Regina is a young lady who is nearing her 30th birthday. Her uncle, a duke, has announced that she must marry an earl. The gentleman is the right class, his property is near the family's country estate, and he is anxious for the marriage. In reality, the earl is anxious to enlarge his estate by acquiring property that is a part of Regina's dowry.,

Regina has refused marriage proposals for years because no one appealed to her. Her beauty and large dowry have attracted many men, but she has not found anyone who appeals to her.

Now she has determined she is attracted to Daffin Oakleaf, a Bow Street Runner. He helped investigate the death of one of Regina's cousins. He is good friends with another cousin and he is a very heroic and handsome man. He has even been written up in newspapers.

Regina and Daffin share an attraction for one another. They also share a strong sense of humor, intelligence and the enjoyment of solving puzzles and mysteries. Both had sorrow in their childhood when they each lost loving parents.

He is considered from a lower class and entirely unsuitable for Regina. In spite of the class difference, the attraction is still quite strong. Although Daffin considers himself unfit for Regina, she does not hold the same opinion.

When Regina becomes the target of an apparent assassin, Daffin is hired to protect her. He moves in with the family in order to keep her safe. He is not a fan of Christmas, and he is not certain how he will feel being immersed in a family holiday celebration.

This is a story about family support, romantic love and mystery. Daffin has no family history but he becomes part of Regina's family. He is able to observe the caring and sharing of a loving family. He is also able to observe Regina as the charming and lovely woman she is.

Ms Bowman is a very talented author. She is a master at creating characters who draw the reader into the story. Although this book is part of a series, it works well as a stand alone read.

This story does not cover new ground, but it is a Christmas story which is warm, comforting and most of all fun.

I received this book from the publisher through NetGalley. I am writing this review voluntarily and all opinions are completely my own.

I received an ARC from NetGalley and the publisher for an honest review.

This book has it all...historical romance, great characters, suspense, mystery and Christmas. I liked that this book had a strong female main character who was also thoughtful and sensitive. There was lots of suspense and intrigue trying to figure out who is in danger.

Kiss Me at Christmas (Playful Brides, #10) by Valerie Bowman ... Another hit by Valerie... I have read this whole series and love each one ... thanks to the publisher and #NetGalley for letting me preview this book. This is Daffin (famous Bow Street Runner) and Lady Regina's (Granddaughter of a Duke) story. They are both orphaned at a young age.. She love Christmas he does not... this story has it all..so many laughs, tears of all kinds, adventure, some terror and violence, a strong hero and heroine, a parrot spy, steamy sex, lots of old friends and a very HEA. I hope there is book #11 ..there is a Duke who still needs a bride.

I liked the Bow Street runner aspect of the story, but does EVERY character have to be related to to the peerage?! I liked Regina, but didn’t really buy her being so forward-thinking as to lose her virginity wearing handcuffs. It wasn’t an awful story, however the mystery was unsatisfying and Lord Dryden was the typical potential husband. Worst of all was the name Daffin. Just couldn’t make that work for me. This is a weak 3.0.

A perfect Christmas romance from Valerie Bowman.

One would think Lady Regina Haversham was firmly on the shelf until her Uncle worked out a marriage arrangement with a peer. Regina knows the marriage will be void of passion so she decides to have one trist with a man of her choosing before she walks down the isle. She is set on Bow Street Runner, Daffin Oakleaf, who she has a flirtation with months before. As tempted he is by Regina’s proposition, he will not be one to love her and leave her, so his answer is a firm “no”.

When some odd ‘accidents’ put Regina in harms way, Daffin is hired to solve the case and stay close to Regina’s side. Can he continue to refuse her when she clearly desires him? Will the Christmas season bring Regina the gift of love that she wants more than anything?

I do love a Christmas themed romance and this had the charm I have come to expect from this author.

I am a big fan of Valerie Bowman. Not a fan of this book. The whole "Christmas" thing was weird to me. Made it seem like everyone in the town was crazy. Kept waiting for a Stephen King twist.

