Review: Twelfth Knight’s Bride by E. Elizabeth Watson
“Could it be that I’ve grown to care for my nàmhaid too?”
The Basics
Title: Twelfth Knight’s Bride
Author: E. Elizabeth Watson
Published: 2020
Publisher: Scandalous — Entangled Publishing
Pages: 225
Format: Paperback
Genres: Fiction — Historical fiction, Medieval fiction, Holiday, Romance, Historical romance, Medieval romance, Holiday romance
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Book Synopsis
Scottish Highlands, December 1545. Ever since the MacDonalds’ raid two years ago, Aileana Grant’s clan has been edging toward starvation, and with winter now fully upon them, their paltry food stocks are nearing depletion. In a desperate attempt to save her people, Aileana steals a bundle’s worth of vegetables from the devil himself, James MacDonald. Unfortunately for Aileana, she is caught in the act, and James is able to easily track her. So, shortly after she returns home with her pilfered goods, he appears at the castle gates demanding recompense in the form of her hand in marriage. She is loath to accept, but a refusal could spell trouble for her clan. So, she accepts on the condition that she be allowed to sever their union and return home if by Twelfth Night she does not wish to remain married to him. That she should fall in love and decide to stay with him seems all but impossible, so she is certain that she’ll be home in two weeks’ time. Fate, however, has other plans for her.
My Review & Overall Thoughts
TLDR: A charming holiday novella featuring a swoon-worthy romance and cozy, transportive setting.
What an unexpectedly delightful book! Given its modest length and lackluster cover, I had rather low expectations going into Twelfth Knight’s Bride, but I will be the first to admit that my reservations were misplaced. It is a charming and atmospheric romance bursting with coziness and holiday cheer. It is the perfect book to crack open on a cold December evening, preferably with a steaming cup of tea in hand.
At the heart of this book (and what makes it such an enjoyable read) is the relationship between James and Aileana. Hailing from feuding clans, they begin as bitter enemies, with each resenting and distrusting the other. Familial duty and necessity, however, see the two handfasted, and their union sparks a slow-burning but irrefutable attraction. Banter, chemistry, sexual tension, and a touch of spice: their romance has it all. Not to mention, they are perfectly suited for one another. They are the type of literary couple you cannot help but root for, making their eventual coming together all the more satisfying.
On an individual level, James and Aileana are compelling, and for characters in a novella, they are surprisingly complex. James is particularly multi-faceted. On the one hand, he is a feared chieftain keen to do whatever it takes to reclaim his clan’s historic lands, but on the other hand, he is a gentle and kindhearted man who is beginning to question the righteousness of his campaign, given its human toll. Aileana, for her part, listens to James’ account of events and realizes that both sides have suffered from the ongoing conflict; her family is not the only victim.
Characters and romance aside, the other highlight of this book is the setting. The story is set in the Scottish Highlands during Christmastide in the mid-16th century, with the bulk of the action taking place in an idyllic castle. Roaring fires, torchlit hallways, splendid feasts, bustling corridors, and holiday traditions coalesce into a cozy, atmospheric setting that transports you to another place and time. It is an escapist delight that lifts your spirits (both holiday and otherwise).
Underlying everything is Watson’s s writing, which while not particularly noteworthy, is commendable for its narrative style. Namely, the story is written from the perspective of both Aileana and James. This dual point of view enables us to gain an equally in-depth understanding of both protagonists, and what’s more, it allows us to see each of them fall in love with the other (and who doesn’t want that?).
The not so good
Twelfth Knight’s Bride’s greatest shortcoming pertains to its ending. Up until the last chapter, the book is well-paced, with the story moving along at a consistent clip, but in those final 18 pages, the plot begins to feel rushed. A major conflict is introduced and resolved so quickly that you barely have time to register its existence before it is moot. It would have behooved Twelfth Knight’s Bride to have devoted more time to this conflict and its eventual resolution.
Lastly, while not bad per se, the book lacks an epilogue. I had hoped to get a glimpse into Aileana and James’ life following the book’s events, but alas, when the final chapter ends, so too does the book.
Overall
Twelfth Knight’s Bride is a lovely, transportive romance that is perfect for when you want to inject some holiday cheer into your life but don’t feel like committing to a full-length novel. So, grab a fuzzy blanket and mug of cocoa and dive into this charming story.
Have you read Twelfth Knight’s Bride? If so, let me know what you thought of it in the comments section below!
