Belle's Christmas Carol

by Michelle Griep

While 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.

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

198 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 1, 2026

About the author

I 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?

Reviews

[Gloria · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fun tale with a touch of A Christmas Carol retelling. Belle inherits Haven House where she taught orphans when the owner died. She loves the children who need so much. Rafe, a barrister dealing with big case, thinks that his nephew is a resident of the home and helps Belle look for records to prove his case and gets drawn into the warmth and personalities of the residents. Romance, humor, faith, normal antics of children and staff make this a great story. I listened via Chirp and really enjoyed the narrator.

[BookLoverAmanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

🎄✨ Belle's Christmas Carol by Michelle Griep 🎄✨
4 Stars (3.75 Storygraph)
https://bookloveramanda.blogspot.com/...

Thank you to Bethany House for the gifted copy of this book to read for review. All thoughts are my own.

A very fun Christmas novella indeed! I love A Christmas Carol by Dickens y'all and this was awesome. To see Michelle take the familiar world from the classic book and expand it into a story about second chances, family, love...it was just really well done.

Belle was a really fun character to follow. She was Ebenezer Scrooge's former fiancée, inspired by Belle from A Christmas Carol. Belle inherits Haven House, which is a struggling London orphanage. She is trying to give the children a good Christmas but the building has a lot of chaotic records and she is trying to figure everything out. She meets Rafe who comes to Haven House searching for info about a child who may be related to him.

Michelle takes a character who once loved Scrooge before he became consumed by money and gives her a whole new story after their relationship ends. It is a story centered on caring for orphans, Christmas and finding love again.

Loved seeing Belle step into her new role at Haven House and care for those children so well. Rafe was also as a noble guy, as he just wanted to find the answers for his family. I enjoyed watching his relationship with Belle develop as they worked together to uncover things hidden in the orphanage records. A few slower bits but overall great!

Seeing familiar characters and references in this book felt like a fun companion to the classic book and I would certainly recommend for fans of A Christmas Carol!

[Angela Bell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Leave it to the incomparable Michelle Griep to effortlessly blend merrymaking and a murder trial into a Dickensian delight!

Set amidst the Regency Era, this historical romance features a cast of endearing and quirky characters, references to a beloved holiday classic, and crackling wit sure to have readers snort-laughing demurely as they read by the hearth.

If you’ve ever wondered what became of Belle after breaking her engagement with Ebenezer Scrooge, this festive novella is sure to be your cup of tea! 

[Melissa (christianbooksandcoffee) · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Thomas George Phillips · Rating 4.75 out of 5]

Ms. Griep has turned the classic Charles Dickens; Novel, "A Christmas Carol" into a wonderful love story between a lawyer and a spinster. Belle Beaumont is the former fiancée of Ebeneezer Scrooge.

Belle has inherited a London orphanage in a rundown condition. She intends to make the necessary repairs; but the expenses are costly. Mr. Scrooge tries to persuade Belle to sell the orphanage to him; but she refuses.

In the meantime Belle has fallen in love with a Barrister Rafe Munro.

The story was fun to read; and is certainly ideal for this upcoming holiday season.

[Holly (IG Hollys_Book_Musings) · Rating 5 out of 5]

"You are stronger than you think."

Belle's Christmas Carol by Michelle Griep

I received a review copy of the book from the author and publisher. All thoughts are my own. Thank you for my beautiful paperback!

I LOVED this Dickens-inspired Christmas novella. This was my first book by this author, and I definitely will be reading more of hers.
Full of swoon and romance, Christmas traditions, helping the less fortunate, and a mystery or two to solve on the side. There was even an appearance from Mr. Scrooge himself a few times.
This one follows Belle, Ebeneezer Scrooge's ex-fiancee, and her life after being engaged to him.
The romance is so sweet and tender between Rafe and Belle. Rafe is thoughtful, thinks and cares about others, and wants to help Belle.
I loved the mystery surrounding his court case and about the little boy Cricket.
I definitely highly recommend this one. It is for sure a top read this year!

