What do you think?
A Kiss for Christmas: Holiday Short Stories
'Tis the Season of Love and Joy
Seven stories of first kisses, newly wedded bliss, and love long-awaited.
- Bel Astre que j'adore
- My True Love Gave to Me
- Adeste Fideles
- What a Woman Needs for Christmas
- A Scot of Her Own
- Grace's Christmas Hero
- A Kiss for Christmas
Seven stories of first kisses, newly wedded bliss, and love long-awaited.
- Bel Astre que j'adore
- My True Love Gave to Me
- Adeste Fideles
- What a Woman Needs for Christmas
- A Scot of Her Own
- Grace's Christmas Hero
- A Kiss for Christmas
129 pages, Paperback
First published November 18, 2019
About the author
Caroline Linden
57 books1,720 followersCaroline Linden was born a reader, not a writer. She earned a degree in mathematics from Harvard University and worked as a programmer in the financial services industry before realizing writing fiction is much more exciting than writing code. Her books have won the NEC-RWA Readers' Choice Award, the JNRW Golden Leaf, the Daphne du Maurier Award, and RWA's RITA Award, and have been translated into seventeen languages around the world. She lives in New England.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
December 19, 2022
Awe these were all super cute and I wanted each one to be like 10x longer! The storytelling was fun and quite impressive since most were very short. Nothing explicit or even implied really. Most only had one kiss.
December 1, 2019
Caroline Linden can do no wrong!
I love these, I'd read the one about Rosalind before the others were sweet, quick and wonderful reads. Innkeeper Adam and his new bride Sarah's short little story was my favorite, and I'm so miffed it's a short story. I wish it was a novella - I so badly want to know how Adam and Sarah came to be married. They were so cute :)
I love these, I'd read the one about Rosalind before the others were sweet, quick and wonderful reads. Innkeeper Adam and his new bride Sarah's short little story was my favorite, and I'm so miffed it's a short story. I wish it was a novella - I so badly want to know how Adam and Sarah came to be married. They were so cute :)
January 25, 2020
Such enjoyable little story bites! Perfect for the holidays!! Plus I loved the Christmas story for the dowager duchess and learning about the Westons. A very enjoyable collection.
January 3, 2023
My favourite snippets of these stories:
My True Love Gave To Me - Newlyweds Adam and Sarah usually have a very busy inn. With a snowstorm outside and no customers, they can have their first Christmas together - and together they have some fun outside with snowball fights. Sarah startles her husband with a kiss and Adam kissed her back and tell each other "I love you".
A Scot of Her Own - Rosalind, the Dowager Duchess of Exeter has given up on Lord Warfield and romance, but he returns to London from Scotland to see Rosalind at Christmas.
Grace's Christmas Hero - Grace Finch had met Oliver Ford at her aunt's house party. Oliver played hide and seek with the other children. The years passed. Oliver now 17 was down from Oxford. Grace liked him. As time went on, Oliver was in the Royal Navy. A HEA.
The other stories were enjoyable to read too, but my faves are above.
I didnt quite understand regarding Bel Astre Que J'adore - the word duvet - in 1794?
A lovely lot of short stories in this book by a favourite author. 4☆
My True Love Gave To Me - Newlyweds Adam and Sarah usually have a very busy inn. With a snowstorm outside and no customers, they can have their first Christmas together - and together they have some fun outside with snowball fights. Sarah startles her husband with a kiss and Adam kissed her back and tell each other "I love you".
A Scot of Her Own - Rosalind, the Dowager Duchess of Exeter has given up on Lord Warfield and romance, but he returns to London from Scotland to see Rosalind at Christmas.
Grace's Christmas Hero - Grace Finch had met Oliver Ford at her aunt's house party. Oliver played hide and seek with the other children. The years passed. Oliver now 17 was down from Oxford. Grace liked him. As time went on, Oliver was in the Royal Navy. A HEA.
The other stories were enjoyable to read too, but my faves are above.
I didnt quite understand regarding Bel Astre Que J'adore - the word duvet - in 1794?
