Christmas by Lamplight: A Holiday Novelette

by J.L. Jarvis

A stranger walks into her bookshop—bringing scandal, a secret, and a Christmas that will change everything. Carrie Watson isn’t looking for love—just a miracle. Her cozy Lamplight Books is the heart of Hollydale’s Main Street, but unless she can raise five thousand dollars by December 27, she’ll lose it to a corporate coffee chain. She’s poured everything into her dream and refuses to be rescued—by anyone.

Then a stranger catches her mid-fall—and the sound of his voice stops her cold. It’s that voice. The one that’s kept her company through long nights and heartbreak. Her rescuer is Tanner Blake, the famed audiobook narrator whose career just imploded in a Christmas scandal that cost the local children’s hospital its fundraiser. He’s hiding from the world. She’s fighting to save her own small corner of it.

When Carrie launches a holiday event to help the hospital and her shop, Tanner sees a chance to make things right—and maybe rediscover the man he was before fame and failure. As the town gathers beneath the glow of Lamplight Books, two guarded hearts discover that love has a way of leading you home.

A heartwarming small-town Christmas romance about redemption, courage, and the magic of finding home—perfect for fans of Debbie Macomber, Jenny Hale, and Susan Wiggs.

Genres: Holiday, Romance

94 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 21, 2025

About the author

J.L. Jarvis is a left-handed former opera singer/teacher/lawyer who lives and writes books on a mountaintop in upstate New York. For information about upcoming books, sign up for her newsletter at jljarvis.com.

Reviews

[Jacqueline Johnston Cotton · Rating 5 out of 5]

A sweet, heartwarming cozy Christmas romance. The characters were strong, and relatable. The story line is so well written and real, it's a shorter book and an easy read. You get every emotion from this wonderful read. I highly recommend this wonderful holiday book to brighten the season. Cute cover!.

[Chandra Luna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Some stories don’t just warm your heart—they mend it. Christmas by Lamplight by J.L. Jarvis is exactly that kind of story: a tender, snow-dusted romance about second chances, small-town hope, and the healing power of love when it feels like all is lost.

Carrie Watson is stubbornly independent and quietly brave, she’s fighting to save her dream—Lamplight Books, the coziest little bookstore on Main Street. The shop is more than a business; it’s her history, her heart, her home. But with bills piling up and a deadline looming, she’s running out of time and miracles.

Then, quite literally, a man falls into her story—Tanner Blake, a once-beloved audiobook narrator with a voice that could melt snow and a past he can’t escape. He’s come to Hollydale seeking refuge from scandal, guilt, and the noise of the world. He expects isolation. What he finds instead is Carrie—fierce, funny, and the unexpected spark that reminds him what redemption feels like.

The chemistry between them isn’t fireworks—it’s lamplight: steady, soft, and impossibly bright against the cold. Their connection unfolds in glances, shared laughter, and moments when two broken people quietly realize they’ve found someone who sees them.

When they team up to host a holiday fundraiser—both to save Carrie’s shop and rebuild Tanner’s reputation—the story blossoms into something truly magical. It’s about forgiveness, about finding joy in giving, and about how sometimes love doesn’t swoop in to fix everything… it simply makes you brave enough to start again.

J.L. Jarvis writes with the kind of tenderness that feels like being wrapped in a blanket beside a fire. The town of Hollydale shimmers with life—snowflakes, twinkle lights, and the warmth of neighbors who never stop believing in each other. It’s a place you’ll want to visit again and again.

In the end, Christmas by Lamplight reminds us that the truest miracles don’t come from grand gestures—they come from kindness, courage, and the quiet glow of love when you least expect it.

🎄 Rating: 5/5 Lamplights — Heartfelt, healing, and beautifully hopeful. Perfect for anyone who believes that sometimes the best love stories begin when you stop looking for them.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Jane litherland · Rating 5 out of 5]

Highly loved this book to read in my cosy book nook and the cover is so vibrant and hits just right . Just as the story does delight in every way . It’s light and gay after that stranger happened to passing her way and catching her mid fall as the snow was about to fall ,I shouldn’t wonder and that certainly would have put her asunder. Carrie Watson ,proprietor of Lamplight Books in the heart of Hollydale Street is falling not only off her feet but out her Coffee Shop door if she can’t raise five thousand dollars by December 27th what’s more . Oh no! A miracle is needed she pleaded. Maybe this was her knight in shining armour or maybe amour but she’ll be glad he came to her rescue once more. Because her heartthrob of the airwaves …well audiobook ones is her saviour though he’s in hiding as his reputation has taken a hiding. Tanner Blake’s career lies in tatters after a scandal cost him something that matters and the funding for the children’s hospital what took the brunt of the cost most. Is this bookshop in this small town about to turn his frown upside down? Wouldn’t it be profound and just to get back to his roots and do some good at the same time ? Rediscovering himself ,remembering how it used to be before the fame and glory took hold and this misery. He’s in hiding while her and her bookstore are on an hiding to foreclosure if the big franchise have their way . But here’s Tanner Blake who’s no longer a fake ,a take a boor. He wants to make amends and help out her store at the same time . Maybe fall in love too. Now isn’t that just the dreamiest storyline? Simply divine and a bookstore is not just for Christmas you see but all year round hon and she wants to be able to share it with someone … Her own special one who brought hope when there was none before and who she learned as time went by that he was the one . Her guy and he already could tell that she was his gal . Great storytelling ,simply divine storyline. Compelling as well. It’s by J. L. Jarvis so of course it is . Bliss!

[N.N. Heaven · Rating 5 out of 5]

As someone who actually loves over 2 dozen of the Hallmark Christmas movies of the last 2 decades, I love this book! You have a fantastic leading lady, Carrie, who is battling to make her life goals work all by herself. Tumulted by a past relationship and her own doubts, she is at a crossroads as Christmas closes in. Her only vice left is the voice of her fave audiobook narrator. Cue the Christmas magic.

Can a stranger walking through a door change everyone's life? Can you survive coming face to face with your fantasy? Is there enough Christmas magic to save everyone here? Read this incredible Christmas novel and find out.

Touching and heartwarming, this book is a warm hug on a cold night. The perfect reading companion by the fire on a night before Christmas. The character development is done in such a concise fashion you know the two main characters fully in short order.

The setting is poignant and so beautifully described. As someone who has had a book in my hand nearly every single day of his life, there are few special places like bookstores. Lamplight books sounds like a place I could spend days and day at with my wife just going through all the books. A beautiful setting for a beautiful book. The romance will literally make you go awwww. A gifted author has created a wonderful read that I will read every year around Christmas. You should treat yourself with this book and do the same thing. A fantastic story.

My Rating: 5++ stars

Reviewed by: Mr. N

[Nathalie DeSousa · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is truly a sweet romance read for the season. The story of Carrie and Tanner is of redemption and belonging. This is a short read that packs lots of heart and emotions in its plot. Carrie is the owner of the Lamplight Books store and is working hard to not lose the business. Tanner is an ex- audiobook narrator who is escaping from his fame, guilt and scandals that took his life away. As they meet they are both looking for a way to redeem and save themselves. SO between working together, many conversations, moments, they start to see each other to understand more of their stories. The hum of their attraction is always there but they take their time to work through their issues first.

A great book with a complete plot, two relatable characters, a redemption story and all the holiday vibes..

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Paula · Rating 5 out of 5]

Christmas by Lamplight by J.L. Jarvis is one heart-touching novella. I smiled but also I shed more than a few tears during the hospital scene and fell completely in love with these characters. This is my favorite story by this author. It is short so that I was able to read it in an afternoon but oh, it is so well-developed that I felt like I knew the characters and the town of Hollydale where the bookstore was located. Such a wonderful but relevant story with all the social media manipulating and spinning that goes on around us. It was a wholesome clean story but absolutely romantic. If you have time to read only one book this busy season, then make Christmas by Lamplight be the one.

[Cait's Reading Nook · Rating 5 out of 5]

Christmas by Lamplight is a holiday novelette by J.L. Jarvis. Carrie is a bookstore owner in Hollydale and needs to raise money to keep her store. She meets Tanner Blake, a well-known audiobook narrator, lying low in Hollydale.

Carrie is hosting a holiday fundraiser and Tanner is seeking to help both Carrie and the local children’s hospital.

I enjoyed this heartwarming story and seeing Carrie and Tanner’s relationship grow and finding their own second chances.

Readers who enjoy holiday novelettes, small town, and second chance stories will like this book.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Lori · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love these types of books - perfect for Christmas time. This is a second chance, redeem yourself storyline where two people looking for something completely opposite and trying to revive their dreams, find each other. I love the small town setting, the bookstore on the main street - the perfect place to spend a few hours just browsing. It's Christmas so it's the perfect time for miracles. Perfect Christmas read!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Rhonda · Rating 5 out of 5]

The holidays always add an unexpected twist. I like the idea that the male character does audible books and that she recognizes his voice because she listens to books. Great idea! But they both have something hiding that makes for interesting reading. There are a couple of surprises. Good read.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Marianne · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a lovely holiday romance.. I liked it so much! It is absolutely adorable and heartwarming.. Sweet characters.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Diana Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

Christmas by lamplight is a novelette and was my Christmas read choice for the Sister's bookclub. While short, it gives tons of warm Christmas vibes and romance, and is the perfect read for Christmas Eve, in front of a fireplace with a mug of hot chocolate!

[Teresa · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a sweet read! Loved their meet-cute. Great plot! Loved the characters! Nice and clean.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Brontesruleromance · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 stars

A fast, light Hallmark style Christmas read. I didn’t feel any romantic connection between the MCs.