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The Lancaster Family #4.5
Christmas at Falstone Castle
Harriet, Dowager Duchess of Kielder, eagerly anticipates spending Christmas with her son and his family. Though her relationship with Adam has long been strained, the duchess is determined to heal the chasm. While her reception at Falstone Castle is as chilly as she expected, the warm welcome she receives from the local vicar, a widower of her generation, nearly makes up for it. The spark of friendship ignited between them gives Harriet the confidence to ask him to help her plan a Christmas surprise for her daughter-in-law, Persephone. Even with the vicar’s help, her plan will take a Christmas miracle. But during this magical season, anything is possible… even second chances at love.
64 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2021
87 people are currently reading
729 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 101 reviews
December 3, 2025
I begin the Christmas season books with this lovely novella that is set after 11 years after Seeking Persephone and is about Adam's healing by forgiving his mother. It was a very enjoyable read but I wanted more scenes about the Christmas preparations....
December 6, 2023
Cute Christmas novella! I enjoyed getting to see a bit more of Adam's mom in this novella. And the chance to check in with all of the Lancasters was fun too!
December 23, 2023
Lady Harriet Boyce, the Dowager Duchess of Kielder, is nearly 60 years of age and longs for a place to call home. She's jealous of her friends who get to spend Christmas with their families and wishes she had a closer relationship with her son, Adam. Adam is gruff and has pushed his mother away. While his beloved wife Persephone has softened him enough to welcome his mother into his home for Christmas, he's still not entirely certain he wants to open his heart to her. Harriet teams up with the vicar, Mr. Duncan, to plan a Christmas surprise sure to please Persephone, who is expecting her second child. As the older people plot and plan, they grow closer together. Duncan can't help but feel something special for Harriet and she grows increasingly fond of him, too. Will this be a Christmas to remember for everyone or is Harriet destined to be alone and lonely forever?
Aww Adam! I loved him as a 7 year old in Forget Me Not and as an older brother in Charming Artemis. It was good to get another perspective on his story. His memories are his own but his childish impressions of his parents' marriage is not entirely correct. Now we know what really happened and what Harriet was thinking and feeling. I really liked getting her side of the story. Persephone points out Harriet was younger than Artemis (who I think is now around 20) when she married Adam's father. She wasn't even from a grand family and did the best she could with limited knowledge of the world. She's not a horrible mother, just incapable of being around doctors without getting queasy and upset. Her affliction caused her to abandon her son when he most needed her as a baby and then her extroverted nature clashed with her husband's independent Ducal personality and sent her running for the comfort of her friends in London, abandoning her son once again. She's never felt fully comfortable at Falstone Castle. It's not HER home. It can be, if Adam lets her in.
Adam talks the talk but he secretly enjoys being surrounded by family and friends. Yes, even Harry LOL! Adam is still a hurt little 7 year-old boy inside longing for his mother's love. He may feel it is too late but Persephone thinks otherwise. She's wise beyond her years in parent-child relationships as she was essentially a young mother to Artemis after their mother died in childbirth. I can see why Adam secretly likes Artemis. They have the same dream and a similar approach to dealing with the hurt they feel from parental rejection. I do really like Adam. He is very sweet with Persephone and his children. Little Oliver is adorable. He's a mix of Adam's toughness (he is a future Duke after all) and Persephone's sweetness. It's impossible to imagine he doesn't realize Harriet is his grandmother. She's as fiercely determined as her son and plans to ensure the little boy knows his grandmother. I'm certain they will be fast friends.
Oliver loves Mr. Duncan like a grandfather. That's kind of sad but important for the child to have a grandfather figure since Adam's father died so long ago and Lucas Jonquil died about 10 years ago. Duncan is a lot of fun for a vicar. He enjoys plotting and scheming at Christmas as much as any kid. He also is kind, thoughtful and a good listener. This is a vicar who was called to serve and not an idle second or third son of the nobility in need of occupation. I found the late life romance a little bit weird, especially since he's the vicar but it was still sweet and lovely.
