I only read the Anne Gracie story, but I loved it! I might circle back for the rest at some point. ( )

A sweet Christmas anthology. (And there actually wasn't a terrible one in the bunch, which is quite a feat!) I rate them thusly-

Prologue by Jo Beverley - This basically just lists the main players, with some tiny snippets as introduction. 3 stars.

My True Love Hath My Heart by Joanna Bourne - This was a fun little spy story. What was really great about it though, was that the couple's history together felt so genuine. I'm a little amazed at how well it worked actually. Often when past events are referenced they don't carry much weight, because the reader wasn't "there" for any of it. But somehow Bourne was able to create a feeling of their history together just from little reminices between them and in their thoughts. So this story really felt like it was building on a previous solid foundation of their history and feelings. And in at least one of the references I thought 'I would definitely like to read that story!' lol. I hadn't gotten around to reading anything by Bourne before this, but I'm looking forward to doing so now. 5 stars.

A Scottish Carol by Susan King - The first scene started off with a bit of a preposterous premise, which really wasn't even entirely necessary to be included, but it was at least acknowledged as very unlikely, and the rest of the story was grounded and made sense. A new to me author, and I would read more. This was quite sweet and enjoyable, so I'm still giving it 5 stars.

Christmas Larks by Patricia Rice - This felt like it might have been a bit hindered by the short length. I felt like I didn't quite have enough of the story for everything to work together as it should. If more of the details and side stories could have been filled out it might have been a 4, but overall it was 3 stars.

In the Bleak Midwinter by Mary Jo Putney - It felt like there wasn't a whole lot to this one really, but it still had some sweet moments and the characters were likable, so 4 stars.

Old Flames Dance by Cara Elliott - I liked both of the characters fine in this, but I just wasn't particularly grabbed by it. 3 stars.

A Season for Marriage by Nicola Cornick - The hurdle to their relationship felt a little flimsy, and the characters were just 'fine', so 3 stars.

Miss Finch and the Angel by Jo Beverley - This was sweet and felt like it would end in sort of a flirtatious marriage of convenience with plenty of potential for more in the future, which I would have been plenty happy with, but at the last moment it seemed like they were suddenly already deeply in love, and I just didn't feel that the story had supported that level of feeling at that point. It had been a nice building to their relationship and then felt like a sudden leap at the end. 3 stars.

Mistletoe Kisses by Anne Gracie - This one was very sweet and a lovely note for the book to end on. It caught me up in the story and was quite enjoyable, and I felt pleased at the end of it. 5 stars. ( )

I can usually power through an anthology, but stopped reading this at 25 percent. The first story was boring beyond belief and then I skipped around and realized that none of the other stories looked interesting either. It didn't help that I had to keep going back to the intro in the book to look up people that were appearing in the other stories. I tried really hard to get into them, but just said forget it, and moved on at 25 percent.

The only thing I thought was a smart idea is that all of the stories are occurring at an annual Christmas ball being thrown by at a character's home in this one. So technically the stories should all be connected, but I think the first one wasn't that interesting that it just didn't bode well for the other stories.

The only story I started and finished was My True Love Hath My Heart by Joanna Bourne. Sorry, but this was tedious. The two main characters are Claire and Nick. Sorry, but not rooting for people stealing. The whole storyline is that Claire and Nick are on the outs because of reasons and then Nick shows up to this ball/house party because he knows Claire will be there to steal a necklace. The backstory into this two barely hangs together and the dialogue was tedious.

I did start A Scottish Carol by Susan King but just gave up partially through the story. ( )

Liked the Putney and Beverley stories best. I didn't really care for the Joanna Bourne story. Very long and more than slightly ridiculous. The Susan King story was OK. The Patricia Rice story was silly and sentimental but I liked it. The Cara Elliott story was nice. The Cornick story was kind of an old trope and nothing fresh about it. The Ann Gracie story was very nice. ( )

Anthology reads are my favorites. For a person who reads a lot these collections give a chance to try out new authors, read great stories and experience a variety of emotions and scenarios. The Last Chance Christmas Ball allows you to experience the glitz, glamour and anxious anticipation of the holiday season. One event, five authors, five well written stories of hope, second chances, surprises and enchanting adventures. The round robin concept is a great idea because it gives each writer the chance to put their own spin or voice to the read. Loved and would recommend this charming collection. I received an ARC of The last Chance Ball in exchange for an honest review. ( )

My True Love Hath My Heart by Joanna Bourne

A longtime love is rekindled, with a chance to strike at injustice, a future to determine and jewelry theft thrown in for good measure.

