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A Very Bookish Novella Collections
A Very Bookish Easter
Nyree moves when she loses her job, hoping to reconnect with herself and her grandmother in time for Easter, but when she stumbles upon a hidden garden, she discovers just how much she’s been missing.
The Prayer Garden by Kelsey Bryant, inspired by The Secret Garden
Felicity goes out of her comfort zone and invites Adam Moore to Easter service, but their business rivalry has him ready to prove her evangelization wrong.
Lilies and Thorns by Abigayle Claire, inspired by Romeo and Juliet
Samuel is haunted by his past and unsettled by the present, but as the Easter season begins, Ellie could show him what his future could be.
An Easter Canticle by Sarah Holman, inspired by A Christmas Carol
Addie hopes for a fresh start when she and her family move to the mountains to live with Grandfather, but some wounds seem too deep to heal, even at Easter.
Addie’s Mountain by Kate Willis, inspired by Heidi
Four classic-inspired Easter stories full of hope, faith, and the miracle of resurrection.
The Prayer Garden by Kelsey Bryant, inspired by The Secret Garden
Felicity goes out of her comfort zone and invites Adam Moore to Easter service, but their business rivalry has him ready to prove her evangelization wrong.
Lilies and Thorns by Abigayle Claire, inspired by Romeo and Juliet
Samuel is haunted by his past and unsettled by the present, but as the Easter season begins, Ellie could show him what his future could be.
An Easter Canticle by Sarah Holman, inspired by A Christmas Carol
Addie hopes for a fresh start when she and her family move to the mountains to live with Grandfather, but some wounds seem too deep to heal, even at Easter.
Addie’s Mountain by Kate Willis, inspired by Heidi
Four classic-inspired Easter stories full of hope, faith, and the miracle of resurrection.
371 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 1, 2022
About the author
Kelsey Bryant
38 books218 followersRaised in a house with thousands of books, Kelsey Bryant has been writing stories ever since she can remember and dreaming of when her books would join the ranks. Now a copyeditor as well, she loves helping other writers achieve their dreams.
She draws inspiration for her writing from the Greatest Story Ever Told, which culminates in the Messiah’s salvation offered to every person. Her life would be meaningless without her relationship with Yeshua (Jesus). She’s also inspired by the classics, especially the works of her favorite authors Jane Austen, Elizabeth Goudge, L. M. Montgomery, and Elizabeth Gaskell.
Like some of her fictional characters, she grew up homeschooled. Born and raised in the Texas Hill Country, she now lives in the Texas Panhandle with her husband, their entitled but affectionate half-Siamese, and their hyper yet sweet German shepherd. As an avid student of the Bible, she’s trying to make Hebrew her second language. To counteract all that time at a desk, she loves being active, especially dancing, practicing martial arts, and exploring whatever beautiful places she can find in the great outdoors.
She draws inspiration for her writing from the Greatest Story Ever Told, which culminates in the Messiah’s salvation offered to every person. Her life would be meaningless without her relationship with Yeshua (Jesus). She’s also inspired by the classics, especially the works of her favorite authors Jane Austen, Elizabeth Goudge, L. M. Montgomery, and Elizabeth Gaskell.
Like some of her fictional characters, she grew up homeschooled. Born and raised in the Texas Hill Country, she now lives in the Texas Panhandle with her husband, their entitled but affectionate half-Siamese, and their hyper yet sweet German shepherd. As an avid student of the Bible, she’s trying to make Hebrew her second language. To counteract all that time at a desk, she loves being active, especially dancing, practicing martial arts, and exploring whatever beautiful places she can find in the great outdoors.
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February 28, 2023As a longtime fan of my fellow anthology authors, I was very excited to read their stories, and they did not disappoint! Here are my (slightly biased) mini reviews…
The Prayer Garden
This book was so beautiful, with quintessential spring vibes, natural Christian themes, and some really sweet relationships. Also, talk about a meet-cute. ;) The end truly brought tears to my eyes.
Representation: depression, dementia.
CW: medical facilities, emotional distress.
Lilies and Thorns
I highly enjoyed the inherent drama of this one, lol, which is not usual for me. It started out seeming on the way to an expected, Hallmark movie place, but I’ve never been so happy to be wrong, and I’m a huge fan of where the story ended.
Representation: social anxiety.
CW: mentions of loss to cancer, dysfunctional family relationships, shaded truth.
An Easter Canticle
This one was much different than I expected, and I loved it. The “Scrooge” character was actually quite loveable, and I appreciated seeing him deal with the fallout of his life changes. The retreat center was a lovely setting, and I’m excited to read the other stories about it now.
Representation: mixed-race heritage, celiac disease.
CW: medical emergencies.
Addie’s Mountain
Ooo, that’s my story! I don’t have much to say except there’s a lot of spring vibes, some church trauma, a really cute neighbor boy, lots of baking, and a bookish main character (of course).
Representation: Jewish heritage, anxiety, chronic illness, deafness.
CW: anxiety symptoms including an attack.
The Prayer Garden
This book was so beautiful, with quintessential spring vibes, natural Christian themes, and some really sweet relationships. Also, talk about a meet-cute. ;) The end truly brought tears to my eyes.
Representation: depression, dementia.
CW: medical facilities, emotional distress.
Lilies and Thorns
I highly enjoyed the inherent drama of this one, lol, which is not usual for me. It started out seeming on the way to an expected, Hallmark movie place, but I’ve never been so happy to be wrong, and I’m a huge fan of where the story ended.
