I received an ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

Genre: Historical romance
Heat level: Sweet

My little historical romance heart is pounding with love for this anthology! Each story had enough time to finish its tale without feeling cut off and too short. This anthology has four feel-good stories. The connecting theme is Christmas between the stories, they use holly and ivy for decorations, and that they're all set in the past in England. Other than that, I'm not seeing a common thread. if you do see anther tie between them, please let me know.

Sarah M. Eden's story made my heart go out to the little boy. He's so reliant on his nursemaid—I had no idea how it would work out. The theme of found family is so important in these characters' lives.

Esther Hatch's story moved from Scotland to England. I laughed so hard in this one. And I can't tell you why and spoil the surprise. The background of the characters made everything plausible, and I was happy with the end.

Dana LeCheminant's story made me think of the farce "The Importance of Being Ernest" even though it's a different situation. Mistaken identity is a fun trope paired with lies and family expectations.

Anneka R. Walker's story of trying to live up to everyone's expectations is timeless. I adored how the characters came to know themselves better on the search for love. Her names for people made me laugh.

Yes, yes, yes! I highly recommend this anthology.

If you need a light read, romance, a holiday book, or historical stories this is the anthology for you!

Four sweet Christmas stories by four great writers. I greatly enjoyed each of these stories and thought all of them were well written. Reading this book made me wish it was already December. I highly recommend this read especially if you enjoy Christmas romances.
#TheHollyandtheIvy #NetGalley

This is an anthology of 4 books from 4 different authors. I'm not always keen on anthology's as some of the stories tend not to be to my taste. However this was wonderful. I like all the author's and all the books were great i could ask for more. A fantastic way to get in the Christmas spirit. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Do you like novellas? I like them when I don’t have time for a full length novel. My time for reading has been more limited lately, so there were nice little mini escapes.

The Holly and the Ivy
Sarah M Eden

This was a Christmas story about young Adam and his nurse Robbie. It took place at the home of Julia and Lucas. If you love stepping back in time with these known characters, you will love this story. Honestly I couldn’t finish this one. It seemed to spend so much time on side characters. While I’ve read about these characters and it was nice to see them, I wanted the story to be more about Robbie.

Hiding Christmas
Esther Hatch

It is undeniable that Esther knows how to write chemistry. She accomplished so much in this little story. I loved learning more about the history of Christmas in Scotland. As the two characters learned to understand each other through this forced proximity story, their true motives became clear and it was so easy to fall in love with them. Am I more excited to hang mistletoe this Christmas? Absolutely yes.

A twist of Christmas
Dana LeCheminant

I really enjoyed the story of two nobles who find each other during a double identity swap. Second sons don’t get a lot of attention and it was fun to see some dual love stories emerge. I haven’t read a lot of Dana’s books, but this reminded me that I need to read more.

A season to Love
Anneka R Walker

Anneka wrote two completely lovable characters. I love their authenticity and their dynamic together. Super swoon worthy couple. The cute meet is probably the most hilarious one I’ve ready lately and I love how it came full circle at the end.

My favorite things about this anthology:

The author line-up is stellar!

The Cover...gorgeous!

AND the best part of all is that every story was amazing!

Dare I say this is Covenant's best anthology ever put together?

Reading friends who have been following Sarah M Eden's Jonquil/Lancaster and The Gents series...this is going to be a must read for you. Adam (Duke of Kielder), Nurse Robbie and Julia and Lucas? Cue all of the feels and get ready to be re-immersed with your favorite characters! 

Book Snippet: "...it's people that make Christmas special, nae things." -Nurse Robbie

Book 2 is by Esther Hatch. Do you instantly smile when you begin an Esther Hatch book? I do, because I KNOW I'm going to be thoroughly entertained!

You will definitely find entertainment in this story. Fake relationships and enemies to more is what Esther has served up for us, with an extra dose of hilarity...not to mention a meddling granny. Why are meddling grannies so much fun? There's also Scottish vs English in this book and I really can't tell you just how much you need this story in your life!

Book Snippet: "Isaac straightened his shoulders. He had stood his ground on the battles of Waterloo and not fallen back. He would not run from this girl.

Dana Lecheminant's story is up next and if you have not picked up her books, you have some catching up to do. My favorite thing about Dana's books are the heart and soul she puts into her characters. You'll love them and want to be their best friends. This particular story is a double case of mistaken identity-and it was perfectly executed!!

