Kiss Me at Christmas by Valerie Bowman
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Lady Regina knows what she wants and what she wants is Bow Street Runner Daffin Oakleaf. Of course getting everyone to agree takes an entire book. There are problems but I loved how Regina and Daffin interacted. This has it all; action, romance, fun dialog, danger, and tension. Of course in the end all ends well.

I received a free copy of the book in return for an honest review.

An exciting, hot, mysterious read. Regina and Daffin are so good together that one can't help but root for them.

Kiss Me at Christmas is the tenth book in Valerie Bowman’s Playful Brides series of Regency-era historical romance novels. I was excited about the opportunity to read this book because I’ve enjoyed the other Playful Brides books.

Readers were first introduced to Daffin and Regina in the last book- A Duke Like No Other. As this next adventure begins, Regina has given up on marriage, but she has decided that she wants to lose her virginity to commemorate her 30th birthday. She attempts to recruit Daffin, a Bow Street Runner, to help her with this, but naturally, he refuses. However, when it appears that someone is targeting her family, her cousin Mark hires Daffin to serve as bodyguard. Despite some initial awkwardness stemming from Regina’s earlier request, they strike up a friendly rapport. Soon enough, they realize that there really is a genuine attraction that is getting harder and harder to deny. But even though they have retreated to the countryside for Christmas, it seems as though that threat has followed them from London. Who is trying to hurt the family and why?

At its core, this is a sweet story, but there is an undercurrent of danger throughout the narrative. The big reveal of the mystery element was a little unexpected, but this is forgivable because of the attention to character development. We don’t get to see all of the characters from the previous books in the series, but young cousin Delilah (and her parrot) return, so that was a nice treat. Daffin makes for an interesting hero because he isn’t titled (or even from an aristocratic background), so he has had to work for everything he has. Daffin does not enjoy the Christmas season because of his past, and spending Christmas in a manor house is out of his comfort zone, but he has a responsibility to protect the family. Regina is a delightful heroine. She’s smart and resourceful, and she’s not afraid to go after what she wants. She’s just perfect for Daffin- he just needs to figure that out!

I would recommend Kiss Me at Christmas. Even though this book is the tenth in a series, it functions pretty well as a standalone. If readers are looking for somewhere to start, A Duke Like No Other features many of the same characters. This is a good book to get into as the holiday season approaches. I am definitely looking forward to the next book in the series!



I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book.

3 1/2 stars. Nice romance with a touch of intrigue. Regina, as all the women seem to be in this series, is ahead of her time. She wants Daffin to take her virginity before her uncle marries her off. He wants to avoid any entanglements, especially a lady. He feels unworthy and doesn't want to "soil" her. I liked seeing him slowly succumb to his feelings and I loved how open Regina was to new experiences. I did have a bit of an issue with the uncle at the end. He told Daffin one thing and then seemed to have completely different feelings to the others. Otherwise I did enjoy it.

A christmas job may lead spinster Regina to her dream of having a night of passion. This book is part of the playful brides series and has a nice blend of love and adventure. This was my first book by Valerie but I would love to read more from her.

I really wanted to love this book, but I really struggled with it. It took me so long to get into and when I did it was for the last 35% of the book. Slow burns are my favorite, but this was more like slow torture. I read three other books from the time I started this until I finished it. And to be honest, I can’t really put my finger on why this book didn’t really click for me. I loved the characters as we met them in a previous book and they were both strong characters in this one. Maybe there was just too much filler? I don’t think I really felt the sparks between the H and h. I liked them, but together they just fell flat. Oh well, can’t love them all.

Let me say right off the bat that while this is labeled as book #10 in a series, I do believe I have only read three, maybe four of the others in this series. And while for me, I don't think this fact kept me from enjoying this one, I will say that the couple from book #9 do play a very large role as "support" so it probably would help to know at least a bit about them.

I very much enjoyed the romance between Daffin and Regina - but again - we got to see the majority of their friendship develop in a prior novel. If you can overlook the specifics and simply be content with the fact that they did know each other, and they did have a flirtatious relationship prior to this story, then again, you should enjoy this one very much. There is more banter between them, and a lot of sharing of secrets and really getting to know each other on a deeper level - both of which I enjoyed.

Where this one fell flat is with the mysterious person who wishes Regina and/or Nicole harm. When all is said and done and the culprit revealed, it made no sense. Nor did I feel any real sense of closure. Sure one person had been apprehended, and perhaps with Regina finding a bit of romance with Daffin and Nicole happily settled with her husband, the "bad guy" would just move on with their life, but I wanted more. I wanted the person actually accountable to be held as such and I don't feel as though we got that.

All things considered I'm sure there are a number of people who will enjoy this story, and some that will not. I would read more from this author.

DISCLAIMER: I received a complimentary copy of this novel in exchange for my honest review. This has not affected my review in any way. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are 100% my own.

The hero of Kiss Me at Christmas, Daffin Oakleaf, is a Bow Street Runner. He's smart, funny and honorable. Regina is of the aristocracy. Regina doesn't care that they are of different classes, but Daffin can't see past it.
While all of this is going on there are bad people plotting even worse things. Daffin has to use his skills to save Regina and catch the criminals.

