Beneath the Mistletoe’s Promise: A Clean Historical Regency Romance Book (Proposals During Christmastide 7)
Life is a journey full of unexpected challenges. You can move forward when you learn to trust the journey, even if you don’t understand it. Bound by duty and burdened with the past, Gillian and Sebastian tread a frozen path. Yet as the warmth of Christmas grows, an unexpected connection kindles. Will they dare to defy societal expectations and embrace the flame of their newfound love?
Miss Gillian Hughes, a woman of keen intellect and a compassionate heart, bears the burden of her family’s misfortune. Compelled to secure employment as a governess to support her ailing father, she finds herself placed within the grand yet emotionally frigid halls of Harrow Manor. Can she traverse these chilly corridors, defrost the distant household, and rekindle the warmth of the festive season?
Sebastian Bellamy, the Earl of Harrow, is a man ensnared by aloofness and haunted by past disappointments. Remaining withdrawn, especially from his daughters, who yearn for his affection, he presents a cold facade. However, when Gillian Hughes, with her sharp intellect and nurturing warmth, steps into his life as the girls’ governess, she manages to stir long-suppressed feelings within him. Can he surmount the ghosts of his past and allow his heart to open to the possibility of love and joy?
As Gillian and Sebastian maneuver through the intricacies of their roles within Harrow Manor, an undeniable bond takes root between them. Amidst the snow-kissed landscapes and shimmering Christmas festivities, their lives become inextricably intertwined. Yet, societal expectations, past heartbreaks, and the looming specter of a potential suitor for Sebastian pose significant challenges. Will Gillian and Sebastian yield to their blossoming feelings and grasp the chance for a shared future, or will the harsh winds of societal norms extinguish their love?
* Experience a mesmerizing love story that sparkles with passion, mystery, and holiday magic. Follow two hearts as they defy norms and discover the true meaning of love in the enchanting backdrop of Christmas. Join their journey through festive cheer as they unravel the depth of their connection, proving that genuine affection knows no bounds.
Approximately 65000 words.
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Customer Reviews
K*********************d
The governess brought love in the manor that was so needed.
This is a love story that grew and grew and grew . How a Duke and the governessfell in love fell in love, and that love embrace the whole family, a wonderful story that you can’t put down until you’re finished it. What are the most beautiful love stories I’ve ever read enjoy!May 27, 2025
E************o
futures
A testimony to true love. The story kept me going to the very end thank you. I enjoyed this story so much.August 15, 2024
M******e
loved it
Great romance across the social divides, heart warming new love from father and daughters to a daughters love for her ailing father xMarch 1, 2024
R********e
Awesome Love
Thank you Martha. You created a wonderful story of love and sharing that love with the most wonderful person. I’ve always loved governess stories and this one tops the list.February 17, 2024
m****n
Father
I would have given it a 5* but there was No mention of Gillian’s father towards the end of the book..February 17, 2024
G********n
Good read
I truly enjoyed this book. Well written with twists to keep it interesting. I’m saddened it doesn’t mention about the health of her father or if he was present at her wedding. I’m even more saddened that it said the book was 369 pages, when actually it was only 334 pages I believe. The rest was about joining the author and chapters from another book. If not for the latter I would have gladly given it 5 starsFebruary 3, 2024
S************n
Moving away from home and finding unexpected love.
This is a tender story that shows how love can rescue even the most stubborn individuals. Well written, the tale will capture you and not let go until the very end. And even then, you will want more.January 3, 2024
D*****s
If you have some time to burn over the holiday season, give this book a try.
Things not going for this book: Characters saying the same things over and over. Overall, verbose. Things going for this book: Quick read. Sweet story. Introduction of darling young characters (Emily and Sophia). If you have some time to burn over the holiday season, give this book a try.December 29, 2023
A*************r
Good concept, tedious to read
This author has potential but a lot to learn. The basic idea of the story is good, but the subject is not original rather typical of this type of romance. There’s just too much dialogue! I skipped over many paragraphs and even pages because the dialogue was just too much, rambling on and on. It seemed more like the author had a certain amount of words etc. that needed to be met, so instead of quality writing this became a task of quantity writing. I’m glad I only paid 99 cents for this book, I won’t be reading it again. I wish the author much luck in her future writing, books. Hopefully she’ll learn to write quality and not just quantity in her stories.December 24, 2023
F**********f
Beneath the Mistletoe’s Promise
It was a pleasant book, but I felt it was a bit too long for a Christmas story, and in the epilogue, there was actually no mention of her father as to whether he was even there at the wedding.December 20, 2023
T**********m
Love conquers all
Ms. Barwood has crafted a wonderful Christmas novel about the power of love. Sebastian and Gillian meet when she takes a position as a governess for his two daughters. The love Gillian shows to his daughters and the joy that she brings to Sebastian’s home, slowly helps Him realize what she means to him. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and would definitely recommend it. It is a clean regency romance, and well written. I received an ARC of this book, and these are my thoughts and reflections of the story.December 13, 2023
M*******n
Lovely journey from grief to love
The story was long with lots of redundancy but it was a great tale of a difficult journey for the Earl and for the governess. What this author needs is a good proofreader and an editor. That might eliminate the repeated text. Also the grammar and typo errors. The thing most irritating of all was the over-use of the word palpable. I wish I had counted the number. Author needs a good thesaurus. Still the story was a good one.December 11, 2023
J************t
Interesting story
This is a pleasant romance, and the story of a widowed man who is being pressed into marrying a,woman who is of equal social standing. But he has two daughters, and she does not show interest in the girls. His mother-in-law hires a governess for the girls, a woman who is able to show them love and kindness, and something Sebastian never thought he would see. Good quick readDecember 11, 2023
B*****a
Christmas Magic Recipe
Take two sweet but downhearted sprites, add a governess who is sad to leave her home and ill father, pour in an earl who is overwhelmed with responsibility and has neglected his precious children plus has to defend himself against a scheming mother who is pressuring him to marry a most unsuitable woman. Mix them together with snowball fights and snow men. Stir vigorously. When you finish you will have one delighted and delightful family.December 8, 2023
M***********n
loved it
This was a wonderful story of the love that can conquer all things. This family had suffered loss and in came a beacon of love and light.December 6, 2023
e***5
Mistletoe Promise
I thought this was a sweet story. The daughters were wonderful and the H/h were well developed. It seemed to me to drag out a little too long with each one of them thinking about how they felt. It was a good plot!November 30, 2023
d******g
Found my mind wandering why I was reading this
Started as a really good book. Thus 2 stars. Everything settling in for a nice read. Then…..the writing became ridiculously repetitive. If you buy this book, start noticing all the times Sebastian and Gillian’s minds keep wandering back to each other! Then notice how they struggle to refocus and commit to stopping their thoughts. Sebastian finds himself in so many situations. Sebastion found himself thinking, speaking, noticing, avoiding, spying, feeling. Yes, they are both going to PROVE that they are capable and guarded. She’ll be a raving success as a Mary Poppins governess and he will find himself as the Tin Man with no heart but fearing he has one. But, oh those blasted wandering minds. Please write with a more creative vocabulary. There a more choices out there for found his mind wandering back to the governess. or found her mind wandering back to Lord What’s his name. Found, found, found. I found myself deleting this book.November 30, 2023
A***e
Great Review
This book was great! I really enjoy regency Christmas books and this one was no exception.November 30, 2023
L******e
Gillian and Sebastian’s love story
Very enjoyable to watch love bloom between a couple that had never thought for a second they’d be in anything other than an employee and employer relationship. Having his daughter’s also fall in love with their Governess was special as well. I was happily surprised by how love was found between different Classes! This was a story of how true love prevails over societies and life’s expectations. A sweet, clean romance I highly recommend!November 27, 2023
J***************y
Christmas Joy!
