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Navy SEAL Logan Ambrose has come home for the holidays, ready and willing to propose to his longtime girlfriend and leave the military. Only, the homecoming he expected is suddenly derailed when he discovers her in bed with his best friend. So, what’s a guy to do, but head home, get drunk… and wake up married to a woman he doesn’t recognize.

Willow Vaughn has been in love with Logan forever, but when he left town, she gave up hope of ever making him hers. So, when fate strikes and the two run into each other in Vegas, Willow jumps at the chance to be with him. But,never in her wildest dreams did she expect to wind up married to the hot military man.

This should be easy to explain to their families…only, the two of them are not sure what to say or do—stay married or pretend the whole thing never happened?

150 pages

First published December 13, 2016

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About the author

Marquita Valentine

65 books1,743 followers
Marquita Valentine is a New York Times and USA Today Bestselling Author of contemporary romance.

When she's not writing sexy heroes who adore their sassy heroines, she enjoys traveling, reading, and spending time with her family and friends. Married to her high school sweetheart, Marquita lives in a seriously small town in the south.

You can sign up for her newsletter here: https://goo.gl/3XFh3k

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5 stars
66 (33%)
4 stars
73 (37%)
3 stars
42 (21%)
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8 (4%)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews
Profile Image for TJ *Book Twins Reviews*.
1,096 reviews2,548 followers
December 26, 2016
Marquita Valentine is a favorite author of mine when I’m in the mood for a sweet romance. I love her down home “real” heroes and funny heroines. I was not drawn to this book only by the author, but also this beyond beautiful cover!

Navy SEAL Logan Ambrose returns home for the holiday season expecting to propose to his girlfriend. He decides to leave military life behind and settle down in Holland Springs. After unexpected events unfold, he finds himself single and in Las Vegas. Well, not single for long since he wakes up married to a woman he barely knows.

Willow Vaughn has loved Logan from afar since her high school prom. When fate brings her face to face with the man of her dreams years later, she jumps at the opportunity to spend time with him. She never expected their short time in Vegas would lead to a marriage proposal. What happens in Vegas, follows her home!

These two make a few missteps after their surprise wedding. Misunderstandings arise, but they eventually decide to go with it and give their relationship a try. Until that point, I was a less than impressed. Thankfully, they both started to grow on me. Logan makes it his mission to nurture their relationship.

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He’s caring, sweet, and handsome, but ironically not self-assured. He struggles a bit with being adopted into a close knit family. There are several references to him not feeling like a real member of the family. While that got on my nerves, I loved his brother’s responses to him. He eventually goes after what he wants and focuses on the future he envisioned.
Willow’s character also grows and develops during the novel. She begins to believe in herself and let the relationship progress naturally.

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Although attractive and self-sufficient, she’s clumsy and awkward. Thankfully, she decides to live a little and show some backbone when her relationship is threatened. Her brave and daring side eventually peek out.

All in all, I didn’t strongly identify or connect with either of these characters the way I expected, but in the end this was still an enjoyable read. Although part of a series, this book can be read as a stand-alone.

I rate it - 3.5 Stars

*ARC received in exchange for an honest review*
Profile Image for Michelle.
2,102 reviews1,337 followers
December 11, 2016
ARC provided by author in exchange for an honest review

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Marquita Valentine whips up a light sweet romance that was brimming with so much tender and loving moments. If you haven’t read The Brides of Holland Springs Series, then you are truly missing out on a love stories that carries the biggest theme of family, unity, and heart. And in this fourth installment, Marquita once again charms her readers to fall in love with Willow Vaughn and Logan Ambrose.

#Christmas Bride

Willow has always been in love with Logan ever since she first laid eyes on him. He was the first man to actually see her. Although, Logan is much older than her, Willow has always dreamt for Logan to be her husband. Well fast forward to three years later and dreams do actually comes true when both of them finds themselves in Las Vegas. I guess what happens in Vegas doesn't stay in Vegas especially when Willow and Logan finds themselves getting married. As they return back to their hometown, will both of them discover that they both made a mistake? Or will they discover that getting married was the best thing to happen to both of them?

If you are fans of light breezy family themed romance that are ridiculously sweet then this book is definitely for you. As always, Marquita has a way of bringing a smile to your face with this adorable read.

 photo MICHELLE1_zps3515xymk.jpg Marquita Valentine

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Profile Image for Lisa.
1,635 reviews
December 14, 2016
I was expecting light hearted seasonal fluff, but my eyes rolled and I got a headache from the whining and unnecessary angst and miscommunication. I had no investment in the characters, the scene setting did not flow but felt rushed and jumpy , causing me issues setting a date/timeline in my head. The sex was so poorly written that I cringed in embarrassment for them and the result a few weeks later - unbelievable!!! *meh*

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Profile Image for Natasha.
723 reviews18 followers
December 14, 2016
3.5*/4* read.
This was a cute festive novella featuring characters from the Holland Springs series although its not necessary to have read these first as this can be read as a standalone.
This is Logan and Willow's story. Willow is a wedding planner and planned several weddings so in need of a break she decides she needs to go on a vacation. Logan is a navy seal and when he comes home to surprise his girlfriend, hes the one who ends up with a surprise instead. Wanting to escape for awhile he heads off to Vegas.
Willow has loved Logan from a distance for years and the last thing they both expect when on vacation in Vegas is to come across each other. I think the title gives you a big clue as to the story but what I loved was watching how they interacted and even though it was a short story that didn't take away anything from these great characters.
Profile Image for Kim.
992 reviews39 followers
December 18, 2016
ok

Something was missing. The interaction between Willow and Logan were not what would inspire love. They seemed really few and far between but the entire relationship is played out in a two week timeframe.
The mistakes in editing should have been caught. They were very obvious. (i.e., she took her hat back but a page later he still had it. She was wearing a white sundress when they left for dinner but it later says her little black dress). Those are only a few.
Profile Image for Debra.
3,258 reviews11 followers
December 25, 2021
The Christmas Bride

Willow has had a crush on Luke ever since he danced with her at her school prom. But he had eyes only on someone else. Years later she meets up with him in Las Vegas. Where he is trying to figure out what happened in his love life. He had caught his ex with a friend of his. Well what happens in Vegas doesn't stay there. Especially when they end up married. Now back home they'll have to figure out if they want the marriage to work.
Profile Image for Julianna.
266 reviews3 followers
April 17, 2017
Marquita can do no wrong with small town romance stories. I was patiently waiting for this story and it was soooo good. The h/h skirt around each other their whole lives and try to fight off an attraction. When something unexpected happens they just decide to try to give their "love" a try. Sweet, steamy and with a happy ending.
Profile Image for Kathryn Adair.
227 reviews7 followers
November 30, 2022
Short

Short but sweet.
I liked the characters and their chemistry.
I wish it was longer
I wish we got her dads thoughts about the marriage
Profile Image for Emma .
2,506 reviews391 followers
December 12, 2016
3.5/5
The Christmas Bride is a cute standalone novella featuring characters from the Holland Springs series, it is not necessary to have read the series in order to enjoy The Christmas Bride ;)

Willow is the ultimate introvert although her career as a Wedding Planner would suggest otherwise. The is seriously organised, as well as kind and compassionate. Willow is also a casualty of unrequited love; she has been in love with Logan Ambrose since her senior prom where he became her Prince Charming rescuing her from a night of loneliness. Willow has harboured feelings for Logan although he is completely unaware of her attraction to him. Willow has observed him from afar as he became a Navy SEAL and risked his life for his country, all the while dating a heartless, cheating ho.

Logan, although unaware of the depth of Willow's feelings for him has always felt a special connection to her. A last-minute trip to Vegas after catching his cheating ex in the act results in Logan being placed directly in Willow's path who is also in Vegas as a way of expanding her horizons and gaining an adventure. Although they both gain more than they bargained for when there Vegas adventure ends with them getting hitched.

Willow assumes Logan is only sticking to his marriage vows due to the potential baby scare, however, Logan quickly realises what he has with Willow is a once in a lifetime kind of relationship and endeavours to sweep Willow off her feet for real - cue the swooning.

I loved watching Logan and Willow grow together and recognise their feelings for each other. For a novella there is a tremendous amount of character depth as well as the narrative exploring issues of adoption, abandonment and what it truly means to be a family.

The Christmas Bride is a lovely festive read guaranteed to bring warmth to the season.
Profile Image for E-Reader Addict.
1,171 reviews42 followers
December 21, 2016
I was hoping for a quick escape from reality and a sweet story to help get me in the Christmas mood. I see that I am in the minority here on Goodreads, because this book wasn’t the least bit of help.

First of all, Marquita has written FAR too many books to still be having SO MANY typos, missing words, proofreading errors, etc. It makes me feel like she’s just spitting things out and publishing them as fast as she can to make some money. I can understand an error or two, but that many? That’s just being sloppy and I start to lose respect for an author.

Second, I didn’t find the hero of this story, Logan, the least bit likeable. He went back and forth being sweet and a jerk so often and so quickly I feel like he had some sort of personality disorder. He was a retired Navy SEAL, so maybe he was having some PTSD issues, but nothing like that was given anything more than a passing mention (there was a line about him not sleeping well at night, but that was it) to possibly explain why he was like that. I realize this was a shorter book – about 150 pages - but there was very little character development for either of the main characters. I felt like I knew a little bit about the heroine, Willow, but hardly anything about Logan. And certainly nothing in their interactions made me think “this couple is going to make it!”

So yeah, this one was a dud for me. Conceptually I liked the story, but the execution on the author’s part left a lot to be desired. I’ve read a couple other books by Marquita and will probably give her another read (or two), but if she continues to put out books with so many errors, I’m going to put her on my “don’t read this author” list and save my money for other authors who are a little more conscientious about what they publish.
Profile Image for Amanda Bordner.
794 reviews
December 20, 2016
Willow has harbored a crush for Logan since she was 18, but no matter how hard she tries, all she manages to do when he's around is fall. Literally. And Logan is your typical hard headed man. He only sees what is right in front of him, even when it isn't necessarily the obvious! Ahem, Willow.

After a disastrous break up with his girlfriend, Logan heads to Vegas to forget and ends up running into Willow of all people out at the pool one day. The two hit it off right away, but Willow has trouble believing his advances because he's had a few too many to drink. Logan redeems himself that night, and after a fantastic first date, the two crazies decide to get hitched! Hah. What a hoot.

I won't go over every detail of the book, but this one was just a ton of fun to read! Marquita has definitely figured out how to write books that you are able to connect with and relate to in many different ways. Willow had insecurities that I definitely saw within myself, so I found myself reading late into the night to see how these two would get their HEA. Even though the solutions seem SO SIMPLE, it can sometimes take two people a little while to get out of their own way. I was delighted too to see Willow finally get the attention/affection she truly did deserve!

Well done, Marquita, such a fantastic book!
Profile Image for Shelley Youngblood.
828 reviews6 followers
December 11, 2016
As a huge fan of Marquita Valentine's work, I was excited to read The Christmas Bride, the 4th book in her Brides of Holland Springs series. I was not disappointed at all, infact it made me want to reread her entire Holland Springs series to be reaquainted with some of my favorite characters. Though this is a complete standalone story, I absolutely love how Marquita works her magic to develop memorable characters across several stories as well as series.

In this story you meet Willow Vaughn and Logan Ambrose. Willow has been in love with Logan for as long as she can remember. She currently is a wedding coordinator and has planned several weddings in Holland Springs. To get away from it all, she decides she needs a vacation.

As a Navy SEAL, Logan has been all over the world. When he comes home for the holidays, to propose to his long-term girlfriend, he is the one left with the suprise.

In an effort to escape for a while he heads to Vegas. The last person he expects to run into is Willow Vaughn. Together they make the best of difficult times.

I could not put this fantastic book down. Marquita Valentine captured my heart with from the start and did not let go. I can't wait to read more from her in the future!
Profile Image for Eileen.
2,113 reviews
December 11, 2016
I really enjoyed The Christmas Bride by Marquita Valentine which is the fourth book of her Brides of Holland Springs series. This is Willow and Logan’s story. Willow Vaugh who has loved Logan, from a distance, since her senior prom, gets a second chance with Logan while in Las Vegas on a getaway. Logan Ambrose finally realizes what everyone has been trying to tell him, that his girlfriend, Corrine, was constantly cheating on him. After finding her in bed with his best friend, Logan takes off for some down time in Las Vegas. It there he discovers Willow, once again, and decides he needs to take care of her. After getting married while drunk and a night of celebrating their marriage, the two return to Holland Springs. Willow and Logan need to learn to be honest and share the love they have for each other.

This was a sweet, fun and entertaining story with very likeable and authentic characters that you want to cheer on, hoping for that happy ending. The characters were well written, having complex characteristics. The story line was riveting and kept my attention to the very end. I enjoyed reading this book and had trouble putting this book down. I highly recommend this book to other readers.

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.
Profile Image for Kimberly Anne.
3,167 reviews184 followers
December 15, 2016
The Christmas Bride is the fourth book in the Brides of Holland Springs series, each book can be read as a standalone, but you may get some small spoilers if you don't read them in order.

The Christmas Bride shows us that there is something magical about Christmas and it's possible to find love, or at least reignite an old crush. Tired of being the predictable, sensible one, Willow heads out to Vegas to let loose. What she wasn't expecting was to meet up with her old crush Logan. When these two are together the chemistry is through the roof.

This book was packed full of excitement, passion, and even a bit of heartbreak. What is one to do in Vegas? Cross of their bucket list, even if that means a trip to a wedding chapel with the one man you have loved since high school.

Marquita gives us a magical, funny, and romantic story to keep us warm through the holiday season. From the first page it is impossible not to fall in love with Willow and Logan. I can't count the number of times I wanted to reach through the book and tell these two to get it together (there wouldn't be a story to tell if they had listened though). With each step they took, I found myself falling more and more in love with these two. This is possibly my favorite Marquita book yet.
Profile Image for Michele A..
2,871 reviews15 followers
January 5, 2020
Willow and Logan are 7 years apart in age. Willow had a longtime crush on Logan, but it was unable to go anywhere, either because of his military service or his longtime girlfriend, Corinne. When Logan discovers Corinne was not faithful to him, he goes to Vegas to blow off some steam during Christmas. Willow is in Vegas and they run into each other. What begins as a date, ends up in marriage. Willow doesn't know that Logan really does remember her from their dance at her prom, or all of his efforts to save her from her clumsiness over the years. Willow and Logan wake up the next morning and each tries to come to grips with the fallout over their marriage. Logan is not a man who is used to speaking and it showed many times in this book. His ability to put his foot in his mouth was epic at times. Willow sells herself short and doesn't understand that Logan is really trying to get her on board with his new plan and does not feel like she is an obligation. It all comes to a head quickly in this short story and it did have a nice ending for this couple. I did like how Logan stepped up in his life both with Willow and his family.
Profile Image for Heather R Callahan.
242 reviews26 followers
December 11, 2016
The Christmas Bride was a fun book to read. While it was a short story, I really loved it. Logan was a Nave SEAL, but is back home trying to figure out what he wants to do. He was dating this horrible woman who cheated on him with his best friend. The only way to get over it is to see what else you can find. Willow has been in love with Logan for as long as she can remember. But she knows she doesn't have a chance with him. So she decides to take a trip and let her hair down. Only to run into Logan. Funny thing is, Logan defiantly has noticed Willow. One night of fun, and these two are married.

This was such a fun story to read. I would recommend it to anyone.

ARC provided by author in exchange for an honest review. Reviewed by Heather from Kinky Kittens Book Blog


Review by Heather
Profile Image for Pennie Morgan.
2,096 reviews8 followers
December 12, 2016
What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas? Not if you marry the man you have been in love with for years...Willow Vaughan has been in love with Logan Ambrose since the day she turned 18. He saw her, actually saw HER. Years later while taking a vacation in Las Vegas they run into each other. WOW! The sparks were immediate and after Willow telling Logan off he had to convince her to have dinner with him. Bucket list tasks were crossed off and the next morning they wake up together...married...by Elvis.

This was an engaging story and out of all the Ambrose brothers I am now convinced Logan is the best.

I highly recommend this book!

**Received a copy of this ARC for an honest review**
109 reviews8 followers
December 18, 2016
The Christmas Bride is book 4 in the Brides of Holland Springs series by Marquita Valentine. Willow Vaughn has always been quite and reserved. She likes to be by herself. The only time she comes out of her shell is around hunky Logan Ambrose the only problem is that older Logan really doesn't know she exists. Logan comes back from military service to propose to his longtime girlfriend, only to find her in bed with his best friend. So when both Willow and Logan run into each other in Vegas and end up drunk and married, will they be able to develop a relationship out of this mistake? Or will they call it the mistake it was an annul it?

Very well written story by Marquita Valentine. I read it in one setting! I love the Holland Spring series and this one did not disappoint!
Profile Image for Jimnlori.
942 reviews46 followers
January 3, 2017
I'm loving this series by Marquita Valentine! This story is a perfect combination of a romance and a holiday story.
Logan is home for the holidays and has planned on asking his girlfriend to marry him, but instead he finds her in bed with one of his best friends. He decides to turn this all around with a short trip to Vegas hoping it will help lift his mood.
Willow has been in love with Logan for years, but gave up hope when he left town so finding him in Vegas seems to feel like a push to make changes to their relationship, but a spur of the moment marriage wasn't in the plans even if it always was what she's wanted.

I was given an ARC from the author/publisher. All conclusions are mine and mine alone.
Profile Image for Kellie Herrick.
262 reviews
December 10, 2016
OMG how is it possible to have another amazing man that you totally fall in love with but is still different from any others that came before him. Marquita has done it yet again. Logan Ambrose chose the wrong girl and came home to find her in bed with another man. As luck would have it the right woman was waiting for him and fate intervened to. Ring them together. A night of drunken fun in Vegas what could happen right. Now married they have to figure out if they stay or call it quits.

Logan is so completely lovable you can't help. It fall for him and willow is just to adorable she leaps off the page and you want to hug her. Another knock out hit in Holland Springs.
Profile Image for Lisa.
1,096 reviews1 follower
December 11, 2016
This book did not disappoint and I read it in one sitting!! I loved the characters Logan and Willow as Logan came to realize that he did love Willow and how Willow learned to be strong and accept Logan's love for her. I liked the return of the characters from the previous brides books as well as some of the characters from the Holland Springs series even though their appearances were brief. The storyline moved along quickly and beautifully making this such a pleasurable read with a holiday theme. I just loved this book and would recommend it to others.
I voluntarily reviewed an ARC copy of this book.
Profile Image for Rose.
1,398 reviews13 followers
December 12, 2016
I have loved every book in this series (this is number 4) and I have to say, this one has to be my favorite!!!!

I want to say Willow is my favorite character of all Marquita Valentine's heroine's, but I can't because I have loved each and every one (I think, kind of hard to remember when you've read over 30 of an author's books) just as hard. But I really do love Willow!!! Her sweetness, her loyalty, just so much about her to be crazy over. And Logan, I mean come on, he's a Navy SEAL and while he has every right to be completely full of himself, he still finds a way to be real!!!! Currently (until her next book) this is most definitely my favorite couple in Holland Springs!!!!
Profile Image for Karla Andrews.
531 reviews7 followers
December 19, 2016
Loved loved loved this book. I'm a huge fan of Marquita's book. And a huge fan of Christmas books.
Add that together is a dynamite book.
I truly fell in love with Logan from the very beginning of the book. And willow is such a sweet lady. I can relate to the wallflower in her.
My favorite quote:
Willow smiled, her eyes sleepy and rimmed in lavender. “I’m a mess,” she whispered, as if that was something to be ashamed of. “You spent nine months making a human and spent the last eighteen hours pushing her out, which makes you gorgeous.” “How could one woman be so lucky?” she said. “I ask myself that very question, every day.”
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Anima.
2,552 reviews48 followers
December 10, 2016
Sweetly pining over her friend's brother for years finally worked in Willow's favor. After many run-ins with Logan fate brought them to the same place and made her dreams come true. Valentine always provides us with smart strong women and sweet sexy men, along with flirty banter. Always an enjoyable read with characters that connect to her other books. I was given an advanced copy to enjoy and have voluntarily written my review.
67 reviews
December 28, 2016
Horrible inconsistencies in the story line and too many typos distracted me from enjoying the story. In the early pages she snatched her hat back but later on he supposedly returns it to her. It has a good plot but the story wasn't developed well enough. Although this is a short story, it could have been better written. Really wish I could have enjoyed it more as I was really looking forward to the story.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
45 reviews3 followers
January 17, 2017
The latest Holland Springs book sizzles!

Marquita Valentine brings fun, comical, Christmas love to the somewhat backward wedding planner of Holland Springs! When the love of her life bumps into her In Vegas while on vacation, what does one do? Why, marry him, if course! You will fall in love with this story.
Profile Image for Heather andrews.
9,520 reviews159 followers
December 10, 2016
Logan is such a charmer, “yeah, I have to eat and I want you with me.” Willow was just adorable, especially after she had a few too many, "she buried her face into his chest. “You’re like the ultimate teddy bear. Only with muscles and a p****.” I really loved this book, Logan and Willow were perfect for each other.
Profile Image for Dimaris rossy.
1,043 reviews17 followers
December 15, 2016
Lucky, lucky girl to have a man so persistent! What happens when you finally open your eyes and see that what is right in front of you is what you needed all along? What happens when you realize that what you thought is not even remotely close to the truth? Read and see... Logan truly surprises Willow and she fills a void in him.
Profile Image for Mayas.
1,860 reviews46 followers
December 11, 2016
Truly one of my favorite holiday reads. I truly enjoyed Logan and how he came to make every wish come true and being SO blind to the fact. He brought the wallflower to center stage and kept her there through his love and willingness to keep his WIFE happy. I just adored this book.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews

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