A Christmas Bride
by Mary Balogh
Wealthy merchant Edgar Downes is told by his father to marry a lady by Christmas. He meets Helena Stapleton, a widow with a scandalous past who wants no part of marriage. A Regency holiday romance.
About This Book
A Christmas Bride is a historical romance novel by Mary Balogh, first published in 1997 by Signet. It runs 224 pages. Readers can expect opposites attract.
At a glance
- Genre
- Historical
- Trope
- Opposites Attract
- Length
- 224 pages
- Format
- Mass market paperback
Where to read or listen
Get A Christmas Bride by Mary Balogh
These store links are affiliate links (Amazon, Audible, Bookshop.org and Libro.fm). As an Amazon Associate, Eikna earns from qualifying purchases, at no extra cost to you. Learn more.
Why You May Love This Book
You may love this if…
- A wealthy merchant tasked with marrying by Christmas finds himself drawn to a widow with a scandalous reputation who rejects the idea of marriage.
- Fans of classic Regency romance
- Readers who enjoy holiday-themed stories
- Festive
- Features Opposites Attract
This may not be ideal if…
- Limited information on romantic chemistry
The Romance
Tropes, dynamics, and the chemistry that drives this story.
Tropes
Relationship Dynamics
Details
Type: Historical romance
Pairing: unknown
Power balance: unknown
How It Feels
The emotional landscape you'll move through while reading.
Heat Level
Based on available metadata and editorial review.
Who Is This Book For?
Best for
Reading mood
Recommended audience: Adult
The Story
Spoiler-Free Synopsis
Edgar Downes, a man of significant means, is under pressure from his father to secure a marriage by the holiday season. During his search, he encounters Helena Stapleton, a widow whose history is considered scandalous by society. Despite her firm stance against remarrying, Edgar is drawn to her, creating a clash of desires against a Regency holiday backdrop.
Central Conflict
Edgar must marry by Christmas to satisfy his father, while Helena actively refuses to enter into marriage due to her past.
Setting
Regency era
Strengths
- Classic Regency premise
- Strong character-driven conflict
Consider before reading
- Limited information on romantic chemistry
Discussion Guide
Questions to deepen your reading experience or spark a book club conversation.
- 1
How does the central conflict shape the relationship between the main characters?
- 2
How does the setting influence the characters' decisions and their relationship?
- 3
How do the relationship dynamics evolve throughout the story?
- 4
Who would you most want to recommend this book to?
- 5
How did the pacing affect your reading experience?
- 6
Which aspect of the story did you find most compelling?
How This Profile Was Created
Eikna uses book metadata and AI-assisted analysis to create structured romance profiles. Public profiles are reviewed and approved by an editor before publication.
- Editor reviewed:
- Yes
- Last reviewed:
- October 13, 2026
- Confidence:
- Limited data
- Profile version:
- eikna-public-book-intelligence-v1
About the Author
What Readers Say
No reviews yet
Be the first to share what you thought of this book.
Publication Details
- Publisher
- Signet
- Format
- Mass market paperback
- Length
- 224 pages
- Language
- English
- ISBN-13
- 9780451191441
- ISBN-10
- 0451191447
A Christmas Bride: quick answers
- Who wrote A Christmas Bride?
- A Christmas Bride was written by Mary Balogh.
- When was A Christmas Bride published?
- A Christmas Bride was first published in 1997 by Signet.
- What genre is A Christmas Bride?
- A Christmas Bride is a historical romance novel, with opposites attract.
- How many pages is A Christmas Bride?
- A Christmas Bride is 224 pages long (Mass market paperback).
Are you the author? Verify your author profile to manage this book.
This is my book — sign inWhere to read or listen
Get A Christmas Bride by Mary Balogh
These store links are affiliate links (Amazon, Audible, Bookshop.org and Libro.fm). As an Amazon Associate, Eikna earns from qualifying purchases, at no extra cost to you. Learn more.
Want more books like this?
Let Lyra help you discover lesbian romance books that match your exact mood, favorite tropes, and reading style.