Review: A Sleigh Ride Kiss by Jen Geigle Johnson
“I. . .there is something I must tell you. But you have captured my soul. I’m yours.”
The Basics
Title: A Sleigh Ride Kiss (A Christmas Match #2)
Author: Jen Geigle Johnson
Published: 2021
Publisher: Kings Row Press
Pages: 186
Format: Paperback
Genres: Fiction — Historical fiction, Regency fiction, Holiday, Romance, Historical romance, Regency romance, Holiday romance, Clean romance
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Book Synopsis
Amelie Goodson is determined to make a match between her granddaughter, Odette, and the Marquis of Wilmington. Odette, however, is less than enthused about the potential match. Having heard that the marquis failed to come home for his own mother’s funeral, she holds him in rather low regard. Plus, she would much rather marry Henry Wardlow, a kind and handsome gentleman who recently arrived in town. . .only, Henry isn’t who Odette thinks he is. He is not just Henry Wardlow; he is Henry Wardlow, Marquis of Wilmington. Henry has been hesitant to reveal his true identity to Odette after learning of her low opinion of the marquis, but he knows that he cannot keep his secret forever. Sooner or later, he will have to tell her the truth, and as for how she will take the news that Henry and the marquis are one and the same, only time will tell.
My Review & Overall Thoughts
TLDR: A cute, historical Christmas romance.
A Sleigh Ride Kiss is a lighthearted, feel-good read. From the very beginning, it is apparent that all will end well, but rather than detract from its enjoyability, this predictability actually enhances it. In knowing that the ending will be a happy one, you are able to relax and simply enjoy the story, banishing away any worry over the characters’ fates. And given how cute and cheery the story is, you and your disposition will be glad to be rid of the distraction. A Sleigh Ride Kiss is laced with holiday cheer and romance; it is a mood-boosting read that is sure to put a smile on your face (it certainly put one on mine). From its sweet romance to its serene, rural setting in Regency England, the story sweeps you away, granting you a respite from reality while immersed in its pages.
For me, the star of this book is the setting. The story takes place in an idyllic Cheshire village filled with natural beauty, welcoming people, and wonderful traditions. It is the type of place, which if it were real, I would move to in a heartbeat. Add to this paradisal locale the magic of Christmastime, and you have the perfect backdrop for a charming holiday tale.
Further contributing to the book’s charm is the romance between Odette and Henry. Although not without its flaws (more on that later), their love story, with its case of mistaken identity, is entertaining and often laugh evoking. It is also clean (the most risqué it gets is kissing), so if you prefer your romances sans sex scenes, you are in luck.
Lastly, at under 200 pages, A Sleigh Ride Kiss is a bite-size, digestible read. It could easily be read in a couple of days. Despite its compact size, the book does include an epilogue, which nicely ties up the characters’ story arcs.
The not so good
Odette is laughably clueless when it comes to Henry’s identity. In spite of the many pieces of evidence pointing to the fact that Henry is the Marquis of Wilmington, she goes on believing for quite some time that Henry is simply Mr. Wardlow, an untitled gentleman. Henry is also clueless but in a different way. He is a complete dunce when it comes to winning over Odette. Why he thinks it is a good idea to keep up his charade for as long as he does, I do not know. Nor do I know why he deems it wise to visit seemingly every other family but hers as the marquis. I understand that he hoped that by visiting everyone, word would get back to Odette about how kind the marquis is, but did he honestly not realize that it would appear as though the marquis were slighting her and her family?
Another criticism of mine is that the ending feels rushed. A fairly major conflict is introduced toward the end of the book and is subsequently resolved in short order. Before you can even begin to wonder about the implications of what just happened, everything rights itself. I wish that the book could have been a bit longer to allow for a better paced resolution.
Overall
All in all, A Sleigh Ride Kiss is a decent book, and ultimately, it fulfills its purpose as a holiday book: it makes you smile and gets you ever-so-slightly more in the holiday spirit.
Have you read A Sleigh Ride Kiss? If so, let me know what you thought of it in the comments section below!
