Caroline Saves the Blacksmith by Nina Jarrett

 

Caroline Saves the Blacksmith by Nina Jarrett

Rating: ★★★☆☆ (3 stars)

Caroline Saves the Blacksmith ended up being my least favourite book in Nina Jarrett's Inconvenient Brides series, even though I went in expecting to love it as much as the others. I've really enjoyed Nina's blend of heart, humour, and Regency atmosphere in previous instalments, so I was excited for this Christmas-set story. Unfortunately, it just didn't quite deliver the magic I was hoping for.

Book information

• Title: Caroline Saves the Blacksmith
• Author: Nina Jarrett
• Series: Inconvenient Brides 
• Genre: Historical Romance / Regency
• Tropes: Holiday romance, forced proximity, blacksmith hero
• Format I read: Kindle
• Steam level: Moderate
• My rating: 3 stars

What it's about (spoiler-light)

Caroline finds herself unexpectedly snowed in over Christmas with the village blacksmith—a man whose quiet strength and practical nature couldn't be more different from her more refined world. What starts as a simple act of charity turns into something more complicated as they're forced into close quarters during the holiday season. It's a premise that promises all the cozy holiday tropes we love.

My thoughts

Characters & chemistry

The blacksmith has real potential as a hero—strong, capable, not part of the usual ton. Caroline herself is sweet, but feels underdeveloped here. Their chemistry felt more physical than emotional, which is where this book struggled for me.

Setting & vibe

The Christmas setting should have been perfect—snowed-in country house, crackling fires, holiday traditions. But the atmosphere felt secondary to getting the characters together rather than enhancing their connection.

Plot & pacing

The pacing felt rushed. We're told these two are falling for each other more than shown through the small moments that build real relationships. By the time they're physically together, I hadn't had enough time to care about their emotional journey.

Themes & feelings

I missed Nina Jarrett's signature slow burn—those delicious moments of glances across rooms, tentative conversations, the steady building of trust. This felt like the point of the story was literally to get them physical, rather than letting their connection develop naturally.

Who this book is for

• Great for you if you love strong physical chemistry and don't mind faster relationship pacing.
• Great for you if holiday settings are your catnip, regardless of slow burn.
• It might not be your cup of tea if you need a deep emotional connection before physical intimacy.
• Might not be your cup of tea if Nina Jarrett's slower burns are what hooked you.

Cozy pairing & bookish extras

Perfect to read with: A hot toddy by the fire on a snowy evening.

Bookish craft idea: A simple Christmas bookmark—though I would have loved a slower story to inspire a full Christmas reading journal spread.

Final thoughts & question for you

This wasn't a bad book—Nina Jarrett can still write engaging scenes and interesting characters. But compared to the slower, more emotionally satisfying burns of her other Inconvenient Brides books, this one felt like it was missing that special patience that makes Regency romance so swoony.

Have you read this one? Are you team slow burn, or do you love when the chemistry takes centre stage?