring fie. It was so sweet reading about her interactions with them, and their excitement over the story warmed my heart. I love the way Lisa Kleypas was able to wind a new romance, an update on so many beloved characters, and the magic of Christmas into one tale. I wish it had been longer! Oh, how I will miss these Wallflowers and the men in their lives.