I enjoyed all of these sweet "Kissing Bough" stories, but my favorite was the first one by Josi Kilpack.

In the first story in the collection, "Meet Me Under the Kissing Bough, Deborah Winfrey, a widow with three children, is holding a Christmas House Party. Among those Invited to the party is her husband's best friend Phillip Dempsey, also a widower, and his children., Deborah's mother has also invited a surprise guest, a childhood friend, she feels would make a perfect husband for Deborah. There is snow, and holiday festivities including a Kissing Bough competition, and of course kissing under the mistletoe. During this charming Christmastime romance, who will Deborah meet under the kissing bough? Whom will she be willing to move forward into the future ?

In the Second story we meet the Hunt and Blakely families who have been feuding for decades about a land dispute. The Hunt family has come to the town of Amorwich to celebrate Christmas with their grandma. Ivy Hunt has married Curtis Blakely, and lives in the nearby estate of Fairmore Hall. Ivy has been very sick with this pregnancy. Because her father would not approve of her visits to Fairmore Hall, Julia, sister to Ivy, makes secretive visits to her sister., and becomes reacquainted with Esmond Park who assists her in those secretive visits. On one of those visits, she discovers some old letters that may lead to a reconciliation between the two families and a future connection with the very attractive Esmond Park. This is a delightful story about healing hearts and wounds at Christmastime.

In the third story, "A Christmas Correspondence, " we are treated to a retelling of A Christmas Carol. Lady Carolyn Morleigh comes to know the error of her haughty ways from a letter her father arranged for his steward to deliver to her. Her father's steward has since passed, but his son John Charleston bears the duty of bringing her a letter from her father. Lady Caroline's father has passed, but he is trying to make amends to his daughter through letters. In a second letter to Lady Caroline from her father, he asks her to stay one week with the family of John Charleston. John Charleston lives simply with his sisters; one of his sisters is very ill, think Tiny Tim, and John must sell the family property to get the medical attentions he needs. It is in this week, that the Christmas miracle of Lady Caroline's transformation occurs. Christmas Carol aficionados will love to add this to their collection.

I received a copy of this book from NetGalley. The opinions expressed in this review are my own.

Meet Me under the Kissing Bough :
I loved the uniqueness of this story. Sometimes we have stories about young widows, but it’s not often that we get stories about middle aged widows in the regency era. I thought it was remarkably done. Josi created with all the maturity and concern her life experience has given her. She treated both Deborah and Philips’ past relationships with respect, while still giving them the chance to love again in a beautiful way.

Healing Hearts for the Holidays :
I loved that this story was in the same world as her novella from last Christmas season. It was definitely a stand alone. But like all good stories from the same world, I believe you’ll be missing out on a little depth if you haven’t read her first. I loved that both stories contained a little bit of mystery and a lot of healing Christmas magic.

A Christmas Correspondence :
I don’t know that I have ever read A Christmas Carol retelling like this. I was so impressed. She wove a story so like the original that you smile at the subtle nods, yet so original that the characters and story line are refreshing. She wrote Lady Carolyn’s transformation both as a youth and through her experiences with John so believably and genuine. I was rooting for them both the whole way through the story and loving every minute of their journey together.

I really enjoyed all the stories in the series and would definitely recommend it!

This is a sweet collection of holiday historical romances. Each one deals with the healing power of coming together with family or friends over Christmas.

The first is a story about a widow finding love with a longtime friend. The second combines family, love, and second chances. The third is a twist on a Christmas Carol. I enjoyed the first two, though I found the third one a bit heavy handed.

All three provide a quiet, cozy, sweet Christmas romance. I give it 3.5 stars.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher.

4.5 stars rounded up for this wonderful collection of Christmas romances.

Meet Me Under the Kissing Bough by Josi Kilpack --I love this story of a woman and a man finding love again after the death of their spouses. Deborah hosts a Christmas house party for the first time in quite awhile and one of the guests is a widower (Phillip) she's interested in. She's torn between her developing feelings for him and following her mother's advice, that she's always trusted. I loved reading about the activities for each day of the house party, especially the kissing bough contest. This was my favorite of the three stories.

Healing Hearts for the Holidays by Anneka R. Walker--In this story we revisit characters we met in last year's collection A Hopeful Christmas: A Regency Romance Collection. I really liked Esmond and Julia, and their determination to be together despite the fact that their families haven't gotten along in many years. I really loved the letters they found in the hiding place in the wall, and that we find out the reason why the two families don't get along. I liked that the long-ago incident that caused the rift between the families was finally laid to rest and they were able to find peace.

A Christmas Correspondence by Sarah L. McConkie--This story is a nod to Dickens' A CHRISTMAS CAROL, which I didn't get at first. Once I did, it explained the behavior of the main female character, Caroline, who I didn't like at first, and I could see all the similarities between the two stories. I liked how the reader not only gets to see the changes in Caroline, but what spurs the changes. I really loved John's thoughtfulness and caring to everyone.

