Christmas at Sugar Plum Manor is a special historical romance novella written by Roseanna M. White. With whispers of the classic Christmas Nutcracker tale, this book features a charming love story that sparkles with faith, hope, and second chances. Page after page, elements of history, intrigue, whimsy, and romance come together seamlessly to create a story that entertains and inspires.

From beginning to end, this novella is very well-written and richly detailed. As it explores the wonders of Christmas and the themes of generosity, family, traditions, and forgiveness, this book is truly touching. Through a creative and appealing story, it affirms the blessing of family, the importance of generosity, the value of faith, and the gift of forgiveness.

Its endearing characters are also especially memorable. Even as they confront challenges, disappointments, and heartache, they still pursue purpose, forgiveness, healing, and hope. These characters are genuinely engaging and sympathetic, and their winsome traits are refreshing. Their authenticity, thoughtfulness, and grace, are uplifting and encouraging.

Christmas at Sugar Plum Manor is a moving story that highlights the miraculous nature of the Christmas season. This novella is edifying, worthwhile, and thoughtful. I wholeheartedly recommend this book to all readers.

*I was given a copy of this book by the publisher/author. A review was not required. The review I have written is voluntary and contains opinions that are entirely my own.

I struggled with this one honestly. It started off as a cute Christmas historical read and fell flat about 30% in. Everyone is just so unrealistic and the main character hardly seems grown up enough to entertain thoughts about marriage. I get it's part of the 'sunshine-y, idealistic' trope, but it went too far for me to actually enjoy Mariah's character. If you like a holiday read that doesn't get too intense, you might enjoy this one. As it stands, it wasn't for me.

What a fantastic Christmas story! I rarely think novellas are developed enough, but this one was great! Mariah was very well-written, with her sweet imagination and joy -she begins to think she needs to be more practical/grown up, but instead is able to bring everyone some Christmas joy. I loved that Cyril was a pretty good guy to start with, but became even more humble and noble later on. And Gyldenkrone was very respectable, but was able to have his heart softened, and see the need for joy in his life, too. My only complaint that while Fred cheered up in the end, we didn't ever find out what had happened to make him so cross all the time. Anyway, it was sweet overall, being inspired by the Nutcracker. And two HEAs in one, perfect for Christmastime!

Such a delightful book! This vintage-y Christmas novella is a reimagining of the original Nutcracker tale and it’s simply brimming with old-fashioned 1902 Christmas charm. I instantly liked Mariah and her parents and I warmed up to Cyril pretty quickly. I really wasn’t able to predict the storyline with the Danish suitor who’s in England to select a bride to take home.

I absolutely loved the deep Christian message throughout the story and how the Lord impacts the lives of all the main characters. I wish this level of Christianity was a more common theme among Christian fiction books.

This is Roseanna at her best and I’m glad I took a chance reading this one.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a free reading copy. A favorable review was not required.

This book was a cute little Christmas book of imagination and accepting a person as they are. There is a fine line between growing up and keeping childlike wonder. Normally, I prefer the antagonist to be more of an antagonist and the climax to be more suspenseful but it was kind of nice to see everyone get a happy ending.

A sweet Christmas story with lovely hints of a fairytale. I love a story that feels like a royal tale and this has all the elements of mystery, romance and more. Well worth the time. Recommended read!

This was a cute second chance romance set in the olden days. I personally loved reading the parts of the traditions the character used to do. It was a quick sweet romance!

On the opening pages of Storm Warning, by Elizabeth Goddard, you will see Remi Grant, the manager of a lodge along the rocky shores of Washington, being rescued from a certain death. Former military pilot Hawk Beckett had arrived on the scene just in time. As they make their way to an adjoining cliff, Hawk cannot help noticing that the rope Remi had been attempting to use in her escape had actually been shredded. Something shady was definitely going on!

Remi and Hawk had actually met before; however, after a traumatic incident had caused amnesia, Remi has no recall of this fact. When clues from her past keep showing up, Remi knows she needs help. Someone had definitely found her in spite of all her efforts to stay hidden. All Remi can do is turn to Hawk for protection!

This is a high-intensity tale as both Remi and Hawk attempt to stay one step ahead of a killer. You will be surprised by the identity of the culprit when it is revealed on the final pages!

5 stars.

I adored this!
Once I started reading, I found it hard to stop, and was able to read it in two sittings. It is a novella, which made it easy to read quickly, but it didn’t feel too short. It was the perfect length. This tale weaved into my heart. It is one of my new favourite Christmas reads, one I will want to revisit for many more years to come.

What wasn’t to love:
Nut cracker inspired.
Edwardian-era.
Clean romance.
Faith based.
Wonderful Characters.
Great writing.

It had all the things I like to make this a perfect Christmas read for me. Lady Mariah was such a charming character, one I could really relate to. She is young, only 19, and sometimes thought of as silly to those who are more serious, but I loved her enthusiasm and outlook on life. She has a real heart for the people, and the people love her for it.
There was just enough drama to keep things interesting without turning this into a heavy read. It was heart-warming, sweet, merry, bright, and captured the Christmas ‘essence’ we all long for.

The ending was perfect – just how I wanted it to end for all involved 🙂

(Am I the only one who would like a sequel about the brother? I did not like him right up until the end, but with that ending, I thought there is hope for him yet, and would love for him to get his own story as well.)

If you are looking for a historical read for Christmas, this is a must-read! It will not disappoint.

Perfectly lovely. Loosely modeled after The Nutcracker with wonderful characters brought to life and life lessons to be learned. Edwardian era flawed and un-self-assured young adults against icy stiff foreign royal arrogance and yet each learns about their own true self. Christian values, love stories in a fanciful, creative and seasonal noble setting. Did you ever know how sugar plums are made? A treasure for Christmas or any time.

I received this book free from the author, publisher and NetGalley. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

#ChristmasatSugarPlumManor #NetGalley #BethanyHouse #RoseannaMWhite #BooksYouCanFeelGoodAbout #ChristianHistoricalRomance

This was a sweet and cute Christmas read. I always enjoy White’s books so I was excited to read this one. I liked the pace and the characters drew me in. Christmas at Sugar Plum Manor is a novella written by Roseanna M White
Mariah and Cyril were fun together. I like how they fit each other and aren't afraid to be themselves when with each other. They had history together, since they had known each other as children but they had grown apart. Their romance was easy and grew over time. They had liked each other as children, but it grew to more as they spent time together
I like the themes that hinted at the Nutcracker story. It was cool to see the Easter eggs. I liked the other characters, they were intriguing. Some of the characters were a bit frustrating at times, but I understood them. This was an easy, enjoyable Christmas read.
I would recommend Christmas at Sugar Plum Manor to those who enjoy short, sweet Christmas romances. Christmas at Sugar Plum Manor is a clean Christian Christmas romance.

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the publisher through Netgalley. All views expressed are only my honest opinion, a positive review was not required.

What a delightful Christmas tale! Mariah is such a loveable heroine, you can't help but smile at her joy in everything. But the sugar plums sounded especially delicious! All the little nods to The Nutcracker were fun to spot. The perfect cheery (but not cheesey) Christmas read for me and my daughters.

This story is the perfect historical fiction book to pick up this holiday season! I love the richly portrayed characters that Roseanna M White writes.

“Maybe, just maybe, they'd grant that one could be a reasonable adult and still see the world with imaginative eyes and with a heart ready to believe.”

I enjoyed every moment of this sweet Christmas novella. A lot of times I feel like novellas feel rushed or I have trouble really feeling connected to the characters. That was absolutely not the case with this one. The author did an amazing job with the descriptions and made me feel like I could see everything happening. I loved how sweet and whimsical Mariah is and that Cyril not only tolerated that aspect of her personality, but appreciated it and joined in her stories. I love the relationship she had with her siblings and stepfather. For a shorter story, all of the characters and the storyline are all well developed and thought out. And, after the descriptions of the food, I find myself wanting to try sugar plums and will be researching recipes.

