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Sunday's Child
The holiday season has arrived, and museum archivist Claire Summerlad envisions a lonely Christmas for herself and her autistic son... until she meets a mysterious new co-worker who seems strangely familiar
The memory of a Christmas past is brought back to life when Andor Hjalmarson is introduced to the woman he once called Sunday’s Child. A thousand years of exile has made Andor a nomadic wanderer, but is a future with Claire possible with a centuries-old punishment hanging over his head?
Father Christmas meets Norse mythology in this holiday novella, originally published in the duology 'All the Stars Look Down'. This stand-alone edition also contains the bonus short story, 'The King of Hel' (previously published by Amber Quill Press).
The memory of a Christmas past is brought back to life when Andor Hjalmarson is introduced to the woman he once called Sunday’s Child. A thousand years of exile has made Andor a nomadic wanderer, but is a future with Claire possible with a centuries-old punishment hanging over his head?
Father Christmas meets Norse mythology in this holiday novella, originally published in the duology 'All the Stars Look Down'. This stand-alone edition also contains the bonus short story, 'The King of Hel' (previously published by Amber Quill Press).
89 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 31, 2017
149 people are currently reading
474 people want to read
About the author
Grace Draven
51 books7,654 followersI'm an author and Louisiana native living in Texas with my husband, three smalls and a big doofus dog. I have lived in Spain, hiked the Teton Mountains, honeymooned in Scotland, ridden in competition rodeo and am the great great granddaughter of a Nicaraguan president. I also hate doing laundry and refuse to iron anything.
I've loved storytelling since forever. I published my first short story with Amber Quill Press and have since written several other tales. A love of the bad boy in fiction always inspires me.
I've loved storytelling since forever. I published my first short story with Amber Quill Press and have since written several other tales. A love of the bad boy in fiction always inspires me.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 128 reviews
December 24, 2025
ultimately, this is the perfect novella to start the holiday season in good spirits.
there’s no insta love, even though claire carries that quiet, nostalgic pull she can’t quite name, like a memory humming under the surface. she makes andor work for it. eight rounds of interviews before a date? the respect, the boundaries, immaculate. the way andor connects with jake, claire’s son, is patient and deeply earned, and the babysitter scene genuinely made me pause because it felt like the kind of competent, thoughtful kindness that keeps a household running. “i’ll stay until you can change, run to the bathroom, all that before i head out. jake and i are going to work on table manners.” babysitter goals, honestly.
“forever is a notion. you can live it across centuries or in a single hour. it’s how you choose to spend the time given.” kudos to him for finding his way into a family and realizing he’s SET. grace draven truly is the fairy godmother of found family, letting this man wander for centuries before quietly placing him exactly where he belongs. short, sweet, a little magical, and full of heart. also, i love that my first holiday novella experience was with the author who taught me that blood doesn’t make family. radiance readers, you know.
there’s no insta love, even though claire carries that quiet, nostalgic pull she can’t quite name, like a memory humming under the surface. she makes andor work for it. eight rounds of interviews before a date? the respect, the boundaries, immaculate. the way andor connects with jake, claire’s son, is patient and deeply earned, and the babysitter scene genuinely made me pause because it felt like the kind of competent, thoughtful kindness that keeps a household running. “i’ll stay until you can change, run to the bathroom, all that before i head out. jake and i are going to work on table manners.” babysitter goals, honestly.
“forever is a notion. you can live it across centuries or in a single hour. it’s how you choose to spend the time given.” kudos to him for finding his way into a family and realizing he’s SET. grace draven truly is the fairy godmother of found family, letting this man wander for centuries before quietly placing him exactly where he belongs. short, sweet, a little magical, and full of heart. also, i love that my first holiday novella experience was with the author who taught me that blood doesn’t make family. radiance readers, you know.
May 4, 2018
God I love Grace Draven's writing. I really enjoyed Sunday's Child. It's super short, but heartwarming and just lovely. But to be completly honest I loved the extra short gift "The King of Hel" even more!
December 16, 2017
4/5; 4 stars; A-
Grace Draven is one of those gifted writers who can make a short story completely enjoyable.
I liked this story with a slight Christmas flair.
This version of the ebook also includes The King of Hel, another Draven short that has been hard to find.
Grace Draven is one of those gifted writers who can make a short story completely enjoyable.
I liked this story with a slight Christmas flair.
This version of the ebook also includes The King of Hel, another Draven short that has been hard to find.
November 4, 2017
This version contains The King of Hel, now totally "out of print". Every fan of hers should read it.
December 31, 2017
I'm in love with everything Grace Draven makes and Sunday Child does not disappoint.
It's perfect for a holiday read and as always, I hope that this novella will give birth to a series.
January 22, 2018
Ahh! Grace Draven knows how to make me fall in love with her characters!
March 30, 2022
WOw. Draven is an author I have wanted to read more of. I'm always reading Kindle Unlimited these days and put off other books. I might have to change that for her. This was beautiful. It is a Christmas story unlike any other I have ever read. I will never look at Christmas Elves the same. The romance was slow and beautiful. I can't believe I just read a novella that spans a thousand years. The best compliment I can give a novella is it felt like a complete story, I wasn't left wanting more or feeling rushed. SO Good!
R rated for a sex scene that is not very detailed but very sensual.
R rated for a sex scene that is not very detailed but very sensual.
November 23, 2017
What a heartwarming story, and perfect just as the holidays are upon us.
An engaging story line, a hot guy, and a great protagonist. What more could you ask for?
An engaging story line, a hot guy, and a great protagonist. What more could you ask for?
May 25, 2023
Andor is an elf who has been sentenced to help Saint Nicolas for 1000 for penance. What he doesn't expect is to fall for a single mom on Earth a few years before his sentence is over. This book has wonderful Christmas vibes and is swamped with magic. A great little novella!!
MEMORABLE QUOTE:
"Forever is a notion. You can live it across centuries or in a single hour. It's how you choose to spend the time given."
TROPES: Christmas, set in Houston, Kindle Unlimited, novella, single mom, winter read
MEMORABLE QUOTE:
"Forever is a notion. You can live it across centuries or in a single hour. It's how you choose to spend the time given."
TROPES: Christmas, set in Houston, Kindle Unlimited, novella, single mom, winter read
January 26, 2022
Sweet little short story with a Christmas theme.
December 22, 2021
3.25 stars
A sweet holiday novella that brought St Nicholas and elves to the fore with a slice of steam. Don't worry santa isn't in the action. It finished a bit too abruptly for my taste though. A entertaining diversion at Christmas!
A sweet holiday novella that brought St Nicholas and elves to the fore with a slice of steam. Don't worry santa isn't in the action. It finished a bit too abruptly for my taste though. A entertaining diversion at Christmas!
May 14, 2023
This is a collection of 2 stories by Grace Draven. Sunday's Child and The King of Hel. I gave Sunday 2.5 stars but Hel gets 4 as it was far superior in my opinion.
Sunday's Child
I didn't like this one much. I was in the mood for a nice fantasy story but this takes place completely in our day in our world and it felt like a contemporary story with magical elements. That doesn't really interest me. Andor has been exiled to live in the mortal world and be assistant to St Nicholas for 1000 years. Here is where the story lost me. This is a book about Santa and his hot, hunky elf bodyguard? The story is much better than that but I couldn't get over how cheesy the whole premise is. Claire is his love interest and she has an autistic son. This story was just meh in my opinion.
King of Hel
This story was really good but much shorter. Not sure of the page count but it began at 68% on my kindle and took me about 30 minutes to read. I would have loved for this to be longer and more detailed. I also wish some of the explanations had come earlier in the story instead of near the end. This story read like the fantasy I was hoping for. It is a sweet romance between the King and the best friend of his deceased queen (who had zero love of even liking for each other).
Safety spoiler for King of Hel
I don't know whether to recommend this one or not. It's worth it for the short story King of Hel but it seems a little pricey for that one book. I say, read the sample of the first book and decide from there. Other reviewers really liked both stories so don't just take my word for it.
Sunday's Child
I didn't like this one much. I was in the mood for a nice fantasy story but this takes place completely in our day in our world and it felt like a contemporary story with magical elements. That doesn't really interest me. Andor has been exiled to live in the mortal world and be assistant to St Nicholas for 1000 years. Here is where the story lost me. This is a book about Santa and his hot, hunky elf bodyguard? The story is much better than that but I couldn't get over how cheesy the whole premise is. Claire is his love interest and she has an autistic son. This story was just meh in my opinion.
King of Hel
This story was really good but much shorter. Not sure of the page count but it began at 68% on my kindle and took me about 30 minutes to read. I would have loved for this to be longer and more detailed. I also wish some of the explanations had come earlier in the story instead of near the end. This story read like the fantasy I was hoping for. It is a sweet romance between the King and the best friend of his deceased queen (who had zero love of even liking for each other).
Safety spoiler for King of Hel
I don't know whether to recommend this one or not. It's worth it for the short story King of Hel but it seems a little pricey for that one book. I say, read the sample of the first book and decide from there. Other reviewers really liked both stories so don't just take my word for it.
November 6, 2017
This is a story that came out in the duology All the Stars Look Down: A Duo of Christmas Romances which is no longer available in ebook format, this new release of the story from that effort has been revised and edited a bit and includes another short story called "King of Hel".
The story Sunday's Child was exceptional and the slow relationship between Claire and Andor was nothing short of magical and you wanted one ending but you probably will be left with a warm feeling in this Christmas themed story of an immortal elf and a human who once had some power (called Sunday's children).
So 5 Stars for this story and maybe 4.5 for the other story "King of Hel" only because I hate short stories because I really hate for the good ones to end and this was most definitely one of the best. Only a touch of magic in this one, it is really a romance with a touch of Cinderella and you can seldom go wrong with that kind of a story.
So all things considered and since the title story is one that will never be forgotten 5 Stars is obviously the rating and I feel sad they are both ended.
The story Sunday's Child was exceptional and the slow relationship between Claire and Andor was nothing short of magical and you wanted one ending but you probably will be left with a warm feeling in this Christmas themed story of an immortal elf and a human who once had some power (called Sunday's children).
So 5 Stars for this story and maybe 4.5 for the other story "King of Hel" only because I hate short stories because I really hate for the good ones to end and this was most definitely one of the best. Only a touch of magic in this one, it is really a romance with a touch of Cinderella and you can seldom go wrong with that kind of a story.
So all things considered and since the title story is one that will never be forgotten 5 Stars is obviously the rating and I feel sad they are both ended.
December 17, 2017
"Forever is a notion. You can live it across centuries or in a single hour. It’s how you choose to spend the time given.”
Feel-good and Christmassy is just what I needed!
Feel-good and Christmassy is just what I needed!
April 6, 2020
A beautiful holiday-themed story. Magical. Exquisitely well written.
December 26, 2025
Reread Dec 2025:
This time, I really didn't like "Sunday's Child". I just didn't seem to fulfil its potential in the ways I wanted. (I didn't remember anything about it or that I'd read it before.) Claire never remembers she saw Andor in the past of what he was. That immediately unbalances the relationship. It's not his place to decide for both of them. I did like Nicholas though. (5/10)
I liked "The King of Hel" all over again. This time, this was by far my favourite part of the book. (8/10)
I saw this recommended somewhere (Smart Bitches, Trashy Books I think) and thought it sounded rather nice. A few other people in the comments seconded the recommendation, it wasn't very expensive and I've liked Grace Draven's work before, so it seemed like a bit of a no-brainer. I bought it very soon after.
Since I managed to finish The Moonspinners today, it was a perfect moment to slip it in before I made the big decision of what to read next.
There are two stories in this small collection - the titular Sunday's Child and a shorter story called The King of Hel.
I really liked Sunday's Child, but it actually The King of Hel that I found to be my favourite of the two. The characters are lovely, the difficulty between them makes sense, there's respect between them and they feel like they belong together. There's a complete and satisfying romance in here all written in about 50 pages.
If the blurb for Sunday's Child appeals to you, go on and read it as you get a lovely tale that gives you just what it promised. (And to address any parents of children with autism, that is dealt with very well and there is never any indication that anything about Jake should or will change, despite the book being technically a paranormal.)
But don't stop there. Read The King of Hel too. I don't think you'll regret it. I didn't. Quite the opposite, I really loved it.
This time, I really didn't like "Sunday's Child". I just didn't seem to fulfil its potential in the ways I wanted. (I didn't remember anything about it or that I'd read it before.) Claire never remembers she saw Andor in the past of what he was. That immediately unbalances the relationship. It's not his place to decide for both of them. I did like Nicholas though. (5/10)
I liked "The King of Hel" all over again. This time, this was by far my favourite part of the book. (8/10)
I saw this recommended somewhere (Smart Bitches, Trashy Books I think) and thought it sounded rather nice. A few other people in the comments seconded the recommendation, it wasn't very expensive and I've liked Grace Draven's work before, so it seemed like a bit of a no-brainer. I bought it very soon after.
Since I managed to finish The Moonspinners today, it was a perfect moment to slip it in before I made the big decision of what to read next.
There are two stories in this small collection - the titular Sunday's Child and a shorter story called The King of Hel.
I really liked Sunday's Child, but it actually The King of Hel that I found to be my favourite of the two. The characters are lovely, the difficulty between them makes sense, there's respect between them and they feel like they belong together. There's a complete and satisfying romance in here all written in about 50 pages.
If the blurb for Sunday's Child appeals to you, go on and read it as you get a lovely tale that gives you just what it promised. (And to address any parents of children with autism, that is dealt with very well and there is never any indication that anything about Jake should or will change, despite the book being technically a paranormal.)
But don't stop there. Read The King of Hel too. I don't think you'll regret it. I didn't. Quite the opposite, I really loved it.
January 16, 2018
Whoops! I somehow missed the second story in this collection (I thought it was just a sample chapter for a different book, but it's a complete story.)
KING OF HEL
Interesting world and characters that I'd love to see more of. Good, but so short! See below.
SUNDAY'S CHILD
A sweet, holiday romance. I liked the more historical version of St. Nick. I liked the way Claire's autistic son Jake was portrayed. I liked Claire and Andor. But...
I have a bit of a love/hate relationship with novellas. Sometimes it's such a nice break to read something short, something that can be consumed in one sitting (especially since I've been reading a lot of epic fantasy lately.) But frequently, novellas are too short to satisfy my particular tastes. By their very nature, they often lack depth.
This story had almost no conflict. And (HEADING INTO SPOILER TERRITORY HERE, BEWARE) it kind of broke the implicit promise of the first chapter to me. We have a holiday story, in which magic IS real, but the heroine can no longer see it--I really expected Claire to get her Deep Vision back by the end, to see Andor. And she didn't. He gave up immortality for her and SHE HAS NO CLUE. That seems to me unfair somehow... Maybe if Andor had gone through his reasons for never telling her, I could accept it, but he never even seems to consider it. Which violates the whole equal-partners thing for me.
KING OF HEL
Interesting world and characters that I'd love to see more of. Good, but so short! See below.
SUNDAY'S CHILD
A sweet, holiday romance. I liked the more historical version of St. Nick. I liked the way Claire's autistic son Jake was portrayed. I liked Claire and Andor. But...
I have a bit of a love/hate relationship with novellas. Sometimes it's such a nice break to read something short, something that can be consumed in one sitting (especially since I've been reading a lot of epic fantasy lately.) But frequently, novellas are too short to satisfy my particular tastes. By their very nature, they often lack depth.
This story had almost no conflict. And (HEADING INTO SPOILER TERRITORY HERE, BEWARE) it kind of broke the implicit promise of the first chapter to me. We have a holiday story, in which magic IS real, but the heroine can no longer see it--I really expected Claire to get her Deep Vision back by the end, to see Andor. And she didn't. He gave up immortality for her and SHE HAS NO CLUE. That seems to me unfair somehow... Maybe if Andor had gone through his reasons for never telling her, I could accept it, but he never even seems to consider it. Which violates the whole equal-partners thing for me.
November 17, 2017
Two short and sweet stories (Sunday's Child and The King of Hel) in typical Grace Draven fashion which means that the protagonists become friends first and admiration becomes aftection and evolves into love, which I so appreciate (because "insta-love" is lazy, over-done, and boring, in my opinion). 5 stars because I thoroughly enjoy Grace Draven's writer's voice.
December 31, 2022
DNF 51%… and after a bunch of skimming. I just don’t feel it when it’s modern times. draven’s melodic writing doesn’t fit contemporary scenes. Just so out of place. And things are moving way too slow.
November 6, 2017
I wanted this to be so much MORE!
November 7, 2017
While I enjoyed the story, it's not new, I've already read it in the book, All the Stars Look Down!
November 10, 2017
Lovely
February 22, 2019
A very clever tale! I really enjoyed this. Quick read, but entertaining!
June 2, 2018
Oh, this was super sweet and adorable, but just like with any other Grace Draven book, I found it to be a bit too short. I simply wanted *more*.
August 25, 2019
I decided the other day that Draven and Gabaldon would be women I would love to meet and be friends with. I love the Draven writes. Short stories or long. In fact she can put more emotion into a short story than most authors can do in epics.I adore that about her. She absolutely never disappoints and I wish she could publish faster!
December 23, 2021
Fairly slight holiday fantasy set in the modern world.
April 21, 2022
I’m quitting at 75%. It’s not engaging me at all. I almost quit at 50% but slogged on. It’s dual point of view and they’re both head over heels for each other. Add the fact that there’s really nothing to keep them apart, and you’re left with no chemistry or tension whatsoever. It’s just dull. And I have some promising books in my Kindle queue that I’d rather start, so…
(This is a Christmas-y novella. No swearing. One sex scene coming up - I know from other reviewers- that is apparently more sensual than it is explicit.)
(This is a Christmas-y novella. No swearing. One sex scene coming up - I know from other reviewers- that is apparently more sensual than it is explicit.)
December 22, 2023
Sobbed my eyes out while reading this light Christmas romance. It was absolutely beautiful.
You probably won't cry. Don't worry about that.
You probably won't cry. Don't worry about that.
January 14, 2024
I was so confused by the setting for the longest time. It just was not what I was expecting.
2 Stars
Content: scattered language, one scene that I skipped
2 Stars
Content: scattered language, one scene that I skipped
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June 6, 2023DNF at 20%. I love Grace Draven's other books, but this one just isn't my cup of tea.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 128 reviews