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Convent Brides #2
A Knight For The Runaway Nun
An evocative friends-to-lovers story set in Medieval France
From novice nun…
To unexpected bride!
Lady Bernadette is poised to take Holy Orders when Sir Hugo of Nérac, her father’s captain of the guards, arrives with news that her sister is expecting. Petrified of childbirth since her mother died, Bernadette races home. But now that she’s left the convent, her father wants her wed! There’s only one marry Hugo, her childhood friend. But can she risk consummating their marriage and conceiving…even if his kisses are unbearably tempting?
From Harlequin Your romantic escape to the past.
Convent Brides
Book 1: A Knight for the Defiant Lady
Book 2: A Knight for the Runaway Nun
From novice nun…
To unexpected bride!
Lady Bernadette is poised to take Holy Orders when Sir Hugo of Nérac, her father’s captain of the guards, arrives with news that her sister is expecting. Petrified of childbirth since her mother died, Bernadette races home. But now that she’s left the convent, her father wants her wed! There’s only one marry Hugo, her childhood friend. But can she risk consummating their marriage and conceiving…even if his kisses are unbearably tempting?
From Harlequin Your romantic escape to the past.
Convent Brides
Book 1: A Knight for the Defiant Lady
Book 2: A Knight for the Runaway Nun
288 pages, Mass Market Paperback
Published June 27, 2023
About the author
Carol Townend
65 books92 followersCarol Townend writes atmospheric Historical Romances and Sagas set in England and Europe. Born in Yorkshire, she went to a convent school high on the Whitby cliffs. Later, she studied history at Royal Holloway College, London. She lives in London with her husband and daughter.
Carol's first novel, Sapphire in the Snow, won the RNA New Writers' Award. Two other novels were shortlisted for the RoNA Rose award - Betrothed to the Barbarian in 2013 and Unveiling Lady Clare in 2015.
Carol loves research, and spends too much time hunting for excuses to go on research trips. She can often be seen teetering on the battlements of various stately homes or castles.
Carol's first novel, Sapphire in the Snow, won the RNA New Writers' Award. Two other novels were shortlisted for the RoNA Rose award - Betrothed to the Barbarian in 2013 and Unveiling Lady Clare in 2015.
Carol loves research, and spends too much time hunting for excuses to go on research trips. She can often be seen teetering on the battlements of various stately homes or castles.
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
February 29, 2024
Dai, non male, direi anche 3,5 stelle. Scritto bene, e anche se la trama è stiracchiata, la storia d'amore un po' freddina e ci sono diversi strafalcioni storici, tipo i bicchieri di cristallo nel 1300. C'è tutta una parte di intrighi e mistero che lo rende più avvincente di quello che sarebbe stato senza, quasi un giallo medievale.
June 8, 2026
This is one of those quintessential category romance titles that overpromise. Did I want to read about a nun who was so disillusioned with organized religion that she ran away from her cloistered life only to meet an honorable knight on the road? Yes. Alternately, I would have accepted a nun who was so enamored with a hot knight that she abandoned her vows to run away with him.
This book did not live up to its title. I didn’t hate it! It just isn’t a religious woman who begins to question her vows. Bernadette isn’t even a nun! She’s a novice in the convent, and while she hasn’t begun to question her religion, she is suddenly not sure that she has a true religious calling. First of all, the Mother Superior is kind of a bitch, refusing to feed Bernadette full meals until her dowry arrives. Second of all, while she definitely has a crush on Sir Hugo, it’s the letter he delivers - from her SISTER - that convinces her to “run away.” (She goes home for what she intends to be a temporary visit, leaving a message for her Mother Superior explaining that she’s left. Not exactly a runaway nun in my book…)
Once she gets home, she realizes how much she missed her family. Her father also basically gives Sir Hugo the green light to seduce her (his orders are to do whatever he has to do to convince Bernadette not to go back to the convent). Bernadette loves hanging with her mother and sister, and she REALLY likes making out with Hugo, so she just decides not to take final vows.
And this is just the very beginning of the book, which actually turns out to be a political drama involving Hugo’s family. Bernadette also has some very legitimate fears about childbirth so she convinces Hugo not to consummate the marriage … but don’t worry, he’s really good with his hands.
This was a tidy little category romance that may not have lived up to its title but did end up being a nice addition to my medieval romance repertoire.
This book did not live up to its title. I didn’t hate it! It just isn’t a religious woman who begins to question her vows. Bernadette isn’t even a nun! She’s a novice in the convent, and while she hasn’t begun to question her religion, she is suddenly not sure that she has a true religious calling. First of all, the Mother Superior is kind of a bitch, refusing to feed Bernadette full meals until her dowry arrives. Second of all, while she definitely has a crush on Sir Hugo, it’s the letter he delivers - from her SISTER - that convinces her to “run away.” (She goes home for what she intends to be a temporary visit, leaving a message for her Mother Superior explaining that she’s left. Not exactly a runaway nun in my book…)
Once she gets home, she realizes how much she missed her family. Her father also basically gives Sir Hugo the green light to seduce her (his orders are to do whatever he has to do to convince Bernadette not to go back to the convent). Bernadette loves hanging with her mother and sister, and she REALLY likes making out with Hugo, so she just decides not to take final vows.
