'Twas the Night After Christmas

By: Sabrina Jeffries

Narrated by: Michael Page

Length: 9 hrs and 3 mins

Publisher's summary

Dear Sir,... I feel I should inform you that your mother is very ill. If you wish to see her before it is too late, you should come at once. Sincerely, Mrs. Camilla Stuart

Pierce Waverly, the Earl of Devonmont, has led an unabashed rogue’s life, letting no woman near his heart. Inexplicably abandoned as a child to be raised by distant relatives, he never forgave his parents, refusing to read any of his mother’s letters after his father’s death. Then came a letter that shook his resolve. A Christmas visit to Montcliff might prove his last chance to discover the truth of his past, and come to terms with the stranger he calls "Mother".

But two surprises await him at Montcliff. His mother is perfectly healthy, nowhere near a deathbed, as her meddling lady’s companion led him to believe. The second is Camilla Stuart herself, a lively vicar’s widow, too bright and beautiful not to arouse the scoundrel in Pierce. Though she alone is reason enough to prolong his stay, he is soon faced with other tantalizing riddles: What secrets lie in his mother’s past to explain his childhood abandonment? Why is the captivating Mrs. Stuart so determined to mend the breach between mother and son? Meanwhile, Camilla herself is caught up in love’s complications since the arrival of the irresistible earl.

As his bold flirtation and suggestive whispers draw her dangerously close, can anything protect her vulnerable heart? If they are destined to share real happiness, there must be honesty between them - yet telling him the truth about her own life may shatter that chance. None of them can predict the startling revelations to come. Or the secrets, both heartening and shocking, divulged between a mother and son, and between two lovers haunted by their respective pasts, that will make Christmas night at Montcliff one to remember - and the glorious night after, one to treasure for a lifetime.

©2012 Sabrina Jeffries (P)2012 Brilliance Audio, Inc.

Great new Christmas Story

Where does 'Twas the Night After Christmas rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Very high, I love Sabrina's books she always writes multiple plots in her books. It's just not about the couple.

What did you like best about this story?

The story line and what sacrifice's mothers make for their children, I thought that the mother and son was more important than the romance, although the romance was good.

Have you listened to any of Michael Page’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

Yes and I love Michael Page's voice he can really brings it to life

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

A mothers love....

Great story, really annoying narrator

Since I did read the other reviews about the narrator, I only have myself to blame. But I like this author so wanted to hear it. The only voice that was really bad was the lead male, but since that is a prominent character, it really affected my enjoyment of the book. The narrator made Pierce sound like a villain in a bad radio show. I have rarely heard such a poor voice in any audible book. He did a good job with most of the others, including the females. I did like this story, but I know I'll never listen to it again, and will avoid any others narrated by this reader. Still like this author though. The story is a good one.

Great story! Poor choice of narrator.

Would you listen to 'Twas the Night After Christmas again? Why?

Yes! The story kept me guessing right to the end regarding Pierce's mother's motivations. And the final explanation felt very believable to me. I want to listen to the book again now that I know how it ends so I don't get too distracted with all my wondering what the big mystery is. I think it will be just as enjoyable, but in a different way. This is in spite of the narrator, of course.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Pierce. His transformation felt very real and organic. As the reader, we learn through his eyes the real risks and pitfalls women of that era (and for centuries before and more than a century after, of course) faced in a patriarchal society that kept them so entirely dependent upon the men in their life. He might have learned to forgive and know gratitude, but that he took a moment to put himself into the shoes of the women in his life was very powerful. The author took an extra step there that made the whole story rise above the typical Reformed Rake Regency Romance that we all know and love. It was a pleasure to discover a character with so much more depth than I am used to finding in my guilty pleasure reading.

What three words best describe Michael Page’s performance?

Mean Old Man

Any additional comments?

Michael Page just wasn't the right voice for a historic romance. He sounded rather scary, actually (which made for a strange and uncomfortable mix of feelings during the sex scenes, let me tell you). Mr. Page should narrate gory horror novels instead.

‘Twas the Night After Christmas

I loved this book! If I could give it 6 stars I would. I have never said that in a review. I will definitely revisit this book, a rarity for me. I loved the Characters and there was an unusual secret that I could not figure out! When it was revealed, it was precious.

Great book to read and listen.

What made the experience of listening to 'Twas the Night After Christmas the most enjoyable?

The story line,

Who was your favorite character and why?

Don't have a favorite

Which scene was your favorite?

Don't know can't pick just one,

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

No

Any additional comments?

Would be better if the whispersync worked. I like to read and listen at same time,

Lovely Christmas story

If you could sum up 'Twas the Night After Christmas in three words, what would they be?

Heartwarming, forgiveness, family

Who was your favorite character and why?

Jasper, the little boy, He was adorable loving and reciting "The Night Before Christmas St. Nicholas" poem.

What three words best describe Michael Page’s voice?

It was fine until he was speaking in the Earl's voice. Then it was too harsh.

Any additional comments?

It is a very nice English Christmas story. I enjoyed listening to it as I was preparing my house for Christmas. I had wanted some Christmas stories to listen to, although this can be enjoyed at any time of the year.

Nursing home narrator

Sabrina's books are always fun and enjoyable but I had a hard time enjoying this one because the narrator chose to use a voice for the hero that made him sound about 90 years old. He sounded like Shriveled Old Scrooge instead of Sexy Young Hot Guy! I suppose this sounds picky but to me, the narrator makes or breaks the book. A good narrator can make a so-so book a keeper I want to listen to again. A bad narrator makes it difficult to get through even a terrific book. So I'm afraid I can't recommend this book to you for that reason. Unless you find Scrooge sexy.......

Enjoyed the story and the narrator!

This is a good story with multiple plots. Lots going on. The narrator did the many voices well and held them throughout the story. Warm and fuzzy ending. Just what I needed.

Narrator hilariously bad

I should’ve listened to the review that said that the narrator’s character voice for the hero sounded like Ebenezer Scrooge. I thought it couldn’t be *that* bad. My friends, it’s even worse. If you find Ebenezer Scrooge attractive—if he’s your fantasy romantic hero—this is the audiobook for you. Everyone else? The story is great but the narrator is impossible to get past.

Enjoyable Despite Narrator

I have never read any of Sabrina Jeffries before so this was a deightful surprise. As many have already mentioned, the narration was a bit different. His voices very nicely differentiated each character and he did the female voices well. But his scratchy rendition of the main character was a bit distracting. Nonetheless, I wanted to hear more.

The main theme of trying to reveal the mother's secrets went on a bit long. Obviously there were issues to get through but it could have been done a little quicker. The back and forth between Pierce and Camilla was fun, especially in the early scenes. Camilla's surprise of Jasper was also well done.

Overall, a tale I did not want to stop listening to.