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Joy to the World
Unbeknownst to Eliza Berkeley, the second daughter of a baron, the man she thought she was going to marry was not Stephen Huntington, the Duke of Wyndale. Thankfully, the reprobate does not appear for the wedding. The true duke arrives instead. Will a match formed originally through deceit blossom into love this Christmas? Or will the imposter ensure neither experiences happiness ever again?
Joy to the World originally appeared in the Bluestocking Belles' Mistletoe, Marriage, & Mayhem box set.
Joy to the World originally appeared in the Bluestocking Belles' Mistletoe, Marriage, & Mayhem box set.
74 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 8, 2016
4 people are currently reading
84 people want to read
About the author
Nicole Zoltack
340 books1,152 followersNicole Zoltack is a USA Today bestselling author who loves to write romances. Of course. She did marry her first kiss, after all!
When she’s not writing about knights, superheroes, or witches, she enjoys spending time with her loving husband, three energetic young boys, and precious baby girl. She enjoys riding horses (pretending they’re unicorns, of course!) and going to the PA Renaissance Faire dressed in garb. She’ll also read anything she can get her hands on. Her current favorite TV shows are The Walking Dead and Stranger Things.
Everyone who signs up for her newsletter receives a free book, so sign up now! http://www.subscribepage.com/m0k3l8
When she’s not writing about knights, superheroes, or witches, she enjoys spending time with her loving husband, three energetic young boys, and precious baby girl. She enjoys riding horses (pretending they’re unicorns, of course!) and going to the PA Renaissance Faire dressed in garb. She’ll also read anything she can get her hands on. Her current favorite TV shows are The Walking Dead and Stranger Things.
Everyone who signs up for her newsletter receives a free book, so sign up now! http://www.subscribepage.com/m0k3l8
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews
May 12, 2016
Joy to the World by Nicole Zoltack is when the absent bridegroom being an impostor is a good thing. Eliza Berkeley is waiting at the church for her marriage to who she thinks is Stephen Huntington, the Duke of Wyndale, when a man claiming to be the real duke arrives. Stephen didn’t want to marry anytime soon, but the honorable thing is to marry. Can Eliza find her happiness with Stephen? Will the impostor stop their happiness?
I enjoyed reading this wonderful romance story. The characters were well written and the plot was good.
I enjoyed reading this wonderful romance story. The characters were well written and the plot was good.
May 7, 2016
I received this book for free in exchange for my honest review.
Lady Eliza Berkeley is the victim of a con. On the day of her wedding she discovers that her fiancé is not the Duke of Wyndale, as he claims to be. Luckily he doesn't show up for their wedding and instead the real Duke arrives.
This is a sweet Christmas novella from Nicole Zoltack. Wonderful storytelling that will keep you interested with each turn of the page!
Lady Eliza Berkeley is the victim of a con. On the day of her wedding she discovers that her fiancé is not the Duke of Wyndale, as he claims to be. Luckily he doesn't show up for their wedding and instead the real Duke arrives.
This is a sweet Christmas novella from Nicole Zoltack. Wonderful storytelling that will keep you interested with each turn of the page!
March 10, 2017
Very sweet short romantic story
December 25, 2022
Identity theft 19th century style, kidnapping, ransom demand, spunky female rescues herself, a bit of a strain on the reader’s credulity at times though an amusing holiday diversion
February 16, 2024
This is the 2nd book I read by Nicole Zoltack. I loved this book's storyline. I loved ❤️ Eliza. I loved ❤️ Stephen. I loved ❤️ the ending. Awesome job Ms. Zoltack.
August 11, 2016
Joy to the World by Nicole Zoltack
4 stars
Eliza Berkeley, the daughter of a baron, is about to get married to Stephen Huntington, the Duke of Wyndale. He asked her parents for permission to marry her five days after they had met, so she's a little bit nervous about whether she's confident in her love for him. Just when it looks like the duke is a no-show for his own wedding, he arrives. Except it's not him. It's a man that looks very like her fiancee and claims that he is the duke. He's apparently tracking down someone impersonating him.
However, the true Stephen offers to marry her anyway. They postpone the wedding by a couple of weeks supposedly to give Eliza a more elaborate wedding, but in actuality to give her time to make up her mind. In between Stephen's stints at playing detective, he and Eliza get to know each other.
I liked Stephen and Eliza as the main characters, and enjoyed the plot.