Content Guide:
Language: none
Sexual Content: Kissing only-nondescript passionate, discussion of baby out of wedlock
Violence/gore: none, some mention of possible hanging
Substance Use: Mild-social drinking
Prejudices: social classes
Religious Content: Christian
Other: nothing major

Book Info:
Series: Standalone novella
Genre: Christian Historical Holiday Romance; Victorian era
Romance Level: Kissing only
Release Date: Available Now
Publisher: Bethany House
POV: Dual third person

[Alicia · Rating 4 out of 5]

OVERALL STAR RATING: 4/5
CLEAN RATING: 5/5

Gifted by the publisher. All opinions are my own.

A beautifully written and charming Christmas novella that feels like stepping right into the world of Dickens.

From the very beginning, I was captivated by Michelle’s writing. It really feels like you’ve been dropped into a Dickens story, but the writing is easy to follow and understand. I could picture everything happening in my head as I was reading, almost like I was watching a movie. There aren’t many authors who can do that for me!

I loved the way she incorporated characters and elements from A Christmas Carol. Those little connections made this feel like a true companion story.

Belle’s unexpected inheritance of Haven House, a struggling London orphanage, provides the perfect setting for a Christmas story, while Rafe’s search for answers about his late sister and the child she may have left behind adds another layer to the story. I really enjoyed watching the pieces come together.

I’ve read quite a few novellas that have left me wishing there was more to the story, but that wasn’t the case here. Michelle managed to fit so much heart into a shorter book, and I had a fantastic time with it.

Definitely add this one to your holiday TBR!

*For more reviews and bookish content, be sure to follow me on Instagram @aliciasbooksanctuary

[DevotedToHope · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a book I would happily tuck into someone’s Christmas gift. I loved Belle’s Christmas Carol … the writing, the emotions, and the substance within such a lovely Christmas story. It was an incredible joy to read!

Michelle Griep beautifully respects Charles Dickens’s A Christmas Carol while imagining a fuller life for Belle, Scrooge’s former fiancée. I appreciated the care she took with those connections. After the hurt Belle had experienced with Scrooge, I loved seeing her find joy again and begin to trust that she could be loved and cared for, too.

The children at Haven House and the adults caring for them give the book such personality. I enjoyed their commotion and the humor that comes with it. Seeing affection and attention given to children who have already experienced loss makes the happy moments mean more. You want them to have a wonderfully blessed Christmas. You want them to know they matter … they truly matter … every day.

The romance is lovely, and the unfolding questions kept me interested in how everything would come together. Griep fits so much into this novella without losing the pleasure of spending time with these characters. The Christmas preparations add to that happiness, especially because Belle wants so much to give the children something special.

Belle’s struggle with responsibility was meaningful to me. When people depend on you, it can be difficult to accept help or admit that you cannot manage everything. I appreciated the reminder that God is in charge, even when we feel responsible for every detail. We need Him in the work He gives us, and we need to receive the help He provides.

God’s care for the children and the reminder of Christ’s coming give meaning to the love being shown to them. I appreciated how their faith shaped the way they cared for the children.

An excellent five-star read with plenty of heart and a wonderfully Christmas-y feel. I highly recommend reading Belle’s Christmas Carol and giving it as a gift. I would be so happy to introduce someone to this book.

I received a digital copy of this book via Celebrate Lit Publicity Group. A positive review was not required. All opinions are my own.

[Melissa’s Bookshelf · Rating 5 out of 5]

All the love for Belle’s Christmas Carol! Michelle Griep is one of my go-to inspirational Victorian romance writers, so when I saw she’d written a book about Belle, Scrooge’s love interest in A Christmas Carol, I had to read it! I absolutely loved it! While Dickens doesn’t provide a lot of information about Belle, I loved the way the author reimagined her & found a swoon worthy hero to replace the money hungry Scrooge.

