The Viscount and the Minx

Unlikely Betrothal #0

by Christina Diane

A glittering house party. A hidden danger. And a marriage that burns hotter than ever...

When Marina Villiers, the vivacious Viscountess Ockham, finds herself missing the excitement of the London Season after giving birth to her son, she concocts a new a house party at their country estate, filled with eligible guests and just enough scandalous characters to keep things interesting. Playing matchmaker is the perfect cure for boredom—or so she thinks.

But her husband, Evan, the brooding and fiercely protective Viscount Ockham, has other plans. When a note of danger gets delivered and threatens Marina, she becomes the target of a vengeful enemy. Desperate to keep her safe, he agrees to the house party, hoping the planning and preparations will distract her while he hunts for answers.

As secrets simmer beneath the surface and passions ignite, Evan realizes Marina is far more than a damsel in need of saving—she’s a force to be reckoned with. And when the danger finally reveals itself, Marina might have secrets of her own.

Deception, desire, and danger collide in this spicy Regency novelette about a marriage tested by secrets and peril... Will unmask the villain in time?

This is a prequel novelette about an already married couple with 4+ explicit scenes.

Married Couple, Spirited Heroine, FMC in Danger, Secrets, Surprise Pregnancy, House Party

The Unlikely Betrothal Read the entire series to meet guests at Marina's house party! Each book is a standalone story that can be enjoyed out of order and read in Kindle Unlimited!

The Earl and the Vixen
The Rake and the Muse
The Marquess and the Earl
The Viscount and the Wallflower
The Duke and the Widow

Genres: Historical Romance, Historical Fiction, Novella, Historical

116 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 15, 2025

About the author

Christina Diane writes Regency romances that are fast-paced, high-heat love stories where the banter bites and the bad boys never behave. An international bestselling author, Christina blends historical settings with modern a modern flair, crafting irresistible tales of spirited heroines, forbidden liaisons, and brooding alphas who’d ruin your reputation and your bedsheets.

If you crave scandal, seduction, and a dash of emotional darkness…welcome to your new obsession.

Reviews

[Pam Bereznak · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just started reading Christina Diane. This is only my 7th book by her. I saw book 1 of this series when I was downloading another new author and also ran across her on a FB takeover in one of my steamy book groups. Her stories are well written and sex is pretty good.

I was sad this was such a short read because I loved Marina and Evan. I love that they would just looked at each and want to have sex right then and there. It was super cute. Great couple. Can't wait to read more.

[Nicki · Rating 5 out of 5]

Short and steamy

This was a short read introducing the rest of the series. It served it's purpose because I totally want to read the rest of the series. Really well written. Spicy. Engaging

[Nanna]

This was a treat to read, such a devoted couple to each other. The Viscount and Viscountess Ockham have just welcomed their first son. Marina is feeling grateful to have their son Arthur but also missing the events of the London season. After a horrible event in her past her husband, Evan is very protective of her. When walking on the grounds of their estate she thinks she sees someone in the trees but isn’t sure. It frightens her and Evan wonders at her flash of worry but see puts him off. To brighten her up Evan agrees to a house party so she can play matchmaker with some of their friends. He regrets this plan after he receives a threading note against Marina well being. Neither Mariana nor Evan tell the other till danger is at their doorsteps. Both try to protect each other. Wow, for a short story this really packs a punch with off the wall steamy heat between our couple, along with the danger of another villain after her. This story is the prequel to the series The Unlikely Betrothal Series (6 books) Each book will be about one of the couples at the house party. I can’t wait to read them all. Grab a copy and get started; this is going to be a great series, I am sure.

[Ruth · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a short Novella prelude to the series.

Marina and Evan are happily married and one look will have them wanting each other.

Marina and Evan are target practice and she feels as if someone is watching them. She thinks she sees a hand but not sure. Once already taken by a black guard, hopefully no nightmares.

While going thru her correspondence hearing about the season and missing it, she decides to have a house party. They make up the guest list and Marina wants to see how many matches she can make.

They decide maybe they will find an alcove and cause a scandal themselves at the party. Can’t wait to see what happens.

I received a free copy of this book from the author and am voluntarily leaving a review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

Audiobook: This was my first experience with this author's work, and it was entertaining. This novelette was a brief introduction to one of the couples featured in this series, as the couple were already married, I wondered about their backstories. I enjoyed the setting as Regency England has been a favorite time period for me. I liked Marina as her actions showed that she wasn't a typical, simpering woman of the time period. I liked Evan as he was protective of Marina. There were some spicy scenes included in the story. I thought CC Kline's narration was great as her performance kept my attention. I was given a copy of the audiobook. I volunteered, without financial gain, to post this review which reflected my honest opinions regarding this audiobook.

