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Cover of A Kiss by Candlelight

A Kiss by Candlelight

261 pages

A classic, cozy battle of wits where forced proximity turns a grumpy patient and a reluctant caretaker into reluctant lovers.

What it feels like

This vintage-feeling contemporary romance delivers a brisk, highly readable dose of the classic grumpy-sunshine dynamic. The narrative traps you in an intimate, tension-filled domestic bubble where sharp banter masks a simmering, undeniable chemistry. It reads quickly, propelled by dialogue-heavy prose that focuses squarely on the emotional push-and-pull between a fiercely capable heroine and an impossibly stubborn hero. The mood is cozy yet crackling with frustration, slowly melting into genuine warmth and vulnerability as the characters let their guards down. It is a perfect comfort read for anyone who delights in forced-proximity tropes, caretaking scenarios, and the deeply satisfying emotional arc of watching a bad-tempered man be entirely undone by a woman who refuses to put up with his nonsense.

Mood
  • cozy
  • tension-filled
  • intimate
  • warm
Tone
  • playful
  • romantic
  • wry
  • earnest
Pace
brisk
Themes
forced proximity · grumpy-sunshine dynamic · unexpected attraction · healing and vulnerability · workplace boundaries
The writing
Accessible, dialogue-heavy, and focused on the immediate emotional reactions and physical chemistry between the leads.
The arc
Moves from frustrated reluctance and sharp banter to a tender, reluctant vulnerability and undeniable romantic connection.
Who it's for
Readers who love classic, vintage category romances featuring a grumpy hero, a capable heroine, and plenty of forced-proximity tension.
Content notes
  • mild medical trauma
  • workplace power dynamics

About the book

"I'm a personal secretary, not a nursemaid".

That was Cathryn's immediate reaction when her boss, Sir Charles Marchant, asked her to look after his injured brother for a couple of weeks.

She soon found herself regretting that she's let herself be talked into it. Sir Charles' warning that Nicholas was an impossible patient proved to be something of an understatement.

Perhaps he should also have warned her that despite his bad temper and cutting tongue, Nicholas was a very attractive man....

Description from Open Library.

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