Loved this book. Another book in the bow street runner, marchioness, London circle and it was just as good as the last few I have read!

I received a complimentary copy of this book and I am voluntarily reviewing it.

What a fantastic read. I read it late into the night and finally had to put it down as my eyes were so blurry, I couldn't see correctly. This is the second book of this series that I have read. I had only read the prior one before this (A Duke Like No Other). I fell in love with those characters Mark and Nicole and the secondary characters (Daffin and Regina). I was so happy to see Daffin and Regina getting their story.

I was happy to see my favorite format of a dual POV here. It really helps me to get into the characters' mind to understand their actions and speech. The chemistry between Daffin and Regina was scorching. You could see it in the prior book as well. Ms. Bowman has a gift of words that will transport you back in time to become one with the action. Seeing prior characters helps to reconnect and see how their relationship from their story has progress.

The plot is one that will keep you glued to your e-reader (or book). It flows so smoothly that before you know it, it is over. I so hated to see it end. There are parts that will make you laugh, sigh and tear up. That is what makes a book great at least to me; one that brings out emotions in it's reader.

There are some scenes that are appropriate for a mature reader but the story is one that carries it off. This story is not erotica by any means. I highly recommend as this author is becoming a favorite of mine.

I have chosen not to review this title. My apologies for the delay in responding to this and advising you of this, especially as it is likely obvious I have chosen not to review, I thought I had sent in all of my DNF titles.

As always, I appreciate the opportunity.

Laura

I enjoyed this historical romance and was entertained by the efforts that Lady Regina Haversham employed to find the perfect match before her thirtieth birthday!

Enormous fun! Regina and Daffin appeared in the previous playful brides book, and there was enough of a curious spark between them to make readers want to see more. Both are unique characters, with hidden depths, secrets, sorrows. Regina's loyalty to her family is admirable, but her wish is relatable, too: before she submits to marriage with the man her family has picked out for her, she wants to experience passion with a man she feels truly attracted to. So, like the brave woman she is, she screws up her courage, approached Daffin in his office, and asks him if he'd bed her.

He, being a gentleman and an officer of the law, declines. So embarrassing! But then they have to work together to find the identity of somebody menacing Nicole (a character from the previous book), and proximity trope is just hilarious and uncomfortable enough to keep the pages flying by. Daffin, of course, is staunchly noble and terribly handsome, and Regina just keeps getting more hot and bothered the more he's around. The slow kindling of their intimacy is warm and gorgeous, and layered with trust and emotion as they both reveal the painful wounds of their past.

But there's plenty of action too as the unknown perpetrator turns his sights on Regina, but unlike the customary damsel in distress, she's resourceful and smart enough to prove she's a natural match for Daffin, and the big lug eventually comes around. It's a wholly satisfying, enjoyable book, enough to make readers hope that the Playful Brides series will have many installments more.

A sweet Christmas story. I liked Regina and Daffin (despite his ridiculous name) when they were secondary characters in a previous book, and I’m glad they got their own full-length tale.

I received this from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. This is a part of the Playful brides series. We have Daffin Oakleaf a bow street runner and Regina a woman not satisfied with her life. This story was a great addition to the series. Oakleaf becomes a protector for Regina when her life is threatened. I couldn’t put it down and can’t wait to start the next one.

I have not read many books in this series even though I love Valerie Bowman. I found it on easy and enjoyable to slip into the world of the Playful Brides right here so don't worry if you haven't read anything else in the series. I absolutely adored Regina and Daffin (enough to make me get over his odd name). They were realistic characters with realistic responses to their circumstances, not overly dramatic or terribly brooding. Cousin Nichole from a previous book was added fun as she tried to help the romance along. And it's enough of a Christmas story to help you enjoy the spirit of the season, but not so much that you wouldn't want to read it in the middle of summer when you are at the beach. So, all in all, a very well-rounded book for you whether it is your first introduction to the series and/or Valerie Bowman or if you are just looking for a great historical romance with characters you will enjoy getting to know.

I did receive an ARC of this book for review.

As the author was hard to write the book, I find it hard to finish the book.

It actually took me like six months to finish it. But I was able to and it was such a sweet sweet story too.

I look forward to the next book.

Kiss Me at Christmas by Valerie Bowman is a very enjoyable read. The reader is introduced to Lady Regina Haversham as she decides that while she won't be allowed to man who loves her she will give away her virginity to a man of her own choosing. And so the story begins as Regina propositions Bow Street Runner Daffin Oakleaf. She, of course, is quite awkward and is let down by Daffin. Daffin does have an interest in Regina but knows that she is not for him. Regina and Daffin are thrown together as someone is trying to hurt her. Being together lets Regina get to know Daffin and his attitude about life, love and Christmas and Daffin continues to fall for Regina while trying to protect her. Interestingly Regina gets in trouble and Daffin vows to find the person who hurt her. The lively tale moves nicely along and ends happily with a resolution of who is trying to hurt Regina and the getting together of Daffin and Regina.

This is the first book I pick up in the series but I couldn’t pass up a historical romance holiday read! I think it may have been interesting to have seen this couple interact in a previous book as this book opens up with the heroine wanting one thing for her 30th birthday. To lose her virginity to the sexy Bow Street Runner she met previously. She’s been comfortably a spinster for many years and didn’t want to take a husband until she found love, but she’s now being strongly encouraged to take one of her suitors and she wants at least control on who she gives her body to for the first time.

I really enjoyed Regina’s character. She’s innocent in many ways but also curious and yes, I daresay playful as the name of the series suggests. I think that brought a cuteness to the story because you can’t help but like her. And Daffin is certainly sexy and has to fight his attraction to her because he wouldn’t be right for her in any way.

But while this was a fun story to read, I think it lacked a lot of the holiday charm I was looking for. There’s a bit more mystery going on as there is someone that wants to hurt Regina, and maybe that overpowered the cute feeling of the holidays.

While my expectations were not quite met, I still enjoyed reading about these characters and it was a sweet story even if it wasn’t be a favorite of mine.

Oh my! Loved this one! All Valerie Bowmans books are must read for me. When I first read the this tagline in the description 'Regina has one mission: to find a night of passion in the arms of a gentleman' I knew I was in for a treat and it didn't disappoint! I loved that Daffin was not your typical London gent. and Regina considers herself on the shelf but wants to experience one hot night. Will she get it? You will have to find out! The premise kept it interesting for me! Highly recommend!

Looks like this Christmas I did read books with a theme. It is a great feeling, I liked that! Some were great, others were just good for the time. Unfortunately, “Kiss Me at Christmas” falls under the latter category. I liked the premises so much, but sadly the plot was not at all what I had expected.

This is Regina and Daffin’s story. She is a lady of the ton, he is a Bow street Runner. Their interaction starts before the action in “Kiss Me at Christmas” and those flirtatious moments are what brings Regina at his office, to strike a deal. She needs someone who can offer her a night of true passion before her official engagement with a man only interested in developing his fortune, by acquiring the lands promised as dowry for Regina. As tempting as it may be, Daffin cannot even imagine accepting such a scandalous proposal. Not only is she promised to another, but she is also his best friend’s cousin. With her dignity offended, by her own actions and his refusal, Regina returns to her cousin’s estate, hoping to avoid any further encounters with the Bow Street Runner.

When danger appears, Regina’s cousin knows just the perfect person who can best protect her and his wife and also investigate who is behind. From here on, the romance and mystery go in parallel, though one falls second to the other in terms of development.

I admired Regina’s courage to face the enemy and her determination to raise Daffin’s interest. He is a professional in how he does his job, but he is also a man, so cannot stay indifferent to the charms of a beautiful woman. I did not like the action at all. The negative characters were more like silly actors and very poor participants. The threats against Regina and Nicole (her cousin’s wife) felt superficial and not well developed.

Everything in regards to the romance was good, even if I may have my complaints in that regard as well (especially in the end). What starts as more of a necessity, more like a desperate need of passion before submitting to a loveless marriage, becomes more for Regina. It is up to our Bow Street Runner to see if his desires are physical or if they can amount to something else.

So as much as it pains me, I’ll give “Kiss Me at Christmas” 3 stars, just because of the ok romance and our main characters. The adventurous side of the story disappointed me. With all these in mind, I still liked it. It is a nice book to read, especially around Christmas. Happy Reading!

In reading book #9 I said that I think that this series should end there, but from Goodreads I can tell you that after this one, which is #10, there’s #11 coming our way, so at this point, I see no end in sight for Playful Bride series. That could be good if the stories keep the reader interested in the main couple, but personally I’m not feeling it at this point.

The story was predictable, and it didn’t woo me too much, although there were times that made me enjoy the heroine and her pet.

I think if the story had a faster pace, I might have enjoyed it more. At this point I vested too much time in this series and will move to #11.

Melanie for b2b

Absolutely loved it. Valerie writes another swoonworthy entertaining story. I just couldnt oit ut down. Cant wait for more

I received this book from netgalley in exchange for my honest review. I would have to give this book 4 stars.

I loved the book, however, it did have its little issues that I wasn't too sure about. I loved the characters, especially Daffin Oakleaf. He is the type of male character that makes you want to swoon just reading about him. The only issue I had with the book was some of the phrases and ideas didn't seem to come from that time period. Ideas such as using handcuffs in bed during that time was completely unheard of. I did enjoy the scenes though, I thought it played out rather well.

The story itself was good, it was your normal rich titled girl wanting the guy that has no title. The suspense was great, the story went right into the plot and went rather quickly. It started to slow down about 60% of the way in but it picked back up.