Though this read okay as a standalone, because so many of the characters were introduced in previous books in the series, I think I would've enjoyed it more if I'd read the previous books first. There were so many references to events and people that appeared in previous books; even though they were explained to an extent, I think truly connecting with the characters was difficult because their backstory wasn't established in this volume. That being said, I did enjoy the characters and the plot was unique and I think I'm willing to commit to starting from the first book and working my way through the series so that I can reevaluate my feelings about this one. I loved that the women played an active role in ways that are not common in historical romance. This was my first Valerie Bowman book, but I don't think it will be my last! 3 out of 5 wine glasses.

What a delightful Christmas romance. Lady Regina Haversham is approaching her 30th birthday and her uncle is forcing her to marry a man of his choice.

Sparks continue to fly between Daffin, a Bow Street Runner, and Regina (they have meet before) when he hired by her cousin to protect her when someone is trying to kill her.

Daffin believes he isn’t worthy of her because of their stations in life. Can love conquer all. Read this romance and I guarantee you won’t regret it.

4.5 Stars!! I really liked this book! Regina is a tough woman & I love strong female main characters! Daffin was a great main male character & I love how strong he is too! I wish the end had had more information on Daffins life & something more about what happens to the bad people in the book! This book has a lot of mystery & a few sexy scenes! It didn’t have a lot of Christmas things in it, that was really only mentioned a few times. I enjoyed this book & I definitely recommend it!
*I received this book at no charge from the publisher.*

This book was so good that I couldn't put it down! I love historical romances & this did not disappoint. I also love a good strong heroine, like Regina, & a sexy man, like Daffin developing a relationship & seeing where it goes. I highly recommend reading this book!!!

Lady Regina Haversham wants only one thing for her thirtieth birthday, and that’s for celebrated Bow Street Runner Daffin Oakleaf to be her lover. She sets out to ask him and he turns her down. Humiliated she returns to her cousin’s house to lick her wounds. On the route home her coach is almost run off the road. This is the second time this has happened and doesn’t seem to be a coincidence.
Daffin Oakleaf found it hard to turn down Regina’s proposal. He couldn’t because she is the cousin of his best friend. Now that someone is trying to kill Regina he has to protect her and cool his attraction to her, to figure out why and who wants to kill her. As he investigates he has to defeat and old enemy to win Regina.
Daffin and Regina are two souls who have so much in common. Who had misconceptions of each other because of social status. Once they realize they are the same love blooms. Regina doesn’t care about Daffin’s status she cares for him.
Kiss Me at Christmas will have you smiling at the matchmaking Nicole tries and the parrot who repeats everything. We revisit some old friends and set up the characters for the next installment. I definitely recommend it.

❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
💋💋
Beautiful love story , set during the Christmas period.
Lady Regina offers Daffin a bow street runner , and a man not of her station b , the ultimate gift , but he can accept, the two of them have been flirting for months and now she’s destined to be married to a man she doesn’t love , however in Daffin she sees a lot to love .
This is their story , it a great seasonal tale that will have you on the edge of your seat and your brain all over the place trying to figure out the plot .
Really enjoyable read.
I received an advance copy of this book and chose to submit a review

A Christmas time mystery, romance suspense. Great characters and interactions. The book was a good read. The whole relationship drama was fun and the bit of steam was entertaining. I totally enjoyed the book.

I received this novel from net galley and the publisher. Thank you!
This novel was an enjoyable read. It contains romance and mystery, with secrets. It kept me in suspense. Lady Regina Haversham is almost 30 and has accepted herself as a spinster until her uncle decides she should marry. Regina is not happy with her uncle's choice and wants to chose for herself. She asks Bow Street Runner Daffin Oakleaf to be her lover to which he refuses. Regina and Daffin have worked together before and are attracted to each other. Daffin knows Regina is out of his league, but cannot help his attraction towards her. As he gets to know Regina, he sees so much more. Someone is after Regina and Daffin plans to keep her safe. However, Daffin has his own secrets that he keeps, but begins to open up to Regina but is still hesitant. Regina wanted to marry someone she cannot live without, and realizes that man is Daffin. When Regina is kidnapped, Daffin will do anything to save her, but the kidnapper has ties to both Daffin and Regina.

I love all of Valerie Bowman’s books but “Kiss Me at Christmas “ is my favorite. Daffin and Regina are my favorite characters and of course the secondary characters were great. The book had a good storyline that carried through the book. It was both lighthearted and yet you felt the emotions between the two characters. I enjoyed reading this book and highly recommend it.

An entertaining tale of mystery and romance. Lovely characters and a very satisfying conclusion. A very good read for any lover of a good regency romance.

4/5 stars.

I received this book from Netgalley and St.Martin's Press in exchange for an honest review and opinion. It does not affect my view in any way.

To start with, I really dig that cover okay.

I've read a few books from Valeria Bowman before, and while in general I have liked her writing and enjoyed several of the stories - nothing has stuck me as awesome! This books comes close to that feeling.

This book revolves around secondary and primary characters from the lask book in the series - A duke like no other. Regina and Daffin (our MC's for this book) are introduced to us in the previous book - and we're treated to some grade A flirting. In Kiss me at Christmas however, we're told about their flirting and attraction to each other in the events of the last book. In short we begin almost with an assumed knowledge of the previous book, which makes it a little difficult for readers who wish to read this as a stand alone. However, it's not so grave that you can't tell head or tale of the plot - but a little background work would be suitable.

We begin the book with Regina making the drive to see Daffin Oakleaf (renowned Bow Street Runner and legendary handsome man - color me shocked ) to make him an undecenet proposal. She's set to be engaged to a man in a few weeks against her wish, and has no choice in the matter. But she wants to keep one choice to herself, of whom she gives herself to the first time. And she chooses Daffin. Hence the indecent proposal - one which is equal parts entertaining and awkward to watch. But it sets the tone for the book well; you instantly fall for Daffin and Regina. In terms of sucking you into the MC's Miss Bowman does a good job here.

The question now is what does Daffin say? Does he accept her offer? Does he feel the same way or has no interest in her? Well that's what we find out.

To add to this wonderful budding couple, we have a plot line of someone trying to kill Regina - and it's interesting enough to make me actually want to guess. Quite rare in a romance book for me to be interested in the murder plot.

Overall I enjoyed this book thoroughly. The author dables in a little bit of risque themes in the bedroom, reminds me a bit of Elizabeth Hoyt - however it doesn't have the same effect. But if this is indication of things to come then I'm definitely interested!

Go check out this book, you won't be dissapointed!

Kiss Me at Christmas (Playful Brides, #10)
by Valerie Bowman

Superb Superb Superb... why_?

A novel this more than just romance, just historical or just a combination of .... It had suspense, mystery, passion, romance, some humor. Every layer was like a treasure trove to uncover. I absolutely ADORED this book. Every page every character. I had times of anticipation and dread and joy and so many more emotions. That is what makes a superb novel! This is definitely one of those. So buy buy buy buy buy buy buy and buy! Captivated, enthralled, engrossed and wanting more and more and more. Buy and enjoy this one! I received this ARC via NetGalley. I am totally keeping this one for rereads! Enjoy the journey through this wonderful book! All opinions expressed here are my own! Regards, Anna

This romance starts off with an unconventional proposal that piques your interest from the get go. The story changes from what seems like just a story of a pampered lady looking for a distraction before settling down, into a dangerous mystery. The romance is peppered with lots of flirting and stolen kisses making you really hope for this couple to have their HEA. It is also a good story of the prejudices of that period and how relationships across the classes are viewed. Well written and engaging, this story will keep you turning the pages until the very end.

Valerie always writes the best books. This one has suspense and drama. It kept me sitting on the edge to see what was gonna happen next. Some of the other characters from the other books in the series come in to help solve the mystery. As always in Valerie’s books the romance is wonderful. Very enjoyable read.