Mary Christmas

by Mary-Anne O'Connor

At the most magical time of the year, will Mary choose independence or love?

It's 1909 and Mary Richards has worked hard to gain an education and become a teacher in her close-knit, picturesque village in the Cotswolds, but not everyone approves of her modern ways.

When her sister Emily becomes engaged to David Christmas, it seems fate will intervene in the form of the best his eligible brother Johnathon. Mary finds herself in danger of falling for this handsome, almost too perfect stranger, only married women have to give up their careers as soon as they’re wed and there’s no way Mary is going to sacrifice her dreams for a man.

Yet the ancient village of Bibury has a way of weaving its magic over them all, and as the winter snows fall and Emily’s Christmas-Day wedding approaches, Mary isn’t immune to the romance of the season. In the end she must decide whether she’s ready to embrace love or not, and if she can truly have the best of both worlds on the eve of what could well be the merriest Christmas of them all.

‘You need to find a way to have your independence and love too. A Christmas miracle.’

Praise for Mary-Anne O'Connor

‘Mary-Anne O'Connor is historical fiction royalty.’ GOODREADS

'Beautiful, engaging storytelling.' SUNDAY TELEGRAPH

‘Historical fiction of a quality that will take you on a beguiling roller-coaster ride.’ BETTER READING

‘So breathtakingly beautiful . . . Mary-Anne O’Connor truly is the Queen of Australian Historical Romance.’ GOODREADS

Genres: Christmas, Romance, Historical Fiction, Fiction, Audiobook

247 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 1, 2024

About the author

Mary-Anne O'Connor nee Best grew up in Wahroonga in the Bushland Shire of Hornsby-Kuringai, northern Sydney. The youngest of six children, her childhood was spent exploring the local bush and playing music with her siblings and close neighbours. An avid reader, she devoured her mother Dorn's extensive library and was often found trying to finish a chapter by torchlight late at night. She also began to fill every blank piece of paper in the house with stories and drawings of her own and dreamt of becoming a writer one day.

When she was twelve her father Kevin Best left his established career in the stock-market to become one of Australia's best-loved artists. The perseverance and ultimate triumph she witnessed during those years left her inspired to follow in his footsteps and pursue her own creative aspirations. A multi-faceted career path followed in marketing and teaching, along with the completion of education/arts degree with specialities in literature, music and environment. During this time she also co-wrote two books with her father, A Brush with Light and Secrets of the Brush. Work then began on her first major novel, Gallipoli Street. ​This work gained critical acclaim and finished at #3 for debut novels in Australia in 2015.

Since then she written four more best-selling novels: Worth Fighting For, War Flower, In A Great Southern Land and Where Fortune Lies. Her sixth novel, Sisters of Freedom, is due out in March, 2021.

​Mary-Anne has drawn on her love of the Australian bush, her fascination with her own family history and her deep, abiding respect for the men and women who carried our nation through turbulent, formative times to produce these novels. 

They were written in her office at home beneath a long window that overlooks her beloved gum trees. She still lives in the Bushland Shire with her husband Anthony, their two sons, Jimmy and Jack and their very spoilt, gorgeous dog, Saxon.   

Reviews

[Amanda - Mrs B's Book Reviews · Rating 4 out of 5]

*
🎄Mary Christmas is the tenth release from well-established and popular Australian author Mary-Anne O’Connor. This Sydney based writer is permanent fixture on the historical fiction scene in our country and she proudly presents us with her first Christmas historical fiction romance. Mary Christmas was inspired by O’Connor’s father, who encountered a man at his workplace called Mr Christmas, who had a daughter called Mary. This story is sparked by O’Connor’s thought that there was at least one Mary Christmas out in the world!

🎄Mary Christmas is a story set in the early 1900s in a tight knit village in the famous Cotswolds region of Great Britain. At its helm is title character Mary, a woman who has dedicated her life to being a teacher. Mary faces a moral and social etiquette quandary when she encounters a handsome man named Jonathon. But the rules of society at this time say if a woman is to marry, she must give up her career.

🎄I was very excited to receive this gorgeous package in the mail from the publisher and I was not disappointed. A beautiful scenic backdrop, with plenty of wintery white Christmas feels soon had me captivated. This book really took me back to a wonderful part of the world, the Cotswolds thanks to O’Connor’s descriptive prose. The characters were endearing, especially the lead Mary, I really connected to her career versus love life choices as a teacher. The support cast such as the dashing Jonathan, Mary’s family and even the dog Sherlock brough much joy to the pages of this quaint novel. The inclusion of historical and social practices of the time were perfectly placed by O’Connor. The rise of suffragette movement was integrated especially well into the narrative, making it a highlight of this yuletide tale. The romance element was sweet and touching, keeping in keeping in time with the historical context. Overall, I lapped up my time with this novel over Christmas and Boxing Day, it offered the exact amount of respite from the from the overwhelm of the silly season.

I would like to pass on my gratitude to the folks at @Penguinbooksaus for a copy of this book which was beautifully gift wrapped in paper inspired by the exquisite book cover. I was also gifted a matching bookmark and festive recipe card. I really felt spoilt!

[Gloria (Ms. G's Bookshelf) · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️4 Stars⭐️
Mary Christmas by Mary-Anne O'Connor gave me all the Christmassy vibes!

Mary Christmas is a delightful Christmas time romance read released just in time to to add to your Christmas reading Collection. It’s an easy read and set in the beautiful Cotswold village of Bibury.

We have two sisters Emily and Mary (the independent one) and there’s two handsome brothers David and Jonathon. There’s also a sweet young girl Penny and a dog named Sherlock Bones that features.

It’s the year 1909, Mary Richards has studied hard to gain her education and is a devoted teacher and feminist. The way she presents herself does not sit well with certain members of the school board at the local village school. This is an era where it’s believed once a woman gets married she should no longer work. Mary does not want to give up her career and fall in love ever!…

Mary’s sister Emily is the romantic sister and she’s about to marry the charming David Christmas on Christmas Day!

Mary Christmas is a book full of charm, fun and warm fuzzy feelings. A wonderful choice to add to your festive reads.

Publication Date 01 October 2024
Publisher Imprint Penguin

Thank you so much to the fabulous team at Penguin Books Australia for a copy of the book and matching bookmark.

[Helen · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you are looking for a beautiful Christmas romance, set in the most gorgeous of settings, The Cotswold’s with snow and a yuletide ball, pantomime not to mention the fabulous characters and a wedding on Christmas day then this is the one to pick up come along for a journey that is sure to keep you smiling.

It is 1909 and Mary Richards has worked and studied hard to become a teacher in a man’s world she is now teaching at the village school in Bibury but there are some people who do not approve of her strong feminist ways Mary wants to stay independent so that means not marrying, where as her sister Emily is just about to marry the love of her life David Christmas this brings Mary into the family circle and meeting David’s brother Jonathan and Mary is soon finding herself torn between love and independence.

The snow is falling there is a Christmas market ice-skating and Mary is finding herself falling for Jonathon as he is for Mary but is there a way that she can marry and have her independence maybe with the right man, and is that man Jonathon?

This is a lovely romance and so Christmassy, there are some wonderful characters in this one as well, will Jonathon be that man to win Mary over will she see that they can have a future? I do highly recommend this one to any romance reader who loves a Christmas story.

[Craig and Phil · Rating 4 out of 5]

Big thanks to Penguin for sending us a copy to read and review.
Popular, talented and stand out Australian history catcher Mary-Anne O’Connor gives readers a bonus release this year for the festive season.
With its stunning cover and inviting blurb, Mary Christmas is a delightful, sweet and beautiful historical romance love story set across the seas.
1909, England and Mary Richards is preparing for her sister’s wedding on Christmas Day.
Mary is also a teacher and has a modern view on marriage and working.
She believes that women should be able to keep their jobs and still get married.
Then in walks Johnathan, the groomsman’s handsome brother and the attraction erupts.
With romance in the air, can Mary take a leap and still work for a living or does society get its own way…….
Coming up to “the most wonderful time of the year” this story warms the cockles of your heart.
Like a good egg nog, the snow falling outside and the decorated atmosphere it puts you in a toasty reading mood.
Beautifully crafted characters, a welcoming plot and a backdrop of whiteness, Mary-Anne presents her audience with a touching, tender, lovely and containing christmassy vibes narrative full of jolly and joy.

[Diane · Rating 5 out of 5]

Set in the Cotswolds and Oxford in 1909, this is one of the most delightful Christmas stories I have read. Put together two sisters Emily, the younger and Mary (the oh so independent elder sister), two brothers David and Jonathon, one very loveable little girl, Penny, a dog (Sherlock) a red fox. On top of all that, Christmas and snow in a delightful village in the Cotswolds and the sights, sounds and beauty of Christmas in Oxford together with a story that explores the fact that in England in 1909 women didn't yet have the Vote, this is a story that I loved and I'm pretty sure Mary-Anne O'Connor thoroughly loved writing. Thank you, it is a delight and I highly recommend this story to all those readers hunting for Christmas stories at this time of the year.

[Anna Loder · Rating 5 out of 5]

So perfectly Christmasy! Like being in a hallmark Christmas movie! Mary was picture perfect, her sister Emily the most romantic, Penny was a sweetheart and Sherlock Bones was next level in cute. Exactly what the cover promises ❤️💚❤️💚

[Stacinator · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fun holiday tale of a young woman coming of age during the women's suffrage movement in the UK.

[Marles Henry · Rating 3 out of 5]

It is 1909, and Mary Richards is a teacher in the scenic Cotswolds. Mary spends a lot of time fighting the very patriarchal views of early 20th century Britain, where women were supposed to find a suitable husband and marry them instead of working for a wage. Mary's desire to keep working is very strong did her family don't seem to understand that much and tell her that she will always find her freedom in marriage and having children. Yes she's adamant to either continue her career and stay un-married or to find a way to have both.
Marries connection to her sisters future brother-in-law (yes that’s an interesting family tree in the making) seems like a very quick one, as if she really was almost waiting for love even though her career took pride in place in her life. Jonathan is a lawyer and seems to always be available when Mary found herself in a scrape of bother all needed to be rescued, which seemed to be quite often in this story. Even though she denied her feelings for Jonathan all the way through this story she still seemed quite surprised when she realised but she had fallen for him. I thought it was a nice touch for Jonathan to use his legal expertise to find a way for her to save her job or pursuing romance in a future together with Mary.
I would have loved to seen a bit more depth between Mary and Jonathan’s interactions to really build the case that their connection was one that was there all along. I also like the very slight nod to the suffragette movement in this book and the conflicting feelings that Mary had between her wanting to remain working and the suffragette movements push for marry too think much broadly and starting small and influencing a small town about the rights of women.
The descriptions of all of the locations and sights and sounds of London move very rich and painted a wonderful tapestry of the time end of the season. Walking through the Christmas markets in London and the description about marry and her sisters dresses for the wedding we're full of colour and vibrancy. Even this small moment we marry had fallen in the snow and made eye contact with the little fox was very touching and vivid scene.
A lovely old world walk through the Christmas season! Thanks #penguinbooksaus for the #gifted copy!

[Shreedevi Gurumurty · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bibury is a village and civil parish in Gloucestershire, England. It is on the River Coln, a Thames tributary that rises in the Cotswolds. The village centre is northeast of Cirencester. Arlington Row is a nationally notable architectural conservation area depicted on the inside cover of some British passports. The village is known for its honey-coloured 17th-century stone cottages with steeply pitched roofs, which once housed weavers who supplied cloth for fulling at nearby Arlington Mill. It is a major destination for tourists visiting traditional rural villages, tea houses, and many historic buildings of the Cotswold District; it is one of 6 places in the country featured in Mini-Europe, Brussels. Adjacent to The Anglican Church of St Mary is the village primary school that was built in the 1850s.The 19th-century artist and craftsman William Morris called Bibury "the most beautiful village in England" when he visited it.The world's first horse racing club, The Bibury Club, was formed in 1681 and held race meetings on Macaroni Downs above the village until the early 20th century.

The Victorian era had seen the establishment not only of schools open to women, but also of universities, and colleges within Oxford and Cambridge. Many of the universities founded in the Victorian era were co-educational from the start, and the red-brick universities of the early 20th century followed suit. The University of London was the first in the UK to award degrees to women, which it did in 1878. This progress moved alongside the campaign to give women the vote. Many women campaigned for both, while others, felt that education had to come first, so that when granted the vote, women would be well enough educated to use it wisely.

The authorities back then used 'marriage bars' to prevent married women working as teachers. This rule meant that if a woman teacher married, she had to resign from her job; if she was already married, she was sacked.Some women found a way around the marriage bars by marrying in secret and then living apart from their husband, or by having a very long engagement. In England, the marriage bar was removed for all teachers in 1944.

[Lorraine · Rating 3 out of 5]

MARY CHRISTMAS by Mary-Anne O’Connor is published by Penguin 2024
Review by Lorraine Parker
Australian author Mary-Anne O’Connor has chosen a charming English village in the Cotswolds, as the background for this historical romantic dreamscape.
In 1909 Mary Richards is a devoted teacher who is determined to stay independent. She is also a strong feminist. Her behaviour, dress and views do not sit well with a certain female member of the school board. This is an era in which, once married women should give up any career or job.
Emily, Mary’s sister is about to marry the love of her life David Christmas. How appropriate that they have chosen Christmas Day for their wedding with snow, ice skating, a yuletide ball and pantomime as lead up.
Mary meets Johnathan, a rather perfect stranger, in a rather dramatic scene. Quite a coincidence, as he happens to be the groomsman’s handsome brother and her future brother-in-law. Mary also teaches his rather endearing son and a new arrival in her school.
Will Mary and Jonathan’s paths become locked? There is definitely attraction between them, although another female has designs on this handsome man.
Jonathan, however, is not only determined to pursue Mary, but is in complete sympathy and support of her over-riding desire to follow her passion of teaching. How can one man and one woman overcome the stultifying (but traditional), attitude of society and the school board.
Could there be anything more romantic than her sister’s wedding on Christmas Day?
I personally found the author’s ‘play’ on the surname Christmas a little ‘over the top’. However, I enjoyed every page and the journey through this tale. Beautifully crafted with the right amount of vibe and twists to be to keep you smiling and entertained.
Perfect for a light encapsulating Christmas read.

[Joanne McKinnon · Rating 5 out of 5]

For me, a person who loves Christmas this story was so perfectly Christmasy, just like a Christmas movie!
A charming holiday romance set in an age-old snow-covered English village.
In 1909 Mary Richards has worked hard to gain an education and become a teacher in her close-knit, picturesque village in the Cotswolds, not everyone approves of her modern ways.

When Mary’s sister Emily becomes engaged to David Christmas, it seems fate will step in, in the form of the best man- his eligible brother Johnathon. Mary finds herself falling for this handsome, almost too perfect man. Only problem is when a woman marries they are required to give up their careers as soon as they're wed and for Mary this is would make her sacrifice her dreams.

A sweet Christmas story set in the past, a perfect read. It’s an easy read that does tackle early feminism and the desire to have it all – a career and a husband and family.

[Maree Gray · Rating 5 out of 5]

Score one for love, always!
What an absolutely perfect romance novel for Christmas.
I thoroughly enjoyed every minute of reading Mary Christmas.
What wonderful, loving characters Mary-Anne has created.
I have a very soft spot for dear little Penny, and was moved to tears several times by her.
Mary herself, what a wonderful, strong, independent woman she is.
Emily, Mary's younger sister, is kind, caring and wise.
David, Emily's fiance, and his brother Johnathon, are both wonderful young men.
Both sets of parents are also very supportive of their children and their betrothed.

Well done Mary-Anne on your first Christmas romance. It's sure to be a brilliant success.

[Kerran Olson · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5* I wanted to read this one as its more historical fiction, which I haven't included in my xmas reads yet. This was very easy to read, and just a nice festive setting with all the snow and the balls. The commentary on gender expectations and inequality was interesting, but it felt a bit repetitive and like it just touched the surface. I did get a bit annoyed at the multiple occasions where Mary got herself trapped in the snow/injured and had to be rescued and also at how she rook so long to admit her feelings when they were super obvious.

As historical fiction goes, it felt very surface level, but as a light holiday read I enjoyed it

[Amie Davison · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this book as a Christmas present which is very fitting.

If you enjoy a great romantic Christmas movie then Mary Christmas will not disappoint. The imagery within the book made me feel like I was in the white filled English countryside and of course Oxford. As in most romantic Christmas movies, love and magic were the winners in Mary Christmas. It was good to see that in the end Mary's many 'loves' were taken into account and she had her happy ending in all ways.

I would love to see a movie adaption of this book. It would definitely make my list of Christmas movies to watch every year.

[Bree · Rating 3 out of 5]

I loved the premise- historical fiction romance set in England at Christmas- but I did struggle with this book. I did enjoy the main characters & their interactions & banter. There were aspects I really liked, & there were times I was hanging on every word, but overall I was underwhelmed. There were parts that could've used more fleshing out, & then parts that dragged, so the flow felt a bit off. I did need to shuffle ahead a few times because it wasn't holding me or the feminist thing was laid on too thick, but I was invested in finding out the ending. I did appreciate that it was clean fiction.

[Wendy Ryan · Rating 3 out of 5]

The setting of the village and Victorian Oxford was wonderfully described with a nice Christmas atmosphere. The story had an interesting feminist theme but it was a bit laboured and I'm not sure about the message that all a woman needs to have it all is to marry the right man. The ending seemed a bit unrealistic as well, as I think Victorian church weddings required a bit of notice, reading of the bans, etc.

[Mercedes · Rating 4 out of 5]

The author’s note at the end states that O’Connor got the idea for this book from her dad who used to tell a story about working with a man whose surname was Christmas and who named his daughter Mary - I love that!

In her first foray into a festive read, and one outside her signature Australian-based historical fiction stories, O’Connor brings to life the story of Mary Richards.

Set in the beautiful Cotswold village of Bibury (which I absolutely must visit after reading this book) we meet Mary as she’s helping her sister Emily prepare to marry David Christmas from Oxford. In her 1909 world where women must give up their career once they marry, Mary steadfastly renounces the institution in favour of her career as a teacher at the local village school. But then she meets David’s charming brother, Jonathan, and neither of them can deny the mutual attraction.

Like any good romance, you know how this book ends, but finding out how they get there is half the fun. This book is full of charm and heartwarming feelings, with beautifully-balanced characters and the perfect historical backdrop.

The perfect Christmas read.

[Trish · Rating 3 out of 5]

Kind of cute. I imagine this is what it would look like if hallmark decided to do a period piece. It was exactly what I was hoping for today as I decorated my Christmas tree.

⭐️- hated it
⭐️⭐️- didn’t really like it
⭐️⭐️⭐️- liked it
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️- really liked it
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️- loved it

[Helen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Historical romance set at Christmas. I wanted a feel good Christmas story and this fit the bill, although I would have preferred a murder mystery to a romance. Predictable, simple but satisfying overall.

[Elaine · Rating 3 out of 5]

A sweet romance of 1909 highlighting that women had to chose love marriage and children and forsake careers and most not allowed an education in university. The beginning of the suffragette movement.

[Anna · Rating 2 out of 5]

A thoughtful Christmas present from my grandfather, who picked it for me because it was about a teacher.
I wanted to like it but book had no plot beyond her deciding between ‘love’ and a ‘career’ because married women were not allowed to work in 1900 but she had met the man of her dreams.

[Jan · Rating 3 out of 5]

In 1909 Mary is a teacher in a Cotswolds village. her sister is marrying David Christmas. Mary finds herself attracted to David's brother Jonathon but wants to keep her career and independence.
Of course all works out well in the end. It is an okay light read but I did find Mary annoying at times.

[Rae-Lynne Byerley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute Christmas book.

[Sophie Yerxa-Robinson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is god-tier for getting me through finals

[Mary Ladrick · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fabulous historical Christmas read! A lovely love story with feminist views intertwined really well in an engaging not in your face way.

[Erin Grigson Baylis · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a cute period holiday romance! I felt like it was a great unique story even if it was a cozy, predictable one. I liked ALL the characters!
7/10 But a fun, easy seasonal read.

[Kel Lizarazo · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the most romantic book I have read, I loved the concept of women freedom, rights and love. This was a Christmas present very appreciate

[Fiona Byrne · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lovely historical Christmas romance and much easier to get through than my last Mary-Anne O’Connor book (Gallipoli Street)

[Lily Mulholland]

DNF @20%

All tell, no show makes for a dull story 😞

[Rosemary Pemmer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this book. It was such an easy light read.
And I love anything that involves Christmas 🎄.