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The Whickertons in Love #7

Once Upon an Aggravatingly Heroic Kiss

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A meddlesome lady.
An honor-bound lord.
And quite a few misunderstandings.




England 1749: LADY EDITH WESTON, daughter to the EARL OF SWANSBOROUGH, is determined to see her friend wed to a man she loves. Unfortunately, Lady Adele, however, has been promised since birth and refuses to break her father’s heart by going against his wishes. Edith, though, cannot accept that, and when she sees the first stirrings of love between her dearest friend and a visitor from the north that Christmas, she is determined to work a miracle.



JASPER BEAUMONT, EARL OF WHICKERTON, made the monumental mistake of promising his father upon his deathbed that he would wed within the year. Unfortunately, eleven months and far too many days have passed without a suitable bride in sight. At least, until he visits Cumberton Castle for the holidays and his path crosses that of a most intriguing young lady.



Never having been one to mind her own business, Edith does what she must to prove to her friend that one must never give up on love. A statement ringing all the more true when Edith finds her every move observed by a teasing gentleman with wicked eyes and a devilish smile…who, oddly enough, does not seem to disapprove of her meddlesome tendencies.



Impressed by Lady Edith’s quick wit, Jasper watches as she directs all those around her like a gifted puppeteer, determined to ensure her friend’s happiness. Only before long, he comes to wonder if perhaps…he, too, has been caught in her web, doing precisely what she wants him to.



The only question: could she possibly want him?


This Christmas novella is a prequel to USA Today bestselling author Bree Wolf’s new WHICKERTONS IN LOVE series. The novella was previously published in the Holiday Anthology: Naughty or Nice. The novella can be read as a standalone book.

132 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 18, 2022

182 people are currently reading
99 people want to read

About the author

Bree Wolf

95 books929 followers
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Excited for my new series? The Flames of Winter Series:

An epic love story that spans across an entire series. Ensure that you have a good cup of tea, something to nibble on and perhaps a box of tissues at hand before you dive into this slow-burn Regency romance full of enchanting moments between Sarah and Keir, the little wisp and the highlander.

Flames of Winter (Flames of Winter, #1) by Bree Wolf Shield of Fire (#2 Flames of Winter) by Bree Wolf

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5 stars
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
Profile Image for Sonja Rosa Lisa ♡  .
4,870 reviews634 followers
March 17, 2025
Die Geschichte spielt im Jahr 1749 in England zur Weihnachtszeit. Lady Adele soll heiraten, doch sie liebt den Mann, den ihre Eltern für sie bestimmt haben, nicht. Stattdessen verliebt sie sich in einen Schotten. Lady Edith bemerkt dieses und tut alles, um ihrer besten Freundin zu helfen. Beim Verkuppeln verliebt sie sich selbst...
💜 Eine leichte Liebesgeschichte ohne großartige Überraschungen, aber mit viel Gefühl und Witz. Lady Edith ist eine besondere junge Dame, die ihren eigenen Kopf und ganz viel Herz hat. Schön, zu lesen!
Profile Image for Brenda.
3,457 reviews46 followers
December 1, 2022
England 1749: LADY EDITH WESTON, daughter to the EARL OF SWANSBOROUGH, is determined to see her friend wed to a man she loves. Unfortunately, Lady Adele, however, has been promised since birth and refuses to break her father’s heart by going against his wishes. Edith, though, cannot accept that, and when she sees the first stirrings of love between her dearest friend and a visitor from the north that Christmas, she is determined to work a miracle.
JASPER BEAUMONT, EARL OF WHICKERTON, made the monumental mistake of promising his father upon his deathbed that he would wed within the year. Unfortunately, eleven months and far too many days have passed without a suitable bride in sight. At least, until he visits Cumberton Castle for the holidays and his path crosses that of a most intriguing young lady.
Never having been one to mind her own business, Edith does what she must to prove to her friend that one must never give up on love. A statement ringing all the more true when Edith finds her every move observed by a teasing gentleman with wicked eyes and a devilish smile…who, oddly enough, does not seem to disapprove of her meddlesome tendencies.
Impressed by Lady Edith’s quick wit, Jasper watches as she directs all those around her like a gifted puppeteer, determined to ensure her friend’s happiness. Only before long, he comes to wonder if perhaps…he, too, has been caught in her web, doing precisely what she wants him to.
Edith wants to do nothing more than to make her friend happy. She is meddlesome to the ninth degree. Will her busybody ways lead to her own happiness?
I borrowed this book from Kindle Unlimited. This in no way affects my opinion of this book which I read and reviewed voluntarily.
Profile Image for Tisa.
1,216 reviews6 followers
July 26, 2023
PARTIES ENVOLVED:
LADY EDITH WESTON, daughter to the EARL OF SWANSBOROUGH
LADY ADELE BERKLEY, the daughter of the Duke & Duchess of Ashbrook
JASPER BEAUMONT, EARL OF WHICKERTON,
ANDREW ALBERNATHY VISCOUNT OF DALTON
LORD & LADY CUMBERTON, Andrew's parents
LORD & LADY HALSTON
ALBERT KINGSTON ~ LORD ABERLEY
MR. MACKINNEAR ~ Scottish Visitor from Up North

