This is the first book (albeit a shorter one) that I have read by author Manda Collins. I was impressed with her ability to convey the characters depth in a shorter form book as well as laying out a plot that made sense.

The story is set at Christmas time and Merry Parks has just left the deathbed of her best friend Charlotte. Charlotte has tasked Merry with uniting Lotte (her newborn and now motherless daughter) with the William, the husband who abandoned her months before.

Merry agrees even though finding William means having to confront her own past love, Alex, who is William’s cousin. Alex is the Viscount of Wrotham and Merry jilted him five years before.

That Alex and Merry never stopped loving one another is what adds the conflicting emotions to this story. They are both learning to move beyond their pain (his from being jilted and hers from what led to her running away from him.) It is that which is the basis of this book though there are other plot devices, points and characters to meet and understand along the way. I will certainly be looking for other books by this author in the future.

For those who are interested, there is one sexual scene in the book which is handled fairly discretely by the author. I didn’t feel it needed to be there for the storyline, especially given that these individuals had been engaged previously without having had sex. However, it was handled fairly delicately rather than a detailed and graphic sex scene.

I was provided a digital advance reader copy of this book by the publisher via Netgalley.

I read this in a few hours as it's quite a short book. I found that it flowed easily and had a Christmas theme to it.
It was set in the lovely era when horses were used as modes of transport and houses were grand. The author described the setting well.
I found that the story was simple and not a book that i had to concentrate on reading, except maybe for the language which was old fashioned and sometimes I found myself looking for the meaning of the words, which I am more than happy to do.
A cosy weekend read.

This was a delightful book! Perfect to start the Holidays season! Quick and fun! Can't wait to this more books of this author.

I have enjoyed many books by Manda Collins but this novella was not in league with her full length stories. It was hard to like the heroine when I never believed her reasoning for jolting the hero and then avoiding him for 5 years. Even when she explained it, she seemed like a weak woman who couldn't handle much strife in life. I guess she matured but there was not enough time in the novella to turn the tide.

I really liked this historical holiday romance. Merry is trying to fulfill the dying wish of her best friend but must confront the man she left behind years ago. Alex doesn’t plan to let Merry get away a second time, will he convince her to be his? This is a fast paced sweet read with plenty of steam. I liked the characters and the story held my interest throughout. A good read.

Every now and then fate gives us a second chance to get things right. Youthful insecurities had Merry turning away Alex years ago. The regrets and questions lingered on long after, but what was done was… done. Now Merry will have the chance to come face to face with Alex once more. Circumstances are quite different as Merry is fulfilling a deathbed request from a friend to insure that her baby daughter gets into the care of her father, Alex’s cousin, It’s not an easy task, physically or emotionally but Merry does as her friend asks. Now she and Alex will travel to the family Christmas celebration where one small baby will be reunited with her father – and two people who never stopped loving each other may find a chance to end their story quite differently.

With This Christmas Ring is a short, fast paced Christmas tale that has several things going on, and delivers a powerful reading punch throughout the twists and turns of this story. I liked Merry and Alex. Neither one was a horrible person, they were younger, unsure in love and Merry allowed another’s words to convince her that her place was not at Alex’s side. To be fair, Alex also spent those same five years apart when he might have made some overture toward the woman he still loved. Now because of one precious baby’s plight they have the chance for a do over, each a bit older, a bit wiser yet no less still in love with each other. I’d happily recommend With This Christmas Ring to any reader, no matter their preferred genre, that enjoys a good Christmas tale, second chances at love and an interesting story line.

*I received an e-ARC of this novel from the publisher via NetGalley. That does not change what I think of this story. It is my choice to leave a review giving my personal opinion about this book.

The old saying "The truth will set you free" is absolutely related to this story. It is so great that once the truth is out, will love prevail? Being away from each other for 5 years and not really moving on into other relationships, its like there is still some draw to each other even after 5 years have past by. The story was interesting and the characters were good. Overall a good read.

Manda Collins is an author with whom I am newly acquainted. I am enjoying working my way through her Studies in Scandal series and was delighted with the chance to read an eARC of the novella With This Christmas Ring. Thank you NetGalley and St Martin's Press! I enjoyed it!

I'm not generally a fan of the novella because the short length tends to keep the reader from fully understanding the character's personalities, the plot is generally rushed, and it doesn't allow for the characters to have a fully believable emotional attachment that would bring them to a Happy Ever After. Generally. This story, however, side steps most of these issues easily and with great aplomb. By giving the hero and heroine, Alexander and Merry, a past relationship - and a broken engagement - it isn't difficult to believe that the past feelings could be easily rekindled during the week in which this story is set. Add in a heroine on a mission, familial misunderstandings, a mild abduction followed by a happy reunion, and a villain that is really not so bad....and voila, you have this book!

