What Happens at Christmas

By: Victoria Alexander

Narrated by: Elizabeth Wiley

Camille, Lady Lydingham, knows precisely what she wants for Christmas - an official engagement to a handsome, dashing prince. Her very proper suitor expects a proper English family and the perfect Dickensian Christmas, which leaves the lovely widow with a slight problem. The last thing Camille wants is for the prince to meet her unconventional relatives. But with the aid of a troupe of actors, Camille intends to pull off a Christmas deception of massive proportions. At least until Grayson Elliot shows up.

A dozen years ago, he declared his love on the day before her marriage to another man, then vanished from her life. Now he’s back, gate-crashing Camille’s already chaotic house party, playing absolute havoc with her scheme - and with her heart. Because for Grayson, losing Camille once was quite bad enough. Losing her twice? Unthinkable. And he’ll find a way to show her they belong together - for this season, and every Christmas yet to come....

©2012 Victoria Alexander (P)2012 Brilliance Audio, Inc.

Fun, but immature

This book was read well, and written well, in terms of descriptions and language, but the characters kept irritating me. The characters seem to have the emotional depth of teenagers. Waaaaay too much angst about things that should have been gotten over much more quickly. All of the major characters only thought about their own viewpoints, and were just stunned to discover that other viewpoints existed. It took the entire book for them to get over themselves sufficiently to have the happy ending. I got tired and just scanned the last third of the book.

Good Christmas romance.

Any additional comments?

Always wonderful to have a rich romance novel that is timed around the Christmas Season. I loved both sisters for their differences.

Trite and predictable

This did not keep my attention and I kept switching to other audiobooks. I should have realized that although it’s been in my library for a couple years I have never finished listening to it. Couldn’t finish it

A CARRY ON OF A VICTORIAN CHRISTMAS

This had the feel of the old British Carry On films as it's a real farce of a romantic comedy and it took me a little while to get into the 'mindset' of the book. Lady Camille wants to catch a Prince so, unbeknown to him, she hires Actors to play her family members and staff to put on a charade of a Dickensian Christmas with hilarious consequences. But an old flame (Grayson) arrives who has always loved her and, after 11 years apart, she starts to doubt what she should do or wants but in the meantime the show must go on otherwise she will be the talk of the ton and so she has to allot him a role in her 'play'. Then more and more things go wrong and unexpected people start turning up too.

It's soooo funny with great characters and a totally unbelievable plot - it's a real family tongue-in-cheek Disney type listen that's got a sweet romance running right through it.

Worth a credit? No hot and heavy, no evil villains, no harm to anyone - just a listen that will make you visualise a lol humorous play - but it was so definitely worth the credit.

Funny Heroine's Fantasy Romance versus Her Reality

This was a very amusing Christmas story.

Camille, Lady Lydingham, wanted the fairy tale life so when she met a prince who was travelling. Camille put a plan into motion designed to charm Prince Nikolai Pruzinksy of Greater Avalonia into proposing to her and making her a princess.

The problem was that she didn't feel that her family was the "right sort" to endear the prince to her, as they were quite eccentric. So Camille decided to hire a troupe of actors to portray a proper and respectable English family. While Camille and her married twin sister Beryl, Lady Dunwell, put their scheme into motion, Camille's first love Grayson Elliot came by.

Grayson had decided that Camille was the one that got a way and he came to woo her back. Unfortunately he walks into this grand spectacle of a Christmas holiday with Camille's faux family. Both Prince Nikolas and Grayson wanted to prove they were the right suitor. Her twin sister just wants her to be happy. The rest is just comedic genius.

I wasn't expecting to enjoy this story so much but it was funny. Camille was very likable even though she was a bit of a dreamer. I give her a A for the trying in earnest to pull of a ruse of this magnitude. It required nerves of steel and sheer willpower to remain committed when parts of her story were falling part. Camille and her sister improvised so well, I almost expected them to decide to go into the theater afterwards.

I liked the drama because it felt like watching a live play with the blunders, bloopers and improvisation. The romance was also sweet and heart felt. I was pleased with how the love story was resolved. The audiobook narrator did an awesome job with various voices. I was never bored in this story. If you want an entertaining Christmas story and a second chance romance, I highly recommend this one.

Hilarity for the Holidays!

When a daughter wants a 'perfect' Christmas, she needs a perfect family, ahem, cast, shall we say? hahaha! The laughs are often and I can only imagine how anxiety ridden poor Camille is over the debacle of a perfect Christmas she has planned!! A re-read for sure!

Loved It!!

Any additional comments?

I really loved this book. It draws you in and you feel like you are really there. It had me laughing and crying. I connected with the characters and the story line.

A wonderful way to begin the season!

Truly, I have read many Regency stories set at the Christmas season. It is such a special time of year, and a perfect setting for romance. This book actually surprised me. I found myself chuckling at times out loud. The author created memorable characters and a story that is full of surprises at every turn. One of the best I've encountered in a long time. In addition, the performance is outstanding!

Fun Victorian Romance!

What happens when a young, rich Victorian widow decides she wants to marry a Prince from a small country? What happens when said Prince decides to travel incognito? What happens when this widow decides to hire actors to play her family and servants? Well, all could go as planned---or----!!

What happens when our heroine's long lost love comes back after eleven years? What happens when the actress playing the Mom continues to forget her name? And another actress decides to flirt with the prince?

There is a lot of humor in this farce. There is also a lot of emphasis on communication and forgiveness. Of course, the obligatory sex scene changes everything for our characters. For all those who enjoy Victorian romances, this book will win over your hearts!

What Happens at Christmas

I loved this audiobook. The story is a comedy in the form of a farce. It was at once hilarious with every character being quirky and a comment on several romances, secrets, forgiveness and family. I highly recommend this audiobook to anyone who wants to laugh.