An Ivy Hill Christmas: A Tales from Ivy Hill Novella

An Ivy Hill Christmas is a captivating addition to the Tales from Ivy Hill series written by Julie Klassen. Having read this author before, I was hoping for a good holiday read and I was not disappointed. The characters were great--evocative, vibrant, and likable. The story gripped me right from the start and just got better and better as the characters interacted and, of course, with a delightful romance set in a beautiful English village setting. I loved the depiction of a Regency-era Christmas and all the English traditions. The author has deftly woven a message of grace and forgiveness throughout the story. An Ivy Hill Christmas is a delightful Regency romance and readers who enjoy sweet Christmas romances won't want to miss this novella. I received a complimentary copy of this book via CelebrateLit. A favorable review was not required, and opinions are my own. This review is part of a CelebrateLit blog tour.

"You're right. You don't deserve it. Love and forgiveness are not something you earn. They are gifts. None of us deserves forgiveness. None of us can do enough good deeds to atone for our own failings. If we could, God would not have had to send the Son He loved into the world to die for us. But He did, because He loves us." Such a heart-warming, redemptive Christmas novella filled with forgiveness, new beginnings, and reminders of what Christmas is really about. Julie Klassen once again weaves an emotionally complex Regency novella that is nostalgic, enchanting, and oh so delightful. It is clearly a part of the Tales From Ivy Hill series but works well as a stand-alone (I have regretfully not read any of the books in the series but did not have any trouble following the plot or the characters). The dialogue is incredibly witty and clever and the Christmas house party at Brockwell Court felt so warm, fun, and delicious. I loved going through each tradition of Twelve Days of Christmas and truly enjoyed watching Richard's facade of self-centered and irresponsible gentleman of leisure crumble to reveal the compassionate, hard-working, and resourceful man of honor and beautiful words that he is deep down inside. Arabella, with her generous and loyal heart, is easy to love and root for, though she tries her best to resist Richard's charms. The secondary characters are equally fascinating and they're quite well-defined even in the context of a shorter novella format. There is much forgiveness to be asked for and received as these characters revisit their pasts. And the redemptive light and hope of Christmas shines down on them all, especially on Richard. If you enjoy Christmas novellas, especially those set in Regency England, you will absolutely adore this one. I received a copy of the book from Bethany House via Celebrate Lit Tours and was under no obligation to post a positive review. All comments and opinions are solely my own.

An Ivy Hill Christmas by Julie Klassen is a Tales from Ivy Hill novella. Richard Brockwell is being coerced into to returning to Ivy Hill for Christmas. If he doesn’t show up his mother will cut off his money. He plans to only stay until the holidays are over. Arabella Awdry has heard all the stories about Richard’s escapades; so, she doesn’t trust him. Can he convince her that he has changed? This is a return to the charming English village of Ivy Hill. I liked being able to re-connect with all the characters from the other books. I loved the cover! It sure has a classic Christmas feel to it. The Ivy Hill series puts you in mind of a Jane Austen script. I feel that Ms. Austen and Ms. Klassen would have been best friends! It was so refreshing to be able to experience an English Christmas with all the old-world traditions. This was a very heart-warming story with the undertone that anyone who wants to can change. I received this book from the author for my honest review.