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Christmas Masquerade #1
The Christmas Chevalier
Alvy Lexington has bought himself the best Christmas present in the world. True, the draughty flat on a dingy stretch of the Thames has none of the welcoming holiday warmth of his family’s West London townhouse. That is the entire point! No one who knows him by his given name will ever set foot here. When his old friend Laura Jacobs needs somewhere to spend the holidays, Alvy knows he should keep his distance, but… But Laura makes him do incautious things. Like offering her a job—since when did he manage a printing press?—and inviting her to a certain Christmas Eve masquerade.
Laura knows the lush London of the Lexingtons is only a temporary escape from her grey days as a governess. But she is determined to enjoy this glittering winter wonderland while it lasts, especially her dance with an angel of a man at the masquerade. Why, his French chevalier costume practically glows! While she daydreams about her white knight, an unexpected business opportunity with Alvy makes her hopeful of a new independent life. But first, she is going to have to come to a real understanding with her old friend.
Laura knows the lush London of the Lexingtons is only a temporary escape from her grey days as a governess. But she is determined to enjoy this glittering winter wonderland while it lasts, especially her dance with an angel of a man at the masquerade. Why, his French chevalier costume practically glows! While she daydreams about her white knight, an unexpected business opportunity with Alvy makes her hopeful of a new independent life. But first, she is going to have to come to a real understanding with her old friend.
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Published November 30, 2020
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About the author
Meg Mardell
4 books12 followersMeg moved from the US to England because she fell in love with the Victorians' peculiar blend of glamour and grime. After a decade of exploring historical excesses in a prim scholarly fashion, she realized that fiction is the best way to delve into that period's great female-focused and LGBT+ stories. Weaned on the high-seas romances of the 1990s, she's lost none of her love for cross-dressing cabin boys but any tolerance for boorish heroes. Meg's delighted to now have a whole raft of quirky and queer characters to cheer for on their quest for Happily Ever After. She frequently break off writing for an Earl Grey tea (milk not lemon).
You can find her at @megmardell on twitter and facebook.
You can find her at @megmardell on twitter and facebook.
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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
November 27, 2021
This author has an impressive lyrical style, and bantering conversation that feels of the era, and yet relatably modern. I really enjoy the unique plot for both stories out so far. The newest one being A Highland Hogmanay.
However in both books I've felt a slight lack of depth in the emotion. Also a lack of self thought / internal monologue for certain motivations and feelings. Which just leaves me with questions and feeling a bit removed.
I enjoyed the trans rep here, in Alvy who was born female, but is written in male pronouns and in private (as well as out alone) wears more masculine or even eccentric attire - but it's never fully discussed their feelings toward gender and how they present nor their true desires there. It is definitely something kept hidden from his close family, his dear Mama and even best friend Laura all simply think of them as eccentric.
Of course I absolutely appreciate that a trans person existing without explanation, that is not an issue at all. But when in a story about them, specifically about dressing as a dashing French Chevalier to go to the Christmas ball and woo best friend Laura - it would have been pertinent to have some more feeling and motivation there.
I did enjoy Laura's acceptance of Alvy, and their ensuing slightly convoluted romance until the full truth comes out. But I did just want more of the lovey-dovey!
However in both books I've felt a slight lack of depth in the emotion. Also a lack of self thought / internal monologue for certain motivations and feelings. Which just leaves me with questions and feeling a bit removed.
I enjoyed the trans rep here, in Alvy who was born female, but is written in male pronouns and in private (as well as out alone) wears more masculine or even eccentric attire - but it's never fully discussed their feelings toward gender and how they present nor their true desires there. It is definitely something kept hidden from his close family, his dear Mama and even best friend Laura all simply think of them as eccentric.
Of course I absolutely appreciate that a trans person existing without explanation, that is not an issue at all. But when in a story about them, specifically about dressing as a dashing French Chevalier to go to the Christmas ball and woo best friend Laura - it would have been pertinent to have some more feeling and motivation there.
I did enjoy Laura's acceptance of Alvy, and their ensuing slightly convoluted romance until the full truth comes out. But I did just want more of the lovey-dovey!
July 20, 2021
A unique, clever, and well written historical romance with a very interesting twist...
I adore historical romances, and kudos to Meg Mardell for her skill at incorporating a trans character into 19th Century England and making it work! A fast paced, fun story, Ms. Mardell builds the tension over the course of the novel: will Alvy get discovered, and will he get the girl!?! Nicely done.
thank you to NineStar Press and NetGalley for the ARC, all opinions are my own
I adore historical romances, and kudos to Meg Mardell for her skill at incorporating a trans character into 19th Century England and making it work! A fast paced, fun story, Ms. Mardell builds the tension over the course of the novel: will Alvy get discovered, and will he get the girl!?! Nicely done.
thank you to NineStar Press and NetGalley for the ARC, all opinions are my own
December 15, 2020
3.5/5 Stars
This was a really fun Victorian historical-fiction novella featuring a trans main character (which I really want to see more of!). The plot overall was a lot of fun but I wish that it revolved less around the trans main character being trans and not much else other than that, particularly since this resulted in a lot of misgendering and blackmail involving outing said main character. Aside from that I did enjoy this and I wish it had been longer to develop the relationships between characters a bit more. I'm excited to read the sequel which is out next year, as it's set during Hogmany!
Check out Trigger Warnings here
Read for the 12 Days of Queermas Readathon!
Thanks to Netgalley and NineStar Press for an e-ARC copy in return for an honest review
This was a really fun Victorian historical-fiction novella featuring a trans main character (which I really want to see more of!). The plot overall was a lot of fun but I wish that it revolved less around the trans main character being trans and not much else other than that, particularly since this resulted in a lot of misgendering and blackmail involving outing said main character. Aside from that I did enjoy this and I wish it had been longer to develop the relationships between characters a bit more. I'm excited to read the sequel which is out next year, as it's set during Hogmany!
Check out Trigger Warnings here
Read for the 12 Days of Queermas Readathon!
Thanks to Netgalley and NineStar Press for an e-ARC copy in return for an honest review
December 31, 2021
The Christmas Chevalier is a charming well-written novella, with great characters and a heartwarming story arc. It offers a unique spin on the holiday historical romance genre.
July 27, 2021
A short (novella?) historic romance between an impoverished middle-class woman trying to eke out a living on the fringes of the propertied class, and her childhood friend of that class who is struggling to find a way to be himself without losing everything. A Christmas masquerade ball provides the context for the masks to start slipping as our heroine connects the dashing man she meets at the ball with the eccentric young woman she thought she knew. A delightful happily-ever-after trans love story that threads the hazards of historic plausibility very neatly.
February 14, 2023
ARC received via Netgalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
I really enjoyed this one! I absolutely love queer historical romances; it's my favourite comfort genre by a country mile, and this was a good one.
I'm cis, so I can't comment too much on the trans rep in this one, but I did like how the author handled other people's perceptions of Alvy. Laura has no problem at all changing the framework by which she views her friend, once she's made aware that he isn't who she's always believed him to be. I liked their dynamic and the easy way they joked with one another, and how their familiarity and respect for one another was evident right from the off. Alvy in particular is a very enjoyable character, being very eccentric and also very tall, which is not, I recognise, a character trait, but is quite endearing. The actual romance was well-paced, given the length of the book, and felt believable.
It wasn't perfect; it definitely could have stood to be about twice the length, for a start. I would have loved to have read more about the printing press and the periodical they published. We only really got to see a couple of scenes of them messing around with the letters, and I think there was a real wasted chance for a meaty subplot and some historical detail there. I like novellas a lot, but I think this should have been a novel. That said, the author does an excellent job of establishing the principal characters, their personalities and their relationships within the small space of this book, and that's no mean feat.
The author also has a very strange habit of never using dialogue tags. I did a search for the word 'said' after I finished the book, and the word only actually crops up 7 times, and every single time it's in direct speech (i.e. "Do you remember that you said this?") and never as an active verb. This means that it's often very difficult to tell who's speaking, because we have whole swathes of back-and-forth dialogue without any of it attributed to one character. You can eschew dialogue tags in conversation with two characters, but only once you've already established the order of who's speaking; without initially making it clear who says the first sentence, the reader becomes lost. This was my only real gripe with the book, and reading the preview for the next book at the end of this one, it looks like that one suffers from the same problem, and I do hope that this is remedied before that one's published, because I'd like to read it!
All in all, this was a good little read, and I'll very happily look out for the author's next works.
I really enjoyed this one! I absolutely love queer historical romances; it's my favourite comfort genre by a country mile, and this was a good one.
