Xmas in October: Season for Desire by Theresa Romain

Presenting: Christmas in October!

Each day this week, I will be reviewing a Christmas-themed book, reviewing how well the book embraces the holiday as well as giving my two cents on the book as a whole. Join me in celebrating the holiday a wee bit early and post your holiday book reviews to comments of any of this week's reviews!

The Book:

Basics

Season for Desire by Theresa Romain
Zebra
Book Four in the Holiday Pleasures series
Historical Romance
Published October 7, 2014
Source: Received via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Amazon Kobo

Blurb:

Like her four sisters, Lady Audrina Bradleigh is expected to marry a duke, lead fashion, and behave with propriety. Consequently, Audrina pursues mischief with gusto, attending scandalous parties and indulging in illicit affairs. But when an erstwhile lover threatens to ruin her reputation, Audrina has no choice but to find a respectable husband at once.

Who would guess that her search would lead her to Giles Rutherford, a blunt-spoken American on a treasure hunt of his own? When a Christmas snowstorm strands the pair at a country inn, more secrets are traded than gifts--along with kisses that require no mistletoe--and Audrina discovers even proper gentlemen have their wicked side. . .

Review:

Christmas Component:

Season for Desire is a pretty Christmas-themed book. Though the plot doesn't revolve around the holiday specifically, the story leads up to that date and preparations for Christmas provide the backdrop for romance.

We've got caroling and lots of decorating, and Christmas food. There's plenty here to put you in the holiday mood, including bad weather and, of course, mistletoe! Even the cover is decked out with a wreath and a gorgeous gold dress

We don't get a really big Christmas day celebration, which is probably all that's missing here. I'm giving Season for Desire a full five Christmas trees out of five.

My thoughts:

Season for Desire has a real sweetness to it. The problem facing the potential couple at the heart of the novel - Audrina and Giles - is serious, but also only a problem if they accept it as such. This felt like a real love story. 

I did like Audrina and Giles, both. They're genuinely good people, with kind hearts and they're open with each other about where they stand. The secondary characters are very entertaining - I particularly liked Lady Irving, as the cranky older woman, but all the inhabitants of Castle Parr, which is the major location for most of the book, were pretty endearing. There was really a huge feel-good feel to the whole book, and with all the romance brewing, Season for Desire is a very apt title.

The central plot revolves around the adventure of hunting down the jewels belonging to Giles' late mother. There are a few threads that tie everyone together, but the primary mystery, as it were, is about where she hid the jewels (if at all). As everyone gets swept up into the romance and adventure, the story ticks along at a quite reasonable pace. There are a few quiet spots, but I was engaged throughout the book - no slow or ho-hum moments here!

There are several point of view characters including Giles and Audrina - this definitely isn't only their story to tell. Whether or not you enjoy the book will probably depend on whether you like an intense romance or a lighter, ensemble 
romance.

Bottom line:

If you like your Christmas cheer to come packaged in the historical romance genre, this book is absolutely for you. It's sweet, it's romantic and I recommend kicking off your Christmas reading with Season for Desire.

5  stars
For fans of Christmas books, historical romance