Wowza! This was a spectacular read! Roseanna reimagines the story of the Nutcracker beautifully. The ending especially was perfect and wonderful and I loved it! For this being a novella, it truly has a full story within its 184 pages. A stunning must read Christmas story!

I received a copy of this book from the publisher and also purchased my own Audible copy. I was not required to post a positive review and all thoughts are my own.

Sugar plums, sleigh rides, Christmas plays, and all the charm, whimsy, and romance of an Edwardian Christmas season with the true meaning beautifully woven into the story! I adored this book. The Nutcracker is a favorite ballet & I enjoyed all the clever nods to this fun story. The romance was a childhood friends to more with a twist where an additional suitor’s vying for the heroine’s hand. This wonderfully written novella really brings the Christmas spirit & renewed all those feelings of delight I look forward to this time of year.

Lady Mariah Lyons loves living at Plumford Manor with her beloved stepfather, mother, & siblings. She especially cherishes the Christmas season and is busy preparing. But, there’s a shadow over her festivities when she learns that her childhood friend & the heir to the estate Cyril Lightbourne is coming to celebrate, but is courting her cruel nemesis Lady Pearl. Mariah once hoped Cyril would be her real life hero from the stories they made up together, but now she must put away childish things & settle for his friendship. Mariah has another surprise though, her parents have invited Lord Søren Gyldenkrone from Denmark. The handsome lord is there to court her and offers her the chance for their children to become royalty.

When Cyril returns to Plumford Manor, his fond memories return along with his delightful friendship with Mariah. Unfortunately, the family misinterpreted his relationship with Lady Pearl & now there’s an unwanted suitor whom Cyril has had a run in with before. As he realizes his feelings for Mariah may be more than friendship, can Cyril convince her to be more than friends and choose him.

This story had so much Christmas magic. From the delightful setting, delicious food, fun Christmas traditions, and sweet romance, this book grabbed hold and didn’t let go. Normally, I read Christmas books closer to the season, but this book was so engaging and lovely that I’d read it any time of year. Though it’s a novella, there’s a lot packed into this story with endearing characters who experience a lot of growth. I also enjoyed how the true meaning of Christmas with the celebration of Christ’s birth was beautifully woven in.

Highly recommend this delightful Christmas novella & look forward to cozying up with it again closer to Christmas. I received an advanced complimentary copy from the author and publisher. All opinions are my own and voluntarily provided.

“Christmas at Sugar Plum Manor” is everything I expected in a Christmas novella written by Roseanna M. White. I love the festive title, gorgeous cover, and spiritual themes of this sweet story!

This inspirational story holds plenty of depth and packs a punch—a bit unexpected for a shorter read. This master storyteller crafted characters who are so easy to connect with and I fell in love with them all!

I enjoyed this Edwardian-era story because of the joy, hope, and love it exudes and the heart-filling spirit it offers. I just adore Mariah!

The spiritual messages and themes of reconciliation, family, and the gifts of our Savior are sure to touch your heart—not just at Christmastime, but the whole year through.

First Line: Feeling ever so sneaky, Lady Mariah Lyons eased into the bustle of the kitchen, a smile barely contained by her lips.
Genre: Christian Historical Romance, Christmas
Author: Roseanna M. White
Page Count: 208

#CoverLoverBookReview received a complimentary copy of this book.
Opinions are 100% mine.
A 2024 Fav♡rite

Combine the cozy Christmas season with early twentieth century England and it was easy to love this novella right from the beginning! Although this is a novella, the plot has complexity and depth far beyond its shorter pages. I really liked the characters in the novella and was impressed with how developed they were for a shorter story. The historical setting was well researched and described, and although this book is centered around Christmas, I do think it can be read any time one wishes for a cozy romantic read. The joy of Jesus’s birth was the center of the faith story and I appreciate the author ensuring these spiritual themes shone. I really liked the novella and highly recommend it to those who wish for a clean romantic read!

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author. Opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

If you like Christmas, treats, fairy tales, love triangles, early 1900s, and plays, this one should make its way into your Christmas rotation this year.

I very much enjoyed this story! So much so that I didn't want it to end!
Miracles of love, forgiveness and family are what matters in this story.
White is an excellent storyteller that gives us the gift of the true Christmas meaning.
Wonderful characters and a cool plot that will keep you turning the pages to see what happens along the way.
I enjoyed the bit of mystery that took place here. Just the right amount of everything that will get you into the true meaning of family and Christmas!
By the way, that's my favorite season of all. The tantalizing smells of wonderful food too.
The baking was always my favorite part of Christmas.
5 stars for keeping me engaged from start to finish. A novel that will go on my favorite shelf of books.
A story I soon won't forget.
My thanks for a copy of this wonderful book. I was NOT required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine.

What a way to start my Christmas reads for the season! This book was so lovely! Magical! Sweet!! I can't even!

This is a shorter story so don't expect the misunderstandings and apprehensions to last too long. Which, I was thankful for. I got to appreciate the characters and the fact that they were all flawed, yet--good people at heart. Even the one that came into the scene to add some conflict.

I really, really, really cannot state enough how Christmassy and magic this book was. With themes of sugar plums and magical stories--I was thoroughly transported. 

This was exactly the Christmas story I wanted.

Roseanna M. White is the master of stories written with depth, emotion, and loads of fun – and Christmas at Sugarplum Manor is the perfect example of this!

Because the main characters of this play don’t always see that fun. It’s too easy to look only at the circumstances that surround you and how they might wall you in, which makes learning to look beyond them even more special. Can Lady Mariah see the gift in her unique ability to share joy with sugar? Can Lightbourne overcome his feelings of inadequacy over not being born to the station he’s been given? Can Gyldenkrone see that responsibility is only better when it’s served with love? Can Louise put aside her grief and hope for a promising tomorrow? I found myself highlighting section after section of White’s lyrical prose, as lessons were learned in perfectly given realizations.

It’s easy to forget the true wonder of Christmas in our American traditions of decorations and wrappings that take so much time and attention, but Christmas at Sugarplum Manor highlights that inherent joy. Even though each character has his or her own set of problems, Mariah sets out to remind them of the true meaning of Christmas, and I love how White goes about making this happen.

From Nutcracker-inspired plays to sugary treats and gorgeous decorations, this book has all the traditional trappings of Christmas – but it’s so much more than that. It has love and hope, vengeance and forgiveness, humbleness and drama and tragedy and redemption. In other words, Christmas at Sugarplum Manor the perfect story for the holiday season.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. All opinions are my own.

Christmas at Sugar Plum Manor by Roseanna White

What a delightful Christmas story! I love every part of this whimsical story: the characters are enchanting and endearing; Nutcrackers are central features; baking and sharing delicious sugar plums (I’ve never eaten sugar plums, but this makes me want one); childhood friends reunited with surprising outcomes; the villagers and the unique Christmas play Lady Mariah and Cyril created in their youth becomes a wonderful and fun play at Christmas Eve that the whole village takes part in. And the ball with all the lovely gowns and decorations makes for a magical story.

Unexpected surprises for others in Mariah’s family; themes of reconciliation and forgiveness, the wonder of Christmas celebrating the birth of Jesus, love and faith.

~I purchased a copy and I received an e-book copy from the author/publisher via NetGalley (no monetary gain was exchanged), this is my honest review~

This was a charming, delightful and enchanting story. Mariah has so much life and energy and goodness, she emulates light. With two eligible gentleman come to court her, she has a lot to think about. I enjoyed the characters so much, and the storyline was a perfect fairytale Regency romance duet. I have always loved Christmas time, and this is so fun to immersed myself in the holiday festive mood, but also the spiritual truths. This story is about loving one another, treating those around us well, and being honest and true to all. A lighthearted, clean, wholesome romance. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

A very sweet Christmas story! I love the main characters, the development of the story, and the redemption in the end. There's more than just romance, thankfully. Plus, I never knew how sugar plums were made until this story! The story is not too long, but just right. Perfect for a Christmas read!!
Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the advance e-copy of this book! All opinions expressed are entirely my own.

Christmas at Sugar Plum Manor was a very full-bodied lovely Christmas novella.

There were lovable characters, a bit of a villain and a well learned lesson of what Christmas is truly about. I really appreciated the message about being able to dream and have fun amidst all the adult responsibilities.

Mariah was such a lovely, charming character full of dreams and it was easy to love her and being swept away by her Christmas spirit. Her joyful personality was pivotal to the two main leads turning to God in some periods of uncertainty.

Highly recommend it to anyone who want to read some Christmas novellas.

This book was perfection. The true meaning of Christmas, the Nutcracker, sugar plums, a bit of romance, what more could you ask for? I was instantly transported to Mariah’s world and enjoyed every second I spent there.

Thank you to NetGalley, Bethany House Publishers, and the author for a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions expressed are my own..

Roseanna White’s new Christmas novella, Christmas at Sugar Plum Manor, was an absolute delight. Romantic and filled with the wonder of the Christmas season, this story left me with a warm heart and satisfied smile. Magical, nostalgic, and charming, White has delivered a feast for the senses. You cannot read this book without feeling the thrill of Christmas hope throughout your entire being. This is truly an absolutely stunning read you will not want to miss!

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

This was such a fun Christmas read! This one had the vibes of Pepper Basham's Freddie and Grace books (Mariah reminded me an awful lot of Grace anyway) and a significant nod to the Nutcracker, which is a show I have some fond memories of, along with a beautiful story that showcased the true meaning of Christmas. This story follows Lady Mariah Lyons and the 2 gentlemen vying for her hand. There was a lot of fun packed in this short novel, along with great character development, lessons in the importance of both humility and joy and a subtle but solidly present faith thread as the miracle of Jesus's birth was given as the reason for the joy of the season. I enjoyed both the lightheartedness of the children's play and Mariah's imaginings, as well as the depth of the characters and overall story. Though this tale was novella-length, it still packed quite the punch! For those who enjoy fun, light Christmasy historical romances, this is a great one to read! Special thanks to the author and publisher for an advance copy of this book. I was under no obligation to provide a review and the thoughts contained herein are my own.

