Meg Mardell - Historical Holiday Romance
@megmardell.bsky.social
Author & Brexit exile. Earl Grey & inclusive #romancereads lover. She/her.
MM historical #holidayromance
𝓣𝓱𝓮 𝓒𝓪𝓹𝓽𝓪𝓲𝓷'𝓼 𝓗𝓸𝓵𝓲𝓭𝓪𝔂 𝓗𝓸𝓶𝓮𝓬𝓸𝓶𝓲𝓷𝓰 out now! https://books2read.com/captainsholiday
MM historical #holidayromance
𝓣𝓱𝓮 𝓒𝓪𝓹𝓽𝓪𝓲𝓷'𝓼 𝓗𝓸𝓵𝓲𝓭𝓪𝔂 𝓗𝓸𝓶𝓮𝓬𝓸𝓶𝓲𝓷𝓰 out now! https://books2read.com/captainsholiday
Dec 10: 12 Toys of Christmas
A modern toy designer gets Ye Old Santa's Workshop makeover in this 2025 arrival on Prime. A wooden leading lady is redeemed by old-world charm.
Instead of setting the holiday romance somewhere audiences know like Montenaro or Aldovia, we are some place called Hungary.
A modern toy designer gets Ye Old Santa's Workshop makeover in this 2025 arrival on Prime. A wooden leading lady is redeemed by old-world charm.
Instead of setting the holiday romance somewhere audiences know like Montenaro or Aldovia, we are some place called Hungary.
December 10, 2025 at 9:21 PM
Dec 10: 12 Toys of Christmas
A modern toy designer gets Ye Old Santa's Workshop makeover in this 2025 arrival on Prime. A wooden leading lady is redeemed by old-world charm.
Instead of setting the holiday romance somewhere audiences know like Montenaro or Aldovia, we are some place called Hungary.
A modern toy designer gets Ye Old Santa's Workshop makeover in this 2025 arrival on Prime. A wooden leading lady is redeemed by old-world charm.
Instead of setting the holiday romance somewhere audiences know like Montenaro or Aldovia, we are some place called Hungary.
Dec 9: A Mery Little Ex-Mas
Would I watch any holiday romcom staring Alicia Silverstone? Yes. So I'm grateful the folks at Netflix have put her in an actually funny second chance romance.
Needed about 10 more minutes of Alicia and Melissa Joan Hart bantering to satisfy my 90s nostalgia.
Would I watch any holiday romcom staring Alicia Silverstone? Yes. So I'm grateful the folks at Netflix have put her in an actually funny second chance romance.
Needed about 10 more minutes of Alicia and Melissa Joan Hart bantering to satisfy my 90s nostalgia.
December 9, 2025 at 8:59 PM
Dec 9: A Mery Little Ex-Mas
Would I watch any holiday romcom staring Alicia Silverstone? Yes. So I'm grateful the folks at Netflix have put her in an actually funny second chance romance.
Needed about 10 more minutes of Alicia and Melissa Joan Hart bantering to satisfy my 90s nostalgia.
Would I watch any holiday romcom staring Alicia Silverstone? Yes. So I'm grateful the folks at Netflix have put her in an actually funny second chance romance.
Needed about 10 more minutes of Alicia and Melissa Joan Hart bantering to satisfy my 90s nostalgia.
Dec 7: Hotel for the Holiday
Auto-play, I'm not mad at you.
I've seen a lot of quaint inns and rustic cabins in these festive confections. Eccentric NYC hotel is a fun change.
Plenty of diversions, and secondary romances, as our type A manager and handsome chef, close the Christmas deal.
Auto-play, I'm not mad at you.
I've seen a lot of quaint inns and rustic cabins in these festive confections. Eccentric NYC hotel is a fun change.
Plenty of diversions, and secondary romances, as our type A manager and handsome chef, close the Christmas deal.
December 8, 2025 at 9:53 PM
Dec 7: Hotel for the Holiday
Auto-play, I'm not mad at you.
I've seen a lot of quaint inns and rustic cabins in these festive confections. Eccentric NYC hotel is a fun change.
Plenty of diversions, and secondary romances, as our type A manager and handsome chef, close the Christmas deal.
Auto-play, I'm not mad at you.
I've seen a lot of quaint inns and rustic cabins in these festive confections. Eccentric NYC hotel is a fun change.
Plenty of diversions, and secondary romances, as our type A manager and handsome chef, close the Christmas deal.
Dec 6: ...real people? Am I ready for this?
Watched a Swiss friend make bread men for St Nicolas AND went to a holiday themed open mic night. Whew.
Dec 7: Safely back in fictional land and a sweet&spicy MM romance by MA Wardell is here to welcome me. I'm excited for this one.
Watched a Swiss friend make bread men for St Nicolas AND went to a holiday themed open mic night. Whew.
Dec 7: Safely back in fictional land and a sweet&spicy MM romance by MA Wardell is here to welcome me. I'm excited for this one.
December 7, 2025 at 10:38 PM
Dec 6: ...real people? Am I ready for this?
Watched a Swiss friend make bread men for St Nicolas AND went to a holiday themed open mic night. Whew.
Dec 7: Safely back in fictional land and a sweet&spicy MM romance by MA Wardell is here to welcome me. I'm excited for this one.
Watched a Swiss friend make bread men for St Nicolas AND went to a holiday themed open mic night. Whew.
Dec 7: Safely back in fictional land and a sweet&spicy MM romance by MA Wardell is here to welcome me. I'm excited for this one.
Dec 5: The Bishop's Wife
Fridays are my Golden Era Hollywood night, and, miraculously, I had never seen this 1947 classic.
Lots of holiday romance tropes, including a wild ice skating sequence.
Although it's hard for the love affair to lift off what with him being an angel and her being married.
Fridays are my Golden Era Hollywood night, and, miraculously, I had never seen this 1947 classic.
Lots of holiday romance tropes, including a wild ice skating sequence.
Although it's hard for the love affair to lift off what with him being an angel and her being married.
December 5, 2025 at 10:23 PM
Dec 5: The Bishop's Wife
Fridays are my Golden Era Hollywood night, and, miraculously, I had never seen this 1947 classic.
Lots of holiday romance tropes, including a wild ice skating sequence.
Although it's hard for the love affair to lift off what with him being an angel and her being married.
Fridays are my Golden Era Hollywood night, and, miraculously, I had never seen this 1947 classic.
Lots of holiday romance tropes, including a wild ice skating sequence.
Although it's hard for the love affair to lift off what with him being an angel and her being married.
Dec 4: Meeting Mr Christmas
People complain classic small screen holiday romance has no surprises
This big-city-writer-gal-goes-home-for the-holidays does what it says on the tin...until!
Gal still doesn't want the house+kids. And her small-town doctor is like, cool, I'll come travel with you 🤔
People complain classic small screen holiday romance has no surprises
This big-city-writer-gal-goes-home-for the-holidays does what it says on the tin...until!
Gal still doesn't want the house+kids. And her small-town doctor is like, cool, I'll come travel with you 🤔
December 4, 2025 at 9:15 PM
Dec 4: Meeting Mr Christmas
People complain classic small screen holiday romance has no surprises
This big-city-writer-gal-goes-home-for the-holidays does what it says on the tin...until!
Gal still doesn't want the house+kids. And her small-town doctor is like, cool, I'll come travel with you 🤔
People complain classic small screen holiday romance has no surprises
This big-city-writer-gal-goes-home-for the-holidays does what it says on the tin...until!
Gal still doesn't want the house+kids. And her small-town doctor is like, cool, I'll come travel with you 🤔
Dec 3: a Christmas music extravaganza.
I love Kasey Musgraves holiday album. Only Sia chucks in more original songs.
First sign Im in trouble? James Corden. No thanks. Next, they trapped in giant dollhouse. And her bandmates talk?
Give me Mariah at Madison Square Gardens any day.
I love Kasey Musgraves holiday album. Only Sia chucks in more original songs.
First sign Im in trouble? James Corden. No thanks. Next, they trapped in giant dollhouse. And her bandmates talk?
Give me Mariah at Madison Square Gardens any day.
December 3, 2025 at 9:08 PM
Dec 3: a Christmas music extravaganza.
I love Kasey Musgraves holiday album. Only Sia chucks in more original songs.
First sign Im in trouble? James Corden. No thanks. Next, they trapped in giant dollhouse. And her bandmates talk?
Give me Mariah at Madison Square Gardens any day.
I love Kasey Musgraves holiday album. Only Sia chucks in more original songs.
First sign Im in trouble? James Corden. No thanks. Next, they trapped in giant dollhouse. And her bandmates talk?
