Summary

A duke’s daughter. An irrestible earl. And an energetic Corgi named Mr. Shorty. What more could you want in a Christmas novella by Megan Frampton?

It’s Christmastime in London, and Lady Pearl Howlett is eagerly ready for the festivities—until her family goes off to their country estate…accidentally leaving her home alone! But she’s not dismayed. Rather, she’s thrilled to do exactly what she wants. Unfortunately, this daughter of a duke doesn’t know how to do anything.

The Earl of Llanover has come to London to take refuge in his godmother’s townhouse, free to be as awkward and grumpy as he wants. With his pet Corgi, Mr. Shorty, for company, Owen Dwyfor is ready for a quiet holiday away from his mother and sisters who would have him married off. That is, until his godmother’s neighbor, Lady Pearl Howlett comes barging in to his solitude.

After some reluctance, the two come together for a joyous—and steamy—Christmas they won’t forget.

Review

If you loathe instalove then beware, this book is probably not for you. It takes place over a handful of days leading up to Christmas, and the leads basically go from virtual strangers to soulmates in 0.2 seconds. There is some relationship development – it’s not a fated mates, love at first sight thing – but the development is definitely very fast-tracked. If you’re into characters who are the fish out of water type finally finding their kindred spirit, then you’ll love this book.

I don’t really remember Pearl much from the rest of the series – which I suppose it one of the main aspects of her character, haha. She sort of falls to the background in the rest of the series behind her much louder sisters. It was lovely getting to know her a bit better. Owen seems like a nice enough chap, but there doesn’t seem to be a whole lot to his character besides he’s kind of grumpy and his entire personality seems to be doing things for others. But he has a corgi named Mr. Shorty, so I suppose he’s a keeper!

This is a fluffy, cozy little holiday novella good for curling up with alongside some cocoa on a snowy winter’s evening. A nice little nightcap on the rest of the series.

This is book 4.5 in the Duke’s Daughter’s series, and is a holiday novella that takes place at the end of the series. It can be read as a stand-alone, though readers of the full length novels in the series will appreciate the true depth of the wackiness of Pearl’s sisters!

A digital ARC of this book was provided by the publisher via Edelweiss+ for review. All opinions are unbiased and my own.