Sempre pragmática, Lady Caroline Ponsby perdeu a esperança de receber uma proposta de casamento de Christopher Perry, o homem rico que ela amou por quase dois anos. Ela está determinada a ser uma ex-solteirona no Natal. Para tanto, ela convidou um possível pretendente para passar o Natal com sua família. Ela sabe muito bem que Lord Brockton adoraria colocar as mãos em seu dote, e ela adoraria ser uma mulher casada com casa e família próprias.
A própria ideia de sua Lady Caroline se jogando fora em cima de gente como o vil Lord Brockton irrita Christopher Perry. Uma pena que ele mesmo não pode propor casamento a ela, mas a filha de um duque está muito acima de seu toque, dadas as origens humildes de sua família. No entanto, Christopher comparece à festa de Natal do duque de Aldridge com a intenção de frustrar o grave desajuste de Lady Caroline com Brockton. Se ele não fosse quase tarde demais...
Since being named Notable New Author for 1997, Cheryl Bolen has published more than 35 books with Kensington/Zebra, Harlequin, Love Inspired Historical, Montlake, and independently. She has broken into the top 5 on the New York Times and hit the USA Today bestseller list. Her 2005 One Golden Ring won Best Historical, Holt Medallion, and her 2011 My Lord Wicked was awarded Best Historical in the International Digital Awards, the same year her Christmas novella was chosen as Best Novella. Her books have been finalists for other awards, including the Daphne du Maurier, and have been translated into eight languages. She’s also been the number 1 bestselling historical romance author in Germany.
She holds a bachelor's degree in journalism and English from the University of Texas and a master's degree from the University of Houston. Her favorite pursuits are reading diaries of dead English women, traveling to England, and watching the Texas Longhorns play football and basketball. She and her recently retired professor husband are the parents of two sons. One is an attorney, the other a journalist.
'Ex-Spinster by Christmas' by Cheryl Bolen is book four in the "House of Haverstock" series. This is the story of Caroline and Christopher. I do feel that this can be a standalone book but I did after reading this go and buy the previous book "Countess by Coincidence" because I loved this one so much and wanted to read the story of John and Margaret. This is a very nice Christmas Novella (about 80 pages) that is a easy read! Caroline has been in love with Christopher for a few years but he hasn't moved forward in asking for marriage. So Caroline thinks he never will and doesn't have feelings for her as she thought. Caroline decided to move on to another man who is a fortune hunter pretty much, but she thinks he will at least as her to marry him..if for nothing else her money. Christopher feels that Caroline is above his station and that is why he hasn't moved forward with his feeling...but now he plans on stopping her plans! Loved it! "My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read."
2.5* If you've read the previous book , you know that the h/H have been flirting with each other for the past almost two years. Perry is the descendant of Jewish jewelers, and Caroline, the daughter and sister of dukes. He's very wealthy and may be of the Christian faith now but he still finds acceptance in the ton difficult. So, he hesitates to act on his attraction to Caroline. And the h's brother, the duke is a scary person to cross.
But Caroline is not one to just sit and accept things as they are. She wants to marry - have a home of her own and has children - and so encourages another man. Next setting - a Christmas house party at the duke's country seat. Perry initially refuses to join as he's almost given up on a future with her but then learning that the unscrupulous om is planning to make a move on the h, he joins the party. To his shock, the duke actually welcomes Perry and encourages his suit. Lots of small things happen at the party - some snubbing, some cajoling, some refusing, some heroics, some routing and some hea.
Christopher was a wealthy man & great grandson of a jeweler. Lady Carolyn, sister of a duke, loved Chris but gave up hope when he neglected to propose inside of 2 years.
Chris joined Caro, her bro & other family for Christmas. Caro acted shrill toward Chris, but pleasant toward Lord B. who had a title but lacked scruples. Ultimately he could not hide his nasty nature.
This felt average, with the exception of Chris showing bravery toward the end. Some of the relationships were not explained clearly enough.
Ex-Spinster by Christmas is the 4th book (a Novella) in the 'House of Haverstock' series by Cheryl Bolen.
Lady Caroline Ponsby (Caro) has been in love with the handsome Christopher Perry for 2 years. Despite the fact that he feels the same for her, and that he is wealthy man, he hasn't offered marriage to her. She's been holding on for a proposal not realising that he thinks that he isn't good enough for her. They might have shared some passionate kisses, but he still thinks Caro should marry a man of her 'station'. The problem is that when Caro decides she's waited long enough for a proposal from Christopher, and plans to accept a proposal from Lord Brockton, Christopher wants to stop her.
Lord Brockton is typical of the 'ton'. He needs to marry for money, and he also has no intention to be faithful to his wife. He has a mistress that he won't be giving up any time soon. Caro guesses that her finances will be an attraction to Brockton, but has no idea about the mistress or the fact that he's been bragging about not giving her up when he's married. Christopher believes that even though he can't offer marriage to Caro, he still has to stop her from getting engaged to Brockton.
The story is set at Christmas time and there are lovely scenes involving going out picking Holly and choosing a Yule Log. There are snowball fights amongst the family children, and of course the sense of togetherness with all the couples that come together to celebrate Christmas. Not one of them want Caro to marry Brockton, they know Christopher is the man for her. But how to convince him of that so that he can get the girl of his dreams???
For such a short story, this one ticked all the boxes. Of course there is the possible unrequited love, the possible marriage to the wrong man, the wonderful romance between all the couples of the family, and even a hugely dramatic moment where a death could be on the cards! It's a thoroughly enjoyable, captivating story, and it was so lovely to have an update about all the other couples that have been in the previous books of the series. That said, you don't have to have read the others to fully enjoy this one. I 100% recommend not only this book, but the whole series. Books by Cheryl Bolen are never a disappointment.
I voluntarily read an Advanced Readers Copy of this book.
Ex-Spinster By Christmas is a holiday gift for fans of Cheryl Bolen’s House of Haverstock Regency romance series, bringing siblings, in-laws, grandmothers, and babies from the Upton and Ponsby families together for Christmas at the country estate of the Duke of Aldridge.
But all is not holiday cheer for everyone. Lady Caroline Ponsby, the Duke’s sister, has had her fill of being a spinster. It’s not that she hasn’t had suitors—eleven men have offered for her since she came out into society—but the only man she cares for is Christopher Perry. Unfortunately, for all his affection, he seems averse to marriage and has never proposed. Caro is convinced that he never will. She wants a home of her own, and a baby. In short, she needs a husband, and she sets her sights on Lord Brockton, a handsome rake with an impressive home and a bad reputation.
Christopher Perry has been madly in love with Caroline since the day he met her, but he doesn’t believe himself worthy of a duke’s daughter. He’s immensely wealthy, but his money came from trade, and, even worse, his great-grandfather was a Jewish jeweler. How can he ask a lady like Caroline to marry so far beneath herself?
When Christopher learns that Brockton is courting Caroline, and that the notorious rake has been invited to the family’s country home for Christmas, he is devastated. When his mother and sisters abandon him to attend another sister’s delivery, Christopher decides to take up his own invitation to the country, determined to prevent Caroline from making a terrible mistake.
When the country Christmas holiday turns out to be far more eventful than anyone expected, true colors are revealed. Will there be a happy ending for Caro and Christopher? Well, this is a Christmas romance, after all.
Ex-Spinster By Christmas is a holiday treat for Regency readers, and especially for lovers of the House of Haverstock stories, who will be happy to reconnect with so many members of the extended family.
Ex-Spinster by Christmas (a House of Haverstock Christmas novella) by Cheryl Bolen Margaret is happily married. Her sister Caro is looking for a husband with hopes of having children. Caro has had many proposals but has declined all of them but she's in love with Christopher. She puts herself out there and she discusses marriage with Brockton. Story also follows Christopher and how he wants to intervene so Caro won't become betrothed to another but he doesn't want her either, or does he? He'd have to give up his mistress.... Liked hearing how one helped save those in the fire. Without giving anything else away from the book this is a delightful story around the holidays. Loved hearing about the different houses and locations during the season. So festive. Love that the whole family gathers and plays cards, as we used to do after a family gathering. So treasured a moment. I received this book from the author in exchange for my honest review
Excellent end to the Haverstock series. I have become a fan of miss Bolen . Just love the romantic stories that have just enough angst to make the journey worth the HEA.
The last of the Dukes sisters finally finds love but it seems that he doesn't want to marry and she worries about being a spinster. 4 yrs since her come out and now she's desperate. So her plan is to be engaged by Christmas.
Wonderful romantic story, thoroughly enjoyed. Easy fast read.
Lady Caroline Ponsby is tired of waiting, tired of hoping. She's ready to marry and the man she loves doesn't seem to want marriage. So, she seeks another suitor. Unfortunately, the man she's chosen is disliked by her entire family. What is she not seeing in him that the others are?
Christopher Perry is shocked when he hears that his Caroline is moving on - without him. Yet, he feels he must intervene when he learns the identity of the man she's chosen to marry. Will he be able to convince her not to go through with her plan? What about his own heart? Can he stay away and not want her as his wife?
This is a wonderful, sweet story with hints of passion, but stays securely in a PG romance category. There is an intense scene where danger lurks, but nothing gory or violent.
Character development was very good. As the reader, I could visualize Caroline's exasperation. The man she's devoted so much time to won't propose. What's she to do? She's humiliated that she's waited so long. The author did a good job of developing her character and showing how she realized the error of her ways in choosing an unsuitable alternative. I also liked how Christopher's character developed and realized that he could marry Caroline without any problems after all.
This book is a wonderful conclusion to the House of Haverstock series even if I wish there were more books to enjoy. Caroline has hoped for a marriage and children but has not been successful with her choice of Christopher Perry so she looks and pushes for another option. She really wants children and is determined to obtain her wish no matter the sensibilities. In an era when woman had fewer choices for a future, her desire is believable; unfortunately, her choice leads to some unforeseen tragic consequences and ultimately her happily ever after. I wished that the book was longer to give more details on the denouement and to deal with some of the emotions of the story but overall it was an appealing Christmas themed romance that tugged at my heartstrings.
This was a short, very bland read. There was were two very briefly described kiss scenes and only one with the hero. The dialogue was boring, especially at the dinner. The rival Brockton was portrayed as having no redeeming qualities except for being handsome and his actions at the end were just stupid - it would have been more interesting if he wasn’t so universally hated and if all his flaws weren’t glaring.
Again so many characters for such a short story but if you’d read the prior books you might enjoy seeing returning characters.
Caro is in love with Christopher, but after a year and a half he still hasn't asked her to marry him. Caro decides she wants to marry someone else, only he's not acceptable to her family. When Christopher shows up for Christmas, he's determined to change her mind from marrying this man, even if he knows that he can never ask her to marry himself. But a terrifying incident will change his life. I love this series. I hope there might be one more for Kate.
The youngest sister of the Duke of Haverstock has been in love with Me. Perry since she met him. But he has never offered for her so she invites another man to the Christmas gathering.
Ex-Spinster by Christmas by Cheryl Bolen Book #4: House of Haverstock Source: ARC from author My Rating: 5/5 stars My Review:
The House of Haverstock is back and just in time for the holidays! I am a big fan of this series and so glad Lady Caroline has finally gotten her own book.
Lady Caroline is a force to be reckoned with and few are able to wiggle out of her schemes and machinations. To be sure, Lady Caroline only has the best of intentions and she never goes into a scheme with any intention other than succeeding. To date, her schemes and machinations have gone flawlessly for everyone but herself. Since she came out to the ton, Lady Caroline has not lacked for suitors and/or marriage proposals but none have come from the one man she most desires, Christopher Perry.
In two years of friendship and what may certainly be considered courtship, Lady Caroline has not succeeded in securing a proposal from Christopher. They are compatible on every level, their families genuinely like one another, and neither is in need of funds which prompts so many marriages. Though she loves Christopher, Clady Caroline is tired of waiting and so she makes the bold decision to abandon her heart, her feelings, and Christopher for a sure thing, Lord Brockton.
Lord Brockton is not a man many want to be around. He is crass, rude, unreliable, a terrible gambler, a womanizer, and flat broke. But, he has a title and in polite society, that matters. Lady Caroline knows what the gossip says about Lord Brockton and though she doesn’t particularly care for him and her family is clear in their dislike, she is sure she can learn to love him once she is the mistress of her own home and a mother. Now, all Lady Caroline must do is convince her heart and everyone she knows of the rightness of this plan. This may be one scheme even the formidable Lady Caroline can’t pull off. Lord Brockton truly is an odious human.
The Bottom Line: I really do love this series and was instantly drawn in to Lady Caroline and Christopher Perry’s story. Caroline has been a favorite character in every scene and book she has appeared in so I was thrilled to finally see her get her very own HEA. Though her actions are completely misguided and totally against her nature, Caroline is surrounded by people who love and support her and help her see the error of her ways. For the reader, this means we get more time with beloved characters from books past. My only “complaint” about this book is its length. Don’t mistake my meaning, the story and characters are fully developed and played out in the available pages, I just wanted more of Lady Caroline In all, Ex-Spinster by Christmas is a fine addition to the House of Haverstock series and I look forward to more.
There comes a time in a woman's life, when her siblings and cousins and best friends are all happily married and enjoying children and homes of their own, that that woman may consider becoming betrothed herself no matter what it takes to arrange a husband for herself.
This story takes place in an era where females had no official power and bowed to the wishes of fathers and older brothers. At first I felt Caro, Lady Caroline, was frivolous and silly as much as she desperately wants to be wed. Her heart does belong to a suitable, handsome man, but she has made her feelings known and he has made no move towards marriage. What is his problem?
A woman can not wait forever, and the holidays are especially difficult for a woman of a certain age. This Christmas turns out to be even more difficult for the man who shares Lady Caroline's affections, but feels unfit to ask for her hand. This is a very complicated situation, bound by so many societal rules! To an outsider (like this reader) it is all so frustrating!
Enter the larger, darker, dilemma in the form of Lord Brockton. His reputation, actions and characters are all very dark, but he seems the answer to Lady Caro's desires to end her spinsterhood. Is she willing to forfeit all she dreams of, and maybe more, just to be a bride soon? Honestly, I wanted to slap her a few times myself.
The danger and tense situations as the holiday loomed this season will keep you on the edge of your seat. I did accept a copy of this short novel in exchange for my review.
Lady Caroline (Caro) Ponsby, daughter of the Duke of Aldridge, has loved Christopher Perry for a long time now but finally realizes that they are just not meant to be. Since Caro came out 4 years ago, 11 men have asked her to marry them, but she turned them down because they simply are not Christopher. Therefore, she has invited Lord Brockton to her home, Glemont Hall, for Christmas. The man would love to have her generous dowry and she realizes she would at least be a married woman and no longer a spinster.
Christopher is also be attending the party in hopes of keeping Caro from marrying Brockton. He loves Caro but feels he is not high enough socially to be acceptable for her. When he discovers that the pompous and greedy Brockton is bragging about marrying Caro and gaining access to her dowry, Christopher is furious and determined to make her his.
Caro agrees to marry Lord Brockton which crushes Christopher. How can he get her to change her mind and realize that their love is meant to be?
This is a sweet romance with several twists that will keep the reader’s interest. I enjoyed this story and am a big fan of the author. I look forward to reading more from her.
Copy provided by the author in exchange for a fair and honest review.
Lady Caroline Ponsby has given up hope of marrying her love the wealthy Christopher Perry. She wants to settle down and have children of her own instead of being just a doting aunt to her nieces and nephews and a home to manage. Caroline finds herself willing to settle with Lord Brockton who she knows is after her sizable dowry.
Christopher does not like Lord Brockton as he feels he is a vile man. He will not offer marriage to Caroline feeling he does not deserve her, the daughter of a Duke but he cannot stand the idea of them married.
As Christmas approaches Caroline invites Lord Brockton to spend the holidays with her family in order to know him better. Christopher finds himself attending the festivities despite himself as he tries to get Caroline to change her mind about marrying Lord Brockton.
Will these two end up changing their minds or will they be too stubborn in the end? A nice regency novella in the series.
I enjoyed this last book in the Haverstock series. I know I've read the other books in the series but it's been so long ago, I believe I will have to read them again!