A lovely lot of short stories in this book by a favourite author. 4☆
November 18, 2025
I read this for A Scot of Her Own, the button on the Reece Family trilogy that I loved so much (the stepmom's story). It was super charming, and tied in nicely with the seeds planted in the last book of the series.
All these stories were very sweet, definitely very short form. I haven't read other series by her, and I am sure that if I were familiar with the characters involved the ones that are connected to her books would have hit harder.
All these stories were very sweet, definitely very short form. I haven't read other series by her, and I am sure that if I were familiar with the characters involved the ones that are connected to her books would have hit harder.
December 7, 2019
This was an absolutely delightful collection of short stories! In addition to five unconnected short stories, there are also two holiday themed extended epilogues (one for What a Woman Wants and one for A Rake’s Guide to Seduction) and if that wasn’t enough – there is also a short novella that is a prequel of sorts to the Scandalous Series!!!
Bel Astre que j’adore: 4 stars – A French Courtesan and an English Solider make an unlikely pair in this very short, very sweet story.
My True Love Gave to Me: 4 stars – A newly married innkeeper and his wife are snowed in alone at their inn for the first time and finally have time to share what is in their hearts.
Adeste Fideles: 4 stars – A returning solider and a widowed lady find they have more in common than they expected when their dogs become friends.
What a Woman Needs for Christmas: 4 stars – Charlotte gets a very welcomed visitor in this sweet holiday epilogue from the novel What a Woman Needs.
A Scot of Her Own: 5 stars – Celica’s mother, Rosalind, the Duchess of Exeter believed that her son-in-law Anthony’s uncle has serious intentions towards her, but after months with barely any word, Rosalind has decided she was mistaken and tells herself to forget him. Patrick Murray, the Earl of Wakefield, has loved Rosalind almost since the moment he met her, but things beyond his control have kept them apart and he hopes his Christmas wish will come true and restore his love to him in this holiday epilogue for the novel A Rake’s Guide to Seduction.
Grace’s Christmas Hero: 4 stars – This story follows Grace and Oliver for 18 years and lets the read share in their sweet love story.
A Kiss for Christmas: 5 stars – Clara Hampton believes her fate is set, she will marry the local baronet’s son Johnathan Mortimer and they will live happily ever after, it seems like everything is going according to expectations, until Johnathan leaves their small town and goes to London. When he returns, he is not the same young man and seems to have no interest in Clara. Bewildered, yet still willing to marry him, Clara sets out to recapture his interest, but finds herself instead attracting the attention of the very handsome, very eligible Thomas Weston. Thomas is a solicitor who has been hired by Johnathan’s father to clean up mess Johnathan made and to keep him on the straight and narrow. But one look at Clara and Thomas is captivated. Will Clara pine after Johnathan or will she realize that Thomas is the only hero for her? Very cute, very sweet story.
All the stories were awesome, none of them have any love scenes (beyond a kiss), but they are all well written, enjoyable little tidbits that only take a few minutes to read. I really enjoyed this collection and am happy to recommend the book!
*I am voluntarily leaving a review for an eBook that was provided to me.*
Bel Astre que j’adore: 4 stars – A French Courtesan and an English Solider make an unlikely pair in this very short, very sweet story.
My True Love Gave to Me: 4 stars – A newly married innkeeper and his wife are snowed in alone at their inn for the first time and finally have time to share what is in their hearts.
Adeste Fideles: 4 stars – A returning solider and a widowed lady find they have more in common than they expected when their dogs become friends.
What a Woman Needs for Christmas: 4 stars – Charlotte gets a very welcomed visitor in this sweet holiday epilogue from the novel What a Woman Needs.
A Scot of Her Own: 5 stars – Celica’s mother, Rosalind, the Duchess of Exeter believed that her son-in-law Anthony’s uncle has serious intentions towards her, but after months with barely any word, Rosalind has decided she was mistaken and tells herself to forget him. Patrick Murray, the Earl of Wakefield, has loved Rosalind almost since the moment he met her, but things beyond his control have kept them apart and he hopes his Christmas wish will come true and restore his love to him in this holiday epilogue for the novel A Rake’s Guide to Seduction.
Grace’s Christmas Hero: 4 stars – This story follows Grace and Oliver for 18 years and lets the read share in their sweet love story.
