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The Duke Who Came to Christmas Dinner
When Thomas Hardacre, the cold-hearted Duke of Stanthorpe, receives an invitation to Christmas dinner from his widowed neighbor, Mrs. Anna Rowntree, his initial reaction is to say no. Even though he once shared an incendiary mistletoe kiss with the sweet-as-a-sugarplum daughter of his former estate steward, Thomas has since placed her on the “do-not-ever-touch” shelf. He suspects the comely but lonely Anna wants more than “dinner,” and while the idea of bedding her sets him aflame, he’s sure that he cannot be the man she truly deserves. But what’s a duke to do? Thomas is not a saint and he knows from experience that Anna’s kisses are pure fire. Only one thing is Christmas dinner has never proved to be so tempting…
Author's Note to This is a sweet yet steamy novella length Christmas story.
Author's Note to This is a sweet yet steamy novella length Christmas story.
110 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 12, 2023
6 people are currently reading
28 people want to read
About the author
Amy Rose Bennett
35 books638 followersAmy Rose Bennett is an award-winning Australian author who has a passion for penning emotion-packed historical romances and more recently, historical rom-coms with a dash of fantasy. A former speech pathologist, Amy is happily married to her very own romantic hero and has two lovely, exceedingly accomplished adult daughters. When she’s not creating stories, Amy loves to cook up a storm in the kitchen, lose herself in a good book, and when she can afford it, travel to all the places she writes about.
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
October 9, 2023
Read as a part of Duke in a Box: Twelve Steamy Historical Holiday Novellas anthology.
Very quick read.
I liked the premise – sort of second chance romance story - and at the beginning the interactions between the main couple were fun and exciting. Both main characters seemed to be likable, especially the hero, but very early on during the plot the spark from both of their personalities fizzled. Suddenly there was some awkwardness between the hero and heroine that made the whole story a little dull.
3/5 stars
Very quick read.
I liked the premise – sort of second chance romance story - and at the beginning the interactions between the main couple were fun and exciting. Both main characters seemed to be likable, especially the hero, but very early on during the plot the spark from both of their personalities fizzled. Suddenly there was some awkwardness between the hero and heroine that made the whole story a little dull.
3/5 stars
October 21, 2023
The Duke Who Came To Christmas Dinner is a novella set in North Yorkshire, December, 1818. I was disappointed that Anna’s quite insistent feelings for Thomas overrode the flow of the story, imo. Sure, she spoke honestly and forthrightly about her desires, but I feel his passion didn’t match hers. It felt unbalanced to this reader.
I have this novella in “Duke in a Box: Twelve Steamy Historical Holiday Novellas”.
3- stars
Thomas Hardcore, the Duke of Stanthorpe, has returned to his ducal estate at Christmas time out of necessity, not desire. Behaving like the worst cur, sounding curmudgeonly, he demanded all the holly and decorations be taken down. By his own admissions, he was a cold, ruthless libertine, a rake who lusted and seduced. He swived Society widows and bored noblemen’s wives. Thomas left when he was satisfied, without a care and without looking back. The whole of London knew it too.
Anna Rowntree, now a young widow, lives in Hawthorn Cottage with her cat Chaucer, and Mrs Duckett, a woman she employs to keep house and act as a companion. A little abode near Grimstone Castle, her cottage was left to her by her late father, the estate’s steward for eighteen years. After manipulating a kiss under the mistletoe from the heir, her first kiss, Anna has lofty dreams for her future.
Thomas and Anna meet again after knowing each other in their youth. Him, the heir to a Dukedom, and her, the daughter of the estate steward. Anna had a tendre for Thomas since she was fourteen. I do feel her desire outweighed his desire. I didn’t quite by into “the love of my life” love story.
I recommend this for a quick Christmas read.
I have this novella in “Duke in a Box: Twelve Steamy Historical Holiday Novellas”.
3- stars
Thomas Hardcore, the Duke of Stanthorpe, has returned to his ducal estate at Christmas time out of necessity, not desire. Behaving like the worst cur, sounding curmudgeonly, he demanded all the holly and decorations be taken down. By his own admissions, he was a cold, ruthless libertine, a rake who lusted and seduced. He swived Society widows and bored noblemen’s wives. Thomas left when he was satisfied, without a care and without looking back. The whole of London knew it too.
Anna Rowntree, now a young widow, lives in Hawthorn Cottage with her cat Chaucer, and Mrs Duckett, a woman she employs to keep house and act as a companion. A little abode near Grimstone Castle, her cottage was left to her by her late father, the estate’s steward for eighteen years. After manipulating a kiss under the mistletoe from the heir, her first kiss, Anna has lofty dreams for her future.
Thomas and Anna meet again after knowing each other in their youth. Him, the heir to a Dukedom, and her, the daughter of the estate steward. Anna had a tendre for Thomas since she was fourteen. I do feel her desire outweighed his desire. I didn’t quite by into “the love of my life” love story.
I recommend this for a quick Christmas read.
December 2, 2025
Stars: 4 Stars
Format: Digital
Series: Stand Alone
Steam Level: Steamy
I picked this book up during one of those Stuff Your Kindle days and I nearly didn’t since I had already picked up a bunch of books. Good thing I ignored that reasoning or I would have missed out on a fun Christmas story.
Quick Thoughts:
- This set up was sweet which surprised me considering what we learned right away about Thomas
- The big, grumpy duke is a total softie for Anna
- I loved that Anna is upfront about what she wants
- Whew. That sex scene was a scorcher
- With what happened to Anna before the story started, then what happens in the last third of the book, I wanted to hug Anna and make sure she had everything she might possibly want
- I did want to smack that good-for-nothing companion upside the head
- The ending was cute and I hope Anna gives him heck for letting her stress out so much
- I knocked off a star because the romance part of this was a bit quick considering the drama that happened and was zoomed through
Overall I enjoyed this short Christmas story and found myself cheering for both of the main characters.
Format: Digital
Series: Stand Alone
Steam Level: Steamy
I picked this book up during one of those Stuff Your Kindle days and I nearly didn’t since I had already picked up a bunch of books. Good thing I ignored that reasoning or I would have missed out on a fun Christmas story.
Quick Thoughts:
- This set up was sweet which surprised me considering what we learned right away about Thomas
- The big, grumpy duke is a total softie for Anna
- I loved that Anna is upfront about what she wants
- Whew. That sex scene was a scorcher
- With what happened to Anna before the story started, then what happens in the last third of the book, I wanted to hug Anna and make sure she had everything she might possibly want
- I did want to smack that good-for-nothing companion upside the head
- The ending was cute and I hope Anna gives him heck for letting her stress out so much
- I knocked off a star because the romance part of this was a bit quick considering the drama that happened and was zoomed through
Overall I enjoyed this short Christmas story and found myself cheering for both of the main characters.
December 16, 2023
"The Duke Who Came to Christmas Dinner" by Amy Rose Bennett, a Christmas novella
.
Cover: 4/5
Story: 4/5
Steam: 🔥 (+kissing)
Ending: HEA
.
Series or Stand Alone: Stand alone novella
.
English Countryside, Regency Period (1818)
Grumpy Grieving Duke
Lonely Vivacious Widow
Class Difference
Childhood Aquantiences
Christmas Novella
Grumpy/Sunshine
She Goes After Him
Just One Night
.
Oh, what a sweet and spicy read! This is my first read by Amy Rose Bennett, and it has only made me look forward to getting to another title of hers on my December TBR. Bennett has a lovely writing style that allows for comfortable reading packed with beautiful details and descriptions.
This title is relatively low angst, which was nice for a change. Sometimes, in modern HR, the "issue" within the plot is beaten around one too many times. This is, thankfully, not the case in this novella. It was wonderful to have an MMC come to his senses rather quickly and not need some ridiculous groveling all because he was being a real idiot. Although I do love a good grovel!
There are some dramatics, but the resolution isn't annoyingly drawn out and hummed and hawed over. This novella held a lot of that special Christmas magic many readers adore.
As for steam, don't be fooled by the one flame rating. The scene is rather long, extremely passionate, and uses mostly explicit terms. If this is any indication of Bennett's usual steam writing style for her other titles, I find myself already a fan.
.
Read as a self-purchased ebook. Honest review left voluntarily.
.
CW (may contain spoilers):
.
