I received an advanced reader’s copy of this book.

This is a wonderful story. I love Daffin Oakleaf. He is smart, kind and protective. The tragic events of his past had a profound effect on him and shaped who he became. Daffin’s backstory was interesting and added depth to his character. Regina is bold and goes after what she wants. She is also sensitive and aware that what she wants and what someone else wants might not be the same thing.

I loved how the romance between Regina and Daffin was developed. I also enjoyed seeing characters from previous books make an appearance.

I can’t wait for Valerie Bowman’s next release!

London - December 1818

Lady Regina Havesham, 29, niece of the Duke of Colchester, is looking forward to Christmas. She is off to call upon Daffin Oakleaf in hopes of losing her virginity to him. Regina had met Daffin the previous summer in his role as a Bow Street Runner who was investigating the murder of her cousin, John, a Marquess.

Daffin hates Christmastide. His mission in life is to get evil people off the streets. He is surprised when Regina calls upon him. She is the cousin of his good friends, Mark Grimaldi and his wife, Nicole, both of whom are spies. Regina is also the cousin of his good friend, the Marquess of Coleford and the Secretary of the Home Office. When Regina asks Daffin to take her virginity, he is shocked. Regina is soon to become engaged to the Earl of Dryden which she does not want. She does not care for the man and knows he just wants the land from her dowry. But Daffin turns her down because she is the cousin to his friends. Since Nicole is expecting a baby in the spring, Regina’s uncle has agreed to allow Regina to stay in London with her and if she finds someone else suitable to marry, she doesn’t have to marry Dryden. Returning home, the coach Regina is riding in is nearly run off the road by a speeding coach. It is the second time this has happened which riding in her uncle’s coach.

Mark learns that he must be away from home for a couple of weeks and Daffin agrees to stay at his home to ensure the safety of Nicole and Regina. During an outing, Regina is shot at but Daffin is grazed by the bullet. To keep them safe, Daffin accompanies Regina and Nicole to Regina’s uncle’s home where they will stay through Christmas. But they soon find out that Regina is not safe there either. Who is out to harm Regina and why?

I have read many of Valerie Bowman’s books and have enjoyed quite a number of them. However, for me, this story was just not enjoyable. Good grief! So many spies everywhere. I am so over the spy trope in historical romances to the point that I have stopped reading some of my favorite authors because they can’t stay away from the spy trope. The story comes across as a bit contrived and did not seem to have the natural flow of a romance novel. I hope the next book by Ms. Bowman will be better and a true historical romance.

Copy provided by NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.

Kiss Me at Christmas is the tenth book in the Playful Brides series by Valerie Bowman and can easily be read as a stand alone even if I have no doubt that you will be sorely tempted to check out the previous books featuring some secondary characters here.
Daffin is a Bow Street Runner and he met Miss Regina Havesham the previous summer while investigating her cousin's murder. Both flirted at the time but both went their separate ways.
Fast forward to the Christmas season that Daffin hates and Regina's upcoming 30th birthday. She surprises him one day in his office and offers him her virginity. Based on her clumsy attempt and being friend with some of her family, Daffin declines but the temptation remains.
When it happens that Regina is in danger, Daffin agrees to see to her security. Slowly our two characters discover that they have a lot more in common besides their attraction. They fell properly in love. Yet Regina is still in danger and some of Daffin's past may be problematic. Don't count on me for any spoiler, you will have to read this book.
In the end, Regina is resolutely modern and Daffin is quite the dahsing hero.
I truly enjoyed this historical romance because it weaves a sweet love story with a good bit of suspense. I know already that i will be re-reading this book

as always, Happy Reading!

(I received an ARC in exchange of an honest review)

Kiss Me at Christmas by Valerie Bowman. Regina was on a mission. Her Uncle Edward has given her until Christmastide to find someone she wishes to marry, otherwise she is to marry the Earl of Dryden. She doesn’t love him, actually she doesn’t even like him. All he wants is the land that is part of her dowry. She had previously flirted with Bow Street Runner Daffin Oakleaf and had feelings for him and decided that she wanted to give him her virginity before she had to marry the Earl. Before all that could happen, someone had tried to harm her. They weren’t sure if it was her or Lady Nicole so they devised a plan to find out. She ended up kidnapped but who would want to have her harmed? A great mystery that I totally enjoyed. I received an advance copy of this book from Net Galley for my honest review.

I loved this book, the way in which it was written was so easy to become engrossed in the story and the very engaging characters. I always like a mystery alongside the romance and this is exactly what I had in this book. Regina was not the typical young miss, she was almost 30 and although she was a member of the ton and an heiress, the only man to interest her was Daffin Oakleaf ( loved the name) a dashing Bow Street Runner. Their union would be frowned upon. Regina comes to Daffin with an unusual request and then due to circumstances they are in each other’s company continuously. Daffin has secrets of his own. This was a good paced story that I just had to keep reading until the end. I received a copy and have voluntarily reviewed it.
All thoughts and opinions are my own.

It is always such a pleasure for me to slip, once again, back into one of Valerie Bowman’s worlds – this time into the next story in the Playful Brides series. One of the many reasons that I love falling into Valerie Bowman’s worlds is that we never, ever truly leave old friends from previous stories in the series behind. There are always short appearances from people who have moved this series forward, and if you look closely, also an introduction (however light) of the next couple we will meet. That continuity in a series adds a deeper level of involvement for me, and it is something that I always look forward to in her current story.

Regina is a strong woman who knows her own mind and desires. As she approaches her thirtieth birthday she is firmly in the spinster category in her own mind. However, her dying uncle has an arranged marriage planned for Regina whether she wishes it or not. Since Regina has turned down many a proposal over the years it’s easy to think that she’s stubborn and headstrong – while that might be true in some areas, the fact is very simple… Regina had hoped to marry for love. Since that dream has been denied her, then she is at least going to experience true passion before she ties herself into a loveless marriage. The perfect man for that passionate encounter is Daffin Oakleaf… if only he’d step off of his high horse and admit his attraction to her as well.

Daffin did indeed have a passionate attraction to Regina, which is why he initially turned her down. Their social status was not on an equal level, and there was no way that Daffin could have Regina for one night and then simply let her go. When unusual accidents begin to happen around Regina and her family, Daffin’s close friend asked the Bow Street Runner to turn his hand to bodyguard for Regina, not being overly aware of the sparks flying between them. While it might be one of the most difficult favors Daffin has ever done for a friend, he will not let Regina be harmed. What they both discover is a dangerous mystery where someone is truly out to harm, if not kill Regina. It’s up to Daffin and Regina to discover the truth and uncover the villain. If, along the way, they discover that the sparks turn to passion, and the passion turns to love … well, would that truly be such a horrible thing.

Kiss Me at Christmas is a delightful romance, a compelling mystery with a charming touch of Christmas in the background. I enjoyed myself so much in this story that the added touches of an historical Christmas were simply a bonus to the heart of Regina and Daffin’s story. There is always a way, if you search for it, for love to triumph in the end. Understanding why Daffin has such a dislike of the Christmas season was emotional, yet also watching him open up to Regina was such a tender experience. I liked this couple, through embarrassment, passion, danger and on into love I complexly believed in this couple and certainly was rooting for their happy ending together in their future. This is a story you could enjoy any time of the year for the Christmas touches are in the background not the main pull of the story. I happen to love a good red herring tossed in, and I was not disappointed. If you not only love a good Romance but enjoy a Mystery, a bit of Suspense and adore anything Christmas… then you’ll find everything you’re looking for in Kiss Me at Christmas. I would highly recommend this story to any Historical Romance reader who enjoys a good solid story, believable characters, a passionate couple and a mystery to solve.

*I received an e-ARC of this novel from the publisher via NetGalley. That does not change what I think of this story. It is my choice to leave a review giving my personal opinion about this book.*

Exquisite! Valerie Bowman is a Masterful Storyteller and this is so evident in this story. This was a delightful, engaging romance, so full of charm and heat, as well as a captivating mystery, full of intrigue and suspense. I fell in love with Regina and Daffin’s story and so will you.
Lady Regina Haversham will turn thirty in one month. A gorgeous rich lady of the ton, she has been firmly on the shelf for some time. Waiting for love. But now that her uncle is eager for her to become engaged to the Earl of Dryden, she wants to give herself a birthday present. She wants to lose her virginity to the man of her own choosing, and her choice is Daffin Oakleaf.
Daffin Oakleaf is a famous Bow Street Runner with a face and body of a Greek God. They met each other last summer at her uncle’s estate when her cousin John had been murdered. They had been drawn to each other. But Lady Regina was strictly off limits to Daffin, since she was far above him in class and breeding as well as being his good friend’s cousin. So when Lady Regina asks Daffin to be her lover he refuses. But the idea of sleeping with her was quite tempting, and he had already spent a fair amount of time thinking of nothing else. But when Lady Regina’s life is in danger, her cousin hires Daffin to keep her safe. With more time together their sizzling chemistry ignites.
This was wonderfully romantic, passionate, and entertaining. The characters are so multi-faceted, full of depth, flaws and redeeming qualities that they blew me away. Love, Love, Loved it! This is a must read for any one who enjoys a excellently written Regency Romance.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