When Belle Beaumont unexpectedly inherits a small orphanage after the untimely death of the owner, she’s completely overwhelmed. Not only are the children running wild, but she has a damaged parlor from a fire, & endless issues the proprietor left behind. When a handsome young attorney arrives searching for his deceased sister’s child, the shear chaos makes finding the paperwork nearly impossible. But, though Barrister Rafe Munro has a pressing case, he offers what little time he has to help Belle get organized while searching for his nephew. As they work together, the attraction between them sizzles.

I absolutely adored this story! The Dickens feel of Victorian England coupled with all the festivities of Christmas time, made this such an enjoyable, quick read. Not only did I love all the funny shenanigans from the orphans & the eccentric couple who works at Haven House, but also the intriguing mystery involving a man falsely accused of murder whom Rafe is defending. I enjoyed how he & Belle worked together to prove Cricket is his nephew, while also finding a way to free an innocent man. And, Cricket is so sweet & very astute!

The swoony romance between Rafe & Belle sparkles with witty banter, mutual respect, kind gestures, & long awaited kisses. I loved how good hearted Rafe is, always spoiling the children & making their Christmas truly special. I also appreciated Belle’s plight & all she endures trying to care for the children. There’s a temptation to sell Haven House & I loved discovering who the mystery buyer was.

It’s a heartwarming Victorian Christmas story filled with humor, inspiration, overcoming grief, & finding love! Highly recommend! I received an advanced copy with no expectation of a positive review. All opinions are my own & voluntarily provided.

[Paula Shreckhise · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lovely story that imagines what happened to Belle after she sent Ebenezer Scrooge packing. Told in a period perfect voice of Victorian England, Ms. Griep crafts a cozy Christmas tale that is full of boisterous orphans, unmanageable caretakers and the unexpected inheritance of Haven House by Belle Beaumont. At first overwhelmed by the daunting task of taking charge of the orphanage, Belle forges ahead, wanting to give a memorable Christmas to her wards, hopefully a White Christmas.
Barrister, Rafe Munro comes to Haven House in search of a relative but records cannot be found. Together Belle and Rafe try to make order out of the chaos left by the last administrator. In the process, Rafe loses his heart to not only Belle but to the children, especially a certain little boy.
There is much to love in this winsome tale. I was fond of seeing quotes at the head of each chapter from the original Christmas Carol. And the internal to do list that Belle kept adding to was fun. The characters’ faith shone through: “ I am coming to believe that maybe the Almighty didn’t place us here solely to set the world aright. Rather to love amidst the ruin. Even when it grieves us- or perhaps most when it does. For love may accomplish what justice, in all its forms, cannot.”
Fear not, Scrooge is not left out of the story; he has a part to play. Why not read the story and find out?
*A complimentary copy of this book was provided by Bethany House via NetGalley through Celebrate Lit tours. I was not required to post a favorable review. All opinions are mine alone.*

[Jo|Ruth Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

“I am coming to believe that maybe the Almighty didn’t place us here solely to set the world aright. Rather, to love amidst the ruin. Even when it grieves us—or perhaps most when it does. For love may accomplish what justice, in all its forms, cannot.”

I have no notes! This story was perfect! The Christmas season, the community, the children's antics, Rafe's dedication to justice, and Belle's dedication to the orphaned. This story was so full of hope, love, and faith... I could not ask for more!

Belle has inherited Haven House, the orphanage she has been working at, but an accident leaves it in disarray, the staff is lacking, and she finds she has taken on more than she can handle. When barrister Rafe arrives searching for documentation that will lead him to his late sister's child, he sees Belle's struggles and offers to help. But both are personally struggling with whether they are capable of securing what is best for those whose lives they are fighting for.

This story was just so sweet. Two souls whose hearts are for justice, whose behavior is godly, and whose kindness is like a light in the darkness. The children pulled at my heartstrings, and the romance was so believable and perfectly paced. I could have read about these two (and all these children) for more and more pages. Loved this! It would definitely be worth a reread.