Gillian Hughes has excepted a position as a governess for Emily and Sophia. Their father, Sebastian Bellamy the Earl of Harrow, has grown somewhat distant from his daughters since the death of his wife Elizabeth. Emily and Sophia are happy with their new governess. The girls are always singing and dancing with Gillian. She tells stories to the girls and teaches them the lessons her father taught her. One of my favorite lines… Lady Drummond smiled warmly. That’s evident, my dear. And perhaps, in caring for them, you’re also helping mend a family that’s been fractured for too long. The Earl of Harrow realizes that he has missed doing things with his precious daughters. Sebastian has also noticed Gillian. Gillian has brought laughter back to the estate. Emily and Sophia will wrap their arms around your heart! Christmas at the the Harrow estate will be filled with lots of laughter, love and family! A great holiday read. The opinions in this review are my own!November 27, 2023
B***Y
Good book to pass time
Liked this book really well. Entertaining and well written. Liked all the characters and the story line. Very good ending.November 25, 2023
D******.
True Love Is Worth It
Gillian is the governess for Lord Sebastian’s children. Society rules dictate that they must not fall in love, but they are drawn to one another. I liked the characters.November 25, 2023
K************r
Merry Christmas
Great holiday readNovember 24, 2023
L**************k
Sweet!
I loved everything about this book! Of course there was Christmas, children, romance and a bit of difficulty to get through. The perfect book to start the Holiday season!November 23, 2023
A**********r
Always love a Christmas story
Christmas and a great author what more can you say I really enjoy these types of books that take my mind off the stress this time of year it’s a great way to spend some me timeNovember 23, 2023
c**********3
Romance
Well written. Love the characters.November 22, 2023
J*d
Good read!
The Earl of Harrow, Sebastián Bellamy’s first marriage was not a love match. He vowed never to marry again. His two daughters need a woman’s influence so a governess worked better than a wife. There were a few interesting twists and turns in this plot but I found some a bit unrealistic. All in all it was a pretty good read.November 22, 2023
l**m
Historical romance
Beautiful historical romance with engaging characters. Loved it.November 22, 2023
c***l
Clean read
Sweet and clean story about how a governess, Gillian, and lord Sebastian find themselves a hea together as they keep spending time together with the children, Sophia and Emily. He is a widower who married for duty the first time and never thought he’d never find a marriage of love and happiness Just curious that in the epilogue a few years down the line it never mentioned whether they had children from their union as their friends did. Would have been nice to know (personally)November 22, 2023
J***e
Amazing Read
Loved this book, the character arc and development was so interesting. Love this author.November 22, 2023
R********.
Duty or love?
Always a dilemma, choose duty and face a long, empty lifetime marriage with someone who doesn’t interest, inspire or care about you or choose love and go against popular opinion to be with someone who sees, understands and supports you?November 22, 2023
G**.
burdens
I’m glad I don’t live in regency times, all the pressure society puts you under: a woman is supposed to be pretty to look at but not required to have a brain or god forbid use it, if you find a kindred soul social standing might prevent you from your HEA. Gillian and Sebastian both have suffered severe setbacks and disappointment in their lives and when they meet, they could not only save each other but Sebastian’s daughters from a cold and merriless future – if only envious members of society didn’t constantly put obstacles in their way.November 21, 2023
B********a
Great novel
I really enjoyed reading this novel it is a very well written page turner this is a very good book to readNovember 21, 2023
T*********a
Beautiful memories
Great story and characters, a heart warming story full of love and fond memories for the Christmas season. Seems like half the story was thanking the governess for doing the very job she was supposed to do.November 21, 2023
T*********s
Beneath the Mistletoe’s Promise:
It was a great book. I really enjoyed it. It was a page turner and the suspense was realistic of romance. Was she falling in love with him. Will she a have future with him. I highly recommend this book. I received ARC of this book via Bookfunnel and am voluntarily leaving my honest review. Trina JonesNovember 20, 2023
L***********s
A lovely regency romance.
Guillian and Lord Hughes both are working through their own family situations yet when they meet there seems to be something there. With meddling mother and ex mother n law Lord Hughes has his work cut out for him. Such a special book of romance!November 20, 2023
