A Doomed Betrothal, or Is It?

Arabella went to spend Christmas with her betrothed and his family, but his behavior left a great deal to be desired. However, Nathaniel had secrets, and Arabella must discover them. Could she do it before it was too late? Was Nathaniel redeemable, after all, and could love develop after such peculiar encounters? The beginning was not promising, but love often comes when you least expect it. This is an entertaining, steamy, historical romance novella. It shows you that there is more to people than you sometimes observe, if only you would take the time to see what lies beneath the obvious, not always an easy thing to do.

I would like to thank Netgalley and Dragonblade Publishing for a free copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

Enjoyable and a good addition to the series.

I received an Advance Reader Copy from the publisher, via NetGalley. This in no way impacted on my view.

Arabella Fitzroy has always known that she was destined to marry the son of her father's best friend, but having never one seen or even communicated with her fiancee, she was unsure on what to expect. So when she arrived at the family home to spend Christmas with Nathaniel Cartier and his parents, she's shocked and angry to see how rude and unwelcoming he is. She knows that her parents want the match, and Arabella is not one to give up easily. I wasn't too sure what to expect with this book when I first started it. Having binged the series, it was a bit of a shock to have a book where the only Fitzroy we saw on page was Arabella herself. I was used to seeing a group of them, but it was nice to have some time with just Arabella, and Nathaniel, to really see how they tick. Nathaniel seemed to be angry at the situation, but really he was shy, and didn't expect that someone such as Arabelle - beautiful and from London - would ever care for his passions. I think this book might be one of my favourites of the series, as the couple seem to have the best, and most real, relationship of them all so far.

I have really been enjoying this series so far and this latest installment was no exception. It has been fun seeing the Fitzroy cousins each finding their HEA through their own scandals, and while this also features another cousin, the story takes a bit of a different turn in that it involves an arranged marriage. But don't let that deter you, because this story is equally as enjoyable and entertaining as the previous ones. Arabella has always known she is to marry her father's best friend's son, Nathaniel, and when she finally meets him this Christmas, she is less than excited about the match. Nathaniel is rude and standoffish and is reluctant to spend any time with her. After meeting Nathaniel and his family, Arabella is quite discouraged about the match, and wishes to break the arrangement. But Arabella soon finds out that there is a side he keeps hidden from everyone, a gentle and tender nurturing side that captivates her. The interactions they have after the initial conflict are quite lovely, and the chemistry between them is undeniable.
I am really loving this series and this latest addition was absolutely delightful! I can't wait to read the next one!
I received a complimentary copy from Dragonblade Publishing via Netgalley and am voluntarily leaving my review.

I received a copy of this from NetGalley and this is my freely given opinion.

This is book 6 in Emily Murdoch's 12 Days series of novellas. Arabella Fitzroy is spending Christmas away from the rest of the Fitzroys. Unlike her other siblings and cousins, she has had an arranged marriage since childhood to the son of her father's friend. Rather than having a family Christmas, she has been sent to spend Christmas with her future husband and his family. She goes alone without even the comfort of one of her siblings, or parents. I thought this was rather strange, but helps to set up the awkward outsider atmosphere when she enters the strange to her home of her fiance and his family.

They are rather cold, uncommunicative, and awkward, and this only ramps up Arabella's discomfort and feelings of doubt about the marriage. Nathaniel Cartier himself, the prospective fiance, is brutish and unkempt in appearance, and brusque and unwelcoming in behaviour, making Arabella feel rejected and even more awkward.

But it turns out that he is hiding a sensitive man with a love of nature and animals that his parents do not understand and feel is ungentlemanly, and he is also very uncertain of Arabella and worried that she, like his parents, would be ashamed of his habits and what he loves. This initially starts out with them being awkward and at odds, and with Arabella feeling very much so alienated and an unwelcome stranger in a strange land, but then they both take sweet and tentative steps to show their inner selves, passions, and vulnerabilities to each other. It ended up being a rather sweet story, and a cute addition to the series.

3.5 stars out of 5.

Arabella Fitzroy cannot join her family for Christmas because she is going to meet her fiancee and his parents at their home. They were a strange family and the son didn't seem happy to meet her. He kept saying that was done could be undone. The only thing they seem to talk about is the swans. Nathaniel was interested in animals and his parents thought he shouldn't be. Arabella began to understand him and thought his parents unfair. Arabella as she understood Nathaniel found them were meant for each other. Thank NetGalley the chance to meet these two.

There are three Fitzroy brothers, each with different interests, each the father of daughters, twelve in total. Instead of celebrating Christmas with the rest of her family at Chalcroft, this year Arabella is being sent to spend the holidays with her betrothed, whom she has never met, and his family. When she arrives, she is disappointed. Lord Nathaniel is grumpy, standoffish, and rude. She is lonely, bored, and unhappy. They seem to have anything in common. She enjoys walking near the lake and watching and talking to the seven swans swimming there. She comes across Nathaniel at the lake one day, and they begin to talk. Could it be that they will discover they have the wrong impression of each other? It looks like this could be the beginning of something good. This is a lovely story with some misunderstandings, discovery, and two people who might just belong together.
I received an ARC of this book from the publisher via NetGalley and am voluntarily reviewing it.

This is the sixth book a series, and this book keeps the same energy that the previous ones, the love, the theme (holidays).
It's very romantic, the arranged marriage in a historical context always serves.

This series has been a lot of fun, especially if you are a sucker for a good holiday collection like I am. This books has a slightly different setup with Arabella not being with her family during the holiday. I have to say, between 12 Drummers and this one, I am not a fan of Arthur Fitzroy - he doesn't seem to really care about what his daughters want or who they are. He sends his daughter off to spend the holiday with people she has never met and basically tells her she needs to grow up when she says she doesn't want to miss out on Christmas with her family. And I did fell really bad for her when her betrothed is so awful toward her. Luckily for Nathaniel she is not one to give up too easily and she made the effort to get to know him better. Once again, the connection to the song was well done and pretty clever. Six down, six to go!

Another well written charming read although this is slightly different to the other books as it isn't set in the same house party. Instead Arabella has gone to Nathaniel house so they can get to know each other. However they don’t get off to the best of starts, there are misunderstandings, preconceived ideas & misconceptions but as the pair discuss swans, who mate for life their feelings start to change & they actually started to talk. My favourites so far in this series. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

He Was Her Hearts Desire

This Christmastime Arabella was to meet her betrothed. Once she arrived at the estate she was surprised at how rude he was, he seemed to be avoiding her and had said it hadn’t been decided if they were to marry.

Arabella was attracted to him, he was a gorgeous looking man but his personality left her in the cold until she realised he was shy. Appearances can be deceiving and whilst she was at his lake watching the Seven Swans Swimming, he came up to her and she realised what a passionate man he was.

I think this is one of my favourite stories of the twelve days of Christmas series. The tenderness and passion within the pages come straight through. Nathaniel knew he wanted a loving, passionate wife, one who understood him and in his heart he had waited for Arabella all his life. Once he introduced Arabella to his secret, she instantly fell in love with him. He was a gorgeous kind man with a beautiful soul, one who was all hers.

A beautiful written love story, full of brimming passion, hot sexy moments and two lovely souls who are meant to be together.

I voluntarily read and reviewed and ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Arabella Fitzroy always knew she was to have an arranged marriage between herself & her father’s best friend’s son and this Christmas, it’s finally time to meet him. Arabella is astonished to find Lord Nathaniel Cartier nothing more than a boor with bad taste and worse manners. Arabella spends her days at the lake, talking to the swans, determined to break the arranged marriage. Until a chance encounter and some vulnerability changes everything by the lakeside. A secret about the swans will reveal Nathaniel is far more than she bargained for. Seven swans a swimming may look serene on the surface, but Arabella is about to discover that life with Nathaniel would be anything but serene.
I’m loving this weekly 'dose’ of the Fitzroy cousins, another well written charming read. Arabella & Nathaniel don’t get off to the best of starts, there are misunderstandings, preconceived ideas & misconceptions but as the pair discuss swans, who mate for life their feelings start to change & they actually started to talk. One of my favourites so far, roll on those geese
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read

This is the 3rd oldest girl from the London Family. I enjoyed how the got to know each other, how she stood up for him, and how honest about the match the author was. This is a book about an arranged betrothal. I was also greatful for the way the dad came around, even if it was misplaced. A dad standing up for his daughter is the way it should be
I recieved a free copy so that I might tell you what I honestly think. Hope you enjoyed my review. Now go enjoy the book.

This was a copy given to me by NetGalley.

Parts of this story were really nice…but it was just a little too saccharine for my taste. I’m sure others would love it, it’s just not my cup of tea!

Another winning addition to the Twelve Days of Christmas series. Arabella has been betrothed almost since birth. So this Christmas, instead of spending it at the family seat with her extended family, she is spending with her betroths family. Although his parents seem happy to meet her, Nathaniel, her betrothed, tells her they will only marry if he decides he wants to proceed. Feeling he is rude and unwilling, she attempts to beg her father to end the betrothal. Upon getting to know him, she realizes there is a reason for his attitude and begins to see him in a new light. Definitely recommended.
Thank you Emily EK Murdoch, Dragonblade Publishing and NetGalley for allowing me an advance copy for my honest feedback.

It’s time for another Christmas romance, this time featuring Arabella (of the London Fitzroys) and the mysterious Lord Nathaniel Cartier. Having had a marriage between them being sorted by their fathers many many years ago, neither Arabella nor Nathaniel seem to be overly keen on the arrangement. When Arabella visits Oxcaster Lacey - Nathaniel’s ancestral home - to meet with her betrothed for the first time, she’s understandably anxious. Not having her sisters there to comfort her (or at least distract her) and missing out on all the festive cheer happening over at her uncle’s home, Arabella resolves to make the most out of the situation. That is until she meets her future husband. He’s standoffish, rude and dresses appallingly. With Nathaniel reluctant to spend more than five minutes in the same room as Arabella, any future seems impossible. But it’s Christmas time and anything can happen.

Seven Swans a Swimming has been my favourite of the Fitzroy cousin Christmas novellas so far. I enjoyed this story from the first page to the last. The interactions between Arabella and Nathaniel were initially amusing but turned into something so much more. They have fantastic chemistry and despite this entire story taking place over only a few days I felt a lot of personal growth for both the leads. I know I’ve been a little critical over the pacing in the previous stories and whilst Seven Swans is around the same length I didn’t have those worries with this novella. I think it’s because of the history between Nathaniel and Arabella. Despite them never having met there was a palpable feeling of them having waited their entire lives for the other. It’s such a sweet story. Oh and it has plenty of steamier moments too! I also got a great feel for what their future together would be like and could picture moments between them and the Fitzroy family as a whole.

As with all the other novellas in the series Seven Swans works perfectly as a standalone. Better than some of the others as there’s minimal connection between this story and the others and Arabella is not a character we have gotten to know overly well in the past stories. It is another great addition to the series as a whole and not entirely what I was expecting for the Swan story. I can’t wait to see what happens next for the cousins and how Murdoch will incorporate the 12 days into her next stories.

Having your marriage arranged without seeing the husband to be must be like being dropped into the deepest pool without learning how to swim. Only getting to know each other moves the story to a steamy happy ending. Excellent novella.

I received an ARC from Netgalley and leaving my review voluntarily.

This was a cute novella! It is the first book that I've read from Emily EK Murdoch, and I enjoyed it. The dialogue was good and kept me interested. The heroine, Arabella, was charming. It was a bit outlandish, and the only thing I had a hard time with was how much exposition and slow movement we got in the first couple of chapters, and then the romance bit hits like a freight train. But that partially is because this is a novella, so I don't find much fault with that. It could have been a smoother transition though. I still enjoyed it though!
This could be read as a standalone, but I would have benefitted from reading previous books in this series. It mentions sisters that I now want to know their stories, so I will be giving those books a read next. This would be a good read for those wanting a fast read. It's not too holiday-ishy, only real mentions at the beginning of the book of holidays and when Arabella is missing everyone.

3 Stars
One Liner: Timepass read

1815, England
Arabella Fitzroy goes to Cartier House for Christmas. Her marriage was arranged with Lord Nathaniel Cartier when they were wee babies. It’s time to get to know her would-be in-laws and husband before the wedding.
The initial days at Cartier House leave her gloomy and dejected. Arabella wonders if she can marry Nathaniel. After all, the man appears rude and uncaring and wants nothing to do with her. Only the swans on the estate lake seem to make him smile.
However, a chance encounter with Nathaniel makes Arabella wonder about the man beneath the mask. Maybe first impressions aren’t the best. Is there a chance for a happy ever after for the duo?
The story comes from Arabella’s third-person POV.
This is a steamy romance and a part of Dragonblade's Flame line as mentioned in the blurb. And since it is a novella (less than 140 pages), steamy scenes win over character development.
Though the book is a part of a 12-book series, it works totally fine as a standalone. There are mentions of other characters, but none have a direct role in the book. This one belongs to the lead characters alone.
The premise has the potential to be a full-length novel with layered characters and evenly-paced execution. However, everything runs at 4x speed in this one. Since the book’s length was the reason I requested it, I knew this was how it would be.
Nathaniel’s character was more interesting. It was fun to see him become comfortable with Arabella and trust her enough to share his secrets. Also, I liked his quirky sense of humor.
Arabella was a determined and feisty heroine. That said, I could have done with a little less of ‘gosh, he is so handsome’ on almost every page.
The conflict at the end could have been better resolved. It was a little too dramatic. The writing was okayish. Easy to read (ignoring the adverbs).

To summarize, Seven Swans a Swimming is a light time pass read if you want something hot and fast-paced. It has a 3+ steam level.
Thank you, NetGalley and Dragonblade Publishing, for the eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.

Such a lovely romance and I liked the characters and Christmas setting. This one is a proposed arranged marriage between families that doesn't start off smoothly for Arabella. Nathaniel is not what she expected and she has to prove herself to him. I found that interesting and the slow burn romance that ensued was nice to read.