Book Snippet: "Christmas is always a magical time, but matters of the heart are a magic unto themselves. You never know what may come of it."

Last, but certainly not least is Anneka Walker's contribution. I think this is my favorite Anneka book to date. I completely adored this one! I loved the little extras that made each character completely their own. The love story was sweet and the meet-cute is to die for! Funny and swoony! This book was bursting with Christmas cheer and goodness. 

Book Snippet: "For every big miracle, I imagine there are a million little ones."

I HIGHLY, HIGHLY recommend this anthology collection to get you in the holiday spirit! It's a new Christmas favorite!

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the copy. All thoughts in this review are my own.

This book was so good! It’s a Christmas theme book, so it will definitely be a book you’ll want to read to get you in the mood for the holiday.

Sarah M. Eden’s was a great way to start off the book! We get to see a glimpse as to what Lucas, Julia and young Adam are up to while getting to meet Nurse Robby! I was so excited to finally get to learn more about the famous Nurse Robby who helped raised Adam. Like most of Sarah’s books your emotions are on a roller coaster ride. I loved making connections to the Jonquils/Lancasters series in this book.

Esther Hatch’s novella had me laughing from the get go. It’s an enemies to lovers story, so if you like that then you’ll definitely love this one. The characters are amazing, but I personally think the grandmother stole the show. She was a riot and so good at playing matchmaker. I wished this one was a little longer because I wanted to see a few things before it ended but that’s just me.

Dana LeCheminant’s novella was one of my favorites from this book. This is my second story by her and I’ve vowed to read all the other books she has written. It was easy to see how this story was going to end but I was more than happy to read the whole thing. Graham and Beth were so much fun to read about! I wish it was longer because I needed more of their story!

Anneka Walker’s novella was such a good way to end this book! The way this story started had me dying! Thomas’s sense of humor was so good. And Alice was such a good leading lady to not hold what happens at the beginning against Thomas. I loved seeing Alice and Thomas grow as an individual and unknowingly as a couple. The ending was great! Bless Alice’s grandmother for saving day.

This anthology of Christmas love stories is a joy to read. The stories are well written and bring the Christmas spirit into your heart.

This book was a fantastic collection of put-me-in-the-mood-for-mistletoe stories! I loved the variation between the stories. Here's what a reader can expect when picking up this Christmas anthology:

"The Holly and The Ivy" by Sarah M. Eden: Fans of Sarah's Jonquil/Lancaster series will love this glimpse into the early marriage of Julia and Lucas and their friendship with the young Duke of Kielder (AKA Adam). This story doesn't even take place at Christmastime, but the characters decide that doesn't matter. Christmas, like family, is what you make it.

"Hiding Christmas" by Esther Hatch: This was my favorite of the four stories, and yes, I read it TWICE. A faked pregnancy leads to a fake relationship with a man she thinks she hates which leads to several days in a carriage and lots and lots of mistletoe, misunderstandings, and making choices for a future that is better than she ever imagined.

"A Twist of Christmas" by Dana LeCheminant: In which two people get mad at each other for telling the same lie while simultaneously being ecstatic that the whole truth is better than the truths they'd been telling themselves. I love it when everyone but the main characters knows what is really going on. Absolutely delightful!

"A Season to Love" by Anneka R. Walker: Alice is a tempestuous redhead who can't seem to get her act together but desperately wants to find love and joy. Mr. Perry is a vicar who overhears her prayers and decides to help her find the answers she seeks. How long does it take them to figure out he is the answer? Just like any good Christmas morning, the anticipation is half the fun!

Overall, these snippet stories give readers just the right amount of Christmas magic to make any evening snuggled up in a blanket by a lit Christmas tree sipping cocoa and sneaking cookies even better!

The first story in this anthology was absolutely wonderful. The new story featuring characters we know and love was so much fun to read, and Sarah is an absolute masterful storyteller. I can't wait to read the rest of the stories in this collection!

"The Holly and the Ivy”: A young boy overburdened with responsibilities much too early needs some Christmas magic - and Nurse Robbie will do her best to give him one... and maybe find love herself along the way. 5 stars.

“Hiding Christmas”: When Granny bakes Yule bread in anti-Christmas Scotland, Kirstine knows she has to get it safely and secretly to England - even if it requires speaking to her brother's friend, who came home safely from war when her brother didn't. 4.5 stars.

“A Twist of Christmas”: A viscount and the daughter of a duke each decide to secretly swap places with their companion at a Christmas house party - what could possibly go wrong? 4 stars.

“A Season to Love”: Alice is desperate to find a husband to avoid the threatened London season where she will be married off to the first man to offer. Overhearing her prayer, the rector offers to help - but gradually starts to wonder whether she's looking in the right place. 3 stars.

This was worth getting for the first story alone. It was a definite 5-star (plus) read that warmed the cockles of my heart (as they say) and left me feeling better for having read it. I cared for each of the characters as soon as I met them and loved watching each of the adults work to bring poor Adam some Christmas magic - and Adam start to come out of his shell. I really enjoyed the second story, too - seeing Kirstine gradually move past her prejudice and opening herself to love. Story three was good but felt a little more predictable, though it still made for a satisfying conclusion. Story four was okay but didn't grab me, I think because of something about the writing. However, this is definitely a collection worth getting, with something for everything to get you right in the mood for Christmas - whatever the time of year! Recommended.

Note that I received a complimentary copy of the book from NetGalley. I was not required to write a positive review and this is my considered opinion of the book.

So good!
I love holiday anthologies. I feel like all the best holiday stories are short and sweet. I love the different tropes that are featured and the different styles of writing. Great read and I imagine I will reread it, too!

This quartet of charming Christmas novellas by some of my favorite writers is just perfect to get readers in the Christmas spirit. Each of these clean and wholesome stories takes a different spin on the Christmas season, and it’s fun to see what the authors came up with in their tales. They are all historical romances and set in England and Scotland. With the shorter length, it’s easy to finish a story in one night. I recommend this collection for those who enjoy clean Christmas novellas.

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy by Covenant Communications through NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

Four novella’s are combined into a Christmas themed anthology. All are worth reading on their own and make a wonderful collection together. I also have read works by all of the authors previously.

The Holly and the Ivy by Sarah M. Eden - This is the only non Regency Era story and is set in 1786 at Falstone Castle. The treat is to see Lucas and Julia Jonquil before they have children of their own. (Eden has a whole series about their sons.) Adam is only 8 years old and is already a Duke. He is a bit broken by the loss of his father and neglect by his mother. The Jonquil’s are up to the task of helping him and there is a gentle side romance between his nursemaid and gardener/mason. 4.5 stars

Hiding Christmas by Esther Hatch - I had no idea that Christmas was not celebrated in Scotland for a time period. This has Kirstine smuggling a Yule bread three days journey with her grandmother so they may celebrate Christmas in England. Unwelcome Englishman Isaac gets roped into the scheme posing as a husband. This made me laugh and gave me a fairy heroine. 4.5 stars

A Twist of Christmas by Dena LeCheminant - While going to a holiday house party an Earl who is decides to switch places with his brother so he wont attract the attention of everyone seeking an advantageous marriage. At the same time the daughter of a duke decides to switch places with her companion for the same reason. This is a delight as both are falling for each other and yet know nothing can happen because of their differing stations. 5 stars

A Season to Love - Anneka R. Walker - Alice prays in a church for a husband and gets overheard by Thomas a clergyman. This one took me the longest to connect but I still enjoyed. (3.5 stars)

All are clean for language, violence and there is no intimacy beyond kissing. Thank you to NetGalley and Covenant Communications for an eARC in exchange for an honest review. Overall 4.5 stars and rounding up.

You won't want to miss these sweet stories as you get in to the Christmas spirit! Wonderful authors put together a collection to turn to time and again. I especially loved learning more of other cultures and their traditions! Toward the end of the book I was laughing out loud and I imagine you will too.

When the contents are as beautiful as the cover. And it's an exceptionally beautiful cover, so that's saying a lot.

Overall, I genuinely enjoyed all four novellas in "The Holly and the Ivy."

Sarah Eden, with her literary genius, used characters from the Gents series, the Lancaster series, and the Jonquil series. She tells us more about Adam's childhood and expounds his nursemaid, Robbie (who is briefly mentioned in "Seeking Persephone") into a main character.

Esther Hatch made me laugh so much in her book. Needless to say, a book about a woman hiding bread under her dress, who then subsequently is mistaken as pregnant, and ultimately ends up in a fake relationship is bound to be a good book.

