I enjoyed getting to know the characters. The book dealt with real issues about disabilities in that time frame. I was able to read the book in one sitting. The story was entertaining.

My first bok of this author. I enjoyed it! It is always great to discover authors! I will looking forward more of her books🐯🐯

A Chance at Christmas is an engaging warm hearted story. I'm not a big fan of novellas, so that hindered me just a bit. Seemed like elements of Scrooge with the crippled child. A light fast read. Thanks to NetGalley for an arc in exchange for an honest review.

Sweet novella length Regency romance set at Christmas time. It was nice to see Catherine taking care of her crippled brother rather than putting him in a home tucked away out of sight. Her and John receive an invitation from school friend, Katie to visit for Christmas. This Christmas visit will change their lives for the better. The author treated John's disability with respect and understanding. Nice, heartwarming holiday story I enjoyed.
Pub Date 01 Nov 2018
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Camden Hill Press through NetGalley. Thank you. All opinions expressed are my own.

I loved this book. I thought it sweet and adorable and I really felt for the characters. The writing was well thought out, well researched and very touching in places. I hadn't read this author before but I will be on the lookout for more from now on.
She captured a sibling relationship going through a difficult time so well and it was relatable to all us older siblings out there trying to do our best for the younger ones.
Absolutely loved it and as a christmas read? Just perfect.

This is a sweet, light historical romance that includes an element of a handicapped sibling. My rating 4.25.

Catherine has been working as a seamstress and pinching pennies to take care of herself and her crippled brother, John. Most families would hide John or put him in a home. But Catherine knows that John is smart and would be able to work as a clerk or similar position if people didn’t look and see only his disability.

Catherine is excited when she receives an invitation from a school friend, Katie, for John and her to visit for Christmas. Catherine knows that she will have trouble meeting bills, even rent, after Christmas. But Christmas is the time for miracles and maybe this is a chance to change her circumstances.

Catherine and John are met at the station by Katie’s older brother, the Viscount de Montjoy. Montjoy is attractive and charming although Katie claims he is a big flirt. Catherine enjoys his company and watches for a chance to ask him to help her brother. When she finally finds the courage, things don’t go quite as expected.

Ms. Harrison does a nice job handling John’s injury and the callous way that many families and society treat someone with disability and disfigurement. Catherine is a lovely example of a caring sister who sees the strengths in her brother and wants to encourage him. The author manages to allow Montjoy to remain a bit mysterious, creating conflict until well into the story.

The story is quick and sweet; a nice, light Christmas read. I recommend this to fans of Christmas and sweet historical romance.

Source: NetGalley.

And her heart grew five sizes that day after reading this book.

My heart is a big all goopy mess after reading this. It's so sweet! Typical and ends the way expected, but that is just what I needed and the trip to the HEA wasn't a bad one. The characters were cute and I really like how there was no other woman competing with the MC h to get the MC H. I'm tired of the trope of woman vs. woman and I was glad that it wasn't in this work.

Very sweet, not diabetes inducing for me, though YMMV. Exactly what I needed to start off this holiday season. 5, sweet and shiny, stars.

My thanks to NetGalley and Camden Hill Press for an eARC copy of this book to read and review.

A Chance at Christmas was an enjoyable and sweet tale for the holiday season. I really appreciated the goodness and lack of drama in the book. Though conflict helps drive a plot or give characters obstacles to overcome, I appreciated that this short book focused mainly on positive opportunities and happy experiences. Our heroine, Catherine certainly did have obstacles to overcome as a recently orphaned young lady who, cares for her crippled, teenage brother. They are soon to loose their small family cottage and reach the end of the small amount of money left to them after their parents passing. Though their family is known to be respected gentry, their parents wed against the wishes of either of their families and were disinherited. Neither child has ever known any family but each other and their now deceased parents. All of this hardship is inherent in the story, but does not take place in the plot of the book so the dreariness of their situation is known, but not trudged through miserably, which I appreciated.
The central plot concentrates on an invitation Catherine receives by her dearest school friend to celebrate Christmas with her family in their impressive manor. With all the hardship Catherine and her brother have recently been through, this is a rare opportunity and Catherine harbors a secret wish that she might secure a connection that would protect and help care for her brother before the very last of their parents money is gone and she is forced to find a position which would certainly separate her from her brother, leaving him with no other option than to live alone in the poor house.
The proceedings, for Catherine, as Christmas approaches are lovely, sweet and wholly encapsulate the warm and loving feelings that Christmas time should bring.
It was a pleasure to read a book devoid of any villainous characters.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for sharing with me a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.

I haven't read a Regency in a while but even I know this was not reality. I read it but was surprised of the storyline for a short story.

Thanks to NetGalley and to Candem Hill Press for providing me an ARC copy of this novella that I freely chose to review.
This is a Regency romance that I decided to read in part as research for a project, and also because it sounded and looked a bit different to many of the books in the genre (no couple on the cover, and, especially, no bare-chested male). Indeed this is a ‘sweet’ or ‘clean’ romance, although as some reviewers have noted, the strongest relationship in the story is that between Catherine, a young orphaned girl whose financial circumstances are extremely precarious at the beginning of the story, and her brother, John, a couple of years her junior, who fell from a horse when he was a child and now suffers from physical disabilities that make a normal life impossible. (He can move about with some difficulty and needs assistance to complete some complex tasks, although he is a fighter and manages better than people think when they meet him). The little money left by her parents has almost gone and she is wondering about the future. Although she is hopeful about getting a position for herself, she cannot see any options that would allow her to carry on looking after her brother. When an invitation to spend Christmas with a wealthy school friend arrives, Catherine starts making all kinds of plans in her head.
The story is short but manages to paint a detail picture of the conditions Catherine and her brother live in, of the arrangements she has to make to try and make do by modifying her mother’s old dresses, and then also about the huge contrast between their lives and that of her friend Katie and her family. (At times it made me think of Dickens but without going to extremes).This allows readers to see things from Catherine’s point of view and to appreciate the huge gap that existed in the society of the time between the haves and the have-nots. (It also reminded me of one of my favourite stories by Louisa May Alcott, An Old-Fashioned Girl, which I recommend). We also realise how unforgiving and intolerant the society of the time was of those suffering any type of disabilities, and it is impossible not to cringe at some of the comments the siblings have to endure.
The story shares some characteristics with a fairy-tale (there is something of Cinderella about Catherine, although at least she does not have a cruel stepmother), and also with a morality-tale, where Catherine’s innocence and her devotion to her brother are rewarded in the end.
The Christmas part of the story works well, and we hear about a Christmas log, there is a trip to find mistletoe, carollers come along to the mansion, and we have some wondrous descriptions of foods of the period.
As for the love story… Well, we soon realise Katie’s brother seems interested in Catherine, although she has not been exposed to society and cannot work out if he is flirting, laughing at her, or really interested. There is a misunderstanding that has the most wonderful consequences for all involved (one hopes, anyway), but while we get some sense of who Catherine is and some indication of her brother’s thoughts and feelings, we do not get to know the rest of the characters too well, but the indications are positive.
In sum, this is a short read, full of detail about the contrast between high and low-income lives at the time, set during Christmas, and it does a good job of bringing to life the Christmas spirit. It might not satisfy those looking for a passionate love story although it shows strong sibling relationships and has a likeable and self-sacrificing heroine (think Melanie in Gone with the Wind), and there is no sex or bad language. Recommended if you’re looking for a short feel-good Christmas story set in the Regency period.

Thank you net galley for the advance reader copy of the novel. This was a regency era historical fiction set at Christmas time. The characters included a special needs brother which was refreshing to see in a novel. A quick Christmas read that I would recommend.

A wonderful Holiday story with a twist, the love for your sibling, no matter what their situation. A short highly enjoyable read to brighten your Christmas and make you realize how lucky you are if you have good health.
I received this book from Netgalley. Thank you,Netgalley!

Christmas is coming, and Catherine Woodsleigh and her disabled brother John have no hope of celebration until an invitation to spend Christmas with an old friend and her family arrives. But after the holiday, worse misfortune looms before them. Living on the diminishing number of coins drawn from a jar left by their dead father and mother, a dire future seems inevitable. Will this chance to share a wondrous sparkling Christmas not only provide a glorious holiday but a new turn in their futures and the astonishing possibility of romance?

This is a “sweet” romance in the nothing-more-than-a-kiss genre label sense. And it is nice, on the whole. I asked for an ARC (but the book was published a year ago so…just a review copy I guess?) on my quest for cozy Christmas romances after my first try failed so spectacularly and it does feature a lot of general Christmas-y festive stuff, which I liked! And the set up is a good one – a genteel girl facing destitution gets a week in an Earl’s manor house before her fate is sealed.

However, I was also hoping for a Christmas *romance*, and there’s just not that much romance in this book. For most of the book, the only tension is Catherine worrying about the future of her brother John, who was injured in a horse accident several years ago. There’s a viscount (the brother of her old friend), and you can tell he’s the supposed love interest, but really Catherine hardly spares him a moment’s thought, because she’s so worried for her brother. The whole romance happens in the last quarter of the book, when due to a not-what-it-looks-like situation, viscount Montjoy agrees to marry Catherine, and by then there’s just not many words left in the book to explore it.

So it’s fine, as books go. If you like the parts of Sense and Sensibility where Eleanor is worrying about supporting the Dashwood women on their meager income but also with Christmas, then this book could be for you. But my quest for the perfect cozy holiday romance novel continues.

Catherine and her brother are near penniless. Both of her parents are dead and she lives in a small cottage with her disabled younger brother, John. Catherine knows that they will soon be out of money. The money she makes as a seamstress doesn't cover the necessities and the coins left from her parents are nearly gone. When they are, she will have no choice but to put John in the poorhouse and find herself a job as a governess or housekeeper.

Christmas is coming and things look very bleak until an invitation arrives for the both of them to go to Catherine's friend Katie's house for the holiday. She met Katie at the boarding school she attended until her father died. Katie's father is an earl so the celebration is sure to be grand.

When Catherine and John arrive, they are met at the stage by Montjoy, Katie's brother and heir apparent to the title of earl. Montjoy is quite the flirt. But Catherine knows he isn't serious. After all, what would a future earl see in her. But Catherine wants to stay on his good side. She hopes to secure a position with him for her brother. When an unfortunate turn of events changes everthing, will Catherine lose any chance of keeping her brother out of the poorhouse?

This was a nice story. Simple but it has plenty of examples of how hard life can be for some. A good holiday story.

Description
Christmas is coming, and Catherine Woodsleigh and her crippled brother John have no hope of celebration until an invitation to spend Christmas with an old friend and her family arrives. But after the holiday, worse misfortune looms before them. Living on the diminishing number of coins drawn from a jar left by their dead father and mother, a dire future seems inevitable. Will this chance to share a wondrous sparkling Christmas not only provide a glorious holiday but a new turn in their futures and the astonishing possibility of romance?

My Thoughts:
Once I received the correct file for this book I very much enjoyed the read. Although a little more sweet than those I lean toward it was still well written.
This is a traditional sweet regency style holiday romance. It actually contains very little in the way of intimacy with only a couple of kisses along the way to a marriage more or less forced due to the beliefs of those times.
I read this book in one sitting and if you prefer your romance without benefit of spicy intimate scenes this is just the ticket for you.
I gave this book 4.25 of 5.0 stars for storyline and characterization.
It is a somewhat bland story but it is suitable for you to give to your teen reader.
I received a complimentary copy to read. This in no way affected my opinion of this book which I read and reviewed voluntarily.

A Chance at Christmas is a charming, innocent, genuine Christmas romance. Catherine is a sister dedicated to making sure her brother, John, has a chance to live and thrive even as she sees herself taking a position as a companion or governess following this once in a lifetime Christmas holiday. Catherine has cared for her brother through his fall from a horse, their parents deaths and the life of poverty that followed. She sees this holiday with a former school mate and friend an opportunity to allow her brother to show that, although physically handicapped, he can still think and do with his mind.

Once there, Catherine meets Katie’s brother, Viscount de Montjoy. He seems to be continually flirting with Catherine. She is not sure if it is just his way or if it means something more. Either way, Katie and Montjoy seem to bicker at every turn. More on Katie’s part that Montjoy’s. Their relationship seems in direct contrast to that of Catherine and John.

During the holiday house party, Catherine and Montjoy are caught in a compromising position. What follows is what makes dreams come true as they head to their HEA. You will find this such a sweet romance that you will not want it to end. This is the first Beppie Harrison book and I look forward to reading more of her work.

Catherine and her disabled brother, John are invited to spend Christmas with an old school friend at her family's estate. After this Christmas, it may be the poorhouse for John who is crippled after a fall from a horse. Catherine may not be any better off if she can't get a job. Their family died and it left them destitute. Katie lives on an estate with her family. Her brother, the Viscount de Montjoy and Katie, his sister spend much of their time making snide remarks to each other. He tells Catherine how beautiful she is and Katie thinks he is teasing her. Catherine tries to protect John from the cruelty of some of the remarks of Katie's guests. He may be crippled in body but not in mind. Catherine hopes that Montjoy will be able to help Her and John get jobs before they are forced out of their home. When Montjoy and Catherine are caught in a compromising situation, John calls him on it and they become engaged. Montjoy and Catherine's parents are not opposed to the betrothal. It seems that Catherine in her old, faded gowns has won the admiration from all the Montjoys'. Has the joy of Christmas brought love into all their lives or will the betrothal be called off? This book embodies the romance and love of the season. One of my favorite Christmas stories of the year. I received this book from Net Galley and Camden Hill Press for a honest review. The opinions expressed are my own.

Catherine and her brother, John, are almost out of funds. The future looks bleak and because John is disabled, the future for him is the poorhouse. But this Christmas there’s maybe a chance for something better. Catherine’s school friend, Kittie who is an Earl’s daughter, has invited them both to her family home. The author does an excellent job of conveying the awkwardness of socializing with those not in your class, the insensitive treatment of the disabled and the anxiety of poverty. Kittie’s brother, the Viscount, is for most of the story unknown. He’s a mystery whose flirtation seemed creepy at times.

Implausible but very sweet.

What a wonderfully written novella! I was immediately captivated by Catherine and her brother John. Her devotion and love for her brother was so palpable that I could feel each and every emotion.
Catherine and John are destitute and desperately grasping for answers when a letter brings about a temporary respite to their dire circumstances. It was interesting how the author approached not just John’s affliction but more so the other characters’ (e.g. Viscount Montjoy) reaction to John. The development of the Viscount’s character was unexpectedly interesting and was pleasantly surprised.
This is a new author to me and was so impressed that I will read everything that this author writes.
I received an arc of this ebook from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.