In general, the writing was solid. The pacing was a bit uneven and I wish the plot was a bit tighter. It lost one star because I would have liked a HEA for Will and Lady Katherine, as well as more explanation for Emily's behaviors. The second star is because of the overuse of the word "sanguine." I stopped counting around the 5th or 6th use.

But, overall, it did a great job of putting me in a Christmas mood and looking forward to the Holiday season and reading more books by Manda Collins! Give it a whirl, you'll enjoy it, too!

I love reading heartwarming Christmas stories and Ms. Collins does a good job of getting you in the Christmas spirit. She weaves a story that definitely has some Christmas magic in it. Be read for your emotions to take you on a roller coaster ride of love and happily ever after.

This book was giving to me for an honest review.

set in the same world as the school for scandal series, this novella, with this christmas ring, is a second-chance at love story for alexander ponsonby and merry parks. she's the daughter of a renowned classicist and he's the viscount of wrotham. years ago, when they first fell in love, alexander's grandmother ensured that merry wouldn't stay.

but neither of them have moved on. in the story's present day, alexander has just returned from the continent and visiting his estranged mother, and the new perspective he's gained since being in france has him deciding to seek out merry. except she seeks him out first, because his cousin has fathered a child with her dearest friend, who died in childbirth and asked that the baby be sent to her father.

being forced together again awakens all their old feelings for each other. this time alexander is determined that nothing shall scare merry away. and merry is coming to realize that she was too hasty when she gave him up, and maybe she wasn't strong enough then, but she is strong enough to fight for him now.

things are wrapped up pretty neatly, even if things happen at a quick pace given the short format. but it's an enjoyable story and merry and alexander are clearly meant for each other.

I received a free copy from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

When the air gets crisp and the weather cool I love to warm up with a Christmas set romance. This has one of my favorite tropes, old lovers rekindled. I found the length well-suited the story line, and the characters seemed to fit into their roles. A delightful read!

This was a sweet book of second chance love. Merry had been engaged to Alex 5 years ago, but walked away when the grandmother played on her youth and convinced her Alex would be better off without her. When a good friend dies while giving birth, she promises her to give the child to the father, even though he had abandoned her. In order to find him, Merry has to talk to Alex who is a cousin to Will. Alex and Merry are still very much attracted to each other and tiptoe around trying to find their way back to each other. Other women want Alex for themselves and cause a bit of trouble. Will has straightened his life up and wants to make a good home for his daughter. His storyline was very nice and showed how much he had grown.
I got this book through NetGalley for an honest review. I very much enjoyed it

I absolutely adore Christmas love stories and this novella by Manda is amazing. A second chance at love is one of my favorite tropes and this one was perfect from beginning to end. Manda knows how to keep her readers captivated with her wonderful characters. and her wonderful stories. Merry Parks hasn't seen Alex Ponsonby, Viscount Wrotham since she abruptly ended their engagement. Now she is on his doorstep with an infant looking for his cousin, who is apparently the father of the infant. All the feelings that she had buried five years ago came rushing back as soon as she saw Alex. Alex is absolutely dumbfounded to see Merry in his house and realizes that he never really got over her rejection of him.
They will join forces to help William, his cousin, and the infant. Alex decides that he hasn't been really happy for five years and is determined to find out why Merry broke their engagement and win her back. Merry feels the same but she knows that if she tells him why she broke off the wedding it could hurt his relationship with a certain member of his family. Alex convinces her to let him court her again. Will the secret that she is keeping from him ruin their chance of a HAE? I absolutely recommend this Christmas novella by Manda.Collins. A perfect read for a cozy seat and a cup of hot chocolate or great glass of wine.

When her best friend is on her death bed Merry promises to bring her daughter to her father.
Even thought it means Merry has to face the person that se loved so many years ago. She never expects him to be so eager to help her or that he never got over her.
This is a fast read and a cute story to boot.



** I received a copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review**

A tale of love and forgiveness for those who enjoy reading holiday stories. The author has written an excellent book with engaging characters with thoughts and feelings of their own.
Miss Merry Parks has sworn to her best friend to care for her daughter Lottie after the mother dies. She finds herself in search for the baby's father who is William the cousin of her former betrothed Alex Ponsonby, Viscount Wrotham. She left him five years earlier at the alter so to speak. Now her travels have ended at the estate of Alex who never got over the betrayal. Merry needs his help desperately and Alex is stunned to see her again. There is a lot of hurt feelings, confusion, and grief. But Merry and Alex will find themselves caught in the spirit of Christmas with love in their hearts for each other. The grandmother of Alex was the one who broke up the couple and her reasons why. But I won't give it away because you will just have to read and find out.
Let's just say they lived happy ever after.
I appreciate Net Galley for this ARC title in which I gave an honest review.