The Lancaster gang are all here! For a couple who almost didn't get together, Athena and Harry sure do have a lot of children! Linus and Arabella have only just married and Daphne has a brand new baby. Persephone is expecting a baby any week now and Oliver is impatient to meet his new sibling. I already knew who the baby was since I read Charming Artemis first.
This is a heartwarming story taking place between
Loving Lieutenant Lancaster and
Charming Artemis in the timeline. It's short but perfect for the season. This new e-book contains a bonus author's note on how she came to write the story.
I really can't get enough of Sarah M. Eden's Regency world. If you love the Lancasters, you'll love this story. If you only know the ferocious Duke of Kielder from the Jonquil books, read Seeking Persephone first before reading this one.
Aww Adam! I loved him as a 7 year old in Forget Me Not and as an older brother in Charming Artemis. It was good to get another perspective on his story. His memories are his own but his childish impressions of his parents' marriage is not entirely correct. Now we know what really happened and what Harriet was thinking and feeling. I really liked getting her side of the story. Persephone points out Harriet was younger than Artemis (who I think is now around 20) when she married Adam's father. She wasn't even from a grand family and did the best she could with limited knowledge of the world. She's not a horrible mother, just incapable of being around doctors without getting queasy and upset. Her affliction caused her to abandon her son when he most needed her as a baby and then her extroverted nature clashed with her husband's independent Ducal personality and sent her running for the comfort of her friends in London, abandoning her son once again. She's never felt fully comfortable at Falstone Castle. It's not HER home. It can be, if Adam lets her in.
Adam talks the talk but he secretly enjoys being surrounded by family and friends. Yes, even Harry LOL! Adam is still a hurt little 7 year-old boy inside longing for his mother's love. He may feel it is too late but Persephone thinks otherwise. She's wise beyond her years in parent-child relationships as she was essentially a young mother to Artemis after their mother died in childbirth. I can see why Adam secretly likes Artemis. They have the same dream and a similar approach to dealing with the hurt they feel from parental rejection. I do really like Adam. He is very sweet with Persephone and his children. Little Oliver is adorable. He's a mix of Adam's toughness (he is a future Duke after all) and Persephone's sweetness. It's impossible to imagine he doesn't realize Harriet is his grandmother. She's as fiercely determined as her son and plans to ensure the little boy knows his grandmother. I'm certain they will be fast friends.
Oliver loves Mr. Duncan like a grandfather. That's kind of sad but important for the child to have a grandfather figure since Adam's father died so long ago and Lucas Jonquil died about 10 years ago. Duncan is a lot of fun for a vicar. He enjoys plotting and scheming at Christmas as much as any kid. He also is kind, thoughtful and a good listener. This is a vicar who was called to serve and not an idle second or third son of the nobility in need of occupation. I found the late life romance a little bit weird, especially since he's the vicar but it was still sweet and lovely.
The Lancaster gang are all here! For a couple who almost didn't get together, Athena and Harry sure do have a lot of children! Linus and Arabella have only just married and Daphne has a brand new baby. Persephone is expecting a baby any week now and Oliver is impatient to meet his new sibling. I already knew who the baby was since I read Charming Artemis first.
This is a heartwarming story taking place between
Loving Lieutenant Lancaster and
Charming Artemis in the timeline. It's short but perfect for the season. This new e-book contains a bonus author's note on how she came to write the story.
I really can't get enough of Sarah M. Eden's Regency world. If you love the Lancasters, you'll love this story. If you only know the ferocious Duke of Kielder from the Jonquil books, read Seeking Persephone first before reading this one.
September 8, 2025
Ok this was cute and so sweet and was so great to visit all these wonderful character again!
December 22, 2023
This was a sweet 64 page novella telling a story that needed to be told about the Lancaster family. This was a perfect and quick Christmas read. I loved it!
December 7, 2023
Short but fun Christmas read. To fully appreciate the story you need to read the others in the series. I love the vicar, he is my favorite character in this story.
January 21, 2022
Christmas at Falstone Castle by Sarah M. Eden
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
“Adam will murder you!”
“At least I will die a happy man.”
