Mr. Richard Graham will do anything to find a wife by Christmas, including calling in a favor from the one woman who despises him.
Richard Graham cannot believe his luck when his great-aunt promises him a fortune if he’s married by Twelfth Night. He can finally clear his father’s debts and save his beloved Belside Manor. Miss Ruth Steele meets all the marriageable requirements his aunt insisted upon, but he’ll need the help of her clever and beautiful sister, Grace, to win the quiet woman over. Not only is Grace a dear friend to his younger sister, with loyalties to his family estate, but she also happens to owe him a generous favor. If she can put aside her dislike for him, his Christmas miracle will be easily attainable by the looming deadline.
Grace Steele never planned to make a bargain with Richard Graham. She cares little for the overly charming man and his penchant for flirtation, and she has spent the last several years establishing this fact. But when Richard offers to scare away an unwanted suitor in exchange for her help, she relents. What harm can arise from a pretend courtship over the holidays? Besides his unsettling effect on her, it allows time for her impossibly shy sister to warm to Richard and sends a clear message to Mr. Dobson that she is unavailable. Once Ruth and Richard are married, she will be forever rid of the much-too-perfect Richard Graham.
And all by Twelfth Night. What could possibly go wrong?
*Love blooms in the least expected place in this witty, kisses only, holiday romance. Read as a stand-alone, or enjoy it as the last book in the Regency Christmas Brides series.
Anneka Walker was raised by a librarian and an English teacher turned judge. After being fed a steady diet of books, she decided to learn about writing. The result was a bachelor's degree in English and History. When she isn't dreaming up a happy ending for a story, she's busy living her own together with her husband and adorable children.
"No one sees my weaknesses like you do, Gracie May. In fact, I sense you enjoy exploiting them" "I do see them quite plainly. Call it a gift."
Okay, this is a rivals/enemies-to-fake dating, mixed with best friend's older brother. Does it get any better than that? I don't think so.
Anneka has perfected the art of banter and romantic tension--especially when it comes to forced proximity and any amount of animosity between main characters. Hilarious, swoony and completely entertaining.
I loved the Christmas vibes, I loved the romance (the pacing is PERFECT), and I loved seeing these two characters go from enemies/rivals to friends to something more.
I've only read two of the books from this multi-author series and I'm dying to go back and read the first two!
You can't go wrong with this one!
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
Content/Trigger: off-page mention of the death of a loved one, grief, romance-kisses only.
This is such a sweet, festive read! I’ve fallen in love with this author’s books over the past year. I love the premise of this story. Richard must get married by Twelfth Night in order to fulfill his great-aunt’s requirements, so he can inherit part of her fortune to save his Manor and keep his family out of debt. Grace needs to scare away an unwanted suitor and needs Richard’s help. They make a bargain but might catch feelings while doing it. There’s an incredibly sweet friends-to-more romance. I loved watching the romance bloom between Richard and Grace. There’s a perfect mistletoe kiss that readers won’t soon forget. This is a clean, sweet, festive read perfect for lovers of historical fiction and swoony romance. You don’t need to read the other books in the series to enjoy this one. I’m excited to check out the rest of the books in this series!
⚠️Content: I give this book a G rating. This book is a clean read.
Summing it up: Richard needs his inheritance to keep his family’s estate, but the requirements are particular. Basically ridiculous. He asks his sister’s BFF for help and Gracie messes up all of his plans.
Thoughts: Such a delightful story about finding the heart’s greatest treasure. It is filled with all the Christmas magic and a heap of laughing banter. Totally fun. SO much to enjoy. Plenty of heartfelt moments that endeared me to Richard. The perfect regency Christmas recipe for swooniness.
Rhyme: What would you sacrifice for love? Can Richard sacrifice his heart or will he give expectations a shove?
This was such a wonderful story! I loved every minute of it! Richard has to find a wife by twelfth night in order to get an inheritance from his aunt. But she has very specific criteria. Grace is trying to escape from a suitor and asked for a favor from her friend’s brother who is Richard. He in return asks her to name which woman best fits the criteria his aunt gave him for a wife. Without telling her that part. She says her sister Ruth. He then sets out to win Ruth. But Grace and Richard end up fake courting in order to secure shy Ruth’s affection. Yeah…that will work. Haha. I loved watching Grace and Richard fall in love. So many swoony moments with great chemistry. I also loved the banter between them. The sibling relationships were also very well done. This book was so fun and romantic. I definitely recommend! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the author. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.