Give me Mariah at Madison Square Gardens any day.
Dec 2nd: Why have I slept on this 2022 holiday romance movie?
Lots of classic romcom vibes here (quirky heroine is 100lbs in her chunky knits) and its shot in NYC, not Toronto masquerading as NYC.
But even though the grand gesture is soundtracked to LCD Soundsystem, it's got pure Hallmark heart.
Lots of classic romcom vibes here (quirky heroine is 100lbs in her chunky knits) and its shot in NYC, not Toronto masquerading as NYC.
But even though the grand gesture is soundtracked to LCD Soundsystem, it's got pure Hallmark heart.
December 2, 2025 at 9:49 PM
Dec 2nd: Why have I slept on this 2022 holiday romance movie?
Lots of classic romcom vibes here (quirky heroine is 100lbs in her chunky knits) and its shot in NYC, not Toronto masquerading as NYC.
But even though the grand gesture is soundtracked to LCD Soundsystem, it's got pure Hallmark heart.
Lots of classic romcom vibes here (quirky heroine is 100lbs in her chunky knits) and its shot in NYC, not Toronto masquerading as NYC.
But even though the grand gesture is soundtracked to LCD Soundsystem, it's got pure Hallmark heart.
Romance reader: forgot an honourable pre-December mention
Her Naughty Holiday, a 🦃 romance
Jen at Fated Mates has hyped this one for years. Was still surprised just how fresh and fun and sexy a story about putting people's pushy family in their place turned out to be.
A five star Blaze read.
Her Naughty Holiday, a 🦃 romance
Jen at Fated Mates has hyped this one for years. Was still surprised just how fresh and fun and sexy a story about putting people's pushy family in their place turned out to be.
A five star Blaze read.
December 1, 2025 at 7:35 PM
Romance reader: forgot an honourable pre-December mention
Her Naughty Holiday, a 🦃 romance
Jen at Fated Mates has hyped this one for years. Was still surprised just how fresh and fun and sexy a story about putting people's pushy family in their place turned out to be.
A five star Blaze read.
Her Naughty Holiday, a 🦃 romance
Jen at Fated Mates has hyped this one for years. Was still surprised just how fresh and fun and sexy a story about putting people's pushy family in their place turned out to be.
A five star Blaze read.
Dec 29: Haul Out The Holly - Lit Up
Look, even a seasoned holiday pro makes mistakes. I'm talking about me, not my gal Lacey Chabert. Should have known better than to go with a sequel 'based on characters created by Andy Sandberg'.
Lacked the perfect pace and surface skim of the of sleigh ride.
Look, even a seasoned holiday pro makes mistakes. I'm talking about me, not my gal Lacey Chabert. Should have known better than to go with a sequel 'based on characters created by Andy Sandberg'.
Lacked the perfect pace and surface skim of the of sleigh ride.
a man and a woman are sitting on a couch holding a baby with the brooklyn99 logo on the bottom
ALT: a man and a woman are sitting on a couch holding a baby with the brooklyn99 logo on the bottom
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December 30, 2024 at 2:53 AM
Dec 29: Haul Out The Holly - Lit Up
Look, even a seasoned holiday pro makes mistakes. I'm talking about me, not my gal Lacey Chabert. Should have known better than to go with a sequel 'based on characters created by Andy Sandberg'.
Lacked the perfect pace and surface skim of the of sleigh ride.
Look, even a seasoned holiday pro makes mistakes. I'm talking about me, not my gal Lacey Chabert. Should have known better than to go with a sequel 'based on characters created by Andy Sandberg'.
Lacked the perfect pace and surface skim of the of sleigh ride.
Dec 27: Merry and Gay
Continuing to mine the Zon for low budget LGBTQ holiday flicks... and behold a sapphic romance with enby lead set in a small Tennessee town, y'all!
Unsure about the Friends musical; could do without the meddling moms; definitely keep making out in front of the pastor's house.
Continuing to mine the Zon for low budget LGBTQ holiday flicks... and behold a sapphic romance with enby lead set in a small Tennessee town, y'all!
Unsure about the Friends musical; could do without the meddling moms; definitely keep making out in front of the pastor's house.
a woman wearing a red sweater with a christmas tree and presents on it
ALT: a woman wearing a red sweater with a christmas tree and presents on it
media.tenor.com
December 30, 2024 at 2:47 AM
Dec 27: Merry and Gay
Continuing to mine the Zon for low budget LGBTQ holiday flicks... and behold a sapphic romance with enby lead set in a small Tennessee town, y'all!
