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Nicola Cornick
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The Penniless Bride Kindle Edition

by Nicola Cornick (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.1 4.1 out of 5 stars 116 ratings
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USA Today–Bestselling Author: A nobleman needs a wife in name only—and chooses a chimney sweep’s daughter—in this fairy-tale Regency romance . . .

Lord Robert Selborne intended to kiss the chimney sweep’s daughter for luck at his cousin’s wedding . . . not marry her! But of all the ladies assembled, she was the only one who captured his interest. And unless she agreed to a marriage of convenience, he would forfeit his inheritance. . . .

Having been raised by a brutal father on the London streets, Jemima Jewell had few illusions about life and love. Until Rob’s lips met hers in a soul-stirring kiss and he impulsively made her his wife. And his penniless bride now hoped her love would provide Rob with a fortune far greater than the one he sought. . . .

Praise for Nicola Cornick’s novels

“[A] rollicking tug-of-war.” —Publishers Weekly

“Delightful . . . Cornick’s characters come to life.” —Romantic Times
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  1. Print length
    357 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Sticky notes
    On Kindle Scribe
  4. Publisher
    Harlequin Historical
  5. Publication date
    May 6, 2009
  6. File size
    1951 KB
  7. Page Flip
    Enabled
  8. Word Wise
    Enabled
  9. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
  10. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

About the Author

International bestselling author Nicola Cornick writes historical romance for HQN Books and time slip romance for MIRA UK. She became fascinated with history when she was a child, and spent hours poring over historical novels and watching costume drama. She studied history at university and wrote her master’s thesis on heroes. Nicola also acts as a historical advisor for television and radio. In her spare time she works as a guide in a 17th century mansion.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0028OLDUM
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Harlequin Historical; Original edition (May 6, 2009)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ May 6, 2009
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 1951 KB
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Sticky notes ‏ : ‎ On Kindle Scribe
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 357 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.1 4.1 out of 5 stars 116 ratings

About the author

Follow authors to get new release updates, plus improved recommendations.
Nicola Cornick

Nicola Cornick

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Nicola Cornick is a historian and author who works as a researcher and guide for the National Trust in one of the most beautiful 17th century houses in England. She writes dual time novels that illustrate her love of history, mystery and the supernatural, and focus on women from the footnotes of history. Her books have appeared in over twenty five languages, sold over half a million copies worldwide and been described as "perfect for Outlander fans." Nicola also gives writing and history talks, works as a consultant for TV and radio, and is a bookseller at the Wantage Bookshop.

Her new novel, 'The Other Gwyn Girl ' focuses on the life of Rose Gwyn, the elder sister of Nell Gwyn, infamous mistress of King Charles II. Packed with rollicking Restoration intrigue, it tells the story of the lesser-known Gwyn girl. The Other Gwyn Girl is published by Boldwood Books on 7th March 2024 in all formats and is up for pre-order now!

Nicola loves to chat to readers about history, reading and writing.

Join the conversation on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram!

You can also sign up for Nicola's newsletter on her website.

Customer reviews

4.1 out of 5 stars
4.1 out of 5
116 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Nancy
5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent!
Reviewed in the United States on December 29, 2013
Verified Purchase
I adored this book. It held my interest from the first page to the last page. I liked the main characters, Robert and Jemima. They were both basically honorable people in very difficult situations. I liked that Miz Cornick didn't drag out the secrets and misunderstandings. Sometimes authors drag them out rediculously, and you end up skipping half the book to get past all the nonsense that's keeping the lovers apart. I highly recommend this book.
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Linda Waltz
4.0 out of 5 stars OK
Reviewed in the United States on September 22, 2019
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As advertised
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Kindle Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars I loved this book!
Reviewed in the United States on January 9, 2019
Verified Purchase
Twist upon twist. Secrets and lies. A marriage of convenience turned inconveniently real. This story has it all, including a satisfying twist at the end that gives everyone a Happy Ever After.
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Dee
3.0 out of 5 stars an interesting read
Reviewed in the United States on February 5, 2013
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I didn't love it but surely didn't hate it. It was a good book to read by the author, one of my first, and I thought it was interesting especially about the hero's quest then the heroine's background as chimney sweeper.
One person found this helpful
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Wine Country Momma
5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
Reviewed in the United States on October 7, 2015
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Cute story, different premise. One of those stories where you hope there's a sequel.
One person found this helpful
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Woodbuckley
4.0 out of 5 stars Almost a fairy-tale
Reviewed in the United States on June 19, 2004
This regency set historical romance was almost a fairy tale - the reader definitely needed to suspend disbelief to enjoy it. For it was indeed a most enjoyable confection, a light-as-air pastry to be enjoyed.
Robert, Lord Selborne has been forced to return to England by the death of his parents and inheritance of the title. His lawyer has interesting news for him - to be sure he is to inherit a good deal of money necessary for the running of the estate from both his father and grandmother. However... there are some very nasty strings attached to each and the said strings are pulling against each other. His father's will impels him to marry a 'lady' who attends his cousin's forthcoming marriage within a month or lose his unentailed inheritance to his cousin. If that is not enough, his grandmother's will grimly requires him to remain celibate for 100 days to teach him a moral lesson! Robert is not amused.
Fate, though, rescues him from a fate worse than death with a nasty cousin in the person of Miss Jemima Jewell, an unexpected 'guest' at the wedding. Very unexpected - as she is the daughter of a master sweep who attends as a part of one of the 'traditional' superstitions attached to the wedding. She is also a 'lady', due to the fact of her education as one at the hands of Mrs. Montagu's school. The by-product of this has also been her own alienation from her origins, especially her father who is wanting to marry her off to his own advantage.
The pair are instantly attracted. Robert eventually persuades her to make a marriage 'in name only' and she agrees to find her own independance. Then fate tweaks the tale again and the marriage becomes real. They travel to his country estate - they both begin to know each other and discover their roles.
This is a most charming tale, despite all the blind eyes one must turn to the improbabilites of trick wills, noblemen marrying sweep's daughters and daft lawyers.
Robert and Jemimna are believable and very sympathetic characters. Jemima is especially wary of him and his station, her gradual acceptance of the reality of his sincerity is well done. Poor Robert's double bind is stretched out to create a good deal of sexual tension between the pair.
Jemima's brother is also swept into the tale involving a murder, highway robbery and yet another unlikely romance.
All highly charged - very entertaining, but definitely requiring a grave suspension of reality.
15 people found this helpful
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Mary - Buried Under Romance
5.0 out of 5 stars Highly recommended!
Reviewed in the United States on October 28, 2012
A very lighthearted, sweet read.
4.5 stars/5 stars

When I came across this book by chance while browsing, the plot immediately intrigued me. While I've read many books where the heroine is of a lower social status than the lord hero, this is the first I've come across where the heroine is actually a chimney sweep's daughter!

The story begins comically when the hero, Robert Selborne, comes back from war and finds out that in order to receive his inheritance from his deceased father and grandmother, he must 1) marry a lady who was present at his cousin's wedding (which is the next day), and 2) be celibate for 100 days. This obviously puts him out of sorts, but he decides to go through with finding a lady to marry, in order to restore his principal home, Delaval, to order. Unfortunately, due to the passing of his father and grandmother, his cousin's wedding has been reduced to having only a few ladies of marriageable age, and none that appeals to him. This is when he spies the heroine, Jemina Jewell, who is a chimney sweep's daughter but has received a lady's education. They quickly strike a marriage of convenience, and against statuses, fall in love with each other.

While many critics of this novel mention the credence of such a fairy tale story, I am not so cynical as to not enjoy a good story when I see it. The primary cast is wonderful; the hero is nice beyond belief and sincerely wishes to find love in his marriage. He, of course, falls head over heels in love with Jemina, who, due to her status in life, has a rather cynical view on the notion of love in marriage. It was refreshing to find for once a heroine who holds the cynical view on love rather than the hero, as it happens far too often in regency romances. Eventually, Jemina does learn to place trust in her husband, and learns to love him just as much. Another aspect of this novel I really liked is the fact that both parties are honest with each other in what they want. Robert and Jemina both knows that he wants her, and neither can or tries to deny their attraction, but knows that they must stay celibate to receive Robert's inheritance. The scenes in which Robert tries to battle his lust for his wife is highly amusing.
Further embellishing the story is a wonderful cast of secondary characters, who throughout my reading has invoked a great deal of giddiness and joy. Even the mean Cousin Augusta is more for comic effect than pure malice.

Issues:
The only reason I didn't give it 5 stars is because there were a few unresolved points. First, Robert had nightmares of when he was still fighting in the Peninsula, but that just somehow disappeared once he got married? I find that hard to believe such nightmares could disappear overnight. Second, Jack's whole masquerade as a highway man was simply resolved far too quickly, with barely a single mention. Did the authorities catch the real highwayman? It was vaguely mentioned and I can't remember it at all.

Final thoughts on the novel: There are no cliched plots in this novel,and everything resolves itself into a splendid happily-ever-after worthy of Disney recognition. Yes, the plot is hard to believe, and yes, you may find the characters too nice or sweet, or just simply too wonderful that you want them to exist in real time. But the bottom line is that this is a lighthearted, joyous read of two people learning to love each other, and I highly recommend it for anyone who loves a good fairy tale.
7 people found this helpful
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Kindle Customer
1.0 out of 5 stars Could be worse
Reviewed in the United States on February 13, 2020
Verified Purchase
Not written particular well, but could have been worse. Very little plot development, but I suppose for a bodice ripper it's not that bad.
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Top reviews from other countries

S. Klapp
1.0 out of 5 stars /complete and utter rubbish
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on November 22, 2011
Verified Purchase
I understand that historical romance is escapist entertainment, and not literature, but even whilst reading the former, I expect content that does not require braindeadness in order to make the material bearable. Apart from the fact that a chimney sweep's daughter marrying a peer is ridiculous as a premise, the idea of her brother bagging a high society bride on top of the sugar pink happy end is too much for even the most good-natured reader to digest. A semi-demented spinster on a potent cocktail of prozac and valium couldn't come up with anything more ludicrous than this. The only reason I gave this one point is the fact that I have to attribute one minimum. Pity there is no "money back if you hate this" option.
3 people found this helpful
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