I would recommend this book to anyone looking for a historical Christmas romance book.

I like how this story started with a proposal and how the love story of Daffin and Regina blooms.

I wasn't also expecting the mastermind and the reason for the 'threats'. It saddened me that Daffin didn't celebrate Christmas but his reason is valid.

I can't wait to read another lovely story from Miss Valerie Bowman.

Thank you St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for the ARC!

3.5 stars
Setting. London and the countryside, England, December 1818-January 1819.

Characters.
Heroine: Lady Regina Haversham (1 month shy of 30th birthday), niece of the Duke of Colchester
Hero: Daffin Oakleaf (30s?), Bow Street Runner

Summary.
Regina is soon going to be 30 years old and she wants to give herself a gift in celebration: one night with a man she desires. She wants to rid herself of her virginity but also give it to a man whom she chooses, because her uncle and grandmother are pushing for her to get married to the dry hum-drum neighbor at home and she's starting to think she needs to give in and finally accept the offer. First though, she wants to take action on the attraction that simmered between her and Daffin Oakleaf when they first met (in Book #9—I haven't read it, but was able to enjoy this one regardless).

Daffin unfortunately does not respond as she hopes (though watching her pitch it to him is hysterical and cute, and you have to admire her bravery and how forthright she is in asking for what she wants). She's embarrassed and hopefully never has to face him again ... yet unfortunately, either she or her cousin may be in danger, and her cousin thinks that Daffin would be the perfect person for them to hire to watch over them (she definitely has matchmaking on the mind). For their parts, Regina and Daffin aren't really sure how to act around each other, given their clear attraction to each other but how things were last left between them.

As whomever is threatening Regina and her family draws closer, Daffin spends more and more time with her and finds himself falling for someone who is so above his station that he can never hope for there to be anything more than friendship between them. Regina is unsure of Daffin's feelings, but unquestioning of her own, and their time spent together only cements what she has suspected—she's fallen for him, and hard.

Review.
So I'm a bit torn here, as my rating clearly indicates. 3.5 stars for me means that I am glad I read it, but it won't be a reread for me. There are so many things about this book that could have made it GREAT, but unfortunately it fell a little flat at times, the pacing wasn't always right, and sometimes it just felt off. It's kind of hard to explain, but ... I don't know—he would grin, when he doesn't seem like the grinning type and the timing isn't really appropriate; or she makes a sexual comment that given where they are at that point in their relationship and their avoidance, isn't the right timing.

Also, Daffin has completely legit reasons for turning Regina down when she approaches him with her offer, yet somehow those reasons seem to disappear and other ones take their place (which are also legitimate, but ... what happened to the first ones??). There were also pieces of the mystery subplot that could have used some work.

It could have been great—I loved the premise, I loved the older-than-normal heroine, I loved how she was brave and confident enough to approach a man and ask for what she wants sexually, I loved the class difference between them, and Daffin could have been a really great stern-upstanding hero-type ... but it just wasn't as tight as it should have been and things felt ... off, sometimes.

Finally, the class difference trope, when done correctly, shouldn't be cavalierly dealt with, because that shit was REAL. One of the best books I've read that deals with this is Lily Maxton's The Improper Bride (my review); there, it's a housekeeper and a lord, and there is always the awareness that a real relationship between them is beyond the pale and what on earth are they thinking. Now, of course, things work out and they deal, but at least leading up to them resolving the issue, they're taking it seriously and are not acting like the real world and society don't exist.

Recommendations.
Other Bow Street Runner or private investigator books:
— Lisa Kleypas's Bow Street Runners series
— Lorraine Heath's Midnight Pleasures with a Scoundrel (my review)
— Grace Callaway's Her Protector's Pleasure
A book that came to mind right away in comparison is another one where the heroine decides to gift herself sexual experience for her 30th birthday:
— Lisa Kleypas's Suddenly You

*This review is of an ARC provided by NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review. Some changes and/or edits may be made to the final published version.

Can the niece of a duke and a Bow Street runner find love and happiness in Regency England? The previous year runner, Daffin Oakleaf and Lady Regina Havensham met unfortunately at her cousin's funeral when Daffin helped to investigate his murder. They seemed to hit it off then, but what can become of such a mismatch in status. This year Regina wants Daffin to be her 30th birthday present. Of course, being a gentleman all but in status, he refuses her. However, when Regina`s life is threatened by an unknown villain, he agrees to protect her, even though he knows he will have trouble resisting her. Who is behind the attempts on Regina`s life? Will time together help or hinter their mutual attraction? Just what can become of it. And lastly, just who is Daffin and why does he hate Christmas? These questions and much more will be answered by reading this delightful Christmas tale. An enjoyable read.

This was a delightful Christmas romance story. Daffin and Regina were very good for each other and their story was well written, but did seem to flow a little slowly. Overall, it was a good story.