I’ve been saving this book to begin on November 1st. What a sweet Nutcracker-themed novel with a neat redemptive arc for all

Lady Mariah is between a rock and a hard place. While Christmas at Plumford Manor is full of her favorite things -- like sugar plums -- there are two guests who are husband material and neither seems just right. Cyril Lightbourne was once a childhood playmate, but has ghosted her for years. Soren Gyldenkrone is Danish royalty and as cold as the Denmark winters.

Here are five things I loved about this meaningful holiday read:

👑The real reason for the season is front and center. The folks at Plumford Manor are celebrating the birth of the King of kings. Their true joy is in Him and not the trappings of the season.
🩰The 'Nutcracker' vibes were at just the right level for me. I am not super familar with the story, but we can clearly see who the Mouse king and Nutcracker are. The notes by the author at the end of the book are also very helpful.
📚There are some hints of 'Sense and Sensibility' and Downton due to the fact that a distant cousin is the only one allowed to inherit the estate.
👗That cover! So festive and inviting.
👴There are some delightful supporting characters like Professor Skylark who tinkers in a workshop on the estate to create a Christmas masterpiece for the annual holiday ball.

It could be that the red dress on the cover really cast a spell on me. This was an amazing reading experience from the start -- partly due to the fact that my reading buddy, the terrific Tina, was right there with me. You will definitely want to check out her review. The quote she chose is such a beautiful representation of this holiday read.

Thank you to Bethany House and NetGalley for a DRC in exchange for an honest review.

This is one I really wanted to love but only ended up liking. First off - just look at that amazing cover! It reels you in right away! The story gathers its inspiration from, "The Nutcracker." I'm not as familiar with that story and probably should have brushed up on it.

Joy didn't come from what the world made sense. Joy came by embracing love."

Lady Mariah lives at Sugar Plum Manor. She has two suitors. Her childhood friend, Cyril who comes back to the manor as he is next in line to inherit, and Gyldenkrone, a cousin of The Prince of Denmark who is in need of a wife. It's a triangle of sorts set in the Edwardian era. A short novella that is filled with all the holiday trimmings. While it's a sweet story of love and redemption, I just did not fully warm to the characters. It's still a meaningful Christmas story and I would still recommend it - especially to fans of, "The Nutcracker."

The best part of reading this was that I read this with my Darlin' Darla reading buddy! I urge you to take a look at her review as she may have an alternative point of view that just might entice you to pick this one up this holiday season 🎄🍬🍭

Light Christian Historical Fiction Romance

Published September 3, 2024

I'd like to kindly thank NetGalley and Bethany House Publishers for granting me access to this Advanced Reader's Copy.

I loved every inch of this book. The Nutcracker is a favorite of mine so it was a delight to see it sprinkled throughout the book. The familiar story (thanks to Jane Austen) of a woman not being able to inherit the family land is set at Christmas. Two men - Cyril who will inherit and Soren who is looking for a proper wife - come to visit. Mariah, stepdaughter of the Lord of the manor who truly loves the land and its people, is young and whimsical. Her delight in Christmas and in loving those around her shines through, making this a terrific holiday tale.

Grab a copy of this novella and a mug of hot chocolate and spend a couple of hours preparing for the season.

This is Christian fiction so expect discussions of God and faith.

Family friendly.

This book was so cute! The characters were nice and I loved their banter. There are two romances in the book and both were so sweet! I would recommend if you’re looking for a cozy Christmas romance to curl up with during the holidays! And can we talk about how stunning this cover is?! 😍

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

Lovely short Edwardian Romance, perfect for the holiday season! I don't think this is a straight out retelling of The Nutcracker, but there are echoes of the classic Christmas tale with a Danish Nobleman and an English Lady who helps children.

If you want a short, sweet Christmas read, this is a really good choice.

Thanks to Bethany House for approving me for this title on Netgalley. This did not influence my opinions which are entirely my own.