To Win Her Hand

by Melissa Addey

They’ve been engaged since they were children, so he sees no need to woo her. She wants a love match and is determined to find an alternative suitor. Perhaps a Christmas trapped together in snowy London will change both their minds.

Lord Comerford has returned from the navy to claim his title, but ton life appears shallow after active service and the woman he has been promised to since birth seems a frivolous child, only interested in parties and clothes.

Lady Celia is hoping her betrothed will make her heart skip a beat - but dour Lord Comerford hardly fits the bill, so she’s planning to call off the wedding just as soon as she can find a better suitor.

Trapped in snow-covered London, the two patch together Christmas celebrations and in so doing find that actions speak louder than words and that an arranged marriage may turn out to contain a spark of romance.

A Christmas Regency romance, full of historical detail and festive fun, as a couple find out that a dutiful promise might be joyful after all. The Season has begun, the ton is gathered… will Christmas work its magic for Alexander and Celia?
A closed-door Regency romance.

Genres: Historical Fiction

249 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 13, 2025

About the author

I mainly write historical fiction: my first novel, The Fragrant Concubine, was Editor’s Choice at the Historical Novel Society, my latest, The Cold Palace, won the 2019 Novel London award.

I was the Leverhulme Trust Writer in Residence at the British Library and now run regular workshops there. I have a PhD in Creative Writing and have self-published 13 books.

I live in London with my husband and two children.

If you’d like to try my writing, visit my website www.melissaaddey.com to pick up a free novella, The Cup.

Reviews

[Tracey Moore · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the first book I've read by the author Melissa Addey and it definitely won't be the last.

To Win Her Hand has a regency romance storyline which is both beautifully written and keeps you turning the pages. While reading this book you can imagine the storyline playing out in your mind with how descriptive the writing is.

I'm a huge lover of reading historical fiction and I really enjoyed the historical aspects of the storyline. I found myself really loving following the main characters Celia and Alexandra through their journey.

Overall, this was an incredible read and I'm definitely going to go back and read the other books within this series.

Highly recommended, an amazing holiday romance read.

[Robin Loves Reading · Rating 4 out of 5]

An arranged marriage since birth, with no apparent spark of attraction, sets the stage for Lady Celia and Alexander, Lord Comerford. Now that he has returned from the military, it is time for him to make Celia his wife. Alexander makes it a priority to see her at least once each day, but no spark of warmth exists.

From the beginning, they readily admit to one another that they are ill suited. In fact, Celia makes it known to Alexander that her intent is to find a suitable man who might be a better match. In fact, she has no problem stating this to Alexander. Of course, he has other ideas. Not only does he expect her to follow through with marrying him, he lets her knows that heirs are expected.

The Christmas season is upon them and they are to spend time together at his home in London. With limited staff and no other guests, they are suddenly trapped and stranded by a winter storm. They have but no choice but to make the best of their current situation.

The stage might have been set with their first meeting, but now that Celia and Alexander are trapped, they have but no choice to be in close company with each other. Is she as flighty as he imagined and is he really as dour as she has believed that she has seen with her own eyes? As a Regency romance, there is no doubt that Celia and Alexander would indeed marry. Nevertheless, I thoroughly enjoyed their journey towards love and finding ways to occupy themselves.

This is my first book by Melissa Addey and I enjoyed it. I personally loved that it is a closed door romance because that is all I feel comfortable reading. If this is how her other books are, then I will be reading more of her books on the future.

Many thanks to Letterpress Publishing and Rachel’s Random Resources for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Regency romance readers will love cosying up to Melissa Addey’s charming new novel, To Win Her Hand, this Christmas.

Lady Celia and Alexander, Lord Comerford, have been betrothed since childhood. But a lot has changed in the intervening years. Alexander has come back to London after years spent in the navy. Adjusting to civilian life is harder than he initially thought as he finds life in the Ton to be frivolous and shallow. His intended, Celia, further compounds his frustration as he finds her vapid and frivolous and the thought of spending the rest of his life with her fills him with dread. Will a Christmas miracle make him see his intended in a new light? Or will it just make him more determined to give her a wide berth and call off their engagement?

Celia is a romantic who hoped her intended would make her heart skip a beat. But her fiancé is far from the prince charming she had imagined him to be. Determined to wed, Celia intends to call off the engagement the second she finds a more agreeable suitor. However, finding herself trapped in London with Alexander makes her wonder whether she had been too hasty in dismissing her fiancé and whether he might be her knight in shining armour after all…

Regency romance fans have got a treat in store for them with Melissa Addey’s To Win Her Hand. With exquisite attention to detail, laugh out loud humour, high society mischief and a delightful love story, To Win Her Hand by Melissa Addey is a gorgeous Yuletide Regency tale romantics everywhere need to add to their must-buy list this Christmas.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Lana · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really love reading Ms. Addey's regency outsiders books, and this one is truy complicated as Celia and Alexander had been promised to one another by their families since they were young, however he was older than her, and she had a defective hand, so both were not sure whether they were the right partners for one another, and when he finally came to look her up but did not woo her she told him she would look for a more suitable suitor. Alexander was a sea captain, had been through wars and had no experience of how to woo the women of the Ton, whilst she was a Duke's daughter, spoilt and with romantic ideas of love, leading to marriage. He thought she was flighty whilst she thought him too dour. Turns out that they found themselves trapped in his london home over the christmas season, being bogged in by snow, and this helped them see one another in a different light completely having had the time to spend on their own. He realised how kind and thoughtful she was towards those in need and not the flighty girl he had thought her to be, whilst she saw the gentleman in him ready to please her every wish. However Ms. Addey likes to torture her readers by keeping us on tenterhooks right till the end of every book, with all the twists and turns she gives to her complex stories, even when we think everything is going to be ok, she gives us another twist and this is what makes her books so enticing to read. But she does give us happy endings and I do love happy endings, enjoy, I did!

[lifelonghistorylover · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have previously read The Viscount's Pearl by Melissa Addey and thoroughly enjoyed it, so I was excited to read her new book, To Win Her Hand, a Christmas Regency romance. This is the third book in Addey’s Regency Outsiders series.

Lady Celia has a deformity of the hand, a secret known only to her family, a few trusted servants, and her glove maker. Believing no one else would want to marry their daughter, her parents arranged an engagement to Alexander when she was a child. The two haven’t seen each other in years, but now that Alexander has become Lord Comerford, he knows it’s time to marry.

Neither of our main characters is especially thrilled about the arrangement. Alexander, formerly in the navy, finds life in London stifling and he would rather avoid encounters with the Ton. Meanwhile, free-spirited Celia is experiencing her first season before the expected marriage. She finds Alexander tedious and ill-mannered and is determined to find a way out of the engagement. She just needs to find herself a better match first... However, the weather has other ideas, forcing our reluctant couple together at Christmas in London. But will it make them or break them?!

I really enjoyed and appreciated the historical research and care Addey has put into creating Celia and Alexander’s world. It’s thoroughly convincing, and, as with The Viscount's Pearl, I found myself getting attached to the characters and rooting for them the whole way through! If you love historical romance, forced proximity, and enemies-to-lovers tropes, you’re sure to enjoy To Win Her Hand.

[M.J. · Rating 5 out of 5]

To Win Her Hand adopts the old Regency romance storyline of both main characters being unable to speak their minds to one another. Instead, we hear their thoughts as they both manage to completely misunderstand the other, leading to Lady Celia deciding she can't possibly marry the man she's been engaged to since she was a child. This is a nice set-up for what comes next (although, I do find myself gnashing my teeth at these people. Grrr. Why can't they just speak their minds:))

But, all this is to change when Celia and Lord Comerford find themselves 'thrown' together and unable to escape one another over the Christmas season. What follows are a charming collection of scenes where both begin to realise they've been too hasty. But, of course, it wouldn't be a Regency romance without more miscommunication between our pair.

