Review: Once Upon a Winter's Eve

Spindle Cove Series, Novella

Naughty Rating: Mild.

The Skinny: Violet Winterbottom is a relatively new resident to Spindle Cove, though even for the others, she's a bit of an anomaly: she's a quiet girl with a penchant for languages and well-placed vantage points used to pass her time as a wallflower, watching everyone around her. No one ever really notices Violet and it's just as well, considering she's still recovering from a secret heartache. Her family is demanding she return home and marry and she's trying diligently to muster the nerve necessary for a return to London when a strange man literally crashes the Christmas Ball she's attending.

Upon seeing his handsome, yet rugged face, Violet is quickly aware of several things: he doesn't speak English, she's the only person in the room who understands his language, he's noticed no other women in the room save her, and he's clearly more than what he seems. Old memories threaten to ruin her best-laid plans at recovery, but if she can't get this stranger to confess who he is, he may wind up arrested as a spy, a fugitive, or a smuggler - either way, his life would be forfeit. If he only didn't seem so familiar to her, she might have an easier time helping him.

The Good: Violet has been through intense heartache ever since The Disappointment, and I think in some way we can all relate to her pain. But, like many a wonderful heroine, Violet doesn't allow herself to be lost in the pain. She runs away to Spindle Cove, yes, but it's more of a tactical retreat than a true desertion. She's incredibly brilliant and her ability to quickly learn new things has created superb survival skills. Skills she readily uses to get to the bottom of the stranger's purpose in crashing that party (and really, I think that's the ultimate in party crashing, don't you?). The stranger's secrets are as intriguing as they are believable - to both Violet and the reader. And most importantly, Violet demonstrates how a woman of her time can be a survivor without relying on another man.

The Bad: I absolutely loved this novella, but I really wanted more. I can't say this is a complaint, however, because the story was well-written, the plot laid out nicely, and there was just enough sprinkling in about the Spindle Cove series to make me want to devour the others. So the "bad" thing about this book is I can't truly find something to complain about. For shame!

The Wrap-Up: Once Upon a Winter's Eve is a story of lost love, second chances, and moving forward when life doesn't happen as you'd hoped. Mistakes are made, chances are taken, and our heroine finds love when she least expects it. As I said on twitter last night, Tessa Dare weaves a tale that's enchanting, dreamy, exciting, and deliriously romantic - a bit like how I'd imagine dancing the quadrille on clouds would be. Definitely worth the time and money (it's $0.79 to $0.99 depending on where you purchase it) and I give it 5 stars, without reservation!

Full Disclosure: The copy of this book was provided by Tessa Dare, herself (though I can't recall if it was for the purposes of a review or not). Though I have met the author in person at RWA Nationals - she's a really awesomely cool person, btw - I am relieved to say her personality was never factored into the rating given. Because it was that good. Objectivity is sometimes difficult for readers, reviewers, and fellow writers, especially if we've actually met the authors in question, but this time it was easy. Additionally, I receive zero kickbacks from the author, publisher, or marketplaces these eBooks are sold for utilizing any of the links supplied on this site.

Book Info/Where To Get It: Once Upon a Winter's Eve is a novella in the Spindle Cove series and would almost fit in as book 1.5 of the series, though Ms. Dare does not list it as such on her website. I haven't yet read the others, but I get the impression that it doesn't ruin the enjoyment of the others if you start with this one (as I did). You may find your digital only copy for NOOK, Kindle, Sony, Google Books, and directly from Samhain Publishing.

The Spindle Cove series in order, as stated on Tessa Dare's website:
A Night to Surrender
Once Upon a Winter's Eve
A Week to be Wicked (March 27, 2012)
A Lady by Midnight (Fall 2012)