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The Christmas Tart
A Chance Christmas Connection
Tired of dealing with legalities relating to his father's unexpected death, new baronet Sir Philip Selbourne is ready to leave London and head home for Christmas. But having spent a boyhood rescuing strays, he's unable to resist helping a desperate young woman with speaking brown eyes and a kitten in her pocket.
Young French seamstress Nicole Chambord is in dire straits after being wrongly fired by her dreadful employer. Then chance brings her together with Philip Selbourne. His kindness leads her to accept when he offers to take her to his family estate so she can become a companion to his French-born mother.
But the roads are icy and an accident forces Philip, Nicole (and the kitten!) to seek refuge at the cottage of a lonely widow—and creates a Christmas miracle for them all.
Tired of dealing with legalities relating to his father's unexpected death, new baronet Sir Philip Selbourne is ready to leave London and head home for Christmas. But having spent a boyhood rescuing strays, he's unable to resist helping a desperate young woman with speaking brown eyes and a kitten in her pocket.
Young French seamstress Nicole Chambord is in dire straits after being wrongly fired by her dreadful employer. Then chance brings her together with Philip Selbourne. His kindness leads her to accept when he offers to take her to his family estate so she can become a companion to his French-born mother.
But the roads are icy and an accident forces Philip, Nicole (and the kitten!) to seek refuge at the cottage of a lonely widow—and creates a Christmas miracle for them all.
78 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 11, 2023
44 people are currently reading
74 people want to read
About the author
Mary Jo Putney
171 books2,270 followersShe writes young adult fiction as M.J. Putney.
Mary Jo Putney was born on 1946 in Upstate New York with a reading addiction, a condition for which there is no known cure. After earning degrees in English Literature and Industrial Design at Syracuse University, she did various forms of design work in California and England before inertia took over in Baltimore, Maryland, where she has lived very comfortably ever since.
While becoming a novelist was her ultimate fantasy, it never occurred to her that writing was an achievable goal until she acquired a computer for other purposes. When the realization hit that a computer was the ultimate writing tool, she charged merrily into her first book with an ignorance that illustrates the adage that fools rush in where angels fear to tread.
Fortune sometimes favors the foolish and her first book sold quickly, thereby changing her life forever, in most ways for the better. (“But why didn't anyone tell me that writing would change the way one reads?”) Like a lemming over a cliff, she gave up her freelance graphic design business to become a full-time writer as soon as possible.
Since 1987, Ms. Putney has published twenty-nine books and counting. Her stories are noted for psychological depth and unusual subject matter such as alcoholism, death and dying, and domestic abuse. She has made all of the national bestseller lists including the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, USAToday, and Publishers Weekly. Five of her books have been named among the year’s top five romances by The Library Journal. The Spiral Path and Stolen Magic were chosen as one of Top Ten romances of their years by Booklist, published by the American Library Association.
A nine-time finalist for the Romance Writers of America RITA, she has won RITAs for Dancing on the Wind and The Rake and the Reformer and is on the RWA Honor Roll for bestselling authors. She has been awarded two Romantic Times Career Achievement Awards, four NJRW Golden Leaf awards, plus the NJRW career achievement award for historical romance. Though most of her books have been historical, she has also published three contemporary romances. The Marriage Spell will be out in June 2006 in hardcover, and Stolen Magic (written as M. J. Putney) will be released in July 2006.
Ms. Putney says that not least among the blessings of a full-time writing career is that one almost never has to wear pantyhose.
Mary Jo Putney was born on 1946 in Upstate New York with a reading addiction, a condition for which there is no known cure. After earning degrees in English Literature and Industrial Design at Syracuse University, she did various forms of design work in California and England before inertia took over in Baltimore, Maryland, where she has lived very comfortably ever since.
While becoming a novelist was her ultimate fantasy, it never occurred to her that writing was an achievable goal until she acquired a computer for other purposes. When the realization hit that a computer was the ultimate writing tool, she charged merrily into her first book with an ignorance that illustrates the adage that fools rush in where angels fear to tread.
Fortune sometimes favors the foolish and her first book sold quickly, thereby changing her life forever, in most ways for the better. (“But why didn't anyone tell me that writing would change the way one reads?”) Like a lemming over a cliff, she gave up her freelance graphic design business to become a full-time writer as soon as possible.
Since 1987, Ms. Putney has published twenty-nine books and counting. Her stories are noted for psychological depth and unusual subject matter such as alcoholism, death and dying, and domestic abuse. She has made all of the national bestseller lists including the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, USAToday, and Publishers Weekly. Five of her books have been named among the year’s top five romances by The Library Journal. The Spiral Path and Stolen Magic were chosen as one of Top Ten romances of their years by Booklist, published by the American Library Association.
A nine-time finalist for the Romance Writers of America RITA, she has won RITAs for Dancing on the Wind and The Rake and the Reformer and is on the RWA Honor Roll for bestselling authors. She has been awarded two Romantic Times Career Achievement Awards, four NJRW Golden Leaf awards, plus the NJRW career achievement award for historical romance. Though most of her books have been historical, she has also published three contemporary romances. The Marriage Spell will be out in June 2006 in hardcover, and Stolen Magic (written as M. J. Putney) will be released in July 2006.
Ms. Putney says that not least among the blessings of a full-time writing career is that one almost never has to wear pantyhose.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews
December 23, 2025
“Love needn’t be spoken to be understood.”
Nicole is a poor French émigré in dire straits who’s been hired as a nightly entertainment for Philip by his friends. The kindhearted baronet quickly realizes that she’s not a prostitute, but a shy virgin, and after a brief investigation, he decides to bring her home to be a companion for his widowed mother.
It doesn’t take long for them to fall in love with each other—just a coach accident on their journey to Philip's home, an overnight stay at an elderly woman’s house, Christmas decorating, carol singing, baking, and, of course, a kiss under a mistletoe. The novella is not remarkable in any way, but the story has nice main characters and is a sweet, quick read.
Nicole is a poor French émigré in dire straits who’s been hired as a nightly entertainment for Philip by his friends. The kindhearted baronet quickly realizes that she’s not a prostitute, but a shy virgin, and after a brief investigation, he decides to bring her home to be a companion for his widowed mother.
It doesn’t take long for them to fall in love with each other—just a coach accident on their journey to Philip's home, an overnight stay at an elderly woman’s house, Christmas decorating, carol singing, baking, and, of course, a kiss under a mistletoe. The novella is not remarkable in any way, but the story has nice main characters and is a sweet, quick read.
January 2, 2024
Adorable Christmas read!
Mary Jo Putney packs a lot of meat and potatoes in her novellas. Totally enjoyed the characters, the plot and the flow. Hoping this is part of a larger series so I can learn more about their world.
Mary Jo Putney packs a lot of meat and potatoes in her novellas. Totally enjoyed the characters, the plot and the flow. Hoping this is part of a larger series so I can learn more about their world.
January 8, 2024
Such a lovely Christmas novella !
___THE PLOT___ Nicole is wrongly accused of theft and fired a few days before Christmas.
Philip's friends try to cheer up their friend by giving him female company for the night. When they mistakenly mistake Nicole, who is wandering cold in Covent Garden, for a prostitute, they offer her money for a night with their friend. At first scandalized, shortly after Nicole accepts in order to have the money to feed herself and the little kitten she picked up on the street... but she is a good girl and when Philip realizes this he doesn't want to take advantage of her, he decides to help the young girl instead...
___MY OPINION___ Read it over two afternoons, it is a sweet and clean romance where are emerging feelings such as sharing ( with the people or even animals that are in need at moment ) and and of giving a chance without hastily judging by appearances.
In addition to this moral and the birth of a sweet love story, in the novel we slowly breathe in the Christmas air with the joy of preparing the decorations together, breathing in the scent of greenery in the air, savoring the mulled cider in front of the fireplace, while the cold rain pours down outside and...of course the kiss under the mistletoe.
I would like a series to be born from these two characters where their love is consolidated and both are involved in sparkling adventures and perhaps mysteries (since the novel was published recently, in October 2023, I hope that the author collects my suggestion...and I would also like the little cat Merkle included in the novels).
Thanks everybody for reading my opinion and please be lenient with my text since English is not my mother tongue :-)
___THE PLOT___ Nicole is wrongly accused of theft and fired a few days before Christmas.
Philip's friends try to cheer up their friend by giving him female company for the night. When they mistakenly mistake Nicole, who is wandering cold in Covent Garden, for a prostitute, they offer her money for a night with their friend. At first scandalized, shortly after Nicole accepts in order to have the money to feed herself and the little kitten she picked up on the street... but she is a good girl and when Philip realizes this he doesn't want to take advantage of her, he decides to help the young girl instead...
___MY OPINION___ Read it over two afternoons, it is a sweet and clean romance where are emerging feelings such as sharing ( with the people or even animals that are in need at moment ) and and of giving a chance without hastily judging by appearances.
In addition to this moral and the birth of a sweet love story, in the novel we slowly breathe in the Christmas air with the joy of preparing the decorations together, breathing in the scent of greenery in the air, savoring the mulled cider in front of the fireplace, while the cold rain pours down outside and...of course the kiss under the mistletoe.
I would like a series to be born from these two characters where their love is consolidated and both are involved in sparkling adventures and perhaps mysteries (since the novel was published recently, in October 2023, I hope that the author collects my suggestion...and I would also like the little cat Merkle included in the novels).
Thanks everybody for reading my opinion and please be lenient with my text since English is not my mother tongue :-)
December 6, 2024
The Christmas Tart by Mary Jo Putney, a novella
.
Cover: 5/5
Story: 3/5
Ending: HFN with an implied HEA. No epilogue.
Steam (novella): zero steam. Brief kisses.
.
Stand Alone or Series: Stand alone novella
.
England, Regency (1809)
Dutiful New Baronet
Wrongly Fired Seamstress
Snowed In
English M/French F
Forced Proximity
Christmas Time
Cute Cat Sidekick
Snowy Winter Setting
Super Cozy Vibes
Class Difference
Low Angst
.
If you are looking for a low angst, wholesome, and warm Christmas novella, definitely check out Putney's work. I think she is a fantastic writer and always enjoy her novels and novellas.
Overall, Tart is a cute Christmas novella centering around a false accused, and as a result, wrongly fired, seamstress and a kind-hearted baronet. I found the plot set up to be a unique delight and the characters enjoyable, but the ending fell a touch short of the mark. I would have liked to see more of the relationship development on the page to create a more believable attachment. I'm happy that I gave this novella a read, but it was not my favorite by Putney. (You should read The Black Beast of Belleterre!)
As for steam, this is a zero steam book. There are no closed door scenes but some kissing.
.
Read as a digital copy. Honest review left voluntarily.
.
Content Warning (may contain spoilers):
.
.
.
.
.
Brief mention of de*th of parents
.
Cover: 5/5
Story: 3/5
Ending: HFN with an implied HEA. No epilogue.
Steam (novella): zero steam. Brief kisses.
.
Stand Alone or Series: Stand alone novella
.
England, Regency (1809)
Dutiful New Baronet
Wrongly Fired Seamstress
Snowed In
English M/French F
Forced Proximity
Christmas Time
Cute Cat Sidekick
Snowy Winter Setting
Super Cozy Vibes
Class Difference
Low Angst
.
If you are looking for a low angst, wholesome, and warm Christmas novella, definitely check out Putney's work. I think she is a fantastic writer and always enjoy her novels and novellas.
Overall, Tart is a cute Christmas novella centering around a false accused, and as a result, wrongly fired, seamstress and a kind-hearted baronet. I found the plot set up to be a unique delight and the characters enjoyable, but the ending fell a touch short of the mark. I would have liked to see more of the relationship development on the page to create a more believable attachment. I'm happy that I gave this novella a read, but it was not my favorite by Putney. (You should read The Black Beast of Belleterre!)
As for steam, this is a zero steam book. There are no closed door scenes but some kissing.
.
Read as a digital copy. Honest review left voluntarily.
.
Content Warning (may contain spoilers):
.
.
.
.
.
Brief mention of de*th of parents
December 6, 2023
This book was a sweet Christmas tale. A very sweet young miss who escaped with her family from France, to England to avoid persecution, and the revolution turns to sewing once her parents have passed. Saving all her money, she travels to London, and works for a nasty rich woman, and places the blame on her new seamstress, for a missing ring. Let go with no references, and soon unable to keep warm, and fed she accepts a gentleman’s offer for her to be a Christmas present. To simply put it, her life changes for the better. Lots of kindness, adventure, learning the true meaning of Christmas, and love. I loved all the characters, but the snobby rich , hateful woman. My only complaint was it ended to soon. It was just suddenly over. An epilogue would have given it higher marks. 4 stars.
December 17, 2025
Even the author says in her endnote, “This story is pure fluff.”
My favorite character was the kitten.
My favorite character was the kitten.
December 23, 2023
A lovely Christmastime story, featuring really nice people. It's a feel-good, warm, sweet (without being cloyingly so) novella.
January 9, 2026
It was a cutesy little romance story best to read at Christmas. The couple was very Cinderella.
December 22, 2023
It had a lot going on for 76 pages but little to no romance. We met a lot of characters. They talked a lot. Everything felt pointless and just like filler. The H grossed me out basically from the start talking about how his mom and sister are the most charming women in all of England and then later saying how much the h reminds him of his Mom. It was ick.
November 22, 2023
The Christmas Tart is a beautifully written historical romance holiday novella. It is a bit instalove but it is a novella, and it has the whole holiday feels. 3.5 stars
November 13, 2023
3.5!!
the christmas vibes were perfect, just disregard the ending where they profess their love for each other after one day.
the christmas vibes were perfect, just disregard the ending where they profess their love for each other after one day.
November 21, 2024
Good, cute. quick story. I liked these characters and the plot. Although, I'm not a fan of short novella's because you really need time to explore feelings. Not a love at first sight fan. However, I really like this author and can't wait to read her next book.
October 13, 2023
Cute short story
Cute short story. A nice size for quick reading. I always enjoy this author's work. Loved the cat Merkel. Entertaining story.
Cute short story. A nice size for quick reading. I always enjoy this author's work. Loved the cat Merkel. Entertaining story.
October 13, 2023
Fun read
Warm and fuzzy good read. Relaxing after a stressful day. Read in an evening as couldn’t put it down. The story reels you in.
Warm and fuzzy good read. Relaxing after a stressful day. Read in an evening as couldn’t put it down. The story reels you in.
December 26, 2025
A sweet and cozy Christmas novella! After the heroine, Nicole Chambord, gets wrongly accused of stealing her employer's ring, she gets fired and is left penniless and homeless. Desperate, she accepts a prostitution offer and finds herself with the hero, Sir Philip, who is as kind and thoughtful as they come. I loved how smoothly the story unfolds in such a short period of time- a novella- and how wonderfully solid the characters are, again in such a short period of time. Though there is zero heat, the simplicity of the story and the focus on the developing love and not the physical love is all that I needed from this story. Beautiful!
December 19, 2023
did nicole have any character traits at all besides being perfectly agreeable all the time?? she was so dull to read about bc i knew she would agree to whatever was suggested. she did not have a drop of personality besides being a yes-bot to sir phillip. no wonder he wants to marry her bc she’ll say yes to anything! two stars simply bc this actually felt christmasy even though i was annoyed by the lack of personality.
October 23, 2023
Little more than a short story!
The Christmas Tart, by Mary Jo Putney, is a charming story about a young seamstress driven by desperation and a kind young man who declines to take advantage of her. My only criticism is that it is short even for a novella, little more than a short story, and I felt a little cheated to have paid $2.99 for it.
The Christmas Tart, by Mary Jo Putney, is a charming story about a young seamstress driven by desperation and a kind young man who declines to take advantage of her. My only criticism is that it is short even for a novella, little more than a short story, and I felt a little cheated to have paid $2.99 for it.
November 14, 2023
Ms. Putney hit all the right notes with this charming historical romance. Both the H/h showed (not just talked about) having strong values, intelligent dialogue, a plot that however seemingly oddly coincidental worked well. Also, no unending and unnecessary internal monologue. It was exactly what I needed to read. Thank you.
January 15, 2024
This popped up on a recommendation list from my library for Christmas reads so I decided to give it a go, especially since it is a novella. If I didn’t like it and quit part way through it wouldn’t be much loss. And just when I thought it was gonna be a bodice ripper (not my jam), it wasn’t! Cute read with a Christmas theme. Definitely adult themes so I’m glad I listened to it privately.
December 2, 2025
This is a cute novella where a lady is falsely accused of stealing a ring from her boss, who puts her out on the street and takes all her money. While trying to get her bearings, Nicole meets two men who want to get a "gift" for their friend. She and Phillip meet and he ends up trying to help her out and falling in love. The ending is a bit abrupt but the story itself is solid.
December 25, 2023
The characters of this novella, Nicole and Philip, were great! The fact that she rescues a calico kitten (Merkel, after a kind friend of Nicole’s) is definitely a bonus. Short and sweet, this was a nice Christmas story.
December 26, 2023
The cover looks like an AI abomination but I'm fine reading a sweet, simple trad regency novella for Christmas that features a kitten named after Judith Merkle Riley, one of my favorite novelists ever.
I've been sick and depressed. This was a balm.
I've been sick and depressed. This was a balm.
February 22, 2024
wish it was longer
A sweet story, with a touch of naughtiness thrown in. As with many well written novellas, I would have preferred that it was a whole novel. It was a very lovely way to spend an evening, though, and I would recommend to all.
A sweet story, with a touch of naughtiness thrown in. As with many well written novellas, I would have preferred that it was a whole novel. It was a very lovely way to spend an evening, though, and I would recommend to all.
May 23, 2024
I was looking for an occasionally sip of coke and picked up this short story.
Meh. It just doesn't work for me!
No story building, no character building. Merely words pieced together, a very lukewarm song.
Meh. It just doesn't work for me!
No story building, no character building. Merely words pieced together, a very lukewarm song.
April 8, 2025
Pure fluff, but so excellently narrated by Siobhan Waring that I really enjoyed this little bon-bon of regency sweetness. After a recent eye exam (with dilation) I was restricted from reading or computer work and this was a nice diversion for a couple of hours.
October 31, 2023
A lovely Christmas story.
November 7, 2023
A”Feel Good” story!
Mary Jo Putney always writes a great story with believable characters. This did not disappoint! I just absolutely loved it.
Mary Jo Putney always writes a great story with believable characters. This did not disappoint! I just absolutely loved it.
November 8, 2023
Philip and Nicole
Tropes: Christmas, French h, cat, impoverished h
Sweet Christmas novella. I enjoyed it very much!
Tropes: Christmas, French h, cat, impoverished h
Sweet Christmas novella. I enjoyed it very much!
December 13, 2023
Need some lighthearted Christmas cheer? This book is exactly as the author describes “pure fluff”! And I loved it! This novella is Quick read and is sure to lift your spirits.
December 14, 2023
2nd short Christmas novella from Mary Jo Putney today. What can I say- these are hitting the spot today. Short, sweet, just the right amount of holiday feel.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews