She’s blissfully happy, deeply in love with her fiancé and can’t wait to tell him the news that she’s to bear his child – but her hopes for a bright future are dashed when her brother arrives at the church to tell her that Rainham isn’t coming. The story opens with a prologue set five years before the book proper begins, with Lady Elizabeth Wilding awaiting the arrival of her bridegroom, the Marquess of Rainham. His Mistletoe Wager is simply delightful from start to finish it’s funny, it’s sexy, it’s full of warmth and tenderness - and in Hal Stuart, Virginia Heath has created one of the most swoonworthy heroes I’ve read all year. If you only read one Christmassy historical romance this year, I’d strongly advise you to make it this one. he was great with kids.Ī very lovely, heartwarming, and festive read for Christmas! And I thought Hal got on very well with little Georgie and his young nieces. I also liked how it took a while before they made love so there was a nice buildup to it, they really got to know each other first. Then she helped him with gifts for his nieces. I liked the part where Hal bumped into Lizzie in the toy shop and he helped her with her selection of toy soldiers (for her son). I really enjoyed Hal and Lizzie's banter. (His father was a cruel man who died recently and Hal inherited a lot of responsibilities.) He was a former rake, never taking anything too seriously, just trying to get on his father's nerves. (Or so she thinks.) Lizzie is tired of keeping Georgie hidden away so she wants a change.

But no one outside the family home knows about Georgie. So she has been raising her son Georgie with the full support of her family. Her ex-fiancé (Charles Rainham) jilted her on the day of their wedding five years ago to go off with another woman, leaving Lizzie heartbroken and pregnant. He was handsome, kind, charming, and so appealing.

This was such a sweet and lovely read! I really liked Hal, he was a wonderful hero. (A kiss for each berry on the mistletoe Hal is holding.) And the lady that Aaron chooses for Hal to kiss is Elizabeth Wilding (also known as sullen Lizzie). His friend and brother-in-law Aaron wants Hal to steal five kisses in five different locations from the same lady.

What starts off as a simple wager between two friends turns into a real challenge for hero Henry (Hal) Stuart, Earl of Redbridge.

His Mistletoe Wager by Virginia Heath