An Affair Before Christmas

I simultaneously loved and hated this book. Of all in the series, it’s my least favorite. I hated Poppy and her gross naïveté. I hated her mother and felt there was no way the male lead would have kept her in the house as long as he did without a fight. I loved the male lead (Fletcher) but felt he lacked some depth of character. He tries so hard to please Poppy and it’s weird that they wouldn’t have broken down and had a discussion before attempting affairs, etc. I loved getting more glimpses of Beaumont and his love.

I must have understood the heroine differently from some of the negative reviewers. To me, Poppy was far more real than the historical heroine who goes from completely ignorant virgin to sensual orgasmic goddess the first time she has sex. She's living in a world devoid of information about sex, with the exception of her horrible mother. Poppy needs to grow up before she can truly enjoy sex. She needs to discover her own talents and interests, break free from her mother, throw off society's expectations, learn to communicate with her partner, and explore her own body. Even today, I think women would have much better sex if they did those things first. This book had everything I look for in a romance: well written, engaging characters, intelligent humor, lovers who actually know each other and heat.

Many have already posted the general gist of the plotline so I am going to reiterate what happened and who did what and get to my impressions of the book. I hadn't felt such an array of emotions- wistfulness, sadness, laughter, annoyance (hate Poppy's mother), excitement, wryness, tenderness, romance, and ecstatic bloodthirstiness- all in one book in such a long time. The dialogue is witty. The characters are wonderfully depicted and lovable. The novel is more focused on love and understanding rather than all-out passion-(though the passion is there). It's a novel that I melted rather than hopped into. The pace is like a gentle but steady snowfall ( as opposed to heavy snowstorm)-which complemented the Christmas theme at the end. I have always been wary of Christmas-themed novels because they seemed so contrived-either with good old-fashioned Christmas traditions so heavily emphasized or with the spirit of love and family too heavily represented. The Christmas tone in AABC is just right for me. And as a history major, the tidbits of interesting history trivia that are so naturally weaved into the story also impressed me. I know a lot of people are irked by how EJ structures her novels around an ensemble of characters rather putting the focus mainly on the hero/heroine and have certain characters' stories span several books. To me, her novels are to tv dramas/miniseries/soap-operas as other authors' novels are to movies. They are equally enjoyable but in a different way. I hope more people will give her new series a try. It really does reach a new level of writing-each line sparkling with wit and vivid characters.

I am also surprised by the negative reviews. I love EJ's writing style and find her books, especially the Desperate Duchess series, to be very smart and engaging. I am new to reading her books and have recently finished her entire collection. I think she is only getting better and better! Yes, her style is different than your typical regency, and there are a lot of sub-plots, but that only added to my enjoyment. She is a Shakespeare Prof and it really comes out in her writing. Personally, I can't wait for the next book in the series!

I just finished this book. I think it's the best in the bunch so far. I haven't much liked Jemma in the first few books and the chess games (especially in the first book) are boring as I neither play nor understand the game. I'm glad to see them not taking up so much space here. And I quite liked Jemma. Finally. I'm sorry that others didn't care to read about Poppy. But I liked her. It was great to see how she matured from the young girl who was abused physically, mentally and emotionally by her mother to the woman she finally becomes. Her journey of self-growth and awareness are remarkable. And Fletch's own growth is a great match. I'm glad the story wasn't rushed over a weekend or a 2 week country house party. It just wouldn't have worked. They needed the time apart in order to stretch their wings and find their true selves and discover their real feelings for each other. I didn't like Villiers in the first book or so either. But I fell in love with him in his illness in this book. Charlotte was good for him and it's too bad they won't be the h/h of a future book. Oh well. They can be best friends. She is better for him than Jemma. Jemma needs to grow and and fish or cut bait as far as her husband is concerned. I can't wait for Lord Strange's story. Is it nearly next summer yet?

In a captivating and beautiful story, we find the beautiful, young, and innocent Lady Perdita (Poppy) who has fallen head over heels in love with the handsome Duke of Fletcher, considered the catch of the season. Fletch feels the same for his beautiful Poppy and patiently awaits their wedding day. Little does he realize that the young and innocent Poppy has not been properly prepared for her wedding night, but instead has been controlled by an overbearing mother who has filled her head with unrealistic expectations of marriage and the marriage bed. Fletch experiences a disappointing wedding night, not understanding that Poppy needs tutoring in the ways of passion and marriage. Instead of being patient and instructing Poppy, Fletch distances himself from his beauty and soon an intense love turns to disappointment and severe loneliness for them both. As four years go by, Fletch even considers obtaining a mistress, but all he can think about is his love and desire for Poppy. Besides, he sees all the infidelity and unhappiness around him in society that brings little happiness to those involved. Poppy understands that something is seriously wrong with her marriage, doesn't understand how it can be fixed, and is left heartbroken. How can she bring back the intense love that Fletch had for her at one time? Before the marriage, she always seemed to please him, and since the marriage, everything she does is for Fletch. But that is the sweet Poppy's main problem; pleasing everyone but herself and in so doing, feels she has accomplished nothing but disappointing the man she loves so intensely. Poppy understands the whole society side of being a duchess, but not a thing about being a true wife, especially because, just as her loving Fletch, she sees nothing but unhappiness in society marriages. Poppy makes the ultimate decision in her yearning for happiness in her life. She walks out on Fletch and her overbearing mother, leaving them both behind, and decides she will enjoy her own life and stop trying to please everyone else. It is not until Fletch loses his precious Poppy that he realizes he must woo her back somehow. Unwilling to lose her, Fletch decides to begin an intense seduction of Poppy that has her head and heart spinning, but not impressed. Can Fletch win back the love of his precious Poppy before Christmas? In the masterful writing style of Eloisa James, An Affair Before Christmas is a wonderful sensual sequel to the Desperate Duchesses Series. Adding an interesting depth to this story, the reader gets to revisit some of the secondary characters from the first book, like the infamous rake The Duke of Villiers and the dysfunctional Elijah and Jemma, The Duke and Duchess of Beaumont. Ms. James cleverly allows the reader to revisit these dysfunctional characters in order to emphasize and help the reader fully understand how Poppy and Fletch can become so disillusioned about love. An Affair Before Christmas romance is a delightful read and perfec