O Little Town: A Romance Christmas Collection

by Deborah Raney

In this charming collection of novellas, join three generations of residents from Mapleview, Michigan, who are longing for love—and finding it—during the most wonderful season of the year.

"Hopes and Fears" by Amanda Wen

Emma Trowbridge is determined to give her students the Christmas pageant of a lifetime. The last person she wants to encounter in her one-room schoolhouse is her childhood rival, Frederick Oberstein. Truth be told, he would rather be far away himself. Can they learn to see each other in a new light—and embrace a new season of hope and faith together?

"While Mortals Sleep" by Janyre Tromp

While World War II rages overseas, reporter Eleanor Sweers returns home from the West Coast where she faces the death of her sister and her nightmare of Christmases past. But the home front isn’t safe a bomb has landed in the middle of the US, right on the Sweers family property. Now news-minded Eleanor and family friend Gideon Braum may have to choose between the scoop of a lifetime and the love of a lifetime.

"The Wondrous Gift" by Deborah Raney

High school football coach Caleb Janssen and music teacher Rachel Hamblin bond when they both lose their jobs at the county’s Christian high school. But when they discover their plans for the future are mutually exclusive, the fallout threatens to tear them apart.

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

Audible Audio

First published September 1, 2022

About the author

DEBORAH RANEY's first novel, A Vow to Cherish, inspired the World Wide Pictures film of the same title and launched Deb’s writing career. Twenty-five years, forty-plus books, and numerous awards later, she's still creating stories that touch hearts and lives. Her novels have won RWA's RITA Award, the ACFW Carol Award, the National Readers Choice Award, and the HOLT Medallion. She is also a three-time Christy Award finalist. Deb is a recent Missouri transplant, having moved with her husband, Ken Raney, from their native Kansas to be closer to kids and grandkids. They love road trips, Friday garage sale dates, and breakfast on the screened porch overlooking their wooded backyard. Visit Deb on the Web at www.deborahraney.com.

Reviews

[Paula Shreckhise · Rating 4 out of 5]

From three notable authors come three wonderful novellas based on a favorite Christmas hymn.
In Hopes and Fears, Amanda Wen writes about Michigan in 1912. Old friends/ rivals Emma and Fredrick have to work together in a small rural school. They put away the past to a new future and make their peace with God.
While Mortals Sleep by Janyre Tromp takes us forward to 1944 and an intriguing story of homefront WWII concerns of balloon bombs on US soil! A 6 year old girl steals the show when she has two guardians, seemingly one guardian too many. Fascinating details of a little known historical event.
The Wondrous Gift by Deborah Raney, has a definite O’Henry vibe to it. I related to searching for a house in the real estate market. It was a sweet romance of two unemployed teachers who got their second chance at their dream jobs.
Three well written novellas to get you in the mood for Christmas.
* I received a complimentary copy of this book from Kregel on behalf of the authors. I was not required to post a favorable review. All opinions are my own.*

[Heidi Chiavaroli · Rating 5 out of 5]

From Endorsement:

"An absolutely delightful collection of three charming stories from three talented authors. This book is filled with tender romance, hope, redemption, and even a little mystery that is sure to warm the hearts of readers on the coldest of winter nights. A lovely read!"

[The Film Director's Wife · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was so good and I love how each Author kept the true Hope of the Season and our lives - Jesus Christ at the center of each of their stories.
The stories each retained the Author's individual voice, while coming together as a collection in the most beautiful of ways.

If you like good, heartwarming Christian Fiction Stories - this is definitely one to add to your Christmas 2022 Books To Be Read list.

Authors Amanda Wen, Janyre Tromp and Deborah Raney - absolutely stunning work! I thank you for sharing these stories with us.
.
*Thank you to Revell Books for the complimentary ARC of the book. All opinions and views expressed are my own.*

[Staci · Rating 4 out of 5]

Three novellas set in small town Mapleview, Michigan:

Hopes and Fears (1912) by Amanda Wen
While Mortals Sleep (1944) by Janyre Tromp
The Wondrous Gift (present day) by Deborah Raney

Each novella has a different focus, but are connected by location and their love of their town.

My gratitude to author Janyre Tromp for a complimentary copy of the novel. I was not required to post a review and all opinions expressed are my own.

[Rebecca · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars
Spanning across decades, the small town of Mapleview, Michigan re-generates the spirit of Christmas within the hearts of those who need a gentle nudge. (or perhaps, even a push and shove?) Wrapped in creative community charm and topped with a most romantic bow, this diverse collection of stories guarantees to warm the hearts of those who read them.

Hopes and Fears by Amanda Wen - "Once upon a time, he'd have been just as devoted to sharing the joy of the season. Christmas used to be his favorite time of year. Now he hated it. Because everything, everywhere, reminded him of . . . . "

While Mortals Sleep - Janyre Tromp - "I barely heard the pastor's sermon - something about Jesus coming into the world quietly in the dark of the night while all of us mortals slept. There'd been a time when I truly believed that God was as unendingly powerful as he was kind . . . . . Where are your angels, Lord? Where are the ones who fight for what is right?"

The Wonderful Gift - Deborah Raney - "Would he ever see her again? Suddenly all the hopes and ideas he'd had for the property, the excitement of starting this business he'd dreamed about most of his adult life, were crushed. . . . . he didn't know why God had let this happen. And it might unravel every wonderful thing he thought God had been doing."

Let the words of a most beloved Christmas hymn flood your heart with gratitude for another small town, one that hosted the entrance of the King of Kings those many years ago.

[Janine Rosche · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m ready to visit this “little town” after reading these stories! The perfect jaunt through history, each tale depicts strong characters wrestling with unique troubles while clinging to the Hope born on Christmas morning even longer ago.

[Angie Quantrell · Rating 5 out of 5]

This Christmas collection is just perfect for holiday reading. Each story, told by three talented authors, is unique in setting, characters, and conflict, but tie together beautifully in romance and good writing. I zipped through the stories so fast, I may need to read them again around December. Each is a world of its own, filled with Christmas magic.

Hopes and Fears by Amanda Wen
Emma (teacher) wants to change tradition with a newer Christmas pageant, but is thwarted by her nemesis and childhood rival Frederick. Things definitely heat up do not go as planned.

While Mortals Sleep by Janyre Tromp
Eleanor returns home when her sister dies. But all is not a simple as she thought. A suspicious bombing draws Eleanor in to solving the mystery of what really happened, aided by family friend Gideon.

The Wondrous Gift by Deborah Raney
Losing their teaching jobs right before Christmas, Rachel (music teacher) and Caleb (football coach) must figure out a new way to make a living and follow their dreams.

[brenda gordon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tis the season to get started reading good Christmas books!! I just finished O Little Town-- a Christmas anthology written by 3 great authors. Amanda Wen, Janyre Lyn Tromp,and Deborah Raney, all who are new.authors to me. I will definitely read more by them as these stories were all soo good!! Grab a cup of hot chocolate and snuggle up!! I loved them all but for me there was one special one. I have always wanted to teach and Amanda Wen's story: Hope and Fears about a one room school house in 1912 just captured my heart. All three stories take place in Mapleview, Michigan and they all have a common thread. Enough said. Go to Amazon and pre-order the book. It becomes available September 27, 2022. This may be the Christmas book to beat this year!!

[Melmo2610 · Rating 4 out of 5]

A cute collection of Christmas romances. One even had a mystery! Fun holiday read.

[Cheryl Barker · Rating 4 out of 5]

I admit it. I love Christmas books. Especially ones with gorgeous covers, and O Little Town has one of the best. Definitely puts you in a Christmasy mood.

I really love the concept of this book -- three novellas that take place in the same small town at different points in history. Plus, the titles of each story are taken from the book title's namesake Christmas carol "O Little Town of Bethlehem." Very clever!

I love a meaty, well-written story even in my Christmas reads so my favorite one in this collection is Janyre Tromp's While Mortals Sleep. Lucky for me, Janyre knows how to deliver, meaty, well-written, and Christmasy all in one story :)

If you enjoy reading Christmas stories during the holiday season (or any time for that matter!), give this one a try. A variety of historical plus contemporary stories along with the different writing styles of the authors will undoubtedly hit you in your reading sweet spot at some point. Enjoy!