Claire, daughter of a Swiss jeweler and talented jeweler in her own right, is masquerading as a maid at a Christmas house party. She is determined to get revenge on a man who cheated her and damaged her reputation as an artisan. Nick is an English nobleman who spends his time traveling throughout Europe, doing work for the English government. Nick has followed Claire, determined to make her see that they can have a life together. Claire loves him too much to allow him to marry someone as far beneath him as she is.

I enjoyed this story, as Nick helps Claire carry out her revenge, while at the same time wearing down her objections to their love. I liked the way that he loved her for who she was, and wasn't worried about the social niceties. I liked the ending, as he revealed the depth of his feelings for her. His visit to her family was a sweet touch.

I liked the revenge story and Claire's plans to carry it out. I also enjoyed the adjustment to the plan, which involved helping the daughter of her target. The scene in the library with Claire and Mary was terrific.

A Scottish Carol by Susan King

A doctor fresh from the horrors of Waterloo is reacquainted with his mentor's daughter.

Henry is a doctor and viscount who served in the army during the war. Since his return to Scotland six months ago he has been filling in as a lecturer at the university. At the beginning of the story he speaks with the most talented of his students about an assignment, only to discover that the young man is actually the daughter of his former mentor. She is also the woman he had loved and lost. He is haunted by the things he saw during the war and has buried his emotions as a way to protect himself.

Clary is a widow after the husband forced on her by an arranged marriage dies in an accident. After moving back with her father and losing him recently, she needs something to occupy her time. When she discovers that Henry is back, she sneaks into his lectures, just to be near the man she always loved. She never understood why he had left so abruptly those years ago.

A series of events ends up stranding Clary at Henry's country home during a blizzard. Alone together, Clary senses Henry's turmoil and wants to help him learn to feel again. I enjoyed seeing her open his heart to the joys of the holiday again. After so many years apart, they also rediscover all the things they have in common, including a love that never died. The dog, Max, was a great addition to the story.

Christmas Larks by Patricia Rice

Returning home from war, damaged and disoriented Ivor Whitney-Harris hears mice in the walls and rekindles his childhood acquaintance with Sarah Jane Langsdale.

A reunion story. Ivo has returned to England months after the war ended. First he was recovering from an injury, then avoiding seeing his father again. After receiving word of his father's death, he heads home. He's attacked by footpads not far from his childhood home, and arrives to find an empty house before he collapses. Sarah Jane grew up with Ivo. The house was willed by Ivo's father to soon become an orphanage. While checking on the house, she discovers Ivo injured and babbling of talking mice. With no one else to do it, she stays to nurse him back to health.

I ached for Ivo, who is haunted by the things he saw during the war. A talented artist, even in his illness he is compelled to put what he sees on canvas. Being in his childhood home brings him comfort, as he has dreamed of settling there after the war. He doesn't know that he no longer owns the house. Seeing Sarah again, he begins to see her as more than his childhood friend. Sarah has always loved Ivo, but he never saw her as more than a friend. Seeing how happy he is to be back in the house, she dreads telling him the truth.

I liked seeing them get to know each other again. Sarah's love for him is obvious in the way she takes care of him and worries about him. Ivo had a little more trouble realizing what it was he felt for her. His anger when he finds out about the house is understandable, but he says some terrible things to her. I ached for Sarah and her belief that Ivo hates her now. I liked his big moment at the end, as he finally finds the words to tell her how he feels.

The talking mice were an interesting addition to the story. I really wondered what kind of hallucinations Ivo was having, until Sarah heard them too. I liked the truth behind it, as it was another insight into the effects of the war on more than just the men who fought it.

