I just loved this book as it perfectly encapsulates the spirit of the Christmas season! Max and Rose have a grumpy / sunshine vibe which leads to some amusing banter as they get to know each other. The details of a traditional Regency era Christmas and the fun secondary characters really added to my enjoyment of the story. I was totally engrossed and couldn’t stop smiling while I read. Although I’ve not read the previous books in the series, it didn’t detract from the experience of reading this one and I’ll definitely be buying them now!

Maxwell Alastair Hammond Burke, the Tenth Duke of Grantham is 31 yrs old and ready to back his father's home. Nineteen years ago Hammond Court had once been his home but his father stupidly lost it to Ambrose St. Claire while gambling. After hearing of Ambrose's death, Max heads to Hammond Court to claim it and is surprise to discover Miss Rosamund "Rose" Elizabeth St. Claire there. He informs her that the house is his and she needs to leave. Problem is is that half of the house belongs to each of them! With the house in such disarray Max tells Rose that she needs to come to his other house where she will be safer. Reluctantly Rose agrees since it is almost Christmas.

Max comes up with an idea to get Rose to leave the house to him....have Viscount Dunwitty woo her. Of course that backfires because Max is starting to have feelings for Rose. When Max gets tricked into having a Christmas ball, the real fun starts. Just when Max thinks he is done with Rose, she goes and does something sweet....she makes ginger biscuit from his grandma's recipe that she found. The walls around Max's heart start to crumble. In a short time Rose starts to show Max all the fun memories that still remain in Hammond Court until he finally realizes the true reason that his family lost the house.

Along with his best friends the Duke of Basingstoke and the Duke of Montford, Max hatches a plan to win Rose for his very own. In the end, Rose was finally able to get Max to love Hammond Court again and they got their happy ever after.

I really enjoyed this sweet, fun, Christmas themed historical romance. Max was so guided by his hat for Ambrose that he was missing out on life. If was great how even in death, Ambrose was still looking out for Rose and Max.

Grumpy duke Max swears revenge against the man who swindled his childhood home from his father in a card game, and when the man finally passes away, Max goes to reclaim the property. Except he finds that it is already occupied by the man’s adopted daughter Rose, who is in a dire financial situation, but refuses to leave what is effectively her own childhood home. And then it turns out the man’s will has left the house to both of them. Max gets the bright idea to manipulate Rose into marrying someone else so her new husband can turn over her half of the house, but Max and Rose are growing closer to each other instead. She’s definitely the sunshine to Max’s grump, and helps to thaw his icy feelings. Fluffy, easy read.

This ARC landed on my desk during the peak of summer, so diving into a Christmas story felt a bit like sipping hot cocoa at the beach—oddly out of sync. Bradley's writing is as sharp as ever, but this book, like the rest of the series, didn’t quite capture the magic I was hoping for. I’m still yearning for the high of her Somerset Sisters trilogy. The story has all the makings of a Hallmark movie, which isn’t a bad thing, but I struggled to connect with the main characters. However, it was a pleasant surprise to catch up with some familiar faces from earlier in the series. Perhaps a re-read closer to the holidays will change my perspective, but for now, it just didn't resonate as much as I’d hoped.

This is a fun, entertaining read. Max and Rose are strong, witty, interesting, relatable, intriguing, complex, wounded, entertaining characters. I enjoyed their romance and the path it took to get to their HEA. There exchanges are often entertaining to read. I love that we go to see so much of the couples from the previous books in the series. The secondary characters added to the fabric of the story and my enjoyment. The story is easy to read and get into.

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

This book was such an adorable read that I had a hard time putting it down! Sure, I enjoyed watching Max and Rose butt heads before starting to fall for each other, but I also enjoyed the way the author managed to bring the holiday spirit to life. You could smell the fresh pine scent of the cut greenery as they decorated the ballroom, and could smell the ginger and cinnamon in the cooking. I feel like the focus of this book was just as much about the traditions of the Christmas season and the memories made during that time as it was about our two main characters. And while that should have been confusing, or one of those things overwhelming the other, that wasn't the case here which is a rare skill for an author to possess.

For anyone worried about this being the third book in the series, it can be read as a complete stand alone, although his friends from the first two books (and their wives) do make an appearance at the house party, their arrivals only add to the story as the wives immediately befriend Rose while their husbands hound Max to no end about his motives.

I only have two complaints about this story. The first one being with two of the side characters.

I wish there had been more where Lady Emily was concerned. It was evident that in her mind, she had a chance of being the next Duchess of Grantham so I would have liked to have seen at least a little bit more of her jealousy at the thought of Rose usurping that position. I was also a little confused as to why Dunwitty admitted the truth to Rose and then turned around and told shown Max in a positive light anyway. Why bother telling her at all if not for his own gain? That was a little odd to me.

The second complaint comes at the very end with the epilogue, as I feel like we didn't need the bit about them in the kitchen together, just showing them on the lake would have been enough to show how blissfully happy they were.

That being said, I do think this book will appeal to not only fans of historical romances, but especially those who are also looking for a cute read either during the holidays, or to get them in the holiday spirit. I will continue to read more stories from this author!

DISCLAIMER: I received a complimentary copy of this novel from the publisher. This has not affected my review in any way. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are 100% my own.

Having just recently discovered Anna Bradley through a previous book in this series, Give the Devil His Duke, I jumped at the chance to read this one and I wasn't disappointing. I feel like Anna Bradley captured that long lost essence of Christmas that we can find ourselves nostalgic to recapture. And how we often feel like it is a place when it so often is a person/the people we loved. There were so many beautiful moments in this book that nearly brought me to tears and I so wish that I could be more like Rose. That joy, that love and laughter, it had a purity to it that made me love her like every character around her did. And Max. Sweet vengeful Max. There was so much of his loss that I felt a kinship to. Those moments where you wish for a past time and for a memory that can only be brought about by sharing with those you love. The finding of Max's ginger nuts recipe and Rose making sure to make them solely for him made me actually cry. To have found something that he had believed lost and to have given them to him was one of the best gifts I have read in a novel.

I loved the friendships and the characters in this novel from the servants who worked for both Rose and Max to his friends and their wives who came for the impromptu house party. Some of the sly looks and attempts to hide smiles around Max as he fell hard for Rose made my cheeks hurt from smiling. And those moments where his friends were attempting to grill him and Max was doing everything to avoid them. I am not one for a third act breakup but I feel like it was written really well here. Breaking your heart for the steps Max had taken in order to take the house away from Rose and how he did try and stop what he had set in motion when he realised it was not the house that he wanted but Rose.

Cute historical Christmas read I love the grumpy versus her sunshine and the dynamics between them. Definitely a good read.

A cranky Duke, a poor Heiress that owns half of his coveted estate and a Christmas setting. I loved the dynamic between Rose and Max. His scheming but also his falling in love with Rose. A perfect historical romance Christmas read.

Thank you NetGalley and Kensington Publishing for the ARC.

*historical romance
*cozy Christmas romance
*grumpy vs sunshine
*slow burn

A sweet Christmas themed historical romance? Enough said, I’m reading it. And I’m so glad I did, because this was exactly what I needed right now - an engaging, well plotted and written historical romance that was a highly enjoyable read. I loved this one, the romance was excellent. Would easily make for a perfect read on a blustery weekend with a mug of hot cocoa.

The Duke’s Christmas Bride is number three in a series, but could easily be read as a stand alone - I’ve read the second and third titles, and am currently listening to the audiobook of the first because I’ve enjoyed this series so much.

I can’t wait to read more of the author’s works.

A definite recommendation from me.



Thank you to Zebra and NetGalley for the DRC

This is the firs Christmas book I have read this year, a bit early, but I don't think it's ever really too early (or late) to get into the holiday spirit.

In this historical romance a young duke meets his match in a battle for revenge and ownership of his childhood home.

Max arrives at the front door of the home he was forced to abandon to his enemy only to find a young woman living there, and claiming it as her own. Rose has lessons of joy to teach Max, as well as much needed assistance to get rid of the chip on his shoulder.

As she reminds Max to appreciate simple things he falls in love surrounded by the spirit of the season.

I have read books by this author before - some I have loved and others missed the mark for me. I think this one fell somewhere in between. Max is arrogant and a bit unlikeable at the start and Rose comes across as a bit too perfect. I couldn't really connect with the characters but the writing was good enough for me to want to know what happened in the end to these two.

The major misunderstanding in the book really could have been sorted with one quick conversation, but I suppose the book would have lost most of its dramatic tension that way.

This was an ok read but not my favourite by this author.

I received an ARC of this book from Netgalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.

This is a perfect historical romance Christmas story. For years Max has vowed to get revenge on Ambrose after he took his family home away. After Ambrose dies, Max returns to take his home again, but after an hilarious encounter with Rose, who happens to be living there, things go awry. Unbeknownst to the both of them, Ambrose left the house to the both of them. Let the games begin. Rose is a sunshine character that takes it upon herself to show Max what he’s missing. Max is a grumpy character that takes it upon himself to show Rose that he’ll do whatever it takes to take what’s his. Loved both of them. I loved how Max behaved before and after Rose. The Christmas setting just gave it more of the feels. It had humor, heart, and love.

This book was just what I needed. A perfect Christmas story, rakes a-raking, maids a-scheming, and a Christmas wedding ring.

"He wasn't a good man, but he'd always drawn the line at lying to his friends." (Just maybe not himself, lol

"For the rest of this dance, and all the dances that came afterward. For this moment, and for all the moments yet to unfold. (Anne Bardley has such a way with words!)

If you're looking for a good holiday read, pick this one.

Set against the delightful backdrop of Regency England, Anna Bradley’s The Duke's Christmas Bride is a charming addition to her witty and sexy trilogy. The story brings us Maxwell Burke, Duke of Grantham, a man driven by revenge and the need to reclaim his family's lost properties. The last piece of his puzzle is Hammond Court, but there’s a twist: it is co-owned by Rose St. Claire, a spirited and determined young woman.

Rose, who recently inherited the property, is shocked when Max bursts into her life, claiming his right to the estate. What follows is a delightful tale of enemies-turned-lovers as the two navigate their shared inheritance. Max's initial plan to marry Rose off to another man backfires as he finds himself drawn to her joyful and genuine nature.

Bradley masterfully balances humor, romance, and the Christmas spirit, making The Duke's Christmas Bride a perfect holiday read. The chemistry between Max and Rose is palpable, their banter sharp and entertaining. Max's transformation from a grumpy duke to a man rediscovering happiness and love is heartwarming, while Rose's unwavering positivity and strength make her a standout heroine.

Thank you to the publishers and NetGalley for the opportunity to review a temporary digital ARC in exchange for an unbiased review.

I would like to thank netgalley and Kensington Publishing for a free copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

A delightful ending to the trilogy. Engaging writing and a look at the true meaning of home.

A bit slow beginning, I almost put it away but I am glad that I kept going. It gets better and the story was quite enjoyable. The premise is quite unique so I do recommend this book.

Thanks to NetGalley for a free copy in exchange of an honest review.

Such a sweet and cozy grumpy/sunshine! Rose is the sweetest and I love her so much. She was cheerful and lovable but also didn’t take any shit and I love that for her. I’m so glad Max was able to grow up and let himself be happy. I also love that this one didn’t follow the common trope of “popular kids are horrible to the outcast at the party”—while that can still be fun to read, I only wanted happy times for Rose! I love a good Christmas story, it just made me want to curl up in a blanket with a cup of hot choccy (alas it is 100° outside). And I reeeally hope we get to see Dunwitty in a future book!

A big thank you to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for an advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest review! All opinions are my own.

Did He Want Revenge Or Love?

Max wanted his childhood home back, the one he believed had been stolen but what he didn’t want was the infuriating woman called Rose who constantly told him no when no one else would ever dare!

What started off as a plan to gain his estate back soon backfired on him and now he couldn’t live without Rose, she was the love of his life but how to convince her of this when she’d found out his original plans was proving to be difficult.

A fun, witty slow build to love with lots of wonderful characters to make this an entertaining not to be missed read!

I voluntarily read and reviewed this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Rating: 4 Stars ⭐️

Spice: 3
Characters: Rose and Grantham. Power imbalance. Rose had no agency and Grantham was manipulating her by trying to get her married so he could buy her portion of the house from her future husband.
Chemistry: Missing. Grantham’s behavior was outrageous during their first encounter. He kicked and broke her door lock and barged into her home. It was a pointless lack of civility.
Plot: Grantham is holding a grudge against the man who won his mother’s house in a card game from his father the previous Duke. He makes it his life’s mission to get the house back since all his good childhood memories were made in that house. The man has recently passed away and left the house to Grantham and his adopted daughter Rose. One has to suspend disbelief that a man who has wealth, power, and prestige is so obsessed with this house.
Overall: The writing is good. However, this one fell a little flat. I loved Townsend for being the voice of reason. I loved the first two books in these series.

Thank you to the publisher for providing the ARC.

I always start these reviews by stating that historical romance is really not my style, but considering how many I've enjoyed in the recent past, perhaps that's starting to change!

Rose and Maxwell were such enjoyable characters to read. Their first encounter is pretty hilarious, considering she wields a pistol on him. And while this story has several elements for the enemies-to-lovers trope, theirs is one of the most entertaining dynamics that I've ever read.

The best character arc of the story happens to be that of Max. His transformation begins almost immediately after meeting Rose (even though he might not fully understand it yet). He is drawn in by her humility and spunk, and slowly learns that it is exactly what he needs in his life.

If you're a fan of historical fiction, you definitely want to give this one a shot!

4 ⭐️