*Disclaimer, I was given this book in return for an honest review*

"She had never felt like this, not since her last severe winter cold. And she could not tear her face away from Thomas’s – Thomas, she must remember to think of him as Thomas: her father’s valet, a servant, and not a man of flesh and blood whose gaze was the most potent she had ever seen."

A Christmas Surprise was certainly a surprise to me. This is not the typical book I lean towards, regency romance is very new to me, but I have to admit I thoroughly enjoyed it. The story follows Lady Audrey, a noblewoman who is about to have her coming out ball now that she has reached the age of 18. An age where woman in this era are ready to marry and presented as such. She decides upon a masked ball and ends up dancing with a stranger who she feels she knows, and who knows her. Thus becoming a short tale of young love, family bonds, and even delving a bit into a woman's right to assert herself and make her own choices. Audrey and her father, Lord Robert, are the characters you feel most attune to, as they both are given more backstory, something I wish another character or two were given as well. But really overall, it's a short and heart warming read perfect for the Christmas season that is coming upon us. It reminds us of first loves and the excitement and confusion of it all, and it brings on a happy ending that will delight.

I do wish the ball had a bit more detail, as Lady Audrey insisted on making the decor a reflection of herself, I would have loved a vivid description. And the romantic in me would have loved to read about the wedding, but I really can't complain about the ending. I would definitely recommend this if you're looking for a short read to uplift you and make you smile.