Representation: social anxiety.
CW: mentions of loss to cancer, dysfunctional family relationships, shaded truth.
An Easter Canticle
This one was much different than I expected, and I loved it. The “Scrooge” character was actually quite loveable, and I appreciated seeing him deal with the fallout of his life changes. The retreat center was a lovely setting, and I’m excited to read the other stories about it now.
Representation: mixed-race heritage, celiac disease.
CW: medical emergencies.
Addie’s Mountain
Ooo, that’s my story! I don’t have much to say except there’s a lot of spring vibes, some church trauma, a really cute neighbor boy, lots of baking, and a bookish main character (of course).
Representation: Jewish heritage, anxiety, chronic illness, deafness.
CW: anxiety symptoms including an attack.
Want to Read
March 6, 2023I hope this collection blesses you and reminds you of the power of the Resurrection of Jesus in our lives.
October 16, 2024
The Prayer Garden by Kelsey Bryant
5 stars. I knew I would love this and I was not disappointed. Kelsey Bryant is such an amazing writer!
I reread The Secret Garden before I read this story and I was delighted by how the author nailed the retelling—including all the important elements but changing or merging a few others. Her setting was very different—lush Florida—but she had the springy feel and the wild, abandoned garden vibe that TSG possesses.
Nylee was a great contemporary grown-up Mary, with a lot of the similar traits but still her own personality. It was super cool seeing a grown up Mary, honestly. Connor was a great Dickon and I loved how I sensed some Colin in him! And Grandma was such a sweet adding <3
The plot, again, was a good mix of retelling and original. The arrival, discovery, and gardening was similar to TSG, but Bryant injected a whole new plot line with Grandma’s dementia and the Easter theme. I loved how much more spirituality this story held than the original and I loved how Bryant approached the new life angle—with real New Life and the Resurrection story. And the prayer garden itself was just amazing. The climax was perfect and I was left in tears… It was the perfect Easter story and a wonderful retelling. <3
A Favourite Quote: “What kind of life would we have if Jesus hadn’t risen from the dead?”
Lilies & Thorns by Abigayle Claire
I confidently expected to love or at least enjoy this. A Romeo & Juliet retelling is so unique in my experience! But to be honest I spent most of the novella trying to pick out the R&J elements + figuring out if this was a romance or not. (Spoiler: it isn't, so don't look for it.) I wasted the whole time worried about Felicity building a romance with a random guy at the coffeeshop whom no one knew anything about and who had clear issues besides not being saved. Now that I realize it's just friendship, I want to read it again so I can enjoy it properly! I'm still confused about some R&J elements but I liked the ones I picked up on, like the dying flowershop and their joining forces. Speaking of flowers, I've wanted to be a florist for a while now so I really enjoyed getting to see Felicity live out my dreams! She was a very nice, likeable girl and I look forwards to rereading her story.
An Easter Canticle by Sarah Holman
5 stars. I read the prequel to this story (a flash fiction preorder bonus) and fell in love with Sam's family. The first chapter had me delighting into the A Christmas Carol vibes until the climax, at which point I realized that if one read Christmas Carol retelling one must expect emotional wracking similar to that of the original. Then the story continued and I realized this was a POST-Christmas Carol retelling! I was THRILLED. And then Ellue from Fanny's Hope Chest showed up. AHHH! How delightful is that?! I LOVED the message of forgiveness of self and accepting the victory of Easter + Jesus over guilt. I might've even cried at the end. Yeah, I can't wait to reread this.
Addie’s Mountain by Kate Willis
4 stars. I’ve loved Heidi since I was probably 10 years old and reread it constantly, so I was very excited to read a retelling of it. I’ve since discovered it’s NOT a retelling but an “inspired by,” which changed my original slightly disappointed opinion.
It has a lot of the Heidi elements, such as Addie + Claire (who are sisters!), Claire’s chronic illness, a MUCH better aunt than Dete, and a somewhat grumpy but very loving old grandfather who is very independent (and has a Peter to help him) and is bitter against the church due to antisemitism he experienced there… and feels homemade food at the market. ;)
I liked how other elements were added or changed, such as Addie also being dealing with church hurt, Peter (aka Skyler) being deaf, and the BEAUTIFUL Easter themes and setting. I do feel like the story was a teeny bit rushed and disjointed; but overall it was super sweet and darling and did Heidi feels justice. ;)
A Favourite Quote: “Every dormant season must have something beautiful; otherwise we forget what’s good about the world.”
5 stars. I knew I would love this and I was not disappointed. Kelsey Bryant is such an amazing writer!
I reread The Secret Garden before I read this story and I was delighted by how the author nailed the retelling—including all the important elements but changing or merging a few others. Her setting was very different—lush Florida—but she had the springy feel and the wild, abandoned garden vibe that TSG possesses.
Nylee was a great contemporary grown-up Mary, with a lot of the similar traits but still her own personality. It was super cool seeing a grown up Mary, honestly. Connor was a great Dickon and I loved how I sensed some Colin in him! And Grandma was such a sweet adding <3
The plot, again, was a good mix of retelling and original. The arrival, discovery, and gardening was similar to TSG, but Bryant injected a whole new plot line with Grandma’s dementia and the Easter theme. I loved how much more spirituality this story held than the original and I loved how Bryant approached the new life angle—with real New Life and the Resurrection story. And the prayer garden itself was just amazing. The climax was perfect and I was left in tears… It was the perfect Easter story and a wonderful retelling. <3
A Favourite Quote: “What kind of life would we have if Jesus hadn’t risen from the dead?”
