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The Heart of a Duke #12
One Winter with a Baron
A clever Content with her spinster lifestyle, Miss Sybil Cunning wants to prove that a future as an unmarried woman is the only life for her. As a bluestocking who values hard, empirical data, Sybil needs help with her research. Nolan Pratt, Baron Webb, one of society's most scandalous rakes, is the perfect gentleman to help her. After all, he inspires fear in proper mothers and desire within their daughters. A notorious Society may be aware of Nolan Pratt, Baron’s Webb’s wicked ways, but what he has carefully hidden is his miserable handling of his family's finances. When Sybil presents him the opportunity to earn much-needed funds, he can't refuse. A winter to However, what begins as a business arrangement becomes something more and with every meeting, Sybil slips inside his heart. Can this clever woman look beneath the veneer of a coldhearted rake to see the man Nolan truly is?
152 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 29, 2016
858 people are currently reading
469 people want to read
About the author
Christi Caldwell
136 books2,558 followersUSA TODAY Bestselling author CHRISTI CALDWELL blames Judith McNaught's "Whitney, My Love!" for luring her into the world of historical romance. While sitting in her graduate school apartment at the University of Connecticut, Christi decided to set aside her notes and pick up her laptop to try her hand at romance. She believes the most perfect heroes and heroines have imperfections, and she rather enjoys torturing them before crafting them a well deserved happily ever after!
Christi makes her home in Charlotte, North Carolina where she spends her time writing her own enchanting historical romances, and baking surprisingly good cakes (almost 2 years in lockdown will do that) with her courageous son and twin daughters, each who with their daily antics provides limitless source material.
Christi makes her home in Charlotte, North Carolina where she spends her time writing her own enchanting historical romances, and baking surprisingly good cakes (almost 2 years in lockdown will do that) with her courageous son and twin daughters, each who with their daily antics provides limitless source material.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 84 reviews
October 29, 2024
⭐💫
1½ stars.
➕ What I liked :
Curvy heroine.
➖ What I disliked:
Even for a shorter story/novella this book is rushed and has too little detail/depth.
Underwhelming.
Uninteresting main characters.
Romance/chemistry was very rushed and unconvincing.
Formulaic.
Predictable.
➖ 😒👎 The cover is not representative at all…. The heroine is described as a plump and bespectacled heroine……. The cover shows a slender woman without eyeglasses on the cover…. Not at all like the heroine is described/portrayed in the book.
It is not difficult to have representative book-covers or book-covers with the right representation (To have the woman/heroine in the book/story match the woman/model on the cover.)
April 24, 2019
Short is an understatement. Cute, fluffy and easy read.
Full review to come.
Full review to come.
March 24, 2024
I went with 3 stars because I doubt I'll revisit this one.
But I do have to say, that his ILYs at the end were VERY romantic! It made it worth reading the story which was kinda slow and dull yet sweet.
Sybil has been smothered into an overly dull and dutiful daughter by her overbearing mother. . She is 29 and so far on the shelf she's in danger of falling off the back of it. Did women really still get seasons at that age?
Anyways, she decides to pay a rake to teach her how to enjoy herself. Not sexy times, but just having fun. It's not the season so the only rake in town is Nolan. He's so poor he's almost to the point of having to sell his horse. I did wonder how he managed to pay for his clubs (apparently more than one).
But anyways she talks him into it and they get to know each other over the next week as he takes her on picnics and ice skating etc.. She is pretty smart and realizes early on that he isn't actually a rake. He doesn't gamble and although he's no virgin, he doesn't prey on women.
In fact the reason he is poor is pretty sad and I was happy he got his happy ending.
I really liked both characters but they weren't enough to carry the story, short as it was.
I also was kinda miffed when not only his younger sister but Sybil's father both have also realized that he isn't a true rake. It made me wonder why anyone else thought so.
So it was kinda ho hum even though the characters were good and the ending was quite sweet.
Safety is fine.
But I do have to say, that his ILYs at the end were VERY romantic! It made it worth reading the story which was kinda slow and dull yet sweet.
