Melody Carlson is absolutely one of my favorite authors. I always look forward to her Christmas novels, and she did not disappoint me with A Royal Christmas! This novel is very different from her usual style, but I loved it! It is such a sweet story of Adelaide and the struggles faced in life with the loss of a parent. I cried right along with her when the king died. Anton saw Adelaide for the treasure that she is, and I love the ending! I will definitely be recommending this book to my reader friends!

I have always enjoyed Melody Carlson’s stories and A ROYAL CHRISTMAS does not disappoint. Melody’s stories always leave me feeling warm and fuzzy inside with a huge smile on my face. I thoroughly enjoyed A ROYAL CHRISTMAS and had a hard time putting it down until the mystery had been unraveled and the happy ending was reached. If you love Hallmark movies, you will love this novel that screams to be its own movie. Adelaide is a law student/Coffee Barista when she receives news that her DNA is a match with the king of a small country. At first, she thinks its a joke and one of her friends must be pranking her. Hang on tight!! This is a crazy story!

The way Melody writes, puts you right in the middle of their story, leaving you feeling like you truly know the characters and feeling exactly what they are going through. I love when an author can do that to me. If you love a heart tugging holiday story then you have to give A ROYAL CHRISTMAS a go. You won’t be sorry and your heart will be warmer because of it. I enjoyed this story of loss, reconciling, love and finding a family you didn’t know you had. Also, recreating your life halfway across the world where your family is still thriving was so beautiful.

Although light, spiritual content is woven through the story and left my mind at peace. Melody has been one of my top authors from the very first book of hers that I had the pleasure of reading and when you read A ROYAL CHRISTMAS you will know exactly why. I did wish for a longer, more detailed ending, but, it’s a novella, and there was not enough room for that. There are subtle references to Christianity and the characters’ beliefs, but it’s not overwhelming. Can you believe it’s less than 3 months until Christmas? It’s hard to imagine there will be Christmas lights, decorations and the days will grow shorter soon.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Revell Books. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Thankful to NetGalley for this advanced.readers copy. This reads just like a Hallmark movie and I am curious to see if it ends up being one. It lacked any kind of depth and could have used a better plot development. However, if you are looking for a cute holiday read this could fit the bill.

A would-be lawyer finds out she’s the love child of the king of a tiny European country—what a fun concept for a story, and it happens during the Christmas season—an additional bonus since I love that holiday. This revelation not only leads her to family but also to a feud with the other side, because she could be in line for the throne—something she never expected or wanted. The touching tale entertains the mind and warms the heart. Don’t miss this sweet read—a great choice for the upcoming holiday season, with its intriguing characters and some suspense too. It’s short enough to read in an afternoon. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. #ARoyalChristmas #NetGalley

A Royal Christmas
A Christmas Novella
by Melody Carlson
Pub Date 05 Sep 2023
Revell
Christian| Romance


Revell and Netgalley provided me with a copy of A Royal Christmas for review:




Adelaide Smith doesn't have time for fairy tales. After working hard to earn her law degree, she is determined to stay focused now that the end is in sight. After receiving a letter, she learns that her DNA has proven her to be the direct descendant of King Maximillian V, ruler of the small East European principality of Montovia. It's understandable that she's skeptical. It's the stuff of cheesy made-for-TV movies, not real life.

Curiosity gets the best of her, despite the pieces of this family puzzle seeming too good to be true. The king invites Adelaide on a Christmas break trip filled with surprises, including a charming village, an opulent palace, family mysteries, royal jealousy, and a handsome young member of Parliament--and the chance to experience a real fairy tale romance.


I give A Royal Christmas five out of five stars!


Happy Reading!

Do you enjoy Hallmark Christmas movies? I admit I love binging them. Give me Christmas in a small European country with a Cinderella trope & I’m here for it. This delightful Christmas novella touches on every little girl’s secret dream of finding out she’s really a princess. With fun Christmas traditions, romance, intrigue, and a touch of faith, this quick read story definitely put me in the mood for Christmas.

When Adelaide Smith receives an official looking letter in the mail, she surprised to see it’s from the tiny kingdom of Montovia. Through a DNA test it’s discovered that Adelaide is the only daughter of King Maximillian V whose health is failing. Though skeptical and in the middle of law school exams, she decides to visit the small European country. What she finds is a delightful, picturesque village with endearing Christmas traditions and a dying father craving his last few moments with his daughter. But, not everyone is happy the long lost princess has been found, and there are some who definitely want her gone. As she navigates court politics, a new country and holiday customs, she has a handsome advisor and member of Parliament to help her out and keep her safe.

I enjoyed this sweet novella and found myself quickly turning the pages. I only wish it had been a bit longer and more fleshed out. I loved all the Christmas traditions including St. Nicholas and the frightening Krampus as well as a beautiful nativity. The plot to get rid of the princess and king’s brother added a touch of mystery and intrigue which I enjoyed. Adelaide and Anton are a cute couple and I loved their instant attraction. I’d have loved to have their relationship explored a little further, but given the novella format, it provided enough swoony moments to satisfy my romantic heart.

If you’re looking for a sweet, fun, fairytale-like story to get you in the Christmas spirit, this is a great choice. Recommend to Hallmark lovers and clean contemporary romance fans. I received an advanced complimentary copy from the publisher. All opinions are my own and voluntarily given. 3 1/2 raised to 4.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading A Royal Christmas by Melody Carlson! A Royal Christmas is a mixture of romance and intrigue when Adelaide Smith found out her father is the King of Montovia and is dying. Adelaide rushes to Montovia to meet him and is told she is heir to the throne. Not only is she an heir, her Uncle is missing, and her Step-Family do not want her around. In the process, Adelaide is in danger and become Queen shortly after she arrives.

Melody Carlson’s Christmas Fiction is the best around and A Royal Christmas is no different. I love the intrigue that Ms. Carlson puts in A Royal Christmas. I love how A Royal Christmas has Hallmark feel to it, but completely different at the same time. I highly recommend A Royal Christmas! Thank you to NetGalley and the Publisher for the opportunity to read this book! My review is also on Goodreads!

It’s always a pleasure to read warm and cozy Christmas-themed stories around that holiday time. Melody Carlson has provided a lovely story in A Royal Christmas which is her contribution this season.

Being warm and cozy, a novel like this can be a little cheesy. I found this to be true of this novel, however, it was also a delight to read. Ms. Carlson included some sadness, mystery, intrigue, and romance in this novella. I found the characters believable in a fantasy sort of way. The location of the story was a bit contrived, but also brought a lightheartedness to the book. I enjoyed Ms. Carlson’s contribution to the holiday season. She has a gift for storytelling. I have read other works by her and liked them very much.

A Royal Christmas by Melody Carlson is a sweet story. It is a bit of a modern day Cinderella, but with it's own flair. Adelaide, an American law student, receives a letter from Montovia, where her father that she has never met, rules as king. She travels there to meet him and the people of his country. Sadly, he is not well and there is some friction in the royal family. With the help of her new friends, though, Adelaide will discover a life she never even thought to imagine. I really enjoyed the story and thought it was sweet, without being too cliché. Thanks for the chance to read it.

"A Royal Christmas" tells the tale of Adelaide Smith, a financially struggling law student trying to make ends meet. She lives in a rather ratty apartment above a woman who owns too many cats and has little in the way of a life. Suddenly, she receives a letter notifying her that as a result of a DNA test she did, her long unknown father has found her and he's the king of the tiny country of Montovia. His courtiers are begging her to come to the country as her dad is dying. Due to his brother being MIA, she is now the heir to the throne. Complicating matters, there's a cold stepmother and son who want to push their way to power. Adelaide is whisked to the country during the Christmas season, trying to get to know her father and the country before he dies. Does she want to ascend to the throne or go back to her former life?

Many reveiwers have noted that this novella is the perfect cheesy Hallmark Christmas movie, and I agree with them. If you are looking for nuanced characterization, then this novella is not for you. Also true is that the romance in the book is rushed and stilted. Again, by virtue of its novella nature, there is isn't room for that. You just have to accept it as is. It's a light-hearted, Princess Diaries-esque book. It's a fast read, and I can easily see it become a movie one day.

Overall, enjoy it at the level it presents and delight in all the warm Christmas fuzzies it gives. I received an advanced reader copy of the book as part of the Revell Reads blogger team in exchange for my honest opinion.

I’m generally not a fan of princess stories, the one where the commoner falls for the prince. But if it’s a girl who finds out she’s a long lost princess think The Princess Diaries then I want to read. Throw in Christmas and I’m hooked. And that’s A Royal Christmas by Melody Carlson gives the reader.


I have to say I was rooting for Adelaide from page one. I wanted her to get a happy ending. And the Magic of Christmas in Europe even if it’s only in the pages of a book added to the story. It’s a quick read. This is the perfect novella to read this Christmas and add to your Christmas stack in returning years.



I received a copy of this book from the publisher through netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.

Once again Melody Carlson gives the reader a cute and Christmasy Christmas novel. Different then her others, Carlson creates almost the perfect fairy tale. Struggling college student, Adelaide Smith, receives a letter that states she is a descendent of King Maximillian V, the ruler of a small Eastern European principality called Montovia. Thinking it is a scam, Adelaide's curiosity gets the better of her and she accepts the invitation to spend Christmas in Montovia. Cue the jealous step mother, the queen, and the overlooked but ambitious step brother, and a fairy tale is made. I did enjoy the story. Carlson has a way with words that make the reader take the journey with the storyline. Her mastering of descriptive words shows how much she enjoys writing. I look forward to many more books from her. I received an advance copy through Netgalley. The views expressed in my review are my own.

I enjoyed this quick, Christmas-themed novella! It did read like a Hallmark movie, with a faith element added in (which I appreciated). Every year, more Hallmark Christmas movies come out--and I'll watch them with the best of 'em--but I can't say the premises are all _that_ unique, per se; same, I felt, with this one. But, it was clean and Christmassy--just what I was going for. Check!

I received an eARC of the book from the publisher via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

A sweet holiday romance with royalty. Easily could be a Hallmark movie.

Adelaide gets notice that she has been found to be a King's daughter, after taking a DNA test. Not knowing anything about her father, she decides to take the trip to his country during Christmas break to learn more. There she finds the king is ill and his wife and step son expect to take over the kingdom. It's a small, charming little village and she finds herself falling in love with place and it's citizens. It's a quick read that is fast moving and entertaining. Lots of holiday spirit and family dynamics.

Thank you to NetGalley, the author and publisher for a temporary, digital ARC in return for my review.

Readers who enjoy Hallmark Christmas movies will like this book. A modern fairytale come true for Adelaide comes true when her DNA matches the King of Montovia. Complete with a magical kingdom, a wicked queen, a lost royal and a dying wish, this novella is a little predictable but enjoyable. Wasn't my favorite story by this author.

A Royal Christmas by Melody Carlson is reminiscent of a modern-day fairytale (think The Princess Diaries with a slightly older protagonist). I found the story to be easy to read, and it can be completed in one sitting (relaxing in a cozy chair on a rainy afternoon). I enjoyed the descriptions of Montovia (a fictional town in Europe near Austria) and the castle. We get to learn about the Christmas customs in Montovia. The story is not lacking in holiday charm. There are some sweet moments between Adelaide and her father. There is a touch of mystery. Someone wants the crown, and you wonder what they will do to ensure they get it. There is a lack of chemistry between Adelaide and Anton (felt more like a friendship). I was disappointed with the ending. This is my least favorite holiday tale by Melody Carlson. It is a sweet story, but it does not have the same charm as her Christmas stories (some of her stories you want to read year after year). A Royal Christmas is a lighthearted holiday tale with a mindboggling letter, an enchanting town, a mean queen, a handsome parliamentarian, a fading father, a missing man, and a happy holiday.

Wow, so full disclosure this isn’t my typical type of book to read. (I’m not a big Christmas book fan) But this one surprised me in the most fabulous manner. It featured a woman who didn’t know her father, or that he was a king. As she grows to love the country despite a rude stepmother I found myself invested in the story, cheering Adelaide on. The romantic side of this book is small but so sweet.

It was a pleasure to receive an advanced copy of this book, and to leave my honest review.

A Duchess for a Duke, by Sally Britton, opens with Gregory Dinard’s mother insisting that, following his father’s untimely death, it is time that he find a bride. She feels it is the next step in moving into his father’s place. As the new Duke of Montfort, Gregory has rather large footprint’s to fill. He is not surprised that his mother already has someone in mind. Lady Cecilia Boxbury has been invited to tea the next day. Gregory is not sure he is ready for this change yet!

When Gregory shares he inclination toward marriage with Cecilia during their stroll about his gardens, Cecilia can hardly take him seriously; however, when he shows up a her front door, she can no longer ignore the reality. Before you know it, Gregory and Cecilia are engaged and then walking down the aisle to become man and wife!

Watch as Cecilia struggles with the demands placed on a duchess. You wonder what Gregory will do to assist with Cecilia’s transition to her new world. It is also interesting to see how Cecilia attempts to restore the Montfort family’s castle!

My thoughts: A ROYAL CHRISTMAS is Ms. Carlson's newest novel for the Christmas season. I've become a fan of these unique Chistmas stories over the years and look for them every season. This was a classic retelling of the Cinderella story set in modern times and some changes to make it not so obvious. I enjoyed the faith message that was in the story and had to keep reading. There is a slight mystery, a light romance, a evil queen and plenty of pleasant surprises. If you like Christmas stories you will absolutely love A ROYAL CHRISTMAS. Recommended. I was given a copy free and all opinions are my own.

The gorgeous cover of this story is really what made me want to read it. When I started A Royal Christmas by Melody Carlson, I was expecting a Hallmark type, sweet romance full of Christmas feels set in a charming town. While there was a sweet romance, a charming village, and a lot of Christmas feels, this novella is also packed full of unexpected surprises!

I really liked Adelaide. She was sweet, but she didn’t let people push her around. She made her own decisions and stuck with them. I really enjoyed the developing relationship between her and Anton, although I would’ve liked a bit more romance, or maybe an epilogue would have sufficed. Adelaide and her father formed a nice, believable bond. There was some intrigue and a few other surprises I did not expect but thoroughly enjoyed. I loved the faith message which was basically this quote from the story, “God’s plan in God’s time.”

I really enjoyed this novella and recommend it if you’re looking for a sweet Christmas read with an added touch of intrigue!

I received a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions are my own. The faith thread is light. 4 stars.