[Erin Laramore · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a sweet collection of Christmas novellas set in 3 different eras in the same small town in Michigan. Each story is titled with a line from the song "O Little Town of Bethlehem" and incorporates those themes. Each story had a sweet romance, a solid faith thread, and a bit of a mystery. All of them incorporated the same building as a main location point as well. This is a collection I would recommend to fans of Christmas stories and small town romance stories.

[Rebecca Jordan · Rating 5 out of 5]

O Little Town is a wonderful collection of three romance novellas, each one as unique as the three authors: Amanda Wen, Janyre Tromp, and Deborah Raney. I loved seeing the three-generational span of Mapleview, Michigan. The characters kept me involved; the mystery kept me intrigued; and the romance warmed my heart like hot chocolate on a cold winter night. Faith and forgiveness thread through each story, weaving inviting tales of romantic suspense as well as lighthearted moments of friendship and humor.

Here is one quote I enjoyed from Janyre Tromp’s story, “While Mortals Sleep”: “‘You are one of the most capable, intelligent people I know. Let me be the safe place where you can be yourself. Sometimes’—he reached behind my ear—‘you can find miracles.’”

I thoroughly enjoyed this book that I received as a complimentary copy from the authors. This review is voluntary and totally my own opinion.

[Susan Snodgrass · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you like Christmas stories, and I do, then you need to pick this one up and read it. Three novellas tucked into this and they are so sweet and precious. All three take place in a very small town at different time periods. Your heart will smile when you close the book. I enjoyed this one.

Thanks to Kregel for a copy of this book. The opinion in this review is my own.

[Krystal · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this collection of Christmas love stories surrounding the town of Mapleview. The first story by Amanda Wen is about two schoolteachers who have reunited at a small school. Emma is determined to make this Christmas extra special for her students, while Christmas is a painful reminder for Frederick of his past mistakes. This was such a beautiful story about the forgiveness and grace the Lord came and brought us that we celebrate especially at Christmastime.
The second story by Janyre Tromp was the dearest to my heart. It was about Eleanor, who is a reporter during WWII, who returns home because of her youngest sister's death, which turns out to be quite suspicious. She has painful memories of growing up, but her most precious memories involve her sister who has passed and a friend who was her protector growing up, Gideon. Gideon has taken the spot as one of my favorite heroes. The way he faithfully had loved Eleanor, and cared for her family, and those in his town endeared him so much to me. He also had a speech impediment due to a hearing loss he suffered as a child, and my own youngest also has hearing loss, so I loved him from the beginning.
The third story from Deborah Raney is about two teachers from a school who find out that they will be without a job soon. With living in a small town, their prospects are few. They are both happy and sad to find that at this time with so much unknown, they begin to have feelings for each other. As they search out their dreams, they find the beauty of a gift given in love.
This is a series you will definitely want to read around Christmastime, or whenever you would love to have reminders of the sweetness of the season!
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

[Crystal Grant · Rating 4 out of 5]

Three different authors. Three different stories. But all based in the same town around Christmas time. These sweet, simple romances are perfect for the holiday season!

[Melissa Graham · Rating 4 out of 5]

From three amazing authors come three wonderful novellas based on a favorite
Christmas hymn.

This Christmas collection is just perfect for holiday reading. Each story, set in the small town of Mapleview Michigan, has its own unique setting, characters, and conflict, but they all tie together wonderfully. Each time period is filled with its own Christmas magic.

Hopes and Fears by Amanda Wen is set in 1912 where Emma wants to change tradition with a newer Christmas pageant, but is told no by her childhood rival Frederick who has taken a temporary job at the school where she teaches.

While Mortals Sleep by Janyre Tromp is set during WWII in 1944.
Eleanor returns home when her sister dies, but things are not as simple as she thought they would be. After a suspicious bombing, Eleanor becomes tangled up in solving the mystery of what really happened, aided by family friend Gideon.

The Wondrous Gift by Deborah Raney is set in the present.
After losing their teaching jobs right before Christmas, Rachel and Caleb must figure out a new way to make a living and follow their dreams.

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the authors/publisher. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.

[Yvette · Rating 5 out of 5]

Along with themes of faith, grief, forgiveness, and redemption, the three novellas in O Little Town by authors Amanda Wen, Janyre Tromp, and Deborah Raney share the light of God's love and tender romance in the season of Christmas.

Set in the fictional town of Mapleview, Michigan, these three stories may be connected by various elements, but they are uniquely and wonderfully their own. Amanda Wen's Hopes and Tears sees two childhood rivals teaching together and at odds over the annual Christmas pageant in 1912. Janyre Tromp's While Mortals Sleep quickly embroils an out-of-town reporter and the man she left behind in an investigation into her sister's wartime death in 1944. And Deborah Raney's The Wondrous Gift brings two teachers into each other's orbit when they have to reconsider their futures in the contemporary entry in this collection.

With rivalries past and present, romantic tension and precarious situations, these three stories of reaffirming faith, accepting forgiveness, and renewed or newly blossoming love are sure to warm the reader's heart. In turns charming, humorous, and touching, O Little Town is a Christmas novella collection to savor. Highly recommended.

This review refers to a finished copy I voluntarily received and read courtesy of the publisher. A positive review was not required and all opinions expressed are my own.

[Debra Slonek · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed each of the stories in this collection. I encourage you to grab a copy of this book and spend some time in the little town of Mapleview, Michigan. Your heart will be warmed, your hope renewed and your joy restored.

Hopes and Fears by Amanda Wen
The Christmas season was a painful reminder of regrets, sorrow and fear for Frederick. As he and Emma began teaching together and preparing their students to put on a new Christmas play, he was able to trade in his fear and regrets for some Christmas hope and joy.

While Mortals Sleep by Janyre Tromp
A tragedy, surrounded by mystery, unanswered questions and coverups brought about a reunion between Lennie and Gideon. As sparks began to fly, would their goals and dreams bring them closer together? This story was filled with suspense, teamwork, romance and the true meaning of family. I loved it!

The Wondrous Gift by Deborah Ramey
Can a major plot twist, like a sudden job loss, become a catalyst for something so much better than what you had before? Yes, yes it can! Caleb and Rachel were given a most wondrous gift as they pursued their dreams and each other. I loved their sweet story!

I received complimentary copies of this book from Kregel Publications and NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

[Penny · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading this collection of holiday themed stories. Set in the town of Mapleview, Michigan, three authors create stories from different generations of towns folk. Amanda Wen’s story, set in the early days of the town’s settlement, is a sweet tale of love and forgiveness. Janyre Tromp’s story, set during WW 2 involves intrigue and the most lovable male character, Gideon. Deborah Raney captures modern day Mapleview in her romance of two teachers. I like that the schoolhouse from Wen’s story appears in Raney’s. Each story is unique and thoroughly enjoyable. From historical fiction, to mystery, to contemporary these authors have delivered three engaging and wonderful stories. Add this to your Christmas to be read pile. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

[Vera Godley · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a fun, entertaining, clean collection of novellas set in a small town and sweet romances during different generational periods.

All three stories were delightful but I think my favorite would be "While Mortals Sleep" by Janyre Tromp. This was the middle story and took place during WWII and involved the little known fact of enemy dangers on American soil, mysterious death, and possible treason. It is all wrapped together with a childhood friendship that blossoms into a sweet romance.

I really enjoyed this set of novellas and they provided some hours of very pleasant reading.

DISCLOSURE: I received a complimentary copy to facilitate a review. Opinions are mine, alone and are freely given.

[Perrianne · Rating 5 out of 5]

I honestly couldn’t have hand picked a better trio of authors to compile this wonderful Christmas Novella collection! Janrye Tromp has a gripping mystery, Amanda Wen writes with her incredible warmth and Deborah Raney has a sweet and unexpected romance. I enjoyed them all and definitely felt like I’m finally ready to get into the Christmas spirit. All of the stories revolve around fictional Mapleview Michigan, although some are in different time frames, ranging from the early 1900’s, post WWII and present time. Come and fall in love with Mapleview and meet the residents that are brimming with small-town charm. This collection would be an excellent start to your Fall reading season.

I’ve enjoyed at least a book or two from each of these well-known authors, although it’s really been too long since I’ve read a Deborah Raney book. I plan to remedy that! I love each author’s style for different reasons, as each is very versatile. I highly recommend this seasonal novella collection!

I received a copy of this book from the author as a review copy and I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

[Deena Adams · Rating 4 out of 5]

I went into reading this novella collection expecting the three stories to get me in the Christmas spirit, but only the first one by Amanda Wen was really geared toward Christmas. Since I didn't get to read them until after Christmas, that wasn't really an issue except for my pre-conceived expectations.

Each author's writing was excellent and their stories engaging. I especially enjoyed Deborah Raney's light-hearted romance, although there was one line about Christmas wreaths on the light poles in town but the timeframe was March, so that was a little confusing.

All in all, I really liked each individual story. If the holiday spirit aspect isn't a big deal for you, I recommend this collection!

[Tammy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Three short stories connected by a small town and a school over a century. The multiple authors did a good job of weaving the stories together as a reminder of how time keeps going yet the true Christmas story will always be the most important story. The mystery in the middle of the book was a nice change of pace.

[Joan Arning · Rating 5 out of 5]

Begin your Christmas reading with this collection of three nostalgic novellas set in the fictional town of Mapleview, Michigan! Hopes and Fears features a female school teacher in 1912 who is determined to present a new program at Christmas despite the objections of the interim principal. This was my first book by Amanda Wen and I sincerely enjoyed it. While Mortals Sleep by Janyre Tomp is an exciting story set during World War II and featured several topics I was not familiar with! Imagine a bomb landing in Michigan! You will enjoy this story as news reporter Eleanor Sweers returns home upon her sister's death and works with family friend Gideon Braum to find out what really happened. The Wondrous Gift by Deborah Raney, a favorite author: You will wonder what will happen next when a Christian high school closes and two teachers bid on the same house planning to start new careers! I recommend this collection of people who find love where they least expect it to anyone wanting some quick reads during the holiday season. I received an advance complimentary copy of O Little Town from the authors and Kregel Publications. This is my honest opinion.

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book! Each of the three Christmas stories, all set in different time periods in the same town, were so unique and good. This is a great Christmas collection.

[Leslie McKee · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love novella collections, particularly Christmas ones, so I was honored to be part of the launch team for this charming collection that spans the years.

All the stories take place in the cozy yet fictional town of Mapleview, Michigan. I've read, and enjoyed, other books by these authors, so I had high hopes for this book, and it didn't disappoint. I used to teach, so I found a bit more of a connection with "Hopes and Fears" and "The Wonderous Gift," but they are all well-crafted stories with characters you can easily connect with and root for. I loved how a beloved Christmas hymn weaved the stories together. And there's just the right amount of romance to make this a great addition to your holiday reading list.

Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy, but I wasn't required to leave a positive review.

[Leslie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hope and Fears

I’m a big fan of Amanda Wen’s work and when I found out that Ms. Wen wrote a story for the O Little Town: A Romance Christmas Collection, I knew I needed to read this book. Ms. Wen wrote the story Hope and Fears for the O Little Town Collection. Set in 1912, Hope and Fears tells the story of “childhood nemeses” Emma and Frederick. Growing up, Emma and Frederick would often give each other a hard time and try to out-do one another in academic pursuits. Little did each other know that in their pursuits of academic achievement, that they were falling for each other. After graduating, Emma and Frederick go their separate ways only to end up working at Visser School in Mapleview, Michigan. Emma and Frederick soon realize that while what they both loved about each other is still there, they both have changed. Frederick is down, especially around Christmas and is cut off from his family. Emma loves teaching and still has a fight in her, but struggles to overcome things that she is self-conscious about. Despite the changes, they realize their feelings for each other have not changed.

Hope and Fears is different from Amanda Wen’s previous work (it’s not a time-slip novel), but it’s just as good! I loved the story of Emma and Frederick and seeing how their relationship evolved. I love that their struggles weren’t brushed under the rug, but addressed appropriately for the confines of the story. I really loved the aspect of the Christmas Play that Emma chose and wish I could get a copy of it! I loved the theme of Hope and it’s Message that was woven throughout the story.

While Mortals Sleep

I’m a big fan of Janyre Tromp and was happy to see that she had a story in O Little Town. Set in Mapleview, Michigan in the 1940’s, While Mortals Sleep is the Mystery Story in O Little Town. While Mortals Sleep tells the story of Lennie, a girl who ran away from Mapleview for a better life and to chase her dreams. Lennie is forced to return to Mapleview after sister, Peg, dies unexpectedly. When Lennie arrives, she realizes that she is now the caregiver of Peg’s daughter, Enid, and that Peg’s death is suspicious. Lennie reunites with childhood friend, Gideon, who is Peg’s lawyer. Lennie lets Gideon know her suspicions about Peg’s death, thinking it’s a government cover up. As Lennie and Gideon are uncovering the truth around Peg’s death, they have discovered something far sinister took place and it hits close to home.

What pleasantly surprised me about While Mortals Sleep, is that it is a mystery within a romance collection. (I don’t always see that in romance collections.) Janyre Tromp brings the same level of intrigue to this novella as she does in her other work and it is written from the perspectives of Lennie and Gideon. While Mortals Sleep also introduced me to a part of World War II History that I was unfamiliar with–Japanese Balloon Bombs. (I won’t spoil anything about it, read O Little Town!) I appreciated the relationship of Lennie and Gideon and how they were both united in their pursuit of the truth for Peg and protecting and taking care of Enid. The intrigue in While Mortals Sleep is equal parts suspense and romance without taking away from the Christian Message.

The Wonderous Gift

The Wonderous Gift by Deborah Raney is the contemporary story in the O Little Town: A Romance Christmas Collection. The Wonderous Gift tells the story of Caleb and Rachel, who are teachers at the local Christian School in Mapleview, Michigan. One day, Caleb and Rachel are told during a staff meeting that the School is being sold and everyone will lose their jobs. Through this turn of events, Caleb and Rachel, who have worked together for the last few years, finally get to know one another and both encourage the other to pursue their dream jobs (Caleb opening his own Personal Training/Gym Business and Rachel teaching private piano and voice lessons). When the old Visser School Building comes up for sale, both put a bid in to purchase the school for their dream job, without the other knowing. As Caleb and Rachel grow closer, the building starts to become an issue in their relationship–especially since only one can have the Visser School Building.

The Wonderous Gift by Deborah Raney is the perfect story to end O Little Town: A Romance Christmas Collection. Deborah Raney is a wonderful writer and reading her latest work gives her readers all the feels. The Wonderous Gift is a sweet read. Caleb and Rachel are fun people to read about and watching their relationship to grow was really nice as the reader. I loved the message I got out of The Wonderous Gift: That whatever happens, God is in control and God has better plans for us then we do ourselves.

O Little Town: A Romance Christmas Collection (as a whole):

Very rarely do I find an anthology of any kind that has 3 authors that I have previously read and that I am fans of, so, to me O Little Town: A Romance Christmas Collection is a gem. I loved how O Little Town: A Romance Christmas Collection was settled in Mapleview, Michigan throughout the book. Only the stories Hope and Fear and The Wonderous Gift center around Visser School. When I originally picked up O Little Town, I had preconceived notions that all three stories revolved around the same family and possibly Visser School. Fortunately, I’m glad that my preconceived notions did not come to pass. I loved the sweetness and chemistry of Emma and Frederick in Hope and Fears by Amanda Wen. I especially loved that there was a mystery component in Janyre Tromp’s While Mortals Sleep and learning about a part of World War II History that I have not heard about before. I loved the sweet ending to the O Little Town: A Romance Christmas Collection with Deborah Raney’s The Wonderous Gift, learning about and seeing Caleb and Rachel’s friendship evolve. O Little Town: A Romance Christmas Collection is a great read to kick off the Christmas season with a wonderful Message sprinkled throughout. I highly suggest that you add O Little Town: A Romance Christmas Collection to your Christmas Reading List!

This review is also on my blog, Leslie's Library Escape.

[sparkypink · Rating 2 out of 5]

I had very high hopes for this trio of novellas that were all set in the same fictional town in Michigan. I did like that each story was set in a different time frame in the same town, but I felt like the second novella only had the town in common. There were more common threads in the first and third stories.

If I had to rate the stories, I would say I liked the third story the best, followed by the first, with the second story falling quite behind. The first and third stories were more cozy stories with a bit of romance. The second story was more of a mystery and didn't seem to fit in. It seemed like it was meant to be a longer story, and a lot of pieces were missing with it being condensed into a novella, which made it difficult to follow at times.

As far as the Christian aspect, each book was quite different. I felt like the first story had a LOT of mention of God and Christianity. The third story had a little, but not too much. I honestly don't remember any of it from the second story.

I received a digital ARC of this book thanks to the publisher and NetGalley.

[Leanne Bondhus · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 stories that take place in the same town but in different time periods. All are sweet romances but my favorite is “While mortals sleep”. I love the history of bombs landing in Michigan during WWII told in alternating stories by Lennie and Gideon. I loved the language used to describe actions and events and the twists in the story. Beautifully written and I felt like two friends were telling me their stories that warmed my heart and surprised my mind.

[Barbara Harper · Rating 4 out of 5]

O Little Town is a collection of three stories by three different authors. The town in question is not Bethlehem, but Mapleview, Michigan. Each author’s story takes place in a different time.

Hopes and Fears by Amanda Wen begins in a two-room schoolhouse in November, 1912. Emma Trowbridge teaches the younger students and loves her job. She’s dismayed to learn that her mentor and boss who teaches the upper grades has to take leave due to a family emergency. But she’s totally floored to find out that his replacement is Frederick Oberstein, her rival and nemesis all through school.

Frederick went away for a four-year degree, but Emma took classes at a nearby teaching college. They had not seen each other in years. They start clashing almost immediately. What Emma mistakes as Frederick’s curmudgeonly ways actually reflect weariness and grief. Can they learn not only to work together, but to actually appreciate each other’s gifts?

While Mortals Sleep by Janyre Tromp takes place during WWII. Eleanor Sweers had left her dysfunctional family years ago to become a reporter in California. She comes home due to her sister’s death, the only relative with whom she had a bond. She’s shocked to discover her sister named her as her daughter’s guardian. An old family friend, Gideon Braum, is a lawyer who helps Eleanor (nicknamed Lennie) through the legal process.

Something about Lennie’s sister’s death doesn’t add up, though. Lennie can’t turn off her reporter’s instincts and begins to investigate. She’s stunned to find evidence of a Japanese balloon bomb, similar to one she researched in CA. What is a Japanese bomb doing in Mapleview, MI? Gideon helps her learn more.

The Wondrous Gift by Deborah Raney takes place in present time. The faculty of a small Christian school is stunned to learn the school is closing due to low enrollment and high costs. After the announcement, some of the teachers agree to meet and talk about the situation further. Music teacher Rachel Hamblin and coach Caleb Janssen end up riding together, but they misunderstood where the other teachers were going. As they get to know each other, they hit it off and wonder why they had not noticed each other before.

Though sad about losing their jobs, they each harbor dreams about what they’d really like to do. They cheer each other on as they think, pray, talk, and take tentative steps in their new ventures. Things are going amazingly well until they realize that only one of them can have what they both wanted. Can they work through the issues, or will this derail their fledgling relationship?

I enjoyed experiencing stories in the same small town in different eras. It was fun to occasionally recognize a person or item from the previous era, though I probably missed some of those connections.

I’m afraid the characters in the first story didn’t resonate with me quite as much. Emma’s “force of nature” personality and Frederick’s faulty reasoning both hit me the wrong way.

And the second story’s writing seemed excessive in places. For example, “The hot, laughing breath of the reaper sighed on my neck even as he shoveled dirt over my self-made grave” and “It was a missive from the devil written in the blood of my regrets.”

Plus the narration of the audiobook I listened to seemed overwrought in the first two stories.

The third story was my favorite. I enjoyed the banter between the two characters and the progression of the story. The narration seemed more natural here.

Overall this was an enjoyable Christmas read. I liked that it wasn’t light and fluffy: each story dealt with serious issues and feelings. Each story was clean and seamlessly incorporated Christian truths and principles.