The Christmas Cottage: A Roderick Glen Prequel Novella

by Kristie Self

This Christmas, two lonely souls searching for a place to belong just might discover their best chance to find home is with each other.

Lady Catherine Palmer returns to London after escaping a harrowing ordeal in Paris, only to learn that she has been disowned from her family because of the scandal her actions have created. Uncertain what to do next, she flees to Laken Hall, her family’s country estate, hoping she will be able to find refuge within its stately walls. She doesn’t count on reconnecting with her childhood friend, Alistair Wesley.

Now a solicitor like his father, Alistair longs to break away from his father’s control and leave Laken Hall forever, but Lady Catherine’s sudden arrival causes him to rethink his plans. When she is forced to leave Laken Hall, Alistair devises a plan to keep her safe, hiding her in a deserted cottage on the edge of the estate.

The more time Catherine and Alistair spend together, the more they begin to realize that their childhood friendship has grown into something more, but will their differences be too great a distance to cross? And will Catherine’s secrets drive them even further apart?

Pull up a chair and allow this warm, inviting Christmas novella to sweep you away to Victorian England, to a time when one’s hope in faith and love meant everything.

136 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 7, 2025

Reviews

[Staci · Rating 4 out of 5]

1858 England

What a lovely prequel showing how the Wesley family got started in Roderick Glen.

Lady Catherine followed her dream of becoming an artist and took a risk too great. She's disowned by her family and grasping at straws on where to seek refuge. She and her lady's maid travel to Laken Hall where she reunites with her childhood friend Alistair Wesley.

This series is highly recommended for fans of Downton Abbey. The books following the prequel are filled with an entertaining cast of upstairs/downstairs characters.

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

[DevotedToHope · Rating 5 out of 5]

Novella Perfection!!!! Love it! Highly recommend!

I hope to post my full review soon!

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

When Catherine Palmer defies her father’s wishes, she has no idea of the consequences that her actions leave her to deal with. Turning to her old childhood friend, Alistair Wesley helps her to find a place to stay while she figures out what to do next.

Things to love:
friends to more
danger
secrets
second chances

I enjoyed this prequel to Roderick Glen, and while it can be read as a standalone, it is interesting to see how Catherine and Allistair arrive at Roderick Glen.

[Gretchen Garrison · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Catherine scarcely waited for the driver to open the door before clambering down from the carriage. She took a few steps forward and stopped, her eyes taking in the sight of the old, abandoned cottage where she and Alistair had often played as children. Its boards had grown even more weathered over time, but the glass windows and brick chimney were still intact, as was the thatched roof."

Raised in privilege, Lady Catherine Palmer also lived under restriction. So, when an opportunity presented itself for her to pursue her dreams, she went forward. The result was not what she expected, and now she hopes to return home. When that door is also closed, she has to figure out a new direction.

Alistair Wesley enjoys being a solicitor. While he tries to learn from the experiences of his father, he finds himself beaten down. Can't he be kind and good at overseeing an estate? When an opportunity presents itself for him to help his childhood friend, he decides that kindness is worth the risk. Especially since Catherine has always had a special place in his heart.

This Regency romance also contains a bit of expense. While the title is connected to the Roderick Glen collection, since this novella is a prequel, one could easily start with this book. Now I actually want to look at some of the published titles to appreciate Alistair even more. I have really enjoyed this series.

I did get to read an advanced copy of this book. I wanted to read and review it. All opinions are my own!

[Rebecca Trump · Rating 5 out of 5]

Being that I’m already in the Christmas mood, I was so excited to read this amazing book, The Christmas Cottage by Kristie Self. I have read several books in her Roderick Glen series and this one was another example of her exquisite writing. I adore her characters and my heart was so moved by this tale, showing God’s love can sustain us through any trial and bring joy back to our hearts. You will love this novella!!

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author. The opinions expressed are completely my own.

[Judith Welbaum · Rating 5 out of 5]

very Christmas.

A very quick good read!!!! Can’t wait to read the rest of it.!!,I loved the characters and the adventure. I love this author.

[Kelly-Ann ~ Sassy Bookish Mama · Rating 4 out of 5]

I absolutely love Kristie Self's Roderick Glen series and if you haven’t read it you are definitely missing out! The characters and the storylines are amazing and they just keep wanting more of these characters.

I absolutely loved reading The Christmas Cottage, this is a prequel story so it gives us the story of Lady Catherine and Alistair Wesley. You see them in the other books as parents so it was delightful to know more about their story!

I’m telling you if you want to immerse yourself in a world of characters in which in each book you find out more about each of them you need to grab her entire series!!

Thank you to the author for the copy of the book for review. All views expressed are my own.