Seduce Me by Christmas is an average book that lured me in with the Christmas theme. It wasn’t a terrible book by any means, but it’s entirely skippable – even if you love Christmas stories.

Raoul Charlebois is a renowned actor who has just retired from the stage, mostly so he can devote some time to uncovering the secrets of his past. Born a bastard, Raoul was raised by his father and stepmother until he was shipped off to school – where he was educated by the man he considers his true father figure. Raoul knows that his headmaster blackmailed his father for a hefty sum, so he is determined to find out the truth about his father and his past. As the story begins, Raoul is warned off by one of his friends (who went on a similar quest and ended up married). Like his friends before him, Raoul just might find more than he is looking for.

Sarah Jefferson is a single woman who lives in the gamekeeper’s cottage on Raoul’s father’s estate. She is raising two young boys who were deserted by their mother, and she meets Raoul when one of the boys darts in front of his horse. Raoul is immediately charmed by Sarah and her Gypsy-ish good looks. He can’t really pinpoint his reasons, but he soon finds himself actively pursuing her, even though she’s a virtuous woman and he never intended to marry anyone.

Raoul’s father is not exactly thrilled with his presence in the neighborhood. He has never loved Raoul, and Raoul’s visit upsets his wife. And obviously, Raoul’s father has something to hide (hence the blackmail). So as Raoul is wooing Sarah and convincing her that the life of an old maid is not, in fact, the one for her, he also must figure out the secrets of the past – while avoiding present danger.

On the whole, this book is just bland. If there’s little that offends, there’s also little that compels. Everyone you are supposed to like is nice enough, and the villains are suitably nasty without being over the top. Raoul has a little more to him than Sarah does: Rough childhood, abundant acting talent, generous but vulnerable nature. And of course he has that “confirmed bachelor who finally meets the right lady” thing going for him. While there’s nothing objectionable about Sarah, there’s nothing that makes her stand out as a heroine. She’s nice and she’s beautiful, and that’s more or less it.

Toward the end of the book, I pinpointed exactly what was wrong with the picture: The story of Raoul’s past was much more intriguing than the romance. I found myself turning the pages, wanting to know what the deep dark secret was – all the while completely uninterested in any part of the relationship with Sarah. I don’t know about you, but that’s not really the experience I am looking for when I pick up a romance.

In the end it’s all just average; it’s not good enough for a B or bad enough for a D. Even the more interesting mystery angle can’t quite bring Seduce Me by Christmas out of mediocrity. The Christmas stuff is just so-so as well, so it just makes more sense to find look elsewhere for an entertaining holiday read.