Christmas at Sugar Plum Manor by Roseanna M. White

 Christmas at Sugar Plum Manor by Roseanna M. White is a delightful Christmas novella taking place in December of 1902 in Castleton, England.  Lady Mariah Lyons loves her home at Plum Manor and taking care of those around her.  All of this will change when Cyril Lightbourne, a childhood friend, takes over the estate.  He was courting the difficult Lady Pearl was her understanding. Lady Mariah’s family comes together to celebrate Christmas with Cyril, a Danish Lord, and the villagers.  Will the beauty of Christmas and a special Christmas play bring everyone together? 

This was a charming story.  I loved meeting all the engaging characters, felt very connected to them, and was hoping for a happily ever after for everyone.  I enjoyed walking with each of them on their journey of self-discovery.  It was delightful to celebrate and learn about the Christmas traditions of the time.  The story had a beautiful faith message about the true meaning of Christmas. 

Christmas at Sugar Plum Manor by Roseanna M. White is the perfect novella to enjoy some sweet romance, celebrate the Christmas season, or get lost in a wonderful story!  I highly recommend this delightful story! 

I was given a copy by the publisher and not required to write a positive review. 

Roseanna M. White is a bestselling, Christy Award winning author who has long claimed that words are the air she breathes. When not writing fiction, she’s homeschooling her two kids, editing, designing book covers, and pretending her house will clean itself. Roseanna is the author of a slew of historical novels that span several continents and thousands of years. Spies and war and mayhem always seem to find their way into her books…to offset her real life, which is blessedly ordinary. You can learn more about her and her stories at www.RoseannaMWhite.com.

Meddling with Mistletoe by Liz Johnson

Meddling with Mistletoe by Liz Johnson is a sweet Christmas novella that takes place on Prince Edward Island. Whitney Garrett is saving money towards culinary school and she needs a place to make her pies to sell. Her friend at the Red Door Inn will allow her to use the oven at as long as she helps with Breakfast and babysits. Daniel is helping his Aunt her to sell her store. His aunt has plans for Daniel that include falling in love with someone of her choice, but Daniel may have other plans.

This was a great Christmas novella and I enjoyed the characters and watching them grow through the story. The dual POV with Whitney and Garrett was engaging. The sweet children in the story reminded us of the true meaning of Christmas. I enjoyed this quick read that made we want to go decorate a tree, of the importance of family, and the beauty of friendship. I really enjoyed it.

This was a sweet Christmas story with engaging characters, wonderful themes, and a lovely Christmas setting. I found it the perfect Christmas read. I recommend Meddling with Mistletoe by Liz Johnson.

I was given a copy by the publisher and not required to write a positive review.

By day Liz Johnson is a marketing manager. She makes time to write late at night—that’s when she thinks best anyway. Liz is the author of more than a dozen novels, a New York Times bestselling novella, and a handful of short stories. She’s a Christy Award finalist and a three-time ACFW Carol Award finalist. She makes her home in Phoenix, Arizona, where she enjoys exploring local music, theater, and doting on her nieces and nephews. She writes stories of true love filled with heart, humor, and happily ever afters.
 

Saved by The Matchmaker by Jody Hedlund

 Saved by the Matchmaker by Jody Hedlund is the second book in  A Shanahan Match series, but can be a stand-alone novel.  Enya Shanahan is in trouble and needs a match quickly.  Her brother and father take her to the see the matchmaker in hopes he can help her with her circumstance.  Sullivan O’Brien is a steamboat captain who must find a wife before Shreve Tuesday, and he too visits the matchmaker. Could they both be a match? 

I adored this story and was lost in it!  The characters were so engaging and they both grew and changed in the story as they learned to trust each other.  Sullivan O’Brien is the hero of heroes.  #sullivanthehero Enya had so much to overcome and it was exciting to watch her mature and overcome her past. I loved the change in both characters brought on through their love of each other. The setting of St. Louis, New Orleans and on steamboats during the 1800’s was fascinating.  I found this to be a tender heartwarming story that will stay with me.  I cannot wait for the third book in the series. 

The story has wonderful romantic tension, a beautiful love story, and an interesting setting. I feel it will delight you, stay with you, and hold your interest.  Saved by the Matchmaker will be a favorite of 2024 for me.  I highly recommend.

I was given a copy by the publisher and not required to write a positive review. 

Jody Hedlund is the best-selling author of over forty sweet historical romances and is the winner of numerous awards. She lives in central Michigan with her husband and is the mother of five wonderful children and five spoiled cats. When she’s not penning another of her page-turning stories, she loves to spend her time reading, especially when it also involves consuming coffee and chocolate.

A Presumptuous Hope by Jennie Goutet

 

A Presumptuous Hope by Jennie Goutet is the third in the Daughters of Gentry Book series, but still a standalone novel. Christine Grey loves animals and living in the countryside of Lincolnshire. She is happy with her life in her brother’s house and enjoys each day. Alexander Thorne has moved next door to the Grey’s and has high aspirations for his life. He has just been knighted and wants to continue in parliament. Christine and Alexander keep running into each other and both wonder if perhaps they could be more than neighbors.

This was a beautiful and gentle Regency novel. I enjoyed the setting in the countryside, meeting up with old friends from earlier in the series, and the dual POV. I love characters with layers that keep surprising me. At the beginning I was not sure about either character, but by the end I truly adored both of them. The Regency charm of the era is so beautifully written by the author. felt like I was attending some of the events. This is my favorite of the series, and I was sad when it ended.

A Presumption Hope by Jennie Goutet is a delightful Regency story with a wonderful setting, sweet romance, and great characters. I thoroughly enjoyed the story and highly recommend.

I was given a complimentary copy but a positive review was not required.

Jennie Goutet is the best-selling author of twelve Regency romances, including the Clavering Chronicles, Memorable Proposals, and Daughters of the Gentry series. Her books have received first place in historical romance for the New England Reader’s Choice Awards and have hit the number one spot in Regency Romance on Amazon. They have been featured on BookBub and Hoopla, and are translated into five languages.

Jennie is an American-born Anglophile who lives with her French husband and their three children in a small town outside of Paris. Her imagination resides in Regency England, where her best-selling proper Regency romances are set. You can learn more about Jennie’s books and sign up for her newsletter on her author website: jenniegoutet.com or purchase her books at jenniegoutetbooks.com.

 

After the Red Carpet by Patricia Leavy

How was your weekend? OR What are you reading? We enjoyed being with family and the cooler weather! I also read After The Red Carpet by Patricia Leavy Published by She Writes Press through Booksparks.  This is the follow up to The Location Shoot.

📌Blurb: After legendary Hollywood star Finn Forrester proposed to philosopher Ella Sinclair on the red carpet at the Cannes Film Festival, the couple captivated the press and public with their real-life fairy tale. Now they vow to prioritize their romance and live an adventure of their own making. Ella moves into Finn’s Beverly Hills mansion and must adjust to his world. Finn, secretly afraid of losing Ella, is determined to make everything perfect for his betrothed. Meanwhile, Ella wants nothing more than to retain her own identity as they build their new life together. All the while, she is writing a philosophical treatise on love, exploring the question: when we love so deeply, where do we end and where does the other begin?

In this highly anticipated follow-up to The Location Shoot, will Ella and Finn finally live the life they’ve dreamed of? See how their epic romance unfolds, after the red carpet.

📌Review: After the Red Carpet is such an interesting premise. What happens after the big hyped Hollywood romance and everyday life takes over. The story weaves together the life of Finn and Ella as they work through their careers, have children, and keep their marriage alive. I found it a quick and interesting read.

This was a character and dialogue driven story. I enjoyed being  able to get to know the characters well in the story and how they deeply loved each other. I would consider this romance leaning towards literary fiction. I recommend After The Red Carpet. The story is for mature audiences, but is closed door.

I was given a copy by the publisher and not required to write a positive review.

Patricia Leavy, Ph.D., is a best-selling, award-winning novelist, arts advocate, and internationally recognized leader in research design and arts-based research.

