The Mistletoe Countess: Volume 1

"There's no need to ponder the what-ifs. They steal the truth of what is. You are soul mates by choice and will. How closely you wrap your souls around one another is of your own choosing." What a truly delightful historical romance! I love Pepper Basham's contemporary romances but this is the first historical romance from the author I have read. Boy, have I missed out! The writing is smooth and easy to read while the characters are incredibly charming and enchanting. The romance is so lovely and sweet though Grace and Freddie's marriage starts out more as a business transaction. And the plot has delicious twists and turns with more than a dash of mystery and intrigue. Going on this grand adventure with Grace and Freddie was one of the best decisions I made this summer. Grace is young, innocent, totally unexpected in her honesty, refreshing in her outlook, funny but also incredibly intelligent, observant, and selfless in her outpouring of love. Freddie is burdened by weight of his past and responsibilities and hungry for love and acceptance but also kind, thoughtful, gentle, and compassionate. Themes of forgiveness and freedom to love and be loved for their true self are embedded into the characters' core and so well played out. If you're looking for heart-stopping romance and a fantastic adventure, look no further. I received the book from the publisher via NetGalley and was under no obligation to post a positive comment. All opinions are solely my own.

The Mistletoe Countess by Pepper Basham is glorious. It’s one of the most entertaining books I’ve read in a very long time. A whimsical, character-driven story, it reminds us of how God never runs out of grace. At first it appears to be a marriage of convenience story, but turns into an epic adventure as the hero and heroine try to solve a dastardly crime and fall in love with each other in the process. I was engaged from the start and had a hard time putting it down. Grace, the heroine, is an avid reader and some of the most delightful moments in the book are when she’s drawing upon the experience of one of her favorite characters to handle a precarious situation. One scene near the end when she channels her inner Tarzan will have you laughing until you’re crying. Frederick, the hero, is roguishly handsome and swoon-worthy with a somewhat torrid past that he can’t quite forgive himself. And while he might have married Grace for her money, he is won over by her exuberance for life. She’s just what he needs to experience God’s grace. Frederick’s redemption is beautiful. It’s a Pepper Basham classic for sure and you don’t want to miss it.