This story was positively lovely. It was so fun to be back in Adam and Persephone’s world and to watch Adam’s relationship with his mother flourish. Admittedly, I didn’t much like her after Seeking Persephone and this sweet story gave me much clarity and perspective. I like her very much now. I highly recommend this book in conjunction with reading the other Lancaster stories.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
“Adam will murder you!”
“At least I will die a happy man.”
This story was positively lovely. It was so fun to be back in Adam and Persephone’s world and to watch Adam’s relationship with his mother flourish. Admittedly, I didn’t much like her after Seeking Persephone and this sweet story gave me much clarity and perspective. I like her very much now. I highly recommend this book in conjunction with reading the other Lancaster stories.
November 30, 2024
Christmas at Falstone Castle by: Sarah M. Eden
Christmas at Falstone Castle is a short story that is a part of Sarah M. Eden’s Lancaster series. The story is featured in the anthology All Hearts Come Home for Christmas. Christmas at Falstone Castle is also included in the Lancaster boxed set. The story takes place after Loving Lieutenant Lancaster (book 4). I guess Christmas at Falstone Castle could be read as a standalone but I think it's better to read the other books first.
The story is mostly told from Harriet Boyce (Adam’s mother) and Roswell Duncan (Falstone’s vicar) pov. There are at least 3 chapters that are told from Adam’s pov.
The story begins with a sad flashback to Falstone Castle 1785. Adam is 7 and his father just died. Now Adam has become a little duke. A place that was once Adam’s happy safe haven has now become empty and cold. Adam is being moved from the nursery into the master bedroom. Nurse Robbie, Adam’s nursemaid, makes an appearance in the flashback. It was nice to see a little of the nursemaid that Adam spoke about in Seeking Persephone. Little Adam is missing his father and upset that his mother is always leaving. The little duke is trying to be brave because his father taught him, “Duke’s don’t cry”. Once again, Adam’s mother is leaving after only seeing her for a short time. From that day onward, Adam decides to fortify his heart and not care about his mother or anyone else.
“I am a duke now. Dukes don’t cry. And dukes don’t need people.”~Adam
The story skips ahead to the present. It’s around Christmas time 1816. The story takes place a few months after Loving Lieutenant Lancaster Harriet Boyce (Adam’s mother), the dowager Duchess of Kielder is regretting her past. She is feeling lonely this holiday season. Harriet rarely visits Falstone Castle and has not been there for Christmas in years. The castle holds a lot of sad memories for Harriet and reminds her of her failings as a wife and mother. Harriet and Adam’s father had an arranged marriage. Joseph was a great guy, but they weren’t well suited for each other. He preferred a solitary life at Falstone. She liked to be around people. It created problems in their marriage. When Adam was little he had a lot of surgeries and Harriet was squeamish so she couldn’t deal with people ill or in pain. The problems in her marriage and her squeamish nature were a part of the reason she spent so much time away from home.
This Christmas Harriet decides to spend the holiday at Falstone Castle. She hopes to try to repair her strained relationship with Adam, form a relationship with her 3 year old grandson Oliver, be there for the birth of her new grandchild, and grow closer with the family. Christmas is supposed to be the season for miracles, so Harriet hopes that proves true.
Roswell Duncan has been the vicar at Falstone chapel for the past 6 years. He came to Falstone after his wife past away. He has become an honorary member of the family. Little Oliver even calls him Grandfather Duncan. Roswell has been lonely since his wife’s death. Persephone informs Roswell that Adam’s mother will be spending time at Falstone for Christmas. It’s a stressful time with Christmas coming up and Persephone’s about to have her second child. She asks Roswell if he will stay at the castle for the Christmas season to help smooth the tension between Adam and his mother and be a calming influence. Roswell is looking forward to seeing Harriet again because he harbors some feelings for her.
After Harriet arrives at the castle, she confides in Roswell that she wants to get to know her grandson and try to repair her relationship with Adam. Unfortunately, Harriet is at a loss as to how to go about accomplishing either of those things. Oliver doesn’t seem to pay any attention to Harriet. Adam is closed off around her. Roswell agrees to help Harriet. Harriet decides that she wants to do something nice for her daughter-in-law Persephone. Together she and Duncan plan to surprise Persephone by having her family come to Falstone Castle for Christmas. As the two spend more time together, their feelings for each other grow. Just maybe this Christmas will have more than one miracle.
I really enjoyed this story. It was really nice getting to see a little more of the characters from the Lancaster series. Persephone and Adam’s 3 year old son Oliver is as cute as ever. Oliver is so excited for his little sibling to come that he goes around the castle asking people if they can bring the baby to the castle early. It was precious seeing Oliver’s interaction with family and his growing bond with Grandmother Harriet. It was funny seeing Oliver’s little adventure with Grandmother Harriet and Grandfather Duncan. I thought the little love story for Harriet and Duncan was sweet. It was nice to get to see the new little addition to the Boyce family and how fiercely protective Adam is of his new little bundle of joy. The ending put a smile on my face. Overall, this was a touching holiday story. Again, I loved seeing a little bit more of these characters and the Lancaster family all together.
Lancaster Family Tree up to/including this story
"Years of pain had begun to heal at last during that brief, miraculous Christmas at Falstone Castle."
Christmas at Falstone Castle is a short story that is a part of Sarah M. Eden’s Lancaster series. The story is featured in the anthology All Hearts Come Home for Christmas. Christmas at Falstone Castle is also included in the Lancaster boxed set. The story takes place after Loving Lieutenant Lancaster (book 4). I guess Christmas at Falstone Castle could be read as a standalone but I think it's better to read the other books first.
The story is mostly told from Harriet Boyce (Adam’s mother) and Roswell Duncan (Falstone’s vicar) pov. There are at least 3 chapters that are told from Adam’s pov.
The story begins with a sad flashback to Falstone Castle 1785. Adam is 7 and his father just died. Now Adam has become a little duke. A place that was once Adam’s happy safe haven has now become empty and cold. Adam is being moved from the nursery into the master bedroom. Nurse Robbie, Adam’s nursemaid, makes an appearance in the flashback. It was nice to see a little of the nursemaid that Adam spoke about in Seeking Persephone. Little Adam is missing his father and upset that his mother is always leaving. The little duke is trying to be brave because his father taught him, “Duke’s don’t cry”. Once again, Adam’s mother is leaving after only seeing her for a short time. From that day onward, Adam decides to fortify his heart and not care about his mother or anyone else.
“I am a duke now. Dukes don’t cry. And dukes don’t need people.”~Adam
The story skips ahead to the present. It’s around Christmas time 1816. The story takes place a few months after Loving Lieutenant Lancaster Harriet Boyce (Adam’s mother), the dowager Duchess of Kielder is regretting her past. She is feeling lonely this holiday season. Harriet rarely visits Falstone Castle and has not been there for Christmas in years. The castle holds a lot of sad memories for Harriet and reminds her of her failings as a wife and mother. Harriet and Adam’s father had an arranged marriage. Joseph was a great guy, but they weren’t well suited for each other. He preferred a solitary life at Falstone. She liked to be around people. It created problems in their marriage. When Adam was little he had a lot of surgeries and Harriet was squeamish so she couldn’t deal with people ill or in pain. The problems in her marriage and her squeamish nature were a part of the reason she spent so much time away from home.
This Christmas Harriet decides to spend the holiday at Falstone Castle. She hopes to try to repair her strained relationship with Adam, form a relationship with her 3 year old grandson Oliver, be there for the birth of her new grandchild, and grow closer with the family. Christmas is supposed to be the season for miracles, so Harriet hopes that proves true.
Roswell Duncan has been the vicar at Falstone chapel for the past 6 years. He came to Falstone after his wife past away. He has become an honorary member of the family. Little Oliver even calls him Grandfather Duncan. Roswell has been lonely since his wife’s death. Persephone informs Roswell that Adam’s mother will be spending time at Falstone for Christmas. It’s a stressful time with Christmas coming up and Persephone’s about to have her second child. She asks Roswell if he will stay at the castle for the Christmas season to help smooth the tension between Adam and his mother and be a calming influence. Roswell is looking forward to seeing Harriet again because he harbors some feelings for her.
After Harriet arrives at the castle, she confides in Roswell that she wants to get to know her grandson and try to repair her relationship with Adam. Unfortunately, Harriet is at a loss as to how to go about accomplishing either of those things. Oliver doesn’t seem to pay any attention to Harriet. Adam is closed off around her. Roswell agrees to help Harriet. Harriet decides that she wants to do something nice for her daughter-in-law Persephone. Together she and Duncan plan to surprise Persephone by having her family come to Falstone Castle for Christmas. As the two spend more time together, their feelings for each other grow. Just maybe this Christmas will have more than one miracle.
I really enjoyed this story. It was really nice getting to see a little more of the characters from the Lancaster series. Persephone and Adam’s 3 year old son Oliver is as cute as ever. Oliver is so excited for his little sibling to come that he goes around the castle asking people if they can bring the baby to the castle early. It was precious seeing Oliver’s interaction with family and his growing bond with Grandmother Harriet. It was funny seeing Oliver’s little adventure with Grandmother Harriet and Grandfather Duncan. I thought the little love story for Harriet and Duncan was sweet. It was nice to get to see the new little addition to the Boyce family and how fiercely protective Adam is of his new little bundle of joy. The ending put a smile on my face. Overall, this was a touching holiday story. Again, I loved seeing a little bit more of these characters and the Lancaster family all together.
Lancaster Family Tree up to/including this story
"Years of pain had begun to heal at last during that brief, miraculous Christmas at Falstone Castle."
December 8, 2023
Honestly this one made me cry. I’ve read the entire Lancaster series, except Charming Artemis since I’m reading them in chronological order, and I’ve grown so attached to this family that this book warmed my heart and made me cry happy tears. While the story is not essential to plot line like the other books, anyone who loves these books (and Adam) as much as I do, will definitely want to read it.
March 13, 2024
A fun companion novella to the Lancaster family series. I loved getting to see all my favorite characters again and especially getting a closer look at how Adam and Persephone are doing years into their marriage.
October 23, 2024
Sweet addition to the "Duke's family story. This is Mother Harriet's"Happily Ever After". I loved hearing more about Persephone and Adam's growing little family.... and seeing his forgiveness of his mother.
December 14, 2024
By far the best Christmas story I’ve read this year. I absolutely loved getting to read more from Adam’s perspective, and getting to know his mother was so fun. I could literally start it again right now! Eden continues to outdo herself.
December 23, 2025
Novellas are extremely difficult to get right, due to their brevity. While I enjoyed revisiting characters from a beloved series, I did feel that parts were rushed. I would have really enjoyed it this were a full-length book instead!
March 24, 2024
Loved it! Anything that has the Lancaster or the Jonquils is a must. Plus it warms the heart to see Harriet being happy too.
December 13, 2025
A sweet novella with another happy ending for some of my favorite characters of all time.
December 26, 2025
Such a sweet read! This comes between Books 4 & 5 of the Lancaster series, so there are some spoilers if you haven't read the prior books. Clean romance and fulfilled promises of reconciliation.
February 13, 2023
What a sweet, lovely Christmas romance! I loved this so much!
Such a sweet story set at Falstone Castle. Loved getting inside Harriett's (Adam's mother) head and learning more about her and her hopes, regrets, fears, and dreams.
Love the way they bring everyone together for Christmas. Love seeing everyone from former books. And yay for Persephone and Adam's new baby!
A delight and lovely addition to the Lancaster family world!
Such a sweet story set at Falstone Castle. Loved getting inside Harriett's (Adam's mother) head and learning more about her and her hopes, regrets, fears, and dreams.
Love the way they bring everyone together for Christmas. Love seeing everyone from former books. And yay for Persephone and Adam's new baby!
A delight and lovely addition to the Lancaster family world!
December 11, 2024
A sweet addition to the series! Insight into Adam & his mother’s relationship.
January 26, 2024
Set before Charlie and Artemis are married, and eleven years after the end of Seeking Persephone, this book features Adam's mother. It was nice to revisit these characters and get another peek into their lives.
I now have a Booktube channel, follow me at Recordings of a Reader.
Review also posted at Writings of a Reader and on Facebook.
I now have a Booktube channel, follow me at Recordings of a Reader.
Review also posted at Writings of a Reader and on Facebook.
February 14, 2022
This was a wonderful small addition to the Lancaster Family Series. Novellas are some of the best hidden jems in my opinion and I really loved learning about the Dowager a little more.
Seeing through Adam's eyes in the past, she has always seemed harsh and cruel. And to see her new perspective was wonderful. I loved her relationship she developed with Oliver.
By far the best reason to read this is the group hug with the Dangerous Duke in the middle. 🙃😂
I let out a massive laugh burst when Harry came over to throw himself on them. 😂
It was a sweet little piece of a story and it falls in line right after Loving Lieutenant Lancaster.
Seeing through Adam's eyes in the past, she has always seemed harsh and cruel. And to see her new perspective was wonderful. I loved her relationship she developed with Oliver.
By far the best reason to read this is the group hug with the Dangerous Duke in the middle. 🙃😂
I let out a massive laugh burst when Harry came over to throw himself on them. 😂
It was a sweet little piece of a story and it falls in line right after Loving Lieutenant Lancaster.
July 31, 2023
What a heartwarming and wonderful novella! I am working my way through reading and listening to the Lancaster, Jonquil, and Gents series, so Christmas at Falstone Castle is a perfect addition to what I have been enjoying.
This novella is a love story between Harriet, who is Adam's (the Duke of Kielder's) mother, and Roswell Duncan, the local vicar. But it is actually more than that, as well. For being a novella, this story packs a powerful punch and provides much healing for Adam and his mother.
I loved that we, the reader, are able to know the thoughts of not only Harriet and Roswell, but also those of Adam. That allowed me to understand the hearts of these people and how events of the past had hurt them so deeply.
This was such a beautiful story, with healing between mother and son, a new beginning for Harriet and Roswell, and the opportunity to witness once again how much Adam and his wife, Persephone, love each other. This story was one I enjoyed from start to finish.
This novella is a love story between Harriet, who is Adam's (the Duke of Kielder's) mother, and Roswell Duncan, the local vicar. But it is actually more than that, as well. For being a novella, this story packs a powerful punch and provides much healing for Adam and his mother.
I loved that we, the reader, are able to know the thoughts of not only Harriet and Roswell, but also those of Adam. That allowed me to understand the hearts of these people and how events of the past had hurt them so deeply.
This was such a beautiful story, with healing between mother and son, a new beginning for Harriet and Roswell, and the opportunity to witness once again how much Adam and his wife, Persephone, love each other. This story was one I enjoyed from start to finish.
February 3, 2024
I thought this would be a reunion of the Lancasters, and was excited to see the family interacting after marriages and children. I'm always happy to have the Duke around. I was anticipating lots of Dangerous Duke style interactions with Adam's extended family. Hoping for less Artemis and more Daphne. Daphne seems to have disappeared since her book ended, so I was looking forward to finally having her included again.
Unfortunately this ended up being about Adam's mother. The other family members got an obligatory cameo, and there was one chapter from Adam's point of view, otherwise the story was a waste. I don't care about Adam's mother and don't think she merits any attention whatsoever. Very disappointed.
Unfortunately this ended up being about Adam's mother. The other family members got an obligatory cameo, and there was one chapter from Adam's point of view, otherwise the story was a waste. I don't care about Adam's mother and don't think she merits any attention whatsoever. Very disappointed.
August 14, 2023
I read this novella the first time as part of a collection. I have reread it now as I am working my way through the entire Jonquil and Lancaster series. I really love this story. It is so sweet and heals so many wounds that are themes in several of the previous Lancaster books. It was such a joy to see the Lancaster family gather together and celebrate Christmas, and to see relationships blossom and strengthen. There is just enough humor to lighten the sadness and uncertainty experienced, which is always appreciated. As always, Sarah has a wonderful way of creating characters that you care about.
Read
February 11, 2025Harriet wants to repair her damaged relationship with her son, Adam. The local vicar, Roswell, has thought Harriet was beautiful from a far. Persephone invites the vicar to stay with them for the holidays to help ease the awkwardness. Roswell helps Harriet develop a relationship with his grandmother and plots with Harriet to bring all of Persephone’s siblings home for the holidays. It is a grand union, and Persephone gives birth to her and Adam’s second child, a daughter, on Christmas Day. Roswell asks for Adam’s blessing to propose to his mother, and Adam ends up doing a type of proposal for him. Harriet will soon live near Adam as the vicar’s wife.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 17, 2025
Good thing I had something to do while I listened.
But she sorta saved it in the end I guess, so it wasn’t a complete waste of time. I think it’s me, I’ve been looking for a Christmas book (and movie) this year to make me smile, but so far the wall around my heart the most secure and hardened force known to man. Or at least I haven’t been able to crack it this year.
Oh but seriously that baby-talk the reader did for the young boy made my eyes roll and body cringe every time.
But chances are very good that you will really enjoy it. So don’t take my advice, read it for a short feel good story. My listening time was about 2 1/2 hours.
But she sorta saved it in the end I guess, so it wasn’t a complete waste of time. I think it’s me, I’ve been looking for a Christmas book (and movie) this year to make me smile, but so far the wall around my heart the most secure and hardened force known to man. Or at least I haven’t been able to crack it this year.
Oh but seriously that baby-talk the reader did for the young boy made my eyes roll and body cringe every time.
But chances are very good that you will really enjoy it. So don’t take my advice, read it for a short feel good story. My listening time was about 2 1/2 hours.
March 17, 2025
This was a tough one for me. I’d built up so much resentment against Harriet for the misery she caused Adam over the years that I found it much harder to forgive her selfish behavior than Adam does. But the vicar is lovely, the story is sweet, and I loved spending time with Adam and Persephone. Ultimately forgiveness is better for everyone but I’ll never love Harriet. Persephone is a much better person than I am. You should definitely read Snowdrops and Winterberry and Seeking Persephone before you read this.
April 24, 2025
I read this book before when it was part of a novella collection but it had been a while and I was interested in hearing the audiobook version. It is a quick listen but I once again enjoyed the story and the feeling of content by the end. The story is sweet and truly highlights Adams feelings for his family. He is such a teddy bear inside his grizzly behaving body. My heart always hurts for his childhood but it melts when I see him with his wife and children. Such a great character. And the romance is a delight as well.
No sex, language or violence
No sex, language or violence
December 31, 2025
This short novella was a lovely read. After reading Seeking Persephone, I always hoped things between Adam and his mother would be further resolved, and this short story did that to perfection. I loved the cozy atmosphere of Christmas at Falstone. I loved getting to see Adam and Persephone living in marital (albeit occasionally grumpy) bliss. It was so nice to see Adam and his mother reach a point where they could overcome hurt and regret, and for them to simply be happy for one another. A sweet and cozy read
December 5, 2023
Adorable! I loved being back in the world of Adam and Persephone. It was great to get to know his mother and see her as another human with her own sufferings, rather than the mother who abandoned her sob. It was sweet and heartfelt.
That said, I really wanted more of Harry and Athena, Daphne and James, and Linus and Arabella.
But at the end of it all, this is a very lovely and quick Christmas tale
That said, I really wanted more of Harry and Athena, Daphne and James, and Linus and Arabella.
But at the end of it all, this is a very lovely and quick Christmas tale
January 2, 2025
Sorry still didn't like the mother. She circled back to her son because her friends were all busy with their families at the holidays and she had nowhere to go. She realized she might have screwed up by abandoning her son 30 plus years ago. It was all about her feelings and needs. To me it was too little too late. But it's a Christmas story so of course all is forgiven. Every excuse accepted. Hugs all around. Bah Humbug!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 101 reviews