She is widely considered the world’s most visible proponent of arts-based research as a means of making research publicly accessible. Moreover, she coined the terms “social fiction” and “fiction-based research” and has been pioneering the world-wide effort to legitimate fiction as a research practice. A prolific author, Dr. Leavy has published over 40 books.

She has earned critical and commercial success in both nonfiction and fiction, and her work has been translated into numerous languages. Dr. Leavy’s works have garnered a slew of book awards, over 100, including USA Best Book Awards, Independent Press Awards, International Impact Book Awards, National Indie Excellence Awards, Firebird Book Awards, International Book Awards, New York City Big Book Awards, and American Fiction Awards.

A Not So Fictional Fall By Savannah Scott

 

A Not So Fictional Fall by Savannah Scott is a delightful sweet rom-com. Tasha Pierson is so excited to meet her favorite author in person. But she and the world are in for a surprise when it is as announced that Amelie De Pierre is actually Pierre Toussaint. She enjoys meeting Pierre on Marbella Island, becoming friends, and finding out he lives close to her in Harvest Hollow. But she is ultimately surprised when Pierre’s agent calls her to see if she will think about marrying him.

This was a great story that made me happy. Tasha and Pierre were likeable and engaging characters that I found myself rooting for from the beginning. I enjoyed their banter, marriage of convenience, chemistry, and watching them fall in love. Meeting Pierre’s family, friends, Tasha’s Bookstagrammer friends, and Tasha’s sister, Heather added depth to the story, and made me feel like a part of the family. It is always fun to read about a bookstagrammar. If you are a Savannah Scott fan you will enjoy the cameos from the Love Trippin’ series on Marbella Island. An enjoyable read.

This is a fun fall story that you really do not want to miss. The sweet romance, modern marriage of convenience, and engaging characters will bring you joy! I highly recommend A Not So Fictional Fall by Savannah Scott!  Also on KU  

I was given a copy by the publisher and not required to write a positive review.

 

I’m a Zumba dancing, coffee sipping, road tripping girl and I love writing closed-door romcom!

My stories make you laugh, smile, and sometimes keep you up past your bedtime chanting the famous reader mantra, “just one more chapter.”

I hope you find your next sweet escape in one of my books.

You can read more about me on my “Get to Know Savannah” page.

I love hearing from you! Sign up for my weekly email, join my reader group on Facebook, or follow me on Instagram so we can connect more often.

The Break-Up Pact by Emma Lord

🕶Review: The Break-Up Pact by Emma Lord is a fun romantic comedy. June and Levi were best friends in high school. They have not talked in years. June is running her sister’s tea shop and Levi is living in New York in Finance. They both experience a humiliating viral break-up. They take on a fake relationship with each and become known as the revenge exes. So, do they become more than friends?

This story was all things glittery and fun. I loved the banter, chemistry and deep friendship of June and Levi. The story magically takes us through their past and present of their relationship. The themes of walking through grief, being true to yourself, and not letting the past define you resonated with me. There were several laugh out loud moments and I enjoyed the photo ops to make their relationship real!

This friends to more story was a great read. I enjoyed the characters, fake dating, beach town and great themes. I recommend The Break-up Pact by Emma Lord!

 
I was given a copy by the publisher and not required to write a positive review.

Thank you to St. Martin's Press for the gifted ARC. All thoughts are my own.

My name’s Emma Lord, and I’m all three Powerpuff Girls in a trench coat, but also an author based in New York City. When I’m not writing, I’m either running, belting show tunes in community theater, or mildly alarming bakery staff with my enthusiasm for cake. My novels include TWEET CUTE (2020), Reese’s YA Book Club pick YOU HAVE A MATCH (2021), WHEN YOU GET THE CHANCE (2022), BEGIN AGAIN (2023), and THE GETAWAY LIST (2024), with upcoming novels THE BREAK-UP PACT (2024) and THE RIVAL (2025). You can find me posting way too much about dessert and books @dilemmalord on Twitter and Instagram.