In the Bleak Midwinter by Mary Jo Putney

A wounded soldier's final return to those who love him is ensnarled by his wounded anguish.

I loved this story. Kimball and Roxie had grown up together, and moved from friends to a couple. But Kim felt as though he'd had things too easy all his life, and was compelled to join the army and fight against Napoleon. Roxie wasn't happy with his decision, but had no choice but to accept it. Then Kim was badly injured, his life seriously altered. The doctor who saved him (Henry, from The Scottish Carol) made it clear that Kim would improve only if he made a determined effort to do so. So Kim went home, but he locked himself away, refusing to see anyone but his servant, including Roxie. No matter how many times she tried, he always turned her away.

I really liked Roxie. She is fun and she is kind, but she is also stubborn. When Kim's brother Edward offers to marry her instead, since Kim is refusing to follow through, Roxie agrees that it might be a workable solution. They are friends, after all, and have always gotten along. But Roxie is determined to see Kim face to face before she will commit to Edward. She still loves him.

I liked Kim, but certainly wanted to shake him. I loved that he wanted to do something worthwhile with his life, which is what sent him to war. I even understood his desire to hide himself away at the beginning, but I felt that he should have been working through his fears by that time. He still loves Roxie, but wants to protect her from being tied to a "cripple".

I loved Roxie's conversation with Kim's servant, and how it set things up for her confrontation. I really enjoyed seeing her knock down all his arguments, with her ballgown being the icing on that particular cake. I loved their big moment at the end, as she brings him out of darkness back into the light of love.

Old Flames Dance by Cara Elliott

A long lost love returns from a far flung place. Too late or can all be set right?

Good second chance story. Lily and Edward had been in love ten years earlier, but his parents thought he was too young to marry and refused to allow the match. Lily's father was in financial difficulties, so Lily agreed to marry a much older man who agreed to help. She went to India with him, where he died, and she married yet another man. After his death, Lily came back to England, and arrived in time to attend her godmother's Christmas ball. There she ran into Edward again. Her love for him had never died, but it is rumored that he is about to announce his engagement.

I liked Lily. She's smart, beautiful and honorable. She doesn't want to come between Edward and his potential fiancée. I also liked Edward, who is now caught in a tangle.

I liked the rekindling of their relationship. The scene in the library, where they first saw each other again, was great. I loved that he knew her right away, even though she had changed a lot. Every time they were together, the attraction between them grew. I loved the advice that Lily got from the dowager duchess, though she was undecided about taking it. I liked her method of choosing, though I suspect she had some assistance in the outcome. The final scene in the library, then the ballroom was fantastic. I especially enjoyed how well it blended with the previous story.

A Season for Marriage by Nicola Cornick

What can you do when your husband spurns you? Why flee to the arms of your loving family and hope!

Very emotional story. Caro has been married to Piers for six months. He is her brother Edward's best friend and used to visit when they were younger. He was always nice to her and she's been in love with him for years, though he never seemed to notice her that way. They were forced into marriage because he had accidentally compromised her, and she has been trying to make it up to him ever since. She's gone overboard in shopping, trying to buy herself a boost in confidence, so that she can be the political wife he needs.

After a disastrous wedding night, Piers has avoided her, spending all his time on his political work. He is fascinated by her wit and kindness, and fears that he's falling in love with her. His experience with love was that of seeing his parents' obsession with each other to the exclusion of everything else, and he wants no part of that loss of control.

After a confrontation regarding her spending, Caro knows she has to do something to rescue her marriage. While he is away from the house, she leaves for her family home and the Christmas ball, hoping that he will follow, and fearing that he won't. I loved his reaction and what he did, and ached for him and the turmoil of his feelings.

I loved seeing Caro stand up to him and let him know why she has been so unhappy. He was so oblivious to the effects his actions had had on her that it was quite a shock. He was still having trouble dealing with his feelings and managed to hurt her yet again with his words (or lack of them). It took an unexpected bit of jealousy and a waltz to drive him to finally admit his feelings to her and himself. I loved Caro's understanding and willingness to forgive.

Miss Finch and the Angel by Jo Beverley

A lowly companion captures the gaze of a well-intentioned rake.

Good story. Clio was introduced in the prologue as the companion of Lady Holly. She's very quiet, content to stay in the background. Gabriel is Lady Holly's godson, the second son of a duke, and something of a rogue and a rake. She has summoned him to the ball to help her make the wallflowers look good. He is more than willing, but also finds himself intrigued by Clio.

Clio is a young woman who was deceived by a man and spurned by her family afterward. She has settled on a life of service, knowing that marriage is no longer an option for her. She does her best to blend into the background, though it isn't really her nature.

I loved Gabriel's determination to help Clio find a man, even though she was reluctant. What was even more fun was how personal it became for him. It was great to see him start thinking of her as his, though he resisted at first because of what might be her reputation. They had a couple encounters where they got to know each other a little, and Gabriel was more entranced by her. I loved seeing them at the ball together, and how he brought her out of the background.

The ending was great, with the unexpected appearance of Clio's father. I loved Gabriel's immediate protectiveness. I especially enjoyed Gabriel's conversation with Mr. Finch. I liked seeing Gabriel get what he didn't know he wanted until it was right in front of him.

Mistletoe Kisses by Annie Grace

French verbs and mistletoe kisses. Life for Allie Fenton was set upon a oath that seemed unlikely to waiver.

Another good story. Allie is a young woman whose father has died and whose cousin has inherited the house she grew up in. Rather than stay and become an unpaid servant in his household, she plans to become a teacher. But Lady Holly isn't going to let her get away before attending the Christmas ball, and has even provided a beautiful dress for her. Allie agrees to attend.

For the few days before the ball, Allie has given her servants the time off and is staying alone in her home. Two travelers have a carriage accident near her home and she takes them in. Lord Kelsey and his sister Lucilla are also headed to Lady Holly's for the ball.

I liked both Allie and John. She is kind, pretty and practical. She has been running the estate for years and has the confidence of someone who is used to being in charge. It was fun to see her bossing John and Lucilla around. John changed his own holiday plans so that he could take his sister to Lady Holly's, which I found very sweet.

I enjoyed the development of their romance. Snowed in over the next several days, the three become good friends, sharing meals, chores, cards games and even a little dancing. Sister Lucilla is a bit mischievous and has a heavy hand with the mistletoe, leading to several passionate encounters. Allie comes to Lucilla's rescue, when her ball gown is discovered to have gotten ruined in the accident, and gives up her own and her chance to attend the ball herself. I loved John's reaction to her absence, and the assistance he received from Lady Holly to bring the ball to Allie. Those hours together were sweet, and he promised to be back the next day.

But an emergency at home had him otherwise occupied, and his note of explanation goes astray. I ached for Allie and her belief that she'd been forgotten. I loved John's big moment at the end, and the assistance he received from an unexpected source. ( )

I have a huge soft spot in my heart for the tortured and scarred hero. So, this story naturally stood out for me.

Kim and Roxie grew up around each other, but didn't always see eye to eye as children. But, of course they fell in love and planned to marry, until Kim has to leave to fight the war. All their plans are squashed when Kim returns home scarred physically and shuts himself away in his Medieval castle refusing to see anyone, especially Roxie.

When his family begins to lose all hope for Kim, it is suggested his brother Edward step up and ask for Roxie's hand, an idea that starts to appeal to them both. But, before Roxie settles for companionship, she wants to attempt to approach Kim one more time….

This is a wonderful story, proving love can conquer anything, restore faith, ignite hope, and heal all manner of wounds. 4.5 stars

The second story I chose to highlight is “ A Season for Marriage” by Nicola Cornick.

Caroline's marriage to Piers is in trouble. Piers avoids her completely, even in the bed-chamber, which prompts Caroline to take desperate measures by running away. Piers will have to finally explain why he is pushing his wife away.