I received a complimentary copy. This review reflects my honest opinion.

[Kristi W - Book Love By Kristi · Rating 5 out of 5]

“God made you as different from anyone else as this snowflake is from the other children’s. And rest assured, my boy, that when He looks at you, He sees His own work, made with care, called by name, just like He made the stars.”

This delightful Christmas novella has adorable orphans, eccentric staff, and a lovely friends to more romance. And in true Michelle Griep fashion there are gentle faith reminders and little twists that keep you flipping pages as quickly as you can. I loved this story of what happened to Belle after she walked away from Scrooge.

Belle is caring, dedicated, and gentle. I loved her determination to take over the orphanage. I adored the way she loved and cared for the children. I loved that she sought her father’s advice. I loved the friendship she forged with Rafe and that she trusted him and went to him when she needed help. Rafe is driven, generous, and caring. I loved his determination to find his missing family member and that it led to his helping Belle. I loved how quickly she took over his thoughts and how he struggled to complete his real job. I loved his connection with Cricket and the kind, gentle way he dealt with the children. I loved how he supported, helped, and encouraged Belle. Their friendship developed into such a sweet romance!

A few more quotes:
“That little fellow reminded me of you. Badgers are fiercely loyal, protective, determined—even when the path ahead looks impossible. They don’t yield, not to storms or snares or circumstance. Much like someone I know.”

“I am coming to believe that maybe the Almighty didn’t place us here solely to set the world aright. Rather, to love amidst the ruin.”

“I assume that can only mean you agree to my suit?” “It means, barrister, that I’ve already imagined your name as my own far too many times.”

This complimentary copy was provided by the author and publisher @bethanyhousefiction. I was not required to give a positive review, rating and opinions are my own.

[Stephanie Mccall · Rating 4 out of 5]

As much as I love A Christmas Carol, what I love even more is the fact that there are so many facets of it to explore. It's one of those books you could classify as easy to read, yet more than worthy of being studied deeply. Michelle Griep gets that, and with Belle's Christmas Carol, she brings to life a character and a story that readers might be tempted to gloss over or think of only in relation to Scrooge's loss and regrets.

Belle is Isabelle Beaumont here, and she's just as much Scrooge's antithesis as you might expect. She's warm, family-oriented, compassionate, sanguine, everything Scrooge is not. But Michelle doesn't leave her at that, because that would make for a boring protagonist. Belle has depth I admit I didn't quite expect. She's gritty and determined in a "Christmas cinnamon" sort of way, as Rafe would put it. She falls into the trap I think a lot of women do, myself included, where we think we have to do everything on our own to prove our worth. Belle is also willing to make decisions that break her heart if it means doing the right thing for everyone, not just herself. Seeing her walk through the journey of what that all means for her and how she's going to grow into her new role, her new self, is nothing short of gratifying.

Rafe Munro is similar in that he's coming into his own as well, but his arc is completely different. Yes, he is Belle's counterpart in some ways; she's less organized, he's a bit more strict and down to earth, she can lean into coddling a little bit, he's more of a "tough love" type at times. But Rafe is not just a foil. He, like Belle, has a lot of depth and conflicting emotions going on. For example, he's drawn to all the kids of Haven House but resists the pull, not because he's a workaholic but because he fears what will happen if he and he alone isn't there to see justice done. He needs to grieve and heal but doesn't give himself the time, and he doesn't give himself the credit for everything he already does to care for the people around him. In his journey, he becomes not Belle's perfect contrast, but her best and strongest partner.

In case you're wondering, yes, I did love the environment of Haven House. I applaud Michelle for keeping the orphanage head count to seven, since that gave me time to get to know all the kids as individuals. They don't all get the same amount of page time, but they do have unique personalities and potential I enjoyed. Naturally, Cricket sticks out--and as a bookworm, I loved the fact that he found solace in the written word. Jack sticks out too, both as a foil and a sort of "big brother bully," but the kind of kid I wanted to get to know more--and send a virtual hug.

I also appreciated how Michelle didn't go straight for common orphanage tropes, like the orphanage being in dire financial straits or in such disrepair it couldn't be saved without impossible feats and expenses. There is some of that in here, but Michelle gives each instance her own particular twist so it makes sense for the story. This meant I could get inside Belle's shoes; I could root for the kids and house to succeed, but also laugh or groan in frustration. I could see the love, such as with Betty and Joe Graybill and their efforts, but also bemoan the abject disorganization and chaos. In other words, I think Michelle pulled off the enchantment of a Dickensian Christmas novella, with more than a dash of real life problems and solutions. I don't think I've ever seen that before.

Surprisingly enough for a novella, I also found a couple great "popping" scenes or threads. The Christmas Open House is one, as again, it mixes the warmth and cheer of the holiday with the grit and clouds of real life and expectations. The Christmas market scene is another, as it brings to mind all the nostalgia people often associate with A Christmas Carol. And while Jenny Munro is off-page for this novella, I learned to love her influence. I also loved the unexpectedly deep themes she brought to the story regarding grief, loss, healing, and the fact that people who can seem unwanted sometimes become the ones we can't bear to lose. (I completely teared up at that one).

Admittedly, I kind of wanted Belle's Christmas Carol to be a whole novel. Some threads felt too thin, like the romance between Belle and Rafe or the Grindlethorn case (the payoff is great but there's not a lot of setup. This is understandable given the book isn't *about* the case, but that thread did bring some development to Rafe, of which I wanted to see more). I also noticed some semi-frequent repetition, such as musings on Scrooge's coldness, Belle's longing for snow, and so forth.

Overall then, I wanted much more of this story and this world, but what exists works beautifully. It pairs great with other Christmas Carol offshoots and retellings, such as Cratchit (that's actually a great idea since Cratchit is longer and a shade or two darker). It also pairs well with Michelle Griep's Dickensian Christmas anthology, so if September still feels too hot for you or you just want a taste of the holidays, I'd say dive in ASAP.

[Kav · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a Dickensian wonder! Griep has created a story that seamlessly fits into the Victorian storytelling style. Words and phrasing reflect the era and help to create the atmosphere that so many of us feel when we think of Dickens’ classic Christmas Carol. And the way she fits a young Ebenezer into Rafe and Belle’s story is quite brilliant!

Rich with a gamut of emotions. Belle with her unexpected inheritance and the lively (understatement!) young orphans who live there. Not to mention the well-meaning but bumbling servants who might take more supervision then all the children combined. Poignant moments mix with hearty laugh-out-loud ones. And then there’s Rafe, an earnest young lawyer desperate to make a difference in the world, only to find himself unexpectedly at the orphange’s doorstep in the midst of complete bedlam. His orderly existence takes a turn for the worse…or maybe I should say better since it comes with Belle.

The perfect combination of heart and hope at Christmastime, ‘Belle’s Christmas Carol’ is destined to become its own kind of seasonal classic in years to come.

I listened to the audio book narrated by Jennifer Smith who did an amazing job with the variety of characters of all ages and accents. Such a fun and entertaining listening experience!

https://kavsbestreads.ca/2026/09/15/b...

[Shannon McNear · Rating 5 out of 5]

A story featuring the mysterious girl who broke up with Ebenezer Scrooge, plus a beleaguered barrister and mischievous orphans? Yes, please! Griep is just fantastic at everything she puts her hand to, but this is easily my favorite spin on Dickens yet!

[Vicky Sluiter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Author Michelle Griep is always a must read for me and Belle’s Christmas Carol doesn’t disappoint.

Set in Victorian England, we revisit the characters from the classic story, A Christmas Carol, but we get a new spin on the story. What if? What if Ben (Ebeneezer) used to be in love? What if Belle takes over the orphanage? So many possibilities and Griep did a fabulous job. Her characters are true to life and draw you in.

Can Rafe and Belle have a second chance at love after being burned by deceitfulness the first time? Both strong but hurt, I enjoyed seeing their growth, and their kind hearts that flourished more as the story unfolds. Can the mystery of Cricket be solved? And let’s not forget the eccentric staff at the orphanage. They’ll keep you laughing. This story has something for everyone and I can’t recommend it highly enough.

I received a complimentary copy of this book but was not required to leave a review. All thoughts are my own.

[Monica H (TeaandBooks) · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens is one of my favorite Christmas classics. Belle's Christmas Carol by Michelle Griep expands on Dickens' story by telling readers her version of what happened to the woman that broke up with Enbeneezer Scrooge.

Belle Beaumont is Ebeneezer Scrooge's former fiance who unexpectedly inherits a struggling orphanage. Barrister Rafe Munro is a lawyer fighting for an innocent man and searching for a child he believes is his relative. His search leads him to Belle's orphanage. Belle has her hands full with her new business, especially with Christmas coming. Rafe jumps in to give her a hand as he also works to figure out if the child he searches for is there.

I enjoyed Belle's Christmas Carol. This is a cute story, partly based on history, along with her interpretation of where Scrooge's fiance ended up. There is some mystery. There are some mishaps at the orphanage, some of which are humorous. There is some romance as sparks fly between Rafe and Belle. It is a cheery, hopeful story that could inspire Christmas cheer in the reader. The HEA ending is expected but still enjoyable. There are also questions in the back if the book is used with a book club.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher through Great Reads Book Promotion. All opinions are my own.

[LAMONT D · Rating 4 out of 5]

To me the best part about this novella are the references or quotes from "A Christmas Carol" that precedes each chapter. It certainly is a fun story to imagine what life was like for the former fiancée of Ebeneezer Scrooge. Props to our author who gives the reader 7 historical Notes, 10 Discussion Questions, and even a Bibliography to reference in the back. The constant reference to snow by Belle Beaumont was a distraction to me. But her inner thoughts and voice that you heard throughout filled in the storyline perfectly. It seemed like the budding romance of the plot happened a bit too quickly for my taste. All in all, though I see why this book was recommended and highly rated by those I trust on Goodreads. It will be recommended to my wife for sure.

[Melmo2610 · Rating 5 out of 5]

I LOVED this story! It was exactly my vibe from page one. The idea of Belle inheriting a orphanage immediately hit my feels and the way the story plays out was such fun for me. There were a couple of hilarious moments, a touch of mystery, great chemistry between Belle & Rafe, and honestly just a wonderful story overall. This book is pure perfection for me!

I received a copy of this book from the publisher and was not required to post a positive review. All thoughts are my honest opinion.

[Betti · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sunday’s sermon - expectant waiting. But what should she be waiting for?

Belle has long recovered from her broken engagement to Ebenezer Scrooge. Feeling happy and fulfilled, much of her time is spent teaching and helping at the Haven House, a home for orphans. An unexpected request, given just before her death, leads Belle into becoming director and owner of Haven House, when the current director passes away. Reminding herself that God is in charge, she takes on this daunting task. A large dose of humor comes along the most comical pair of helpers and the mayhem brought many a smile to my face. Unexpected help comes from Rafe Munro, a barrister, searching for a lost child that might be a relative. Will this lack of concentration reflect in the loss of a very important case? Time and the courts will tell.

This wonderful novella, set around Christmas, was received through Bethany House Publishers and NetGalley. These thoughts are my own and were in no way solicited.

[Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

Belle’s Christmas Carol by Michelle Griep is an excellent Christmas novella. I loved every minute of this darling Christmas story. I found it so clever that this story follows Ebenezer Scrooge’s former fiancée. I really appreciate it when an author takes an obscure character from a famous story and brings that character to life. I think my favorite will always be the seamstress from a Tale of Two Cities — Allison Pittman did an exemplary job envisioning Dickens’s seamstress in The Seamstress, just as much as Michelle Griep does with Belle in this novella. Belle is remarkable. I love how real she feels. Her grief over losing a dear friend is extremely relatable. How it rears its head at the worst possible moments…so, so life-like. And I really love her heart for the orphans at Haven House. She’s a dedicated teacher who genuinely loves children. That comes off in spades on every page. But I also love when she has moments of doubt. Being unexpectedly made the owner and manager of a home for orphans is not a simple life change. Administration and teaching are not the same. While both jobs are enormous in scope and contain a huge amount of responsibility, levels of responsibility between the two are considerable. I love how Belle throws herself into the job, but often steps back and asks God, “Is this really what You want?!” We’ve all been there. I appreciate the many times in the story where she longs to go back to just being the kids’ teacher. That is very real and honest. As much as I love Belle, I also really loved the cast of secondary characters. Each one felt like an actual Dickens’s character. I mean, that’s got to be a true testament to Michelle Griep’s writing prowess, right?! Truly, Griep’s secondary characters are superb. The children are adorable and capricious and sweet and endearing, even when they’re having their outburst moments. And the adults — the Graybills were simultaneously hilarious and annoying, Mrs. Bakewell (love the name, so like the names Dickens would give his secondary characters) is exactly the harried, never finished with her tasks, kind of cook you’d expect in a novel written in the 1800s, and the inclusion of Scrooge and Marley is just perfection. Griep captures Ebenezer exceptionally well. Then there are all the wonderful, timely themes woven throughout the whole novella. Honestly, I appreciated them all, but Belle’s realization that she can’t run Haven House perfectly or like her beloved friend once did, is my favorite. We humans put so much pressure on ourselves to be some idea of perfection. When we make mistakes, when we have very human moments, we convince ourselves we’ve failed or that we’ve misunderstood God’s purpose for us. But this is just not true. We can’t be perfect. We can only do our best in every situation God puts us in. I loved this reminder. I may have actually needed this reminder!

Belle’s Christmas Carol is only 208 pages in length, but I feel like I could talk about this story all day. I don’t know how she does it, but Griep always packs a huge punch into all her beautiful stories. This novella is no exception. If you’re a fan of well-written historical romances filled with endearing characters and timely themes, then this is definitely a story you won’t want to miss. And if you’re a fan of Christmas and Dickens novels, I guarantee this is a book you want to add to your TBR immediately.

I received a paperback copy of this novel from the publisher, Bethany House, in order to review. I am under no obligation to leave a positive review. The opinions expressed in this review are my own.

[Hope Elias · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have been a HUGE fan of A Christmas Carol for years. I hadnt read anything from Michelle Griep, but when I saw this book was coming out, I rather promptly read 2 of her books in "preparation" for this book's release. i also gladly reread A Christmas Carol 😌 just had to make sure it was fresh on my mind.
The premise of this intrigued me so much! What happened to Belle after she left Scrooge? We see glimpses in some adaptations. But for her to have her own story? Yes, I preordered this as soon as I could. And while I was quite busy this week, I somehow managed to read it in just a few days (my sleep may have suffered but oh well 😂).
So my expectations were high and they were met. I knew from reading Griep's other books that she would do the setting splendidly. I loved how she wrote Belle and the orphanage. And I thought Rafe was great! I thought he had enough of the traits that Scrooge had that Belle was attracted to without being a copy of Scrooge (in his younger nicer years of course). Speaking of Scrooge... while I knew that this book was set before he was visited by the life-changing spirits, I very much wanted to see him appear... I don't want to spoil anything though. But I adore talking about A Christmas Carol so if anyone wants to discuss the book or is curious about whatever, feel free to comment or dm me 🫡
One of my favorite things in this book was the orphanage and specifically Cricket. The lessons and faith laced through those storylines were beautiful! I'm always a sucker for good adoption stories.
My only "con" is that I thought Belle spoke of the weather too much but perhaps that was just me--never having been a fan of snow myself. And really, it hardly mattered. The book was wonderful! Highly recommend!

[Ariana Ochoa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Belle's Christmas Carol is a sweet twist on the famous Charles Dickens book and a perfect novella for the holiday season.

It's been several years after Belle's failed engagement to Ebenezer Scrooge. Her work as a teacher shows some progression when a tragic accident claims the life of the headmistress of the orphanage where she works, leaving her the new owner of the orphanage. Overwhelmed by her new role, she accepts the help of an attorney who is interested in one orphan whose lineage may lead to his deceased sister. As the two work together to reorganize the orphanage, sparks fly, but trouble lurks around the corner for Belle and her new love interest.

There was a season where I had a strong penchant for anything related to Dickens. I loved this story. It was an easy, seasonal read, filled with love, hope, and faith. It was a book club pick, and I'm so glad to have read this during the colder months. There have been many spin-offs and adaptations of A Christmas Carol, but this one seems to be one of the better ones.

Read if you enjoy A Christmas Carol or Christmas-centered books.

[Mandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This heartfelt novella really put me in the perfect Christmas mood and honestly even gave me a deeper appreciation of family that’s just in time for Thanksgiving. I loved the way the author created the story of Belle, Scrooge’s ex-fiancé. It was creative and romantic. I was uplifted by the orphanage and the way Belle and Rafe cared for the orphan children. I loved the dual POV. The story had so much depth and was paced really well for a novella. I didn’t want to put it down, I felt so connected to the story and invested in the outcomes. It was like a Christmas hug and I highly recommend it!
I received a complimentary copy of this novella as part of the Justread Bookstagram Tour. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Jessica Baker (A Baker's Perspective) · Rating 4.5 out of 5]

Michelle Griep knocked it out of the park with this one. I loved reading Belle’s story, and all the “fun” things happening at the orphanage. And Rafe, well he was the perfect hero for this story. It was interesting to see how she wrote Scrooge into the story as Belle’s ex. It was like seeing a side of him you didn’t expect, but you also did expect (did I confuse you 😆).

What really tugged at my heart though were the scenes with a special little kid and Rafe’s mom. I can’t say more than that or it’ll spoil things - but I got very emotional when I read them, in the best way of course.

This is a quick read - and yet it takes you on a beautiful journey of love, sacrifice, and maybe even healing. Highly recommend adding this to your Christmas TBR!

I received a complimentary copy of this book and was not required to write a favorable review.

[Cheri · Rating 5 out of 5]

Belle's Christmas Carol tells the story of Belle Beaumont who was once engaged to Ebenezer Scrooge. Belle decided that someone who was interested more in wealth than enjoying the little things in life wasn't who she wanted to marry. Bell inherits Haven't House an orphanage that had a unfortunate fire in the living room but is still habitable. The children are a little unruly but Belle seestge potential in each child.Rafe Munro is a barrister who is trying to clear an innocent man of murder and also looking for a young child who he thinks might be residing at Haven House. I really enjoyed this Christmas story and the antics of the children and side characters Betty and Joe.

[Liz · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Christmas year-round, so it was a real treat to dive into this novella. In addition to satisfying my curiosity about what might’ve become of Scrooge’s forgotten fiancée, I got a peek into Dicken’s London. How differently (and personally) social work was handled then! And the court system?- don’t get me started! I admired Belle’s pluck and Rafe’s altruism, and was delighted when these intertwined for the benefit of one particularly winsome orphan. I love the romance and unexpected twists that Griep weaves into all her stories. My only complaint is that I wish the book was longer! A sweet holiday read.

[Janet · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lovely Christmas Read

A very enjoyable read set during the time of Ebenezer Scrooge. Loved the main characters, the children and adventure of how things will work out. Perfect for the season.

[Anna |This Curly Girl Reads| · Rating 4.25 out of 5]

This was a really good Christmas novella 😍 RTC

[Christine Reeves · Rating 5 out of 5]

"What kind of man had he been, thinking duty and discipline were the whole of righteousness? When had he last allowed himself to want something purely for joy's sake?"