The Winter Bride

Rogues & Gentlemen #17.5

by Emma V. Leech

A Rogues and Gentlemen Christmas Novella.

Widowed farmer Ned Hardy is facing a bleak winter and a lonely Christmas alone, when a beautiful young woman turns up on his doorstep in the middle of the night, frozen and terrified. Stunned by the arrival of a fine lady who looks like a Christmas angel, all of Ned’s protective instincts flare to life.

Grace Honeyfield is on the run from her abusive brother and the terrifying man he’s forcing her to marry. Escaping into the darkness on a snowy night, she stumbles onto an isolated farm, and into the arms of a handsome farmer. Although not a gentleman by birth, Grace comes to realise Ned deserves the title more than any well-bred man of her acquaintance.

When Ned offers to marry Grace to keep her safe, he dares hope that the future might hold more happiness than the past. To his astonishment Grace agrees to his proposal, and Ned can’t help but wonder if all his Christmases have come at once…

AUTHOR'S NOTE. This 44K word book was previously published within Once Upon a Christmas Wedding, A Holiday Romance Collection Boxset

Genres: Historical Romance, Christmas, Romance, Novella, Historical, Regency, Regency Romance

151 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 13, 2019

About the author

Bestselling author hiding mostly in 19th-century England, venturing out only for chocolate and tea.

Emma V. Leech is the award-winning author of multiple bestselling series across Regency romance, Regency mystery and paranormal romance. Fall in love with swoon-worthy rogues, bold heroines, witty banter and deeply romantic happily-ever-afters. Follow Emma on BookBub for new releases and exclusive deals.

EMMA’S BOOKS

Rogues And Gentlemen
Regency romance – 17-book series (ongoing)
Sexy, tumultuous and irresistibly romantic. From pirates and smugglers to earls and dukes, these unforgettable rogues will sweep you away!

Winter Rogue
A Regency Christmas romance within the Rogues & Gentlemen world
A scandal-weary earl, a runaway heiress and a crumbling country estate snowed in for Christmas. A sensual, heart-tugging holiday novella about redemption, desire and a love neither of them expects.

A Rogues and Gentlemen Christmas
A standalone Regency Christmas romance
A collection of three romantic holiday stories featuring beloved Rogues & Gentlemen characters. Expect snowstorms, sizzling tension, unexpected proposals, mistletoe moments and heart-melting happily-ever-afters – a cosy festive escape for Regency romance lovers.

The Girl Is Not For Christmas
A standalone Regency Christmas romance
Miss Olivia Penrose is the only thing standing between her family and ruin when a brooding aristocrat crashes into her carefully laid plans. Sparks fly amid family secrets, snowy scandals and irresistible festive longing in this passionate, witty and deeply romantic winter read.

Girls Who Dare
Regency romance – 12-book series
Inside every wallflower is the heart of a lioness. When these overlooked young women make a pact to change their lives, rules are broken, reputations are risked and love becomes the most daring adventure of all.

Daring Daughters
Victorian romance – 19-book series and two compilations
The next generation of the Girls Who Dare. Their mothers risked everything for love – now their daughters are ready to be even bolder. An ongoing series of fiercely romantic stories set in a rapidly changing world.

Wicked Sons
Victorian romance – 12-book series
Their mothers dared all for love. Their sisters did the same. Now it’s the sons’ turn… dangerous, tempting and determined not to fall – until the right woman brings them to their knees.

The Venturesome Ladies Of Little Valentine
Regency romance – my current series
A quiet seaside village, a wave of scandalous newcomers and local ladies who refuse to be swept aside. A warm, witty Regency series full of secrets, second chances and delicious enemies-to-lovers romance.

The Regency Romance Mysteries
Regency romantic suspense – 3-book series
Dashing heroes, wicked villains, murder, mystery – and heroines who refuse to sit prettily and wait to be rescued. Perfect if you like your Regency romance served with danger and intrigue.

The French Vampire Legend
Paranormal romance – 4-book series
A dark, dramatic and heart-wrenching tale of courage, sacrifice and a love that not even time, war or monsters can destroy. Gothic atmosphere, high stakes and a romance that refuses to die.

The French Fae Legend
Fantasy romance – 4-book series
An award-winning saga with close to sixteen million online reads. Moving between modern-day France and the Fae Lands, these books weave powerful magic, danger and an all-consuming love that proves stronger than any enchantment.

The Book Lover
A standalone paranormal romance novella
A book-obsessed young woman, an infuriatingly charming stranger and the unnerving sense that stories might be bleeding into real life. A short, intensely romantic tale for anyone who has ever fallen in love with books… and perhaps with something not entirely of this world.

Reviews

[Bluestockings Read · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ever read a book that's so crammed with all your favorite micro-tropes that you can practically feel the objectivity leaving your body?

♥ A damsel in distress fainting dramatically into a handsome stranger's arms? 😍
♥ She's an abused rich girl on the run, and he's the strapping, brawny farmer who protects her?
♥ Caregiving with a side of must-undress-and-warm-you-to-save-your-life?
♥ Two lonely souls so horny and touch-starved they find any excuse for the slightest contact?
♥ Who did this to you?
♥ Him happily eating her dismal cooking efforts with gusto? 🥹
♥ Solo hand-to-gland combat? 👏
♥ Low angst, nice people who like each other + no 3rd act breakup?
♥ Him spoiling her, and bursting with pride to have her on his arms? 🥰
♥ Bathing each other? He's trembling? He's ticklish??

I'm TRASH for all these. I won't even say sorry.

Now, you may be wondering: Is this book truly ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ amazing? Or is it just okay- but lit up all my taste buds? I will never be able to answer that question. I just know I gobbled it. UP. 🪤

... If this book was a Christmas stocking, it would be a little too short, but stuffed with all my favorite goodies. 🍫🍫🍫🍫🍫


🎧 𝑨𝒖𝒅𝒊𝒐𝒃𝒐𝒐𝒌 𝒏𝒐𝒕𝒆𝒔: Free on Hoopla. I liked the male narrator (Philip Battley). He could've dropped Ned's voice an octave - but besides that he did quite well.

[Preeti ♥︎ Her Bookshelves · Rating 2 out of 5]

A Regency setting with a big burly H who saves and protects an ingenuous, angelic h from villains and a fate worse than hell- and marries her pronto-ish.

Just up my alley but...
It's a sweet and sexy story with lovable mcs but the execution made the connection feel fairy-tale-ish (and not in a good way) and less than believable at places.
Not just because he's a farmer and she's a lady (and that can make all the insta-love a bit implausible) but also because the mcs do not seem to naturally click as persons too, imo. The author kinda forced them onto each other and they comply by easily pushing aside all accepted norms of behavior and fall for each other. The insta chemistry and the h's lusting back is tad eye-rolling. It's just been few days, woman and I'm sure a lady in her circumstances would be too nervous for love or lust, and would look for other options than fall for the first convenient man (or actually a not so convenient one) who comes her way.
And I cannot believe the system (nobility/gentry) wouldn't make trouble for them, notwithstanding him being a successful farmer. A squire maybe would fare better but not a common farmer.

but because of the suddenness of implausible

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

'Widowed farmer Ned Hardy is facing a bleak winter and a lonely Christmas alone, when a beautiful young woman turns up on his doorstep in the middle of the night, frozen and terrified. Stunned by the arrival of a fine lady who looks like a Christmas angel, all of Ned’s protective instincts flare to life.

Grace Honeyfield is on the run from her abusive brother and the terrifying man he’s forcing her to marry. Escaping into the darkness on a snowy night, she stumbles onto an isolated farm, and into the arms of a handsome farmer. Although not a gentleman by birth, Grace comes to realise Ned deserves the title more than any well-bred man of her acquaintance.

When Ned offers to marry Grace to keep her safe, he dares hope that the future might hold more happiness than the past. To his astonishment Grace agrees to his proposal, and Ned can’t help but wonder if all his Christmases have come at once…'
______________________

2.5 stars, rounded up to 3 stars.

The Winter Bride is a Christmas novella in Emma V. Leech's Rogues & Gentlemen series.

This was a sweet novella with lovely characters and I did enjoyed it. But there was a tendency of describing Grace with phrases such as "like a child" and it quite ruined the novella for me. Bleh. Also I thought that the confrontation with the story's villian was resolved very quickly. The story really had some potential, but it fell a bit flat for me.

[Siobhan · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Winter Bride is a novella in the Rogues & Gentlemen series, but it works perfectly fine as a standalone story. I have not read any other stories in this series, but I understood this one fine without any prior knowledge.

This was a story that easily sucked me in, one that had me happy to power through the pages to see how everything would come together. It was a sweet story, although the development of the romance was a bit too fast for me and the drama wasn’t quite as intense as I had hoped. Despite this, I devoured it in a single sitting and am curious about the author’s other work.

All in all, an enjoyable quick read.

[girlwithhearteyes · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25 stars - nawwww, this really was all the best micro-tropes rolled up into one Christmas novella. I loved this for all the reasons listed in Bluestockings Read’s review. 🥹😍

[Rose · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hit the winter spot without being too christmasy :)

[Zena · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! Twenty-seven interesting, entertaining and fun stories all with happy ever after endings and with one common theme ... Its almost Christmas and time for romance.
I read stories by some of my most favorite authors and then was also introduced to some others for the first time. This is a nicely put-together box set and though it is not Christmastime, I would still recommend it as readable at any time of the year.
These are the stories in the boxset:
Hell's Wedding Bells, Annabelle Anders
Two Lady Scoundrels and a Duke, Tessa Candle
A Wicked Wedding, Laura Trentham
The Lady's Guide to Mistletoe and Mayham, Emmanuelle de Maupassant
The Russian Betrothal, Elsa Holland
Beautifully Reckless, Virginia Taylor
The Mistletoe Mistress, Maddison Michaels
Deeds not Words, Ashe Barker
Holly and the Beast, Annabel Joseph
The Winter Bride, Emma V. Leech
Mistletoe Kisses, Elise Marion
The Christmas Countess, K.J. Jackson
Mischief and Mistletoe, Stacy Reid
Kidnapped with the Knight, Emily Murdoch
The Russian Prince's Bride, Mariah Stone
Christmas Charity, Beverley Oakley
The Angel of an Astronomer, Linda Rae Sande
Wassail, Wagers and Weddings, S. Cinders
Highland Yule, Sky Purington
Marrying Miss Bright, Dayna Quince
Kiss Me, Macrae, Amy Sandas
Holly and Old Lace, Vanessa Brooks
Home for Christmas, Celeste Jones
A Spinster at the Highland Court, Celeste Barclay
The Holiday Hussy, Merry Farmer
December Debauchery, Em Brown
Wedded in Winter, Scarlett Scott

[Nazmin · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Winter Bride is a charming novella part of Emma V Leech’s Rogues & Gentlemen series, but it can be read completely as a stand-alone.
Ned Hardy is a prosperous farmer – widowed for two years and facing another winter completely alone. When a beautiful young woman knocks on his door late one night exhausted and seeking sanctuary Ned instinctively promises to protect her. Since Ned is not part of the gentry, there is only one way that he can legally keep Grace safe and shielded from harm. He is astounded when Grace agrees to his proposal of marriage. But can a gentle lady such as Grace be happy as a farmer’s wife?
Grace Honeyfield is on the run, escaping her abusive brother and the sickening suitor he has arranged for her to marry. Desperate and on the brink of exhaustion she collapses at Ned’s door. Although not a gentleman, Grace recognises that Ned is a man she can finally trust. She has no reservations about becoming his wife.
I absolutely loved this beautiful story of love and trust. Ned is an absolute darling of a man. He is gentle, kind, strong, protective and honourable. He is immediately enchanted by Grace but having spent years in an unhappy marriage with an indifferent wife, he is uncertain that a lady like Grace will be happy with him.
Grace has led a sheltered and isolated life – first under the control of her father and then her brother. She has never been given any value. When in a burst of courage, she manages to flee and meets Ned, she is happy for the first time in her life and with Ned’s encouragement gains confidence in herself and her abilities.
This is such a sweetly passionate and delightful story. It is a joy to follow Ned and Grace’s relationship and although it happens within a short space of time, you can see how they develop the love and trust in each other. It was lovely to see Grace grow in confidence and be able to enjoy her passions again. I love how she so fiercely shot down Ned’s insecurities and took pride in everything Ned was. Her brother gets his comeuppance and there is a sweet happy ever after. A perfect tale to curl up with on a winters evening.
I bought this as part of a compilation called Once Upon a Christmas Wedding.

[Lana Birky · Rating 4 out of 5]

Edward "Ned" Hardy is a successful farmer away from all the the ballrooms of London. Ned is not a part of society but he is a gentleman & he has been a widower for 2 years. The hard work of the farm is upon him & he must face another winter & Christmas alone; until a freezing, terrified & beautiful angel appears on his doorstep.

Grace "Gracie" Honeyfield has escaped her horrible brother when she jumps from their carriage & runs to a farm for help. He sold his sister to a man who paid his debts & then promised his sister's hand in marriage. She is an innocent who has been kept from society until her father died and then her brother took to society.

When these two meet, there is an instant connection and trust. It was so fun to watch Ned & Gracie get to know each other & how he asked her to marry him to save her from her brother & the man she was supposed to marry. There were villians to slay, maidens to rescue and love to celebrate in order to reach their HEA and Merry Christmas. Emma always has such wonderful characters with a touching story to entertain her readers.

[Noelle Wright · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another delightful Christmas novella from Emma V. Leech. I really enjoy her writing...yes, the men are all big and strong, but that's the way I like them. In this one, Ned is a widowed farmer, and Grace turns up on his doorstep one dark and snowy night. He takes her in and hides her from her brother, who is determined to sell her to a rich but cruel man. The only way to legally keep her safe is to get married, so that's what they decide to do.

Ned is a gentle giant, but ummm...don't cross him!

I really enjoyed how uninhibited Grace was in the intimate scenes with Ned...it was a refreshing change. I also like how Emma writes about her ladies' first times with their lovers...too many books just skip over or totally ignore how the woman feels during this time, her fascination with his body and the first-time sensations...I don't want to get graphic, but I appreciate this aspect to her writing.

[Deborah Durand · Rating 5 out of 5]

My first book by Leech was “Flaming June” which I read when the cover illustration was a gorgeous depiction of the portrait that the main character within the novel painted. I uncovered this novella in a trilogy of Christmas stories, and this was my favorite of those three so I purchased the single. I read this book every 3 months. Why? Grace and Ned’s love story is so heartwarming that it bears rereading whenever I’ve had my fill of all the wonderful romances that I digest daily. Who could not be warmed by the widower and farmer, Edward Hardy granting refuge to a near frozen Grace Honeyfield on the run from her despicable brother…who wants her to marry a lascivious Mr. Carrington to pay off his debts. Read how the lonely tender hearted Ned rescues Grace and she returns the favor. What a fabulous love story to be enjoyed any time of the year! Worthy of more than 5 stars and a purchase.

[Taylor Smith · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book wasn't the worst book I have read, but i struggled to connect with the characters. I feel like their relationship came across as unnatural. Perhaps I prefer more of a slow burn romance rather than the insta-love, but somehow the way their interactions and relationship is described came off as a bit... juvenile, I guess is the way to put it. Despite it having more mature moments with the intimacy between the couple, it still didn't feel... believable. Throughout the entire book, I couldn't get myself invested in the romance between them. This book might be up other people's alleys, but it just wasn't for me.

It's worth a read if you really like love at first sight books with a lot of the usual tropes.

[Linda J. · Rating 4 out of 5]

I purchased this as part of a multi author bundle called ONCE UPON A CHRISTMAS WEDDING

I am familiar with this author and own 10 of her novels. I enjoyed the beginning how they meet and the H's protective nature and compassion he felt for the h.

There is a nasty villain and I enjoyed how this was woven into the story. We have lovemaking, within marriage, heat level 4 out of 5.

I felt their feelings are declarations happened too quickly. We have no cheating, HEA, little on romance and spice.(ljb)

[Carol · Rating 3 out of 5]

An lovely enjoyable and heartwarming tale, with two equally delightful lead characters.
Some parts were overwritten and maudlin, while others lacked detail and nuance. The length of time from their meeting to Ned’s proposal was hard to swallow, and for a young woman kept in seclusion with a demeaning, brute of a father, Grace displayed little of the reticence one would expect.
That said however, it was a nice read.

[Rebecca W. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Grace is in trouble. Luckily for her, she finds her way to Ned's farm that offers security with the widower owner. Grace is a sweet, sheltered lady who embraces this new challenge with open arms. Ned is harder to bring around due to the difference in their social status. His worrying gets a little annoying, but for the most part, they are a cute couple.

[ten thousand bees · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 rounded up
im trying to broaden my horizons here. this was cute and all, insane levels of insta-love but i kinda expected that going in, so it didn't Really bother me. what did bother me was the random shit that suddenly happened with like 20 pages left to go i was like wtffffff. was any of this necessary

[D West · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this story. Am I a romantic YES ! Do I believe in love at first sight YES!
So glad Ned found his true love. It dose not happen in books
I always find Emma’s books easy to read. Can’t wait until her next!

[Fiatgal · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another novella, fun and for someone who doesn’t like novellas, this was just right. I’m in the mood for these sort of stories right now. There is an edge to the story too that keeps you guessing about the final outcome.

[Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Christmas bride is such a delightful story that once you read it, it puts an instant smile on your face.. Its a story that devour in on sitting.. Ned and Grace are just such sweet adorable loveable characters.. That you want nothing but the best for them both

[Kathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ned is a farmer. One winter night he finds Grace at his door. She is nearly frozen. She running from her cruel brother. He takes her in and asks her to marry him. But she is a lady. Can she be content in his life? It’s an interesting story.

[Sandra Bensley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gracie an unhappy lady runs from a life of 'wealth' and yet horror unknown by others. Finding herself on the doorstep of Ned, a farmer. When the whole story comes out and the adventures all begin, what becomes of the lady and the farmer? Read on to find out, you will griped with fun and love.

[Cait · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute story! I liked it more than I expected I would.

[Norah · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was great! It wasn’t filled with a lot of mystery and villains at every corner. It was just nice to see how their relationship developed as they got to know each other.

[Karen Darling · Rating 3 out of 5]

A nice short story.

[Melba Hard · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sweet story.

Very different from the usual Rogues and Gentlemen books but the characters were so sweet. It was lovely how they both complimented each other.

[Nicole LaBoy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love it

I just love this story! It was well written and hard to put down. Ned and Grace are just perfect together.

[Charlene · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fun take on the twist of marrying up/marrying down.
Most of the narrative takes place on a farm in rural England.

[WitchyMitchy · Rating 2 out of 5]

too treacly for me

A sticky sweet, and soppy little story. Just not for me! I think this author has way better work out there.

[Daryl · Rating 5 out of 5]

So dang cute, I just can't. Sweet, sexy, and I could not stop smiling.

[teneliza (HEA or nothing) · Rating 5 out of 5]

soooooo cute!!! ned and gracie <3