Review: A Match Made at Christmas by Ellie St. Clair
“All the reasons that he wasn’t right for her were the same reasons that he couldn’t leave her either.”
The Basics
Title: A Match Made at Christmas (Match #1)
Author: Ellie St. Clair
Published: 2021
Publisher: Ellie St. Clair
Pages: 220
Format: Paperback
Genres: Fiction — Historical fiction, Regency fiction, Holiday, Romance, Historical romance, Regency romance, Holiday romance
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Book Synopsis
Ivy Northrup is tired of her mother’s attempts to marry her off. Her would-be matchmaker of a mother is not exactly subtle, so when it becomes evident that she is attempting to set her up with Everett Pine, her brother’s childhood friend, she decides to teach her mother a lesson. After sharing her suspicions with Everett and learning that his mother appears to be in on the matchmaking scheme, Ivy proposes a plan to end their mothers’ meddling ways: they will pretend to fall in love with one another. Once their mothers are convinced that their scheming has been successful, Ivy and Everett will reveal to them that their courtship has been an act and that they knew all along what the two women were up to. The trouble is, somewhere along the way, their fake relationship begins to feel all too real.
My Review & Overall Thoughts
TLDR: Don’t be put off by the cover – this is a delightful and well-written holiday romance.
Warning: Some spoilers ahead
A Match Made at Christmas is a prime example of why to never judge a book by its outward appearance. Given its irrefutably lame cover, you might assume that the story contained within its pages is at best mediocre smut and at worst utter twaddle, but you would be wrong. A Match Made at Christmas is a well-written, entertaining story featuring witty dialogue, a captivating romance, an idyllic setting, and a healthy dose of holiday cheer. It is a mood-boosting read that will have you smiling and laughing throughout it, and by the time you turn the final page, you will be ready to deck the halls and trim the tree.
In large part, what makes this book such an enjoyable read is the romance between Ivy and Everett. At the onset, their relationship is a ruse meant to put an end to their mothers’ matchmaking scheme, but as their fake relationship continues and an undeniable chemistry surfaces, it becomes increasingly difficult for them to keep up the pretense that their feelings for one another are just an act. Watching them come to the realization that their love for one another is genuine is a true delight, for they are the type of couple that you cannot help but root for. They have a deep, effortless connection in which each of them perfectly complements the other, and perhaps more importantly, they genuinely enjoy one another’s company. When they are together, there is no shortage of smile or laugh-inducing moments, and you spice lovers out there will be pleased to hear that the sexual tension, as well as amorous moments, are also not lacking.
Enhancing the romance and overall plot is the setting. The story takes place in Regency England during Christmastide, and save for a few scenes, it is set entirely at a house party in a grand, festively decorated estate. From crackling fires to caroling and holiday feasts, the story is dripping with coziness and Christmas cheer. Opening this book and delving into its world is akin to pulling on a warm, fuzzy sweater: you are enveloped by a sense of blissful contentment.
While the romance and setting might be the stars of the show, the characters are not to be overlooked. In spite of the book’s relatively short length, the protagonists, Ivy and Everett, are both well-developed. They possess adequate backstories, distinct personalities, and complete, albeit condensed, character arcs.
Ivy is particularly well-penned. She is a strong female lead, whose forward thinking and independent mindedness make her both likable and relatable. A woman ahead of her time, she is determined to set her own course in life and refuses to be pressured into marrying just any old suitor, despite her “advanced” age of 26. Unlike most of her contemporaries, the prospect of spinsterhood does not frighten her. She would rather be single and endure the ridicule of others than enter into an ill-suited and loveless marriage.
Enter Everett. Misunderstood and disarmingly charming, he is a swoon-worthy love interest and intriguing male lead. He has a disreputable, rakish reputation, but as you learn over the course of the story, all is not as it seems with him. Beneath the debonair exterior lies an honorable, caring man.
Underpinning everything is St. Clair’s writing. She writes in a clear, well-paced, and engaging manner that ensures your continued attention throughout the book’s entirety. Of particular note is her use of dual viewpoints. Specifically, the story is written in the third person and features the perspectives of both Everett and Ivy. In addition to promoting an equal understanding of both characters, this narrative style enhances the book’s enjoyability, as it allows us to experience Everett and Ivy’s love story through both of their eyes.
Before wrapping up this portion of the review, I want to take a moment to express how much I enjoyed the book’s ending. The story finishes on a happy note, with the characters receiving fitting send-offs, and what’s more, the book includes an epilogue that offers us a glimpse into Everett and Ivy’s marital bliss. It is a thoroughly satisfying conclusion to a delightful holiday romance.
The not so good
It is fairly apparent from the get-go that Ivy and Everett’s story will be a happy one. Such predictability might not be everyone’s cup of tea, but I personally do not mind being able to anticipate the ending in a romance novel. If I know that all will end well for a couple, I am able to sit back, relax, and truly enjoy their story.
Another potential shortcoming of the book pertains to Ivy, namely her inability to discern Judith’s true nature. It is not until close to the end of the book that Ivy sees her friend for who she truly is, whereas I knew from her very first appearance that she was not to be trusted.
Lastly, the book has some grammatical errors and typos, but they are neither so frequent nor egregious as to detract from the story. When I came across them, I noticed and promptly forgot about them.
Overall
I did not want A Match Made at Christmas to end and could have quite contentedly continued reading about Everett and Ivy for some time. Theirs is a charming, feel-good story bursting with holiday cheer that is the perfect accompaniment to a cold winter’s night.
Have you read A Match Made at Christmas? If so, let me know what you thought of it in the comments section below!
