Intriguing story with well developed characters. Strong women battle for what they want. You'll want to leep reading to see how they get what tjeu want.

Wonderful story - strong characters. A very enjoyable book. Have read a few others in this series and this was a fine addition. Looking forward to more.

The story revolves around Daffin Oakleaf, a bow street runner, and Regina Haversham and the fact that someone is trying to hurt her. The story is full of danger, suspense, kidnapping, murder plots and last but not least love. Because of their different ranks in society Daffin has determined that he is not in a position to express interest in Regina. There is a HEA but not before the person who wants Regina dead is uncovered. This is a well written story and worth reading. I would highly recommend this book.

Rated 4.5!!

Bow Street Runner Daffin Oakleaf loathes Christmastime, and with good reason. Nothing lately is going accordingly. No matter what, a certain criminal seems one step ahead of him and Daffin has yet to bring him to justice. As if he does not already have enough on his plate, a relative of his good friend Mark, Lady Regina, shows up and propositions him. Daffin is shocked, but does what he is honorable and turns her down flat. That should be the end of it, right?!

Regina is about to marry a man she has no feelings for. All she wants is one night with a man she desires before she does her duty, and that man is Daffin. Unfortunately, Daffin isn't interested. When attempts are made on her and her cousin Nicole's lives, Daffin is brought in to keep watch over them while Mark is out of town. With the help of Nicole, Regina hopes to get a second chance to change Daffin's mind. What can she possibly do to tempt a man like Daffin?

Author Valerie Bowman's PLAYFUL BRIDES series is near and dear to my heart. I love all of the characters, primary and secondary. Ms. Bowman has a way of breathing life into them and their surroundings that just draws me in. The fact that they all seem to be getting their own stories is an added bonus. KISS ME AT CHRISTMAS is Bow Street Runner, Daffin Oakleaf's story. I have been waiting for this one, and I was not disappointed. Daffin is strong, steady and true. He is a very honorable and caring gentleman. Regina is all elegance and grace on the exterior, but deep down has her insecurities too. I couldn't have picked a better man for her than Daffin. If you're looking for a new historical romance series to start, look no further than Valerie Bowman's PLAYFUL BRIDES series.

Kiss Me at Christmas was a fun and light read. The main characters are Daffin and Regina who you would have been introduced to in Playfull Brides #9 if you read the last book in this series. However, the book can be read as a standalone. This story follows Regina who is pretty much a spinster at this point but has been pressured to accept and arranged marriage by her dying uncle. Before she does so, she wants to experience passion and lose her virginity to the man of her choice. That man is Bowstreet runner Daffin Oakleaf. I really enjoyed Valerie Bowman's writing that makes it a breeze to read through. My only issue with the story was that I've seen this story played in before. Otherwise, I'd recommend this book as it was quite enjoyable.
I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for my honest opinion.

I received a free ARC from Netgalley.

This is a mystery plot set during Christmas with unique circumstances. I liked both the main characters.

I would read more from this author.

Such a charming story - with handcuffs. Lady Regina is almost thirty and still a spinster. She met Daffin Oakleaf a year ago during a murder investigation. He is a very good looking, Bow Street Runner. They had an attraction and a mild flirtation but due to their stations in life, it could never be more. She has thought of him so much and wants him at least once before she is forced to marry someone who is her equal. She puts this proposal to him, but he refuses because he is honorable. Lady Regina has had two attempts on her life and Daffin has been hired to protect her and her cousin Nicole. When Regina is kidnapped, he realizes how much he loves her. Who wants Regina out of the way? Secrets about Daffin that he wants to keep are revealed. Will Daffin get Regina back unharmed? Will love find a way? I really loved Regina and Daffin. I received book from Net Galley and St. Martin's Press for a honest review and no compensation otherwise, The opinions expressed are my are my own.

Regina likes to give herself pep talks, “he’s just a man, for heaven’s sake,” she whispered. “A perfectly gorgeous, finely made man..." Daffin is just the charming man, “your clothes?” He glanced down at them as if considering, then met her gaze again with a mischievous glint in his eyes. “The truth is I want to rip them off you.” I liked this book, I really loved Regina and Daffin.

Kiss Me At Christmas is a fun historical romance by Valerie Bowman. Ms. Bowman has provided readers with an outstanding holiday read inside this well-written book. The characters are stellar, kudos to Ms. Bowman for such a fabulous cast of characters. Lady Regina is being pushed into a marriage, but before that happens she wants to give her virginity to a man of her choice. Daffin is a Bow Street Runner and turns down Regina's request. Daffin and Regina's story is loaded with drama, humor, sizzle, action and suspense. Their story held me hostage from start to finish. I loved this book and look forward to reading more from Valerie Bowman in the future. Kiss Me At Christmas is book 10 of the Playful Brides Series but can easily be read as a standalone. This is a complete book, not a cliff-hanger.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book that I received from NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I enjoyed this book series very much. This story is about Bow Street Runner Daffin Oakleaf who does not like Christmas. But when one of his close friend calls on him for help, but when he learns the Lady Regina is the one in danger, and that he has to be her bodyguard. Regina only wants to find passion with a gentlemen for one night. She has given up on marriage. I really liked the story line and characters of this book.

4.5 stars. I enjoyed this book, which had a nice blend of humour, romance, steam and mystery. I personally found the mystery pretty obvious. This book reads as a standalone, though we do get to see a few different characters from the other books. I loved the chemistry between the H&h and the plot flowed well and was interesting. This story also had the right amount of Christmas details, not so much that it takes over the story, but enough that you don't feel like they added a Christmas detail or had it over the holidays just so they could put "Christmas" in the title. Overall, a great story. *I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley and this is my voluntary and honest review.

I like reading historical romance stories that take place during Christmas. This one had an added bonus of having a suspense/mystery element play an important part of the story.
Our two main characters, Regina and Daffin, have met in a previous story and sparks flew between them as they worked together to solve the mystery of who had killed Regina's cousin. It is because of this found connection between them that Regina decides to make an indecent proposal to Daffin. Unfortunately for Regina it goes badly. Her proposal is turned down, I felt so bad for her. Later because of some threats Daffin becomes Regina and Nicole's bodyguard. It is because of this time that they spend together that they begin to fall for each other. They realize that they have many things in common, but their social status prevents them being together.
I love the element of suspense/mystery that the author included in this story. The finding out who was making these threats were some of my favorite parts of the book. It had some action towards the end that made the story very interesting. The person responsible for the threats to Regina and Daffin came as a surprise to me and I liked this. It's not very fun when you are able to figure out early in the story who it is.
Because this is number 10 in the series, and the first one I've read, all those characters that came in at the end felt a little overwhelming for me. In the end it was a very good story and I will look out for the next one in the series.

I received an advanced reader’s copy in exchange for an honest review

This one started of with a bang but never really delivered on its promise. No real heat or passion, showing rather than telling. 2.5 rounded up. Skippable

I love Valerie Bowman. This is a really sweet romance about Bow Street Runner Daffin Oakleaf who agrees to be a bodyguard for Lady Regina as she has had several attempts on her life. Regina meanwhile has been given an ultimatum by her uncle which is to find a husband over the Christmas holidays or marry the aging Earl of Dryden. She sets her sights on Daffin and the adventure begins.

Received this ARC from NetGalley for an honest review.

I love Christmas romances. They are perfect way to keep merry in the holiday season.
So Regina is 30 year old and still a virgin and unmarried. Oh bless her heart! She always wanted to wait for a love match, however her uncle wants her settled before he passes. She doesn’t want her 1st time to be with someone she didn’t pick herself so she goes to bow street runner, Daffin to proposition him. Unfortunately, her proposal comes off as insulting, since she offers to pay him to divest her of her pesky virginity, and he rejects her, even though he does find her desirable. I have to say even my cheeks were burning with embarrassment when she was trying to deliver her proposal.
While Regina would like to forget the whole thing and move on, it’s not so simple. Someone has made several attempts to hurt her or worse, so her cousin Mark hires Daffin to protect her. After apologizing to him, they start to get to know each other better, and Daffin brings out his handcuffs, HOT!
It was a very enjoyable read, I can’t wait to read more.
ARC generously provided via Netgalley, in exchange for the above honest review.

Christmas stories are always lovely and this one has so much going for it. Bow Street Runner is all I needed to read it. Daffin and Regina are characters that you root for and hope they can overcome all their obstacles. There is intrigue, love and kisses. Lots and lots of kisses and other things (shhh...not telling). This story is just a feel good read and when it ended I just sighed with pleasure.

This was my first read by this author, but I will be looking for others now. This was a delightful read. It happens to be set at Christmas, but can be enjoyed anytime. Lady Regina Haversham turned down many offers over the years in hopes of finding a love match, but her uncle has other ideas, so Regina seeks out Bow Street Runner Daffin Oakleaf and propositions him for a night of passion. The noble man turns down her proposal, only to be hired on as her bodyguard when someone appears to be threatening her and her cousin. I don't want to say more and risk spoilers but watching the feelings deepen between these two was delightful, as was Daffin's journey to appreciating his own self-worth. I'd definitely recommend this one.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher/author for the ARC!

Regina wants a lot more than kisses from Daffin. I've got to applaud the lady for knowing what she wants and going after it
Kiss Me at Christmas is a great addition to the Playful Brides, series.