A Kiss for Christmas: 5 stars – Clara Hampton believes her fate is set, she will marry the local baronet’s son Johnathan Mortimer and they will live happily ever after, it seems like everything is going according to expectations, until Johnathan leaves their small town and goes to London. When he returns, he is not the same young man and seems to have no interest in Clara. Bewildered, yet still willing to marry him, Clara sets out to recapture his interest, but finds herself instead attracting the attention of the very handsome, very eligible Thomas Weston. Thomas is a solicitor who has been hired by Johnathan’s father to clean up mess Johnathan made and to keep him on the straight and narrow. But one look at Clara and Thomas is captivated. Will Clara pine after Johnathan or will she realize that Thomas is the only hero for her? Very cute, very sweet story.
All the stories were awesome, none of them have any love scenes (beyond a kiss), but they are all well written, enjoyable little tidbits that only take a few minutes to read. I really enjoyed this collection and am happy to recommend the book!
*I am voluntarily leaving a review for an eBook that was provided to me.*
January 19, 2026
Bel Astre que j'adore
Celeste is a French courtesan in England, rescued by the enigmatic Rowland when they discover mutual feelings.
This was more of a scene than anything, but it was enjoyable: Rowland's looming protection and Celeste's unfocused nerves portrayed that bud of emotional connection. Sweet; 3 stars.
My True Love Gave to Me
Newlyweds Adam and Sara Milbank are happy, but a snowy Christmas means they get to spend some quality time together.
A brief snapshot of a day between two people who have managed to turn their marriage of like into love. Again, sweet; 3 stars.
Adeste fideles
Marianne, Lady Fitzhugh, thinks Arthur Winston and his dog are menaces—and then they have a meet cute in the mark. Oh no, feelings!
I was into this and was therefore frustrated when it cut off so quickly! I get that this is the vibe of these but oh man, I wanted them sharing their Christmas dinner together! I think it's partially because this was truly the establishing of the relationship, vs. the other stories which dipped into existing fellowships. 3 stars.
On a cold Christmas Eve…
Charlotte's having a quiet Christmas Eve when there's a knock at her front door, and a very wet gentleman gives her a very hot kiss.
Another scene as Charlotte and her husband reunite after weeks traveling! It's cute! 2.5 stars.
A Scot of Her Own
Rosalind, Dowager Duchess of Exeter, is waiting for her semi-boy-fried Lord Warfield to show up for Christmas. When he does, it's with an explanation for why he's been incommunicado for so many months.
Brief, sweet, etc. The awakening-from-mutual-naps scene was cute. 3 stars.
Grace’s Christmas Hero
Grace Finch has set next to Oliver Ford at a bunch of Christmases since he was 11 and she was 6 and it's LOVE BABY.
This was cute, but did struggle with the age leaps and lack of on-page balance (we get Grace's emotional attachment, but Oliver is barely in this and it's mostly as an object of Grace's affections. 2 stars.
A Kiss for Christmas
When she was younger, Clara Hampton thought she was going to marry Mr. John Mortimer but now she's got eyes for his babysitter/solicitor Thomas Weston.
This is fine: it suffers because it's shallow and doesn't do enough to establish the relationship between Clara and Thomas. Add to it the overlapping question of Clara's desire for Mr. Montgomery and the misunderstanding about Thomas's attentions and it just falls a little flat. Meh. 2 stars.
Celeste is a French courtesan in England, rescued by the enigmatic Rowland when they discover mutual feelings.
This was more of a scene than anything, but it was enjoyable: Rowland's looming protection and Celeste's unfocused nerves portrayed that bud of emotional connection. Sweet; 3 stars.
My True Love Gave to Me
Newlyweds Adam and Sara Milbank are happy, but a snowy Christmas means they get to spend some quality time together.
A brief snapshot of a day between two people who have managed to turn their marriage of like into love. Again, sweet; 3 stars.
Adeste fideles
Marianne, Lady Fitzhugh, thinks Arthur Winston and his dog are menaces—and then they have a meet cute in the mark. Oh no, feelings!
I was into this and was therefore frustrated when it cut off so quickly! I get that this is the vibe of these but oh man, I wanted them sharing their Christmas dinner together! I think it's partially because this was truly the establishing of the relationship, vs. the other stories which dipped into existing fellowships. 3 stars.
On a cold Christmas Eve…
Charlotte's having a quiet Christmas Eve when there's a knock at her front door, and a very wet gentleman gives her a very hot kiss.
Another scene as Charlotte and her husband reunite after weeks traveling! It's cute! 2.5 stars.
A Scot of Her Own
Rosalind, Dowager Duchess of Exeter, is waiting for her semi-boy-fried Lord Warfield to show up for Christmas. When he does, it's with an explanation for why he's been incommunicado for so many months.
Brief, sweet, etc. The awakening-from-mutual-naps scene was cute. 3 stars.
Grace’s Christmas Hero
Grace Finch has set next to Oliver Ford at a bunch of Christmases since he was 11 and she was 6 and it's LOVE BABY.
This was cute, but did struggle with the age leaps and lack of on-page balance (we get Grace's emotional attachment, but Oliver is barely in this and it's mostly as an object of Grace's affections. 2 stars.
A Kiss for Christmas
When she was younger, Clara Hampton thought she was going to marry Mr. John Mortimer but now she's got eyes for his babysitter/solicitor Thomas Weston.
This is fine: it suffers because it's shallow and doesn't do enough to establish the relationship between Clara and Thomas. Add to it the overlapping question of Clara's desire for Mr. Montgomery and the misunderstanding about Thomas's attentions and it just falls a little flat. Meh. 2 stars.
December 6, 2019
A bunch of really weak stories that would have earned you a B in your high school English class.
December 6, 2021
An enjoyable collection of short Christmas stories which I enjoyed reading. Being such short stories, you don't really get the full effect of the characters but that's ok. I always admire an author who can put a lot of impact in such few words.
December 29, 2019
Nice Christmas stories. The longer ones later in the book were better than the short ones.
December 17, 2021
Each tale in this collection of short and very short stories centres around Christmas time and a kiss. These sweet stories are a quick read, perfect for the holidays, and left me with a smile.
December 8, 2019
A lovely book of short stories that are ideal for a lunchtime ot even elevenses break.
A mix of tropes but all are quick delightful reads
A mix of tropes but all are quick delightful reads
November 20, 2022
2022 Fall Bingo (#FallInLoveBingo🍂): Happily Ever After
Seven short stories centered around Christmas.
Seven short stories centered around Christmas.
December 17, 2020
Short Sweet Interludes
Its important to know, going into the book, these are much more like viewing quiet moments in a couple's relationship. Their highest, defining moments. These are not, strictly speaking, full romance stories as there are very few obstacles (save for perhaps the last story, which acts as a prequel to Linden's "Scandal" series).
These are, in a lot of ways, the different stages of courtship almost. The first story is about a couple coming to terms with their wayward affections, the second a newly married couple given a chance to enjoy their marriage free of stress for a day, the third a relationship just beginning after much miscommunications, stories 5 and 6 are epilogues (to books I didn't read yet), the seventh is a story of love built over time and friendship and the last a story of love found in an unexpected place.
These are short and sweet, filled with good cheer and a warm, cozy feeling that Christmas can bring.
Its important to know, going into the book, these are much more like viewing quiet moments in a couple's relationship. Their highest, defining moments. These are not, strictly speaking, full romance stories as there are very few obstacles (save for perhaps the last story, which acts as a prequel to Linden's "Scandal" series).
These are, in a lot of ways, the different stages of courtship almost. The first story is about a couple coming to terms with their wayward affections, the second a newly married couple given a chance to enjoy their marriage free of stress for a day, the third a relationship just beginning after much miscommunications, stories 5 and 6 are epilogues (to books I didn't read yet), the seventh is a story of love built over time and friendship and the last a story of love found in an unexpected place.
These are short and sweet, filled with good cheer and a warm, cozy feeling that Christmas can bring.
March 10, 2024
As seen on my blog (Jessie's Reading Corner):
I was in the midst of reading another book when I received some potentially devastating news about a dear friend’s loved one and I decided I wasn’t in the right mindset to continue reading that book, put it down, and picked up a random book I found on my Kindle when I looked for something short. If you know me, you know I love Christmas stories! While this book didn’t have any p in the v scenes, there were plenty of kisses and the chemistry between some of these couples jumped out of the page at me as I read them over the past day.
There are a total of 7 books in this anthology (I’ll only be mentioning 4 in this review), all that take place during Christmas and were written by Caroline Linden. This was the first time I read Caroline Linden and I am intrigued to read more from her.
My absolute favorite of the seven was Grace’s Christmas Hero. If I were to rate each individual story, I’d rate this as 5 out of 5. I am a sucker for friends-to-lovers and this story gave off that feel. It also reminded me of one of my favorite holiday Lifetime movies, Love at the Christmas Table where we see two friends grow up together, only on Christmas, fall in love as well as struggle through their feelings when they realize there’s more than friendship between them. Likewise, in Grace’s Christmas Hero, we watch Grace gather with her family and friends every Christmas Eve, meet and fall in love with Oliver, and her frustrations when it seems that he doesn’t feel the same. I don’t know if Caroline wrote an extended story for them, but I would most certainly read it if she did!
The next story I want to mention is What a Woman Needs for Christmas. This is an epilogue to Caroline’s book, What a Woman Needs and it made me want to read it. I thought Stuart and Charlotte’s chemistry was very palpable and I loved the emotions Caroline evoked in such a short story! I’d rate this story a 4 out of 5.
A Scot of Her Own was also a good story in this. This is an epilogue for Caroline’s story A Rake’s Guide to Seduction. I really liked this story. Both the heroine and hero are older as the heroine is the mother of the heroine in ARGTS and the hero is the uncle to the hero in ARGTS. Rosalind and Patrick meet in ARGTS and there’s an instant attraction, but Patrick is called back to his home and has to deal with some stuff. in A Scot of Her Own, Rosalind has given up hope that Patrick will come back for her as he’s been gone for months and even his letters have dried up. But, he appears that Christmas Eve and tries to win her back. Will he succeed?
The last story I’m going to mention is A Kiss for Christmas. This story is a prequel to Caroline’s Scandals series. I really enjoyed this story. Clara thinks she’s in love and expectant of a proposal from a man who suddenly starts to avoid her. A new man enters the picture, Thomas Weston, who has ties with the man she thought was besotted with her. Can he win her heart? I really enjoyed Clara and Thomas’ chemistry and banter in this.
If you’re looking for some short Christmas regency romances to read and don’t mind that there’s no p in the v scenes, I recommend you read these!
I was in the midst of reading another book when I received some potentially devastating news about a dear friend’s loved one and I decided I wasn’t in the right mindset to continue reading that book, put it down, and picked up a random book I found on my Kindle when I looked for something short. If you know me, you know I love Christmas stories! While this book didn’t have any p in the v scenes, there were plenty of kisses and the chemistry between some of these couples jumped out of the page at me as I read them over the past day.
There are a total of 7 books in this anthology (I’ll only be mentioning 4 in this review), all that take place during Christmas and were written by Caroline Linden. This was the first time I read Caroline Linden and I am intrigued to read more from her.
My absolute favorite of the seven was Grace’s Christmas Hero. If I were to rate each individual story, I’d rate this as 5 out of 5. I am a sucker for friends-to-lovers and this story gave off that feel. It also reminded me of one of my favorite holiday Lifetime movies, Love at the Christmas Table where we see two friends grow up together, only on Christmas, fall in love as well as struggle through their feelings when they realize there’s more than friendship between them. Likewise, in Grace’s Christmas Hero, we watch Grace gather with her family and friends every Christmas Eve, meet and fall in love with Oliver, and her frustrations when it seems that he doesn’t feel the same. I don’t know if Caroline wrote an extended story for them, but I would most certainly read it if she did!
The next story I want to mention is What a Woman Needs for Christmas. This is an epilogue to Caroline’s book, What a Woman Needs and it made me want to read it. I thought Stuart and Charlotte’s chemistry was very palpable and I loved the emotions Caroline evoked in such a short story! I’d rate this story a 4 out of 5.
A Scot of Her Own was also a good story in this. This is an epilogue for Caroline’s story A Rake’s Guide to Seduction. I really liked this story. Both the heroine and hero are older as the heroine is the mother of the heroine in ARGTS and the hero is the uncle to the hero in ARGTS. Rosalind and Patrick meet in ARGTS and there’s an instant attraction, but Patrick is called back to his home and has to deal with some stuff. in A Scot of Her Own, Rosalind has given up hope that Patrick will come back for her as he’s been gone for months and even his letters have dried up. But, he appears that Christmas Eve and tries to win her back. Will he succeed?
The last story I’m going to mention is A Kiss for Christmas. This story is a prequel to Caroline’s Scandals series. I really enjoyed this story. Clara thinks she’s in love and expectant of a proposal from a man who suddenly starts to avoid her. A new man enters the picture, Thomas Weston, who has ties with the man she thought was besotted with her. Can he win her heart? I really enjoyed Clara and Thomas’ chemistry and banter in this.
If you’re looking for some short Christmas regency romances to read and don’t mind that there’s no p in the v scenes, I recommend you read these!
November 25, 2019
With the lead up to the holiday season, very often one is so buried in preparations that there is no time to indulge in reading a book. However, this book of short stories by a gifted storyteller gives one the opportunity for a quick read when a few minutes presents itself, and to then go on with the day with a smile on one's face. I loved all of the short stories in this book and was particularly taken with Adeste Fideles, A Scot of her Own and A Kiss for Christmas. I received a copy of this book of short stories, each of which comes to a romantic and happy close, as a gift and this is my honest and voluntary review.
January 1, 2022
I love Christmas stories, especially historical ones. A Kiss For Christmas was orginally published in November of 2019. The author sent it out as a Christmas present which was very thoughtful. A house party gets me everytime. I liked each story and it was an enjoyable to spend a couple of evenings.
December 3, 2025
This was a mixed bag. Some of the stories weren’t much more than a vignette (“Bel Astre que j’adore,” my least favorite) and two were holiday epilogues for novels: “What a Woman Needs for Christmas” for What a Woman Needs and “A Scot of Her Own” for A Rake's Guide to Seduction (I haven’t read this one yet).
My favorite story was easily “A Kiss for Christmas.”
My favorite story was easily “A Kiss for Christmas.”
December 9, 2019
My first time reading Caroline Linden and I wasn't disappointed. Although a short collection of stories, they were sweet and engaging; a good complication to snuggle into bed with when outside is wintry cold and miserably wet.
December 28, 2020
Joyful
A collection of short stories all set near Christmas. The characters are engaging in each story and I wanted to know more about them. A quick and easy read. If you only have a short time to yourself this is a perfect book to read for the holiday.
A collection of short stories all set near Christmas. The characters are engaging in each story and I wanted to know more about them. A quick and easy read. If you only have a short time to yourself this is a perfect book to read for the holiday.
December 26, 2022
A perfect holiday read! So many delightful happily ever afters!
Many of the stories were additional epilogues to other books, but they were all presented with enough to draw you in!
This was a sweet treat!
Many of the stories were additional epilogues to other books, but they were all presented with enough to draw you in!
This was a sweet treat!
November 23, 2019
Short, little Christmas setting stories--light fluff for fun!
December 10, 2019
Very cute historical Christmas stories.
December 16, 2019
Sweet, short Christmas stories. They hit the spot.
November 8, 2020
This book was perfect in every way. Caroline Linden can write some romance.
December 31, 2020
3.5 estrellas
December 19, 2022
A sweet collection of (very) short Christmastime Regency romances, varying from prequels, sequels, epilogues, in-betweens and standalone Linden works.
December 27, 2022
This was just a bunch of short stories, prequels and novellas. They were all set at Christmas time. They were fun, sweet, and to the point. Perfect for a bite of romance.
December 25, 2023
These are just incredibly, incredibly short. They are cute! Don't get me wrong! But so short.
October 15, 2024
Far too short. Loved all of them - especially the innkeepers' and the neighbours' stories. Wish they had at least been independent novellas. Ms Linden can write!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews