Lucian, Earl of Devon, has just returned from overseas and has been invited to attend the house party of his friend, Lord Exeter. After being jilted, he's determined to remain a bachelor. Althea Rutherford has designs on visiting the continent instead of another season. She's the only unmarried attending the house party until Lucian arrives unexpectedly. When these two first meet, their only common ground is Lucian's tales of travelling the continent. From this basis, friendship and more develop in this Christmas novella.

I haven't read any other books from this series but it seems to be a well-established group of love stories. It seems both main characters have some back story from the previous books, so I imagine the reader would benefit from having read these. That said, the novella is suited as a stand-alone book also and I didn't find myself confused at any point.

Overall this is a short and sweet story of finding love at a house party at Christmas. Personally, I can't imagine a relationship developing so quickly but this is a romance and a novella. So I guess it's perfectly natural. :) There's no angst or conflict here, just a simple love story.

I give this three stars overall. Thank you to Netgalley and Kensington Books for an advanced reader copy. My review is provided completely voluntarily.

**I received an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.**

A recently jilted earl and a marriage mart weary young woman—both avoiding their matchmaking mamas—meet at a Christmas holiday gathering….

“The Earl’s Christmas Bride” is the first book I’ve read by Ella Quinn (though I’ve recently downloaded a bunch of her books and I can’t wait to dig in). It’s technically part of “The Marriage Game” series, but as someone who has read none of the other books, I can tell you it is not necessary to have read the others to enjoy this one. “The Earl’s Christmas Bride” does reference several of the stories from the other books, though, so I can see how having read them could further enrich your experience. (And I just checked—you can find them all on Kindle Unlimited, so you could get a membership and binge the whole series if you wanted.)

This is an excellent book to read around the holidays for two very good reasons—1) The story takes place during Christmas time, and 2) It’s not very long. It’s an extremely quick read, being just over 100 pages. For me, books like this are perfect for the holidays, when I can’t seem to find as much time to dedicate to reading.

Speaking of the length—and this is my ONLY criticism of the book—do I wish it was a little bit longer? Yeah, I do. Just a little. The pacing of the book was really great until I got to about 80% in, and then it felt rushed. Still a lovely story, but a little rushed.

Some of my favorite things about this book were the Earl of Devon himself (swoon!) and the inclusion of “Schneewittchen.” I studied German in high school and actually performed as Schneewittchen in a film for a German competition, so this entire storyline felt very near and dear to my heart.

If you’re looking for an extra spicy romance then “The Earl’s Christmas Bride” isn’t for you, but if you’re looking for a quick holiday romance about falling in love you should give this book a try.

A sweet novella about a pair who think marriage can solve their individual problems and then discover that, well, there might be love for them as well. Lucien needs to marry. Althea isn't ready to marry- she wants to travel- but she's been out for two years and her parents want her settled. They meet cute and with remarkably little steam (really no steam), Thanks to Netgalley for the ArC. A nice read for a rainy day.

The Earl’s Christmas Bride by Ella Quinn is a short holiday romance. Althea’s mother is determined to marry off her daughter! Althea is determined to marry someone who will love her and treat her with respect. For Christmas, Althea is going with her brother and his wife to a friends for Christmas. She is so relieved that it won’t be a matchmaking hell.

Lucian, Earl of Devon just returned from a grand tour. While he was gone, his fiancee broke it off, so he is coming back to a new reality. Lucien’s best friend picked him up and brought him to his family’s home for Christmas, knowing he’ll be able to avoid any matchmaking mamas.

Lucian saw Althea and was instantly smitten. Althea saw him and was curious. With just the two of them being single and the help of all the rest of the house party, how could Althea and Lucian not fall for each other!

A fun, quick read, that allows you to fall in love with the two main characters, the Earl’s Christmas Bride by Ella Quinn is a great read!!!

A feel-good, sweet love story for the Yuletide season. A Christmas get together, love at first sight (although they didn’t immediately realize it) and matchmaking children, equals happily ever after.

I received an ARC of this book and leaving my review voluntarily.

This was a sweet clean novella, but I was hoping for a bit more. There wasn't any conflicts between Lucian and Althea except neither expected to get married. Lucian is still reeling from the fact that his betrothed married another and Althea just hadn't found any gentleman that captured her attention. They both attended the house party not expecting to find any other single people there. They bond over their love of music, and everything falls into place so they can marry via special license. There's no tension, no great passion, merely a few stolen glances so that was disappointing. Not sure if I'll read any more of the series. Most of the other stories I've read have also been ranked 3 stars - sweet stories, but nothing special.

This was a lovely novella - no angst, secrets, or drama. I loved it! I have read and enjoyed all of The Worthingtons, but I think this is my favorite. This was a story of when you know you met your mate, you know.

Miss Althea Rutherford had already had a season (or two?). She was beautiful, smart, and desirable; but the suitors caused her to enjoy the season less. None were even vaguely interesting or attractive. She decided she would take a break at a married people and children only friends and family Christmas houseparty and convince her brother to let her travel the continent for a year afterward.

Lucian, the Earl of Devon, had just returned from a three and a half year tour of Europe. His parents had arranged a betrothal for him at a young age. He wanted to marry, so she could go with him. She refused and ended up marrying another while he was away. Instead of going to his parents to push him into another betrothal immediately, his married friend Exeter picked him up and took him for Christmas where he could be away from the matchmakers. He didn't know he would meet the woman he would fall in love with there.

The story was very sweet - no intimate love scene (unlike most Ella Quinn). Plus it was Christmas! If I had a complaint, it would be that it ended too soon. I wouldn't mind reading about the marriage night and maybe even some of their travels.

Althea had decided she was happy being single and wanted to go on a grand tour. All the men she knew had the opportunity and had been but women never had the option. She needed to convince her brother to let her go! Her mother was forever trying to match make but her brother had promised her that if she was to marry, she could choose and that someone wouldn’t be forced on her.

Lucien had been on his own grand tour which he extended when his fiancée jilted him. It wasn’t a love match but it was still upsetting that she had found someone else and married him. His mother once she knew he was home would be match making to find him a wife.

Both were invited to a quiet house party of just family and friends, each being told and not realising that there would be someone of the opposite sex who was single attending. With some of the family secretly match making, it soon became obvious that they were meant to be together. As for Althea’s dream of a grand tour, Lucien would happily take her so they both could have their own grand tour.

A lovely light hearted short clean novella, full of fun and romance. A perfect read for a well deserved lazy afternoon.

When reading Ms Devon’s notes at the end of the story and how she mentioned about the story not having any steamy moments. I completely agree with what she said. There really wasn’t any room for this and to be honest, the story in itself was perfect without it.

I voluntarily read and reviewed and advance ARC and all thought and opinions are my own.

Thank you to Kensington Books and NetGalley for giving me this opportunity.
Reviews left on Bookbub and Goodreads and will leave on Amazon once released.

This is a nice, sweet, clean story of Althea and Lucian who both were not looking for someone to marry but found that person who is right for them when they were not expecting it. I will say, there was a lot of characters mentioned in the story, which came from other books, but because I did not read those other books, I didn’t enjoyed them being mentioned as much as I would have if I read the other books.
I received an ARC from NetGalley for my honest opinion.

3.5 stars

I have read other books in this series but notice I've given them mostly 3 stars . It's a christmas novella so most of it is a returning of previous characters. The hero, Lucien has to come to terms with the fact that his ex fiancee has married someone else. The heroine, Althea doesn't want to get married so joined the house party because no eligibles would be present. She wants to do a grand tour and her parents are desperate for her to marry someone proper. It's a very clean story and I wanted more passion. Some children try to match make and eventually Lucien realises that if he offers for Althea they can kill several birds with one stone, he gets a countess exceptable to society, she can travel, and doesn't have to put up with her parents pressure. In the acknowledgements the author says she tried to fit in a tryst but there were too many other characters likely to come across them....seemed like a weedy excuse to me! Too clean and if I'm honest a bit dull.

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

Mini Review: This was an absolute delight of a novella! Althea and Lucian were charming leads. And the speed at which he went from "I don't even want to be in the same building as a single woman" to "The second day is too soon to propose. But.." was so funny to read! I absolutely loved this festive novella, and I would definitely recommend it!

I received an e-ARC from the publisher.

(4-4.5)
This was a cute, quick read that kept my attention. There was an insta-love trope, but it didn't feel to forced. I really enjoyed learning about Althea and Lucian and how they were a match. It made me want to read the rest of this series...and I am planning on doing so soon!

Thank you NetGalley and Kensington Books for this advanced copy!

I received an ARC of, The Earl's Christmas Bride, by Ella Quinn. The Earl is not looking for a bride or love for that matter, but then Lucian meets Althea. A delightfully short Christmas story.

I didn’t realise that this was a novella so was disappointed to reach the end so quickly! It’s a sweet but fun regency romance set over Christmas. It was great to see cameo appearances from characters of the author’s previous books but the best part for me was the witty banter and sparkling dialogue that really lifts this book above the average regency romances. The hero and heroine are refreshingly unconventional and very likeable. I hope we see more of them in future books.

This novella was a nice and quick read about Lucien, who was jilted by his fiancée and now his parents want to see him wed. He has returned from traveling and ha no interest in marriage. Althea has been disgusted by the men who have proposed marriage to her, looking at her as a breeding stock and her brother’s connections. She has no interest in marriage and wants to travel. Two people not looking for love suddenly find themselves inexplicably drawn to each other, both are not whom they expected the other to be. Maybe Christmas truly is the season for miracles.
I received this novel from net galley and the publisher as an ARC. Thank you! All thoughts and opinions are my own.

This one was a bit…boring.
There were a TON of characters that were clearly from previous books- but it became a lot of explaining how people knew each other. The main characters really didn’t have chemistry- but I wish they did because the premise was promising!

Thank you to the publisher and netgalley for the advanced copy.

A short and fairly sweet novella. This book apparently picks up on a number of Ms. Quinn's other characters, none of which I have read. There were moments here and there of feeling a bit lost without the back stories. Overall, I found this to be an unremarkable romance. No big conflict or villain, just two people not expecting to find each other working through their feelings when they do. I did not find anything objectionable in this story but I also did not find anything particularly memorable. Three stars.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a free ARC. The opinions here are my own.

The Earl’s Christmas Bride by Ella Quinn. 4 stars

This is a revisit to Ms. Quinn’s popular Marriage Game series with familiar characters playing minor roles. The two main characters are Lucian, Earl of Devon - a recently jilted nobleman returning from an extended Grand Tour and Althea Rutherford, the younger sister of the hero from “The Secret Life of Anna Marsh” - a girl who finds the current crop of aristocrats uninspiring. They are both guests of a small Christmas party where friends and small children abound. Throw in several matchmakers and opportunities for private meetings and you soon have a holiday romance. This book was a fast and fun read. I look forward to Ms. Quinn’s next book “The Marriage List” coming out in December.

Thank you Netgalley and Kensington Books for this ARC.

To mend his jilted heart, Lucian, Earl of Devon, has been on an extended tour of Europe. But now he's returned to England—newly determined to remain unmarried. Devon accepts his friend Lord Exeter's invitation to a holiday house party only after being assured the other guests are exclusively couples and children. Yet it seems Exeter forgot to mention Miss Althea Rutherford. She is eligible, exasperatingly likable, and worse, appears to be totally uninterested in Devon—with one exception . . .
Notoriously difficult to please, Althea has been out for two years, met no one she can envision spending her life with, and is now sick of would-be suitors. In lieu of a third season, she is determined to tour the Continent—a subject Devon is enthused to discuss with her. Devon's fascinating stories of Europe only strengthen Althea's resolve to remain unattached—and weaken his own . . .
Devon thought he was finished with traveling, but the idea of making the journey with the intriguing Althea won't leave his mind. The challenge is to convince her that he'd be a much more enjoyable companion than a chaperone—perhaps for many Christmases to come .
This is a sweet romantic story. Althea and Devon are instantly attracted to one another.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher and NetGalley. This in no way affects my opinion of this book which I read and reviewed voluntarily.

This is a short but slow-blooming romance about two people who don’t trust their own feelings for each other. There are some really lovely moments as the two learn to value their instincts and process their feelings for each other, and I enjoyed the subtle characters of the two main protagonists. However, the main hero knows he wants to propose to the main heroine less than one-third of the way for the book, which leaves little room to really wonder what is going to happen and little need to pay attention to the minimal plot.