A Yorkshire Carol - Review

A Yorkshire Carol (A Christmas Match, # 3)

By: Jennie Goutet

Publication: November 11, 2021 by Millefeuille Press

203 pages

Genre: Adult, Historical Fiction, Christmas, Regency, Clean Romance

Source: YouTube Audiobooks

( Goodreads | Amazon )

*Note: The above link to Amazon is an affiliate links. Affiliate links support giveaways for Somewhere Only We Know readers.

Goodreads description--The heart is deceitful above all things. Who can understand it?

When Juliana Issot’s godmother invites her to spend the month of Christmas for a house party in Yorkshire, Juliana feels compelled by affection to accept. Never mind that she escaped Yorkshire at first chance to secure a more glittering match in London, and the only matrimonial prospect at home is her childhood playmate, Willelm.

Willelm Armitage is a born and bred Yorkshireman, and as far as he is concerned, Juliana belongs here, too—and at his side. However, the one time he tried to convince her of this, she speedily gave him the right-about, making him question whether she truly was the right choice for him. After all, if she cannot see how well they suit, he is not about to force her hand.

A Christmas house party with pudding, games, charades, riding, and carols turns out to be just the thing to remind Juliana of how much she loves Yorkshire. But when her nostalgia slips into love will she be able to admit that Willelm knew the longings of her heart better than she knew her own?

I listened to Yorkshire Carol on audio back in the fall of 2023. However, when it came time to write my review I couldn't remember enough about it. I kept putting off my review so long that I decided to re-listen to it since I knew I enjoyed it the first time and it's a short book so I knew it wouldn't take long. I am so thankful to Jennie Goutet for posting it to YouTube. 

The A Christmas Match series is written by several authors: Jennie Goutet, Sally Britton, Laura Rollins, Jen Geigle Johnson, and Laura Beers. I have only read listened to two of these books because they are available on YouTube audiobooks. The others aren't that I'm aware of. Each author has set her book during Christmas time and each book includes a matchmaker facilitating a match. 

Juliana comes from York but has been enamored with London and fashionable society. She desired to escape York and branch out into the world of sophistication. Her godmother has been after her to visit and circumstances occur that would make it rude for Juliana to turn down her invitation to spend Christmas with her godmother at her house party. Unknown to her, but her godmother is trying to play matchmaker. She hopes for Juliana to match with her old friend, Willelm. 

Willelm followed Juliana to London during her first season. He sought her out at dances and such only for her to tell him that she didn't come to London to dance with her playmates. Willelm was heartbroken because he had been hoping to make Juliana his wife. He sees this Christmas house party for what it is--his last chance to show Juliana that he is the right man for her.

Juliana is reminded of the things she loves about York (and Willelm). She never left because she hated the place, but she still loved London. The two don't have an entirely direct path to happiness. And I liked the way Jennie Goutet worked in the actual Christmas carol to fit the title. I also liked that Willelm explored all his options as Juliana wasn't reciprocating at first. He didn't want to force something that wasn't right for her. Jennie Goutet worked this angle well. Juliana was forced to face the idea that Willelm might not always be waiting on her. The old adage "you don't know what you've got until it's gone."

Yorkshire Carol was good enough to listen to twice. I originally rated it 4 Stars, and I stand by that rating after a second listen. I liked Juliana and Willelm. And I enjoyed seeing them each come to view each other as their match. I want to continue this series, but I don't know if I will considering the other books aren't on YouTube audio. Have you listened to (or read) Yorkshire Carol? What did you think? Let me know! 

A great choice to get you in the mood for the holiday season.

A Mistletoe Mismatch - Review

A Mistletoe Mismatch (A Christmas Match, # 4)

By: Sally Britton

Expected Publication: November 23, 2021 by Pink Citrus Books, LLC

182 pages

Genre: Adult, Historical Fiction, Clean Romance, Christmas

Source: YouTube Audiobooks

( Goodreads | Amazon )

*Note: The above link to Amazon is an affiliate links. Affiliate links support giveaways for Somewhere Only We Know readers.

Goodreads description--If Jessica and Ellis can put the past behind them to work together, it will be a Christmas miracle. Childhood enemies fight to end one relationship while trying not to fall into one of their own.

Christmas comes but once a year -- a relief for Jessica Nettle, because that means she need only see the horrid Mr. Webb when he visits his cousin. Jessica has been at war with Mr. Webb for as long as she can remember. What started as children playing pranks has grown to a competitive feud. This year promises to be the worst of all, especially when Jessica learns that her sister is falling in love with that cousin. A match between the two of them would be a disaster.

Ellis Webb spends every Christmas in the country with his cousin. The holiday is one of the highlights of his year, despite the prickly Miss Nettle's attempts to ruin it for him. This year, Ellis's cousin has a mind to marry, and he's looking with increasing interest at Miss Nettle's younger sister. Such a marriage, with such a family, will surely end in disappointment and broken hearts. When Miss Nettle proposes to Ellis that they join forces to keep the ill-fated couple apart, he swallows his distaste and agrees to her plan.

Amid the merriment of celebrations, Jessica and Ellis scheme to keep two hearts apart. But as the days pass and the magic of season works upon Jessica, she realizes she may have lost her clever game -- and her heart -- to her childhood enemy.

A Mistletoe Mismatch was the cutest story. Jessica's family has always been close with their neighbors. I can't remember their last name, but Franklin is the oldest of the neighbor's sons, and Ellis is his cousin. Ellis has been coming to spend the summer and Christmas with his cousins since his youth. Jessica developed a crush on Ellis, and when she was 14 or 15, he broke her heart. She has been pranking him ever since.

Jessica is a flawed character, it's true. She got hurt, and she's sought to hurt Ellis in return ever since. Normally, I'm against this behavior. But since we don't learn everything at once, I found their rivalry funny. The pranks she's pulled made me giggle. Of course, I would never condone someone behaving this way in real life. And Ellis was so patient with her, never retaliating in return. He doesn't have a clue why they went from childhood friends to rivals.

But the two make a truce in order to sort through the business of Franklin's pursuit of Jessica's sister. Again, I can't remember her name. And since I listened to the audiobook instead of reading this one, I can't just so look it up easily. Regardless, Jessica's dismissal of Frank's interest was a little annoying--perhaps the most annoying part of the book to me. But I guess she had some trauma she needed to unpack before she could wrap her head around it. Ellis wanted to ensure his cousin wouldn't change his feelings and damage a long-standing relationship between the two families.

I loved Aunt Temperance and her little dog. I liked how her meddling was helpful and impactful for one sister and painful for the other. Sometimes good intentions still cause pain.

When all is said and done, I enjoyed this enemies-to-lovers tale. Jessica grows in much-needed ways. Ellis also sees where he's been wrong in the past. Two happily-every afters. What's not to like? A Mistletoe Mismatch gets 4 Stars. Have you read A Mistletoe Mismatch? What did you think? Let me know!