Dana Lecheminant wrote one of the best mistaken identity books I've ever read. I hadn't read one of her books before, but I'm officially a fan after this novella and I've started reading more of her books already. I don't want to pick a favorite from this anthology, but I desperately did love this story.

Anneka Walker used some of my very favorite tropes and created characters I adored. Friends to lovers is one of my favorite tropes to read, and I've always enjoyed the matchmaker trope as well. Add on a great hero and heroine and you get a great story.

I think most of us all prefer novels to novellas, but I LOVE anthologies like "The Holly and the Ivy" for several reasons. They increase the number of seasonal books I'm able to read but they also help me find new favorite authors.

Overall, this is one book you'll definitely want to add to your Christmas lists.

Of all the Christmas books I have read The Holly and The Ivy is probably my favorite. It is just so good, y'all.

This little anthology of novellas basically has it all - fake relationships with some forced proximity, identity swaps (x2), embarrassing moments, moments that deserve all the heart eyes, Christmas celebrations that are most definitely not ridiculous, a plethora of kissing boughs, and Christmas spirit in abundance....what is there not to love here?!

I especially appreciated that while these stories are novella length, the pacing in them was perfect. They each were a fully developed story that wasn't rushed at the ending to wrap everything up or ended abruptly just to fit a word count (which I feel like can often happen in a novella). All of them were written so well!

So, moral of the story here is this: add this book to your Christmas reading list because you most definitely don't want to miss it. Trust me friends. You want to read this one.

Many thanks to the authors, the publisher, and NetGalley for the early copy. All thoughts are my own :)

1. THE HOLLY AND THE IVY a gents christmas novella Sarah M. Eden,
March 1786 Falstone Castle
4☆ Sweet and Sad. An unusual sort of tale focusing on a gentle romance between people in service as well as a young, lonely Duke who is shown some much needed kindness. A very enjoyable and unexpected Christmas story.

2 HIDING CHRISTMAS Esther Hatch
Scotland, 1817
5☆ A Very Good Time! I had no idea Xmas had been illegal for a time in Scotland. This story of the Yulebread that forced Kirstine and Isaac together was very original and sweet. Well done! 🥖

3. A TWIST OF CHRISTMAS Dana LeCheminant London, December 1814
5☆ Wonderful idea! I don't recall ever reading a story where BOTH main characters decided to present themselves as someone they were not. Fun and interesting. I especially enjoyed Henry (a second son of no consequence) who was quite charming.

4. A SEASON TO LOVE Anneka R. Walker
Amorwich, Northamptonshire, England 1813
4☆ Sweetness abounds as Alice is overheard praying and bargaining w/God for a husband. I laughed at her mishaps and enjoyed the sweet clergyman, Thomas.
A nice way to end the 4 novella collection.

4.5 stars overall for The Holly and the Ivy
I received this eBook from the publisher in exchange for my honest opinion without expectation or compensation.

These four stories have all the warm, cozy endings and Christmasy joy! I loved them all....even the Christmas story that didn't take place at Christmas!

If you are a Sarah Eden fan, your meet the little Duke of Kielder in The Holly and the Ivy, and he is absolutely precious!

If you have ever wanted insights into the childhood of the Adam, the infamous Duke of Kielder- this story is perfect! With the appearances of his pseudo-parents, Lucas and Julia Jonquil this book has so many of my favorites characters inside. The depth that I see from Adam and the insights into his childhood are almost heart-breaking but also full of hope as I discovered where many of his philosophies as a duke come from. This is all without discussing the actual main characters of the story- his nursemaid and the gardener who are both very sweet. I had such fun reading this part of the anthology and learning more about the characters that we have seen so little of in Sarah Eden's books.

All of the stories in this collection are fantastic! I enjoyed reading every single one of them- each of them as unique as the authors that write them. They will get you in the holiday spirit and bring all of those feelings of love that surround the season.

The Holy and the Ivy is a set of four Christmas novellas written by four amazing writers., Sarah Eden, Ester Hatch, Dana LeCheminant, and Anneka Walker. I really enjoyed all 4 of these stories. I think this has been my favorite of all the Christmas anthologies published by Covenant Communications.

Each story was unique and well written with plenty of holiday cheer that puts you on the right mood for Christmas. I will definitely be reading these stories again and recommending them to others.