4 stars
Eliza Berkeley, the daughter of a baron, is about to get married to Stephen Huntington, the Duke of Wyndale. He asked her parents for permission to marry her five days after they had met, so she's a little bit nervous about whether she's confident in her love for him. Just when it looks like the duke is a no-show for his own wedding, he arrives. Except it's not him. It's a man that looks very like her fiancee and claims that he is the duke. He's apparently tracking down someone impersonating him.
However, the true Stephen offers to marry her anyway. They postpone the wedding by a couple of weeks supposedly to give Eliza a more elaborate wedding, but in actuality to give her time to make up her mind. In between Stephen's stints at playing detective, he and Eliza get to know each other.
I liked Stephen and Eliza as the main characters, and enjoyed the plot.
December 13, 2016
Eliza Berkeley is all set to marry a Duke, she is the second daughter to a Baron and is floored when a man she barely knows proposes to her, except the Duke is not at all who he seems to be. He is in fact an imposter posing as Stephen Huntingdon the Duke of Wyndale, so when the wedding day arrives and the REAL duke shows up, you may imagine what happens - or you can think you do.
This is a short read and I can be fairly judgmental on shorts because I expect more depth as far as character and emotion go, since this is only a teaser! This failed in that department for me, it left me just kind of shrugging at the end, which was wrapped up quickly and messily. I wish I had seen more between Stephen and Eliza - because she somehow fell in love with him after only a few times of talking to him per the book.
A lot more could have been done and there could have been improvements made to tidy the story up. Ah, well!
This is a short read and I can be fairly judgmental on shorts because I expect more depth as far as character and emotion go, since this is only a teaser! This failed in that department for me, it left me just kind of shrugging at the end, which was wrapped up quickly and messily. I wish I had seen more between Stephen and Eliza - because she somehow fell in love with him after only a few times of talking to him per the book.
A lot more could have been done and there could have been improvements made to tidy the story up. Ah, well!
November 11, 2021
A traditional romance featuring an imposter duping a young woman and the real Duke who turns up to track him down and stays to fall for her.
I voluntarily read and reviewed a copy of this book gifted by the author. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
I voluntarily read and reviewed a copy of this book gifted by the author. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
December 27, 2016
I received this as a treat for Christmas. I just did not love it. The story was a little too choppy for me and the characters fell in love after a few meetings. Yeah, just not very believable.
December 16, 2018
An imposter Duke and a wedding on hold make for an interesting short story.
January 26, 2018
I find this novella shallow. The chemistry between Stephen and Eliza was poor.
There were also a number of inconsistencies. Like, how was Eliza able to snatch the blade from the impostor? It wasn't explained; it just happened. And what did the charlatan blackmail Eliza's father? What did he need to blackmail for? Annnd I thought all of Eliza's doubts had already been laid to rest, because she didn't need any further proof that Stephen was indeed the real Duke of Wyndale. So what was her drama for wanting to stay away from him?
There were also a number of inconsistencies. Like, how was Eliza able to snatch the blade from the impostor? It wasn't explained; it just happened. And what did the charlatan blackmail Eliza's father? What did he need to blackmail for? Annnd I thought all of Eliza's doubts had already been laid to rest, because she didn't need any further proof that Stephen was indeed the real Duke of Wyndale. So what was her drama for wanting to stay away from him?
December 21, 2017
Kindle e-book
August 4, 2017
This was a quick romance read that went by so fast I'm not even sure what I just read because there were no memorable moments. It wasn't bad, there wasn't anything exciting about it.
February 27, 2018
i enjoyed this short quick read
April 26, 2018
This is a super short story, only 90 pages. Because of that things happen very quickly. It’s got a lot of intrigue and that makes me wish it were longer so that it could be more fleshed out.
December 10, 2018
A very nice story. I enjoyed it and it was a quick read.
June 13, 2019
its good
January 8, 2020
An imposter! What a plot! A delightful story.
December 17, 2021
It takes less than two hours to read this family-friendly December Regency romance. I had an ARC via Booksprout and this voluntary review is my own opinion.
December 22, 2023
Short & sweet.
December 15, 2016
Sweet little holiday romance about two injured hearts finding love in a fortnight.
January 14, 2025
I enjoyed this novella, it was a light and easy story that I got through pretty quickly. However, I wasn’t completely obsessed, and I don’t know if I want to read more Zoltack or not. It was a fun story, but one that was also somewhat forgettable. Just a simple and pleasant way to pass time, entering a world of regency romance at Christmas time.
Joy to the World features a false marriage proposal and blackmail which leads to real love and a happily ever after. I like that Eliza spends a lot of this story thinking through her choices and refusing to be tricked for a second time. When one Duke replaces another, she doesn’t just dive into her new situation, but rather, wonders what she needs to do to actually have a happy and healthy life. She doesn’t just dive into this new world without thought.
This wasn’t necessarily much of a Christmas story, but it was still one that I enjoyed. I like that everything takes place at Christmas-time, but it isn’t the focus of the story. This is a hard novella to write a review about, because whilst it was enjoyable, it wasn’t necessarily unforgettable. It was just… simple, pleasant and quite cute.
Joy to the World features a false marriage proposal and blackmail which leads to real love and a happily ever after. I like that Eliza spends a lot of this story thinking through her choices and refusing to be tricked for a second time. When one Duke replaces another, she doesn’t just dive into her new situation, but rather, wonders what she needs to do to actually have a happy and healthy life. She doesn’t just dive into this new world without thought.
This wasn’t necessarily much of a Christmas story, but it was still one that I enjoyed. I like that everything takes place at Christmas-time, but it isn’t the focus of the story. This is a hard novella to write a review about, because whilst it was enjoyable, it wasn’t necessarily unforgettable. It was just… simple, pleasant and quite cute.
February 27, 2017
This was an enjoyable little book. I enjoyed the story. Eliza Berkeley though excited about marrying a duke is most interested in marrying someone who loves her. She had been courted by an imposter; but after meeting the real duke realizes she never loved the imposter. She has feeling for the real duke; but doesn't trust herself or the real duke for that matter.
It was a quick read.
It was a quick read.
February 21, 2017
A sweet story.
May 10, 2016
The second daughter of a Viscount marrying a Duke was unheard of; at least that what’s Eliza Berkeley thought until she found herself doing exactly that. Or she was supposed to. An absent bridegroom has given Eliza a fit of nerves; so much so she escapes to outside the church for a breath of fresh air to calm herself. What she finds there is something that even she couldn’t dream up.
Stephen Huntington, Duke of Norfolk, has no intentions, despite his late father’s greatest wish, to marry anytime soon. He’s enjoying himself to much with gambling, drinking, and women to get leg shackled. Too bad the man impersonating him has other ideas. Despite his friends’ wishes Stephen finds himself outside the church where this imposter is set to marry some lady. The furthest thing from his mind is happening when Stephen finds himself agreeing to marry this lady and standing at the front of the church.
Eliza can’t believe what is happening and is grateful when this man who states he is the real Duke postpones the wedding agreeing to give her a fortnight to decide what she wants to do. As the days pass Eliza finds herself at odds with what she wants while Stephen finds himself warming more and more to the idea of marrying Eliza.
As evil lurks can Stephen convince Eliza they belong together or will Eliza forever associate him with the imposter.
This sweet tale by Nicole Zoltack was well written. It had this reader feeling the Eliza’s devastation, Stephen’s haughtiness, and the pull between the two.
Stephen Huntington, Duke of Norfolk, has no intentions, despite his late father’s greatest wish, to marry anytime soon. He’s enjoying himself to much with gambling, drinking, and women to get leg shackled. Too bad the man impersonating him has other ideas. Despite his friends’ wishes Stephen finds himself outside the church where this imposter is set to marry some lady. The furthest thing from his mind is happening when Stephen finds himself agreeing to marry this lady and standing at the front of the church.
Eliza can’t believe what is happening and is grateful when this man who states he is the real Duke postpones the wedding agreeing to give her a fortnight to decide what she wants to do. As the days pass Eliza finds herself at odds with what she wants while Stephen finds himself warming more and more to the idea of marrying Eliza.
As evil lurks can Stephen convince Eliza they belong together or will Eliza forever associate him with the imposter.
This sweet tale by Nicole Zoltack was well written. It had this reader feeling the Eliza’s devastation, Stephen’s haughtiness, and the pull between the two.
January 11, 2017
Publisher's Description:
Unbeknownst to Eliza Berkeley, the second daughter of a baron, the man she thought she was going to marry was not Stephen Huntington, the Duke of Wyndale. Thankfully, the reprobate does not appear for the wedding. The true duke arrives instead. Will a match formed originally through deceit blossom into love this Christmas? Or will the imposter ensure neither experiences happiness ever again?
Joy to the World originally appeared in the Bluestocking Belles' Mistletoe, Marriage, & Mayhem box set.
My Thoughts:
What would you think if the bridegroom that showed up on your wedding day was not the man you expected?