BOOK ONE: England 1749: LADY EDITH WESTON, daughter to the EARL OF SWANSBOROUGH, is determined to see her friend wed to a man she loves. Lady Adele, has been promised at birth to marry her father Lord Ashbrook's best friend's son Lord Alberley. Both Lady Adele & Lord Alberley respect one another. But neither one of them have anything in common. Nor have any sparks for one another. They each have fallen smitten for other partners. Though both refuse to break the contract that their parents have sent out for them.
Lady Edith, refuses to except Lady Adele to be miserable & not have a marriage out of love. She is determined to match make for all parties to have they love partner& not an arrangement when it comes to marriage. She has noticed the desire, that Lady Adele has for a certain Scot that is visiting from the north this Christmas. Lady Edith is determined to have fate work a miracle. However, during her matchmaking scheme could she possible manipulate a Christmas engagement for herself. to the man that peaks her own interest this Christmas season?

JASPER BEAUMONT, EARL OF WHICKERTON, made a promise on his father deathbed to be married within a year. Unfortunately, eleven months later & not every single lady from the ton is only interested in superficial needs. Title, prestige & wealth. He might have a chance at his true friend's family Christmas event of the season at Cumberton Castle where he meets the most intriguing young lady.

Jasper has been watching the sites of the intriguing Lady Edith. He knows she is up to something when it comes to Lady Adele. But he cannot seem to figure it out. When he hears Lady Edith safe a maid from being let go due to a nasty woman known at the ton to get whatever she wants. Jasper is impressed what Lady Edith did to protect a servant. This is the type of Lady he wants for his wife.
But he needs to find out her true intentions by the end of the evening? What he realizes is that she doesn't mind her own business when it comes to love. Lady Edith will do whatever it takes when it comes to putting the right parties together for love. Including his own family.
Lady Edith finds her every move being watched & observed by a teasing wicked eyes and a devilish smile gentleman…who, oddly enough, does not seem to mind her meddlesome ways. Could this handsome gentleman be the man of her own dreams? Could he be her fate when it comes to love?
Jasper is quite impressed with Lady Edith’s quick wit & mastermind ways as she directs all those around her like a puppet master. Determined to ensure her Lady Adele & others to their happily ever after. Could Jasper be in Lady Edith tangled web as well? If so it could be a web he would enjoy being stuck to for the rest of his life. Read this sweet, clean, Christmas treat where one determined young woman is out to have 4 people live the life of fairytales.
NOTE BOOK read thru the Naughty or Nice: A Holiday Regency Anthology
Profile Image for Kristi Hudecek-Ashwill.
Author 2 books48 followers
November 30, 2022
This was a short, fun read and the introduction to the Whickerton series.

Edith wants to help her friend, Adele, out of a betrothal that the fathers had made for the children when they were wee babes. Adele hardly knows the guy and finds out quickly that she has nothing in common with him. He’s a bore to her, although he is a good man. There’s just no chemistry between them.

Edith is working her matchmaking magic and involves Jasper, who made a promise to his father while his father was on his deathbed that he’d marry within a year. That year is almost up and there isn’t a bride in sight. His mother is hounding him about it while she comes down on Jasper’s sister for being a wallflower. That part was pretty sad until it wasn’t. But Jasper’s friend Andrew is at the same house party and is prodding Jasper on, too. I got a kick out of Andrew. Everybody wanted Jasper to get married.

This is a light-hearted, whimsical story with a cast of characters that will make you smile, laugh, and even cheer. I loved Edith and her cleverness and how she involved the unwitting Jasper. I loved feeling them fall in love and adored the happiest of endings.

*I received a free copy of this book and voluntarily left a review.
304 reviews49 followers
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October 22, 2023
This prequel novella is by far the best of the stories in the series. We learn about the goings on of when Grandma Edie was just a young woman herself, but already an accomplished natural meddler. It's absolutely delightful to see her manipulate the reality and weave different couples together. Her soon-to-be husband is on the receiving end of many of her tricks, but he does not find it in the least annoying or off-putting. He is downright delighted by her spunk, charm, and intelligence even when she exasperates him.

The Christmas atmosphere is true to the epoch and presents a perfect backdrop to the titular "heroic kiss". I was pleasantly surprised that the yule log was featured as it was then certainly too early in English history to deck the halls with Christmas trees.

It seems that this book was written after the initial few novels in the series. The author seems to have abandoned certain stylistic tendencies which improved the overall product immensely.
85 reviews1 follower
November 30, 2022
I love the Wickertons, add a Christmas gathering and you have a perfect story! This story didn’t disappoint. Once Upon an Aggravatingly Heroic Kiss, a part of the Whickertons in Love series, is a truly heartwarming story. This series has the best characters, the Wickertons are such an entertaining family! This delightful story from Bree Wolf is infused with warmth and humor. I enjoyed the story of Lady Edith. Grandma Edie has always been my favorite character in this series. It was great to read about the beginning of her mischievous matchmaking efforts. Now, we also know her connection to the MacKinnear’s. This is another charming and romantic love story that I highly recommend. It shows us that anything is possible, especially with Lady Edie’s help!
Profile Image for Martha B..
835 reviews11 followers
December 12, 2022
Grandma Edie's Early Story

I loved this account of how Lady Edith Weston (later to become Grandma Edie) met the love of her life.

Grandma Edie has been such an unusual character in her granddaughter's lives and now, after reading Once Upon an Aggravatingly Heroic Kiss, I understand her better. I just wish I could have read this story before I read the other books in the series.

Still, I loved it, and her. Having given her heart to such a fine man, it is no wonder, as a widow, she never remarried.

Content 411: Like all of the books by Bree Wolf, this is a clean read that is suitable for any reader.

Disclosure: I received an ARC of this book from the author. I am voluntarily submitting my honest review.
2,361 reviews12 followers
October 7, 2023
Once Upon an Aggravatingly Heroic Kiss Bree Wolf
5 stars
I received a free copy of the clean historical romance Once Upon an Aggravatingly Heroic Kiss: A Whickerton’s in Love Novella by Bree Wolf in the Naughty or Nice: A Holiday Regency Anthology and this review was given freely.
I loved watching Edie perform her craft in this multi-couple holiday set finding love story.
Written with the regency style of speech, this is the story that starts the legendary Grandma Edie Whickerton’s matchmaking and love story.
Just as Jasper Beaumont, Earl of Whickerton is running out of time and options to marry to fulfil a deathbed promise to his father, the crafty matchmaking Lady Edith Weston catches his eye.
Profile Image for Peggy.
2,103 reviews13 followers
December 2, 2022
My favorite character in the Whickertons in Love series is the irrepressible matchmaking Grandma Edie. Lady Edith Weston is determined to use her time at the Cumberton Castle Christmas party to make sure her friend finds a love match instead of the one her parents arranged when she was born. Jasper Beaumont, Earl of Whickerton, has come to the party to find a bride. He is fascinated with Edith’s matchmaking schemes, with her. The two of them are quite taken with each other. Will Edith’s matchmaking succeed, or will it exceed her expectations? Delightful story.
2,890 reviews4 followers
December 2, 2022

Edith is helping her friend who wants out of a betrothal to a man she doesn’t know. It had been arranged by their fathers when they were babies. Jasper is in the same situation as his father on his deathbed made Jasper swear to marry within a year and it’s almost up. He has no one to marry but his mother is on his back and later a friend shows up at a house party and starts in in him too! Edith sees all around her and knows she can help especially with Jasper. But can he see what’s in front of him? I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.
950 reviews4 followers
December 5, 2022
clean romance

A sweet story of a matchmaker’s scheme to fix what she perceived as a wrong. She wants the best for her friend. Soon she is matching more than her friend.

There are twists and turns as she weaves her spell around to try and match everyone.

I enjoyed the story but was a bit disappointed that she felt she had to manipulate and lie…that she felt it made that ok as long as things worked out as she wanted.
Profile Image for Lesley.
2,440 reviews17 followers
November 30, 2022
Read in the Naughty or Nice Anthology.
Novella - if readers have read any of the Whickertons in Love series, then here you get to read Grandma Edie’s love story whilst she is meddling in the life of her best friend. Delightful.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book from the publisher. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Profile Image for Lori D.
4,077 reviews126 followers
November 30, 2022
Bree Wolf's Once Upon An Aggravatingly Heroic Kiss, is part of the Whickerton stories and is delightful to see Edith determined to follow in her Grandma Edie's footsteps as a matchmaker. She is going to make sure her friend gets her man... But you never know what will happen when she finds her own match!!
Profile Image for Billie.
5,782 reviews72 followers
December 1, 2022
This is a brilliant read.
Wonderful well written plot and story line that had me engaged from the start.
Love the well fleshed out characters and found them believable.
Great drama and romance with wonderful world building.
Can't wait to read what the author brings out next.
Recommend reading.

I read a complimentary advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest review.
Profile Image for Jen.
426 reviews
December 15, 2022
I liked this novella. It’s got some good characters and honestly the main character Edie really kept me guessing what she was going to do next in her little plot to save her friend from marrying the wrong guy.

I thought it was a little more clever than most of these regency books.

Not really Christmas-y though.

3.5 stars
218 reviews2 followers
January 26, 2023
How wonderful to find Lady Edit he's story!

Having read other books in this series, I was delighted to find Lady Edit he's story. Each story was a delight to read and I'm so glad I found this series. Everything Brew Wolf writes is so entertaining and always a treat. This is another Must Read!
Profile Image for Elsbeth.
837 reviews
December 8, 2022
Just like a burning yule log, this story sents his warmth to everyone reading it.
Not difficult with all that love around. Will Edith manage to help everyone into the right arms?
Lovely story, and a great introduction to the Whickerton's In Love series.
I received a copy and chose to review it.
958 reviews6 followers
December 21, 2022
Matchmaking

Christmas and a house party. Several people have thing they feel are required of them. Can an arranged marriage be right t.when the parties are so different? See if things work out or do they find a true love and a way out of the arrangement?
Profile Image for Sandi Niemeyer.
237 reviews
May 8, 2023
Edie and Addie

I'm becoming a huge fan of Bree Wolf's stories. Her characters are always well-written, developed and "fleshed-out". Edie and Addie are delightful young ladies who find their true loves.
Profile Image for Deb.
412 reviews1 follower
September 24, 2023
I would highly suggest reading this novella prior to starting the series. Somehow I wound up reading it last with a constant smile on my face. Edith, is by far, my favorite character in the Whickertons in Love series. Everyone needs an Edie in their life!
Profile Image for Stephanie Herron.
734 reviews11 followers
November 30, 2022
So much fun to read about Grandma Edie and how she started being so good at match making. Great series.
771 reviews2 followers
December 4, 2022
This is Grandma Eddie love story.

Bree , you did this fantastic story proud. I just loved it. It is a page turner. The storyline is remarkable with loveable characters.
Profile Image for Aj.
2,480 reviews
December 4, 2022
A beautiful story, one I read from the Naughty or Nice holiday anthology. A few misunderstandings won't stand in the way of love for Jasper and Edith.
619 reviews4 followers
March 1, 2023
I loved seeing Edie as a young woman and seeing the early days of her using her talents. I loved getting to meet her beloved Jasper!
455 reviews2 followers
June 9, 2023
enjoyed it

Short but well written. I enjoyed the story and the characters are very likable. I will probably read more books in this series.
34 reviews
July 24, 2023
These are easy reading, feel good stories that give you a glimpse of life in another time. All are well written.
553 reviews4 followers
October 10, 2023
Enjoyable.
Basically, this is a stylized Regency meet-cute. The ever brandishing of titles became a bit tiresome, but nonetheless, the read was most pleasant.
Profile Image for Dorel.
4,336 reviews38 followers
February 17, 2024
This story 📖 started off good, but as I kept reading the story became slow.
186 reviews1 follower
November 10, 2024
Read in Naughty or Nice: A Holiday Regency Anthology
Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews

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