To Win Her Hand is another charming Regency romance from Melissa Addey. In her Regency Outsiders series, she offers readers something a little different, with her main characters constrained by a society that misunderstands them. It is quite refreshing, and I've thoroughly enjoyed all of the books in the series (although they are standalone novels - you don't need to read the previous books as each one has new characters - but you would be missing out).

[Melanie S · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lovely holiday romance
We've all read our share of holiday snowed-in romances. Why read this one? Because Melissa Addey is a historical romance writer with an unparalleled gift for characterization. Here she brings to life two seemingly mismatched and incompatible people, betrothed since birth but unknown to one another for 20 years. It's a stellar match according to the ton. But from their first encounter - a wrong- footed disappointment - through every subsequent and increasingly awkward interaction, both despair of making the match work. He's dour and duty-driven; she's a fashion-mad flibbertigibbet, and these opposites do not attract. When a holiday snow storm forces them together it's an anticipated emotional storm. But Addey's nuanced character development slowly turns the tide, and I for one was enchanted by their mutual discovery that love between them was not only possible, but the very best of desirable outcomes. My independent ARC reviewer's opinion? Put this five-star historical romance on your holiday TBR list immediately!

[Nessa’s Book Reviews · Rating 4 out of 5]

To Win Her Hand by Melissa Addey is a delightfully frosty Regency romance where Christmas lights up more than just the fireplaces!

Lord Comerford returns from the navy ready to do his duty, claim his title, marry his childhood fiancee, and… apparently never smile again.

Meanwhile, Lady Celia is ready to politely escape her engagement faster than you can say “mince pie.” She wants love, laughter, and someone who doesn’t look mildly alarmed at a Christmas ball.

Cue one snowstorm, a few festive mishaps, and two very mismatched betrothed forced to spend the holidays together. The result? Slow burn charm, witty misunderstandings, and the realisation that perhaps “duty” and “desire” can dance together after all.

This is a cute, closed door Regency with just the right amount of warmth, wit, and Christmas sparkle, just perfect for curling up with a hot chocolate and pretending you live in a London townhouse with snow on the windowpanes.

[Country Mama · Rating 5 out of 5]

To Win Her Hand by Melissa Addey is a book in the Regency Outsiders historical romance series by the author. Our two MC's are Lord Comerford and Lady Celia. Comerford has come back from his navy service to reclaim his life. He finds the societal parties dull and his engaged wife to be(since they were children) to be not for him. Celia is only interested in parties and dull societal things which bother him to no end. These two get trapped in London during a snowstorm together and find out they may have some feelings for each other after all. I love the poem that Alexander writes for Celia, it is so cute that he did that. I always wanted some one who could write their feelings to me:) I love the author's historical romances as they are historical but with modern spin writing. Love this series!

[Gloria Pastorino · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautifully written , unputdownable for me because I wanted to see how their relationship evolved. It was so very satisfying to see them change their mind about each other even if I grew a little frustrated with Alexander at the end…
I so loved all the Christmas traditions and the accurate descriptions of the houses, dishes and dresses that the author carefully interweaved with the love story while keeping them interesting and never boring.
I’m really sad about the decision to transform Addey’s Regency series into a closed door series. I was lucky to read the ARCs for the original versions and I think spice added depth to the character’s relationship. Great book anyway.

[Abby · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to @rachelsrandomresources & 𝐌𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐬𝐚 𝐀𝐝𝐝𝐞𝐲 for the gifted copy.

This isn’t your average arranged-marriage Regency story, there’s so much more going on here than you’d expect! I really enjoyed how Melissa wrote the characters because they’re not the typical Regency figures you usually read about. Celia isn’t your usual shy heroine; she’s learned to live with what she’s got, and that part of her story is woven in perfectly. Alexander isn’t a socialite either, and that aspect fits smoothly into the story too. I love a good slow burn, it’s one of my favorite tropes! The fact that it all takes place during Christmas just makes it even better and gets you in the holiday spirit!

[Nicola Malloch · Rating 4 out of 5]

I adore historical fiction especially regency period, it feels so majestic and almost other worldly with its rules and social nuance layered with the Christmas magic of this book I romped my way through this book in no time. London as a setting is one of my favourites, im biased as my family is from there and we visit very often so it is very easy to imagine myself walking through the scenes described in this book. I loved the characters and the journey we go on with them from obligation to true love

[Kathryn DeSmet · Rating 5 out of 5]

To Win Her Hand

A heart-warming tale unfolds, capturing the essence of human emotion and compassion. This narrative weaves together moments of genuine connection, empathy, and the transformative power of kindness. Through its delicate storytelling, the story touches the depths of the reader's heart, revealing the beauty of human relationships and the profound impact of small, meaningful gestures that can brighten someone's day and restore faith in humanity.

[Sybil Mcguire · Rating 4 out of 5]

quite good if typical lack of communication tale

[MsWhiskey · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 stars. It's not that bad but kinda boring.

[Jen · Rating 4 out of 5]

What an absolutely delightful story. Lady Celia has been promised to Lord Alexander Cromerford since they were children. Alexander finds himself being summoned back from being in the navy when he has to take over the estate after the sudden death of his much loved brother. However when they meet up when she is 20 and he is 28 they don’t make a good impression on each other. He thinks she is young and flighty and as far as she is concerned he is grumpy and no fun. As the story develops there is a definite shift in how they perceive each other but also many misunderstandings. Brilliantly described characters and I loved their interactions. This kept me totally engaged with an interesting storyline that looked at many different aspects of life in London at the time.

[Bookshortie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lord Alexander Comerford and Lady Celia were betrothed when they were children. Will being snowed in at Christmas bring them closer together?

I love anything Regency and all things Christmas. So when I saw that these two genres were combined I couldn’t wait to read this book. This was a brilliant read and I enjoyed spending Christmas with Alexander and Celia. The storyline was heartwarming, included romance and the forced proximity trope.

Despite being betrothed Alexander and Celia know very little about each other and have never really spent any time together as adults. Alexander was in the navy and then inherited the title of Lord Comerford from his late brother. Before Alexander and Celia even meet they have a picture of the other in their head. Alexander believes Celia to be immature, part of the ton and preoccupied with material things such as dresses. Celia believes Alexander to be cold, indifferent and simply fulfilling his duty to marry her. Celia wants to marry for love and Alexander wants to fulfil the proposal that was made all those years ago but he wants to get to know Celia. Their first meeting is certainly tense especially when Celia makes it clear that she will marry for love only and once she has found the person that she loves she plans to break off their engagement. Although Celia has no intention of getting to know Alexander, he certainly wants to learn more about her.

I really enjoyed seeing the relationship between Alexander and Celia grow. They start off as acquaintances, then friends and then something more. It’s when they become snowed in at Alexander’s home over Christmas that things change. They start to see a different side to each other. Alexander opens up about his time in the Navy and how lonely he felt during that time. Celia opens up about her own insecurities including her disability. Celia’s middle three fingers didn’t develop properly when she was born and she hides her hand away by wearing a glove. Celia worried about how Alexander would react to this but when the time comes Alexander sees beyond her hand and sees Celia instead. During their time they both realise that they have judged each other without knowing each other. Celia isn’t as immature or self-centred as Alexander thought; rather she is generous, compassionate and charitable. Alexander isn’t as cold as Celia thought and she starts to warm to him.

My favourite scenes were definitely when Alexander and Celia start to prepare for Christmas. They start to decorate the house, plan parties and Alexander even climbs a tree to get some mistletoe for Celia.

The perfect regency romance for Christmas.

[Ms · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another enjoyable read from the Regency Outsiders world.
I particularly appreciated the story on the re-read over Christmas.

Hoping there will a further instalment in 2026.