So fun! Enemies to more is my favorite trope, right next to fake relationships. This book has both!
Grace has always seen Richard negatively as he had a big ego and had basically deserted his sister, Grace’s best friend, after their father died. So there was only annoyance in her feelings toward him.
Having a deadline to marry in order to save his estate, Richard enlists the help of Grace in wooing her painfully shy sister, Ruth. When Ruth doesn’t respond, they try a fake relationship to give Ruth more time to get to know Richard and also to help Grace, who is being relentlessly pursued by a suitor she can’t stand. With Richard’s help she hopes to scare him off by faking their relationship.
If you’re looking for a sweet Christmas story that has lots of fun and romance you should read this book.
I devoured this book--what a lovely and entertaining holiday romance! I love the enemies to romance trope here because it truly turns out to be friends to romance. Richard and Grace and completely suited to each other, have a history and a sense of family connection, talk easily, and care for each other. They just have some prejudice in the way, which fortunately romance and attraction can eventually overcome.
It's also a fake relationship trope, which provides humor and fools no one but the two fakers. I was really sad when it was over because it meant I couldn't read it anymore. Any romance lovers, especially if you love a historical romance, should definitely gift yourselves this book for Christmas!
Thank you Anneka, for providing me with an advance copy. I always get so excited to receive your books.
"No one could stop you from doing anything should you have a mind to."
••I give 5 stars!⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
“They weren’t exactly friends, he and Grace Steele, but he wouldn’t call them enemies either. Somewhere in between would be the clear diagnosis of whatever they suffered from when in each other’s company.”
~Mr. Richard Graham will do anything to find a wife by Christmas, including calling in a favor from the one woman who despises him. Richard Graham cannot believe his luck when his great-aunt promises him a fortune if he’s married by Twelfth Night. What could possibly go wrong? …
“I will say that I hope you find the happiness you’re searching for. You deserve it.”
-Married by Twelfth Night, is such a witty, kisses only, delightful story, where dear love blooms within the least expected places amid matchmaking, scheming and within the pretending hatched plans of both dear Grace and Richard. There is such wonderful tension and chemistry in the room whenever you are in this couple’s presence. The flirty banter, the humor, the awkward clumsy times, and the sparkling swoony moments are wonderful! I enjoyed seeing Grace and Richard choose what their hearts wanted most! This dear story wouldn’t be complete without a well-meaning, hilarious great aunt who invokes hopeful possibilities and problems along the way. Add in a tenderly charming epilogue, is the sweet cherry on top! Such happiness is within the pages of this dear story! It can be read as a stand-alone, but, friends, you will enjoy all 4 stories in the Regency Christmas Brides Series. Each story is a quick but, heartwarming story!Worth the read, any day!🙌🏻📚❤️
“The answer is rather simple. I choose you.”
#marriedbytwelfthnight #annekawalker
“He believed Grace capable of anything. And having her on his side this time felt like wind lifting his heavy sails and propelling him toward home.”
#delightfulstory #allaboutthebestreads
“Now you will be my home.”
-I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the author. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.
“Two such repelling opposites had no business being together.”
When Richard’s great-aunt makes conditions to him receiving his inheritance, he buckles down to try and find a wife and who better to help than his younger sister’s best friend? Anneka Walker has written a hilarious and sweet Regency romcom and it’s utterly adorable.
Richard and Grace have such fun and witty banter, especially as they use riddles and barbs to rile one another up. The underlying electricity is so volatile and every interaction, particularly the scandalous ones, are a blast to read about. I adore the characters and the way this story develops.
This time period is so intriguing to me and I love reading about the traditions and every-day life surrounding the holidays. Rushing into a marriage with particular specifications forces a heart to make a choice rather quickly and the outcome is completely satisfying.
Content: mild romance
*I received a complimentary copy. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own and were voluntarily given*
“She was trying to be in her best behavior. She liked loathing Richard, and she didn’t want anything to interfere with that. Most especially Richard himself.”
This book was truly an absolute delight to read! It was witty, charming, full of one-liners, and heartwarmingly romantic.
I adored the word play between the main characters and the subtle pieces that slowly but surely helped perspectives become what they should be. Well written happily ever afters are my favorite!
Having inherited an estate on the brink of bankruptcy, Richard is desperately trying learn and do as much as he can to save it. Little did he know that a will would be his saving grace- if he can marry by Twelfth Night.
Grace truly wants to get married, she just happens to run off anyone who ever shows any interest. Except the current button-obsessed suitor. She can’t get him to go away.
In a moment of true need, Richard and Grace band together to simultaneously end an unwanted courtship and hopefully lead to a new one.
Can they keep their hearts safe while pretending to be courting for honorable reasons?
Read this book if you like: 🤫 Dual POV 🤫 Childhood Friends 🤫 Solving Riddles 🤫 Pushy Aunts 🤫 Playing Cards 🤫 Introverted Sisters 🤫 Best Friend’s Brother 🤫 Ice Skating 🤫 Hunting for Mistletoe 🤫 Saving the Estate
Content: Previous death of a loved one, romance- kisses only
I received a complimentary copy; all thoughts and opinions are my own.
I loved this book by Anneka! I read the first half within a day and unfortunately lots of life things got in the way of me finishing it sooner.
But it gave good happy feels from great banter, swoony kisses, romance and holiday feels. This is a great way to kick of holiday reads and I’m excited to read the rest of the series and see how Aunt Edith tries to insert her will upon others and how they’ll push back or acquiesce.
This book releases in 1 week. Thank you to the author for the e-copy. These are my own thoughts and opinions.
A very cute conclusion to the series! Even though the books can be read in any order, this one just feels like the natural ending.
Richard & Grace have known each other most of their lives, growing up on neighbouring estates, but they’ve never been close. At least; they won’t admit it. Their relationship has been marked by light hearted teasing and banter in a best-friend’s-older-brother type way. But a fake (& forbidden) relationship thanks to the meddling Aunt Edith reveals their hearts might have belonged to each other for far longer than they’d imagined.
“From this point forward, I am enamored with you, Richard Graham.”
If you're in the market for a light hearted regency romance, I've got one for you! It's part of a series and judging from the authors, I have no doubt they are all spectacular. Read Married by Twelfth Night and fall in love with Richard and Grace. (I really love the name Grace, by the way)
If you like fake courting, neighbors, best friends brother, meddling old ladies, and sweet lighthearted romances, this one should be on your TBR.
Thank you to the author for the ARC. All opinions are my own.
- so each book is about a cousin? I do love a good meddling relative - makes sense 😂 - you know that part in P&P when Caroline lists what Darcy wants in a woman? That's what this letter reminds me of - I love the name Grace - nicknames 😍 - oh my gosh 😂 - “Where is the fun in that? I’d much prefer to have a woman by my side than chase after her.” - He was officially failing at courting two different women - buttons 😆 - guys. come on. that's adorable - intriguing is a great word to describe a love interest - I think my heart is breaking - “Don’t forget to miss me. You know how I appreciate it when you long for my return.”
Anneka R Walker has quickly become one of my favorite historical romance authors and this is such a delightful addition to her collection. I adored Richard and Grace and their love story!
There is so much to love in this story. The banter. The enemies to lovers. The childhood friends to more. The Christmas traditions. The meddling siblings. And the mistletoe kisses. While I did read this after Christmas, it was such a fun Christmas read and perfect for that magical time of year.
I appreciated Richard's depth, loyalty, and vulnerability. His estate is crumbling but he is doing everything he can to save it. I admired his willingness to learn from his more experienced neighbors and to correct his mistakes. He hasn't done everything right after his father's death. But he tries to make amends with his sister and spend time with her. I also loved how he tries to get to know Ruth to save his estate only to discover that he has already fallen for Grace. Their love -- against all odds -- is able to conquer all and their happily ever after is all the sweeter because of it.
