We finally find out what made Calder, Duke of Hartwell, become such a Scrooge. We know it had something to do with his young love, Felicity, leaving 10 years prior. Now we know why she left and the horrible life Calder had growing up as the heir to the dukedom.
Felicity is back in the village to help her mother recover from an illness. After running into her one-time love, Calder, she insists on getting to the bottom of things in regard to his behaviour. He is living up to his nickname of Chill a little too much.
I loved how determined Felicity was. She would not let Calder alone and kept on him until he finally broke and confessed his troubles. When Calder finally let go of his past and believed in a future he turned into the lovable Calder that Felicity and his sisters remembered.
I really enjoyed this slight retelling of the Christmas Carol with Calder as Scrooge. If you are looking for a quick Christmas read then I highly recommend this one. The whole trilogy is wonderful.
I received an advance reader copy for an honest review.

What a fascinating twist on A Christmas Carol. Calder and Felicity had the last ten years of their happiness stolen from them when his father schemed to keep them apart. My heart broke for this pair over the grief and pain caused by the old duke, but I loved watching all the trouble Felicity went to in order to thaw Calder’s heart back out. And in a scene worthy of The Grinch, we even witness Chill’s heart grow three sizes by the end. Now I’m kind of sad to say “goodbye” to these siblings and their extended families.
I received a complimentary copy of this book through NetGalley.

Since his father's interference ruined his chance to marry the woman he loved, Calder Stafford has spent a decade proving himself to be aloof, uninterested in happiness, and certainly not in need of anyone's help. Now the Duke of Hartwell, he's determined to have his revenge by doing away with anything his father loved, especially the village's annual Christmas celebrations. No one will change his mind, not his sisters, and certainly not the newly returned woman who stole his heart.

Now widowed, Felicity Garland has returned to Hartwell to care for her sick mother. She's shocked not to find the holiday celebrations she was expecting and whens he learns the duke is the reason, she's even more surprised to see how much the man she used to love has changed. Now both the town festivities, and Calder himself, need Felicity to save them.

I really loved this book. It may be quick but it was heavy on the emotions and so sweet. I'm typically not a huge fan of the second chance trope but this one really worked well. It was nice to see Calder get some much-needed redemption after he was so awful in the first two books of this series and to get insight into why he was the way he was. This was the perfect addition to this sweet series.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

A great, sweet second chance romance!

Wonderful end to a highly enjoyable series.A decent but highly predictable read. I wasn't fond of "Chill" or Calder from the start of the series, so I didn't have very high expectations of his book anyway.

Finally, we find out why Calder has become a miserly, cold man. Well... Scrooge. For ten years Calder has made himself forget the woman who betrayed him, until she shows up in the village as a widow. Felicity is determined to find the man she loves inside the cold man who pushes her away.
These short books in the trilogy are a pleasure to read. I recommend reading in order. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book.

This was a satisfying conclusion to this series! I love Darcy Burke and this trilogy was the perfect historical holiday romance. My only gripe is that I wish they were longer books! Thank you to netgalley for the arc!

Bah Humbug…not really. This is a story of what if’s and what can be’s. I loved the Christmas Carol vibe. Calder is a grouchy young man who does not feel like he can be a part of the world (at least not happily) but Felicity has other ideas in mind. Her love for Calder and that she never gives up on him is beautiful poetry. This story was so lovely and has such great meaning during the Christmas season (especially the scenes at the Hartwell House). A great ending to a fantastic series.

I received a complimentary copy from the author.

I received an advanced reader’s copy in exchange for an honest review

Sweet story. Not much heat in the beginning But it’s fun to watch the romance (re)build. Good bathtub reading

Because of a love turned to ash, a man has hardened his heart to never let again an emotion go through it.

Here is a rewriting of the A Christmas Carol with the duke as Scrooge.
It is a second chance romance about two lovers who were robbed their chance of a happy ending by a man who hide behind a cheerful facade a cold heart.
Calder, the duke, went through so much pain, it is perfectly understandable he infused his heart with steel to avoided more heartbreak. But behind his so cold and aloof appearance, the organ is still beating and longs for affection.
The unexpected return of his only love will reveal the worst of the betrayal and see him reconsider his own actions.
Felicity left when her first love turned her down. She just came back to the place of her childhood to care for her mother and maybe clear her souls from the past hurt. Yet it is impossible to reconcile the image of young Calder with the ruthless man he has become. Why she made it her mission to try to help him regain his joy for life.
I loved how Mrs Darcy Burke used a plot twist to introduce the past, present and future Christmases. This was a joyful read showing the redeeming force of love.
4.5 stars.

I am just wondering how the old duke could have been harboring two personalities so antagonistic.

I was granted an advance copy by the author, I also preordered my own.
Here is my true and unbiased opinion.