A Frosty Christmas Kiss (Regency Christmas Kisses #2) by Larissa Lyons

A Frosty Christmas Kiss (Regency Christmas Kisses #2) Reviews

• 
  Winnifred D.

  A really enjoyable book. Isabella is a young woman who is blind and has been cloistered by her overbearing, verbally abusive father. Nicholas is a man who has faced battle and is psychologically scarred by what it did to his friends and the other soldiers around him. He is known as a reclusive grump, she is someone who tries to bring out the best in others. They are both invited to the same holiday house party, and sparks fly.
  
  I loved the emotion between the MC's as they grow to understand and love each other. Isabella has struggled to accept herself, due to the vitriol of her nasty father, but Nicholas helps her regain confidence. Isabella brings humor and heart to Nicholas's world. The writing is solid, the banter between the MC's is fun, and the author does a great job with an epilogue that is both steamy and sweet.
  
  There is a bit of a supernatural element, as in the last book. This works as a standalone but I also recommend the previous book in the series.
  
  Steam level: 2-3. A few spicy kisses and a romantic, open door after-marriage sex scene.
  
  I read an advanced reader copy of this book and this is my voluntary review. Opinions are my own. Thanks to Book Sirens, the author, and publisher.
• 
  Mephala

  I admit, I’ve read this one some time ago and I’m not remembering much 😶
  
  What I recall it was pretty heartwarming and surprisingly sweet with just the right amount of angst.
  Also, it had some subtle supernatural elements that only added to the story’s charm.
  
  3/5 stars
• 
  Se...

  I really enjoyed this book! I always have fun when a grumpy character is induced to be more considerate by a gentler counterpart and a Frosty Christmas Kiss fell into this pattern for me.
  
  Isabella is blind from a young age and her unaffectionate father considers her so imperfect as to keep her locked at home, without any company since her mother passed away some years prior. But this Christmas, she managed to escape her seclusion, given her father's absence and the invitation from her dear friend Anne to her house, for a few weeks of celebrations.
  Lord Frostwood is best friend with Ed, Anne's husband: they fought a Napoleonic war together, which left Ed injured and Lord Frostwood struggling to find his place back home. Ed invites Lord Frostwood to his house for the Christmas celebrations (or should I say Twelfth Night?): Lord Frostwood cannot deny him but he will make sure to avoid any cheeriness and socialization. That is, until he meets Isabelle.
  
  I loved the characters, Isabella and Nicholas (Lord Frostwood): they were really endearing and super cute!
  I really enjoyed the Regency English: English is not my first language and sometimes I struggle when Regency novels are packed with old terms. But this novel has a perfect balance, of old English to keep you tuned in the era, and more common words not to get totally lost (still historically accurate, it seems).
  It was really fun to see Nicholas upset at other men's attentions towards Isabelle, how Isabelle was being updated on his reactions and whereabouts by the other ladies, and the sense of freedom of Isabelle enjoying her act of rebellion before getting ready to be locked up again.
  I even loved the "Frost" nickname: I cringe my nose when names are too linked to the character's main attributes, but in this case somehow it totally worked for me.
  
  I was a bit lost with the side characters: Harriet, the governess, Mr Gregory, Ria, Isabelle's mum and Nicolas' sister. Sometimes it felt like they were popping up and by the time I almost figured out who they were, it was time for goodbye. It felt like a big effort to figure them out for a little value added in the plot.
  I was perplexed at Frost's revelations towards the end of the book: it didn't quite seem to fit the era that a man would be self-aware and sharing family stories to explain his frostiness. I would have seen it more like an epilogue story after a few years of marriage, it didn't seem to fit the character to be so sharing so quickly.
  
  A really pleasant feel-good short read, perfect for Christmas.
  
  I received an advance review copy (ARC) from BookSirens for free, in exchange for an honest review.
• 
  Jeff (buriedundermybooks)

  The easiest and best thing I can say about this book is that it's cute and entertaining. I struggled between giving this 3 or 4 stars. Perhaps it's not on par with some of the better HR novels, but keeps you engaged. You'll get smiles out of it. You will find yourself invested in the characters. The plot line is interesting. You can figure out relatively early on as to how the story is going to end, but the journey to the HEA is entertaining. Thus, it gets 4 stars from me.
  
  What worked for me:
  1) The language. I have no idea if it is correct for the period. But I don't care. The exclamations and curses (if you can call them that) are funny. It's a little different than what I'm used to seeing in a HR novel, and that adds to the charm.
  2) I love to see a person with a disability portrayed in a book and see how they deal with it. I am not blind so I would not be able to tell if this is handled realistically. But I was proud of how Isabella dealt with her blindness.
  3) The banter was great. I kept me smiling throughout the book.
  
  What didn't work for me:
  1) I couldn't buy into the instant attraction. It felt too sudden and had no real foundation. I needed to see more interaction before I could believe it. But it is a shorter novel, so I guess a sudden attraction was necessary.
  2) I want more of it! It would have been nice to see all of the characters fleshed out more. I guess I'm saying that it would have benefitted from being longer.
  
  The Verdict: It's cute. It's funny. It's engaging. What else do you want when choosing a book. This is a good one sitting book.
  
  I received an advance review copy from BookSirens for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
  
• 
  Katy

  Sequestered away for years by the man she called father, Isabella had only one friend who truly cared about her. As a child she had been slowly going blind until, by her early teens she could no longer see at all. Totally blind. A shameful burden to her father, now that even her beauty couldn’t help further his political aspirations. After all who wanted a blind wife! She hadn’t even had the grace to be born a boy. Hidden away from the eyes of society, servants dismissed, Isabella must find her own way around the house, she was never to leave Spierton. She had no hope of ever dressing herself in matching attire. Her small joy was her friend Anne who lived several miles away, who visited whenever she learned Isabella’s father was not at home. However, housekeeper, the Warden, a harridan of a woman, was there to watch and report back to the Master.
  That is until Christmastide, the twelfth-night celebrations. Anne now married to Lord Redford planned a celebration where, hopefully, Isabella could meet a gentleman who would see her as the wonderfully bright, beautiful woman she was; take her away and marry her. With her father in London and the housekeeper away visiting family, Isabella would be part of the large house party over the holidays. There she meets Frost, Lord Frostwood, a man with his own demons haunting him still. The mother who had hated him was gone, along with any chance of trying to gain her love. His indifferent father who avoided any conflict, was likewise gone. But worst of all the young sister who adored him, and he had loved with all his heart was gone, now these two decades. If not for the persistence of his friend of Edward, Lord Redford, he never would have attended such a large gathering and especially at this time of the year. But he was here, and he would make the best of it. He would even dance with one of the chits being paraded in front of him. However, to his amazement and shagreen the young woman he approached demanding a dance from wanted nothing to do with him. This was a first, he was considered handsome, quite well off and a good catch.
  No matter Anne paired them for the scavenger hunt the next day. Isabella wasn’t familiar with the grounds outside the house and without assistance quickly took a misstep and did a face plant to the ground scraping her hands. It was than he was to learn that the young lady was blind. Full of spirit, fire opinions and not problems voicing them. She now had his full attention; this young woman was amazing. He could have an intelligent conversation with her. She helped to open his eyes to the things around him, in a different way. It wasn’t long before she had him smiling, thinking of a brighter future if he might share it with her. She had a love of life allowing no self-pity in spite of her lack of sight. But her father had other plans for his daughter that did not include marriage to a member of the ton.
  This tale catches up with characters from “A Snowlit Christmas Kiss”. Edward Redford and Anne, now expecting their first child and Isabella, whom we had only just begun to know. Isabella is an inspiring character, in spite of her inability to see with her eyes, she has learned through touch, smell and hearing. She listens not only to what people say but how they say it. She values life and takes pleasure in little things especially dancing. There are even a couple of spirits watching over Isabella and Frost that manage a bit of helpful mischief.
  Ms. Lyons’ writing has a life of its own. Couched in language no older than 1850, as a reader making me feel like I had stepped back in time to an earlier age with its restrictions, lifestyles, fashions and attitudes. A portal in time, that allowed a view of an English countryside in 1814, as close as my modern viewpoint would allow me, to enjoy to the story. A quick read, one I didn’t want to put down until I reached the last page, nevertheless there is a lot of story here. A romance that leaves to spicy parts til the happy ever after and the realistic fact that Isabella will always be blind.
  
• 
  Jamie Bee

  Regency Wordplay and Strong, Imperfect Heroine
  
  I read the original version of this delightful Regency Christmas romance way back in 2020. The author has added additional chapters and characters. Back then, this was the second book by the author that I’d read, and I was completely enchanted by it. The author remains a favorite of mine, and I snap up any book that I see at a book review site is by her as I know I will thoroughly enjoy her unique spin on the Regency Era--with lots of humor, amazing characterization, and plenty of sizzle that makes contextual sense for the plot and characters. This book shows how she has continued to evolve as an author, expanding what was an already wonderful story.
  
  Here is my review of the original book; the novel has only been enhanced by the new additions:
  
  This is only the second book that I have read by this author, but I am finding her writing style not only unique but incredibly enjoyable. She has a light and frothy way of writing where she captures would I imagine are realistic Regency turns of phrase (particularly comebacks and put-downs). The writing comes across as almost tongue-in-cheek, but in a good way! Admittedly, some may not like this particular writing style with its unusual phrases and words, but I thoroughly enjoyed the wordplay—both the bantering and flirting of the H & h and their thoughts. The hero in this particular book can sometimes take himself a bit too seriously, and the other people around him seem to do so as well. So when he meets the heroine, his internal dialogue is not what we would have expected of one with his reputation and what we had seen of his character, making it an absolute delight. I loved watching his mental fumbles and stumbles. This heroine differs somewhat from the typical Regency heroine as she has a physical disability. Usually, historical romance heroines are perfect in nearly every way, at least physically. So again it was very enjoyable to have a heroine who was incredibly strong even though she was blind. The hero, in fact, did not realize she was blind at first because she was so good at getting along in a sighted world. Brava! If you are looking for a Regency with excellent banter and other wordplay, you may enjoy this book as much as I did.
  
  I received a free copy of this book, but that did not affect my review.
• 
  Bee

  I loved the first story in this Regency series. However, I adore(!!!) this one so much more! The overarching theme to the stories in this series seems to be “broken heroes”.
  
  In the first story, the hero came home from war without part of his arm. In this one the hero has war-induced PTSD. In both stories, the author took great pains to help the reader understand what it could be like to live a life under such conditions. I love the way the author honors war heroes. That alone makes these strong stories. What set this one apart for me is the super-sweet love story between our hero Frost and the heroine, Isabelle who happens to be blind.
  
  Isabelle is a baron’s daughter, but has lived a life of cruelty under his care. Her friend Anne, manages to get her to spend the Christmas season at her house. The author walks the reader through Isabelle’s daily life of blindness highlighting how she manages to live it fully in spite of her one flaw. You can’t help but like Isabelle. She is sweet, innocent, smart and strong-willed. A very likable character.
  
  Frost gets introduced as the frosty, grumpy anti-social. They didn’t exactly have a meet-cute. It was more of a meet-two-porcupines episode. However, once they got to know each other, it turned into the sweetest romance story I’ve read in a while. It even had a little taste of a gothic ghost story vibe which was bitter-sweet and lovely.
  
  Day by day, through the twelve days of Christmas, more and more personal secrets are revealed as their courtship progresses. The climactic clash with the villain of the story was pretty awesome. I really loved the take-down. And, of course, the happily ever after was as beautiful as expected.
  
  I love that the story was set during Christmas. This will be my top go-to when I start reading my favorite Christmas stories next year. It definitely is my top favorite this year.
• 
  Charmaine Fernando

  Lovely story - Isabelle meets Nicholas at a house party and he is drawn to her in a way that he's never been before. She became blind due to an illness that has no cure. He is unaware that she is blind, and only realises this when she accidentally falls while on a walk to town with the rest of the invited guests with her on his arm!
  
  This is Isabell's first trip outside of her prison, aka home, where she is kept tucked away from society in general by her father who sees her as an embarrassment and has plans to ship her off to a distant estate when he remarries! He goes as far as to deny any would be suitors from visiting her!
  
  She too is drawn to Nicholas and while getting to know him, we see her come into her own in confidence. Where others have cringed when confronted by Nicholas, she stands up to him and flirts in such a sweet, delicate way. I love how their love develops over the course of the 12 days of Christmas and how they come to seek each other's company out more than others (in the case of Nicholas, he scowls at any other man who may wish to engage in conversation with Isabelle, wanting to keep her all to himself). Many sweet moments as they spend time together.
  
  Loved it very much and recommend this for all romantics.
  I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
• 
  Martha B.

  A Tender-Sweet Love Story
  
  Love really is transformational.
  
  Lord Frostwood has survived the battles on the Peninsula only to be chased and haunted by his demons. He wants to hide from Christmastide, but his best friends will not allow it. Only after meeting the mysterious Isabella is he very glad he agreed to come to the Redford house party.
  
  Lady Isabella has been blind since girlhood, and she's been bullied and imprisoned by her father since her mother's passing. She had to sneak away to attend her best friends house party. One last bit of freedom before being imprisoned again. Then her world was turned upside down by a grumpy lord who seemed to only know how to bark orders. Through her blindness she could see a warmth within him.
  
  I fell in love with both “Frost” and “Issy-Belle” in A Frosty Christmas Kiss by Larissa Lyons. Their love story was really one of the most tender-sweet tales I have ever read. Their willingness to honestly listen and learn was proof that a fortnight can become a future.
  
  The ending to this heart warming and witty book was not only satisfying, it was just perfect for these two charming people.
  
  Content 411: In addition so some mild swearing, there is one tastefully described married bedroom scene.
  
  Disclosure: I received this book for free from BookSirens. I am voluntarily reviewing this book, and this is my honest review.
• 
  Cassandra

  I'm a bit conflicted about this book! I can tell the author put a lot of love and care into the story. I understood the characters' motivations and for the most part their feelings felt genuine. It's a 'love at first sight' story-- and the irony is not lost on me! Issybelle was beyond cute, and I really liked Harriet. What kept me from giving it 5 stars was the readability and how rushed the story felt. I appreciated the author's use of language and word choices, as noted in the end notes. For the most part, the sentences looked pretty on the page, but there were quite a few long sentences with multiple forms of punctuation that kept me from truly sinking into the story and losing myself in the story. I had to reread them before carrying on. There was also a time skip after Frost found Issybelle alone, and they had a bit of a disagreement. It felt a bit jarring. And this book was meant to be short, but with the opening chapters I expected to see/be shown more of Frost's mental wounds than what was told. I would have loved to see this story expanded just a tad. With all that said, I did like seeing glimpses of the other couples' relationships and I'm tempted to pick up those books as well.
  
  I received an advance review copy for free from BookSirens, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
• 
  Marion Löw

  I thoroughly enjoyed this heartwarming Christmas novella with its entertaining plot, the lovely characters and the playful banters between them. The author‘s narrative is really fun to read.
  
  You can read this book on its own, but I don't recommend it. Most of the characters have already been introduced in book 1 of the „Regency Christmas Kisses“ series and it's much more fun to see how they develop as the story progresses.
  
  Nicholas is grumpy, he hates Christmas and won't let anyone get close to him except a few friends. His nickname "Frost" is very fitting. He survived the war without any major injuries and saved his friends from the battlefield, but feels guilty about it.
  Isabelle went blind years ago and is confined to a life of solitude by her father.
  
  They meet at a Christmas house party hosted by their friends Edward and Anne (book 1).
  Nicholas admires the efficient way she deals with her blindness, and he soon realises that she may be the only person who can melt his frosty heart...
  
  If you like heartwarming Christmas novels with grumpy heroes, sunshine heroines and two matchmaking ghosts, you will love this book!
  
  I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
• 
  Sonia

  Anne and Edward from "A Snowlit Christmas Kiss" are strong supporting characters in this novella. This story is about their friends Lord "Frost" Frostwood and Lady Isabella. It isn't necessary to read the other novella first, but I think you should do it for maximal enjoyment of this one. There is a slight paranormal element in that the spirits of some loved ones are watching over the couple and rooting for their HEA.
  
  Neither Frost nor Isabella had any emotional support from their family. Both are hated for reasons beyond their control. I adored Isabella because of the great courage she showed, despite the fact that she had no emotional support from her father. Frost had a similar relationship with his mother.
  
  This story was filled with witty banter and humor. Harriet and her pet goose provided some comic relief. Reading this gave me many warm feelings--I needed to reach for the tissues a few times. This was definitely a good holiday read.
  
  Thanks to BookSirens for a free ARC. This is my honest review.
• 
  Emily Pennington

  The Magic of Christmas . . .
  
  Isabella has been blind since childhood, yet she moves confidently around her familiar surroundings. Her father has shamefully locked her away from men. But Isabella loves Christmas and, when invited by friends to a Christmas party, she cannot resist the lure of an adventure!
  
  Lord Frostwood is quite the opposite from Isabella in that, through an incident of his own, he hates Christmas, pushes people away, and stifles his emotions. But he finally gives in to his friend’s urging to attend the party. It is there that he meets Isabella. Despite her “disability”, he is charmed by the lady and wants her for his own, especially when some well-placed mistletoe lets him have a small sample of the beautiful heart and passion of this young woman who doesn’t allow life’s difficulties to get in her way.
  
  I really enjoyed the wonderful story which puts Christmas in a very strategic position to bring these two together for their HEA. Grab your copy and warm your heart with a well-told tale.
  
• 
  Ltlmer2

  I was as enchanted with Isabella and Frost as they were with each other! Wonderfully endearing and romantic! I do so adore a reformed grump. And again, it was lovely how the MC with a disability was presented as a strong, capable, and whole person, and their love never for a moment sees them as less in any way.
  
  I loved how Nicholas hoarded the mistletoe berries and traded them for kisses. Mostly it is just kisses, with one tender love scene near the end🔥, where Frost was so patient and caring.
  
  There is a slight paranormal element, with the angels of loved ones watching over them and hoping for their happiness together, as well as a bit of help in dreams.
  
  We also meet Miss Primrose, Harriet's governess, in this book. I think she and Warrick are to be the couple for the next book. Can't wait for their story!
  
  I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
• 
  Donise

  I loved this book so much and I was saddened to reach the end. Issy has been blind for years and basically held captive by her father. However, her friend Anne is not deterred and spirts Issy away to her Christmas house party. Meanwhile, Anne's husband badgers his friend Frost to attend the same party. Frost is soon taken with Miss Issybelle and is determined to learn her secrets. With the help of their friends, Anne's little sister and a couple of spirits, Issy and Frost just may find a way to heal from their pasts and have a loving future together. This story had me laughing and swooning and rejoicing. I would have loved to give it more than 5 stars. I am looking forward to reading the next in the series.
  
  I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
• 
  Alexandra

  A beautiful and almost fairy tale romantic yuletide novella about a truly endearing couple!
  
  She’s a ray of sunshine with a prickly edge out of self-preservation.
  Not wanting to remember or feel, turned him into an aloof grump.
  Neither of them is fond of large gatherings, and so their meet-cute is helped along by a friendly little push. Her quick wit - her boldness is both unexpected and charmingly innocent - combined with his dry sarcasm - he’s used to giving out orders, being obeyed and not being strung along - do the rest. Teasing, flirtatious banter has them both bringing out the best in each other.
  
  This was a lovely page-turner with a lot of passionate kisses and very little steam! Captivating, sweet and fun; exactly what an afternoon read should be!
• 
  Abby

  I had a feeling that Frost and Isabella were going to be matched up after the first book. They were a delightfully cute couple and incredibly sweet with a lot of banter between them. I was surprised that Frost melted away so quickly… I thought he would be more surly… I thought there would be more conflict but it seemed to float along. They are very cute together. A Snowlit Christmas Kiss was definitely a favourite and I look forward to the third book of the series with Warrick.
  
  Steam: 🔥
  
  Heart Flutters: ❤️❤️
  
  I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
• 
  Gloria Pastorino

  Such a sweet story! My first book of this author and it was such an amazing experience! I loved both characters and I found the writing exceptionally good. The banter between the characters reminded me of Jane Austen’s novels and the touch of paranormal made me cry at the end of the book. Isabelle’s blindness is represented perfectly and I felt what she felt “seeing” the world from her point of view. Nicholas was such an endearing character, grumpy, but kind and loving! And I loved all the side characters as well.
  I can’t wait for the next book!
  I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
  
  
• 
  Berta Greenleaf Richardson

  Book 2 of the Regency Christmas Kisses. This is Nicholas and Isabella's story. Isabella lost her sight as a young child and her father treated her abysmally. She was alone most of her life and then threatened with being relocated after her father remarried after Christmas. Nicholas suffered PTSD from his horrible childhood and the war. They met at a Christmastime party at a friend's house and got along famously. I loved the easy flirtacious bantering between Nicholas and Isabella. I highly recommend this book to all historical romance readers.
  
  I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
• 
  Deanna

  A sweet and steamy regency romance
  
  I adored Isabella and Nicholas, their witty banter and chemistry was amazingly written. They were indeed made for each other, but the supporting cast members where just as amazing and the story wouldn’t have been the same without them, especially the goose.
  
  There is 1 war scene that is described in some detail, that may be triggering to some, but is an essential part of the story to help understand the characters better.
  
  Loved this book, loved the way he slowly wooed her, plied her with Christmas berries to steal kisses, snuck her out to enjoy the first flurries of snow, was just so sweet.
  
  She is one lucky lady to have her Nichols
• 
  Jennifer

  At the urging of his friend, Nicholas whom is the Lord of Frostwood gives up and attends the Christmas celebration at Edward and Anne's house. There he is vexed by Isabella. She's been blind for many years and has no hope of ever marrying. The sparks fly thanks to the help of two dearly departed specters, some mistletoe and a the push of close friends. A fantastic regency read set in early 1800s. I enjoyed the deep connections made, the melting of two hearts and just a wonderfully romantic story. I volunteered to read this book via booksprout.
• 
  Dominique Englebert

  Nothing is impossible
  Blind since her infancy, Isabella lives like a recluse due to her father’s rigid denial of her existence. She manages to escape to a dear friend for the festivities round Yuletide. Frost hates Christmas and takes no pains to hide it and his unwillingness to be paired with Isabelle in the festive activities until he discovers that she is blind. Isabella makes it her mission to have him enjoy the Christmas holidays and his heart begins to thaw.
  But will it be enough to save Isabella?
  I received an advance review copy for free and I am leaving this review voluntarily.