A Capital Christmas

by Sarah Hendess

The District of Columbia in 1859 isn’t the nicest place to live, but Fiona Ellicott loves her job as the director of the Smithsonian Institution Library. The Smithsonian’s first paid female employee, she delights in working at “the Castle.” She only wishes she weren’t losing her assistant—and best friend—Nicole to marriage.
Quaker Caleb Fox stays so busy running a Friends’ orphanage in Georgetown that he rarely pauses to think about romance. But all that changes when he visits the Smithsonian Library to research a lesson for the children and meets Fiona.
Soon, they’re organizing a charity concert for the children to perform at the Castle on Christmas Eve… and falling hopelessly in love. But married women are typically barred from the professions, and Fiona faces a choice that will end in heartbreak either way.

200 pages, Paperback

Published November 4, 2024

Reviews

[Erin · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a delightful story! The romance between Fiona and Caleb was sweet, though I would have liked to see their connection develop more gradually over time. Additionally, the children in the story were very endearing. There was even a moment that brought tears to my eyes. Learning about Quakerism was a big highlight for me; I knew little about that religious organization before reading this book. And I also appreciated the Note on Language at the beginning, as well as the Author’s Note at the end. Those additions enriched the reading experience. This is a great little novel to pick up during the holiday season!

[Rachel Blanchard · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Capital Christmas was rich with historical detail about Washington D.C. and the Smithsonian Library in the late 1800s, the struggle of a female librarian between career and marriage, and Quaker culture! I thought the hero was so sweet, and their romantic tension built up nicely. The heroine was equally passionate about orphan children, and I enjoyed how she jovially got them involved in the Christmas spirit during the story. All the children were lovable to read, especially Spryly. Cursing was minimal and romance kissing only.

There were so many great descriptions in the book, so I pasted a few below!

"Caleb whipped off his gloves and lightly clasped Fiona’s outstretched hand. A tingle traveled up his arm so robustly that if someone had attached a wire to his head, they could have used him to send telegrams."

"Her laughter carried him down the sidewalk, and he knew he’d hear it echoing in his dreams."

[Alana White · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this gentle story set in the District of Columbia in 1859. As the first paid female employee of the Smithsonian Institution Library, Fiona Ellicott must make a difficult choice--love, in which case she would have to give up her employment at the library (married women do not engage in the professions), or give up Caleb, a most engaging Quaker, who runs the Friends' orphanage in Georgetown. The author deft and compassionately finds a solution for Fiona...one of hope, one readers will love.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

So excited to have written this little book! I hope you all enjoy it!