I'm cis, so I can't comment too much on the trans rep in this one, but I did like how the author handled other people's perceptions of Alvy. Laura has no problem at all changing the framework by which she views her friend, once she's made aware that he isn't who she's always believed him to be. I liked their dynamic and the easy way they joked with one another, and how their familiarity and respect for one another was evident right from the off. Alvy in particular is a very enjoyable character, being very eccentric and also very tall, which is not, I recognise, a character trait, but is quite endearing. The actual romance was well-paced, given the length of the book, and felt believable.
It wasn't perfect; it definitely could have stood to be about twice the length, for a start. I would have loved to have read more about the printing press and the periodical they published. We only really got to see a couple of scenes of them messing around with the letters, and I think there was a real wasted chance for a meaty subplot and some historical detail there. I like novellas a lot, but I think this should have been a novel. That said, the author does an excellent job of establishing the principal characters, their personalities and their relationships within the small space of this book, and that's no mean feat.
The author also has a very strange habit of never using dialogue tags. I did a search for the word 'said' after I finished the book, and the word only actually crops up 7 times, and every single time it's in direct speech (i.e. "Do you remember that you said this?") and never as an active verb. This means that it's often very difficult to tell who's speaking, because we have whole swathes of back-and-forth dialogue without any of it attributed to one character. You can eschew dialogue tags in conversation with two characters, but only once you've already established the order of who's speaking; without initially making it clear who says the first sentence, the reader becomes lost. This was my only real gripe with the book, and reading the preview for the next book at the end of this one, it looks like that one suffers from the same problem, and I do hope that this is remedied before that one's published, because I'd like to read it!
All in all, this was a good little read, and I'll very happily look out for the author's next works.
December 23, 2022
A historical romance fiction with a Trans MC. Loved it! This short novella has a focus on fashion as everyone is getting ready for the Christmas ball.
This is definitely a fun story and I loved that the Trans character written for the 1800's is so relatable to today.
This is definitely a fun story and I loved that the Trans character written for the 1800's is so relatable to today.
December 22, 2020
A Joyfully Jay review.
3.75 stars
The Christmas Chevalier is the first book in the new Christmas Masquerade series by Meg Mardell. This story is set in later Victorian-era England and focuses on the wealthy Alvy as he explores being what we would probably call transgender in today’s terms. From the very start, Mardell makes conspicuous use of gendered pronouns in reference to Alvy. I’ll admit, it took me a while to pick up on Alvy being transgender because of the changing pronouns. Being rich means Alvy can afford the best clothes and, when the price is right, questions won’t be asked. But there is a difference between having the clothes and being able to freely walk about in them. Not just because Alvy is concerned with “passing,” but because all his social circle might positively identify him even when dressed in men’s attire, but he’s not necessarily well-versed in moving in lower social circles, etc.
Read Camille’s review in its entirety here.
3.75 stars
The Christmas Chevalier is the first book in the new Christmas Masquerade series by Meg Mardell. This story is set in later Victorian-era England and focuses on the wealthy Alvy as he explores being what we would probably call transgender in today’s terms. From the very start, Mardell makes conspicuous use of gendered pronouns in reference to Alvy. I’ll admit, it took me a while to pick up on Alvy being transgender because of the changing pronouns. Being rich means Alvy can afford the best clothes and, when the price is right, questions won’t be asked. But there is a difference between having the clothes and being able to freely walk about in them. Not just because Alvy is concerned with “passing,” but because all his social circle might positively identify him even when dressed in men’s attire, but he’s not necessarily well-versed in moving in lower social circles, etc.
Read Camille’s review in its entirety here.
January 28, 2021
Review excerpted from my blog post over at Pan/Cis LGBT2SQ+ Romance Reviews (https://pancis.wordpress.com/2021/01/...)
Overall Rating: 4.0 stars
Library recommendation: Recommended for public library LGBT2SQ+ historical romance collections.
Warning: Hereafter, you chance spoilers. I will try never to reveal major plot points, but to review any book, you must reveal some parts of the story.
__________
Number of titles I have read by this author: 1
Love story speed: Slow burn
Relationship dynamics: The Bluestocking Governess (h) / The Eccentric Gentleman (H)
Sexual content: None. Kissing only.
