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Keeping Christmas
What if Ebenezer Scrooge from A Christmas Carol had a second chance at love?
Eben Scrooge is a changed man. One year ago, after an unusual intervention, he made a promise to keep the spirit of Christmas all year long. He’s done much to keep that promise, but never in his wildest dreams did he think he’d get a chance to make amends with his lost love, Belle.
Belle Santos has spent the last five years running away, trying to heal her broken heart. Her efforts are quickly undone, however, when circumstances place her back home, and back in Eben’s presence. Despite her misgivings, she can’t deny the passionate connection they share.
Eben is determined to convince Belle that his change is real, and to reignite the sparks between them. But can Belle let go of the past so they can move on to their future?
This holiday novella features a second-chance romance, steamy office encounters, positive mental health representation, and plenty of nostalgia.
Please visit the author's website to review content warnings.
Eben Scrooge is a changed man. One year ago, after an unusual intervention, he made a promise to keep the spirit of Christmas all year long. He’s done much to keep that promise, but never in his wildest dreams did he think he’d get a chance to make amends with his lost love, Belle.
Belle Santos has spent the last five years running away, trying to heal her broken heart. Her efforts are quickly undone, however, when circumstances place her back home, and back in Eben’s presence. Despite her misgivings, she can’t deny the passionate connection they share.
Eben is determined to convince Belle that his change is real, and to reignite the sparks between them. But can Belle let go of the past so they can move on to their future?
This holiday novella features a second-chance romance, steamy office encounters, positive mental health representation, and plenty of nostalgia.
Please visit the author's website to review content warnings.
144 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 5, 2021
4 people are currently reading
21 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
December 12, 2021
Wow I loved this story so much. Its a retelling of A Christmas Carol and it was just perfect. It was steamy, romantic and full of heart. Belle and Eben were perfect for each other and I loved how their relationship progressed and how Belle worked to build back up her trust. I also loved the mental health representation in this story - I appreciated how the characters were able to acknowledge their issues and use therapy to help them cope and move on from their bad experiences and it was normalised throughout this story. I am eager to see what Brandy Shaw has in store for the future as these will all be automatic reads for me.
October 27, 2021
As someone who has seen and enjoyed numerous versions of A Christmas Carol, I’m always up for a creative retelling. This steamy novella fit the bill perfectly because it took the story into the present day and asked, “what happened after the ghosts visited Scrooge? And what became of the woman he once loved?” With a tip of the hat to the original, this second-chance romance updates the story with a lot of fun twists and turns as it reunites Eben (Scrooge) with his former fiancée, Bella, during the Christmas season. Along the way, issues of mental health are handled in a sensitive manner, as both characters seek to reconnect and rediscover the passion they once shared.
October 21, 2021
I got to beta read this book! It is a retelling of A Christmas Carol set in modern times with Ebenezer "Eben" Scrooge paired with Isabelle "Belle" Santos. I loved the twist on this classic. This book was also very sexy! And Brandy gave me some delightful shocking moments that I didn't expect but ultimately loved!
December 27, 2021
This book was positively AMAZING! I felt that it was a tad bit rushed, wished it was longer so I could experience the love between them more but overall I would definitely recommend this indie author!
November 11, 2021
This classic tale of Christmas doesn't have an expiration date. Shaw gives us a fresh look on a younger and much sexier version of Ebenezer Scrooge through the eyes of his former fiance. Belle. You think you know how this one goes but I assure you, the "merry of Christmas" is in the details. Easy, quick read.
November 10, 2021
3.5 stars for this emotional retelling of A Christmas Carol, which is one of my all-time favorites.
Eben Scrooge was visited by 3 ghosts last Christmas and turned his life around but is it enough to rekindle his relationship with the love of his life, Belle?
After their messy breakup, Belle leaves on five year excursion traveling the world and writing about it. But when her mom gets sick and her new fiancé breaks it off, she's back home in need of a job and she interviews at a company owned by Eben. He's ready to win her back but will she recognize he's changed?
Her stubbornness is put to the test and the ghosts decide to pay her a visit this year to teach her that life is better with someone you love by your side.
I appreciated the focus on therapy both the hero and heroine do in order to heal their past traumas. The strain they both have in their family relationships would definitely necessitate that. But I found myself wishing for more of Eben and Belle together vs. the emphasis mainly in Belle.
CW: loss of a parent.
Eben Scrooge was visited by 3 ghosts last Christmas and turned his life around but is it enough to rekindle his relationship with the love of his life, Belle?
After their messy breakup, Belle leaves on five year excursion traveling the world and writing about it. But when her mom gets sick and her new fiancé breaks it off, she's back home in need of a job and she interviews at a company owned by Eben. He's ready to win her back but will she recognize he's changed?
Her stubbornness is put to the test and the ghosts decide to pay her a visit this year to teach her that life is better with someone you love by your side.
I appreciated the focus on therapy both the hero and heroine do in order to heal their past traumas. The strain they both have in their family relationships would definitely necessitate that. But I found myself wishing for more of Eben and Belle together vs. the emphasis mainly in Belle.
CW: loss of a parent.
November 22, 2021
Short and Fun read with Beautiful Neurodivergence Rep
It's been a while since I've read a book with so much diversity representation done so extremely well.
Shaw handled neurodivergent characters with such care and respect, I couldn't help but fall in love with the cast in this book, including the friends Belle met at group therapy.
The fact that pretty much every character in this book benefited from therapy was beautiful normalization of how we can all benefit from it.
This short read was fun, and yet managed to break away from so many molds, I have a hard time believing it all fit in this novella-length story. I especially loved the usual gender role-reversal where it was Eben and not Belle, who waited for her without being with other women until she came back to him.
The ghosts were hilarious, and I can't wait especially for Beth's and Toni's stories.
It's been a while since I've read a book with so much diversity representation done so extremely well.
Shaw handled neurodivergent characters with such care and respect, I couldn't help but fall in love with the cast in this book, including the friends Belle met at group therapy.
The fact that pretty much every character in this book benefited from therapy was beautiful normalization of how we can all benefit from it.
This short read was fun, and yet managed to break away from so many molds, I have a hard time believing it all fit in this novella-length story. I especially loved the usual gender role-reversal where it was Eben and not Belle, who waited for her without being with other women until she came back to him.
The ghosts were hilarious, and I can't wait especially for Beth's and Toni's stories.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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December 16, 2021I enjoy the classics and appreciated this homage to A CHRISTMAS CAROL. The characters were diverse which made it more relatable. Mental health issues were addressed with respect. I don’t like when books use mocking or shameful innuendos. You won’t find any of that here. The touch of spice made this a cozy cup of comfort for the holiday season.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews