A Midnight Clear

by K.C. Bateman

Christmas Eve, 1816 . . .

When heavy snow forces Russian Princess Tatiana Denisova to abandon her journey to London, the only establishment with room to spare is the scandalously improper Klaus Haus, Canterbury's most infamous brothel. What would her brother—not to mention his irritatingly attractive best friend, Aleksandr Orlov—say?

Tatiana hasn't seen either man since they returned from the war, so when Aleks arrives to escort her home, she doesn't know whether to be thrilled, or mortified. She might have loved him secretly for years, but it would take a Christmas miracle for him to fall in love with her. . .

Genres: Historical Romance, Romance, Christmas, Novella, Historical, Historical Fiction, Holiday

19 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 12, 2019

About the author

Kate Bateman / K.C. Bateman, is a bestselling author of Regency and Renaissance historical romances, including the Secrets & Spies series, Bow Street Bachelors series, Ruthless Rivals series and Her Majesty's Rebels series. Her books have received multiple Starred Reviews from Publishers Weekly and Library Journal, and her Renaissance romp The Devil To Pay was a 2019 RITA award nominee.

Kate's books have been translated into multiple languages, including French, Italian, Brazilian, Japanese, German, Romanian, Czech, and Croatian.
When not writing, Kate leads a double life as a fine art appraiser and on-screen antiques expert for several TV shows in the UK. She currently lives in the UK with her husband, three inexhaustible children, and a naughty toy Poodle named Monty.

Kate loves to hear from readers. Contact her on Twitter @katebateman, Facebook, or via her website at www.kcbateman.com

Website: http://kcbateman.com/
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Reviews

[Tracey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Many thanks to Ms. Bateman for the complimentary copy of this delightful, heartwarming historical romance novella, which I received as a newsletter subscriber!

[Anita · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sweet, short, really short, story that takes place on Christmas Eve, 1816. Russian Princess Tatiana Denisova is stranded in Canterbury due to a snowstorm and the only place with rooms available is the local brothel. The madam and the girls are kind and friendly, but Tatiana worries about how highly improper staying there is. Her brother will be scandalized, and she knows that his best friend, Aleksandr Orlov, will find it, well she doesn't even want to think about that. Her thoughts are full of how much she misses Aleks, even though he has been nothing but arrogant and high handed with her. Then, out of the storm, there he is.

[Andria Potter · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was extremely short, yet a feel good romance. Not quite clear on how it is they hated each other, but the story is still well written and I liked the characters. KC Bateman remains a favorite author. Another 5 ⭐ from her!

[Rainelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a sweet short love story. I enjoyed reading it.

[Mariana · Rating 3 out of 5]

Too Short

This was lovely but really short. I have read many Christmas novellas. This one truly is only a chapter long and can be read in 15 minutes.

[Averie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a very short (13 pages) novella that was so cute! Tatiana has been in love with her brother's best friend Aleks. But he has been off at war for the past two years. Tatiana is stuck in the snow while traveling to London to see her brother and Aleks. But Aleks might take it upon himself to trek through the snow to find Ana and confess his feelings.

This was so adorable!! But I honestly wanted more! This would have made an amazing full-length novel!

Memorable Quote:

“Oh, I’ve never, ever hated you. I’ve hated every time you danced with someone other than myself. I’ve hated every man who ever made you laugh. I’ve hated the months I’ve had to be away from you, fighting this stupid war. And I’ve hated myself, for never having the guts to tell you that what I feel for you is the furthest you can possibly get from hate.”

READ FOR THE HISTORICAL ROMANCE READATHON

TROPES: brothers best friend, novella, snowstorm, winter reads

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

‘Christmas Eve, 1816 . . .

When heavy snow forces Russian Princess Tatiana Denisova to abandon her journey to London, the only establishment with room to spare is the scandalously improper Klaus Haus, Canterbury's most infamous brothel. What would her brother—not to mention his irritatingly attractive best friend, Aleksandr Orlov—say?

Tatiana hasn't seen either man since they returned from the war, so when Aleks arrives to escort her home, she doesn't know whether to be thrilled, or mortified. She might have loved him secretly for years, but it would take a Christmas miracle for him to fall in love with her. . .’
_____________

A Midnight Clear is a stand-alone short story by K.C. Bateman, who also writes under the name Kate Bateman.

This is a really sweet story playing off the best-friend’s-little-sister trope. I’m a bit disappointed that it’s so short, about 15 pages, because I think this would make a really great full-length book. The author managed to fit a decent amount of backstory into so few pages, which left want me wanting to read more about these sweet characters. If she ever decides to write a full length novel about these two, I’ll definitely read it.
_____

I would like to thank the author, K.C. Bateman, for sharing a copy of this short story with me. This is my honest review.

[Karmen O · Rating 2 out of 5]

2/5

While it only "cost" me 15 pages, I am annoyed I spent the time reading this. I am left with the feeling of "what was the point?"

[Melanie · Rating 3 out of 5]

A Midnight Clear was a cute read featuring a romance with the brother's best friend trope.

Russian Princess Tatiana Denisova is on her way to London to see her brother when a heavy snow storm forces her to take refuge in the nearest establishment which happens to be Canterbury's most infamous brothel. Amused by the situation, Tatiana wonders what her brother and his annoyingly attractive best friend Aleksandr Orlov would think of her accommodations? When Aleks arrives to escort Tatiana on the rest of her journey, Tatiana's feelings return in full force.

This was an incredibly short read that takes place in one night. Due to how short this story is, not much happens. Tatiana has been in love with Aleks for years but she always thought he hated her so she never mentioned her feelings. Aleks it turns out never hated her but was instead trying to keep his feelings for her in check. I don't love the older brother's best friend trope but it didn't bother me too much here. There's one great kissing scene but that's the extent of the steamy scenes.

Overall A Midnight Clear was a fun read without much to it but I would recommend it if you're looking for a quick read.

[K. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Trigger warnings: war

4.5 stars

This is, like, a 20 page short story. It's ridiculously short. And ridiculously delightful. Essentially, a young Russian princess is forced to take shelter in an English brothel. Her brother's best friend, who she hasn't seen in several years but who she's in love with, comes to find her. There's not really a lot to say about it other than that I adored it but I also wish it had been like twice the length just to flesh out the story more than it was.

[Pam Bereznak · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute super quick read.
Well written.
Would have been great as a full novel. Would have liked to read more about these characters.

[Julia - my.endless.library · Rating 3 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️.5

[Bethany · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kate Bateman can do no wrong.

Actually the only wrong is that this was basically a scene and I want a full length novel because it was SO CUTE.

[Grace · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is cute, but it is extremely short. Blink and you'll miss it short.

[Midniteillusion · Rating 3 out of 5]

This needed to be a full book. There was so much background in the few pages that it would have been such a good full length novel. I really wanted to get to know the characters more. We only meet the hero in the final scene then it’s over.

[Penelope · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 Satisfying Stars (I seldom give 5) for A MIDNIGHT CLEAR, a very Short and Sweet Regency period Story by KC Bateman. This story was previous included in a Christmas anthology and was titled, “The Snow Maiden.”

A MIDNIGHT CLEAR is a very short story which takes place during a winter storm outside of London around 1814. This story is the final meeting (or just the beginning) for two people who have waited years for the stars to finally aligned. A MIDNIGHT CLEAR was well written and flowed beautifully. I found this tale quite lovely. I found it free on the author’s page and read it in under 20min.

READER CAUTIONS -
VIOLENCE - None.
PROFANITY - None.
SEXUAL SITUATIONS - None.

[Of Butterflies & Books · Rating 4 out of 5]

Having not read anything by K.C. Bateman before this a really nice, short introduction to her writing style. This is a really well-written short novella. I still really got invested in the characters and they had really great chemistry. Though I would have liked it to be a bit more than only 20 pages. I'm very interested in reading more of Bateman's work.

[Susy Santos · Rating 4 out of 5]

Exatamente o que estava a precisar num dia de calor.
Adorei este conto de inverno . Fiquei imediatamente presa à Princesa Tatiana Denisova.
Vou querer ler mais sobre esta autora.
Ganhou o meu coração em 32 pags.

[Nese Floves Reading · Rating 5 out of 5]

Delightful quick Christmas read. A Midnight Clear is a quick and swoony Christmas read. Loved reading the romanceTatiana and Aleks.

[Jocelynereadsromance · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sweet and simple story, well written and engaging. A quick introduction to the author with a snowy and wintery feel.

[Kyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love Kate Bateman so much. This was just so short and sweet, can’t complain!!

[Pamela · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rated 3.5. Would love to read this as a full length novel.

[Drasevia · Rating 2 out of 5]

It didn't evoke any emotion in me. Just boring. 4/10.

[gabby · Rating 4 out of 5]

15 pages of pure slayage

[Read With Chey · Rating 3 out of 5]

A sweet little novella! Wasn’t long at all, but the chemistry could be felt even in the short amount of pages!

[Sora · Rating 2 out of 5]

I read “Desert Island Duke” by this same author and absolutely loved it. It is also a holiday novella. I thought her writing and storyline plot were fantastic and I was eager to read more of her stuff.

Then, I read this book and it was a complete miss. I think my expectations were too high? I was expecting something along the same level as “Desert Island Duke,” but this book was subpar. This novella was written in 2019 and “Desert Island Duke” was published in 2023. So, maybe the author developed significantly over time? I’m intrigued and I plan on reading more of her stuff. She has a brilliant novella and, unfortunately, this novella had some good bones, but was a miss.

It is a cute story about how a Russian noblewoman is in love with her brother’s best friend and he returns the love. But, they were separated because of war before they could act significantly on their attraction. Fast forward two years and the female love interest is traipsing through the British country side trying to track down the male love interest and her brother. The male love interest finds her. Then, happily ever after.

This is a quick read and I absolutely loved the length of the novella. She nailed the length and was able to portray the story in the low page count which is very impressive. The length of the novella I really loved. But, I had issue with the story falling a bit flat overall.

[Dr. Lillian · Rating 3 out of 5]

Incredibly short novella that really deserved more pages or a full length novel!

Princess Tatiana is stranded in a snowstorm at a brothel near Dover, while on the way to London to meet her brother and his best friend on their way home from the war. The brothel is managed by Fraus Klaus, and Tatiana, or Ana for short, must stay there because there’s no room at any hotel or inn. To weather the storm, the other travelers are sharing stories and she’s asked to tell a story. After her story, she remembers her childhood friends to enemies relationship with her brother’s bestie, Aleks, and how she’s recently realized she’s in love with him. Aleks conveniently arrives as she’s about to head inside and expresses his profound love for her and asks if she’ll marry him. I wanted to know so much more! I wanted more time developing the childhood relationship, teenage relationship, and angst of being apart and wondering if they’d ever be together. This story had so much promise and needed even perhaps just another dozen pages to develop Aleks’s side.

Age gap: Tatiana is probably late teens, Aleks is probably early 20s, but ages aren’t explicitly mentioned.

Tropes: Friends to enemies to lovers, brother’s best friend, holiday story

SFCP (safe for childless people); main characters don’t get pregnant/have a baby

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a super short novella that I really enjoyed!

The FMC is Princess Tatiana Denisova. She’s been stranded in Canterbury, England in a snowstorm. Due to the many travelers in the same dire circumstance that arrived before her, the only room available to herself and her lady in waiting is in a brothel. Tatiana is concerned for the impropriety of her lodgings, but the madam and women there are both friendly and kind to her.
To pass the time, and by way of payment for lodgings, the guests are taking turns telling stories to everyone, and Tatiana shares a story from her homeland in Russia. In the telling, she realizes how deep her feelings are for her brothers best friend, Aleksandr. After she’s finished telling the story, she reminisces about their parting, when he and her brother left for war. While her brother is likely to be scandalized at her lodgings in the storm, she finds herself longing for Aleks. And in the very best of coincidences, he finds her!

[Mama Needs to Read Romance · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this short Christmas story! A Russian princess is stranded in the snow, forced to stay in a brothel, but one quickly sees its charms. It is that evening that she steps into the (beautifully written) snowy landscape, which gives her leave to reflect on the childhood enemies-to-lovers experience she had with her brother's friend Aleks. They shared a kiss before he went off to war, and it was clear that they'd each had unresolved feelings for the other. It's at this point that he finds her, and I was ready to swoon so hard, but then they started bickering, LOL. (Hence the four stars.) But quickly they set their past aside and shared their real feelings, and the swooniness went back to full swing, so it was a happily ever after! Short and sweet!! 😍

[J.M. Northup · Rating 5 out of 5]

How Romantic and Enchanting

This is a delightful short romance that's perfect to bring a smile to your face. A quick way to add warmth to a cold winter day, the story isn't new, but it's enchanting. You'll giggle and aww in all the right places.
I loved the characters. Aleks and Tatiana are adorable. They chemistry between them is great.
I recommend this to romance readers. It's a fast read, so perfect when waiting in line, while cooking and baking, or just to enjoy with your morning coffee/tea.