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.

This is the first book of this series I have read but I don’t think that it’s really necessary to read the other books to enjoy this one. Davin is a Bow Street Runner and Regina is a lady, part of the aristocracy. Despite a rather scandalous request that would offend a a man who liked her less, Davin agrees to protect her and her family when her life is under threat. But there is a reason why he dislikes Christmas and Regina intends to find out why. It’s a lovely take, perfect for reading by the fire with a glass of eggnog or two.

Lady Regina is nearly thirty and as yet unmarried. It’s not as if she wanted it this way. She hatches a plan to satisfy her curiosity on that part of marriage only known between spouses, and seeks the assistance of a Bow Street runner named Daffin. Unfortunately Regina’s plan doesn’t go exactly as she imagined it would.
The two are later brought together as an unknown assailant attempts to harm Regina and her cousin. It’s Daffin’s job to protect these women and to determine the identity of those who want them dead. Daffin and Regina must now spend all of their time together, and their attraction may be beyond their control.
This was a terrific story with intrigue, humor, longing and heat. The plot twists had me until the very end. I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a good mystery with their romance.

This was a decent, entertaining historical romance. Although the writing was nothing special, in my opinion, I liked the characters and found it an enjoyable enough holiday story while reading...I'm just not sure I'll remember anything about it in a week.

This was quite a delightful read. We've met this characters before in the series but the information is brought to the beginning of this book in case you haven't read the prior book.
Regina is determined to choose her own fate as much as possible and I admire that in her whereas Daffin is determined to behave in the most honorable way.
The book has a great pace and it's a perfect combination between suspense and romance that has you rooting for the characters to find their happily ever after. It also brings a nice introduction to the new book, which promises to be delightful.
I really like this author: she brings well-fleshed characters and the conflicts are rooted in reliable issues. A great holiday season reading!

Lady Regina Haversham is about to turn thirty and one thing that she wants to do before become engaged to a guy that she doesn’t love is lose her virginity. Of course Regina has chosen the guy to take her virginity, Daffin Oakleaf. Daffin is a handsome bow street runner that Regina met due to her family working with him in solving her cousin’s murder. When Regina gets the courage to propose her idea of making love to Daffin to lose her virginity, Daffin is shocked nonetheless but also secretly flattered. Daffin has liked Regina from the start but realized one thing that he could never act on it. Regina is a lady, the niece of a duke and Daffin is a lowly bow street runner. When Daffin is called to protect Regina from someone that wants to harm her, the attraction he has for her could be his downfall. Daffin still will protect Regina despite the cost but evil and Daffin’s hidden past could destroy everything in keeping her safe.
I loved this story from two people from totally different worlds but yet still having something in common falling for each other. There is mystery, suspense, action and most of all a beautiful romance that kept me glued to the book turning pages never wishing it would end. I did want more but the story was adequate and finished nicely. This book might be part of a series it can also stand alone with no problem even with characters from previous books from the playful brides taking part to help the main characters find love. There was a bit of confusion to whom Daffin really is yes it is disclosed later but I kept wondering what his story is. Some plot points also needed further clarification yet still I enjoyed the story. Daffin was a wonderful hero a law abiding justice seeking guy that also had the knight in shining armor down thing that just like Regina made me sworn too. He had a difficult mysterious past which also made me like him even more. Regina the older feisty heroine wasn’t a simpering miss either and knew how to save herself which is a nice refreshing thing to see. Yes there is a bit of damsel in distress but also Regina is a strong woman too. I eagerly look forward to the next in the series!

I was beyond thrilled when St. Martin’s Press offered me a free review copy of Kiss me at Christmas by Valerie Bowman. I have been seeing a lot of Christmas romances and it has put me in the holiday mood.

This book is the 10th book in Valerie Bowman playful Brides series. This is my first time reading this series. There was a few established characters from other books that I didn’t know, but I was able to catch on quickly. I don’t think you have to necessarily have to go in chronological order for this series.

Lady Regina who has been on the shelf so to speak is being forced to marry the man that her Uncle wants, or she can chose another someone else. So far she hasn’t found anyone else and its looking more and more that she going to end up marrying her Uncles choice

In one last ditch effort of independence she makes an indecent proposal to Bow Street Runner, Daffin Oakleaf. She wants him to relieve her of her virginity. Daffin is tempted by her offer, but turns her down. Leaving Regina wounded and humiliated.

Regina has bigger problems because someone is out to get her or her family. Which causes its own set of problems. Daffin is hired to protect Regina and his best friends wife, Nicole. Both Daffin and Regina agree to remain friends, but that is easier said then done.

I loved this story, I thought it was well written. I thought that the overall plot was really good. The book had me thinking one thing at the start, but I came off with a totally different opinion at the end of this.

I thought the characters were all well written. I loved the pairing of Daffin/Regina. I like the slow burn of this romance, and I enjoyed the playful and even naughty moments between them. I’m definitely going to continue with this series. If your looking to start a new series, or just read a good Christmas romance look no further.

The typical English romance. The start of the book was just too typical and that carried through the entire book. Bowman could not convince me the 30 year old female character was that naive or would think thoughts of a very young debutante.

Regina has felt loss in her life and is turning thirty. She is being pushed into a marriage by her Grandfather. She has until Christmas to try to find a husband in London. She has an attraction to a bow runner Daffin who helped solve her cousin murder and is hoping while in London she might be able to work something out. This was a great story and about to two people who have a great spark but know society will frown upon them due to social status. You get suspense, murder attempts, kidnapping, and a whole lot more. I truly enjoyed this story. I voluntarily reviewed an ARC from St Martin Press and NetGalley.

Considered in the shelf and being forced to marry a man that is not of her choosing and that of her Uncle, She is determined to have a night of passion and she set her sights on Daffin who is a Bow Street Runner who agreed to protect her.

Daffin has been taken with Regina from the first time he met her. However, he feels he is not in her league and not good enough for her. But when she is threatened and in the position of bodyguard the sparks begin to fly.

Great characters and storyline.

I received this book from Netgalley for an honest review.

Awesome Regency romantic suspense. Lady Regina has only through Christmastime to chose a husband or her sickly uncle will choose for her. Daffin is a very talented Bow Street Runner who Lady Regina helped solve an earlier case. There is action, intrigue, suspense, friendship as well as romance. The author did a wonderful job developing the characters. It's a delightful book with strong female characters in a time when they were expected to be subservient. I received a complementary copy via Net Galley and chose to write a review. I look forward to reading future books by Ms. Bowman.

This is your classic historical romance - with the twist of a different Social strata for the hero as opposed to the heroine .
The plot includes a heroine in danger , a hero Bow Street Runner , a kidnapping ……………. lots of twists and turns .
It shows us that on our own we are vulnerable but together we can overcome all the world throws at us .
The romance was sweet , Daffin and Regina's interactions full of chemistry ………… but the plot against Regina was I felt the one weak spot .

That being said I enjoyed the book and will look for more by the Author
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Lady Regina Haversham has long been holding out for a love match. But as she nears thirty, her uncle is determined to see her wed. Regina knows she cannot put off her uncle’s chosen suitor forever, but she’s determined to at least have control over who she loses her virginity to. And there’s only one man she wants: famous Bow Street Runner Daffin Oakleaf. Though he’s tempted, Daffin turns Regina down. That would be the end of it, except it seems that someone is targeting Regina. With her cousin out of town, Daffin is the one tasked with protecting her. Close quarters have a way of bringing down barriers, but given the difference in their stations, Regina and Daffin will need a Christmas miracle to get their happily ever after.

Kiss Me at Christmas is a warmhearted, sparkling holiday romance. Regina and Daffin absolutely charmed me; they’re both incredibly likeable and they have wonderful chemistry. Regina is open, curious, and kind while Daffin is protective and devilishly handsome. Physically, intellectually, and emotionally Regina and Daffin are a match and their romance builds from flirty and sweet to spicy. Yet while it’s clear they’re meant for each other, class differences aren’t always easy to overcome, even if Daffin is close friends with Regina’s cousin.

The romance in Kiss Me at Christmas makes the pages of the story fly by. But the romance is intertwined with the mystery of who is trying to kill Regina. At first, I enjoyed this subplot and had my theories about who was behind everything. Unfortunately, a mystery needs to have a satisfying – or at least logical – conclusion and this one was both unsatisfying and seemed to come out of left field. It felt manufactured for plot reasons, which was a pity because Daffin and Regina are such entertaining characters that you can’t help but feel they deserved better. This isn’t an insignificant quibble, but I still honestly enjoyed this book anyway. There’s a buoyancy to Valerie Bowman’s writing that just lifts me up whenever I read her books and Kiss Me at Christmas is no exception.

This was a cute story. I don’t read too many historicals like this. But the story kept me entertained. It was a quick read.

This was a cute holiday story with adventure, a kidnapping, an indecent proposal, love and hope, and two characters that are strong on their own but unstoppable together. I liked the story. The romance was good; the passion and emotional tension was great. I liked Daffin and Regina a lot. They were strong characters and I enjoyed their interactions with each other and I’m glad that they got their happily ever after.

This is the story of Regina and Daffin.
She is a 30 year old spinster, orphaned, and niece of a Duke.
Daffin is a bow street runner, orphaned and a bastard.
Regina has not wed because she is holding out for a love match. But her time is running out. Her uncle, the Duke, has told her, that when she turns 30 he will arrange a marriage for her.
The only man she has had an interest in is a bow street runner, Daffin. They met while he was helping to solve the murder of her cousin. When her life is being threatened, Regina and her family call on Daffin for help.
This was a very warm, feel good story. You just felt right from the beginning, these two were meant for each other.
They had so much in common, even though coming from 2 different classes. That is their biggest hurdle.
Enjoy, I fully recommend this book.