A Holiday Gamble ARC Review

A Holiday Gamble by Jane Feather

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A viscount stranded on a stormy night. The beautiful heiress who takes him in. Warm up with this delightfully romantic short story set in Regency-era England, from New York Timesbestselling author Jane Feather!

Edward Vasey, otherwise known as Viscount Allenton, is journeying precariously through a snowstorm one night when his coach is overtaken by highwaymen. Robbed and stranded, Edward takes refuge at Selby Hall, where he meets a spirited beauty who may steal something more—his heart. As passion flares between them, Edward uncovers a shocking secret that threatens to tear them apart…but will this be enough to chill their steamy love on a cold winter’s eve?
Published by Pocket Star on 17th Nov - ISBN: 9781476779522
Buy Links:
Amazon * Amazon UK

I received a copy from the publisher (via NetGalley) in exchange for an honest review!

What I say: A Holiday Gamble is short, cute and made me laugh. I love historical fiction but combining it with a Christmas theme is always going to make me smile.
Edward Vasey, the new Viscount Allenton aka Ned is on his way to his childhood home when he finds himself at the mercy of the weather and the somewhat sinister Selby. The notion of turning up unannounced to stay at a strangers house always makes me smile - can you imagine if anybody tried it nowadays? Anyway... 
Also present is Lady Georgiana 'Georgie' who is trapped by Selby's whim and doesn't seem to be interested in Selby and Godfrey's strange parties and plots. At one point I did think I'd misread the blurb and that the book was going to take a horror/Gothic twist but Jane Feather instead focuses on the potential romance, the Christmas setting and the regency intrigues.  
The pacing is fairly quick, but then this is a novella and I was thankful we weren't faced with insta-love (my least face thing in a book). There is attraction but Ned is initially more focused on leaving and his new responsibilities... The ending is quite abrupt but it made a nice change from the often long drawn out sunshine and rainbows epilogues we are often faced with. 
3 - 3.5 Stars in my Sky!