.
.
.
.
De*th of parents
De*th of spouse
Harmful gossip
.
Cover: 4/5
Story: 4/5
Steam: 🔥 (+kissing)
Ending: HEA
.
Series or Stand Alone: Stand alone novella
.
English Countryside, Regency Period (1818)
Grumpy Grieving Duke
Lonely Vivacious Widow
Class Difference
Childhood Aquantiences
Christmas Novella
Grumpy/Sunshine
She Goes After Him
Just One Night
.
Oh, what a sweet and spicy read! This is my first read by Amy Rose Bennett, and it has only made me look forward to getting to another title of hers on my December TBR. Bennett has a lovely writing style that allows for comfortable reading packed with beautiful details and descriptions.
This title is relatively low angst, which was nice for a change. Sometimes, in modern HR, the "issue" within the plot is beaten around one too many times. This is, thankfully, not the case in this novella. It was wonderful to have an MMC come to his senses rather quickly and not need some ridiculous groveling all because he was being a real idiot. Although I do love a good grovel!
There are some dramatics, but the resolution isn't annoyingly drawn out and hummed and hawed over. This novella held a lot of that special Christmas magic many readers adore.
As for steam, don't be fooled by the one flame rating. The scene is rather long, extremely passionate, and uses mostly explicit terms. If this is any indication of Bennett's usual steam writing style for her other titles, I find myself already a fan.
.
Read as a self-purchased ebook. Honest review left voluntarily.
.
CW (may contain spoilers):
.
.
.
.
.
De*th of parents
De*th of spouse
Harmful gossip
December 31, 2023
Thomas hates Christmas. His dad died in a carriage accident, his fiance jilted him, and his mother died (separate years) around the holiday. He is now grudgingly back home at his estate for the holiday. Anna is the daughter of the estate former land steward and grew up with Thomas. She has always been in love with him. Now widowed, she lives in a cottage on the estate inherited from her father.
They reconnect when Thomas is thrown from his horse. Of course things happen, long buried feelings float to the surface. Well paced and I could see this couple together.
They reconnect when Thomas is thrown from his horse. Of course things happen, long buried feelings float to the surface. Well paced and I could see this couple together.
December 7, 2023
Not my favorite combination of tropes. I'm not too keen on h's not being allowed to have good prior marriages while the H goes around sleeping with every lady of the ton and completely forgetting about her until he sees her again, despite her being in love with the guy for years.
Was looking for a short christmas-y romance, but this wasn't it.
Was looking for a short christmas-y romance, but this wasn't it.
September 10, 2024
The Duke who came to Christmas dinnner
Short and sweet. But very sweet indeed. Oh! If only life was as easy as that! Widowed at a young age always in love with the local Duke, what could be better than falling in love and all that ensues! Just too short for my liking. But a good yarn for all that.
Short and sweet. But very sweet indeed. Oh! If only life was as easy as that! Widowed at a young age always in love with the local Duke, what could be better than falling in love and all that ensues! Just too short for my liking. But a good yarn for all that.
October 29, 2023
Read in the Duke in a Box anthology.
After fourteen years of unrequited love, Anna finally thaws the heart of her Duke. Steamy novella.
After fourteen years of unrequited love, Anna finally thaws the heart of her Duke. Steamy novella.
December 2, 2023
A sweet, steamy and joyous short romance. Christmas and temptation lead Thomas and Anna to their happily ever after.
December 7, 2023
Great little Christmas read! Pop off the page characters! Thomas and Anna were great together, loved that she knew what she wanted and was afraid to tell him!🔥
December 12, 2023
This was really middle of the road. I can't even tell you what I enjoyed about it. It just was. Nothing bad, but nothing good either.
November 1, 2024
I think I like both characters but h seems to be too forward for me? I mean, I get that she wasn’t able to enjoy the marital bed but…
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 26, 2026
This was a cute speedy read.
December 5, 2024
Love a widow who goes for what she wants. And she WANTED that Duke. Reputation be danged, you get it girl! This is the positive Yuletide message we all need. Do not be afraid to shoot your shot on Christmas. Tis the season to be putting some jingle in your pringle. Spoiler: he puts a lot of jingle in her pringle. 😘
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews