Properly Kissed

Bradwell Brothers #0.5

by Kasey Stockton

Freshly out of mourning, Jane Palmer’s final act of love for her father will be to fulfill the marriage contract he signed before his death and become engaged to Lord Hammel. With her family’s annual house party on the horizon, her course is set. The only the man she has secretly loved her whole life, Ewan Lennox, will also be in attendance.

Ewan’s never shown any indication he reciprocates Jane’s feelings—until this visit. When Ewan declares his intention to fight for her hand in marriage, it seems she has no choice but to keep him at arms length in order to fulfill her father’s dying wishes. As Jane’s resolve crumbles, she must determine if following her heart is worth the risk of losing her home, her fortune, and everything her family holds dear.

**Prequel to the Bradwell Brothers series, Properly Kissed is an unrequited love, childhood friends-to-lovers clean Regency romance.

Bradwell
Properly Kissed - prequel, unrequited love
Sensibly Wed - book one, forced marriage
Pleasantly Pursued - book two, enemies-to-lovers & forced proximity
Honorably Engaged - book three, false courtship, bookish main characters
A Noble Inheritance - companion novel that tells the story of Daniel Palmer; windfall, unexpected inheritance, special needs character.

Genres: Romance, Historical, Regency, Historical Romance, Historical Fiction, Fiction, Novella

150 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 1, 2023

Reviews

[Julie Carpenter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Y'all have got to read this darling novella! I absolutely adored Jane and Ewan!!! Childhood friends but there are some complications when it comes time for her to marry. She wants to honor her father's memory and plan but her heart has different plans! And Ewan is not going to back down one bit to fight for her heart.

Oh my heavens, there are sooo many wonderful scenes between these two. There's no doubt where he stands in regards to Jane. His Scottish brogue and his loving ways towards her will have y'all swooning and cheering them on.

There are plenty of ups and downs within this group of friends at the house party. You're going to be caught up in it all.

This is available for free on the Sweet and Swoony Romance page on Facebook as part of a big giveaway promotion. Don't miss it! Go grab your copy now. And bonus...the first book in this series is now available and it was just as wonderful!!!

Content: Clean.

Happy Reading!!!

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a sweet fun read. Simple and to the point and so well done. I just wanted a straightforward romance and got it with these two. There is just something about a Scottish man too! Quick read with some sweet kisses:}

[Cait | GoodeyReads · Rating 5 out of 5]

LOOOOOVED.

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This is how you do it folks. This is how you write a beautiful and swoony novella. I’m so happy I circled back to reading this because it did not disappoint in the slightest.

The connection between Jane and Ewan was amazing. I felt like I had known them already. Ewan is full of absolute SWOON and had many quotable lines that left me in a puddle. I enjoyed the story and pacing worked perfectly.

There’s great characters, romance, family moments and more. I thought it set the stage really well for the rest of the series (I’ve read all but the last). Don’t skip out on this one!!

Overall audience notes:
- Regency Romance Novella
- Language: none
- Romance: kisses

[Susan Snodgrass · Rating 4 out of 5]

Delightful. I loved the Scottish character of Ewan. This is an author I am really enjoying.

[Rebecca Lange · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lovely…

The story of Jane and Ewan was just a lovely and the other Bradwell Brothers books. The ending was a bit rushed in my opinion, but I loved it nonetheless.

[Sydney · Rating 3 out of 5]

A sweet little novella! I always enjoy regency stories with a house-party setting. :)

[Roma Cordon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lovely read.

[Marilee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Adorable! This friends to lovers novella is a wonderful set-up for the Bradwell Brothers series (oh, my word, that epilogue!!) and who can resist a story with a Scottish hero like Ewan?

This novella is currently free through Sweet and Swoony romance - don' t miss out!

[Tonya Bryner · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyable book

[Hannah · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's refreshing to find an author who understands proper forms of address in the past! (Young ladies calling their mother Mama; Aunt or Uncle Lastname instead of Firstname, etc.) I enjoyed Kasey Stockton's modern novel as well, so it's safe to say she's a new favorite.

[Tricia Anson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my word, I just adored this novella! Jane is determined to fulfill the marriage contract made by her late father, which stands in the way of who she truly loves, and leads to a house party filled with heaps of romantic tension and all the feels.

[Emily Cronk · Rating 5 out of 5]

Okay friends. Here's what I'd like to know - why in the world did it take me so long to read this book?! It is such a cute story and it definitely shouldn't have sat on my TBR list for as long as it did.

There was so much to love in this story - the sweetest friends to lovers romance, a hedge maze, a fountain, swoony kisses, a Scottish man with an accent...seriously, what is there not to love?? I'm pretty sure Jane and Ewan deserve some kind of award for cutest couple. They were perfect for each other and I was so excited when things finally worked out for them.

I can't wait to read the rest of this series! It's going to be good, I just know it.

Moral of the story here is that y'all need this novella in your life. It is a good one.

[Kristalyne, love.lovely.books · Rating 5 out of 5]

Right after I read ‘Sensibly Wed’ by Kasey Stockton, I knew that I needed ‘Properly Kissed’, the prequel novella in my life! This novella was such a joy to read and I loved it!!! Kasey Stockton sure knows how to write dreamy heroes and heart melting love stories!

Jane Palmer knows she must get engaged to Lord Hammel to honor her late father and the marriage contract he made before his passing. Meanwhile, she has always been in love with with her childhood friend Ewan Lennox! When both men are invited to her family’s house party at Arden Castle, she comes up with a plan. Get engaged to Lord Hammel, and avoid Ewan. When Ewan tells her he loves her and will fight for her hand, will she choose to honor the arranged marriage and do her duty to her parents, or honor her heart, and the man who has always had it?

What I loved:
🤍childhood friends to lovers is one of my favorite tropes, and this one was so sweet and swoony!
🤍Ewan is a Scotsman with an accent. He is dreamy and dependable and so sweet!
🤍Their childhood memories and flashbacks were adorable and were such a treat to read. They are so cute together!
🤍memorable moments included chess, a fountain, kisses done quite properly😘, and a stairwell.
🤍I loved being introduced to Felicity(the heroine in Sensibly Wed) in this story!

This book has great witty banter, heart melting kisses, is sweet and romantic, was intriguing and a joy to read! It sets everything up beautifully for ‘Sensibly Wed’, book one in the Bradwell Brothers Series! I really love both Jane and Ewan and I’m so happy to know more of their story!

[Sabrina Trejo · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such a sweet novella. The plot was interesting and I loved the adorable epilogue. My only wish is more page time for Ewan and Jane. They’re so cute together and Kasey did a great job of making his Scottish brogue come alive.
This book kept me guessing for a bit and I love when a story keeps you on your toes. I didn’t know whether the problem would be solved, who the “intended” was at times, and if we would get our happily ever after (although those are pretty much guaranteed in a romance;). You can’t help but hope and wish right along with Jane and swoon when she is with Ewan. It was a great short read!
I cannot wait for future books in this series and reading more from Kasey Stockton.

[Rachel (rachelee.reads) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a sweet novella. I love Jane & Ewan together! They had history and friendship, and now trying to navigate the possibilty of something more. I loved how communication was a big part of this story. Sure it was a mess of a household with so many love triangles and possible relationships, that it was a bit ridiculous. But through it all, Jane & Ewan never ignored the elephant in the room. They worked together and talked with each other and others about finding solutions to their problems.

This is the first book in a new series by Kasey Stockton, and I am excited to continue. Especially after that epilogue!

[Books & Aerial · Rating 3 out of 5]

There's not much to ask for from a novella, I know that.

With this one, thankfully, the "romance" had been established even before the book started, so we only had to witness the 'coming together' process, which was not very exciting. At some point I thought this was going off a different direction, but I reminded myself that the length probably won't allow it to happen.

This was a bit boring and I was hoping for more pining, tbh, since any indepth story was not available.

