What a Lady Needs for Christmas (MacGregor Series) Mass Market Paperback – October 7, 2014

Lady Joan Flynn is desperate to get away from London and to her family ASAP. She must reach her family before her horrid news reaches their ears. The ticket master for the train is telling her there are no more seats. She implores him to let her ride with the animals, but he refuses, telling her that it is not allowed. Behind her she hears the constant prattle of a child begging someone to "please help the lady." As Joan turns away in despair from the ticket window, she realizes that the child is speaking of her. The child is asking her Dad to help Joan. Her Dad reluctantly offers to let Joan ride with his family. Joan accepts with a heavy heart. Dante Hartwell is a wealthy mill owner who prefers his own counsel, but his daughter insists they help this unhappy woman. A little kindness would not be amiss at Christmas time.Burrowes infuses the reader with a perfectly timed development of a real relationship between two mature people who have experience in life that has both buoyed them and made them cautious. The reader is allowed to savor the progression of two strong individuals as they get to know each other. The conversations are so realistic. The inner thoughts seem so authentic. Both characters accept the realities with grace and both characters understand the value of friendship and loyalty in a romance, also. It is so refreshing to read about kind, helpful, loving people.This novel sports a very unusual plot. Dante is faced with the walls of the aristocracy as he tries to build his own future. This is Victorian England, and reality is that English society can no longer support itself with only agrarian pursuits. But the old society is loath to let the lower classes in. And the lower classes are not going to be denied either. Both classes are trying to find themselves in this new world order. Dante is fascinated by Lady Joan's world, and repelled by it. Lady Joan is torn as well, but she knows that in Dante she has found a quiet hero, and she is grateful. It is wonderful to read of people who appreciate the things that are really important in the scheme of things.The supportive characters are warm, friendly, fun. There is sadness, but there is joy, too. The Christmas spirit abounds. Do not miss this beautiful story!

I usually love GB's books. This one, not so much. The hero is great--blunt, sexy, strong, confident. The heroine was somewhat interesting--especially her descriptions of material, dress designs, etc. But there were some odd elements of the story. For example, I understand maybe not "satisfying" her the first time, and given his previous marriage, his concerns. But that dragged on so long, and when"it" finally happened, it was somewhat "anti-climactic." And the buildup of her falling in love with him was confusing--does she or doesn't she? And the fire and no insurance big scare just gets too quickly glossed over and taken care of by "investors." Story felt rushed and without appropriate buildup in some areas, and dragged on interminably in others. Maybe a better substantive edit might have helped? Read it to enjoy Dante. But don't expect a really good story.

I have read nearly all of Grace Burrowes's historical romance novels. I have yet to read (but plan to) her contemporary novels. I picked this book to review simply because it was there. I would like to convey to potential GB readers what a delight she is to read. There are some particular elements you will find in nearly all her books which added to my enjoyment. These are: 1) There is no hero you will NOT like. Her heroes are kind, gentle, respectful of women, not judgmental where the lack of virginity is concerned, and they all have an uncanny understanding of the heroine. 2) Burrowes likes to use food as a connection between hero and heroine. 3) You will usually encounter flowers--picking one at random to put in a lady's hair or a gentleman's lapel, gardens galore whether the planting of or walking through, etc. 4) There are sex scenes of course, but none of them are gratuitous. 5) Aggression on the part of the heroine as pertains to love scenes. You will not regret reading a GB novel or novella. I have found in other books the need to scan quickly a lot of pages! You will not do that in GB book. Her plots are genuine, believable, and move along with some surprises along the way. Her books are sophisticated and not insulting to the reader's intelligence, and her grammar is impeccable. (Sadly, I have found horrendous breaches of grammar among other authors I have read.) If you enjoy historical romance, Grace Burrowes should be at the top of your list along with Julie Garwood. GB is a MUST!.

"What a Lady Needs for Christmas"? A Gentleman would never tell. Ms Burrows has so much talent and a wonderful way with words and narrative that to not like one of her books would be an insult. Please, please, please Ms Burrows I am begging you to find some more "connections" to the MacGregor Clan so we can learn how the characters we have met go on. I really didn't want to leave this book, I wanted to know so much more. To date I have read all her historical based books and am actually looking forward to reading her latest modern romances. I have loved all I have read, her characters attain a life of their own and make me; at least, wish I could meet them. I cannot heap enough praise on this author, she just gives me so much to look forward to. I feel envious of anyone who can give so much pleasure with words. Any author who can hold a readers attention and there are many, deserve their success. A lovely read, if there had been more than 5 stars I would have given them.

I was attracted to the premise of the book (playing the hardworking, world-weary hero against sheltered members of the aristocracy) and it didn't let me down. On the whole, it was well-written and engaging. I like that the children read like children, and that the book addresses social issues.However, the author has a curious preoccupation with national stereotypes that proves rather trying. In addition, some minor errors were spotted - the middle name of Mr Hartwell's daughter appears to change partway through the story, and a few prepositions have gone missing.

As you can see by the 5 star rating I did enjoy this book.The fact that it took me less than a day to read and easy to obsorb.

A talented clothes designer with a desperate need to use her talents, Lady Joan has been tricked by a cad and desperately needs a husband to save her from ruin. Mr Dante Hartwell is a lovely new character for Burrowes readers. A cit with integrity and a kind heart he and Joan must both learn to trust and we enjoy the journey. I enjoyed it and would recommend it.

The story is well written and has considerable depth to the characters. Unfortunately, I simply didn't engage with those characters. I didn't identify with any one of them, and consequently really wasn't that bothered what happened to them. It was a shame, but just wasn't my thing.