Gender Identity: Cis (h) / Trans (H)
Sexual Identity: publisher lists as Pansexual (h) / Heterosexual (H)
Triggers: Perceived harassment for gender identity; threatening behaviour based on gender identity (blackmail)
Acceptance Rating: 2.5 stars
Acceptance Rating Explanation: For a historical, it could have been far worse. There was more fear of discovery than real threat. There is acceptance, but without being considered “normal”
Grammar/Editing: My ARC included a few typos and a reference to macaroons that were actually macarons.
Review: This is a quick-paced book – it has to be, at fewer than 35000 words. It is set in 1879 in London, although there are liberties taken with historical details (e.g. identity of the Prime Minister). In terms of structure, I think that I would have appreciated more indications of which character is speaking when there was a large exchange of dialogue – near the beginning, I didn’t find that the voices were distinct enough to carry long passages of banter without clarification of who said what.
The main characters in this book were Alvy and Laura. They are friends before Alvy transitions and their friendship evolves once he begins transitioning. That is, Laura begins to notice the changes in Alvy and begins to work though her attraction to him. Alvy is understandably a bit cagey, secretive, nervous, and paranoid, but he is also very entertainingly cheeky, as well. Theirs is a cute love story, if short and, while Laura’s switch to using male pronouns for Alvy after learning of his gender identity is thoroughly modern, I was willing to suspend my disbelief because it was a nice feature of the narrative. The supporting characters are primarily the villain and Alvy’s mother. His mother is doting and the villain is mostly ineffectual, but I found that I didn’t mind because I only wanted good things for Alvy.
Full disclosure: I received a free advance review copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Overall Rating: 4.0 stars
Library recommendation: Recommended for public library LGBT2SQ+ historical romance collections.
Warning: Hereafter, you chance spoilers. I will try never to reveal major plot points, but to review any book, you must reveal some parts of the story.
__________
Number of titles I have read by this author: 1
Love story speed: Slow burn
Relationship dynamics: The Bluestocking Governess (h) / The Eccentric Gentleman (H)
Sexual content: None. Kissing only.
Gender Identity: Cis (h) / Trans (H)
Sexual Identity: publisher lists as Pansexual (h) / Heterosexual (H)
Triggers: Perceived harassment for gender identity; threatening behaviour based on gender identity (blackmail)
Acceptance Rating: 2.5 stars
Acceptance Rating Explanation: For a historical, it could have been far worse. There was more fear of discovery than real threat. There is acceptance, but without being considered “normal”
Grammar/Editing: My ARC included a few typos and a reference to macaroons that were actually macarons.
Review: This is a quick-paced book – it has to be, at fewer than 35000 words. It is set in 1879 in London, although there are liberties taken with historical details (e.g. identity of the Prime Minister). In terms of structure, I think that I would have appreciated more indications of which character is speaking when there was a large exchange of dialogue – near the beginning, I didn’t find that the voices were distinct enough to carry long passages of banter without clarification of who said what.
The main characters in this book were Alvy and Laura. They are friends before Alvy transitions and their friendship evolves once he begins transitioning. That is, Laura begins to notice the changes in Alvy and begins to work though her attraction to him. Alvy is understandably a bit cagey, secretive, nervous, and paranoid, but he is also very entertainingly cheeky, as well. Theirs is a cute love story, if short and, while Laura’s switch to using male pronouns for Alvy after learning of his gender identity is thoroughly modern, I was willing to suspend my disbelief because it was a nice feature of the narrative. The supporting characters are primarily the villain and Alvy’s mother. His mother is doting and the villain is mostly ineffectual, but I found that I didn’t mind because I only wanted good things for Alvy.
Full disclosure: I received a free advance review copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
December 9, 2020
The Christmas Chevalier by Meg Mardell is a delightful debut novella set in Victorian England. Alvy is such an interesting character and it's important and so interesting to read about LGBTQ+ characters in a historical setting. I really wish this story was fleshed out more, though. Alvy and Laura had a lot of story to tell and while the story ends happily for them, it also quite abruptly ends..
Great bones, just wanted more depth. Beautiful world building and some lovely scenes with the printing press, in the ballroom, and ice skating on a frozen pond. A slightly villainous character was introduced, but wasn't really impactful to the story. I think that's what I was lacking from the book, a moment that was just huge, a moment that really shook the characters to their core, a big moment between Alvy and Laura, or Alvy and his mother. Given the subject, there was opportunity. It was a very sweet book, low on the steam, no sex scenes, a couple of chaste kisses.
I will definitely have this author on my radar for future reads.
As noted in a reading update, there were no dialogue tags used in this book. So it did get somewhat confusing as to which character was speaking when there were pages of dialogue.
Thank you to NetGalley for a copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Great bones, just wanted more depth. Beautiful world building and some lovely scenes with the printing press, in the ballroom, and ice skating on a frozen pond. A slightly villainous character was introduced, but wasn't really impactful to the story. I think that's what I was lacking from the book, a moment that was just huge, a moment that really shook the characters to their core, a big moment between Alvy and Laura, or Alvy and his mother. Given the subject, there was opportunity. It was a very sweet book, low on the steam, no sex scenes, a couple of chaste kisses.
I will definitely have this author on my radar for future reads.
As noted in a reading update, there were no dialogue tags used in this book. So it did get somewhat confusing as to which character was speaking when there were pages of dialogue.
Thank you to NetGalley for a copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
December 12, 2020
Oh my gosh I love The Christmas Chevalier so much! Meg Mardell has written one of the sweetest romances I have read this holiday season.
If you are a follower then you know that I am not a huge fan of historical fiction. Mardell makes you forget that you are reading a historical romance. I am saying this, but the simplicity of the time frame actually makes the romance even sweeter. Mardell’s descriptions are on point and emphasize what is important: this is a romance.
There is a villian of the tale, but whether it competes against the enemy of fear is not for me to share - no spoiler alerts here! Alvy has been on his road alone for some time and especially during this time period it is a difficult one. Mardell writes a conundrum that is at times witty and bashful...and scary. I wasn’t sure at first who Alvy was going to end up with and I loved dancing into the unknown.
The subertuge, the waltz, the arguments, and let me not forget the skating pond mark The Christmas Chevalier as a romantic timepiece. I adore Alvy and Laura together. The journey to recognize true love is one I want to take every year.
I received an ARC of this book and I am writing a review without prejudice and voluntarily.
If you are a follower then you know that I am not a huge fan of historical fiction. Mardell makes you forget that you are reading a historical romance. I am saying this, but the simplicity of the time frame actually makes the romance even sweeter. Mardell’s descriptions are on point and emphasize what is important: this is a romance.
There is a villian of the tale, but whether it competes against the enemy of fear is not for me to share - no spoiler alerts here! Alvy has been on his road alone for some time and especially during this time period it is a difficult one. Mardell writes a conundrum that is at times witty and bashful...and scary. I wasn’t sure at first who Alvy was going to end up with and I loved dancing into the unknown.
The subertuge, the waltz, the arguments, and let me not forget the skating pond mark The Christmas Chevalier as a romantic timepiece. I adore Alvy and Laura together. The journey to recognize true love is one I want to take every year.
I received an ARC of this book and I am writing a review without prejudice and voluntarily.
December 22, 2020
I read this one in almost one go and oh it was such a sweet and beautiful story! I have a huge weakness for books set in the Victorian Age and this one - this was a real gem.
I was slightly confused, however, because I couldn't quite tell for a really long time whether Laura knew that Alvy was trans or not. Besides that - I can only recommened this book. It was a perfect and sweet read and as a person who's questioning their own gender identity I think this was probably the sweetest Christmas gift I could have received. I felt understood while reading this book; I could relate to the characters and I am very excited for the next one. I hope it'll give us a reunion with Laura and Alvy, however, because I I have a feeling that their story isn't quite over yet. Also, I do have a thing for masquerade balls in books and movies. It might a bit weird, but that's a trope I am totally sucking for.
I received a free ARC by Netgalley and the publishers in exchange for an honest review.
I was slightly confused, however, because I couldn't quite tell for a really long time whether Laura knew that Alvy was trans or not. Besides that - I can only recommened this book. It was a perfect and sweet read and as a person who's questioning their own gender identity I think this was probably the sweetest Christmas gift I could have received. I felt understood while reading this book; I could relate to the characters and I am very excited for the next one. I hope it'll give us a reunion with Laura and Alvy, however, because I I have a feeling that their story isn't quite over yet. Also, I do have a thing for masquerade balls in books and movies. It might a bit weird, but that's a trope I am totally sucking for.
I received a free ARC by Netgalley and the publishers in exchange for an honest review.