Lilies & Thorns by Abigayle Claire
I confidently expected to love or at least enjoy this. A Romeo & Juliet retelling is so unique in my experience! But to be honest I spent most of the novella trying to pick out the R&J elements + figuring out if this was a romance or not. (Spoiler: it isn't, so don't look for it.) I wasted the whole time worried about Felicity building a romance with a random guy at the coffeeshop whom no one knew anything about and who had clear issues besides not being saved. Now that I realize it's just friendship, I want to read it again so I can enjoy it properly! I'm still confused about some R&J elements but I liked the ones I picked up on, like the dying flowershop and their joining forces. Speaking of flowers, I've wanted to be a florist for a while now so I really enjoyed getting to see Felicity live out my dreams! She was a very nice, likeable girl and I look forwards to rereading her story.
An Easter Canticle by Sarah Holman
5 stars. I read the prequel to this story (a flash fiction preorder bonus) and fell in love with Sam's family. The first chapter had me delighting into the A Christmas Carol vibes until the climax, at which point I realized that if one read Christmas Carol retelling one must expect emotional wracking similar to that of the original. Then the story continued and I realized this was a POST-Christmas Carol retelling! I was THRILLED. And then Ellue from Fanny's Hope Chest showed up. AHHH! How delightful is that?! I LOVED the message of forgiveness of self and accepting the victory of Easter + Jesus over guilt. I might've even cried at the end. Yeah, I can't wait to reread this.
Addie’s Mountain by Kate Willis
4 stars. I’ve loved Heidi since I was probably 10 years old and reread it constantly, so I was very excited to read a retelling of it. I’ve since discovered it’s NOT a retelling but an “inspired by,” which changed my original slightly disappointed opinion.
It has a lot of the Heidi elements, such as Addie + Claire (who are sisters!), Claire’s chronic illness, a MUCH better aunt than Dete, and a somewhat grumpy but very loving old grandfather who is very independent (and has a Peter to help him) and is bitter against the church due to antisemitism he experienced there… and feels homemade food at the market. ;)
I liked how other elements were added or changed, such as Addie also being dealing with church hurt, Peter (aka Skyler) being deaf, and the BEAUTIFUL Easter themes and setting. I do feel like the story was a teeny bit rushed and disjointed; but overall it was super sweet and darling and did Heidi feels justice. ;)
A Favourite Quote: “Every dormant season must have something beautiful; otherwise we forget what’s good about the world.”
April 14, 2023
This springtime anthology was a fast, fun read, and I'm happy to add it to our shelves.
Like the previous books in this series, the four novellas here each revolve around a classic book or story, and retell it a little bit too.
I really liked that both "An Easter Canticle" and "Addie's Mountain" dealt with chronic illnesses and disabilities. We need more stories that reflect the painful realities so many people live in. "Lilies and Thorns" dealt a bit with shyness and anxiety, and "The Prayer Garden" included the difficulties of watching a loved one struggle with dementia. While none of the stories felt heavy or discouraging, they also didn't try to offer platitudes or easy fixes for these troubles. Instead, they accepted that life on this earth involves trouble and pain, but that those don't need to define us.
Like the previous books in this series, the four novellas here each revolve around a classic book or story, and retell it a little bit too.
I really liked that both "An Easter Canticle" and "Addie's Mountain" dealt with chronic illnesses and disabilities. We need more stories that reflect the painful realities so many people live in. "Lilies and Thorns" dealt a bit with shyness and anxiety, and "The Prayer Garden" included the difficulties of watching a loved one struggle with dementia. While none of the stories felt heavy or discouraging, they also didn't try to offer platitudes or easy fixes for these troubles. Instead, they accepted that life on this earth involves trouble and pain, but that those don't need to define us.
June 20, 2023
This is a review of all four stories, and since I read them all at different times and there are 4 different stories, I have marked this book as being read 4 times.
The Prayer Garden by Kelsey Bryant
3.5 stars
A lovely Easter story. Lots of feels from the Secret Garden, and a lovely setting! I liked each of the characters, and just wanted to give Nyree a hug as I understand what it’s like having a grandma with dementia.
I’m sure I’ll be reading this story again.
Lilies and Thorns by Abigayle Claire
2.5 stars
This was my least favorite of this collection. I’ve never read Romeo and Juliet though I know the story. I didn’t really care for any of the characters and was irritated by Felicity and Adam, and didn’t like the mom at all! I didn’t get the plot of the story and was left wondering why Felicity always read “Romeo and Juliette” at Easter time.
I did like the focus on Easter.
An Easter Canticle by Sarah Holman
3.5 stars
I love that this story is set at the same retreat center the Thanksgiving story was set in. Getting to see familiar characters as well as new ones had me smiling.
I liked Samuel and Ellie (cheers for the tie-in to another book!) and how the story didn’t develop into romance as so many do, but just being an encouragement to one another. While I might have been skeptical about Samuel’s decision to completely change directions, I do applaud him for being willing to do what he felt like God was telling him to do even if others didn’t agree with him.
I had been wondering how the connection between A Christmas Carol and Easter would happen, but I really liked how it came about.
Addie's Mountain by Kate Willis
4 stars
I’ve loved Heidi since I was a young child and my grandpa read it to me, so I was excited to read this story. It was sweet and made me smile. I loved Addie and her sister Claire and their relationship. Claire’s health struggles made me want to hug her, and Addie’s difficulty at church made me want to befriend her. The setting was lovely and now I want to visit the little mountain town.
The Prayer Garden by Kelsey Bryant
3.5 stars
A lovely Easter story. Lots of feels from the Secret Garden, and a lovely setting! I liked each of the characters, and just wanted to give Nyree a hug as I understand what it’s like having a grandma with dementia.
I’m sure I’ll be reading this story again.
Lilies and Thorns by Abigayle Claire
2.5 stars
This was my least favorite of this collection. I’ve never read Romeo and Juliet though I know the story. I didn’t really care for any of the characters and was irritated by Felicity and Adam, and didn’t like the mom at all! I didn’t get the plot of the story and was left wondering why Felicity always read “Romeo and Juliette” at Easter time.
I did like the focus on Easter.
An Easter Canticle by Sarah Holman
3.5 stars
I love that this story is set at the same retreat center the Thanksgiving story was set in. Getting to see familiar characters as well as new ones had me smiling.
I liked Samuel and Ellie (cheers for the tie-in to another book!) and how the story didn’t develop into romance as so many do, but just being an encouragement to one another. While I might have been skeptical about Samuel’s decision to completely change directions, I do applaud him for being willing to do what he felt like God was telling him to do even if others didn’t agree with him.
I had been wondering how the connection between A Christmas Carol and Easter would happen, but I really liked how it came about.
Addie's Mountain by Kate Willis
4 stars
I’ve loved Heidi since I was a young child and my grandpa read it to me, so I was excited to read this story. It was sweet and made me smile. I loved Addie and her sister Claire and their relationship. Claire’s health struggles made me want to hug her, and Addie’s difficulty at church made me want to befriend her. The setting was lovely and now I want to visit the little mountain town.
Read
April 10, 2023Although I won't leave a star rating for this collection since I'm a part of it, I can say that I genuinely loved each of my fellow author's stories.
Abigayle Claire's story, Lilies and Thorns, was a brilliant twist on Romeo and Juliet without being romantic. I especially enjoyed the realistic setting of the grocery store, the story and character arcs, and the message of getting outside your comfort zone.
Sarah Holman's story, An Easter Canticle, ties in remarkably well to A Christmas Carol with an Easter focus. Samuel's journey of finding joy in God's will was very relatable, and I loved seeing Ellie from Fanny's Hope Chest again. I enjoyed how three of the people in Samuel's life reflected his past, present, and future like the ghosts in A Christmas Carol.
Kate Willis's story, Addie's Mountain was full of the cozy feels of a tiny mountain town and quiet family drama (which isn't really the best word for it ... more like inner emotional journeys of healing). I loved the setting, especially Grandfather's house, and each of the characters. It had a very similar feel to Heidi.
Because of its message, my story, The Prayer Garden, inspired by The Secret Garden, is one of the closest to my heart of all the stories I've written. I wanted to depict in some small way how the resurrection of Jesus transforms our lives.
Abigayle Claire's story, Lilies and Thorns, was a brilliant twist on Romeo and Juliet without being romantic. I especially enjoyed the realistic setting of the grocery store, the story and character arcs, and the message of getting outside your comfort zone.
Sarah Holman's story, An Easter Canticle, ties in remarkably well to A Christmas Carol with an Easter focus. Samuel's journey of finding joy in God's will was very relatable, and I loved seeing Ellie from Fanny's Hope Chest again. I enjoyed how three of the people in Samuel's life reflected his past, present, and future like the ghosts in A Christmas Carol.
Kate Willis's story, Addie's Mountain was full of the cozy feels of a tiny mountain town and quiet family drama (which isn't really the best word for it ... more like inner emotional journeys of healing). I loved the setting, especially Grandfather's house, and each of the characters. It had a very similar feel to Heidi.
Because of its message, my story, The Prayer Garden, inspired by The Secret Garden, is one of the closest to my heart of all the stories I've written. I wanted to depict in some small way how the resurrection of Jesus transforms our lives.
March 27, 2023
The Prayer Garden by Kelsey Bryant
I really liked this story based off of The Secret Garden, and the prayer garden sounds like a beautiful garden. I really like the focus on the Resurrection, and I like how the Gospel message was preached.
Words/phrases I didn’t like: idiot, bejeebers, luck, and I bet.
Lillies and Thorns by Abigayle Claire
I’ve never read Romeo and Juliet, and romance stories aren’t usually my genre, but this one was really good! Adam annoyed me at first, but I really liked him in the end, though it never said if he became a Christian or not. I didn’t appreciate a Christian and non-Christian going out together, but it was a blind date set up by someone else. This was the first story of Abigayle's I've read, and I was very pleased with her writing style.
An Easter Canticle by Sarah Holman.
This story hit really close to home in so many different ways. I love the theme of this story, and how Sarah included things like a chronic illness in this story. Seeing all the characters from Sarah's other books and Maple Leaf Retreat Center again made me really happy. I haven't read A Christmas Carol, but I know the gist of this to know this was a wonderful story based off of it.
Addie's Mountain by Kate Willis.
Being a fan of Heidi, I knew I'd probably enjoy this story, especially since I like Kate's writing style.
I can say I wasn't disappointed! It was easy to recognized several things from the book Heidi, which made me happy. There's also a minor character named Lilly. :) It took me a bit to figure out Addie's struggle about going to church, but once it clicked, I understood. Same with Addie's grandfather. I loved the sisterly relationship between Addie and Claire; sibling stories are some of the best.
I received a free copy of Addie’s Mountain. I was not required to leave a positive review.
I enjoyed all these stories, but I think my favorites were Sarah Holman's and Abigayle Claire's.
December 13, 2023
Fun and heartwarming story collection.
April 14, 2023
Being inspired by good literature of the past, these four authors have created contemporary stories of their own to enhance this already very meaningful season. Nicely done, ladies.
May 1, 2024
Each story contains strong faith messages that hit my spirit at the perfect time. I enjoyed each unique novella and how God whispered truth to me through each. A remarkable collection.
April 29, 2024
The Prayer Garden - 5 stars
I don't know The Secret Garden, but I loved this retelling! I identified strongly with Nyree in her awkwardness and not knowing what to say to people, and I loved her budding relationship with Connor. Oh, and Connor was just plain amazing, just saying. I loved Grandma Dawn, and I loved the prayer garden. And the very end of the story brought tears to my eyes, but of the rare kind I don't mind. Loved it so much! <3
Lilies and Thorns - 3.5 stars
I'm a little torn on this one. I only know Romeo and Juliet in the barest outline, so it was hard for me to pick up on the parallels, other than the rival aspect. I really liked the chemistry between Felicity and Adam, especially when he stepped in to protect her from being ganged up on in that one situation. I felt for Felicity in a lot of aspects, but I found Adam on his own a little abrasive for a while. And I didn't like it when he tried to justify himself after she found out who he was, when he knew he'd purposely hidden that information from her, and not for innocent reasons! There were a couple other pieces of backstory that I couldn't quite put together, but the only piece that really bothered me was that their chemistry, etc. felt like we were working up to a romantic relationship, and even though that wasn't fully established, it made me uncomfortable with Adam still being a non-Christian. But that was really my only issue with it. (:
An Easter Canticle - 5 stars
Grr...I've been trying to be so good and get all the Maple Leaf stories in order, but I didn't realize this one also connected with Fanny's Hope Chest, which I haven't read yet but need to. My fault. (: But anyway, I felt for Samuel's position, and for his struggle to let go of seeing himself as who he had been in the past. That's so much of an easier thing to say than to do, as I know from experience. I also have experience with medical conditions that people don't understand or take seriously, and my heart hurt for Jack and his family. But the ending just about brought tears to my eyes. Such a good message!
Addie's Mountain - 4 stars
Confession: Heidi has been one of my favorite books since I was a child, so I was really curious about this retelling. But sometimes I think I have a harder time with retellings of a favorite than with books I know less because I'm searching for parallels for every little thing. XP I know that's totally unfair, especially when you've only got a novella's length to do it, and I did love all the parallels of the characters and the setting. But somehow the plot didn't really connect for me until the very end. That said, the story itself was a sweet one, and I appreciated the inclusion of chronic illness and disability and applaud the tackling of difficult topics like church trauma. I was left a little hazy on some of the background, but overall it was a sweet story that I quite enjoyed, and I appreciated the nods to Heidi even if I wanted to see more of it. :D
I don't know The Secret Garden, but I loved this retelling! I identified strongly with Nyree in her awkwardness and not knowing what to say to people, and I loved her budding relationship with Connor. Oh, and Connor was just plain amazing, just saying. I loved Grandma Dawn, and I loved the prayer garden. And the very end of the story brought tears to my eyes, but of the rare kind I don't mind. Loved it so much! <3
Lilies and Thorns - 3.5 stars
I'm a little torn on this one. I only know Romeo and Juliet in the barest outline, so it was hard for me to pick up on the parallels, other than the rival aspect. I really liked the chemistry between Felicity and Adam, especially when he stepped in to protect her from being ganged up on in that one situation. I felt for Felicity in a lot of aspects, but I found Adam on his own a little abrasive for a while. And I didn't like it when he tried to justify himself after she found out who he was, when he knew he'd purposely hidden that information from her, and not for innocent reasons! There were a couple other pieces of backstory that I couldn't quite put together, but the only piece that really bothered me was that their chemistry, etc. felt like we were working up to a romantic relationship, and even though that wasn't fully established, it made me uncomfortable with Adam still being a non-Christian. But that was really my only issue with it. (:
An Easter Canticle - 5 stars
Grr...I've been trying to be so good and get all the Maple Leaf stories in order, but I didn't realize this one also connected with Fanny's Hope Chest, which I haven't read yet but need to. My fault. (: But anyway, I felt for Samuel's position, and for his struggle to let go of seeing himself as who he had been in the past. That's so much of an easier thing to say than to do, as I know from experience. I also have experience with medical conditions that people don't understand or take seriously, and my heart hurt for Jack and his family. But the ending just about brought tears to my eyes. Such a good message!
Addie's Mountain - 4 stars
Confession: Heidi has been one of my favorite books since I was a child, so I was really curious about this retelling. But sometimes I think I have a harder time with retellings of a favorite than with books I know less because I'm searching for parallels for every little thing. XP I know that's totally unfair, especially when you've only got a novella's length to do it, and I did love all the parallels of the characters and the setting. But somehow the plot didn't really connect for me until the very end. That said, the story itself was a sweet one, and I appreciated the inclusion of chronic illness and disability and applaud the tackling of difficult topics like church trauma. I was left a little hazy on some of the background, but overall it was a sweet story that I quite enjoyed, and I appreciated the nods to Heidi even if I wanted to see more of it. :D
April 7, 2023
A lovely read for the Easter season!
Watch my full review: https://youtu.be/PaaRdS3W52A
This is my first read of the bookish series and I couldn't wait to get my hands on a copy. I'll be reviewing each story individually.
The Prayer Garden:
Likes:
~All of The Secret Garden book references. It's one of many of my favorite classics and reading The Prayer Garden made me want to revisit the classic so bad!
~This story was so moving and heartfelt. I felt for Nyree's grandmother.
~The Christian content was AMAZING! I loved watching as Nyree slowly came to the realization that she needed God. She reached the end of her rope and had to cling to Him. Beautifully done!
~Conner and Nyree were so cute.
~The descriptions of the hidden garden were so pretty. It almost felt like a fairy-fantasy escape away from the rest of the world.
Dislikes:
~Nyree's family. I didn't much care for her mom or aunt. I know they weren't central to the story, but they came off as very distant and uncaring (if I remember my initial thoughts. It's been almost a month since I read this and I'm only just writing this up.)
~As great an ending as it was, it was so abrupt and I hated to see it end so quickly. I could definitely go for more stories about Nyree and Conner.
__________
Lilies and Thorns:
Likes:
~I enjoyed the coffee shop aesthetic.
~Felicity was very relatable in the way of being awkward and struggling with your comfort zone. And living at home past the age that is "socially" acceptable.
~One scene in particular, the family dinner, was interesting to say the least.
Dislikes:
~I really missed the bookish elements in this story. I haven't read Romeo & Juliet in ages, so I didn't pick up on most of the book-related references, which was a bummer since I enjoyed that so much in the Prayer Garden. This point isn't against the story's content or quality, it's just my own reading experience. It really helps to be familiar with the inspired stories before you read this.
~Felicity's family was the worst. The mom was overbearing, annoying, and a snob. Literally could not stand that woman. And the dad was a spineless minor character.
~Not a fan of Adam. He came off as a jerk and the way he judged Felicity based on hearsay at her workplace...I had to humorlessly chuckle. As a former retail slave, I know that there's going to be a lot of backbiting and gossip over the dumbest things. Especially against managers.
__________
An Easter Canticle:
Likes:
~I was so excited to see how the author would combine Easter and A Christmas Carol. The results were *Chef's kiss*. The plot was very clever. Ellie was a sweetheart.
~Fantastic writing. The bookish references were awesome! As mentioned before, it makes a difference how familiar you are with the inspired classic.
~Great themes of forgiving others and self. Also living in the present instead of the past and future.
Dislikes:
~What's up with all these terrible moms??? Samuel's mom was just as bad as Felicity's but in different ways.
~There's one thing that was left unresolved and it really bugged me.
I intend to check out the companion to this, Fanny's Hope Chest!!
__________
Addie's Mountain:
Likes:
~This was so cozy! I loved the country, and small-town setting. The dogs and kittens were precious.
~Claire and Addie had a great sibling relationship that I admired.
~The ending made me smile :)
~This made me want to read Heidi for the first time. I bought a copy and am looking forward to reading.
~Bookish references were over my head but honestly, this was a sweet story without them.
Dislikes:
~So much was left unsaid!
__________
Overall:
~4 stars!! This was so encouraging, pleasurable, and nicely bookish. I'm so glad I had the opportunity to read it in time for Easter. All of the authors did a fantastic job!
~A definite recommendation for Easter, and readers of inspiring Christian fiction.
Watch my full review: https://youtu.be/PaaRdS3W52A
This is my first read of the bookish series and I couldn't wait to get my hands on a copy. I'll be reviewing each story individually.
The Prayer Garden:
Likes:
~All of The Secret Garden book references. It's one of many of my favorite classics and reading The Prayer Garden made me want to revisit the classic so bad!
~This story was so moving and heartfelt. I felt for Nyree's grandmother.
~The Christian content was AMAZING! I loved watching as Nyree slowly came to the realization that she needed God. She reached the end of her rope and had to cling to Him. Beautifully done!
~Conner and Nyree were so cute.
~The descriptions of the hidden garden were so pretty. It almost felt like a fairy-fantasy escape away from the rest of the world.
Dislikes:
~Nyree's family. I didn't much care for her mom or aunt. I know they weren't central to the story, but they came off as very distant and uncaring (if I remember my initial thoughts. It's been almost a month since I read this and I'm only just writing this up.)
~As great an ending as it was, it was so abrupt and I hated to see it end so quickly. I could definitely go for more stories about Nyree and Conner.
__________
Lilies and Thorns:
Likes:
~I enjoyed the coffee shop aesthetic.
~Felicity was very relatable in the way of being awkward and struggling with your comfort zone. And living at home past the age that is "socially" acceptable.
~One scene in particular, the family dinner, was interesting to say the least.
Dislikes:
~I really missed the bookish elements in this story. I haven't read Romeo & Juliet in ages, so I didn't pick up on most of the book-related references, which was a bummer since I enjoyed that so much in the Prayer Garden. This point isn't against the story's content or quality, it's just my own reading experience. It really helps to be familiar with the inspired stories before you read this.
~Felicity's family was the worst. The mom was overbearing, annoying, and a snob. Literally could not stand that woman. And the dad was a spineless minor character.
~Not a fan of Adam. He came off as a jerk and the way he judged Felicity based on hearsay at her workplace...I had to humorlessly chuckle. As a former retail slave, I know that there's going to be a lot of backbiting and gossip over the dumbest things. Especially against managers.