[Whitney · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have been provided with a review copy of The Viscount and the Minx from the author and I am voluntarily leaving an impartial review. The Viscount and the Minx is a prequel novella in The Unlikely Betrothal series. It doesn’t really introduce or meet any of the characters for the series, it mainly mentions their names as guests for the upcoming party. This story features a married couple. I found myself missing their backstory and wished that their story had been out before I read this story. I then could have looked at this story as a great bonus story for them. Other than that I really enjoyed this novella. It was a super quick and easy read. I was left wanting more and I look forward to seeing each of the series couples come together.

[Sibilor · Rating 1 out of 5]

Demasiadas lineas argumentales abiertas para lo que intuyo serán los libros de la serie pero que confunden más que crear expectativas, ya que es básicamente una enumeración de personajes.
Sin embargo casi no se desarrolla el conflicto principal que atañe a los protagnistas de esta historia, lo que nos obliga adivinar una trama que no se explicita.
Por otra parte abundan las escenas sexuales en una historia cortísima y entre dos protagonistas de los que no sabemos nada, lo que hace que resulten aburridas y sin chispa.
La idea es prometedora pero creo que se quiso abarcar demasiado para tan pocas páginas.

[Poppet · Rating 4 out of 5]

In this well-paced and spicy HR novella, Evan and Marina are clearly deeply in love and thoroughly enjoy each other’s company. However, a lurking threat looms, and Evan is determined to protect his wife. Unbeknownst to him, Marina harbours her own suspicions, which she hasn’t shared. Missing society, Evan supports Marina’s plan to organise a house party, hoping it will distract her from his fears. Ultimately, the question arises: who truly needs saving? This entertaining and well-written short read boasts good story development and is part of the Scandal in the Spring Anthology.

[Angela · Rating 4 out of 5]

A super cute novella/prequel to the house party (The Unlikely Betrothal) series. We get to see the relationship of the hosts in all of their glory. A little bit of intrigue but nothing overwhelming. I really liked the relationship between Evan and Marina. It was spicy, loving, kind and downright amazing. I wish their story could have been longer as I would have liked to see more of their relationship and how it grew.

[Sami · Rating 5 out of 5]

Like all of Christina's other books, this is spicy and perfect. I love that we got to see the host and hostess before the party! At the party, they definitely appear to not have many issues, or anything to truly worry about. But this prequal to the the rest of the series is amazing in how it shares about past trauma. I have loved this ENTIRE series and I hope there is more, if not, I can't wait to read what Christina has coming next!

[Sri · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyed this prequel and I'm looking forward to reading the rest of the stories from this house party soon! Christina's writing is easy and light, and if you're looking for a fun, fast-paced read to get you out of a reading slump, then give this series a try! It's been hard for me to read right now in the midst of grief from losing my father, and this was the perfect thing to take my mind off heavier matters and be gentle with my attention bandwidth so I can still enjoy reading.

[Debbie Steed · Rating 4 out of 5]

A quick spicy read!

This was a short story peppered with very spicy scenes of open door intimacy. I really enjoyed it and it left me wanting to read the next book in the series. I want to discover more about Evan and Marina and their house party they are hosting. There was also a traumatic event that happened before the book was set and I would love to read more about what happened and why.
I’m looking forward to starting the next book in the series.

[Lyn D Rose · Rating 5 out of 5]

This spicy and exciting historical romance novella was a very fun and fast-paced prequel to the Unlikely Betrothal series. It was very engaing, full of drama, intrigue, secrets, action, attempted murder, deception, attempted kidnapping, emotional issues, plot twists, and a very strong, passionate chemistry with a beautiful love. I highly recommend reading!

[Christine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read it as part of the free anthology Scandal in Spring
Very well written, great pace of story, plenty of smeggsy times ☺️
Loved that they are an established couple loving each other fully 🥳
Made me want to read more from this author 🤓

[Ann Johnson · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is billed as a prequel, but there is a lot of plot that happened BEFORE this story that wasn't explained, and I can't figure out which book or books would tell the story. UPDATE: The book explaining the background came out AFTER this book and is called 'Hating the Vexing Viscount'.

[Janet Guzman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Soooooo adorbs I really love this series

[Aj · Rating 4 out of 5]

A spicy novella, passionate with a well paced story. Evan and Marina are happily married and well matched in every way.

[Bev Bridges · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well read by C C Line.
I am enjoying this series of naughty but nice series at house party, these are some really hot sences.
I would recommend them.

Very well done everyone involved.

[MARIE MARUCCI · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved reading how the house party was put together but mostly it was about the relationship and the mystery of who was threatening this family.

However, it left me hanging a bit.

[PollyAnna Joy · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Viscount and his Minx is the perfect example of why lying and/or keeping secrets from loved ones, especially spouses, is rarely, if ever, a good idea!