I'm sure my general mood wasn't helping me with enjoyment either.
2,5 / 3 stars
audiobook via youtube

[Lindy Thompson · Rating 5 out of 5]

With novellas, I usually feel like I'm missing something, but that absolutely was not the case here. Such a delightful story of childhood friends-to-more with plenty of obstacles in their way. Ewan is a Scottish dream boat and Jane is a dutiful daughter set to marry the son of an Earl, who's decidedly not Ewan. The sweet moment in the hedge maze is maybe my favorite! Can't wait for the first full book in this series!

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this novella. It was really well done and I didn't feel like anything was missing, which often happens in a novella. Ewan was such a great character. I wanted to champion him from the very beginning. My heart went out to Jane. She was definitely in a predicament. I enjoyed their story and seeing them come closer together. Even before it ended I was hoping Felicity's story would be next. After the epilogue I'm even more anxious to read her story.

[Kami S · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75 rounded up
Well, for a novella, this was quite well done!
I like when a hero knows what he wants and doesn't fall back on, "I'm not good enough for her", "I will sacrifice my happiness because she probably wants better than me"etc etc... Not to mention that Ewan is Scottish! I think I'm my next life, my husband will be Scottish(I'll keep the same one, but he'll be straight from Scotland haha)..😏

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really loved this novella because it didn't feel like a novella to me. I thought the story and characters were well developed. I liked Ewan's straightforwardness, and I liked seeing how the conflicts resolved. I'm looking forward to this series.

[Melynne (mels_booknook) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such a fun childhood friends to lovers novella. I thought the pacing was great and I loved how it set up for the Bradwell Brothers series. I really liked the way emotion was written into this one. Really liked this one!

[Ashley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such a cute novella. I loved Ewan and how straight forward he was. I liked the single POV. I liked the conclusion and I am so intrigued to read the next book!

[Jamie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sweet story and quick read. :) Introduction of new characters and a new series!
p.s. I love me a story that takes place during a house party!

[Jessica McAvoy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jane is promised to Lord Hammel, but is in love with childhood friend Ewan. Everyone is invited to a house party. Ewan shows up clearly and eager to spend time with Jane. She tries to avoid him and attempts to find things in common with Lord Hammel. He is too obsessed with architecture to notice Jane. Ewan figures out something is off and Jane explains the purpose of the house party was to Jane and Lord Hammel would know each better. Ewan says he will fight for her. Swoon. Jane realizes that her mother and the Earl (Hammel’s father) are affectionate. She feels betrayed as her father has been gone for just a year. Her younger brother, Daniel, is coping poorly after the loss of his father and is very angry his mother is considering the Earl. Ewan points out to Jane that if her mother will bring the funds to the Earl that are needed then her requirements to Hammel may not be needed and she will be free to marry Ewan. At one point she promises her dowry to her mother which Ewan accepts advising he will marry her with or without a dowry. She challenges her brother in the archery tournament that is she wins he will support their mother and provide the money to release her from Lord Hammel. She loses, but her brother agrees to provide the money anyway and Jane will keep her dowry. Lord Hammel had previously confirmed that he was okay not getting married to her since she was in love with someone else.
Good story. The glaring issue for me was that Jane presented herself as forgiving her mother but it is a whole lot easier to forgive your mom when you receive your own benefit from the arrangement. I thought how Jane got over her anger was presented oddly there as it skirted around the idea she is getting everything she wants by her mother marrying the Earl. Daniel was the only one who could be considered altruistic in his action. I loved Ewan. His total commitment to Jane was beautiful written. Jane seemed whiny in parts which surprised me as I had the impression she was mild mannered from the other books. Overall good story. I like the author.

[Laura B · Rating 3 out of 5]

Properly Kissed is a prequel novella in the Bradwell Brothers series. I have only read one other book in this series, the first one called Sensibly Wed, which I thoroughly enjoyed. It was one of my favorite marriage of convenience stories I’ve read this year.

However, this prequel was enjoyable as far as love triangles go. At being only 150 pages, it progresses quickly which keeps you wanting to continue reading in one sitting. This story is entirely in first person POV of Jane whose official mourning period has ended for the death of her father. Upon his death he had set up a marriage between her and a Lord Hammel, but Jane pines for her childhood friend, Ewan.

Her family hosts a house party where both her intended’s family and Ewan’s family are in attendance, and she must fight her feelings for Ewan to fulfill her father’s deathbed wishes.

I am glad I read this as I did enjoy the first book of the Bradwell Brothers so much, and I wished I read this before Sensibly Wed, however, it is not necessary. Recommended if you like sweet and clean Regency romances. This would be a great beach read. 3***½*

[Theresa Wachal · Rating 5 out of 5]

Many kinds of love

Before his death, Jane Palmer’s father made a contract for her to marry a Duke. Her mother thought it was something she wanted. Despite her longtime love for her childhood friend, she dutifully intends to fulfill her father’s last wish. Fortunately for her, Ewen Lennox, expressed his willingness to fight for her. He admitted he had also felt love for her all his life, but though she did not return his affection. At the house party, he sensed she was unhappy with her predicament. Her intended, Lord Hammel, showed no interest in her. Finally, he confessed to her that his proposal was meant to use her dowry to save his family from financial ruin. So he would not release her from the contract. His father held an important secret. Ewen gave her the confidence to follow her heart. Jane cleverly convinces her brother to be her ally. Together they solve a mystery. This is an endearing story that features many kinds of love.

[Milica]

First off: why are the people on the cover wearing ill-fitting clothes? It might be realistic to the period, but we are used to sleeker Regency fashions these days. I mean: they look like a downstairs maid and a footman on their morning off.

Second: the plot exists exclusively in the heroine’s head. Truth be told, there are matters of money and settlements, but it all got sorted out so magically that it made me wonder whether the story was necessary at all.

Nonetheless, it’s a blissfully short, nice read. Ewan is a darling - so refreshingly honest about his feelings and intentions. There is no unsavory baggage, scandalous past, or any other popular, yet cheap backstories which abound these days. He has a thriving business, a good head on his shoulders, and somehow still wants to marry Jane. Understandably, she is not at her finest in this story.

[Alexandra Grace · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm a sucker for sweet, historic romances, especially when the MMC is Scottish (thank you Outlander). This novella was a quick, easy read, and I loved the connection between childhood best friends Jane and Ewan. Jane is promised to another thanks to an arranged marriage created before her father's passing. She's resigned to set aside her secret feelings for her best friend and do her duty. Family and honor come first, and I love her loyalty. But all that hangs in the balance and causes all kinds of Victorian drama when Ewan and her intended both attend a gathering at her castle. They are complete opposites and Ewan is just swooniest. I'm a fan. :)

This is a cute lead in to the series, and I'd recommend it for anyone who loves sweet romances.

[Jessica Harrison · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this! It’s only a novella, and though I wish it were longer, it didn’t actually feel rushed or abbreviated because of its length. It’s the sweetest best-friends-to-lovers story and is the prequel to both A Noble Inheritance and the Bradwell Brothers series. I’m such a sucker for a loved-you-since-childhood romance, where there is a long past and deep affection between the characters. *Sigh*

This is a truly captivating story. Both MCs are wonderful and impossible not to love. Ewan is the absolute sweetest, I would totally choose him ☺️

The entire series is great, but this prequel is exceptional. Highly recommend!

Content:
There is no foul language, sex, or violence. The romance is limited to lightly descriptive kisses. There is no real mention of faith or God.

[Deb]

Did not finish! Ugh! Struggled to get to ch11 and could not continue wasting my reading time with such foolishness. Thought I'd start this Bradwell Brothers series with the novella. Now I'm considering ditching the idea of reading any of the other books if the novella is a precursor of what is yet to come. Why would any young woman consider her late father's wish for her future to be wed to someone she doesn't know or love? I just cannot fathom willingly choosing to spend your life with a stranger instead of the one you've known all your life and love with all your heart.