November 30, 2020
I received a copy of The Christmas Chevalier by Meg Mardell via IndiGo Marketing & Design in exchange for an honest review. I enjoy stories about nonconforming people in historical settings because of course they existed all throughout history, but history is written by cis white men. Alvy is a fascinating character as they attempt to live their authentic life in Victorian England. Laura too is finding it challenging to fit into the typical governess mold, if only due to her taste in literature. The scene set at the masquerade they both attend sets up the rest of the story beautifully. I did not find the denouement unrealistic since George Sand had just passed away before the story begins. I now look forward to the second Christmas Masquerade book next year.
December 15, 2020
Meg Mardell's The Christmas Chevalier is an adorable historical queer romance with a trans love interest! TBH I'm not usually a fan of romance novels, but it's Christmas! Who doesn't like a little romance around the holidays?
Mardell really excels in setting the scene. Victorian London at Christmas really comes alive and it is full of excellent scenery: "Every railing, balustrade, and ornate picture frame of the entrance hall was festooned in evergreen branches and wrapped in gold-flecked white ribbons." If you are a nerd for historical details this one is for you!
My only criticism of this book is that I wanted more! More Laura and Alvy! More wild masquerades! more detailed printing press shenanigans! I do hope that they return in the future I will happily follow more of their adventures!
Mardell really excels in setting the scene. Victorian London at Christmas really comes alive and it is full of excellent scenery: "Every railing, balustrade, and ornate picture frame of the entrance hall was festooned in evergreen branches and wrapped in gold-flecked white ribbons." If you are a nerd for historical details this one is for you!
My only criticism of this book is that I wanted more! More Laura and Alvy! More wild masquerades! more detailed printing press shenanigans! I do hope that they return in the future I will happily follow more of their adventures!
February 19, 2022
Alvy finally has a space where he can truly be himself, but he can hardly refuse to let Laura in - especially since she needs employment and he's just acquired a printing press. Laura has known Alvy for years and still sees him as the girl from her childhood. What will she do when she discovers that the handsome chevalier from the Christmas masquerade is Alvy?
Ahh these novellas are just so cute and fluffy. I would be happy to inhale more of them in an instant (yes, that's a hint, please write more). A dash of tension makes this an excellent quick read and it left me wanting more - I really wanted to see how certain things progressed (i.e. with the printing press). All in all, an adorable trans Regency romance.
Ahh these novellas are just so cute and fluffy. I would be happy to inhale more of them in an instant (yes, that's a hint, please write more). A dash of tension makes this an excellent quick read and it left me wanting more - I really wanted to see how certain things progressed (i.e. with the printing press). All in all, an adorable trans Regency romance.
January 15, 2021
Thank you Netgalley for letting me read this book in return for an honest review.
WARNINGs: on-street harassment of MC (feared to be over trans identity), blackmail of MC (over trans identity), deadnaming and misgendering of MC (this is due to the other main character not knowing that he is trans), the trans character is not out to his family
This is a good book, but I will say that the beginning was a little bit confusing as I struggled to get a grasp on the characters and the plot. I carried on and found that it read a lot smoother after the beginning bit and I really like the friendship and chemistry between the two characters.
The cover shows a woman (I am assuming it is Laura) but I think it should have shown a man as while Laura and Alvy are both main characters, I feel like it was more focused on him. T
There is a lot of misgendering from Laura and other characters who Alvy know but this is because they do not know that Alvy is actually a man who uses he/him so while this is a warning, please know that it is not with malicious intent. The blackmailer however....
Rating: 3.5⭐
Would I Read It Again? Yes
Would I Recommend it? Yes
WARNINGs: on-street harassment of MC (feared to be over trans identity), blackmail of MC (over trans identity), deadnaming and misgendering of MC (this is due to the other main character not knowing that he is trans), the trans character is not out to his family
This is a good book, but I will say that the beginning was a little bit confusing as I struggled to get a grasp on the characters and the plot. I carried on and found that it read a lot smoother after the beginning bit and I really like the friendship and chemistry between the two characters.
The cover shows a woman (I am assuming it is Laura) but I think it should have shown a man as while Laura and Alvy are both main characters, I feel like it was more focused on him. T
There is a lot of misgendering from Laura and other characters who Alvy know but this is because they do not know that Alvy is actually a man who uses he/him so while this is a warning, please know that it is not with malicious intent. The blackmailer however....
Rating: 3.5⭐
Would I Read It Again? Yes
Would I Recommend it? Yes
November 28, 2025
Rating: 4/5
This was so lovely. Friends to lovers, where we can feel the trust and ease between our main characters right from the start. I love the use of masquerade to create a second meeting between the two, and I deeply appreciate how easily Laura navigated pronouns and address for Alvy as she discovers him for the first time. I occasionally had trouble following the dialogue, as it's heavy with witty rejoinders that can make the substance hard to follow, but this is a small quibble for a really beautiful holiday love story.
