The Twelve Days of Christmas series by E.K. Murdoch -> Starting November 18th, 2022

[Aly]

Welcome to the exciting new holiday series from USA Today Bestselling author Emily E.K. Murdoch.

Follow each of the Fitzroy women as they cause nothing but scandal and intrigue across the ton and try to keep their exploits quiet.


It’s 1813, and twelve drummers drumming are about to bring love into Jemima's life…

Jemima Fitzroy is tired of being ignored by her loud, rambunctious family—especially as she attempts to campaign for veterans in a world that doesn't appreciate them.

Soldiers are returning home from Napoleonic France, and Captain Hugh Rotherham knows he will never be the same again. Not just because of what he's seen, but because of what he's seeing right now: a startlingly beautiful woman who stirs something so passionate in it, the drumming of his heart matches that of his regiment.

Jemima knows she shouldn't be meeting this soldier without her family's knowledge. Hugh knows he cannot cross the line from respectability to scandal.

It doesn't matter. Twelve drummers drumming will change their lives—and the rhythm that can tease out exquisite pleasure…

Meet the Fitzroy family: twelve cousins falling in love over Christmastime!

This novella is a steamy Regency romance with a happily ever after, no cliffhangers, and is part of a series which can be read in any order—but follow the numbers down for the best reading experience!

[Kira]

Chapter 1 - 2 : (view spoiler)[OOOHHH The first meeting happened and it was delicious lol! I am already liking both Harmony and David (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 3 - 4 : (view spoiler)[oh nooo something was about to happen there! I can't believe there is so much action packed in such a little book (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 5 - 6 : (view spoiler)[David's confession made my heart melt and I wish for both of them to get together asap (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 7 - 8 : (view spoiler)[Why do misunderstandings even happen in all of these books :( (hide spoiler)]

Finished: (view spoiler)[David telling Harmony how insanely rich he really is was epic lol (hide spoiler)]

[Kim]

starting book 1; now that Thanksgiving has passed, I can get into the Christmas mindset!

[Kim]

Ch 1-4 (view spoiler)[ She's brash and barely apologetic, she's Jemima! She's a bit saucier than my patience can handle but I much prefer it to one who falls all over themselves dim wittedly. I'm intrigued as to how this romance will progress. Although, honestly Dad, can you be any more obvious?! (view spoiler)[ (hide spoiler)] (hide spoiler)]

[Kim]

Ch 5-7 (view spoiler)[ stealing kisses in an alleyway?! how scandalous! Hugh seems really sweet though. I was nervous for a moment that he wasn't going to show but I'm so happy he did. But why did that dude have to die?! Wonder what this will lead to now. (view spoiler)[ (hide spoiler)] (hide spoiler)]

[Kim]

Finished (view spoiler)[ wow what an ending! Jemima is her own woman and i dig that. However, to be in his bedroom doing such salacious things? That scandal! It was a fun quick read and I'm down for the next book. (view spoiler)[ (hide spoiler)] (hide spoiler)]

[Kim]

Book 2: 11 pipers
(view spoiler)[ harmony seems like a background character. I hope she grows into her voice. David sounds like a spoiled rich kid but I think his passion for music will endear him to me. (view spoiler)[ (hide spoiler)] (hide spoiler)]

[Kim]

Ch 5-7 (view spoiler)[ oh snap, Harmony! what have you done?! (view spoiler)[ (hide spoiler)] (hide spoiler)]

[Kim]

Ch 8 (view spoiler)[ the part of the chapter from David’s perspective twisted all my heart strings! (view spoiler)[ (hide spoiler)] (hide spoiler)]

[Kim]

Finished (view spoiler)[ well that was expected but unexpected? her dad seems real cute though. I hope one of the books is about Joy. on to the next day! (view spoiler)[ (hide spoiler)] (hide spoiler)]

[Kim]

Book 3: 10 Lords

Ch 1-5 (view spoiler)[ I like that this book starts at the same point in time as the first one. Although that makes some of the dialogue repetitive, it also gives us an opportunity to understand the inner thoughts happening simultaneously. What a great way to show how the world really works but we rarely get a glimpse of.

I’m also proud of Caroline for sticking up for herself against Stuart’s mom. We will see if anything comes of it. (view spoiler)[ (hide spoiler)] (hide spoiler)]

[Kim]

Ch 5-8 (view spoiler)[ yes girl!! Know your worth!!! 👏🏻👏🏻 (view spoiler)[ (hide spoiler)] (hide spoiler)]

[Kim]

Finished (view spoiler)[ well that wrapped up quicker than I B expected. 30,000 pounds seems a little too convenient but alas it was amending. (view spoiler)[ (hide spoiler)] (hide spoiler)]

[Kira]

Ch 1-2 : (view spoiler)[The step mom is evil? I had not expected it. Jemima sure does have a temper and I am curious to see how the romance would play out (hide spoiler)]

Ch 3-4 : (view spoiler)[Oh I like Hugh. I feel Jemima's sassiness and Hugh's charms are balancing each other really well. (hide spoiler)]

Ch 5-6 : (view spoiler)[I kind of understand where Jemima's frustration is coming from and I hope being with Hugh gives her some much needed self confidence boost (hide spoiler)]

Ch 7-8 : (view spoiler)[I love scandalous scenes! I am liking how Jemima and Hugh's personalities compliment each other and the way Jemima supported Hugh through that death (hide spoiler)]

Finished: (view spoiler)[What an ending! I just loved how Jemima puts forth her point with Hugh instead of silently accepting it all. (hide spoiler)]

[Kim]

Book 4: 9 ladies dancing

(view spoiler)[ we are getting to meet the other family this should be good fun! (view spoiler)[ (hide spoiler)] (hide spoiler)]

[Kim]

40% (view spoiler)[ I really wish I could go to a ball. This last chapter made me realize of wreaths were such a popular little activity. Sounds kinda fun (not as much fun as Luke though, am I right?!) (view spoiler)[ (hide spoiler)] (hide spoiler)]

[Kim]

100% (view spoiler)[ this book went by quick! I liked it better than the last 2, even if it was another highly emotional undercommunicative relationship. (view spoiler)[ (hide spoiler)] (hide spoiler)]

[Kim]

Eight maids
10% (view spoiler)[ i’m glad that we are getting to see this character, Kitty. She seems sassy and spicy and I think it’ll be a really good story. (view spoiler)[ (hide spoiler)] (hide spoiler)]

[Kim]

48% < spoiler> well, this is far more interesting than I thought it would be. Katarina is spicy, but has quite a bit of thought behind her brain. I’m curious to see how things continue to flirt and progress with Isaac.

[Kira]

Chapter 1-2: (view spoiler)[Oh this book overlaps with the events of the first book! It is so nice to get to read the same event from a different pov. I like Caroline and Stuart’s blissful romance (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 3-5: (view spoiler)[ I do not like all the rules that come with inheriting an earldom and I feel grumpy. I am sure Stuart would not agree to any of this and I liked that Caroline stayed firm and did no agree to give him up (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 6-8: (view spoiler)[I am so disappointed in Stuart not for not choosing Caroline in a heartbeat but for the harsh words he bestowed upon her during the visit. She truly deserves better (hide spoiler)]

Finished: (view spoiler)[Well all’s well that ends well right? Atleast Stuart came to his senses without knowing about Caroline’s dowry and Mrs Walshingam’s sort of apology was acceptable as well I guess (hide spoiler)]

[Kim]

65% (view spoiler)[ where does one find a man in (soon to be) 2023 who will tell them “you are my everything. I will never be complete now without you by my side.” Le sigh. (view spoiler)[ (hide spoiler)] (hide spoiler)]

[Ashlyn]

Chapters 1-3 (view spoiler)[I like the banter between tbese two. Not sure how i feel about him falling on top of her yet, but i am interested to see where it goes since it is so short. (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 4 (view spoiler)[I love that he recognized something in her. And that he went to a anti-war protest in hopes to see her. (hide spoiler)]

Chapters 5-6 (view spoiler)[I love how they are meeti ng everyday after seei g each other in London. Hopefully they will get together at the ball. (hide spoiler)]

Finished (view spoiler)[I enjoyed the ending. I thought it was sweet that he was scared of what anyone would think of him dancing and that she reassured him that no one would care. Sad that someone died though in the middle of the dance. (hide spoiler)]

[Kim]

100% (view spoiler)[ of course he’s a viscount 🙄 cute ending but I preferred the twist. (view spoiler)[ (hide spoiler)] (hide spoiler)]

[Kim]

Seven Swans
Ch. 1-3 (view spoiler)[ yay a dark sullen man! Good timing for a change up in the men. Although I do agree it’s a bit odd that her dad sent her away at Christmas. (view spoiler)[ (hide spoiler)] (hide spoiler)]

[Kim]

Ch. 4-7 (view spoiler)[ well that was rather unexpected! An animal surgeon? Cute! Also I love that Arabella is outspoken with him. But how scandalous the Cartiers are leaving them alone without a chaperone! (view spoiler)[ (hide spoiler)] (hide spoiler)]

[Kim]

Ch. 8 (view spoiler)[ ooo girl what are you doing?! The scandal of it all! (view spoiler)[ (hide spoiler)] (hide spoiler)]

[Kim]

100% best one so far (view spoiler)[ I felt like these 2 were actual characters, in comparison to the previous books. They were more than just a personified trait. I really liked the ending (I was wondering what happened to that letter.). (view spoiler)[ (hide spoiler)] (hide spoiler)]

[Kim]

Six Geese a Laying

Ch. 1-3 (view spoiler)[ I did not expect us to learn about Maria already. We have stories of the other 2 sisters already and we skipped Isabella! I guess that makes it more intriguing. This Walter guy though? I think he’s playing Maria but I don’t know why. What’s the motive. (view spoiler)[ (hide spoiler)] (hide spoiler)]

[Kim]

Ch. 4-5 (view spoiler)[ so he’s obviously the journalist who wrote poorly about Mrs. Fitzroy. I think he’s a bit of a psychopath and obviously manipulating Maria. What a naive little thing. I hope she doesn’t get Stockholm syndrome. (view spoiler)[ (hide spoiler)] (hide spoiler)]

[Kim]

Ch. 6-8 (view spoiler)[ ooo that rotten scallywag! Foreplay is one thing but to take her V card? Under such false notions? Rude! (view spoiler)[ (hide spoiler)] (hide spoiler)]

[Kim]

Oops finished 6 geese without a comment! (view spoiler)[ I’m glad she forgave him although quite honestly she didn’t put up much of a fight. But he’s a lawyer so at least she will be well to do.(view spoiler)[ (hide spoiler)] (hide spoiler)]

[Kim]

Five Golden Rings
Ch. 1-2 (view spoiler)[ things are happening quickly in this one! Twisted knots and warm feelings in chapter 1! A walk in the woods, practically alone in chapter 2! (view spoiler)[ (hide spoiler)] (hide spoiler)]

[Kim]

Ch. 3-5 (view spoiler)[ my my Esther, giving in so easily. And at the dinner table! What a rake! Something tells me he isn’t actually broke but his dad was the guy who poorly invested in the ships, or something. (view spoiler)[ (hide spoiler)] (hide spoiler)]

[Kim]

Ch.6-8 ish (view spoiler)[ had to stop the chapter to remember this swoon worthy quote: “In some ways, I do not really know what love looks like. At least I did not. Until…until I met you.” *sigh* (view spoiler)[ (hide spoiler)] (hide spoiler)]

[Kim]

100% best book of the series so far!!