This is a heartbreaking story about an emotionally scarred hero who needs the help of his loving wife to help him overcome his fears and inhibitions. Caroline finally gets rid of her pent up guilt and Piers finally stops holding back and becomes the husband Caroline has been waiting for. This is a sensual little holiday tale that sends this couple off on their long overdue happily ever after. 4 stars
This is one of the best Christmas anthologies I've read in a very long time.

4.5 stars ( )

Christmas hopes and romances revealed.

An enjoyable mix of stories wound around a common thread. Some more than others. Overall they threaded together admirably, giving cohesion and expressing the hope of the Christmas season.

Jo Beverley sets the scene. It's post the French wars in regency England. Napoleon has been routed at Waterloo. For those returning, that coming home is a harrowing undertaking.
Fate has cast more than a few nettles across the path of true love but it's Christmas time and perhaps more than Yuletide longings and good cheer are at work. The Dowager Countess of Holbourne has decided to give her Last Chance Ball (for spinsters to seize the moment) at Holbourne House. The stories are centred around those would be guests.

My True Love Hath My Heart by Joanna Bourne.
A longtime love is rekindled, with a chance to strike at injustice, a future to determine and jewelry theft thrown in for good measure.
A Scottish Carol by Susan King.
A doctor fresh from the horrors of Waterloo is reacquainted with his mentor's daughter.
Christmas Larks by Patricia Rice.
Returning home from war, damaged and disoriented Ivor Whitney-Harris hears mice in the walls and rekindles his childhood acquaintance with Sara Jane Langsdale.
In the Bleak Midwinter by Mary Jo Putney.
A wounded soldier's final return to those who love him is ensnarled by his wounded anguish.
Old Flames dance by Cara Elliott.
A long lost love returns from a far flung place. Too late or can all be set right?
A Season for Marriage by Nicola Cornick.
What can you do when your husband spurns you? Why flee to the arms of your loving family and hope!
Miss Finch and the Angel by Jo Beverley
A lowly companion captures the gaze of a well intentioned rake.
Mistletoe Kisses by Annie Grace
French verbs and mistletoe kisses. Life for Allie Fenton was set upon a oath that seemed unlikely to waiver.

A NetGalley ARC ( )

The Last Chance Christmas Ball by 8 Authors

Eight Authors managed to write seamlessly creating this wonderful Christmas anthology! One ball but eight different couples who have been invited will find their happily ever after whether or not they manage to attend.

My True Love Hath My Heart by Joanna Bourne: Nick and Claire find themselves in Holbourne Abbey after some time apart but that time apart has not seen them lose their edge and ability to work together for a common purpose.

A Scottish Carol by Susan King: Henry and Clarinda were once more than acquaintances – a snowstorm allows them to rekindle their friendship and possibly more.

Christmas Larks by Patricia Rice: Patricia Rice I one of my favorite authors and this short story was everything that I hoped it would be. Ivo has returned to his childhood home with a bad case of PTSD and a concussion. His old friend Sarah Jane finds him in need and provides nursing care for him. Talking mice – maybe – more than one person hears them through the walls. This story had me smiling and happy and might have been my favorite.

In the Bleak Winter by Mary Jo Putney: Kim and Roxie were once betrothed but Kim feels his wounds have made him unable to marry after all. Will Roxie be able to counter his objections and find a way back into his arms?

Old Flames Dance by Cara Elliott: Lily and Edward were separated ten years before but never have forgotten one another. They will meet again at the ball. How will the years have changed them? Might they have a future together?

A Season of Marriage by Nicola Cornick: Caroline and Piers have been married less than a year and are facing marital difficulties. Will they be able to deal with their issues and do so in a positive manner?

Miss Finch and the Angel by Jo Beverly: Miss Finch was introduced in the Prologue and I knew her story would eventually be told. The telling of Clio and Gabrielle’s story is somewhat deeper than the rest but oh so much fun!

Mistletoe Kisses by Anne Gracie: Last but not least is the story of a carriage crash and the stranding of Lucilla and John at Alice’s home. The fun they have, the time they share and the ultimate ending of their story were a great way to tie all of these stories up in a pretty bow.

Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Books for the copy of this book to read and review. ( )