Lord Grantwell’s Christmas Wish by Diane Gaston – Dual Review

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Description:
He wished to never see her again

Now he wishes she’ll stay…

Lord Grantwell hasn’t seen Lillian Pearson since she betrayed him years ago. So when she arrives on his doorstep looking for sanctuary, he’s not inclined to offer it! But when the two orphaned children in his care ask if she can stay for Christmas, how can he refuse? Grant and Lillian discover an intense attraction still simmers between them, and Grant starts to wonder if he has done her a grave injustice…

Barb’s Review:  Lord Grantwell’s Christmas Wish by Diane Gaston is a stand-alone historical novel.  We meet our hero, Lord Grantwell (Grant) from the start, as he watches the snow build up outside his mansion. With the death of his brother, Grant is now the Viscount, and just recently been saddled with two young children (William and Anna) that belonged to his brother’s wife from a previous marriage.   Grant is in the process of getting a governess for the children, and is surprised when he is told that someone just arrived to ask about the position.

Grant is shocked to see Lillian Pearson, our heroine, who arrives to ask for help; he tries to send her away, as he feels she betrayed him years before.  But with the weather so bad, and his need for a governess, Grant agrees that she can stay until Christmas.  He learns from Lillian that she is on the run, being falsely accused of killing her husband, and if they find her, they will take her back to hang her.

Lillian takes over the care of William and Anna, and slowly they begin to trust her, and become very close.  Grant watches how well she is with the children, an also feels the old attraction for her; but he has not forgotten her betrayal, even though she insists she is innocent.

I loved the children, and how Lillian was so great with them.  With Christmas coming closer, the planning to make presents, decorate, food for the holiday was fun to watch, with the entire staff also taking part.  Most of all, we watch and see how Grant also begins to help Lillian and children, which was very sweet and well done.  Grant and Lillian finally succumb to their relationship from the old days, and despite his anger of the past, he knows he still has feelings for her. Will Grant allow himself to have Lillian stay and forgive her?

What follows is a heartwarming and fun story that becomes suspenseful as we reach the final ¼ of the book.  Lillian will find herself in a bad situation when she is discovered, and her life on the line.  Will Grant allow them to take Lillian away or find out what is the real truth. It was very exciting and tense.

Lord Grantwell’s Christmas Wish was a wonderful sweet story, with two precious kids, and a couple that were destined to be together. I really enjoyed this story, as it kept me glued to the book.   I suggest you read Lord Grantwell’s Christmas Wish, which was very well written by Diane Gaston.

Vickie’s Review: Lord Grantwell’s Christmas Wish begins with Lord John Grantwell, known as Grant to his friends, pondering the fact that he was now Viscount Grantwell.  The title had been inherited by his brother, but he and his wife had been killed in an accident.  Unbeknownst to Grant, his sister-in-law had two children (from a previous relationship) whom he had known nothing about.  The children had been stashed away with their grandfather and upon his death, the children were brought to Grant.  He had no idea how to raise children and had turned their care over to one of the maids.

Grant’s butler enters the room to tell him that someone is here about the governess position for the children, and he tells him to show her in.  However, Grant was not in the least prepared to face the woman who waltzed into his study.  It was a person with whom he had had a passionate relationship with long ago only to have her betray him……Lillian Pearson. 

When Lillian tells Grant that she needs his help and a place to stay, his first inclination is to tell her no.  With the snowstorm raging outside, he thinks better of it and has her take care of the children until he can hire a proper governess and the roads become passable.  Lillian is immediately taken with the children, as they are with her.

It doesn’t take long for Grant and Lillian to realize that the children have only truly ever had each other, and they were desperate for a family to love them and who doesn’t hide them from visitors.  It also doesn’t take them long to realize that the feelings they once held for each other have never really gone away.

As those who are chasing Lillian make themselves known, Grant finds himself wondering if he had it wrong all along and Lillian was telling the truth about never having betrayed him.  He also finds himself wondering what he has wished for is right in front of him.

Lord Grantwell’s Christmas Wish is a wonderfully written story.  The characters are well written and the worldbuilding pulls you in immediately.  Lillian and Grant’s chemistry is palpable from their first encounter, which, for me, is rare these days.  Their backstory is told in a way that isn’t repetitive and gives you just enough so that it adds to their chemistry instead of detracting from it.  The secondary characters are also written well, however, I wish that I had more information about the children’s background.  For me, there is no greater praise than when you can “see” the snow and “smell” the fire in the hearth while you’re reading.  This story does just that.  If you’re a fan of the genre, and even if you’re not, this one will pull you in from the first words.  Well done, Diane Gaston!  Very, very well done!

Copy supplied for Review