Unsure about the Friends musical; could do without the meddling moms; definitely keep making out in front of the pastor's house.
Continuing to mine the Zon for low budget LGBTQ holiday flicks... and behold a sapphic romance with enby lead set in a small Tennessee town, y'all!
Unsure about the Friends musical; could do without the meddling moms; definitely keep making out in front of the pastor's house.
Dec 25: Christmas in Connecticut
This 40s fav won the family vote as the official film this year.
Barbara Stanwyck's brazen flirting with a convalescing soldier while posing as a married mom is fabulous. She makes zero apologies for not knowing how to cook.
Career girl for the Christmas win.
This 40s fav won the family vote as the official film this year.
Barbara Stanwyck's brazen flirting with a convalescing soldier while posing as a married mom is fabulous. She makes zero apologies for not knowing how to cook.
Career girl for the Christmas win.
a man and a woman are petting a cow in a barn in a black and white photo .
ALT: a man and a woman are petting a cow in a barn in a black and white photo .
media.tenor.com
December 30, 2024 at 2:37 AM
Dec 25: Christmas in Connecticut
This 40s fav won the family vote as the official film this year.
Barbara Stanwyck's brazen flirting with a convalescing soldier while posing as a married mom is fabulous. She makes zero apologies for not knowing how to cook.
Career girl for the Christmas win.
This 40s fav won the family vote as the official film this year.
Barbara Stanwyck's brazen flirting with a convalescing soldier while posing as a married mom is fabulous. She makes zero apologies for not knowing how to cook.
Career girl for the Christmas win.
Dec 23: Hot Frosty
And the award for most audacious premise goes to...
Like most of romancelandia, I love to see a nuts setup pulled off. An overly chiseled snowman acting out Pretty Woman with twinkled eyed Lacey Chabert as Greer? Yes please.
The Brooklyn 99 support squad was much appreciated.
And the award for most audacious premise goes to...
Like most of romancelandia, I love to see a nuts setup pulled off. An overly chiseled snowman acting out Pretty Woman with twinkled eyed Lacey Chabert as Greer? Yes please.
The Brooklyn 99 support squad was much appreciated.
a woman wearing a santa hat is smiling and says that is so fetch
ALT: a woman wearing a santa hat is smiling and says that is so fetch
media.tenor.com
December 24, 2024 at 3:09 AM
Dec 23: Hot Frosty
And the award for most audacious premise goes to...
Like most of romancelandia, I love to see a nuts setup pulled off. An overly chiseled snowman acting out Pretty Woman with twinkled eyed Lacey Chabert as Greer? Yes please.
The Brooklyn 99 support squad was much appreciated.
And the award for most audacious premise goes to...
Like most of romancelandia, I love to see a nuts setup pulled off. An overly chiseled snowman acting out Pretty Woman with twinkled eyed Lacey Chabert as Greer? Yes please.
The Brooklyn 99 support squad was much appreciated.
Dec 22: Haul Out The Holly
Christmas pros knows anticipation is the magic ingredient so I dug into Lacey Chabert's back catalogue ahead of her Netflix debut.
Rom with lots of com and Lacey can style out an ugly Christmas sweater (secret? cleavage).
Bonus: quirky love interest with Santa fetish.
Christmas pros knows anticipation is the magic ingredient so I dug into Lacey Chabert's back catalogue ahead of her Netflix debut.
Rom with lots of com and Lacey can style out an ugly Christmas sweater (secret? cleavage).
Bonus: quirky love interest with Santa fetish.
a man and a woman are looking at each other and the words merry thanksgiving hallmark are on the bottom
ALT: a man and a woman are looking at each other and the words merry thanksgiving hallmark are on the bottom
media.tenor.com
December 24, 2024 at 3:00 AM
Dec 22: Haul Out The Holly
Christmas pros knows anticipation is the magic ingredient so I dug into Lacey Chabert's back catalogue ahead of her Netflix debut.
Rom with lots of com and Lacey can style out an ugly Christmas sweater (secret? cleavage).
Bonus: quirky love interest with Santa fetish.
Christmas pros knows anticipation is the magic ingredient so I dug into Lacey Chabert's back catalogue ahead of her Netflix debut.