Sybil has been smothered into an overly dull and dutiful daughter by her overbearing mother. . She is 29 and so far on the shelf she's in danger of falling off the back of it. Did women really still get seasons at that age?
Anyways, she decides to pay a rake to teach her how to enjoy herself. Not sexy times, but just having fun. It's not the season so the only rake in town is Nolan. He's so poor he's almost to the point of having to sell his horse. I did wonder how he managed to pay for his clubs (apparently more than one).
But anyways she talks him into it and they get to know each other over the next week as he takes her on picnics and ice skating etc.. She is pretty smart and realizes early on that he isn't actually a rake. He doesn't gamble and although he's no virgin, he doesn't prey on women.
In fact the reason he is poor is pretty sad and I was happy he got his happy ending.
I really liked both characters but they weren't enough to carry the story, short as it was.
I also was kinda miffed when not only his younger sister but Sybil's father both have also realized that he isn't a true rake. It made me wonder why anyone else thought so.
So it was kinda ho hum even though the characters were good and the ending was quite sweet.
Safety is fine.
December 11, 2018
If you read one book this year, do yourself a favor and make it this book! Its no secret that I am a huge fan of Christi Caldwell! She writes in a way that pull her readers right into the book and makes us feel as if you are an interloper in the world of couple on the page. It truly is a magical experience.
There are not enough words to describe the beauty and magic that is Nolan and Sybil's story. They are two seemingly polar opposite who from all outside appearance are completely content with their lot in life. Nolan as a reputed rake and Sybil as a blue stocking spinster. But as the old adage says, appearances can be deceiving. Both Sybil and Nolan find it easy to hid behind masks and walls then deal with the pain of their past.
Sybil, tired of being on the sidelines of life decides that she wants to experience the thrills of life before she settles into her spinster life. She purposes an offer to Nolan, that he can't refuse. As Nolan begins to show Sybil what life is outside her books, neither are prepared for the emotions and longing they bring out in each other.
The more time they spend with each oghdf, the more they learn the burden of pain and hurt they each carry. Each excursion, talk and experience cracks the carefully built walls around their heart, until they both begin to see what neither every dreamed of, a true and real love.
There are not enough words to describe the beauty and magic that is Nolan and Sybil's story. They are two seemingly polar opposite who from all outside appearance are completely content with their lot in life. Nolan as a reputed rake and Sybil as a blue stocking spinster. But as the old adage says, appearances can be deceiving. Both Sybil and Nolan find it easy to hid behind masks and walls then deal with the pain of their past.
Sybil, tired of being on the sidelines of life decides that she wants to experience the thrills of life before she settles into her spinster life. She purposes an offer to Nolan, that he can't refuse. As Nolan begins to show Sybil what life is outside her books, neither are prepared for the emotions and longing they bring out in each other.
The more time they spend with each oghdf, the more they learn the burden of pain and hurt they each carry. Each excursion, talk and experience cracks the carefully built walls around their heart, until they both begin to see what neither every dreamed of, a true and real love.
December 23, 2016
This is a charming story. The characters are all interesting and the romance sweet. Well worth the read.
November 3, 2024
sybil hired nolan to teach her how to live. after living for 29 years as expected by society and her mother, sybil realized that she’s missing out on life so she reached out to a rake. the pratt family’s financial situation isn’t good. due to an inept in financial management, nolan’s brother can’t afford to marry and they cannot afford their sister’s debut. when sybil offered up one thousand pounds for 2 weeks of education on a more exciting life, nolan accepted. within a few short days, nolan was hooked by this beautiful and daring girl. sybil could see through all the rumours that marked nolan as a rake and discovered his insecurities and worries about the current family situation.
overall, i had a great time reading sybil and nolan’s story. although they fell in love pretty quickly, christi caldwell developed their relationship really well. it doesn’t hurt that they are inherently really likeable characters.
overall, i had a great time reading sybil and nolan’s story. although they fell in love pretty quickly, christi caldwell developed their relationship really well. it doesn’t hurt that they are inherently really likeable characters.
May 23, 2023
This was a cute romance short and sweet. A nice Christmas romance. The h is Sybil Holly Cunning 29 and a bluestocking. The H is Nathan Pratt aka Noel Baron Webb and known rakehell. Sybil wants Nathan to teach her how to have fun. She is researching whether she would be happy being a spinster. She will pay him £1000 for two weeks of morning excursions. Nathan needs money so he agrees. They actually enjoy each other’s company and can’t wait to see each other for the next rendezvous. This was a novella. I gave it four stars. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
February 16, 2019
I enjoyed this book. It was a sweet clean romance. Very unique and clever. Can't wait to read more of this series.
December 7, 2016
Miss Sybil Cunning was tired of being the loyal and obedient daughter. At the age of 27, not only was Sybil firmly on the shelf (no matter how many seasons her mother enforces), but she was a bluestocking too! But Sybil craves something more, just one time before she retires to the country, to live in freedom from the restrictions that a marriage would demand; and there was only one person that could help her with that...Barron Nolan Webb.
Barron Nolan Webb was in a purgatory of his own making...at least that what he thought! When Nolan's man-of-affairs had mismanaged the families money to brink of bankruptcy, Noland blamed himself for trusting his father man. But when Sybil Cunning arrived at his home offering to pay him $1000 to help her experience life, beyond what she reads in books. So of course, what could a almost penniless rake do, but accept her offer.
But from their very first meeting, Sybil haunted Nolan; he craved her and actually wanted her companionship. But Nolan feels he is too flawed to be the man that Sybil needs, but when her family finds out that they have been meeting, will Nolan be able to walk away from the women he loves.
Christi Caldwell ALWAYS manages to rip my heart out with her books, but I think One Winter with a Baron has devastated me more than most. I LOVED the characters so much, especially the sisters! Josephine and Arial, so smart and sassy and yet so young! I hope they become friends. When it comes to Nolan and Sybil, seriously, what is not to love. I love Sybil's spirited nature, but also her more studious and unsure side. I love Nolan's ability to see past Sybil's surface and see the striking women she is inside!
The writing and plot as always, are magnificent! Every book I read (or re-read) of this author is simply a little bit of heaven that I can escape to. Her books are simply a delight to read!
I give One Winter with a Baron 5 stars!
Barron Nolan Webb was in a purgatory of his own making...at least that what he thought! When Nolan's man-of-affairs had mismanaged the families money to brink of bankruptcy, Noland blamed himself for trusting his father man. But when Sybil Cunning arrived at his home offering to pay him $1000 to help her experience life, beyond what she reads in books. So of course, what could a almost penniless rake do, but accept her offer.
But from their very first meeting, Sybil haunted Nolan; he craved her and actually wanted her companionship. But Nolan feels he is too flawed to be the man that Sybil needs, but when her family finds out that they have been meeting, will Nolan be able to walk away from the women he loves.
Christi Caldwell ALWAYS manages to rip my heart out with her books, but I think One Winter with a Baron has devastated me more than most. I LOVED the characters so much, especially the sisters! Josephine and Arial, so smart and sassy and yet so young! I hope they become friends. When it comes to Nolan and Sybil, seriously, what is not to love. I love Sybil's spirited nature, but also her more studious and unsure side. I love Nolan's ability to see past Sybil's surface and see the striking women she is inside!
The writing and plot as always, are magnificent! Every book I read (or re-read) of this author is simply a little bit of heaven that I can escape to. Her books are simply a delight to read!
I give One Winter with a Baron 5 stars!
September 7, 2022
It may be the bottle of wine that I drank, but this made me tear up! Totally up my alley in a lot of ways, minus groveling (as there was no need for it). I love watching a transactional relationship between a spinster bluestocking and a rake turn into something more. This was sweet. But too short!
Going on the BBW shelf, but only has a couple of references to the h being plump. A wee bit of angst around feelings and duty but not enough to land on the angst shelf.
Going on the BBW shelf, but only has a couple of references to the h being plump. A wee bit of angst around feelings and duty but not enough to land on the angst shelf.
December 4, 2019
Short story about Nolen and Sybil and their love story. The only problem is; the picture on the cover doesn’t match the eyeglass wearing, plump girl, who has a drop-dead gorgeous guy falling for her. That’s why CC is such a hit and miss with me. Have the girl in the novella match the cover or don't put a girl on the cover at all.
There was a kiss but that’s about all. Thank goodness.
As to the narration: You can’t get much better that Tim Campbell
May 9, 2017
This one was okay; it had its moments. I think novellas are tough when the characters don't already know each other because the story has to develop so quickly. Unfortunately for this one, I think that's why I found it lacking. There were still some sweet moments and I didn't dislike it; it's just not as memorable as other Caldwell books for me.
February 16, 2018
Not good. Sickly sweet and silly. They go ga-ga right away.
Premise and characters had promise, but unfortunately, didn't deliver.
Premise and characters had promise, but unfortunately, didn't deliver.
August 20, 2019
I absolutely loved this sweet & clean story with such wonderful characters that were trying to live their life pretending to be happy under circumstances that beyond their control.
At nine & twenty Miss Sybil Holly Cunning is the daughter of a viscount & a self proclaimed spinster & bluestocking. She has just finished her 10th season & last one she will have to attend as she can now stay at the families country estate. But before her family retires to the country, she wishes to find a rake & pay him to show her how to have fun & take chances - not sexual but the types of things a proper lade would not do or visit.
Nolan Pratt, Baron Webb is just the man for the job. It has been rumored that he is to the point of being destitute & has sold many personal family items & will not have money for his sister's come out. He has the reputation in society of being a rake or rogue with women (taking money they offer him in exchange for pleasure), gambling & drinking.
This is a definite case of polar opposites but you tend to feel for both of them & yearn for them to find happiness, which just does not seem plausible. I highly recommend this book - it was short so can be read in an afternoon but Christi always finds a way to pull you in to her stories & live vicariously through her characters.
At nine & twenty Miss Sybil Holly Cunning is the daughter of a viscount & a self proclaimed spinster & bluestocking. She has just finished her 10th season & last one she will have to attend as she can now stay at the families country estate. But before her family retires to the country, she wishes to find a rake & pay him to show her how to have fun & take chances - not sexual but the types of things a proper lade would not do or visit.
Nolan Pratt, Baron Webb is just the man for the job. It has been rumored that he is to the point of being destitute & has sold many personal family items & will not have money for his sister's come out. He has the reputation in society of being a rake or rogue with women (taking money they offer him in exchange for pleasure), gambling & drinking.
This is a definite case of polar opposites but you tend to feel for both of them & yearn for them to find happiness, which just does not seem plausible. I highly recommend this book - it was short so can be read in an afternoon but Christi always finds a way to pull you in to her stories & live vicariously through her characters.
November 9, 2023
Sybil Cunning hires Nolan Pratt, Baron Webb to help her 'learn and experience an altogether different way of life' apart from her scholarly pursuits after a comment from her younger sister.
Nolan due to a head wound from a riding incident has trouble with finances and he ''smiled and survived with a devil may care' Rake personality that society and his family never delve beyond the surface to truly see him. Henry his brother is hard to like with his patronising attitude towards his brother Nolan without comprehending that Nolan does not understand the financial numbers he is constantly explaining to Nolan. For all his smarts Henry is not people smart or he would have found a different way to help his brother based on his previous interactions with Nolan. Josephine seems entitled but smart but only seems to assume Nolan is who he portrays himself to be but does notice change in his behaviour when he was whistling in the corridor. Sybil with her research abilities studies Nolan and sees beyond the surface but Nolan often distracts Sybil from truly getting to know him while assisting her to enjoy life for the two weeks she has hired him for. I enjoyed reading this story with Sybil and Nolan's adventures/ courtship and how their feelings slowly develop despite them each refusing to acknowledge what is truly happening. Love Sybil interactions with her dad.
Nolan due to a head wound from a riding incident has trouble with finances and he ''smiled and survived with a devil may care' Rake personality that society and his family never delve beyond the surface to truly see him. Henry his brother is hard to like with his patronising attitude towards his brother Nolan without comprehending that Nolan does not understand the financial numbers he is constantly explaining to Nolan. For all his smarts Henry is not people smart or he would have found a different way to help his brother based on his previous interactions with Nolan. Josephine seems entitled but smart but only seems to assume Nolan is who he portrays himself to be but does notice change in his behaviour when he was whistling in the corridor. Sybil with her research abilities studies Nolan and sees beyond the surface but Nolan often distracts Sybil from truly getting to know him while assisting her to enjoy life for the two weeks she has hired him for. I enjoyed reading this story with Sybil and Nolan's adventures/ courtship and how their feelings slowly develop despite them each refusing to acknowledge what is truly happening. Love Sybil interactions with her dad.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 30, 2019
Very cute and quick novella about a woman who is all for logic and reason and quite opposed to ancient notions like marriage and romance. But at the age of 29, she realizes that she has not lived life to its fullest and that she needs someone to show her how to love? Who better to do that than a rake who finds his estate to be close to be ruined.
I liked the plot (not so much innovative but fun to read nonetheless), loved the characters (strong female lead, brooding and closed off hero with a big heart) and only found that the ending was too abrupt, as usual with romance novels. This is a novella so that's usually my problem with those as well
I liked the plot (not so much innovative but fun to read nonetheless), loved the characters (strong female lead, brooding and closed off hero with a big heart) and only found that the ending was too abrupt, as usual with romance novels. This is a novella so that's usually my problem with those as well
August 26, 2018
Sybil is a bluestocking with a plan. Researching fun. For that, she needs a rogue who can satisfy her curiosity and put her mind at ease that her books and solitude are all she needs to be happy.
Nolan is desperate to make everything right with his family’s fortune after his man of affairs is found to have lost all of his money. When Sybil offers him 1000 pounds to show her fun for 2 weeks, he’s intrigued.
Interesting novella, with erotic ices, kisses, and the drama of discovery. Fun little read.
KU
Nolan is desperate to make everything right with his family’s fortune after his man of affairs is found to have lost all of his money. When Sybil offers him 1000 pounds to show her fun for 2 weeks, he’s intrigued.
Interesting novella, with erotic ices, kisses, and the drama of discovery. Fun little read.
KU
February 10, 2019
Super short but cute. Heroine is a plain Jane slightly chubby on the shelf bluestocking and the hero is a gorgeous rake who really isn’t a rake.
The blue stocking pays him to date her chastely and in secret so she can see what she will be missing. They go on romantic dates and fall in love.
A slight spoiler
Overall, it’s sweet and a tad cheesy. It needed an epilogue...
The blue stocking pays him to date her chastely and in secret so she can see what she will be missing. They go on romantic dates and fall in love.
A slight spoiler
Overall, it’s sweet and a tad cheesy. It needed an epilogue...
August 4, 2020
3 stars
The synopsis sounded good and I looked forward to reading it. Perhaps because of the anticipation, I was disappointed with how short the storyline is - the protagonists agreed on a 14-day arrangement for the H to show the h different experiences of life. You read about 2-3 of them before it all comes to light and the usual family intervention occurs, and it’s past the 70% mark. The kindle ended at the 90% mark. So I wish the build up was more in-depth; quite a few missed opportunities where the author could have given us a richer reading experience.
The synopsis sounded good and I looked forward to reading it. Perhaps because of the anticipation, I was disappointed with how short the storyline is - the protagonists agreed on a 14-day arrangement for the H to show the h different experiences of life. You read about 2-3 of them before it all comes to light and the usual family intervention occurs, and it’s past the 70% mark. The kindle ended at the 90% mark. So I wish the build up was more in-depth; quite a few missed opportunities where the author could have given us a richer reading experience.
December 18, 2016
What a joyful and uplifting read for a chilly night! Ms. Caldwell has the innate knack for bringing together two people of seemingly different lifestyles and showing each of them how perfectly they fit together. Sybil Cunning thought herself to be the loveless spinster yearning to live out her life in the countryside with her books. Meeting Nolan changed that completely.
What a wonderful story of hope!
What a wonderful story of hope!
August 9, 2017
Too Short
Every time I finish a Caldwell book I have a stupid happy grin on my face. Here tales of love and romance with flawed Regency era characters always take me to a happy place and One Winter with a Baron is an short but satisfying Caldwell read. If you have tried a historical romance by Christ Caldwell you're missing out on finding happiness between the pages of a book.
Every time I finish a Caldwell book I have a stupid happy grin on my face. Here tales of love and romance with flawed Regency era characters always take me to a happy place and One Winter with a Baron is an short but satisfying Caldwell read. If you have tried a historical romance by Christ Caldwell you're missing out on finding happiness between the pages of a book.
September 16, 2018
One winter
Sybil is a bluestocking who wants a little adventure. So, she seeks Nolan who is a well gossiped about Rake. He needs funds so she hires him to show her how to have fun. Along they way feelings shift and ideas of the future change as well. Pretty good read! Read it in a day. So far I haven’t read a bad book from this author.
Sybil is a bluestocking who wants a little adventure. So, she seeks Nolan who is a well gossiped about Rake. He needs funds so she hires him to show her how to have fun. Along they way feelings shift and ideas of the future change as well. Pretty good read! Read it in a day. So far I haven’t read a bad book from this author.
October 8, 2020
another intriguing slow-burn romance in the Heart of a Duke series
Nolan a rake who is trying to cover the financial mismanagement of his family estate. He is the Duke now.
Sybil wants to prove she can stay a spinster. She doesn't expect to fall for Nolan. He doesn't expect to want to change his ways & prove he is worthy of Sybil's love.
Read the sizzling moments of their love.
Nolan a rake who is trying to cover the financial mismanagement of his family estate. He is the Duke now.
Sybil wants to prove she can stay a spinster. She doesn't expect to fall for Nolan. He doesn't expect to want to change his ways & prove he is worthy of Sybil's love.
Read the sizzling moments of their love.
May 12, 2021
Refreshing and entertaining winter blue stocking love story!
This story was entertaining and refreshing in the way it unfolded all outside the purview of any Ton events and literally mostly outside during the winter months! It was lovely getting to know the characters of Lady Sybil Holly Cunning, though I agree she has a horrible name, and Lord Nolan Pratt.
This story was entertaining and refreshing in the way it unfolded all outside the purview of any Ton events and literally mostly outside during the winter months! It was lovely getting to know the characters of Lady Sybil Holly Cunning, though I agree she has a horrible name, and Lord Nolan Pratt.
February 12, 2017
I couldn't decide between 3 or 4 stars. Gave it 4 because Caldwell, as usual, hooked me from the start and kept me interested to the end. The only thing I found bothersome were what I thought were some editing mistakes.
June 7, 2018
Charming and enchanting
Sybil and Nolan stole my heart. Two people both believing they are individually predisposed not to marry find just the opposite. As usual, Ms Caldwell provides a simple story with not so simple people and keeps me thoroughly engaged.
Sybil and Nolan stole my heart. Two people both believing they are individually predisposed not to marry find just the opposite. As usual, Ms Caldwell provides a simple story with not so simple people and keeps me thoroughly engaged.
December 16, 2019
Another great story
I have read many books by Christ Caldwell and hope in the future to read many more. This story is about a twenty-nine year old who wants adventure before she turns thirty.
I have read many books by Christ Caldwell and hope in the future to read many more. This story is about a twenty-nine year old who wants adventure before she turns thirty.
January 31, 2021
Unbelievable at first, not that all of these novels I love so much are known for realism. :) These characters just fell too fast and I didn't really "buy in" until their 3rd meeting. But once I did, I couldn't put the book down! Very fluffy, happy, easy read and I genuinely liked it.
March 15, 2022
Heroine’s father is one of the best father in HR history.
I was looking for a quick read that is why I started this book, but man!! I wanted more, I wanted to read more about Nolan and sybil, how I craved for an epilogue!!!!!
Short but very nice romance. Liked it very much.
I was looking for a quick read that is why I started this book, but man!! I wanted more, I wanted to read more about Nolan and sybil, how I craved for an epilogue!!!!!
Short but very nice romance. Liked it very much.
November 12, 2023
I'm usually not a fan of short books, as they feel rushed and not fleshed out. This was a charming exception. I loved the relationship between Sybil and Nolan, their adventures together and witty and bonding conversations. Perfect short winter love story.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 84 reviews