Marian's Christmas Wish

*Spoiler Alert* This review includes spoilers necessary for the explanation.

Let me start by stating that Carla Kelly is one of my favorite writers of historical romance. I'm not sure I've come across any other writer with quite the same talent of making the romance seem so wholehearted and realistic. If you haven't read her novel The Wedding Journey, I suggest you do so immediately.

That being said, Marian's Christmas Wish was a crushing disappointment for me. It was made worse by the fact that for about the first 60% of the book, I was more than ready to give it 5 stars. True to her reputation, Kelly initially weaves a deep friendship between the hero and heroine with just a hint of something more. The heroine is only 16, which fits her personality well. She is not above being outspoken or engaging in some well-meant mischief, but at the same time is shown to have a mature attitude of kindness and of trying to take care of her family. This kindness, coupled with a type of vibrancy, charms the 28-year old hero. The hero seems like a good guy, with both a charming personality and a desire to help the heroine's "christmas wishes" come true. By about the 60% mark he has kissed the heroine passionately and seems about ready to propose. Then, everything goes to the gutter with his trip to London. The hero could have saved the heroine a tremendous amount of anguish by simply being a little less mysterious about the trip, even if he couldn't have told her all the details of the mission. But no, all he offers are vague reassurances. Worse is the fact that we learn the hero not only courted the spy but but bedded her as well. To me, this felt like a great grievance against the heroine, especially since he originally hoped to propose to the heroine as if nothing was wrong. He essentially pushes his love of the heroine aside as the request of the crown. And nothing satisfactory is done to rectify that mortal (from the perspective of a romance book, anyway) character flaw. Despite the fact that the heroine has been threatened at knifepoint, the hero allows her to head home without much protection. As a result, it's not even the "hero" who tries to sacrifice and rescue the heroine but rather her brother.

After the heroine almost dies, the hero does give up his position as a spy and the heroine eventually forgives him/agrees to marry him/etc. But nothing demonstrates that the hero is worthy of the heroine's love, worthy of that HEA. As a romance, the story wasn't worth the virtual paper it was printed on.

I'm conflicted about this book, because while I found it silly and even irritating at times, I stayed up way past bedtime to read it. That has to count for something.

My main issue with the book was 16-year-old Marian's age and immaturity. (And yes, she was immature, even for a 16-year-old.) Marian manages to engineer the most bizarre situations that no thinking person would ever take part in - like drugging the hero and putting him on his merry, sloppy way to Bath. I think her actions were supposed to make her cute, but I found her completely asinine. And about her age - I know it's historically accurate for a 16-year-old girl of that era to be contemplating marriage, but I'm not comfortable with that, especially when the hero is so much older.

On the other hand, I adored the hero - Gilbert Collinwood, Lord Ingraham. He's intelligent, funny, thoughtful, and wise, and he finds everything about Marian adorable. The main reason I stuck with the book until the end was because of Ingraham. I wanted him to have his own HEA (happily ever after) even if I don't think Marian was quite ready for her own. I was a bit peeved that he frequently called Marian "brat," but he meant it endearingly and well, she was a brat.

There was a subplot involving espionage, and some drama over the Wynswichs' future, but it didn't keep me interested. Marian's family was supposed to be charming and quirky, but they were really rather annoying - apparently it's a family trait.

I can't give this book a full thumbs down, though, because Lord Ingraham really is quite a marvelous hero. Kelly could have improved the book by giving us his perspective and sparing us from Marian's inanities. Glancing over Kelly's published works, I think this book is typical of her style, so Kelly fans may love this book. As for myself, though, without more Ingraham I'd be hesitant to read more.

I was very disappointed in this book. There were glaring anachronisms such as the Heroine saying "Try me" in a belligerent fashion. I have heard this expression often during my own life especially in the last 10-20 years. I certainly never encountered it in Jane Austen's or Georgette Heyer's works and it was a jarring note. The characters had some promise but were superficially and incongruously developed. Many of the scenes were played out as though by a boring and trite format. I feel betrayed by all those involved: Carla Kelly. her editors and the publisher.
I have enjoyed some of Kelly's works, but this one has soured me for good, because it is so bad.

I need to apologize to Kelly, her editors and publisher, as well as all readers of this review, for one of my criticisms of this book. I reread Georgette Heyer's The Unknown Ajax recently and lo and behold, the heroine actually says: "Try me!" I could hardly believe my eyes, but there it was... so that particular example of an anachronism was my mistake! Sorry.

I see there are 52 people have already expressed their views about this book, with most of them holding favorable opinions. Unfortunately, I will be one of the few on the unfavorable end, and here are the reasons:

The portrayal of the major characters were weak--the heroine claimed she was the only sensible one in the family, but she later went on an idiotic and non-sensible escapade wither her younger brother which boggled my mind; her older brother was firm in ruling but without much prudence; her younger brother was irresponsible, and her mother a ninny hammer; Not to forget our hero, another baffled character with unfathomable behavior with outrageous activities. A mad house. Add to it, the plot was unconvincing and language usages was not authentic.

Some reviewers compared her to Georgette Heyer, but I thought Ms. Kelly was nowhere near Ms. Heyer in this book. I have enjoyed Ms. Kelly's books at one time, but apparently she has now moved from Regency Romance writing to Historical Romance, which is more relaxed on the authenticity. All in all, this book did not work for me.

4.5 out of 5 stars

I love a spunky heroine. I love a girl who will get in and out of scrapes, volley some witty banter at the handsome man we're dying for her to kiss, and beat him at chess to boot. And you know what else I love? Carla Kelly's writing. I read Marian's Christmas Wish not knowing what to expect and ended up spending the next three days reading three Carla Kelly books because I couldn't get enough of her writing. I immediately bought my own copy of Marian's Christmas Wish as soon as I finished my ARC because I know I'm going to want to read this book every Christmas.

Marian's Christmas Wish begins as a sweet, light-hearted holiday tale with lots of silly escapades and laughs, but the second half transforms the story into something completely different, fraught with intrigue, heartbreak, and danger. While I did feel a bit of a jolt between the two halves, as the tone is quite different, I still reveled in this story. The romance is the hold-your-breath kind that builds throughout the book, and that kept me reading way past my bedtime. These endearing characters had latched onto my heart, and I wanted to see everyone get a happy ending before I closed my eyes.

Fans of Georgette Heyer looking for a clean Regency romance full of heart-aflutter kisses, humorous dialogue, and a bit of danger will enjoy this Christmas tale...and that ending was so gooey and sweet...just the way I like my romances. (Although I could do without Gilbert lovingly calling Marian "brat" all the time...I know Georgette does it, too, but it made me cringe.)

Carla Kelly, keep the "Greatest Hits List" coming! I can't wait to read more re-releases from Cedar Fort of Carla Kelly's early works. I need more!

This book surprised me! I was expecting a nice love story with a Christmas backdrop, and I ended up enjoying rich characters, fun dialogue, and even a little intrigue. Set in the Regency time period, Marian is a spunky girl whose family is nearing financial ruin. Their only hopeful prospect is marrying off her elder sister (who is madly in love with the poor but kind vicar) to a wealthy suitor. Without spoiling anything, I will just say that fans of the Janes (Jane Austen and Jane Eyre) will love this fun and romantic story. Highly recommend it to all clean readers looking for an enjoyable holiday read.

This lovely novel was a sleeper; looking at the covers, I didn't expect a Christmas story of such depth. As with many of Carla Kelly's books, these are fairly common folk involved in the joy of Christmas while dealing with deeper issues.

Marian Wynswich is determined to have the best holiday ever, after the reversal in fortunes of the Wynswich family. They are about to lose their home (after the death of Father Wynswich the Christmas Eve before). The two comedians of the clan are the two younger children: Marian and Alistair. Marian is devoted to her family, even if they don't think they need her help, while Alistair seems to be able to teach each school he attends that they can do better without him.

Older brother, the serious Percy, has returned from Vienna peace talks with two associates in tow. He hopes that the older diplomat will be interested enough in the elder daughter (and Percy's sister), Ariadne, to make her an offer of marriage (thus saving the family home). Unfortunately, she is already devoted to a local man. After the youngest child Alistair takes the fat diplomat's measure, he creates a comical situation that quickly dispatches the potential groom from the Wynswich home.

The story is lovely because it recreates the traditions of the English at Yuletide. It is filled with nostalgia and amusing characters. One of the most lovable was Lord Ingraham/Gil. An older man of 28, Gil is charmed by 16 year-old Marian and her family. The story is madcap and fun until Alistair decides to drug Gil and abduct him to see his family in Bath (he hasn't seen them in 2 or 3 years). Marian shows her immaturity by going along with her younger brother's plan. Not long after Gil joins his family, he is called to London on a mysterious mission. There seems to be a line of demarcation here; the first part is light-hearted while the second turns serious. However, Marian and Alistair are accidentally caught up in Gil's mission with devastating consequences.

I would have rated this book a 5 except for the drastic change in tone during the second part. Most of Ms. Kelly's books make effortless transitions; this one does not. 4.5 stars

A Reader's Opinion: Marian Wynswich is determined to have a wonderful Christmas, because it just might be her last in the home she's always known. I delighted in this book! It did start off just a few paces slower for me, but then pulled me at about page four and I was hooked. Marian Wynswich is an intelligent and outspoken sixteen year old young lady (almost seventeen as she likes to tell us). Over Christmas pudding, she makes a Christmas wish. Though she has vowed never fall in love or marry, her plans turn in another direction when she meets Lord Ingraham. I delighted in Lord Ingraham (Gilbert or Gil to Marian) as well. He's damaged with a few scars, but when in Marian's company, he becomes a dashing and charming man I fell a little in love with more than once during the story.

Marian isn't the only one with a Christmas wish and Gilbert spends most of the book hoping and dreaming for his, and yet at the same time, he treads carefully--out of fear perhaps? You'll have to read it to find out.

The setting is wonderful and the secondary characters are marvelous. Alistair made me laugh on numerous occasion and the other family members added just enough to the story to make the family seem like a genuine, and delightfully fun, family.

The author did a wonderful job with the main characters. Marian is written true to her age, but also has an air of maturity about her--the kind of maturity that comes from the weight of responsibility to one's family and the desire to see and experience more of life and the world. Gilbert's relationship with Marian is a charming development and my mind kept urging them onward to the only inevitable conclusion--lasting love.

(Possible spoiler, but not really!)
Now, there was a review about this book that mentioned the hero's time in London, towards the end of the book, and how that time away and the . . . shall I say his duty to his country . . . was a less than stellar action on the part of any romantic hero. I could understand it from that reviewer's point of view, however if one takes in the context of the era, the hero's position, and the story as a whole, coupled with Marian's amazingly generous and understanding mind and heart, the hero gets a pass from me. Don't let that deter you from the book--I still delight in his character and the story.

I would recommend this book to anyone--it's a wonderful read and clean too!

I really enjoyed reading 'Marian's Christmas Wish'. Marian was definitely an unconventional young woman! Her father allowed her to be educated in subjects normally reserved for men at that time and she excelled at them. When the time came for each person to make a wish on the Christmas pudding, Marian made a wish for another person - which showed her unselfishness and caring spirit.

Marian's sister, Ariadne (what a name!), was in love with the rector, Sam Beddoe. At first Ariadne seemed more meek and reserved, as though she didn't have a will of her own, or at least not a very strong one. But later in the story you see a deep strength in her.

I found Marian's younger brother, Alistair, quite adorable even though he was a trial at times. He secretly arrived home earlier than expected, due to the fact that he was expelled from Eton. Throughout most of the story he appeared quite immature; but, towards the end he had become quite a mature young man.

Marian's older brother Percy was a Diplomat. He was coming home from Belgium and was bringing two gentlemen with him, Sir William & Lord Ingraham. Sir William was a short, fat but wealthy gentleman. He was the type of man who thought he knew everything and had no problem stating his opinions on matters that were none of his concern. Lord Ingraham was also a Diplomat and a man of many secrets. He hadn't seen his family in years, ever since an accident had left him scarred. I don't know why, but I never really felt connected to him.

The story begins with Marian and Ariadne decorating their home for Christmas. This is the first Christmas they are celebrating since their father passed away a little over a year ago and most likely the last that will be celebrated in their ancestral home. The Wynswich family has had to tighten their purse strings since his death, because he left them with a mountain of debt, and they may have to move out of the only home they have ever known. But not if their mother, Lady Wynswich, has her way.

Lady Wynswich is plotting to marry off Ariadne to a wealthy gentleman, Sir William, who is a great deal older than she is (quite disgusting). She doesn't care that he is so obnoxious and condescending to their family, or that Ariadne cares for another man - she just wants to be able to keep her rank in society.

There were several occasions, when Marian and Lord Ingraham were alone together, that I thought would not have been acceptable behavior for a single woman at that time. Also towards the end of the story, Lord Ingraham's behavior was quite inappropriate and a bit shocking. I can't give the particulars because it may spoil the story for you.

Overall I thought it was an endearing story - especially to read over the holiday season. I would recommend this book to those looking for a sweet, light Christmas story.

*** I received a complimentary copy of this book through NetGalley to review. I was asked to give my honest opinion of the book - which I have done.***

I loved this book! Marian's Christmas Wish is a delightful combination of historical fiction (1815 England) with a lot of humor, some romance and a little mystery thrown in for fun. 16 year old Marian or "Mare" as she is lovingly called by her family -- sometimes innocently and sometimes not -- constantly gets herself into the funniest predicaments that had me laughing out loud so many times throughout the book. While the book's setting is Christmas, it would be an enjoyable, fun read any time of the year. This was the first book I've read by Carla Kelly and will be definitely looking for more. Easy to give this one 5 Stars.

My full review will be posted on November 21, 2011 at [...]