Rom with lots of com and Lacey can style out an ugly Christmas sweater (secret? cleavage).
Bonus: quirky love interest with Santa fetish.
Dec 15: Holiday Affair
Operating under the 'why the hell not' ethos common to long flights, to gave this 1949 holiday film a whirl.
It did not light my tree. Professionally cute children of the Old Hollywood school give me the ick.
But damn Robert Mitchum could bring me a toy train anytime.
Operating under the 'why the hell not' ethos common to long flights, to gave this 1949 holiday film a whirl.
It did not light my tree. Professionally cute children of the Old Hollywood school give me the ick.
But damn Robert Mitchum could bring me a toy train anytime.
a cat is playing with a toy that says alex on it
ALT: a cat is playing with a toy that says alex on it
media.tenor.com
December 18, 2024 at 1:15 AM
Dec 15: Holiday Affair
Operating under the 'why the hell not' ethos common to long flights, to gave this 1949 holiday film a whirl.
It did not light my tree. Professionally cute children of the Old Hollywood school give me the ick.
But damn Robert Mitchum could bring me a toy train anytime.
Operating under the 'why the hell not' ethos common to long flights, to gave this 1949 holiday film a whirl.
It did not light my tree. Professionally cute children of the Old Hollywood school give me the ick.
But damn Robert Mitchum could bring me a toy train anytime.
Dec 12: Our Little Secret
No less a publication than the New York Times is endorsing this LiLo vehicle as an acceptable mode of transport during the holidays.
A flyaway plot held firmly to the festive table with the glossy haired millennial paperweight that is La Lohan. Fan.
No less a publication than the New York Times is endorsing this LiLo vehicle as an acceptable mode of transport during the holidays.
A flyaway plot held firmly to the festive table with the glossy haired millennial paperweight that is La Lohan. Fan.
a close up of a woman 's face with netflix written on the bottom
ALT: a close up of a woman 's face with netflix written on the bottom
media.tenor.com
December 17, 2024 at 11:04 PM
Dec 12: Our Little Secret
No less a publication than the New York Times is endorsing this LiLo vehicle as an acceptable mode of transport during the holidays.
A flyaway plot held firmly to the festive table with the glossy haired millennial paperweight that is La Lohan. Fan.
No less a publication than the New York Times is endorsing this LiLo vehicle as an acceptable mode of transport during the holidays.
A flyaway plot held firmly to the festive table with the glossy haired millennial paperweight that is La Lohan. Fan.
Sold! Is it only on audio for now?
December 17, 2024 at 10:40 PM
Sold! Is it only on audio for now?
I'm re-reading Alexis Hall's Christmas romcom from last year: 10 Things That Never Happened. Its Overboard meet While You Were Sleeping.
December 17, 2024 at 10:39 PM
I'm re-reading Alexis Hall's Christmas romcom from last year: 10 Things That Never Happened. Its Overboard meet While You Were Sleeping.
The dark(?) chocolate milanos really pull it all together.
December 17, 2024 at 10:35 PM
The dark(?) chocolate milanos really pull it all together.
Dec 8: Last Christmas
*When* will I learn with Emilia Clarke romcoms? Starts out all shiny with the world's most perfectly imperfect heroine... by the end I'm a puddle.
Despite the absolute gut punch I didn't see coming, it has a great very British holiday singalong.
Michelle Yeoh is my Santa🌟
*When* will I learn with Emilia Clarke romcoms? Starts out all shiny with the world's most perfectly imperfect heroine... by the end I'm a puddle.
Despite the absolute gut punch I didn't see coming, it has a great very British holiday singalong.
Michelle Yeoh is my Santa🌟
a woman in a floral dress is clapping her hands in a crowd of people .
ALT: a woman in a floral dress is clapping her hands in a crowd of people .
media.tenor.com
December 8, 2024 at 10:04 PM
Dec 8: Last Christmas
*When* will I learn with Emilia Clarke romcoms? Starts out all shiny with the world's most perfectly imperfect heroine... by the end I'm a puddle.
Despite the absolute gut punch I didn't see coming, it has a great very British holiday singalong.
Michelle Yeoh is my Santa🌟
*When* will I learn with Emilia Clarke romcoms? Starts out all shiny with the world's most perfectly imperfect heroine... by the end I'm a puddle.
Despite the absolute gut punch I didn't see coming, it has a great very British holiday singalong.
Michelle Yeoh is my Santa🌟