The Viscount's Christmas Bride

by Bronwyn Scott

A spicy second-chance romance to warm up your winter nights!

Pretend proposal under the mistletoe…

Real wedding by Christmas?

Newly minted viscount Julien has his desire for a peaceful Christmas thwarted by some unwelcome houseguests… Years ago, Lady Aurelia refused Julien’s marriage offer. Now she’s on his doorstep, and this time her recently impoverished father is encouraging a betrothal! But proud Julien won’t risk his heart again…

Being forced to reject Julien left Aurelia stricken, and now she guards her feelings closely. Tired of being a pawn, she proposes a pretend courtship to prevent further meddling from her father. But will the terms of their festive union change when they’re reminded of their passionate connection?

From Harlequin Historical: Your romantic escape to the past.

Genres: Christmas

246 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 24, 2024

About the author

Bronwyn Scott writes historical romances for Harlequin, Mills and Boon. She has 50 titles currently in print with them.

Bronwyn's 2018 release, Dancing with the Duke's Heir was RITA finalist.
Bronwyn's 2009 novel, The Viscount Claims His Bride was a RomCon finalist for best short historical, as was her 2011 release, A Thoroughly Compromised Lady.

Reviews

[Yvonne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Super Christmas-y second-chance romance. The hero’s mistrust and resentment are really well-done. The heroine is a survivor and tries to exercise agency any small way she can. She’s not a blue stocking or secretly writes novels; she’s a gently-bred lady, but not a snob and aware of her privileged position in society. These two are clearly well-suited for each other: the hero wants hearth and home, the heroine wants security and family, they both desire a true partnership and want to make their little corner of the world a better place.

The restoration of their relationship after a seven-year separation is believable. I didn’t love that the hero couldn’t see the heroine was always trying to protect him, even after she explicitly told him, but he quickly comes to his senses and takes action. The age gap did bother me: she was eighteen to his thirty-one the first go-around, and now they’re twenty-five and thirty-eight — yeah, probably realistic but in my mind I had to scale up her age.

I’m always on the hunt for more HR set in the Victorian Age, and this one made good use of the setting: there’s explicit references to the changes in society and innovation, but with this couple there is a real sense of the old aristocracy meeting the new modern age and moving forward together. Bonus points for a hero who has made his own fortune through investment, and a heroine who is a virgin but believably horny and eager. The heroine’s relationship with her terrible parents is resolved realistically, a little bittersweet but still satisfying.

Pleasant and well-written, with two very good and generous MCs, but not particularly romantic.

[Cyndi L. Stuart · Rating 5 out of 5]

This isn’t the romance I thought it would be. Scott has given me a story I’d mistakenly assumed I’d read before. But with each one of her books, she manages to stand me on my head and make me see her novels in new, modern ways. Even though this story is set in 1850s England, Scott gives the central women backbones and the men (the ones you’re rooting for) the gift of foresight. I tend to open historical romances with a jaded eye, expecting to find cookie-cutter characters. This is so much more. Scott uses a love story to show us a moment in history where the once wealthy English aristocracy are on the decline and the middle class is on the assent. The industrial revolution has changed the world and the fortunes of many. Yes, the trope of old lovers brought back together against their will (after a heart-crushing break up years before) is one we all know, but the twists and turns of this telling will surprise you. Imagine a woman whose main desire is her own freedom, not snagging a husband. Imagine a man, who isn’t of noble birth, rising in society through hard work and partnership, not through lineage. This book ticks the boxes for romance lovers and all other readers alike. Just like judging a book by its cover, making assumptions about this romance novel and its author is a big mistake. I’m eager for the next story Scott will tell and what I will find hidden underneath.

[Rosangela · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love Christmas novels, a lot, and this didn't disappoint.
We meet again the Lennox family, this time it's Julien the hero.
Last year it seemed that he could have had a misfortune in love, and this year the same "misfortune" is on his doorstep, used as bait to incentive a money loan for her father.
Aurelia was very young when reject Julien proposal, torn between her love for him and the threat her father has issued.
During this Christmas time, they rekindle, as a ruse at the beginning, their relation, found more difficult to maintain the ruse when feelings become intense.
At the end, they made the leap of faith that lacked the time before...

[Libbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Julien and Aurelia found it difficult to enjoy a second chance at celebrating their feelings toward each other. Her parents, especially her father, withheld love, respect and encouragement from Aurelia. Robbed of a fulfilling life Aurelia is afraid to love and bring Julien into the fold of her dysfunctional family. Both lovers had to learn to trust, while Aurelia had to understand how to openly express her feelings towards others. Raised with a spiteful, hateful and selfish father she is slowly learning to believe that Julien loves her.

[Dawn Mallory · Rating 4 out of 5]

I felt like I was in the time period. I liked that the characters were humanistic. The book had nice descriptions about Christmas. The plot was run of the mill, but its an enjoyable read.