This Victorian romance between Lady Regina Haversham, 30 year old spinster and Bow Street Runner, Daffin Oakleaf is unusual in that she despite the times, offers to pay Daffin to relieve her of her virginity.
It is not as it would sound...she fell for him earlier when her cousin was murdered, and her uncle has declared he was going to marry her off soon to a noble she barely tolerates.
He regrets turning her down, but only until he gets a second chance when it seems Regina or her cousin Nicole is a target of a villain. He becomes desperate when Regina is snatched in front of him.
Ms. Bowman weaves a sensuous tale with romance, intrigue and a bit of humor, describing the people and scenes with enough vivid detail to easily picture what she has imagined.
I requested and received a NetGalley ARC and have recommended it highly to a few historical romance fans.

A dashing man with a hidden past, a lady approaching her thirties and spinsterhood looking for one night of passion, lead to this wonderful Christmas romance set during the Regency era in England. Daffin and Regina are engaging characters...courageous, spirited and fighting long odds that they could ever end up together. There is a mystery in this book, as well, that puts the couple and their futures in danger. Steamy and endearing, this book will enthrall readers at Christmas or any time!

This book was just a delightful read, with Lady Regina and her Bow Street runner an unlikely yet lovely couple — they deserved to be happy, even though getting there was not simple. From Lady Regina's proposal that they spend the night together (she wanted a night of passion before a dull marriage) to his stern refusal, these were two people who were in love and did not know it yet. Their discovery of feelings that both buried was done beautifully and believably. The series also brings back characters we know and love, giving us the comfortable feeling of checking back in with dear friends. A winner. (I received a NetGalley eARC for this book. Opinions are mine.)

This was a well-written, entertaining historical romance. Regina is required to marry, but she wants one night of passion first. Then danger threatens her family and her cousin calls in his friend, Bow Street runner Daffin to help protect his wife and Regina. Sparks fly between Regina and Daffin, but Daffin is determined to keep Regina safe no matter what it costs him. I enjoyed this book and look forward to reading more books by this author.

When I saw this was book 10 in the Playful Brides series and I hadn't read books 1-9, I worried I would not enjoy this one and would be totally lost. I am so glad to say that was not the case at all! Though apparently there were many people in the previous books who made an appearance here, it in no way affected my enjoyment of this installment. It actually makes me want to read all the previous books, most of which I have in my TBR pile.

I knew I was going to enjoy this book after reading the first paragraph. It was a hoot and made my laugh out loud. Regina and Daffin met in a previous book and flirted, so they weren't unknown to each other. Daffin was a renowned Bow Street Runner, and Regina was the niece of a duke. Never the twain shall meet in Regency England, but Regina wasn't the usual Regency miss. She was being forced to marry into the peerage to a man she didn't particularly like, and wanted to make the decision as to whom to give her virginity. And she wanted to give it to Daffin.

Daffin turned her down, even though he liked her. However, when it appeared someone was trying to hurt or kill Regina, Daffin vowed to keep her safe. Here is where things really started to get moving. I loved the relationship between the two of our leads, and their romance was sweet and hot. Daffin and his tongue and handcuffs...~sigh~ Regina was a strong, brave woman and Daffin was the ultimate protector. It was an exciting, fun story with a little bit of heartbreak thrown in. The Christmas theme in the book will add enjoyment to your holiday reading.

I received an ARC of this book courtesy of NetGalley. I received no compensation for reading it, and all thoughts and opinions are entirely my own.

Book #10 in the series Playful Brides, Kiss me at Christmas, is a light Regency mystery that can be read without knowledge of the previous books. Characters from the previous books tend to pop up, though. Especially, Nicole and General Mark Grimaldi, from A Duke like no Other (Book 9).
Lady Regina (Mark Grimaldi's cousin) and Daffin Oakleaf (a Bow Street runner) got to know each other while taking part in a murder investigation in Book 9. After they solved the case, they don't see each other anymore.
Book 10 starts with Lady Regina paying Daffin a visit at his workplace in order to ask him for a "favor" - she wants to spend one night with him before getting married to a rich gentleman chosen by her family. Despite being attracted to Lady Regina, Daffin refuses her proposition. He likes her, but knows their station in life would never allow them to be together.
However, Daffin is called to help protect the Grimaldis after two murder attempts on them and is forced to be close to Lady Regina again. Will they be able to overcome the social difference? Who is threatening the Grimaldis and why?
All in all, it is a nice story that kept me interested up to the last chapter. I can't wait for Ms. Bowman's next book - hopefully about Hobbes!

I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Daffin and Regina's story was one I truly loved. With an indecent proposal, a kiss at Christmas, anyone who loves romance will love this book. Ms. Bowan is quickly becoming one of my favorite authors!

Valerie Bowman has again delivered an outstanding story full of suspense and love. :) Good character development and plot. Enjoyed the book very much and was a bit sad when it ended. I just wanted the story to continue! A must read!!

The Story in 4 Sentences or Less: Daffin hates the memories Christmas brings so when his closest friend asks him to guard a lady he readily accepts not knowing that the lady in question is Lady Regina who is in serious danger. Lady Regina is considered "on the shelf" so she decides she wants to give herself to a man of her choosing, namely Daffin. With a threat hanging over her head, Regina figures she and Daffin better stick close together.



Like It? Hate it? Love it? Why? Charming and filled with the holiday spirit, Kiss Me at Christmas is a delightful addition to The Playful Brides series and I fell in love with Daffin and Regina's love story!

The relationship between Regina and Daffin actually began in a previous book where they met and developed a flirty, fun relationship and while they eventually went their separate ways neither one forgot the other. I loved that Bowman didn't waste time rehashing their encounter and instead chose to focus on where these two are in the present time. Daffin is protecting Regina while harboring an ever growing attraction to her and Regina is determined to follow through on her growing interest in Daffin. And his handcuffs.

Yes, handcuffs.

Regina is delightfully refreshing as a woman who isn’t a fresh faced debutant but isn’t a prudish spinster either. She’s as lively and entertaining as she is intelligent and competent as an investigator. I loved that when she was faced with a complicated or dangerous situation she didn’t swoon, shy away, or hide behind Daffin. Nope, this lady faced her problems head on and with a smile. I really liked her.


And Daffin is just too dreamy. Charming, smart, and confident enough to have someone like Regina by his side, I developed a little crush of my own on him. He’s had to work hard and overcome personal tragedy in order to become a man worth admiring and I liked that about him. He isn’t the brooding, serious sort though he has his moments, Daffin has a quick sense of humor that adds to his already engaging personality. He and Regina made a formidable investigative team and an even better couple because they were so evenly matched. I loved them.


If I had one complaint about Kiss Me At Christmas it’s that Regina’s fascination with Daffin’s handcuffs and the sexy times that accompanied that fascination felt a little too contemporary in the way they were written. I’m sure that there were handcuff aficionados back in those days but I’m equally sure that those experiences were different to those in today’s world. I had a few moments of being tossed out of the story because of its modern feel but it didn’t affect my overall enjoyment of the story.


Click It or Skip It? Click It. The Playful Brides series is coming to an end soon and historical romance fans shouldn’t miss out on a single story, especially one as fun as Daffin and Regina’s.



* Review is scheduled to go live on 11/5 for the blog tour.

FINAL DECISION: The romance was the highlight here. There is a danger/threat story that was just okay for me, but the characters and their relationship was sweet and intelligent and quite enjoyable. I especially like these cross-class stories and this one had good intelligent characters.

THE STORY: Lady Regina is facing a marriage to a man who she doesn't love. She decides that she wants something for herself since it appears that the love of her life isn't going to arrive. She decides to settle for making the decision of who to give her virginity to. And Regina has decided on Bow Street Runner Daffin Oakleaf with whom she has a flirtation while he was investigating a murder. When someone seems to be threatening Regina, Daffin is hired to help protect her allowing the two to get closer.

OPINION: I enjoyed this book primarily because of the interactions between Regina and Daffin.

Regina is a woman challenged by the times she lives in. She would rather be a spinster, but her family wants her to be settled and married to an aristocrat. She is about to give in to her uncle's choice but wants to experience her own rebellion first. Regina is intelligent and thoughtful and willing to take responsibility for herself. Her acceding to her family's wishes comes from a place of love and caring and responsibility rather than weakness. I liked that she is lively and clever.

