Christmas at Sugar Plum Manor

by Roseanna M. White

As the beloved stepdaughter of the Earl of Castleton, Lady Mariah Lyons cherishes her home at Plumford Manor, but her idyllic world will be threatened when the estate passes to Cyril Lightbourne, a childhood friend she hasn't seen or heard from in years. Once, Mariah dreamed their old friendship would kindle into something more--but that was before she heard that Cyril was courting the cruelhearted Lady Pearl. Now Mariah is willing to welcome him as a friend and pray he will finally be the heir her stepfather needs, but she'll keep her heart locked safely away from anyone with such poor taste.

Due to misunderstandings, Cyril Lightbourne has long avoided returning to Plumford Manor, yet he reluctantly arrives in time for Christmas. When his friendship with Lady Mariah reignites, he finds himself torn between his affection for her and her family's distance toward him because of Lady Pearl, a woman he'd rather forget. Then, more trouble arrives in the form of a Danish lord on a mission to win Mariah's hand by Christmas . . . and to disgrace Cyril in the process.

Inspired by The Nutcracker, this Edwardian-era historical romance is a tale of holiday spirit, love, and the power of family and friendship from bestselling and award-winning author Roseanna M. White.

Genres: Christmas, Historical Fiction, Romance, Christian Fiction, Fiction, Christian, Historical Romance

204 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 1, 2024

About the author

Roseanna M. White is a bestselling, Christy Award nominated 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. She and her family make their home in the beautiful mountains of West Virginia. You can learn more about her and her stories at www.RoseannaMWhite.com.
see also Roseanna White

Reviews

[Oceana Reads Co. · Rating 3 out of 5]

There’s 3 star moments and 4 star moments.

I liked the characters and the romance but it was just slow and the plot was kind of nothing other than the characters figuring out if they like each other.

Won’t think about it again but would recommend it.

[Cindy aka "The Book Fairy" · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an absolute delight! It has also been added to my favourites section now as well :) I was totally pleased with this hea type story, no hateful villians for a change (I know they are a part of life but we all need a break from reality at times and especially at Christmas) The spiritual content was sprinkled beautifully throughout...when telling how important it was to not only feed the body but to minister to their souls with love and joy etc. When asked wasn't there any clergy for that? mc Mariah replied of course and he was a lovely man but that Jesus never said that the rest of us were released from that duty even with clergy around for we are all called to minister to those in need for even laughter does good like medicine sure.

She mentioned about the true "King of Kings" coming at Christmas was the real reason as they enjoyed festivities and celebrations. I was so so endeared at how a couple of men grew in character with maturity as they let the Lord speak to their heart/consciences with apologizing/ both being the "bigger men" per say by doing so with forgiveness and restoration resulting. What a tremendous+++ example of what can actually happen when people seek to put aside grievances and try to live in harmony. I know too, it's not always what occurs but it is truly precious when it does come about in real life.....it made for such a satisfying, feel good, special Christmas read with so many aspects!

I would gladly recommend to anyone to enjoy :)

[Jacquelyn 💐 {This Rapunzel Reads} [Jesus Christ, my Living Hope] · Rating 2 out of 5]

After some thought, I decided to change this review. I wanted to love it and certain parts were sweet and Christmasy. But overall, I found it boring unfortunately. 🤷🏼‍♀️

[Carly · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a charming and atmospheric tale robed in the true meaning and wonder of Christmas with a classic fairytale retelling twist. The character growth and redemption was astounding, and I loved Mariah!! Her determination to bring whimsy and joy everywhere coupled with her sweet personality were an absolute delight. The happy ending was perfect, and the abundance of faith content appropriately pointed to the reason for the season. A new holiday favorite for sure!!

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely beautiful! Magical is the only word I have for this story.

I found Mariah to be absolutely charming and found myself relating to her quite a bit. I laughed, I cried, I sighed, and I sat on the edge of anticipation.

The heart of the story shines through all the glittering sugarplums. And reaches into the very depths of your soul. May we NEVER forget the joy and peace that the season brings. The hope of the Savior, the true King of our hearts, and the true giver of those things we need so desperately in our lives. "It was everyone coming together that made it possible. That's where joy is always found."

I read an early copy of this story provided by the author and publisher. All opinions expressed are mine alone. I was not required to write a review.

[♥Milica♥ · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have to admit that the title intrigued me, so I had to borrow the audiobook and see what it was about.

I adored all the Nutcracker tidbits that were incorporated into the story, and the childhood friends to lovers romance as well. I also liked how imaginative Mariah was, she reminded me a lot of myself.

I wasn't a big fan of the "villian" until the end when he redeemed himself, but I do wish that had been solved sooner.

Overall it was a nice Christmas read, and audiobook. I would read something by Roseanna M. White again in the future.

[Alysha (For The Love of Christian Fiction) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Y’all, this book is magical. There is something special about historical Christmas books to me. The simplicity & joy of the season feels so authentic! And this book was no different.

The whimsical joyous nature of Mariah kept a smile on my face and I loved how Cyril matched her from childhood to adulthood! Their love for Christmas, and life just made me happy.

The redemption and happily ever after for Gyldenkrone was a Christmas miracle. (And we’re all for those around here! 😉)

The immersive play to remind the adults of the joys of childhood was my favorite and I loved that whole storyline.

I am even more anxious to read ‘The Nutcracker’ by E.T.A Hoffman now, especially after reading the author’s note.

The book got me in my holiday feels and it’s the perfect addition to anyone’s Christmas TBR!
5/5 stars

*I received this book from the publisher**All opinions are my own*

[Angela Bell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my giddy gumdrops, this confection of a tale is a sheer delight from beginning to end!!!

Winsome and whimsical, "Christmas at Sugar Plum Manor" by Roseanna M. White captures all the splendor of the holiday season, from the effervescent joy of childhood to the awe-inspiring wonder of Christ's birth.

Nods to The Nutcracker will evoke smiles from fans of the classic story as they explore the luxury of an Edwardian Manor and the enchantment of a winter wood, glittering with snow.

If you fancy a Nutcracker suite romance, spend your Christmas at Sugar Plum Manor!

[♥Rachel♥ · Rating 4 out of 5]

As the holidays approach, Lady Mariah has two suitors coming to visit and she’s a little worried. There’s Lord Gyldenkrone, a cousin to the Prince of Denmark, seeking a bride to take back to home, and then Cyril Lightbourne, the heir to the estate Mariah lives at. Mariah and Cyril had such fun dreaming up stories when he visited while they were children, and they corresponded after, but their letters became fewer and farther in between as the years went by. And recent news connected Cyril with Lady Pearl, a mercenary type of debutante, so Mariah wonders about what kind of man he’s become.

Lady Mariah’s whimsical outlook on life brought joy to so many around her. Which man will appreciate her for who she is?

This was a sweet and heartwarming romance! It was filled with cozy, warm, and delicious winter traditions, community and romance. It also highlighted the good that can come when people examine their own actions and try to rise above and do the right thing. Faith is mentioned, but not preachy. By the end there were two romances in the story, and I was pleased with how it all turned out!

I voluntarily read an advanced readers copy courtesy of the publisher. These are my honest thoughts and opinions.

[Gloria · Rating 5 out of 5]

"It would be Christmas. Magical--no, miraculous Christmas. The day when heaven had come down to earth. The day when the stars sang out His glory, and the angels with them. The day God Eternal wrapped Himself in delicate human flesh and put His feet into time."
Christmas at Sugar Plum Manor is a lovely historical tale that has delightful characters, set in an English village and the Earl of Castleton's home during the Christmas season, and is based loosely on The Nutcracker. There are two gentlemen vying for the hand of the Earl's stepdaughter, Lady Mariah, a young lady who looks for joy in all aspects of life. This story shows how the local gentry gives back to the community at Christmas with a very nice tradition and all are brought together to celebrate the King of Kings. It shows how characters can change in a positive way. Loved the way the story ended.

[Brittanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rival suitors, holiday sweets, snowy charm and festive small town cheer.🌲Need to un-grinch? Pack your bags for Sugar Plum Manor.✨

Lady Mariah is caught between: Cyril, her childhood friend who only showed up because his mother threatened to burn his books if he stayed home, 👀 and Soren, a handsome but crusty lord determined to marry for duty and noble breeding. 😬

Naturally, you will eat up this rivalry like a tray of Christmas cookies.

“I’ve noticed how you love holiday sweets...”
“When a crone offers you something tasty looking, you are wise to refuse.” 🤣

Beyond the romance, you’ll love the sisterhood arc and who doesn’t love characters with room to grow? The storytelling carries this cozy glow from family bonds to the warm community friendships. Speaking of glow:

“My lady, my princess, I have no desire to imagine a future without you by my side.”🍯

👉This simple story delivers a cheery Christmas tale filled with whimsy, warmth, faith, family, community, and enough holiday magic to leave you smiling. 🌟 A sweet Hallmark-style treat wrapped in sparkling winter charm.

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such a sweet story and delightfully Christmassy!

[Paula Shreckhise · Rating 5 out of 5]

Delightful story full of the magic of Christmas. Mariah Lyons, stepdaughter of the Earl of Plumford, loves her stepfather and Plumford Manor. Too bad she cannot inherit the estate. It goes to a distant relative, Cyril Lightbourne. Long ago, Cyril and Mariah were friends but lost touch as they grew up. Now Cyril has returned to learn to become the Earl.
Cyril and Mariah unearth an old play they composed when they were youngsters and enlist the village children to entertain everyone on Christmas Eve.
Full of the spirit of Christmas and quite a few things Nutcracker Suite, this tale also has themes of reconciliation, forgiveness and childhood innocence. And above all, it showed the reason for Christmas: that Christ came in humility to dwell among His people.
This story totally put me in the mood for Christmas with snow, sugarplums, nutcrackers and fairies. It was a community working together to bring joy.
*I received a complimentary copy of this book from Bethany House on behalf of the author and an ecopy via NetGalley. I was not required to post a favorable review. All opinions are mine alone.*

[Morgan's Endless Bookshelf · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really precious story!

[ChildOfGod💜🙌🏽 (for God I live and for God I die) ~ in my Christian pop era · Rating 2 out of 5]

Oh my I feel so bad. I really really really wanted to like this book but I just didn’t 😢. I didn’t enjoy the love triangle (it just made me feel mad bc I really wanted them to mature and not fight over a woman and the arguments 😭) and I wished more of the end where the love triangle was resolved was in the beginning or closer to the beginning. I thought the notion of the characters getting back to joy and imagination was a great idea but for some reason the characters ended up feeling immature rather than innocent 🤷‍♀️. The faith content was great anyhow though, I still would like to try another book by this author. Oh and for those that like to cook there is a recipe in the back! 💕 ok byeeee

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

This charming novella is full of joy and Christmas spirit. It made me smile more than once. A perfect little read for this busy time of year.

[Lou Allen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Story Enjoyment Rating: 9/10 Christian Faith Rating 2/3
"Christmas at Sugar Plum Manor" by Roseanna M. White is a historical novella set during the Christmas season. The story follows Lady Mariah Lyons, a young debutante navigating the marriage market. At her family Christmas house party, Mariah encounters two potential suitors: a childhood friend who is rumored to be in love with her rival and a Danish nobleman seeking a wife. The narrative is infused with references to the Nutcracker ballet.
The novella is a sweet and enjoyable romance with a distinct Christmassy and wintry feel. While it may not delve into intricate subplots like some of White's other works, it offers a charming and heartwarming tale perfect for the Christmas season. There is some Christian faith content and the characters are obviously Christian.

[Lidia · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful and magical read for Christmas 🎄 ✨️ ❄️🧁🕯️🎁

[Stacy Wilson · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this ebook and was surprised to find out it's only 200 pages. I liked the faith content. I have no complaints, but I also wasn't that interested.

[Anna |This Curly Girl Reads| · Rating 5 out of 5]

❤️ This novella felt like Christmas memories 🥰

With reminders of the true meaning of Christmas, snow, friendship, family, love, and one of my favorite Christmas stories, the Nutcracker—all these things made this story the perfect cozy read.

I really enjoyed the sibling relationship and watching Moriah’s family grow through the story. And Cyril! He is the best kind of hero. The romance was super sweet (just kissing and not descriptive or excessive). Friends to more is one of my favorite tropes (probably because Ive lives it!)

No spoilers BUT The last few chapters had some beautiful description, so definitely read it with your imagination engaged 😊 Hurray for happily ever after stories—And Ieven liked the bad guy, which is saying a lot 😉 I’ll definitely want to revisit this one in the future.

[Joanne | wellreadcoffeeaddict · Rating 3 out of 5]

I struggled with this one honestly. It started off as a cute Christmas historical read and fell flat about 30% in. Everyone is just so unrealistic and the main character hardly seems grown up enough to entertain thoughts about marriage. I get it's part of the 'sunshine-y, idealistic' trope, but it went too far for me to actually enjoy Mariah's character. If you like a holiday read that doesn't get too intense, you might enjoy this one. As it stands, it wasn't for me.

[Morgan Giesbrecht]

I’m going to preface this by saying I’ve been in a weird reading slump.

So I think it must have been my mental state, but I had to drag myself through this book.

The story wasn’t bad. The writing is everything I expect from White. The nod to the Nutcracker was delightful! And the joy of Christmas was poignant!

I just… struggled to engage with the story until the last 40% which I then sped through. (Partly because the love triangle was freaking me out, haha 🤣)

Had I read it any other time this year; I think I’d have loved it. I would definitely read it again and I pretty sure I’ll love it more when I do!

[Charity · Rating 4 out of 5]

Do you love The Nutcracker? Have you read the book? Watched the ballet? I've done both, and it's a delightful, whimsical story. When I saw that Roseanna M. White had a new book coming out, I didn't even read to see what it was about; I just knew I needed to read it. So I was surprised and delighted to find that she has written a retelling of The Nutcracker in Christmas at Sugar Plum Manor.

If you enjoy a quick, light-hearted, Hallmark-type retelling Christmas novella, then you will absolutely love this book!

For myself, it was a little too neatly packaged and whimsical, which isn't my thing. But if you like low to no angst stories, which definitely have their place, you'll enjoy this one.

I wonder if we'll get one set in Denmark next year?

~I was given a complimentary copy of this book. No positive review was required, and all opinions are my own.~

[Beauty in the Binding · Rating 3 out of 5]

In Christmas at Sugar Plum Manor, Roseanna M. White offers readers a sweet story of childhood friends rekindling their relationship and becoming more during an enchanted Christmas season. With a children’s play, sugar plums, and nutcrackers, the novella’s tone felt light and merry. The novella touched gently on forgiveness, hope, and the true miracle of Christmas – the Christ-child born to dwell with mankind. Although a bit convenient, misunderstandings were easily explained and missteps were freely pardoned. Overall, the story was less impactful than the author’s full-length novels, but still a nice read.

Christmas at Sugar Plum Manor is a stand-alone novella by Roseanna M. White with an inspirational message of Christmas cheer and hope.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I was provided a copy of this book by the author or publisher. All opinions in this review are my own.

[(Katie) Paperbacks · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you enjoy whimsical winter wonderland romances, then you need to read this book!

Multiple suitors, winterland magic and a cozy setting combined to make this one of my new favorite Christmas reads!

I loved the happy ending and the way the main character still embodied her love of fairytale magic and whimsy. I loved the relationship between her and her childhood friend. It was so sweet and had just the perfect blend of romance and sweetness. I could honestly see this as a Hallmark movie.


*Thank you to Bethany House for a complimentary copy of this book. All thoughts are my own.

[Molly | Visitingmanygoodbooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was so cute! The characters were nice and I loved their banter. There are two romances in the book and both were so sweet! I would recommend if you’re looking for a cozy Christmas romance to curl up with during the holidays! And can we talk about how stunning this cover is?! 😍

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

[Miriam Simut · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5/5

[Nikki Akerson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a lovely Christmas novella. It put me in the mood for all things Christmas. We had strings of faith, talks of yummy sweet treats like sugar plums and gingerbread, nutcrackers, and a heartwarming romance.

[Joy Tiff · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a delightful Christmas story! I have to confess that I have never read or watched The Nutcracker, but that fact didn’t take away from my enjoyment of this book. If anything, it makes me want to pick it up! I loved the characters.

[Meagan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to Roseanna White, NetGalley, and Bethany House for this #gifted book!*
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Title: Christmas at Sugarplum Manor
Author: Roseanna White
Genre: Christian Historical Fiction
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Synopsis: As childhood friends, Lady Mariah of Plumford Manor and Cyril Lightbourne created a beautiful imaginative world known to them as Sugarplum Manor. When Cyril left the manor, the two continued their adventures through written correspondence. And Mariah had dreams of romance and continued adventures. But as Mariah grew older, her mother deemed it time to grow up and put away the childish notions. When the now-engaged Cyril is invited back to Mariah’s home along with a Danish lord suitor, Mariah’s childhood dreams appear to be crushed. Through family struggles, troubled friendships, and misunderstood courtships, Cyril and Lady Moriah search to bring the magic of childhood back to the Christmas season and to Sugarplum Manor.

Analysis: Roseanna White’s new novella is filled with the magic of Christmastime and the romance of regency. Plus it has plenty of nods to the holiday classic story and ballet The Nutcracker. I loved the main characters, Cyril and Mariah, and Mariah’s family. And while I really enjoyed the main plot of the romance, I think I enjoyed seeing Mariah’s family relationships grow even more! The romance is sweet, and the setting is beautiful. You’ll have visions of fairies and sugarplums dancing in your head all through the pages. And the true meaning of Christmas is pointed to multiple times throughout the story. If you’re looking for a festive read to get into the holiday spirit, Christmas at Sugarplum Manor is a great place to start!

Star Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

PS - I think novellas are perfect for the busy Christmas season!

*I was given an ARC in exchange for my honest review. All thoughts and opinions ťexpressed in this review are my own.