This is a delightful second chance romance novella. I have thoroughly enjoyed every Manda Collins book I have read and this is certainly no exception. You immediately like both the hero and heroine because they are both nice, considerate and very loving individuals and what happened the first time around is a real shame!

Five years ago Miss Merry Parks and Alexander Ponsonby, Viscount Wrotham were engaged. They loved each other, but Merry let her insecurities cause her to call off the engagement and leave him. He’s never forgotten her nor has he loved anyone else – and the same is true for her.

Merry’s best friend, Charlotte, has just passed away during childbirth. With her dying breath, Charlotte asks Merry to see that her daughter, Lottie, is united with her father. Charlotte and William were married, but he’d abandoned her just days after the ceremony. It turns out that William is Alex’s cousin. Merry vows that she’ll unite father and daughter – no matter what it takes – even seeking the aid of Alex to help her find his cousin.

As soon as Merry and Alex see each other again, they realize they are still as much in love as ever. Alex is determined to win Merry back in any way he can. So, he gets her to go with him to his country estate because that is where his cousin is – for a Christmas celebration.

You actually get two HEA’s in this novella – and that is really sweet. Seeing all Alex and Merry have gone through and seeing them come together to rekindle their love and find their HEA is great.

I hope you will read and enjoy this novella as much as I did.

"I requested and received this e-book at no cost to me and volunteered to read it; my review is my honest opinion and given without any influence by the author or publisher."

Keeping a deathbed promise to her friend whom died in childbirth, Merry Parks shows up at her former fiance's home to enlist his aid in finding the father of the baby. Imagine the shock and questions Alex Ponsonby, Viscount Wrotham has for her and the babe in her arms. A man of honor, he agrees to take her to his family's home to deliver the baby to his cousin.

Merry and Alex are thrown together by circumstance, but the questions of why the engagement ended still stand between them. Merry finds it harder to keep the secret from him as they spend more and more time together. Alex heart softens and the five years of absence in each other's lives seem to melt away. They fight the attraction, and Merry is hesitant to become embroiled in his family and the reason for the broken troth. As she warms up to the idea of reuniting, someone or something is trying hard to keep them apart. Merry finds her life in danger and that of the baby. Will Alex save her in time and can they overcome their differences to find a future together?

This wonderful Christmas story with a baby, reunited couple, and all that comes with the holiday really delivers. Grab a cuppa tea and read this story to get into the Christmas spirit!

**received a NetGalley ARC from the publisher**

This was short but oh so sweet! A story about second chances.

A deathbed promise brings a second chance at love for Merry Parker. Bullied into jilting the only man Merry has ever loved, has led to a lonely existence but she has a promise to keep, even if it’ll bring her face to face with Alex Ponsonby Viscount Wrotham.
Alex has never gotten over Merry, never understood why she had broken their engagement. But as fate has it Merry once again appears in his life but this time she’s not alone. She’s looking for her deceased friends husband and father to a little babe, William Alex’s cousin.
Honourable man that Alex is and knowing his cousin is a rascal, he invites Merry to his estate. The Christmas spirit and a little help from Mother Nature give the two long lost lovers a second chance at love.

Perfect for a quick read and just in time for Christmas. Manda Collins has brought two people who thought that love has passed them by get a second chance at love. Older and more secure the fight for their love brings them closer and just in time for the holidays.

Received a complimentary copy from the publisher and NetGalley for my honest unbiased opinion.

A wonderful christmas tale that brings two hearts back together. Merry Parks jilted Alex Ponsonby 5 years ago, but on the deathbed of her friend she promises to find the father of her baby, the only problem is, she needs the help of Alex who is dismayed to find out that it his cousin, who has abandoned his wife and child, and as he's head of the family it's up to him to help.
They travel to the family seat where everyone is gathered for Christmas, and over the week, they get reacqainted, does the magical season do its work, read and see, I loved every minute of it

I received an ARC from Netgalley and voluntarily leave my opinion

Thanks St. Martin's Press and netgalley for this ARC.

Manda Collins gives us a teaser novella that gets you in the holiday spirit with love, secrets, and plots revealed and craziness too.