The Christmas Love-Child (Snow, Satin and Seduction) (Harlequin Presents Extra, #78) - Jennie Lucas 1.5 starsThis rating does not mean that the book was awful, it was in fact wonderfully written with 3-dimensional characters who make mistakes and a very well-though out plot with lots of twists and turns and angst. It's just that I didn't find this book to my liking.Reading this book, I found myself so confused and conflicted regarding the characters and the plot. I loved Grace's innocence and her good heart, yet I hated that she was so infatuated with her boss (not the hero. He was an ass, and not in the hot-possessive-hero way. He was discourteous, impolite and had the manners of a donkey. I don't even know what she saw in him.But I also loved how she didn't allow her love for said asshole to cloud her judgment, and wasn't as blind and dense and tantrum-y as your regular HP heroine. She was practical. She was also extremely loyal, a trait I admire, however misplaced the loyalty.I also liked how, when the hero comes along, she realises that this is true love and opens her eyes with no idiotic denials or plain stubbornness.THEN when she finds the hero with OW, she runs away. This part I hated. She should have stayed and asked him for an explanation. Yes, she was on her way to do exactly that when she sees him with OW, but she really shouldn't have run away. There is an explanation for everything.AND THEN WHEN THE HERO COMES AFTER HER, SHE HIDES HER PREGNANCY FROM HIM. For me, this was the damning action. I don't care if he's an ass or if he doesn't love you, it's his child too, and he has a right to know! And when he asks her if she's pregnant, she lies to him! God, HP heroines. But still. She was a lot better than she could have been. Now we move onto the hero. I can't say that this one struck a particular cord, but I did like how he was willing to give up his revenge vendetta for the heroine. I loved that, in fact. It redeemed him in my eyes.The rest of the story was a roller coaster of ups and downs. I liked how Grace loved him enough to let him go, hated how she didn't want to stay and fight. Loved how her love for him was so deep, hated how she lies to him and runs away to 'set him free'. Like I said, I was really, really conflicted. It wasn't at all a bad read, I just didn't find it to my liking. Although the writing was great, the dialogue was superb, and the little details the author added made the book seem very realistic. Another point in favour of the author - her characters were flawed, had their own growing up and grovelling to do, were less-than-perfect and completely unlike regular HP characters. But I suppose that's why I didn't like the book very much - I like rainbows and unicorns and perfection. It's the reason I read romance.