A sweet adorable story in preparation of the upcoming holiday season. Max is a grumpy Duke who holds a grudge and is determined to obtain something he believes belongs to him. That is until he meets the delightful Rose who has no intention of allowing him to take anything. Rose is up beat, positive and has a great sense of humor. This author has created a cheerful story that allows the reader to see, feel and remember what it's like to fall in love, love Christmas and be filled with joy. Lovely story, well paced and detailed.

Rose inherits a grand estate, only to find it’s claimed by the handsome Duke of Grantham. He believes it was stolen from his family. Forced to share the property, their animosity turns into a Christmas truce, as Rose helps Max plan a holiday party. But Max’s plan to use the party to gain control of the estate backfires when he finds himself falling for Rose’s spirited charm. Can their shared Christmas create a love that will last beyond the holidays?

Anna Bradley is one of my favorite Regency authors, and this book is a good example of why. Funny and fast-paced, this novel has a strong plot and lovable characters. Rose is strong and defiant. Max is a grump with a heart of gold. I love how he takes care of Rose when she needs him to, but otherwise allows her to be independent.

Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC I received. This is my honest and voluntary review.

After the death of Ambrose St Clair, both Rose and Max have inherited Hammond Court equally. From their first meet-cute (involving a gun!) they have been at loggerheads.

Due to the condition of Hammond Court, Max ends up bringing Rose back to Grantham Lodge to live with him. Despite Rose’s petite size she is not afraid to “spar” with the duke and enforce Christmas traditions in his own home. The grumpy duke is no match for the sunshine-y young lady.

I enjoyed the different traditions which Rose upheld especially the ginger biscuits. She is indeed an amazing lady, and perfect for Max. There were many other interesting side characters as well, and my favourite was Townsend whom made me laugh! Abby and Billy are also worth a mention, with them being loyal and always ready to defend Rose!

This was my first book from Anna Bradley and while it is outside of what I normally read; I enjoyed it. Rose is a bit of an unconventional compared to most Regency heroines, in her upbringing and current living situation. Max is a Duke who is set on reclaiming a house that was stolen from his family years ago, but little does he know Rose is living there. This book definitely has grumpy/sunshine vibes, and we watch Rose try to bring some joy into Max's life. I liked the addition of the characters from the house party. While I haven't read the first two books, there are two couples I am assuming are from these books. Seeing Max interact with them makes him more likable. This was a light and quick read for me.

Thank you Netgalley and Kensington Publishing for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Alarmed by the sound of an intruder, Rose St. Claire fetches her pistol. She’s shocked to discover that the trespasser is a handsome gentleman who states that the house, which Rose recently inherited from her late benefactor, was stolen from his father decades ago. He claims it is now his. As it turns out, Hammond Court has been left to them both and neither can evict the other without forfeiting their right to the property. Wealthy and ruthless, Maxwell Burke, Duke of Grantham, has spent years regaining the many properties his father lost to bad wagers. Only Hammond Court remains. But Rose has no intention of leaving. In fact, as Christmas draws near, circumstances force Max to plan a holiday party, and Rose is all too happy to help. Max will forgive the debt of another young duke’s family if the attractive gentleman woos Rose at the party, ultimately marries her and then returns her share of the estate to Max. It’s foolproof or is it?
The third book in the series but it’s easily read on its own & what a thoroughly enjoyable romance it was. A fun, entertaining book with a tad of angst. I really liked both Max & Rose who clashed from the word go, she sees the best in every situation & is a happy, delightful woman, where as Max has been driven by revenge & determined to get back all his father lost. They are definitely chalk & cheese but sparks fly every time they meet. I had a smile on my face for much of the time & recommend this feel good book
I voluntarily read and reviewed a special copy of this book; all thoughts and opinions are my own

When Max finally has a chance to get back his childhood home that his father had gambled away, he is determined to destroy it. He does not count on kind hearted Rose to be standing in his way. Rose decides to help Max to let go of his anger and hurt. Can Max choose to be happy? I received an ARC from NetGalley and Kensington Publishing for my honest review.

This was the perfect feel-good Christmas story. Max was a grumpy duke and Rose was a ray of sunshine. Max had been planning revenge for most of his life. Finally, when he was about to reach his goal, Rose found herself blocking his path. Making Rose's acquaintance, caused Max to become uncertain of his motives.
The dialog is frequently humorous and the interactions of Max and Rose are simmering. Two dukes and their duchesses from previous stories appear as Christmas guests. This was a fairly quick read and I highly recommend it.
I received a free ARC from NetGalley and this is my honest review.

Cute story of a grumpy duke who arrives at his ancestral home only to find a pretty, petite woman already in residence with a gun pointed at him! He initially assumes she is a squatter and tries to find out who she is. Of course, Rose St. Claire does not give him the satisfaction of an introduction and instead remains a mystery to him until he returns home and learns of her identity there.

Rose on her part, finally decides to send for Sir Richard who will be able to shed light on why Max seems to think the house belongs to him. Long story short, it was a grumpy duke vs sweet sunshine and how they fall in love.

I received an ARC from the publishers and NetGalley and submit my honest review voluntarily.

Thank you to NetGalley, Zebra Books, Kensington Books, and Anna Bradley for providing this advance reader copy of the book. I'm providing my honest review.

What a romantic tale. I was enchanted by the sleigh ride across the sparkling fresh snow. It's sigh worthy. The run-down manor house limping along due to the love and care of a plucky young lady is classic. Mean wealthy man trying to kick her out of said house had me invested in the outcome. I know romance books must have a happy ending, but the journey should make you wonder if it will happen at all. Max, nicknamed The Duke of Ice, is an anti-hero who 's heart is black and way too small. Luckly, he meets the one woman who can thaw him out. Rose is the kind of person who's
a smiling, singing, happy to greet the day kind of person I couldn't live with. I'm grumpy without coffee and she's a hot chocolate girl. At first Max is irritated by everything she does but bit by bit she gets under his skin and changes his perspective on life and his history. Max is wealthy and unhappy while Rose is happy and broke. He confused by her outlook and stubborn manner. At first Rose sees Max as something to be fixed and saved not realizing that he'll save her too. Max goes to great and romantic lengths to win the heart of his Rose, it's sweet.

An enjoyable read from page one to the epilogue. This is the end of the three Dukes in the Drop Dead Dukes series. I liked them all.

#NetGalley #AnnaBradley #DropDeadDukes #TheDuke'sChristmasBride #KensingtonBooks #ZebraBooks #historicalromance #romance #Christmasromance

A sweet and charming enemies to lovers story ; although there were a few gaps in the plot it was a fun read . I haven’t read the first two books in the series but i will def look for them .

“The Duke’s Christmas Bride” is the charming third book in Anna Bradley’s series called the “Drop Dead Dukes.” While set in the country during Christmastime, the story is a passionate and enjoyable read that can be enjoyed all year round. We meet Max, the Duke of Grantham who is as cold as ice and out for blood. Things seem to be working in his favor until an enchanting Rose from the wrong class thwarts his plans and thaws his heart. The bond between Max and Rose is passionate and pure, but can it survive broken trust and old vendettas? “The Duke’s Christmas Bride” will keep you engaged and wondering as you find out! I enjoyed the book and hope you will too. I also will be checking out the other two books in the series and other books by the author, Anna Bradley.

This was a fun sort of Beauty and the Beast romance. The hero, Max, Duke of Grantham, carries a burning resentment of the heroine’s adopted father. He is fixated on buying up the dilapidated mansion that the adopted father won from the Duke’s father and where, Rose, now lives alone with her loyal maid as the mansion falls down literally on her pretty head.

Of course, he falls for Rose and ends up realizing that she is exactly what he needs in his life as her kind and charming personality wins over everyone whom she encounters.

It’s all a bit predictable and also unbelievable. We never learn why the mansion has fallen into such disrepair. The adopted father is supposed to be the kindest gentleman, yet he couldn’t figure out a way to ensure her future and to keep up his mansion. There are several mentions of their tenant farmers, but we never see how they’re doing if the owner has no money. And when Max decides to fix up the mansion, he just tells his steward to do that and miraculously, over the course of about 10 days, the entire mansion is repaired and redecorated. And this is all done out in the country when we’re told there aren’t many stores in the village. And it’s Christmastime. I couldn’t suspend my disbelief for that.

I voluntarily reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book that I received from Netgalley; however, the opinions are my own and I did not receive any compensation for my review.

This is the third book in the series but definitely can be read as a stand alone book.
Maxwell Burke, the Duke of Grantham, has finally gotten what he has coveted since he was child, Hammond Court. And he's going to tear it down so no one else can take it away from him ever again.
There's only one problem. The house is already occupied by a sprite of a young lady named Rose. And she claims the house is hers
Rose loves her home, Hammond Court, even if it is falling down around her, literally. Since they both seem to own the house, they will have to work together to bring it back to it's original glory.
That's what Rose intends to do but not what The Duke has planned. The back and forth between them and Rose reintroduceing the Christmas season to the Duke made for a very warm and cozy story.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
I want to thank Netgalley for the opportunity to review this book.

Scrooge meets Pollyanna and they find love, laughter, the Christmas spirit, and their HEA. This was a most delightful, uplifting, feel-good story – even if there was a tad of angst. I loved both main characters immediately even with Max being obsessed with revenge – even against a man who is now deceased. Ah! Poor Max – he has met his match. For every sour note Max plays, Rose plays three happy ones.

At the age of twelve, the bottom finally fell out of Max’s world. His mother had passed away and his father wagered away the only home Max had ever known. The man who won the home was a man Max admired greatly and looked up to almost as a father. Max was never back in his home again and his father never met a bottle he didn’t like. Before he died, his father had lost every farthing and every unentailed property belonging to the Dukedom. Max had grown to hate the vile Ambrose St. Claire to the point he could think of nothing but vengeance. Max, now the tenth Duke of Grantham, has spent the last several years acquiring all of the properties his father lost. He is now one of the richest, most powerful, and reviled peers in the realm – and there is only one property left to acquire. His childhood home, Hammond Court, the crown jewel of the dukedom will be his at last.

Rose St. Claire, is a wonderfully happy and joyful young woman who always chooses to see the happy side of everything and everyone loves her. Even with the only home she has ever known falling down around her ears, she is still joyful. She still sees the best in everything and everyone even though her father, Ambrose St. Claire, the kindest, most loving, best man she’s ever known has just died and left her destitute.

Sparks fly between Rose and Max from the moment he breaks into her house and she almost shoots him, through the surprises at the reading of Ambrose’s will, and right through to the end. Max is brilliant and has schemes within schemes to get his way and Rose is – well – just Rose who blithely goes on about her business. Max never celebrates Christmas and has no clue how to do so, while Rose adores everything about Christmas and wants ALL of the traditions. No cause for clashes there. 😊

If you are looking for a book to make you smile and feel good, this is it. I love the way Rose always foils Max’s schemes without even knowing she is doing so. This is most definitely an entertaining read. Although it is part of a series, you can read it as a standalone.

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

This is a wonderfully, entertaining story.
The interaction between grumpy Max who is just trying to get his property back that he believes was stolen from his father when he was a child, and Rose who has lived in the house for years makes for a fun, interesting story.
Watching Max go from an empty grumpy shell of a man to a caring, loving person was heartwarming.
There are interesting secondary characters and a house party for entertainment.
The book is well written with just the right amount of steam.

This series has been a hit or miss for me. Three books in and one was amazing, the other two were meh and more meh. For me, this book was boring. Practically nothing happened for the first 50% and then, frankly, I had had enough and started skimming and read the last two chapters. It might just be me. I do love a good holiday book and was so excited to read this one. I did not feel a connection to either of the main characters and I do not feel they felt a connection. If you like a slower paced story, this might be for you.

If you want to read Anna at her best, try these series : The Sutherlands, The Somerset Sisters, The Swooning Virgins Society and even Games Earls Play. All excellent storytelling.

Maxwell Burke, the Duke of Grantham, has been buying up all the properties his father gambled away. Last on the list is Hammond Court remains.
Rose St. Claire inherited Hammond Court and she isn’t going anywhere! So Max decides to invite (AKA bribe) another duke to resolve the problem of Ms. St. Claire- an idea that backfires.
Add a Christmas party to the mix and you have pure magic…
I love a good Christmas story- thanks so much for the read!

As a connoisseur of Historical Romances, I am ashamed to say I hadn’t read any of Anna Bradley’s book prior to this, and oh how I have been missing out.
This is a cute, warm, and fluffy tale of a grumpy Duke and his sunshine (who he plans to kick out of HIS HOUSE excuse you very much). Max wants Rose out of Hammond Court, Rose wants Max in his holiday spirit, and Father Christmas works his magic and gives them both the gift of love.
I absolutely loved it!
Ps I have to go and read the rest of the series
Thanks to NetGalley, Kensington Publishing, and the Author for the ARC.

Tropes: enemies to lovers: forced proximity; MMC tries to play matchmaker; Big Secret
Steam level: 2-3 (no full on-page consummation, but still plenty of steam)
Book number 3 in the series, but fine as a standalone.

Admission: I have a soft spot for Christmas-themed HR's, and will read them any time of the year (even if where I live the temps are currently highs of 114 F. Ugh). Some people love Hallmark movies, I love HR's. And I've liked Anna Bradley since her "Swooning Virgins" series. If you're in the mood for romantic holiday escapism, this is a charming choice. Although the characters from the previous two entries in the series play roles here, it's fine if you jump in with this one. It's sweet but has the trademark sharp writing and dry humor of most of this author's books. Although Rose is foolishly stubborn at the beginning, I found myself warming up to her as the storyline moved on. As for Max, he's your typical "tortured soul" MMC, but Bradley adds a undercurrent of canny, wry wit to his scenes, particularly in his interactions with his staff, to humanize him. That takes talent as a writer.

What kept this from being a 4.2.5-5 star read for me (possible spoilers):
--Ambrose's motivations are rather convoluted. When Max discovered why Ambrose had basically abandoned him as a child, the answer didn't make much sense to me.
--Max becomes strangely naive and unassertive toward the end in his dealings with Rose. After he and Dunwitty had the confrontation, what did he expect the man would do? Also, I'm assuming that Dunwitty might feature in a future book, because in a handful of scenes his character moves from blandly charming to arrogant to a good guy (he actually had more of an arc than Max).
--Rose assumed that Max was nearly engaged to Emily, but she still let the physical relationship proceed with Max. That bothered me.

Overall: this book is well written and charming, even if a few details didn't quite add up.

This is a fun, entertaining holiday story. The main characters, Max and Rose, are both witty, head strong, and determined. Together they have lots of great banter and interactions that made this such an enjoyable story.
I received an advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.