Review: A December with a Duke (Seductive Scoundrels #3) by Collette Cameron

Print Length: 125 pages

Publisher: St. Martin's Press (December 18, 2018)

From Goodreads.com:  He’s entirely the wrong sort of man. That’s what makes him so utterly right.

After a horrific marriage, widow Everleigh Chatterton is cynical and leery of men. She rarely ventures into society, and when she must, she barely speaks to them. As a favor to a friend, she reluctantly agrees to attend a Christmas house-party. Unfortunately, Griffin, Duke of Sheffield is also in attendance. Even though Everleigh has previously snubbed him, she can’t deny her attraction to the confident, darkly handsome duke.

For almost a year, Griffin has searched for the perfect duchess to help care for the orphan he’s taken on. He sets his sights on the exquisite, but unapproachable Everleigh Chatterton after her sweet interactions with the child impress him. He is convinced he can thaw her icy exterior and free the warm, passionate woman lurking behind the arctic facade. Only, as Griffin pursues her, it’s his heart that’s transformed.

Can Everleigh learn to trust and love again? Will Griffin get his Christmas wish and make her his bride? Or, has he underestimated her wounds and fears and be forced to let her go?

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My Rating: 4 stars out of 5

This was the perfect way to spend a rainy day.

I enjoyed watching Griffin slowly gain Everleigh's trust and win her over. It was understandable why she would be leery of men, and especially marriage after what had happened to her. I also enjoyed the way he stood up for her, not only to his friends, but to her horrid shrew of a former daughter-in-law as well. The addition of his adopted ward Sarah was an unexpected delight as well. Usually in novels such as this, children seem more like pawns than anything else, but thankfully that was not the case here. There was genuine affection between Griffin and the little girl, even if I don't remember my three-year-olds speaking in full sentences that were easily understood.

I do wish this was a full-length novel instead of a novella so we could have gotten more of those sweet moments before the two, but even with its shorter length, it definitely didn't feel like a case of "insta-love" between these two. I do think, however, that if anything their one love scene seemed a bit rushed. 

Overall, this novella will be perfect for those who enjoy historical romances (with the added bonus of taking place at Christmastime). I would read more from this author! 

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                          A December with a Duke is available from Amazon.com