The Last Chance Christmas Ball - Mary Jo Putney, Jo Beverley, Joanna Bourne, Patricia Rice, Nicola Cornick

A chance meeting beneath the mistletoe, a stolen glance across the dance floor—amid the sumptuous delicacies, glittering decorations, and swell of the orchestra, every duchess and debutante, lord and lackey has a hopeful heart. There's the headstrong heiress who must win back her beloved by midnight—or be wed to another….the spinster whose fateful choice to relinquish love may hold one more surprise for her…a widow yearning to glimpse her long-lost love for even one sweet, fleeting interlude …a charming rake who finds far more than he bargained for. And many other dazzling, romantic tales in this star-studded collection that will fill your heart and spice up your holidays…

An excellent collection of vignettes that create a whole story. Exceptional writing and a diverse, well developed team of characters. The opening Claire-Nick story was my least favorite and I set the book down several times during because it didn't hook me. Fortunately, I knew there were more tales to come and held out for them. The book is woven whole by a variety of perspectives and with each character having their own measured and important subplot. It reminded me a bit of the Edwardian movie Gosford Park, particularly with the evenhanded upstairs-downstairs fun. Because you become vested in all the characters, you also grow to enjoy them equally. Ultimately, the compilation is a fantastic success and The Last Chance Christmas Ball is a book any lover of Regency romances will have some fun with.

I'd like to thank Net Galley and Kensington books for providing a copy of this novel in exchange for my honest review, which this is.

FOUR STARS

Amazon Link: The Last Chance Christmas Ball

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