__________
An Easter Canticle:
Likes:
~I was so excited to see how the author would combine Easter and A Christmas Carol. The results were *Chef's kiss*. The plot was very clever. Ellie was a sweetheart.
~Fantastic writing. The bookish references were awesome! As mentioned before, it makes a difference how familiar you are with the inspired classic.
~Great themes of forgiving others and self. Also living in the present instead of the past and future.
Dislikes:
~What's up with all these terrible moms??? Samuel's mom was just as bad as Felicity's but in different ways.
~There's one thing that was left unresolved and it really bugged me.
I intend to check out the companion to this, Fanny's Hope Chest!!
__________
Addie's Mountain:
Likes:
~This was so cozy! I loved the country, and small-town setting. The dogs and kittens were precious.
~Claire and Addie had a great sibling relationship that I admired.
~The ending made me smile :)
~This made me want to read Heidi for the first time. I bought a copy and am looking forward to reading.
~Bookish references were over my head but honestly, this was a sweet story without them.
Dislikes:
~So much was left unsaid!
__________
Overall:
~4 stars!! This was so encouraging, pleasurable, and nicely bookish. I'm so glad I had the opportunity to read it in time for Easter. All of the authors did a fantastic job!
~A definite recommendation for Easter, and readers of inspiring Christian fiction.
March 5, 2023
Not only does this book have a beautiful cover (tulips being my favorite flower), the stories in here are just as beautiful. I just love "A Very Bookish" collections and had been anticipating this one for a while. I read this while sick with a miserable cold and was so grateful to have this to read. On top of being sick, I was anxious over many things. This book brought to mind and to my saddened heart, that though there will always be trials or challenges while on earth, I can go to the One who is peace and love-Jesus. Easter is about hope- the hope that Jesus brings. I think these 4 gifted authors did a lovely job of demonstrating that through these stories.
"The Prayer Garden" makes me want to have a prayer garden of my own! I so loved Nyree's search for peace and how the Bible proves it's living and active by piercing her heart. I especially liked how much Grandma Dawn couldn't wait for Easter or Resurrection Day. We should all have that joy that our Savior is risen!
"Lilies and Thorns" was a humorous story. I enjoyed the banter between Felicity and Adam, and how Felicity challenged herself to step out of her comfort zone. The lesson about doing unto God's glory and not for our own is an important one.
"An Easter Canticle" takes place at Maple Leaf Christian Retreat Center and is one of my favorite settings Sarah Holman writes about. This story is about how God gives grace and is forgiving. We no longer have to live in the past, but start living for Him in the present. I was so surprised and happy to see Ellie from "Fanny's Hope Chest" and what brought her to the retreat.
"Addie's Mountain" shows how we as believers need to be more understanding of each other. Being judgmental only causes pain and questions one's relationship with God. Addie and her family have been hurt by others'actions to their situation, but I admired her willingness to go to church again and leaning on the Lord for strength.
I'm always blessed by this series and I hope and pray it'll do the same for others will read it. Thank you Kelsey Bryant, Abigayle Claire, Sarah Holman, and Kate Willis for the work you put into this and for pointing others to Jesus. May God bless you all!
"The Prayer Garden" makes me want to have a prayer garden of my own! I so loved Nyree's search for peace and how the Bible proves it's living and active by piercing her heart. I especially liked how much Grandma Dawn couldn't wait for Easter or Resurrection Day. We should all have that joy that our Savior is risen!
"Lilies and Thorns" was a humorous story. I enjoyed the banter between Felicity and Adam, and how Felicity challenged herself to step out of her comfort zone. The lesson about doing unto God's glory and not for our own is an important one.
"An Easter Canticle" takes place at Maple Leaf Christian Retreat Center and is one of my favorite settings Sarah Holman writes about. This story is about how God gives grace and is forgiving. We no longer have to live in the past, but start living for Him in the present. I was so surprised and happy to see Ellie from "Fanny's Hope Chest" and what brought her to the retreat.
"Addie's Mountain" shows how we as believers need to be more understanding of each other. Being judgmental only causes pain and questions one's relationship with God. Addie and her family have been hurt by others'actions to their situation, but I admired her willingness to go to church again and leaning on the Lord for strength.
I'm always blessed by this series and I hope and pray it'll do the same for others will read it. Thank you Kelsey Bryant, Abigayle Claire, Sarah Holman, and Kate Willis for the work you put into this and for pointing others to Jesus. May God bless you all!
May 27, 2023
If all modern fiction was this wonderfully beautiful, inspiring, gripping, and fascinating, I might get over wanting everything I read to be fantasy-ish.
The Prayer Garden
Nyree (LOVE the name) is a very likable young lady looking for hope. I love the Secret Garden and this story was a fun not-quite retelling, but sort of inspired by with some very large nods too it. Connor is the best. It’s heartwarming in a touching, meaningful way that lasts. Kelsey Bryant’s vivid, bright, and gorgeous descriptions are a highlight of all her works, and this just might be my favorite modern story she’s written. A heartfelt, deeply moving, and greatly inspiring story of beauty and healing. Loved all the Bible Garden references. <3
Lilies and Thorns
WHAT iS ThIs? I know it’s inspired by Romeo and Juliet, but I am getting SUCH Pride and Prejudice vibes. So imagine Mr. Darcy is working on a laptop at a coffee shop and he and Elizabeth meet a few times and he’s basically like “she’s tolerable I suppose but too Christian to tempt me”. Like. What. I don’t know what it is about him, but he reminds me more of Book Mr. Darcy, than like any adaption I’ve seen? Don’t’ know why. Anyway, this story is fascinating and a total page turner and I cannot wait to see what happens next because I’m not done yet, but wanted to review what I’ve read so far because
THIS COLLECTION WILL ONLY BE AVAILABLE UNTIL MAY 31 2023. And it’s really cool! So if you love: The Secret Garden, inspiring stories of Easter, hope, family, sweet modern romance, heartfelt stories, super amusing character interactions, Florida rainforest vibes, cozy southern towns, and want to see the eternal message of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ transforming the lives of everyday people, this collection is for you. <3
Will review the rest when I finish!
The Prayer Garden
Nyree (LOVE the name) is a very likable young lady looking for hope. I love the Secret Garden and this story was a fun not-quite retelling, but sort of inspired by with some very large nods too it. Connor is the best. It’s heartwarming in a touching, meaningful way that lasts. Kelsey Bryant’s vivid, bright, and gorgeous descriptions are a highlight of all her works, and this just might be my favorite modern story she’s written. A heartfelt, deeply moving, and greatly inspiring story of beauty and healing. Loved all the Bible Garden references. <3
Lilies and Thorns
WHAT iS ThIs? I know it’s inspired by Romeo and Juliet, but I am getting SUCH Pride and Prejudice vibes. So imagine Mr. Darcy is working on a laptop at a coffee shop and he and Elizabeth meet a few times and he’s basically like “she’s tolerable I suppose but too Christian to tempt me”. Like. What. I don’t know what it is about him, but he reminds me more of Book Mr. Darcy, than like any adaption I’ve seen? Don’t’ know why. Anyway, this story is fascinating and a total page turner and I cannot wait to see what happens next because I’m not done yet, but wanted to review what I’ve read so far because
THIS COLLECTION WILL ONLY BE AVAILABLE UNTIL MAY 31 2023. And it’s really cool! So if you love: The Secret Garden, inspiring stories of Easter, hope, family, sweet modern romance, heartfelt stories, super amusing character interactions, Florida rainforest vibes, cozy southern towns, and want to see the eternal message of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ transforming the lives of everyday people, this collection is for you. <3
Will review the rest when I finish!
April 2, 2024
This is my first read of the Bookish Holiday series. Having enjoyed some of Abigayle Claire's previous writing, I was looking forward to this little compilation.
While the stories were enjoyable and I liked the "inspired-by-a-classic" aspect, I think the stories were lacking in a lot of ways. Part of that is the limitations of a star story- so much has to be unresolved! But I did really enjoy the Easter aspects in each story (although some of the theology was a bit sketchy).
The first two stories were my favorite and I feel like I knew enough about each author to see bits of themselves come out in the story (especially Abigayle Claire working at H-E-B ;))
The last story was my least favorite because I really can't stand discussions of "church hurt." There were also a lot of loose threads in that one (what happened to their parents? what illness does Claire have? why is their aunt caring for them? why doesn't the grandpa like church?)
Overall, a fun, clean, easter read!
While the stories were enjoyable and I liked the "inspired-by-a-classic" aspect, I think the stories were lacking in a lot of ways. Part of that is the limitations of a star story- so much has to be unresolved! But I did really enjoy the Easter aspects in each story (although some of the theology was a bit sketchy).
The first two stories were my favorite and I feel like I knew enough about each author to see bits of themselves come out in the story (especially Abigayle Claire working at H-E-B ;))
The last story was my least favorite because I really can't stand discussions of "church hurt." There were also a lot of loose threads in that one (what happened to their parents? what illness does Claire have? why is their aunt caring for them? why doesn't the grandpa like church?)
Overall, a fun, clean, easter read!
April 13, 2023
Have only read 2 of the books so far. I am not really much into Anthologys tbh. but wanted something quick to read.
I enjoyed the first book, The Prayer Garden, very much, wish it was a bit longer though. I'd give this 4 stars.
The 2nd book, Lillies & Thornes was ok, but a bit predictable. I'd give this 3 stars.
I decided to take a break from this for a while and read something that I prefer tbh. I borrowed this from kindle unlimited, I may borrow again at a later stage to read the others.
I enjoyed the first book, The Prayer Garden, very much, wish it was a bit longer though. I'd give this 4 stars.
The 2nd book, Lillies & Thornes was ok, but a bit predictable. I'd give this 3 stars.
I decided to take a break from this for a while and read something that I prefer tbh. I borrowed this from kindle unlimited, I may borrow again at a later stage to read the others.
May 1, 2023
I enjoyed each of these stories. Love the way they connected to four classic stories
June 8, 2024
Read on KU.
March 9, 2023
I really enjoyed this story. Although I was not immediately pulled into the story, I pressed on and did become invested in Felicity’s story. The writing was smooth, and I appreciated how springy and Easter-y the setting was. While the Romeo and Juliet references were lighter than I thought they’d be, they were still a nice touch to the story. Faith content wise, I’d liked the individual arcs to have been fleshed out a little more, but they were realistic. Overall, this was a solid read from Ms. Claire.
I voluntarily received an ARC of Abigayle Claire's Lillies and Thorns. A positive review was not required.
I voluntarily received an ARC of Abigayle Claire's Lillies and Thorns. A positive review was not required.
April 17, 2023
I had great expectations for this book, but it just didn't live up to them. The stories are flat and bland. I realize they are not full length books, but I still believe the authors could have developed richer content.
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