Grace is so easy to cheer for! She is fiery, fiercely loyal and delightfully witty. I enjoyed seeing her develop first friendship and then deep love with Richard. While she is practically the opposite of everything Aunt Edith dictates Richard should look for in a wife, she is truly perfect for Richard. I loved watching them get to to know each other and understand the complexities of their actions. As they understand each other better, they fall more in love.
Also shout out to their first mistletoe kiss that is one of my favorite first kisses ever! So swoony and special!
I absolutely loved the story and the characters. Richard is certainly swoon-worthy and I loved how Grace and he changed. Thank goodness that Mr. Dobson dude was taken out of the picture early. I don’t like slimy men. That said, I was disappointed with Aunt Edith in this book. Although she came around to a point in the end, I had expected her to be more loving and generous. Sigh. Well, at least the author didn’t disappoint.
So cute!! I loved Grace and Richard and their flirty banter. Their chemistry was so swoony with so many adorable moments between the two. I really loved how the ending played out.
3.5*. I liked the characters. Gracie and Richard were fun and playful and had chemistry. It had yearning and mistletoe.
Aunt Edith is not the same aunt from the other books. This is not the same aunt who makes shortbread in the kitchen. Also she was barely in the book.
A big problem I have with this book is that how would courting someone make it easier to eventually marry that person’s sister?! That makes no sense. If anything the sister and family would be upset with you for what they’d feel was stringing the other sister along. This was super unbelievable to me.
Richard is in need of some funds to pay his father’s debts and save his estate. When his aunt presents him with a way to earn the money, he is determined to do as his aunt wishes- find a bride who has a list of qualities his aunt demands.
Ruth possesses all of the qualities his aunt demands, but is too shy to approach. He asks for the assistance of her sister Grace. Grace has her own demands however for helping.
The relationships become a tangle of confusion and Richard must choose to follow his heart or his aunt’s wishes.
I loved this story because Richard recognized that he did have a choice. Sometimes characters and real life people feel they are stuck in choosing one way or another, but Richard was intentional when making his choice, regardless of consequences. If you like a story with some major roadblocks, great banter, and compelling characters, this one of for you.
This Christmas regency romance is a delightful story! I loved the enemies to lovers and fake dating trope, plus the banter between Grace and Richard! Those two knew how to verbally spar and Richard sure knew how to flirt! The deadline to marry by Twelfth Night along with the very specific list of qualities in a partner had me wondering how it would all work out. The dual POV rounded out the story nicely. If you need a quick Christmas escape to another world, then Married by Twelfth Night is the book for you! I received a copy of this book for free; all thoughts and opinions are my own.
“He had nearly kissed her. Little Gracie May . . . his sister’s best friend . . . his greatest antagonist. And the worst part? He was thoroughly sorry he hadn’t.”
Ahhh! I adored this book! Enemies to lovers is one of my favorite tropes & combined with a fake relationship, best friend’s older brother & lots of conspiring together made Married by Twelfth Night an absolute new favorite. Anneka Walker brings all the swoon with witty dialogue, flirting, & toe-curling kisses!
To save his family estate, Richard Graham needs to find a wife. His aunt’s offered to provide the needed funds if he finds the kind of woman she approves of & marries her by Twelfth Night. When his little sister’s best friend & his own personal nemesis needs his help to escape an unwanted suitor, he sees his chance to enlist her help in finding the perfect woman.
Grace Steele desperately needs Richard’s help despite her antagonism towards him & agrees to do anything. When Richard explains his dilemma, she suggests her older sister Ruth as his perfect match. Grace suggests a fake relationship to allow Richard time to get to know Ruth better. But as these enemies spend time together, the sparks fly & soon hate turns to love. But will Richard’s aunt approve of Grace?
I couldn’t turn the pages fast enough with this delightful romance. I loved every moment! Grace is clever, funny, & not afraid to be herself. I enjoyed her riddles, the way she teases Richard, & her spirit. Richard loves teasing Grace right back. I loved the way he falls for her & how he tries to find a way for them to be together. He’s utterly romantic & the perfect match for Grace.
There were so many favorite scenes including ice skating, the card party, mistletoe, old treasures, & “am I dreaming?”. I loved the Christmas setting made all the more enjoyable with this darling romance. Definitely add this must read Regency to your Christmas list.
I received an advanced complimentary copy from the author. All opinions are my own & voluntarily provided. Married by Twelfth Night is part of the Regency Christmas Brides series, but each novella reads as a standalone.
Richard must marry by Twelfth Night in order to claim an inheritance from his aunt that is desperately needed to save his estate. Fortunately, Ruth Steele meets all of his aunt's requirements but she is incredibly shy. So Richard enlists the help of Ruth's sister Grace to help him win her over in time.
Despite being annoyed by her best friend's brother, Grace agrees to help Richard in order to scare away one of her unwanted suitors. They hatch a plan to pretend to court in order to help Ruth be more comfortable with Richard. But somehow in the middle of the matchmaking and the scheming and the pretending, hearts become involved even though a future between Richard and Grace is impossible.
What you'll love: Regency era fake dating enemies to lovers vibes dual pov matchmaking schemes best friend’s brother neighbors the card game mistletoe kisses flirty banter nicknames cute epilogue
Say hello to one of my new favorite Anneka books!! This book was ADORABLE in every way and I binge read it in one sitting. The characters, the swoon, the Christmas charm and the scheming combined with some of my favorite tropes made for a fantastic read!
I loved both Grace and Richard! Both such vivid and loveable characters on their own, and when they are in the room together, I love them even more! So much tension and chemistry, even if neither wants to admit it at first... Loved all the flirty banter and swoony moments and hello, that mistletoe kiss!!!!
And oh, Aunt Edith. Well-meaning but so stubborn and the cause of so much hope and so many problems. I have to say the epilogue made me so happy I nearly burst into tears. Such a perfect way to end the story!!!
This is one Christmas Regency romance you will NOT want to miss this year, my friends. Prepare to fall in love with this story as much as I have!
I received a complimentary copy but a positive review was not required.
"She was proficient in chasing away men, and he had a trail of swooning women on his heels. Two such repelling opposites had no business being together."
Richard Graham, facing financial ruin, must marry by Twelfth Night to inherit from Great-aunt Edith and save his family estate. He enlists the help of Grace Steele, whose quiet sister, Ruth, fits his great-aunt's exacting criteria. Grace, initially reluctant, agrees to help in exchange for a favor of her own--help in escaping an unwanted suitor.
Oh my word! Enemies to lovers is one of my favorite tropes because I love to see the change in the characters attitudes toward each other. The realization that their dislike has turned into love is the best! The fake dating so Richard could get to know introverted Ruth led to such fun interactions with Grace. Whether they wanted to admit it or not, Grace and Richard had undeniable chemistry. I loved the skating, the games, making mistletoe boughs, all of it!!
I was worried about what Aunt Edith would do because Grace did not fit the criteria she had laid out for Richard to receive his inheritance, but was happy with the ending and that epilogue is perfection! Married by Twelfth Night is part of the Regency Christmas Brides series, but each book reads as a standalone.
I received an advanced complimentary copy from the author but I also bought a copy for my personal library. All opinions in this review are my own.
"But I would be remiss if I did not admit to enjoying seeing your eyes light up and your smile widen when I enter the room. So, if in missing me your thoughts turn to hoping, and your hopes turn to longing, then perhaps I have finally done something right in my life."
A delightful childhood-antagonists-to-lovers story with some fake courtship! I loved Richard and Grace's chemistry and banter, how they grew their friendship and trust while waking up to the desire that's been building all along. There was some tension and trouble with Grace not fitting his Aunt's ideal and her willingness to sacrifice Richard's love for him to save his family estate. But the communication and support between family members and friendships was beautiful and I love how everyone rallied around their love for each other. A perfect conclusion!
My only complaint was the inconsistency of the portrayal of Aunt Edith. In Yuletide she was a bit mischievous and meddlesome but kind and ultimated wanted the best for her nephew. In Twelfth Night she was cantankerous, manipulative and selfish in her stipulations when her nephew clearly desire one sister over the other. The authors should have collaborated a bit better there.
Part of a four book series called Regency Christmas Brides, Married by Twelfth Night features Richard Graham and Grace Steele. Richard is set to inherit enough money to save his estate, but only if he marries by Twelfth Night and the woman must meet his dying Aunt's expectations. Looking for assistance, Richard depends on his little sister's best friend, Grace, to help him find the right woman.
But as they pretend to be courting to get the attention of Grace's older sister, Richard and Grace start falling for one another. They've spent their lives near one another and have always had something brewing there, but they've both ignored it until now.
A wonderful Christmas time romance that features plenty of humorous situations and banter between the main characters. Grace is independent, strong willed and not afraid to put Richard in his place. Meanwhile, Richard is still reeling from the loss of his father, his mother's heartache and his sister's mourning, all while trying to keep his family together and keep the estate from being lost to them forever. In Grace, he finds his match and they are a perfect pair!
I loved this book by Anneka R Walker so much! Her characters are so well-written. The plot was so great. And I laughed at this one, quite a lot.
No one wants to be told they have to marry by a certain date. And no one wants someone else to pick out their spouse. But that's exactly what happened to Richard. His aunt has decided that in order for him to inherit her money, he must marry by Twelfth Night. And the woman he marries must have her exact specifications. Richard needs the money badly, and that makes him consider her idea.
Enter Grace. Grace and Richard's sister have been friends forever. She knows she can count on him to help her get away from an unwanted suitor. But he demands a favor in return. She must help him get her sister Ruth to marry him.
I loved watching these two as they grow to a realization of their feelings. But neither of them is sure how to make a relationship work, especially with all the difficulties they are facing.
This book is hands down ADORABLE! I absolutely loved reading this and I'm not sure main characters can get much cuter than Richard and Grace. Their chemistry was off the charts and made me grin so much my cheeks hurt. I was here for the witty banter that Grace mastered with Richard- talk about delicious flirting- and all the ways they fell in love. Richard and Grace were enemies of a sort, with Grace being Richard's little sister's best friend and his neighbor. When they enter into a fake courtship to help each other out, there is nothing fake about the sparks flying between them and the insanely cute romance that ensued. Honestly, this is one of my favorite books this holiday season and a new favorite from Anneka Walker. It gets all the stars and love from me. This is a clean Regency romance with some excellent kisses. While part of a multi author series, it can be read as a standalone. I will be rereading this one over and over again. It was impossible to put down and so much fun to read! I fully recommend it.
If you are looking for a Regency era story that has:
❄️A fake courtship ❄️Enemies to more ❄️Button collection😂 ❄️Ice skating ❄️Word games ❄️Carriage ride ❄️Well-meaning family ❄️Riddles ❄️Mistletoe hunting ❄️Kissing bough
This is the book for you! I loved Richard and Grace. They are quite the pair and watching them discover all the best things about each other makes this a terrific read for readers of all ages. 💙
Favorite Quotes: " 'Then you want me to agree with you on everything?" "That would make life easier." He wanted to agree with her then and there, forever. All she had to do was ask something of him, and he would be fool enough to do it."
"The problem felt too big to fix, but he found himself trusting her once again. He believed Grace capable of anything. And having her on his side this time felt like wind lifting his heavy sails and propelling him toward home."
It is part of the Regency Christmas Brides series, but it can be read as a standalone. I was given a complimentary copy with no obligation to write a review. All opinions are my own.
All the boxes were checked off: Regency, Banter, Frenemies, Marriage of Convenience, Heartache, WINKS, and Confidants. I adored this read! I couldn’t get enough of the beautifully woven story.
Richard Graham was just such a swoony guy. Grief took its toll on him, but it opened his eyes to what he wanted and needed to change. His devotion to his family was wonderful. He grew and resolved to do better. Oh man and his flirting. 🫠
Grace had decided to despise Richard since he was unable to see the pain his sister was in when their father died. When she does allow him to spend time with her truths eventually unfold and she sees him in a different light.
If you like: 🎄Mistletoe Kisses 🎄Riddles 🎄Winks 🎄Dancing 🎄Phaeton Rides 🎄Card Parties 🎄Simple Treasures
You will love this read. You will sigh and swoon as you’re swept up in their Love Story and the Christmas Season.