That is what happens to our Heroine, Eliza Berkley in this novella by Nicole Zoltack.
I got this free read over Christmas through Insta Freebie. It is a delightful short read but I feel the plot is a little bit shallow to make me want it to extend into a full novel. In most cases when I read a novella I wish it had been longer. This is not the case with this one. There is just enough story here to satisfy the reader and I feel it's development had reached it's limits.
I found that the characters were well thought out and the storyline is unique in this sweet novella with holiday undertones.
I would give this very well written short read a 3.75 of 5 stars for storyline and characterization and 1 of 5 flames for heat. There are only a few passionate kisses along the way to this couple's Happily Ever After.
Unbeknownst to Eliza Berkeley, the second daughter of a baron, the man she thought she was going to marry was not Stephen Huntington, the Duke of Wyndale. Thankfully, the reprobate does not appear for the wedding. The true duke arrives instead. Will a match formed originally through deceit blossom into love this Christmas? Or will the imposter ensure neither experiences happiness ever again?
Joy to the World originally appeared in the Bluestocking Belles' Mistletoe, Marriage, & Mayhem box set.
My Thoughts:
What would you think if the bridegroom that showed up on your wedding day was not the man you expected?
That is what happens to our Heroine, Eliza Berkley in this novella by Nicole Zoltack.
I got this free read over Christmas through Insta Freebie. It is a delightful short read but I feel the plot is a little bit shallow to make me want it to extend into a full novel. In most cases when I read a novella I wish it had been longer. This is not the case with this one. There is just enough story here to satisfy the reader and I feel it's development had reached it's limits.
I found that the characters were well thought out and the storyline is unique in this sweet novella with holiday undertones.
I would give this very well written short read a 3.75 of 5 stars for storyline and characterization and 1 of 5 flames for heat. There are only a few passionate kisses along the way to this couple's Happily Ever After.
February 12, 2017
The plot is very interesting and the characters are very well written. Romance is definitely present and the best part about it is that it's so sweet and 'clean'.
May 10, 2016
Sweet Regency Novella With A Strong Heroine!
Eliza thought she had snagged a Duke but found out that it was an impostor who didn't even show up for the wedding. Stephen, the Duke of Wyndale hears about his impostor marriage and decides he will catch him at the wedding, instead, he catches the bride. What a horrible situation for poor Eliza , what will she do about the real Duke and what is the impostor planning ? I really didn't blame Eliza for being leery of the "new" Duke, how does she know for sure which is the real Duke. The characters are just wonderful and I really enjoyed the villain who was totally believable. The writing was smooth and my favorite thing about the book was that Eliza rescues herself , just love it!
Genre ~ Regency
Series ~ No
Ending ~ HEA (No Cliffhanger)
Sex ~ Sweet (Chaste Kiss)
Would I read again ~ Yes
Eliza thought she had snagged a Duke but found out that it was an impostor who didn't even show up for the wedding. Stephen, the Duke of Wyndale hears about his impostor marriage and decides he will catch him at the wedding, instead, he catches the bride. What a horrible situation for poor Eliza , what will she do about the real Duke and what is the impostor planning ? I really didn't blame Eliza for being leery of the "new" Duke, how does she know for sure which is the real Duke. The characters are just wonderful and I really enjoyed the villain who was totally believable. The writing was smooth and my favorite thing about the book was that Eliza rescues herself , just love it!
Genre ~ Regency
Series ~ No
Ending ~ HEA (No Cliffhanger)
Sex ~ Sweet (Chaste Kiss)
Would I read again ~ Yes
December 29, 2016
Joy to the World is a short story, and as such you can't expect a very deep plot or super developed characters, but if you accept that, this is an easy, interesting read. Though much lighter, it vaguelly reminded me of Jane Austen's romances. There are one or two details that don't add up, namely Eliza's claim that her first marriage was for love when she says, in her own words, that she knew very little about the groom, so I can't rate it with more than four stars. In any case, if you're looking for a quick read to take your mind off of the holidays stress, this is a good option.
May 7, 2016
What a unique novella. On her wedding day, Eliza waited in anticipation for her Duke to walk down the aisle. Yet, another showed up, claiming to be the real Duke of Wyndale. What is a girl to do? One wedding day, two Dukes and a broken heart.
Can Eliza find happiness with either gentleman? Will she get her happily ever after?
Read this delightful novella to find out. It's wonderful!
Can Eliza find happiness with either gentleman? Will she get her happily ever after?
Read this delightful novella to find out. It's wonderful!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews