This is a quick and cute read, with romance right from the start and plenty of drama... some of it too far-fetched. The plot was a little extreme and convoluted even for a romance, and I had to suspend my disbelief a lot, including for some of the conversations between characters (who outright asks someone if they've experienced the death of a relative? And then uses that as a moment of revelation that they have something in common?). But if you're looking for a light-hearted, sort of Christmassy romp then give this a go.

Valerie Bowman's Playful Bride world is one filled with charming characters that make for great romances. Kiss Me at Christmas book ten in this series delivers yet another well deserved happily ever after for Bow Street Runner Daffin Oakleaf and decidedly on the shelf Lady Regina Haversham.

Ms. Bowman's works are full of fun and quirks mixed with just enough sentiment to mist your eye and crack a smile with equal ease. Kiss Me at Christmas bring two of her beloved secondary characters to the forefront and at long last confronts their simmering attraction. This author expertly handled the warring of rational versus emotions, culminating when it became apparent to this couple that all the reasons why they should be together by far outnumbered all the reasons why they should not be together. Daffin and Regina held a special bond in their individual tragic pasts that added even more to their dynamic. Great chemistry and sparkling exchanges as well as an intriguing suspense component keep the pages of this work full of action and added a nice depth to an already captivating story.

Kiss me at Christmas brings a sweetness to the holidays that is exclusively Valerie Bowman and will leave readers with all the good cheer they have come to expect from her Playful Brides!

Greatly enjoyed the story and can't wait until the next book comes out! Bowman never disappoints with her storyline and wonderfully developed characters.

This one wasn't for me. The first chapter started out good but then the POV shifted. This is the 10th book in the series and it's touted as a stand-alone, but, best guess, I think the male POV is a character who was in other books??? It seems so telling and I think it's trying to fill in blanks for readers, like me, who haven't met him yet. It made his character so one dimensional that I just couldn't connect. It just didn't work for me.

I love christmas and historical Romance and so I really liked this story.
I voluntarily reviewed an Reader Copy of this book which I received through
Netgalley.

Daffi and Regina had sizzling chemistry even in the face of society's demands and family expectations. Great and engaging plot, and I loved the book.

Once again Valarie Bowman has blown me away with her impressive writing style and carefully crafted storylines. Would highly recommend this book and author.

A fun holiday frolic, combining your traditional holiday romance with madcap caper. Although the premise is strange and a little awkward, the author recognizes and utilizes this.

The story told here is very readable and involving. As well as being refreshingly to the point. For the most part. Daffin and Regina make a very believable and sensibly paired couple.
Due to the fact that Regina makes her wants and desires, and her reasons for them very clear from the start.
Pair this with the very well done whodunit aspects of this read.
Annnnnnnd voila!
You have a very enjoyable class based Historical Romance.
Of course there is a bit of the "I can't possibly marry you due to my lack of lineage" dither and rot.
On the part of Daffin. But thankfully, it occurs very close to the end of the book, and is ironically quickly dismissed by all of his blue-blooded comrades.
Before it has time to become tedious.
Lastly. The bit of handcuff assisted d\s play provides a very refreshing "first time" scenario for a newly deflowered Regina.

It must also be said that although this read is centered around Christmas. It is not loaded with the customary inundation of superfluous references to the season.
Instead letting it be the innocuous 'raison d'etre' that one needs to fully enjoy the story.
This is the 10th book in a series. But can be read as a standalone.

Kiss Me at Christmas is a delightful Christmas historical romance. Regina is unconventional. She meets Daffin and sparks fly. Plus add in some mystery and you have a winner.

Fairly typical historical romance with interesting characters and a fast paced storyline.Fiesty heroine and handsome hero with enterprising friends.

The Playful Brides series continues with book #10, Kiss Me at Christmas, and it was alright. A perfectly enjoyable romance but it fell apart with the story. Whether that’s the case of this specific book or the fact that it’s the tenth in the series and this particular group of characters is just running out of steam, I’m not sure.

NOW one of the best things about this book was the romance. Which is good because, you know, it’s a romance novel. Regina stood out as a heroine because not only did she know what she wanted but she wasn’t afraid to go after it (and by “it” I mean one hot night with Bow Street Runner Daffin Oakleaf). I see a lot of timid and shy heroines in romance novels so this was a pleasant change and I loved how it was shown in a positive light. Even when Daffin rejected her initially it wasn’t because of her, but emotional baggage of his own. I loved Regina’s attempts to convince Daffin to change his mind because she didn’t harass him. Despite wanting to win him over, she was respectful of his boundaries and emotions.

Daffin has appeared in previous Playful Brides books (as has Regina but I think he’s been in more?) and I’m glad he got his own story. There are so many facets to his character. I felt like I was reading about a real person with how his story unfolds, rather than the carbon copy mysterious gentleman. And his history and hatred of Christmas? Broke my heart! Watching him heal from a lifetime of disliking the holiday was beautiful.

Where Kiss Me at Christmas lost me was the rest of the story. The romance worked. I liked both characters, they had chemistry, plenty of hilarious banter, and an emotional bond beneath all the simmer. But the book just. . . went on. And on. The whole plot with someone trying to kill Regina seemed far-fetched within the realm of this series and this book. More like the author needed a reason for these characters to be together rather than take it in another direction. They had met previously so it wasn’t as though two strangers were coming together. Something just felt off, and at times the story went on a tangent that didn’t entice me to read further.

Did I enjoy Kiss Me at Christmas? Ultimately, yes. I’ve read several books in the Playful Brides series and one day I might go back and read the first few that I missed. And I’ll certainly read more if we get any. If you like lots of action and mystery with your historical romances, this is a good series for you.

Short but sweet. This is what I call this book. If you want a Quick read with a quick romance. This is your book. Very cute!

The book wasn't for me. I felt that the plot was ludicrous and the pacing was off as well as having the protagonist achieve their happily ever after far too easily after the anguish that they supposedly felt was just laughable for me. Although I genuinely enjoyed the first half of the book, it was funny, sassy and entertaining but the same cannot be said about the latter half of the book.

I really liked this story. The characters, conflict and story development were perfect. I would recommend to anyone who likes Christmas stories without them being over the top sickening sweet!

Oof. This was my first and last book by this author. It felt like a juvenile attempt at a grown up HR novel (what I imagine I would have written had I tried writing one when I was in college). Overly descriptive, lots of telling + less showing, immature and one-dimensional characters, flat and somewhat silly plotline. Felt like a Lifetime movie. I couldn't wait to be done!

Thanks to the publisher for providing an ARC via netgalley for my honest review (my apologies if I sound ungrateful).

This was my first Valerie Bowman book; I've been hearing great things about the Playful Brides series and was excited for the opportunity to read KISS ME AT CHRISTMAS. I was also happy that this was a holiday romance--tis' the season and all that.

The romance between Regina and Daffin is sweet. Regina is trying to grab something for herself before she settles for a lukewarm marriage, and Daffin is wounded and doesn't really believe in love. I loved the history between them, and it was fun watching them become more. I also liked Regina's relationship with her friends and family.

Unfortunately, that was about all. The rest of the story relies on an imminent threat with someone stalking Regina and Daffin playing bodyguard. However, I couldn't help but thinking that this drama just didn't work. The scheme didn't make much sense, and I felt like Daffin wasn't the best at his job? It's too bad that this drama was what was ultimately needed to bring these two together because the romance was so much better than the drama.

All in all, though, it was a quick, engrossing read and I'll be checking out more Valerie Bowman for sure!

I can't resist a holiday historical romance, and though I haven't read any of the previous books in the Playful Brides series, I decided to just jump in. Unfortunately, while Kiss Me at Christmas by Valerie Bowman was nice, it didn't rise above that.

My favorite thing about this book was how sex-positive the female MC was. She was going to get her man and her good time, goddamnit, and I liked that about her. I also liked the male MC, who had his own reasons to resist our female MC, and his own past to contend with.

What bothered me was the plot. It seemed to ramble on, and I lost my interest at times. The end was very melodramatic, and I didn't even get that holiday spirit that I was so looking forward to.

While the story was pleasant, I need to keep searching for my 2018 historical Christmas nirvana story.

*Copy provided in exchange for an honest review*

Absolutely adored! Valerie Bowman is able to complex characters that you cannot help but love. It was sexy and suspenseful but also full of love and laughter! Really enjoying this series!

This was an adorable historical romance. Looking forward to reading more from this author. I loved Regina's spunk and desire to pursue what she wants in her type of society.