This was so lovely. Friends to lovers, where we can feel the trust and ease between our main characters right from the start. I love the use of masquerade to create a second meeting between the two, and I deeply appreciate how easily Laura navigated pronouns and address for Alvy as she discovers him for the first time. I occasionally had trouble following the dialogue, as it's heavy with witty rejoinders that can make the substance hard to follow, but this is a small quibble for a really beautiful holiday love story.
November 28, 2020
It’s unusual enough to find a trans character in historical romance that I really wanted to give this another star. But there were too many questions left unanswered, even for a novella. The writing is charmingly old-fashioned, and the characters were intriguing. Usually I would describe the plot more, but I don’t want to give anything away.
Thanks to Netgalley, the publisher, and the author for the ARC to review.
Thanks to Netgalley, the publisher, and the author for the ARC to review.
December 12, 2020
4.5 stars
An adorable holiday romance novella with a trans love interest. The romance was so sweet, and I couldn't put it down, despite the low angst and low stakes. It had it own unique charm that held my interest throughout, and the HEA was so rewarding.
I only wish we as readers could see more of the Victorian Christmas, since the author did such a good job of describing the setting. We saw only glimpses of it, and I, for one, craved more.
An adorable holiday romance novella with a trans love interest. The romance was so sweet, and I couldn't put it down, despite the low angst and low stakes. It had it own unique charm that held my interest throughout, and the HEA was so rewarding.
I only wish we as readers could see more of the Victorian Christmas, since the author did such a good job of describing the setting. We saw only glimpses of it, and I, for one, craved more.
December 13, 2020
3 stars
It took me half the book to finally understand who were the characters and what was the plot of the story and still I think it had so much going on that i didn't felt I fully enjoy the story.
To be honest I was expecting more or something else and I felt the story was left unfinished. Still, I did end up liking it, especially the ending with Alvy's mother(?) Alexandra.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for the chance to read this book in exchange for an honest review.
It took me half the book to finally understand who were the characters and what was the plot of the story and still I think it had so much going on that i didn't felt I fully enjoy the story.
To be honest I was expecting more or something else and I felt the story was left unfinished. Still, I did end up liking it, especially the ending with Alvy's mother(?) Alexandra.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for the chance to read this book in exchange for an honest review.
December 14, 2025
Maybe I've been spoiled too much by other, somewhat unrealistic historical romances with trans main characters who were able to fully live as their true selves, but I was really bummed about how Alvy still had to pretend to be an eccentric "lady" around his family. Other than that, the romance between Laura and Alvy was nice and I liked their dynamic. I might pick up more of the books in this series.
December 11, 2020
This was an enjoyable historical romance!
This book is set in Victorian England and what drew me to it was the authenticity of the author's writing.
The setting was described in true Victoria era style.
The characters were interesting and engaging.
I haven't read a historical romance novel in a while and a queer one at that.
I absolutely enjoyed this one. It was refreshing and unique.
This book is set in Victorian England and what drew me to it was the authenticity of the author's writing.
The setting was described in true Victoria era style.
The characters were interesting and engaging.
I haven't read a historical romance novel in a while and a queer one at that.
I absolutely enjoyed this one. It was refreshing and unique.
January 19, 2021
Loved it!
A wonderful choice for my holiday read and can’t wait for the next book. From the food to the frocks Mardell’s quirky characters capture the now lost but still loved Britain with wit and elegance.
A wonderful choice for my holiday read and can’t wait for the next book. From the food to the frocks Mardell’s quirky characters capture the now lost but still loved Britain with wit and elegance.
August 20, 2023
The Christmas Chevalier by Meg Mardell
A quirky historical read. A novella that features a trans in the 1800 it is a little confusing at the start but it a quick ,enjoyable read 3.5/5
A quirky historical read. A novella that features a trans in the 1800 it is a little confusing at the start but it a quick ,enjoyable read 3.5/5
September 8, 2025
This was sweet. But too short! Oh well, very fun for what it was.
January 2, 2021
[The ARC of this book was provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.]
A really cute queer christmas story! I wish it was longer.
A really cute queer christmas story! I wish it was longer.
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