Daffin is a good man with a past that makes him feel unworthy of Regina even as the two get closer. He is accomplished in his profession and has good friends, but Daffin only can see the past. And part of his past is his dislike for Christmas. As he spends time with Regina, however, Daffin begins to recognize that Regina is not anything like the stereotype his has about aristocratic women. And that makes things even more complicated for him.

I really liked that Daffin and Regina's relationship is built upon talking and friendship. Their connection was obvious from the beginning of the story. The only things really keeping them apart are Daffin's doubts and the difference in their social status.

What didn't work as well for me was the danger aspect of the story. The villain didn't feel as necessary as the pages it took up. Fortunately, Regina and Daffin were wonderful and I ended up only being vaguely interested in the other parts of the story. Thankfully this is a romance and I much prefer that the romance be great!

WORTH MENTIONING: We get a small glimpse into the final book in the series towards the end.

CONNECTED BOOKS: KISS ME AT CHRISTMAS is the tenth book in the Playful Brides series. This book can be read as a standalone although there are characters from prior books in the series. The romance here is self-contained.

STAR RATING: I give this book 4 stars.

NOTE: I received an ARC of this book via Netgalley in order to help prepare this review. I was not required to write a review or to write a positive review. All opinions contained herein are my own.

I loved this book. I have been having a hard time getting into many romances lately; my did not finish pile is bigger than it has ever been. I’m tired of super-angsty heroes and extremely dark plot devices. This book was a welcome change! Valerie Bowman has been a favorite of mine for years, and this book illustrates why—an appealing hero and heroine, a good cast of supporting characters (including Nicole and Mark from her previous book), and a plot that has some seriousness to it without being brutal. I appreciate that Ms Bowman uses humor when appropriate and that her sex scenes make the heroine’s pleasure a priority. Fun read!

With her 30th birthday fast approaching and finding herself firmly on the shelf, Lady Regina Haversham devices a plan to do at least one thing when and how she wants to, maybe as a last act of rebellion.
Daffin Oakleaf is a Bow Street Runner that always gets his man and when Lady Regina finds herself in the sights of a hired assassin, her cousin Mark will hire him to guard her at all costs.
I enjoyed this story and really liked both Daffin and Regina as well as the secondary characters at play. I found their back stories and connection endearing and liked the evolution of their relationship up to the very end.
I found the story fun and entertaining. It was an easy read and I was pleased to find it better than my one previous read by the author. I thought it more accurate in a lot of ways and the only disappointment for me was that, once again, I could foresee some of the twists in the plot way before we got there.
Still is a nice story if you’re a fan of the genre and like your romances with a little mystery in tow.

3.5 stars

***ARC was provided to me for a fair and honest review***

Overall rating: 3.5/5 It’s a fun Christmas themed romance between star crossed lovers. Though I wish there was slightly more for the villain.

Heroine (Regina): 4/5 An almost on the shelf niece of a duke who just wants to know love before her uncle marries her off to the highest bidder.

Hero (Daffin): 4/5 A handsome Bow Street Runner who is the best in the business with a secretive past.

Plot: 3/5 Handsome Bow Street Runner Daffin is surprised when his friend’s cousin, and a duke’s niece, Lady Regina makes him an indecent offer to take her virginity. He refuses her, but within days he’s hired by her cousin to act as Regina’s bodyguard when suspicious accidents keep occurring. Can he keep their relationship professional?

Personal Review: The pair worked well and had good chemistry and banter. I loved that Regina knew what she wanted and was willing to put herself out there to get it.

I loved that Regina’s cousin in law was all for helping her get Daffin into bed. She was super sweet and funny, and while I hadn’t read her book in the series I will definitely do so now.

What I found odd was the constant need to verify Daffin did in fact want Regina sexually but had to deny himself due to his social standing. It happens repeatedly in the first quarter of the story. If it was framed with her coming onto to him and him having to verbalize his struggle it would have worked a bit better but would have likely still been too much if it happened as often as it does in this current form.

Light Spoilers: Also I wish the villain was set up better. If you’re gonna set up a mystery make it so the readers can feel accomplished in figuring it out alongside the heroes rather than the heroes expositing info that was held back once the identity is known. That said once all the info is out there the motivations all do make sense.