Lieutenant Ian Worth needs a wife by Christmas, and he can’t afford to be choosy. He has to find her, woo her, and wed her before he goes back to sea—all within a matter of days.

Anne Lesley is a shy spinster with no prospects, and nothing and no one to recommend her but her own self. She accepts the lieutenant’s hasty offer only for the comfort and security it will bring. But when a midwinter storm snows her and Ian in, they both find they got much more than they bargained for—laughter, light, and a Christmas filled with honest to goodness true love…

I find it refreshing to occasionally read a story that isn’t full of angst and Essex manages to bring readers an enthralling story that is simple, heartfelt and engaging but without a lot of issues, lies or misunderstandings.  And I’m guessing that the title might play into the rest of the series because there really isn’t anything that scandalous about it. Instead, it was a sweetly tender story about two strangers thrown together by odd circumstances, who get to know each other and fall in love.  We follow along with them on their journey as they discover all the good (and bad) things about one another and learn to look with the heart, not the eyes.

The Scandal Before Christmas is full of warmth, humor and romance, and I was quickly enamored by Ian and Anne.  They are both odd ducks in their families, but find that the family they could create together might just be the perfect place for them.  I haven’t read any of the other “Reckles Brides” books (or another Elizabeth Essex book that I know of) but I can definitely say I have been missing out.