ABL Review At-A-Glance
ö Title:
Carols and Chaos
Carols and Chaos
ö My Rating: 4
ö Genre: Historical Fiction, Romance,
Holiday
Holiday
ö Author:
Cindy Anstey
Cindy Anstey
ö Format: ARC ebook*
ö Publication Date: October 9, 2018
Compare To:
Synopsis
A lady’s maid and a valet
become entangled in a yuletide counterfeiting scheme in this romantic Christmas
YA adventure.
become entangled in a yuletide counterfeiting scheme in this romantic Christmas
YA adventure.
1817. The happy chaos of the
Yuletide season has descended upon the country estate of Shackleford Park in
full force, but lady’s maid Kate Darby barely has the time to notice. Between
her household duties, caring for her ailing mother, and saving up money to
someday own a dress shop, her hands are quite full. Matt Harlow is also rather
busy. He’s performing double-duty, acting as valet for both of the Steeple
brothers, two of the estate’s holiday guests.
Yuletide season has descended upon the country estate of Shackleford Park in
full force, but lady’s maid Kate Darby barely has the time to notice. Between
her household duties, caring for her ailing mother, and saving up money to
someday own a dress shop, her hands are quite full. Matt Harlow is also rather
busy. He’s performing double-duty, acting as valet for both of the Steeple
brothers, two of the estate’s holiday guests.
Falling in love would be a
disaster for either of them. But staving off their feelings for each other
becomes the least of their problems when a devious counterfeiting scheme
reaches the gates of Shackleford Park, and Kate and Matt are unwittingly swept
up in the intrigue. Full of sweetness, charm, and holiday shenanigans, Carols
and Chaos is perfect for fans of Jane Austen and Downton Abbey.
disaster for either of them. But staving off their feelings for each other
becomes the least of their problems when a devious counterfeiting scheme
reaches the gates of Shackleford Park, and Kate and Matt are unwittingly swept
up in the intrigue. Full of sweetness, charm, and holiday shenanigans, Carols
and Chaos is perfect for fans of Jane Austen and Downton Abbey.
My Thoughts…
I love these kinds of holiday books. Not only is this historical fiction, one of
my favorite genres, but the characters are so endearing. The main characters wanted to work hard and
live their best lives, meanwhile they stumble into the most pure and (basically)
uncomplicated love.
my favorite genres, but the characters are so endearing. The main characters wanted to work hard and
live their best lives, meanwhile they stumble into the most pure and (basically)
uncomplicated love.
I have a hard time with a few of the character
reactions, but this might be an aspect of this time period that I don’t
understand. Without giving away specific
spoilers, it seemed that sometimes Matt wasn’t appropriately offended or
upset. If you read the book and want to
know what I am specifically talking about, message me.
reactions, but this might be an aspect of this time period that I don’t
understand. Without giving away specific
spoilers, it seemed that sometimes Matt wasn’t appropriately offended or
upset. If you read the book and want to
know what I am specifically talking about, message me.
Otherwise, this is a thoroughly enjoyable story,
filled with yuletide sentiment and romantic flirting with an undercurrent of
mystery. Sometimes, I didn’t know if the
romance or the mystery propelled the story, which is very refreshing. If you are looking for a book to put you in
the Holiday mood, or just love Downton Abbey, grab Carols and Chaos.
filled with yuletide sentiment and romantic flirting with an undercurrent of
mystery. Sometimes, I didn’t know if the
romance or the mystery propelled the story, which is very refreshing. If you are looking for a book to put you in
the Holiday mood, or just love Downton Abbey, grab Carols and Chaos.
I would like to mention that I was unaware this is a spinoff from a previous series. I did not feel like I was missing anything, so this can definitely be read as a standalone.
* Special thanks to Cindy Anstey, Xpresso Book Tours, and
Swoon Reads for providing a copy of Carols and Chaos in exchange for an honest review.
Swoon Reads for providing a copy of Carols and Chaos in exchange for an honest review.
Great review, Amy! This sounds like a really great, well written holiday read! Glad you liked it! 🙂
This was such a fun holiday book. Felt like Downton Abbey at Christmas, without the tragic life shattering event. Ugh DA christmas episode got me everytime.