The holidays are a time for family, celebration—and the Dukes of Ravenglass to fall in love. Spend the Christmas season with the Wynter family, as the Dukes of Ravenglass find their happily-ever-afters in this delightful, heartfelt collection that spans from the Regency era to the present day.

In A Price Above Rubies by Maggie Robinson, set in the Regency era, paid companion Helen Lowe doesn’t know the man she shares her first-ever dance—and first-ever kiss—is Gabriel Wynter, a reclusive, notorious duke. When Helen flees after being exposed, she leaves behind something of far greater value than a glass slipper. Can Gabriel find her, return it, and finally open his heart?

This kind of has a Cinderella feel, without the evil stepmother, as Helen goes to her very first ball, and meets a man who enthralls her. Helen has a sharp tongue, and Gabriel loves it. She has no idea he is a duke, he has no idea she was the companion of the woman who recently died next door. They hit it off in an alcove, and Helen even experiences her first kiss. But then her gown rips and she must go get it fixed. She accidentally leaves her ruby ring behind. Gabriel can’t find her later, and sets out on a quest to find his mysterious lady. It’s sweet and romantic.

Grade: B

In the Victorian-era set, Never Have I Ever Fallen in Love with a Duke by Tiffany Clare, Alexander Wynter has a problem—his best friend’s younger sister grew up. When he agreed to help Emily MacCallon make her debut, he didn’t expect the beautiful, alluring woman before him—or for her to lead him on such a merry chase. Alexander knows one thing: the only man she’ll be kissing forever and ever is him.

I enjoy a best friend’s younger sister trope, but this one came across a little too dry for me. Alexander is tasked with taking Emily and trying to avoid scandals, as she isn’t one to hold her tongue. While she is attractive and could have suitors, she has been absent from society and may have a slight scandalous past. Alexander knew her from childhood and when he sees the adult Emily, he is smitten. He decides no one shall have her but himself. This may not sit well with Emily to start, but eventually after some courtship, she falls for him too.  Their romance was just okay for me.

Grade: C+

In the World War II-set, Loving Lord Spy by J.K. Coi, Winnie Jenkins, a combat nurse, and Lord David Wynter, an injured British spy, fall in love at the worst possible time. Each of them owes a duty to their country and must go their separate ways. They promise that when the war is finally over, they’ll meet in Hyde Park on Christmas morning…but agree that if one of them doesn’t make it, the other won’t seek out the reason why. Can they keep their appointment? Or will secrets, lies, and the perils of war keep them apart?

I really enjoyed Winnie – I though she made a lovely heroine. Tough, smart – she had to have a lot of strength to endure all the things thrown at her in this one. I’m not sure I loved what happens to her towards the end, but it does have a nice conclusion. Her romance with David is slow to burn – I think this story needed some more pages to explore all of the dynamics and back-stories these two had going on. But I enjoyed the time period and it was hard not to root for Winnie.

Grade: B-

A missed connection gets a second chance in the present-day contemporary romance, Saved by the Belle by Elyssa Patrick. Seven years ago, Kit Wynter met the woman of his dreams. Even after all this time, he’s never been able to forget the American girl who captured his heart. When Belle Sweeney answers his ad—for she, too, never forgot him—it feels like there’s something still there. Spending the holiday at Ravenglass Abbey is the perfect opportunity to figure out if this is love.

Saved by the Belle is super sweet, a little sappy, and hugely romantic. Kit meets the woman of his dreams one night but lets her go. Seven years later he writes a letter in an ad and she reads it! And they reunite! And she learns he is a duke and rich! It’s pretty much insta-love but if you are looking for a super romantic tale of love, you might like this.

“Just that when a Wynter falls in love, he or she falls in love completely. We may resist love – because we also have a reputation for being contrary – but once we stop fighting it, we fall hard and irrevocably.”

Grade: B

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