Ann | This Quiet Heart Reads

https://www.instagram.com/thisquietheartreads/

https://www.goodreads.com/thisquietheartreads

Ann | This Quiet Heart Reads’s Bookshelves

to-read‎ (1829)
currently-reading‎ (3)
read‎ (253)
did-not-finish‎ (2)
non-fiction‎ (359)
holiday-reads‎ (115)
listening-ed-to‎ (24)
classics‎ (14)

bible-studies‎ (7)
enemies-to-lovers‎ (6)
friends-to-lovers‎ (6)
second-chance‎ (6)
forced-proximity‎ (5)
children-s-literature‎ (4)
epistolary‎ (4)
fairytale-retellings‎ (4)

single-parent-guardian‎ (4)
sports-romance‎ (4)
ya-fantasy‎ (4)
grumpy-sunshine‎ (3)
marriage-of-convenience‎ (3)
office-romance‎ (3)
opposites-attract‎ (3)
brother-s-best-friend‎ (2)

classic-retellings‎ (2)
fake-dating‎ (2)
royal-romance‎ (2)
biblical-fiction‎ (1)
curvy-mc‎ (1)

Stats | More…

Ann | This Quiet Heart Reads is Currently Reading

Ann | This Quiet Heart Reads is currently reading

Christmas in the Castle Library

by Ann Swindell (Goodreads Author)

bookshelves: holiday-reads, royal-romance, curvy-mc, currently-reading, listening-ed-to

Reading for the 2nd time

read in December 2024

Rate this book

Clear rating

1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars

Ann | This Quiet Heart Reads said: " This book captivated me from the beginning. The story was so unique and different, it was so fun to read this book! I mean, a queen who disappears and a castle at Christmas, who wouldn’t like that! I related to Ellie a lot. She reminds me of myself i This book captivated me from the beginning. The story was so unique and different, it was so fun to read this book! I mean, a queen who disappears and a castle at Christmas, who wouldn’t like that! I related to Ellie a lot. She reminds me of myself in many ways. In her growing faith, were lessons that enriched my soul as well.

When I received this book as part of my book subscription, I was expecting a sweet/cheesy Christmas romance. To be clear, there were moments of that in the story, but it was so much deeper than that. There was so many great, deep heart moments included as well. It was a beautiful balance and also a great picture of how we often need to be reminded of things more than once before change begins to happen in our hearts.

As I mentioned, I related to Ellie the most. I have struggled with anxiety most of my childhood. It is better now, but there are definitely still moments I have it. As Ellie grew in her faith in God, and learned so many truths of God’s love, grace, and desire for us. It reminded me of times in my life when those same truths were spoken to me. I loved how the Bible verses were included as well. I definitely wanted to shake Ellie multiple times (IYKYK), but truly enjoyed her and Mark’s story!

Another element that I really enjoyed was Ellie being a curvier FMC. As a fellow curvy girly, it was great to see that represented in the novel. I also appreciated the little aspects of this that were included in Ellie’s thoughts and emotions (Awareness of space, insecurities, difficulty with dressing, comparison, etc). It felt realistic, even though I still wanted to shake her when she was degrading on herself. A great reminder to find beauty in the body God gave us!

Ann Swindell definitely knocked this one out of the castle with this one! I look forward to the next book to find out more! If you enjoy deep faith elements, romance, slight mystery, then this book is definitely for you!

Content Guide:
Language: None
Spice: Level 1
TW: Anxiety Rep ...more "

progress:

(10%)
— Dec 08, 2025 07:43PM

Dec 28, 2024 09:22PM · see review