I love these collections as each story is different but revolves around Christmas. Each can be read in an hour which is nice when you have limited reading time. These are all sweet romances that will touch your heart and get you in the spirit of the holiday.

I received a complimentary copy from the publisher, Covenant Communications, via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own.

I love this time of year when the Christmas books start coming out. Meet Me Under the Kissing Bough is a collection of three historical romances during the Christmas season that is sure to put you in the holiday mood!

In the first story we are introduced to Deborah, a widow who is navigating the possibility of falling in love again as well as hosting a Christmas house party. But when her mother invites another gentleman to the party for her daughter to consider as a possible match, Deborah is all in a muddle as to how to proceed. This Christmas story offers a tender look at romance in an older couple who have children to consider and emotional baggage from previous marriages. The kissing bough part of the story was really cute and I loved the scenes with the children.

The second story is a forbidden romance between the daughter and son of feuding families. There is a bit of intrigue and secrecy as Julia sneaks over to the rival family's home to visit her sister (who married the older son of the feuding family) while she is sick with her pregnancy. Esmond, the younger son, is handsome and charming and Julia finds herself attracted to him, but their parents have so much animosity toward each other, association in public seems impossible, never mind a match. Julia comes across a family secret, however, that has the possibility of healing the rift between the two families or tearing them apart once and for all. And once the decision is made, Julia's life will be changed forever. A journey to love with lots of twists and turns! (While you can read this one as a standalone, I did feel like I was missing some of the background of several characters. I found out later that this story is connected to another one from a previous Christmas anthology.)

The third story is a twist on A Christmas Carol. Caroline was mistreated as a girl and that bitter past turned her into a cruel and selfish young woman. John Charleston is tasked to deliver letters to Caroline from her father, and in each letter is an apology and a chance for Caroline to forgive and learn to love. Her journey to self-discovery and growth as a character was satisfying to read. This was a unique take on A Christmas Carol, but the message of hope in the future and joy in loving and serving others is a nice way to end the collection.

I thought this was a sweet collection of Christmas stories that are all tied together by a kissing bough and the theme of finding love. It will get any reader in the Christmas spirit!

I enjoyed this sweet collection of stories with a common theme of Christmas romance and mistletoe "kissing boughs." They are all set in the Regency era and are written by some of my favorite authors of the genre. The first story is a slow burn, with both main characters moving past their grief of losing a spouse. Even though they are perfect for each other, the issue of societal class and climbing ranks complicates their future, especially when an unexpected guest arrives.

The second story was full of family drama and feuding, conflict and secrets. I liked how Esmond pursued Julia in spite of the obstacles, and was reluctant to give her up. They had some fun banter and great chemistry. The third story featured character growth as it echoed the classic Christmas story, and it was neat to see the way John was able to see into Caroline's heart. A lovely collection of stories perfect for holiday reading!

Disclosure statement: A complimentary copy of this book was provided from a tour group, publisher, publicist, or author, including NetGalley, OR was borrowed from the library, including OverDrive, OR borrowed from Kindle Unlimited, OR purchased. A review was not required and all views and opinions expressed are unbiased and my own.

I love Christmas time with sleigh rides on soft white snow, bright colored boxed gifts under a lit Christmas trees. And of course, kissing under the mistletoe . These 3 novellas were all of these things and more. I hope enjoy them as much as I did.
“The Kissing Bough” by Josi S. Kilpack was a 5 ⭐️. I loved it! It takes place on an estate near Nottinghamshire, England in 1819. It had all of the charm and romance I love in a regency novella. There was all the holiday games and tradition associated with the time. The characters were fun and enjoyable with a perfect mix of awe and respectability. The romance had breathtaking chemistry and was clean.
I highly recommend this one!
“Healing Hearts for the Holidays” by Anneka R. Walker was a 5 ⭐️. It takes place in Northamptonshire, England in 1812, around the Christmas season between two estates that have a long held feud between them. There’s forbidden love and a lot of planning to make things better between the households. The characters were lovely and the banter between the h and H was sweet. Great chemistry with dreamy encounters and long looks across the room and also clean. I love to see things work out.
I highly recommend it.
“A Christmas Correspondence” by Sarah L. McConkie was a 4.5⭐️. It’s London, England December 1843, and things are bleak this Christmas. A young women of status must read her deceased fathers letters in order to receive her inheritance. She reluctantly agrees to go back to her childhood home and upsets everyone with her manners. She’s rude and unlikable. She meets her match when a certain man befriends her. This was sweet, with a HEA. Another great example of how Christmas can reveal so much about ourselves.
I highly recommend this as well.
Thanks Covenant Communication via Netgalley.

Christmas came early and I could not be more happy. Meet me under the Kissing Bough is a compilation of sweet love stories that take place around Christmas. All three authors are beloved, so I cannot single one story out above the other, but trust me, you will equally enjoy all three. Each story captures the essence of the season and sprinkles in romance and of course, a sweet kiss. I loved how Deborah learned to stand up for herself and her own heart. Julia is endearing as she fights for love and loyalty. I loved the creative Scrooge spin in Lady Caroline Morleigh’s tale. Highly recommended to all lovers of clean, sweet, holiday romances that fill your heart with joy and leave a smile on your face.

I received a complimentary copy from the publisher via NetGalley and all opinions expressed are my own, freely given.

I thoroughly enjoyed each of the three stories even though they were all so different from each other. The first story was especially sweet! I loved the themes of forgiveness, of acceptance, and of second chances, and the romance in each story was very sweet!

This compilation can easily be read in one sitting and was the perfect holiday read to get me in the Christmas spirit.

I received a complimentary copy but a positive review was not required.

This book contains three sweet holiday stories. It was nice not to have a big reading commitment when short on time and is perfect for the busy holiday season.

The first story is Meet Me Under the Kissing Bough by Josi S. Kilpack. It takes place in 1819 and is a love story between two widowed adults in their 30’s, both with children of their own. I thought it was a refreshing change to read about an older couple, though she still lets her mom control her as if she’s a child. Deborah must decide if she will listen to her heart and marry Phillip even though he is of lower social standing or marry her higher-ranking childhood friend Anthony.

The second story is Healing Hearts for the Holidays by Anneka R. Walker. It takes place in 1812 and is the story of a family divided over a long-time feud. Julia Hunt’s sister Ivy is sick and pregnant, but her dad refuses to let the family visit her because Ivy’s family and her husband Curtis’s family have a long-standing feud over a land dispute. In addition, Julia tries to make sense of some mysterious old letters she finds.

The last story is A Christmas Correspondence by Sarah L. McConkie. It takes place mostly in 1843 and is the story of Caroline learning about true happiness. Her mom dies at the beginning when she is 13 years old, leaving her dad angry, verbally abusive, and usually drunk. He teaches her that social standing and money are what matter most, causing her to be rude, haughty, and alone.

Thanks to Covenant Communications and NetGalley for a temporary digital copy to use for my review.

Meet Me Under the Kissing Bough by Josi S. Kilpack

This story is so sweet! I love the way Kilpack takes unconventional characters and situations and brings them to life. Deborah is a widow hosting a Christmas house party. Going against the wishes of loved ones, she follows her own heart and finds her own footing in forging the path to her future. I loved her strength and gentleness. The kissing bough competition was so much fun and I wish I could've seen them all. I loved the tradition surrounding them as well, and the swoony, stolen moments were the icing on the cake.

Healing Hearts for the Holidays by Anneka R. Walker

Another great story with the sweetness to heal the hardest of hearts! A mystery has torn apart two families and the divide is heartbreaking. In a flirtatious and fun manner, things unravel and are revealed, uncovering a darling tale. I love the emphasis on family and the swoony banter was an added bonus.

A Christmas Correspondence by Sarah L. McConkie

There are little gems in this story that give a tribute to A CHRISTMAS CAROL and that made me feel better because there are some characters who are great and others who have a lot to learn. The author did a great job with them because I was completely turned off at first, but then realized what the story was patterned after and got sucked right in. This was a darling story to end the collection!

Content: clean romance

*I received a complimentary copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own and were voluntarily given.*

These three lovely novellas are perfect as fall beings, getting us ready for the Christmas season. The three tales have a bit of angst, a dash of hope and wonderful HEAs. Josi S. Kilpack tells the tale of a widow moving forward and seizing a chance at new love with a holiday house party; Anneka R. Walker has a story of forbidden love, with a heroine who falls in love with a neighbor her family won't let her have; then there's Sarah L. McConkle riffing on Dickens' classic for Christmas with one of the worst heroines ever — not evil, just with a heart three sizes too small — and demonstrating how Christmas can make all of us become better people. At Christmas, there's just no place like Regency England.
(I received an ARC from NetGalley. Opinions mine.)

Meet Me Under the Kissing Bough is a great Christmas Regency Romance book of 3 novellas. I enjoyed each of them. All three novellas are well written with well developed characters. Each story had a believable plot line and nice believable ending. I recommend this for anyone looking for a quick l, satisfying Christmas read.

Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book for my honest opinion.

I enjoyed reading each of these novellas. Josi's was a great reminder to follow your heart. Anneka's featured the healing power of forgiveness and how it can bring friends and family together again. Sarah's was a great reimagining of A Christmas Carol. I loved seeing the change in Caroline. I highly recommend this collection to bring the Christmas spirit in! Thanks to Netgalley and Covenant for the advanced copy. This is my honest opinion.

Meet Me Under The Kissing Bough by Josi Kilpack - This was a fun Christmas read. I enjoyed all the different traditions. Deborah and Phillip were so sweet. Deborah is in a tough situation and is struggling to find her footing. I enjoyed seeing how she navigated everything and found herself and her happiness.

Healing Hearts for the Holidays by Anneka Walker - I loved being back at Ravencross and seeing this family's happy ending. We first meet the families in Lord Blakely's Gift in the Christmas anthology A Hopeful Christmas. Esmond and Julia are wonderful characters who want what is best for their families. Their story is sweet and wonderful. I really enjoyed getting to know them and seeing their families again.

A Christmas Correspondence by Sarah McConkie -This was an interesting retelling of The Christmas Carol. I liked the way it was done. John and his family were such wonderful people. I loved how they took Caroline in and loved her without judgement. I enjoyed reading about her journey and change of heart.

I received a complimentary copy from the publisher through Netgalley and this is my honest review.

This was a delightful compilation of Christmas stories. I always struggle with novellas a little bit because I always want more details than the short story can give me. However, Ms. Kilpack's was delightful, just as I expected as I always love her stories. And Ms. Walker's was a fun return to some previous characters. Ms. McConkie's was a complex story with some Scrooge vibes in a haughty young woman. Overall, a few enjoyable compilation just to start getting into that Christmas mood.

Thank you NetGalley and Covenant Communications for the eARC!

I always love the Christmas anthologies from Covenant Communications and this one did not disappoint. I loved how unique each of the stories were and how they brought the magic of the holidays into the stories. I loved how in “Meet Me Under the Kissing Bough”, Deborah learned to follow her heart and to do what would make her happy even at the expense of disappointing others. I loved “Healing Hearts for Christmas”. I loved that this story connected with Anneka’s story from last years anthology. I loved how the couple was able to heal the families feud. In “A Christmas Correspondence”, I loved how it was a retelling of “A Christmas Carol” and how Lady Caroline went on a journey to discovery that it is never to late to change. I really enjoyed this anthology and it is one that I read again.

I received a complimentary book from publishers, publicists, and or authors.  A review was not required and all opinions and ideas expressed are my own.

Meet Me under the Kissing Bough brings together three sweet Historical Romance novellas that take place at Christmastime. Grab your coziest blanket and a cup of hot cocoa and prepare to get comfortable. :)

Meet Me under the Kissing Bough by Josi S. Kilpack

This story is about a widow who has found love again but struggles with the fear of putting her own happiness first. I really enjoyed that the main characters were older in this story and had life experiences. Usually in this time period the heroines are half the age.

I also always love a good Regency house party, and to add the Christmas theme made it even better. There were some interesting traditions mentioned for the first five days of Christmas.

I really felt for Phillip. While Deborah was finding out what she really wanted, she put him through a lot.

Healing Hearts for the Holidays by Anneka R. Walker

This story can be read on its own, but it has some characters from Walker's story "Lord Blakely's Gift" in the book A Hopeful Christmas. I love continuation stories. This story includes multiple generations of love, and has lost love, and forbidden love.

Esmond has always loved taking care of the land. With no inheritance coming, he is expected to practice law or enter the military; both things he does not have a passion for.

Julia always wants to play the peacemaker, and she puts herself at risk because of it. I wish there were more scenes with Julia and Esmond in them. I really liked them together.

Mr Hunt bothered me because he agreed to his daughter Ivy getting married, and then cut her off from the rest of her family.

A Christmas Correspondence by Sarah L. McConkie

I really did not have a lot of sympathy for Lady Caroline. Yes, her father treated her poorly as a child after her mother died, but she grew up to be not a very good person, and that is her own fault. Caroline is constantly trashing other people, and then she is shocked when they speak negatively about her.

Even the few times Lady Caroline has offered to help people, she has just thrown her money around, or she has never even followed through with what she promised.

John is such a kind hearted person, and is way too good for her.

John's sisters were interesting characters, and I would love to see more from them.

Well written 3 novella collection.

I particularly enjoyed the well crafted and enjoyable Meet Me Under the Kissing Bough by Josi S. Kilpack.
I had not read anything from these authors previously and it was a joy to discover three new to me authors.
I can recommend this collection.

I loved the novellas!
The first one is my favorite. Deborah and Philip are so lovely. I loved the fact that both main characters are widows and have children. I think I have never read a romance like that.
The second one, Julia and Esmond. I loved their friendship and how they work together for the sake of their families.
And the third one, Caroline and John didn't like each other at first but then falling in love. I love this trope.
Thank you Netgalley and publisher for free ARC in exchange of honest review. All thoughs are my own.