[Kim]

Four Calling Birds
Ch. 1-3 as we saw in the last book, Lucy and Percy are obviously quite smitten. I wonder how long until she realizes this. (view spoiler)[ (hide spoiler)]

[Kim]

Ch.4-6 (view spoiler)[ Lucy! How dare you lie to your family, skip out on church and invite that man into the house! Can’t wait to see what happens 😉 (view spoiler)[ (hide spoiler)] (hide spoiler)]

[Kim]

100% not my favorite of the books, but Esther was a hard act to follow

[Kim]

Three French Hens
Ch.1-2 (view spoiler)[ I was disappointed when I saw it was going to be Sophia but time has passed and this chick is a firecracker. I like her sass. Dumb Viscount (view spoiler)[ (hide spoiler)] (hide spoiler)]

[Kim]

Ch. 2-5 (view spoiler)[ wow these books are getting more and more scandalous! Pleasuring in the library at a charity ball?!
However, I do think I must have lived a life in that era because it sounds lovely. Though I was probably a lady’s maid. (view spoiler)[ (hide spoiler)] (hide spoiler)]

[Kim]

Ch. 6-8 (view spoiler)[ is Orlando seriously going to court her?? Also I did not see a “pleasure room” coming! (view spoiler)[ (hide spoiler)] (hide spoiler)]

[Kim]

Finished (view spoiler)[ she got over those ladies and Orlando pretty fast. I love that he asked for her hand before they even left her house. Arthur must have been thrilled! Not my favorite book but definitely top 3. (view spoiler)[ (hide spoiler)] (hide spoiler)]

[Kim]

Two Turtle Doves

Ch.1-4 (view spoiler)[ a child literally falls into her lap?! And belongs to a handsome dad?? Of course! Way to luck out, Joy. Now learn how to talk to him. (view spoiler)[ (hide spoiler)] (hide spoiler)]

[Kim]

Ch.5-7 (view spoiler)[ I love how all the Fitzroy ladies are so fast to jump to conclusions. And then be severely emotional about it. In real life it might be annoying, but reading it, I find it silly and fun story telling. Now over to Gilbert’s house! (view spoiler)[ (hide spoiler)] (hide spoiler)]

[Kim]

Finished! (view spoiler)[ yo Joy is forward. Get what you want, girl *snaps* although her exit strategy was lacking, overall I liked this one. (view spoiler)[ (hide spoiler)] (hide spoiler)]

[Kim]

Final book! Partridge in a pear tree!

Ch.1 was not what I expected. I liked Joy’s scene from her perspective but the alley way, well that was next level. Curious to see where we go from here!

[Kim]

Ch. 2-5 (view spoiler)[ ok Isabella *snaps* get your ish girl! Your bedroom? Ok. Your carriage? Queen! (view spoiler)[ (hide spoiler)] (hide spoiler)]

[Kim]

Ch.6-8 (view spoiler)[ a sharker? I wonder what that actually looks like. Like is it a ponzy scheme? Or does he actually steal money? Also how is he a gentleman now? What changes that?! (view spoiler)[ (hide spoiler)] (hide spoiler)]

[Kira]

Chapter 1-2: (view spoiler)[I do not understand why Olivia is upset with Luke and now I am wondering if i missed something. He seems like a gentleman so far but just a bit daft about Olivia’s attraction towards him (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 3-4: (view spoiler)[Well that escalated quickly, i liked it but I am not sure I quite gathered how exactly these two got so close suddenly. This is the only issue I have with novellas, there is no time for any kind of angst (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 5-7: (view spoiler)[No way i did not like Olivia reaching to her own stupid conclusions so fast and blatantly refusing to listen to Luke. One might think that someone claiming to be in love with the said person would be a little more sensible than this (hide spoiler)]

Finished: (view spoiler)[Holy moly that were some steamy scenes right there but I wish there was a little more understanding and communication between the two making it even better (hide spoiler)]

[Kim]

100% (view spoiler)[ this was a sassy one but i really liked how she came out of her shell. overall i am glad i read this series, it was cute and seasonal! (view spoiler)[ (hide spoiler)] (hide spoiler)]