And this is just the very beginning of the book, which actually turns out to be a political drama involving Hugo’s family. Bernadette also has some very legitimate fears about childbirth so she convinces Hugo not to consummate the marriage … but don’t worry, he’s really good with his hands.
This was a tidy little category romance that may not have lived up to its title but did end up being a nice addition to my medieval romance repertoire.
July 9, 2023
Lady Bernadette is poised to take her final vows as a nun when her father's captain of the guards, Hugo of Nerac, comes to visit her at the convent with a letter from home. Bernadette's stark life at the convent makes her glad to hear from anyone at home, much less see them in the flesh, and Hugo, who she has always been very fond of, is a sight for her sore eyes.
Making a quick decision for Hugo to take her back home to spend time with her family for the month before she takes her final vows, Bernadette feels free. She is also concerned about her sister Allis, as Allis is about to have her first child. Since her mother's death at her birth, and the guilt over it that her nursemaid had instilled in her, Bernadette has been fearful of childbirth.
While at her father's home, Bernadette decides not to take her final vows, but when she tells her father, he brings up the subject of her then marrying. Not wanting to face any potential suitors and the social whirl of that, Bernadette asks Hugo if he will marry her. Hugo, who has always been very fond of Bernadette, agrees to the marriage. He hopes that with some time and patience, that Bernadette will want a real marriage, with children, as his own brother outcast him from visiting some time ago, and he wants a family of his own.
Upon their marriage, Bernadette's father grants Hugo and Bernadette their own estate which is nearby Hugo's brother Aleran's holdings. Taking the chance of visiting his brother Aleran, who Hugo has heard is unwell, Hugo and Bernadette are alarmed at the state of Aleran's household, and what exactly is going on there. From there, the story takes a bit of a turn while Hugo and Bernadette figure out how to help Aleran and his wife.
This was a lovely story with a bit of intrigue, and a nice, happy ending.
Making a quick decision for Hugo to take her back home to spend time with her family for the month before she takes her final vows, Bernadette feels free. She is also concerned about her sister Allis, as Allis is about to have her first child. Since her mother's death at her birth, and the guilt over it that her nursemaid had instilled in her, Bernadette has been fearful of childbirth.
While at her father's home, Bernadette decides not to take her final vows, but when she tells her father, he brings up the subject of her then marrying. Not wanting to face any potential suitors and the social whirl of that, Bernadette asks Hugo if he will marry her. Hugo, who has always been very fond of Bernadette, agrees to the marriage. He hopes that with some time and patience, that Bernadette will want a real marriage, with children, as his own brother outcast him from visiting some time ago, and he wants a family of his own.
Upon their marriage, Bernadette's father grants Hugo and Bernadette their own estate which is nearby Hugo's brother Aleran's holdings. Taking the chance of visiting his brother Aleran, who Hugo has heard is unwell, Hugo and Bernadette are alarmed at the state of Aleran's household, and what exactly is going on there. From there, the story takes a bit of a turn while Hugo and Bernadette figure out how to help Aleran and his wife.
This was a lovely story with a bit of intrigue, and a nice, happy ending.
August 26, 2023
This took me so long to read because I was distracted by other books. I’m glad I finished this one tho, it was almost a DNF.
The mystery of Hugo’s family was interesting but a little predictable. The romance between Bernadette and Hugo was cute but a little confusing, they were both convinced the other was not in love with them when literally the entire point of them getting married in a hurry was over… their eagerness and love???
Also the title makes no sense lmao
I expected Bernadette to be a nun for much longer and the main conflict of the book is her leaving her holy calling to be with Hugo. But she was only a nun for a BLIP of the book and then after that she like… never brings up her piousness again lmao
The nun plot point at the beginning might as well have no existed.
Either than that nit pick I still liked this. Now to move on lmao
The mystery of Hugo’s family was interesting but a little predictable. The romance between Bernadette and Hugo was cute but a little confusing, they were both convinced the other was not in love with them when literally the entire point of them getting married in a hurry was over… their eagerness and love???
Also the title makes no sense lmao
I expected Bernadette to be a nun for much longer and the main conflict of the book is her leaving her holy calling to be with Hugo. But she was only a nun for a BLIP of the book and then after that she like… never brings up her piousness again lmao
The nun plot point at the beginning might as well have no existed.
Either than that nit pick I still liked this. Now to move on lmao
May 3, 2025
An amazing medieval romance novel about falling in love and building bonds of intimacy through friendship. I thought both Hugo and Bernadette were great characters as individuals and as a couple. I really enjoyed the mystery surrounding Hugo's ancestral home and all the strange occurrences there. It definitely gave this story more oomph and added a unique blend of suspense and character growth through the disagreements and tough experiences they underwent together. The author did a great job crafting their relationship into a believable bond which was strengthened by love and mutual respect.
July 17, 2023
Problems were barely an inconvenience. Barely any talk about armour, weapons or combat. The description of the strongroom was great. A lot of miscommunication, talk of clothing and sewing, political intrigue, and mental state.
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June 2, 2023Historical Fiction, Sagas, Medieval Romance
Miniseries
Convent Brides (Book #2)
Miniseries
Convent Brides (Book #2)
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews