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Belle's Christmas Carol: A Dickens-Inspired Holiday Novella
Not yet published
Expected 1 Sep 26While all of London waits for snow, an orphanage in need holds holiday cheer, sparks of love, and secrets waiting to be discovered.
When Ebeneezer Scrooge's former fiancée, Belle Beaumont, unexpectedly inherits a struggling London orphanage, she dreams of giving the children of Haven House the most splendid Christmas they've ever known. But her vision of snowflakes and merriment quickly collides with reality: Fire damage has rendered part of the building unsafe, and the paperwork is years behind.
Barrister Rafe Munro is fighting to clear an innocent man and searching for a child, who may be his relative. His pursuit leads him to Haven House, where Rafe offers to help Belle sort through the chaotic records that might lead to the missing child. Amid the mayhem of running an orphanage full of mischievous children and eccentric staff, will Belle and Rafe find love and the answers they seek this holiday season?
With characters from Dickens's A Christmas Carol, this festive historical romance Christmas novella of family and second chances from Michelle Griep is set in Victorian England.
When Ebeneezer Scrooge's former fiancée, Belle Beaumont, unexpectedly inherits a struggling London orphanage, she dreams of giving the children of Haven House the most splendid Christmas they've ever known. But her vision of snowflakes and merriment quickly collides with reality: Fire damage has rendered part of the building unsafe, and the paperwork is years behind.
Barrister Rafe Munro is fighting to clear an innocent man and searching for a child, who may be his relative. His pursuit leads him to Haven House, where Rafe offers to help Belle sort through the chaotic records that might lead to the missing child. Amid the mayhem of running an orphanage full of mischievous children and eccentric staff, will Belle and Rafe find love and the answers they seek this holiday season?
With characters from Dickens's A Christmas Carol, this festive historical romance Christmas novella of family and second chances from Michelle Griep is set in Victorian England.
208 pages, Paperback
Expected publication September 1, 2026
About the author
Michelle Griep
42 books2,757 followersI hear voices. Loud. Incessant. And very real. Which basically gives me two options: choke back massive amounts of Prozac or write fiction. I chose the latter. Way cheaper. I've been writing since I discovered blank wall space and Crayolas. I seek to glorify God in all that I write...except for that graffiti phase I went through as a teenager. Oops. Did I say that out loud?
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
August 1, 2026
This is a great Christmas novella. I really enjoyed learning and reading about what happened to Belle after breaking up with Ebeneezer Scrooge. Belle inherits an orphanage. Rafe is a barrister working on a murder case. He also has stumbled upon a picture of a baby in his deceased sister’s things. He believes his sister had a child out of wedlock and left it at the orphanage that Belle runs. As Belle and Rafe try to find out if 5 year old Cricket is his nephew or not they get to know one another. I really enjoyed this story! I loved watching the romance between Belle and Rafe blossom. I also loved Cricket and the other children at the orphanage. And there is even an appearance from Ebeneezer himself! There is good Christian content throughout. Overall a great story for the Christmas season and I definitely recommend!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the author. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the author. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
What a wonderful holiday read this was! Like so many other readers, A Christmas Carol is a longtime favorite of mine... it's certainly a beloved classic for a reason! Anytime I see a new read, holiday or otherwise, inspired by this tale, I find myself looking forward to reading it, and this one was no exception. Having read and enjoyed other books by the author in the past as well, I knew this would be a good one... and it didn't disappoint. What I really loved about this one is that it wasn't a retelling, but rather a separate story featuring characters from the original. We still see some beloved characters, but it's truly a unique story all on its own. I loved this sweet romance between Belle and Rafe and found myself rooting for them to get their happily ever after. Being a novella, it's a perfect quick read for the holiday season (or anytime you want a little holiday spirit) without feeling rushed or incomplete. If you love Dickens and Christian historical romance, this is certainly one you'll want to add to your holiday TBR.
**ARC received for consideration. All opinions are my own.
**ARC received for consideration. All opinions are my own.
August 4, 2026
I love Ms. Griep's imaginings of what Belle Beaumont's life could have been like after she broke her engagement to Ebenezer Scrooge. The Victorian Era comes alive with this nod to the Dicken's classic A Christmas Carol. Belle's Christmas Carol follows Belle's journey to love after she inherits Haven House, a distressed London orphanage. The cast of characters shines with a sweet heroine, a determined hero, a quirky staff, and rambunctious orphans. I enjoyed the way Belle and Rafe's romantic relationship blooms as they help each other navigate difficult circumstances. I appreciate the quiet focus on lived-out faith. This beautifully written novella touched my heart and tickled my funny bone! I highly recommend it as a worthy, entertaining holiday read.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher through Interviews and Reviews via NetGalley with no obligation to write a positive review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher through Interviews and Reviews via NetGalley with no obligation to write a positive review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from Author
The lovely story is set in Lindon, England, in tbe year 1819.
The main character is a young woman, Isabelle Beaumont. She lives with her dear wise father, and she works as a teacher at Haven House orphanage.
“For you, my darling dear, have a way of carrying the world on those shoulders. You are neither Atlas nor the great Creator.”
She also isn't lucky in love friendship.
“Was she destined to always encounter men who saw naught but the material value of things?”
I loved very much this story, it was intriguing, touching, emotional.
I was curious to read it, since I read 'A Dickens-inspired Holiday novella A Christmas carol '.
I adore "A Christmas carol" novella, it can twach people good things, such as "I will honor Christmas in my heart and try to keep it all the year ".
I thank you for let me read this book Author, Editor, Interview&Review.
The main character is a young woman, Isabelle Beaumont. She lives with her dear wise father, and she works as a teacher at Haven House orphanage.
“For you, my darling dear, have a way of carrying the world on those shoulders. You are neither Atlas nor the great Creator.”
She also isn't lucky in love friendship.
“Was she destined to always encounter men who saw naught but the material value of things?”
I loved very much this story, it was intriguing, touching, emotional.
I was curious to read it, since I read 'A Dickens-inspired Holiday novella A Christmas carol '.
I adore "A Christmas carol" novella, it can twach people good things, such as "I will honor Christmas in my heart and try to keep it all the year ".
I thank you for let me read this book Author, Editor, Interview&Review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This is a sweet thoughtful look at who Belle, Ebeneazer Scrooge's lost fiance, might have been.
Belle is a sweet girl, from a family of trade. She has been teaching lessons at a small orphanage for many years, but when the owner dies and bequeaths it to her, her life takes a mighty change.
Rafe is an up and coming barrister trying to navigate the holidays after the recent death of his sister. As he tries to bring his mother by back from grief, he discovers a secret. Can this secret change his family and help to heal them?
I enjoyed this story very much. It is a great holiday read, with hope for change and love.
Thank you to Bethany House and netgalley for the opportunity to read an early release copy.
Belle is a sweet girl, from a family of trade. She has been teaching lessons at a small orphanage for many years, but when the owner dies and bequeaths it to her, her life takes a mighty change.
Rafe is an up and coming barrister trying to navigate the holidays after the recent death of his sister. As he tries to bring his mother by back from grief, he discovers a secret. Can this secret change his family and help to heal them?
I enjoyed this story very much. It is a great holiday read, with hope for change and love.
Thank you to Bethany House and netgalley for the opportunity to read an early release copy.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
“Add to list: Things I never want to become – rich and lonely.”
Christian fiction based on classic literature has never been done better! Griep brings to life Scrooge’s former fiancé and gives her an engaging adventure of her own. I loved not just the references to the classic story, but the inclusion of the odious “Ben” himself. Belle is a sweet, strong character that sees things (and people) as they really are and ends up better for it. Faith, love, and hope combine with non-stop action to make this a perfect short novel for any time of year.
Add to list: Buy a copy of Belle’s Christmas Carol to read immediately. And pray for snow.
*I received a complimentary copy of this e-book from the publisher through NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Christian fiction based on classic literature has never been done better! Griep brings to life Scrooge’s former fiancé and gives her an engaging adventure of her own. I loved not just the references to the classic story, but the inclusion of the odious “Ben” himself. Belle is a sweet, strong character that sees things (and people) as they really are and ends up better for it. Faith, love, and hope combine with non-stop action to make this a perfect short novel for any time of year.
Add to list: Buy a copy of Belle’s Christmas Carol to read immediately. And pray for snow.
*I received a complimentary copy of this e-book from the publisher through NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews