ABOUT THE BOOK
"A Caroling Christmas" by Jennifer Moore
Arthur Stanford, a reclusive scientist, reluctantly agrees to host a Dickensian Christmas party planned by Eliza Hopewell. As the holidays—and Eliza—weave their irresistible magic, will Arthur choose love over solitude?
"A Carol So Bright" by Kasey Stockton
Lillian Hartley, a woman who loves to sing but has lost her confidence, is reunited with the man who once broke her heart. As they rediscover their connection, will the holiday season spark a new song in their hearts?
"Christmas at Bellingham" by Katie Stewart Stone
Bellingham Hall bustles with holiday cheer as Esther Harris endeavors to reconcile the dowager countess with her estranged son amidst family secrets and unexpected love with a childhood friend.
"Christmas in Amorwich" by Anneka R. Walker
Amelia Park is disillusioned by romance after Noah Brooks failed to propose. When the pair is reunited for the holidays, Noah realizes he may have waited too long—winning Amelia's heart now might require a Christmas miracle.
REVIEW
Each of the four novellas in Christmas Serenade were engaging and enjoyable. I enjoyed the settings and time periods. All take place in 1800s, England with all except one explicitly sharing the date. In "A Caroling Christmas", a party planner finds herself connecting with her scientist employer over the Christmas holiday. Some entertaining matchmaking attempts that fall flat, a pretend fortune teller who is remarkably on target, and a missing tarantula made for a smile-inducing read. Despite his social awkwardness Arther makes for a different sort of romantic lead.
"A Carol So Bright" presents readers with friends reuniting just in time for Christmas. But romantic entanglements create tension between the old friends, can things be worked out in time for them to enjoy the holiday? The changing relationships provide the characters a chance to follow their hearts and find love through Christmas.
"Christmas at Bellingham" can be read on its own but involves some characters and events from another book called Coming Home to Bellingham. Esther's delighted to be reunited with her childhood best friend, who it turns out she loves. But her desire to repay the kindness of the dowager countess who has become her hostess and mentor leads her to send a letter in the dowager's name inviting her estranged son to visit for Christmas. Unfortunately, her ignorance of the reasons for the estrangement may have led her to hurt others in the process. Esther's boldness leads her to make mistakes that may difficult to fix. A thoughtful look at the importance of humility and forgiveness, especially at Christmas.
"Christmas in Amorwich" revolves around a star-crossed couple who meet after a year-long separation. Amelia's reluctance to trust Noah again after he failed to propose the previous Christmas makes Noah's efforts to propose more difficult than expected. But maybe reaching out to a lonely neighbor and a romantic legend about people finding love at Christmas may help Noah and Amelia find a way back to each other.
Four engaging, romantic stories from the past, make for some sweet and thoughtful reading as themes of related to love and forgiveness stand out in this Christmas anthology.
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