Lady Regina Haversham will very soon be 30. Her uncle the Duke of Colchester would like to see her settled with the Earl of Dryden. She decides she would like one last passionate night with Bow Street Runner Daffin Oakleaf a man she had met the previous year at the murder of her cousin. She had a irresistible response to him and now wants to take that passion further. Before she can wear Daffin down Regina becomes involved in a threat to her life. This is a story that shows the difficulty that Ladies had to be in control of their own lives, or as many found , it was set from birth which class you married into. The story comes to life in the second half of the book where Daffin has to confront his past to help save Regina.
I was given an ARC of this book by Netgalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

I normally quite enjoy Valerie Bowman but this was painful to get through. The heroine lacked substance and the hero was just plain pompous. Couldn't bear to read much past 40% and skimmed through the last 60%. Not for me.

In the latest entry in the “Playful Brides” series, this follow-up to A Duke Like No Other centers on Lady Regina Haversham and Bow Street Runner Daffin Oakleaf. A number of the characters from the previous book appear here, and events from that book are referred to, as Regina is cousin to Nicole Grimaldi and niece of the Duke of Colchester whose son’s murder occupied the previous book. The Duke has arranged a marriage between Regina and the Earl of Dryden, largely because their neighboring estates would then be joined. While Regina considers Dryden a perfectly nice man, she doesn’t love him, but she’s resigned to doing her duty. First, though, she would like to lose her virginity to a man she has strong, even passionate feelings for - Daffin. Daffin declines the honor, but then Regina becomes the target of an attempted murder and subsequently is kidnapped. Can Daffin save her? Despite the reference to Christmas in the title, this is by no means a typical holiday story. A strong heroine and a troubled, but sympathetic hero, plus some very good writing, and perhaps a few too many coincidences, make for an exciting if somewhat improbable tale.

This is the first book in the series that I have read and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Daffin and Regina’s romance was great but other elements of the book kept me more engaged. The spy drama was interesting to me. Thanks to St. Martin’s Press and to NetGalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.

I enjoyed Ms. Bowman's book! It was refreshing having not the usual main characters. She was an older lady and he had a different profession. Great reading!

I enjoyed that for a historical the heroine was of a mature age. I also liked that the hero had an interesting profession, and his life provided a contrast to the upper class lifestyle of the heroine. I felt like the "threat" plot wasn't developed enough, it didn't really feel like much of a threat. The motive was a bit thin.

An intriguing mystery with suspense, twists and turns plus a beautiful Christmas romance, all wrapped into this book.

Daffin Oakleaf is a Bow Street Runner, a member of a small force of detectives attached to the court at Bow Street who investigate crimes. He loves his work and it has made him a wealthy man. Lady Regina Haversham is a rich lady of the ton. There may be a connection between them but Daffin sees Regina as off limits. His wealth doesn’t make up for the gulf between their social status and her family would never allow her to marry him. But he likes her, she is practical, kind and easygoing. They have a lot in common and they both grew up without parents. Daffin can’t stand to see her accept a loveless marriage, even though she seems resigned to her fate.

But there is something odd going on, and there are accidents that can’t be explained. Someone is trying to harm Regina and she has the feeling that she is being watched. Regina is a captivating character, headstrong and courageous. Daffin is determined to protect her and to track down the villain threatening her.

Regina and Daffin truly belong together but first they must overcome all the perils that will plague them.

This book is a fast, suspenseful read and I enjoyed going along for the ride. The mystery was well executed and kept me guessing. The reader is led along at just the right pace and the facts are discovered in just the right way.

In thirty days, Lady Regina Haversham will turn thirty years old. She’s never married, never been in love, and now her guardian uncle insists that she marry the Earl of Dryden. Dryden has long sought her for his wife, lusting not so much for her, but the property she would bring to their marriage. Resenting her lack of control over her own life, Regina decides to take a lover before she is forced to marry, and it will be a man of her own choosing. The ideal candidate is the handsome Bow Street Runner she met last year, as he investigated the unfortunate murder of her cousin.

Daffin Oakleaf is surprised when Regina shows up at his office – and he’s shocked when she nervously makes her proposition. When they met last year, they had a friendly and flirtatious relationship, but nothing beyond that. Daffin firmly refuses Regina, telling her that he’s not for sale, and she is mortified at her clumsy request. She hurries home, hoping to never run into Daffin again.

On the way home, Regina’s carriage has a near miss with another carriage, the second such incident that has happened recently. Coincidence? Regina’s cousin, Mark, doesn’t think so, and calls on his friend, Daffin, to protect Regina while he has to be out of town. With Daffin living in the same house, Regina knows she has to apologize and clear the air, or life will be unbearable. Daffin accepts her heartfelt apology, and they easily slip back into their friendly relationship.

I love the connection between Daffin and Regina. He is working class, and she is an aristocrat, yet they treat each other as equals. Their interactions are fun, honest, flirty, and they genuinely talk to one another, even able to now joke about her proposition. When Regina honestly explains how trapped a woman is, Daffin understands how she would have longed to break free and make her own choice. It’s not long before some lovely kisses are exchanged, and they begin to have strong feelings for one another. When the would-be murderer shows up and makes another attempt, Daffin realizes just how deep his feelings run. He’s not of her class, but he has an even deeper secret, one that surely makes any future together impossible.

I adore both Daffin and Regina. She is strong and smart and doesn’t believe she’s superior just because of the circumstances of her birth. Daffin is confident of his abilities, and is determined to be honorable and not ruin Regina. I love how compliments from Regina truly warmed his whole world. He had a sad childhood, and despite his fame and notoriety as a successful runner, he lives a very lonely existence. Can this star-crossed couple find a way to be together? That is, if Regina even survives.

Daffin and Regina have an amazing sexual chemistry, but when they finally give in to their passion, I felt that the handcuff element took away from, rather than added to the intimacy. I believe that this was meant to show trust between them, as well as show their adventurousness, but it didn’t totally work for me. The whole previous story showcased their closeness and intimacy just by their conversations and interactions. Overall, KISS ME AT CHRISTMAS is a fun, romantic, steamy, and entertaining read, with a bit of adventure. I felt the strong connection and love between Daffin and Regina, and I cheered as they found the way to happy ever after.

Daffin Oakleaf has worked as a Bow Street Runner for years, and generally hates everything about Christmas. This allows him to work during the holiday season, making a profit. On this occasion, he is asked by a friend to protect Lady Regina, a beautiful woman considered all but a spinster. She's determined to know what it's like to feel passion even though she's given up on marriage, and her uncle is pushing for an arranged marriage with a neighbor if she can't find a husband of her own. She had always had some interest in Daffin, so she considers this the perfect opportunity for her.

Kiss Me at Christmas is part of the Playful Brides series of novels, so readers will be familiar with Daffin. It's all right if readers aren't familiar, though, because there are paragraphs outlining the bare minimum to know about Daffin and how Regina met him. The flirtation they had in the earlier book is referenced early on; nothing happened then, but it had stuck with both of them. Regina is nearly thirty and not enthusiastic about marriage, but is practically betrothed to make her uncle happy. Daffin is exceedingly proper, not wanting to do anything because of the engagement, and not wanting to impose on his friendships due to class differences. Regina's friendship with Nicole is adorable, and I really like how they bolster each others' confidence.

The set up to bring Daffin and Regina together, of course, involves both proximity and that threat of danger. Daffin is in the role of protector, which he excels at, but Regina also isn't a damsel in distress. She is willing to work with him to find out who could be targeting her or Nicole, and would rather put her safety on the line to protect others. There is an actual stalker willing to harm Regina, however, which ups the ante even as the two intermittently flirt and acknowledge the feelings they have for each other. The inevitable confrontation and kidnapping happens earlier than expected and proves to be the last push that they needed to admit their feelings for one another.

I enjoyed reading through this. The predictable formula for the novel is comfortable and familiar, which is part of the fun with Regency romances. I want to see a feisty heroine succeed and find love even within the constraints of society, and that a handsome hero is willing to fight for what he believes in and the one he loves. Then I can heave a contented sigh at the end and go about my day with a little bit of happiness. This book perfectly fits that criteria.

Ms Bowman is a newish author for me and each book I read makes me want to go grab her backlist and start reading!

Kiss Me At Christmas is the 10th installment of the Playful Brides series, but only the second that I’ve read. The series seems to work in sequential order and there is some continuity of story lines, at least for the 2 books that I have read.

Regina and Daffin are both excellent characters and seem to reflect that changing social structure of the society they are living in. I appreciated that Regina is a strong female character in a setting where that would have worked against her.

This is a story that blends historical elements with romance and intrigue in excellent proportions. Characters from prior books make appearances here as supporting characters, but only Mark and Nicole are key players (as they are Regina’s family).

This series is quickly becoming a must click for me.

3.5 stars
This book was kind of lukewarm. The heroine was really personable, and I really liked that she was assertive, knew what she wanted and could save herself. But I thought that the conflict between h and h could have been better and that the reason why they couldn't be together was not that strong.
It is a nice book and worth spending an afternoon with, especially if you've read the previous books from this series, as past protagonists make appearances throughout the novel.

I fell in love with Daffin and Regina in the other books of this series and I was looking forward to reading their story.
Regina has been waiting to fall in love all her life but now that she is nearing spinsterhood, her uncle has chosen someone for her. Not willing to give in so easily, she wants to experience something more at least once in her life, preferably with a (rather dumbstruck though intrigued and slightly scandalized) Daffin Oakleaf.
Oakleaf is far too honorable to even think of betraying his friendship with Mark Grimaldi, Regina's cousin, whom we met in "A Duke like no other" where he reconciles with his wife. He is not only just a Bow Street Runner whereas Regina is a Lady but he is also illegitimate.
None of that is powerful enough to stand in the way of true love though, and when those two have to work together to eliminate a thread again Regina, well, let's just say that their feelings intensify... Will true love get a chance despite their circumstances?
Regina and Daffin are wonderful characters and I loved the writing and the style of all of these books a lot. "Kiss me at Christmas" is another great addition to this series that I can fully recommend!