Though marriage to Cyril Lightbourne, a very distant relation that Mariah Lyons’s father’s estate will pass to someday, would be convenient, Mariah has to face the fact that he’s not the same kid she played with years in the past when he first visited Plumford. Their letters became strained over the years, and she’s heard that he’s set his sights on the flirtatious, malicious Lady Pearl, which lowers Cyril in her own esteem anyway. Still, she’s glad that their old friendship is rekindled when he comes to Plumford at Christmastime, and she has enough to deal with anyway, since a Danish lord is visiting Plumford at the same time, set on winning Mariah’s hand.

I’m always wary of romances set at Christmastime, since they’re often much more sappy and devoid of plot than other romances, but I recently fell in love with some of Roseanna M. White’s other works, so I was excited to receive an ARC of this novella. And it did not disappoint. It’s short enough that there aren’t any major surprises, but there are some lovely minor surprises, and I actually found myself cheering at some moments near the end of the story. I was confused at first when a 3rd POV popped up, that of the Danish Lord, Søren Gyldenkrone, but it really paid off in the end.

I’m a complete novice when it comes to what this book is based on—The Nutcracker—but that by no means lowered my enjoyment of it. The Christian element is mostly related to the characters clearly being Christ-followers themselves and some allowing their faith to change their thinking (for the better). The only downside to getting an ARC of a Christmas book in August is that I don’t get to read it while ensconced in a colorful, wintery environment myself (technically, I could have, but I don’t like putting off ARCs like that). I may have to re-read this one next December (only because this December would be too soon), just for the full effect. In case it’s not clear, I highly recommend this sweet, well-themed Christmas romance.

Christmas at Sugarplum Manor by Roseanna M. White has a beautiful cover that makes the reader think of all the good feelings toward the holiday season. The plot does have a good manor landlord who takes care of the people in his village. Giving them gifts for Christmas and allowing them to have a good meal. A treasure hunt for the children. Of course, there is snow on the ground for the Christmas season. However, there are two gentlemen fighting for Lady Mariah’s affections, so the story does read a little boring at times. One of them is an old friend, and the other one has darker intentions. While romance is one of the major threads in the story, readers will lean toward one gentleman over the other. This story does have a Lifetime Christmas move feel to it. As for me, the writing was pretty dry because White spent a lot of time in thoughts of the character instead of moving the action along. I don’t mind getting the characters’ thoughts, but I don’t need pages and pages of thoughts while the characters stands around. Overall, Christmas at Sugarplum Manor by Roseanna M. White is not the Christmas story for me. It was kind of dry and boring at times. Yes, it does have its good parts, but I needed more.

I received a complimentary copy of Christmas at Sugarplum Manor by Roseanna M. White from Bethany House Publishing, but the opinions stated are all my own.

Delightful story full of the magic of Christmas. Mariah Lyons, stepdaughter of the Earl of Plumford, loves her stepfather and Plumford Manor. Too bad she cannot inherit the estate. It goes to a distant relative, Cyril Lightbourne. Long ago, Cyril and Mariah were friends but lost touch as they grew up. Now Cyril has returned to learn to become the Earl.
Cyril and Mariah unearth an old play they composed when they were youngsters and enlist the village children to entertain everyone on Christmas Eve.
Full of the spirit of Christmas and quite a few things Nutcracker Suite, this tale also has themes of reconciliation, forgiveness and childhood innocence. And above all, it showed the reason for Christmas: that Christ came in humility to dwell among His people.
This story totally put me in the mood for Christmas with snow, sugarplums, nutcrackers and fairies. It was a community working together to bring joy.
*I received a complimentary copy of this book from Bethany House on behalf of the author and an ecopy via NetGalley. I was not required to post a favorable review. All opinions are mine alone.*

Enchanting tale that is sure to get you in the mood for the upcoming holiday season. Readers will delight in the elements of Hoffman's Nutcracker woven through a splendid tapestry of Christmas traditions including sugarplums and sweets, and sleigh rides through the snow.

While there is a sweet Christmas romance, I loved the story of family. Mariah's anticipation of her family's holiday traditions is contagious. I loved the tradition of a Christmas play with the children of the estate workers. And I loved Professor Skylark's inventions.

As family and guests gather for the holidays, Mariah finds two very different men vying for attentions. Will Mariah's sweet and charming nature win, or will she be encouraged to set aside the whimsical joys of her youth?

The joy of the miracle of Christmas is woven effortlessly through this sweet novella. With excellent character development and plot pacing, I found it the perfect length for a magical escape at the busiest time of year.

***** I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author/publisher through Netgalley and was not required to write a review. All opinions expressed are my own.

Charmingly sweet, perfect little Christmas story.
Isn't this cover absolutely gorgeous?! And the story inside its pages is equally charming.

I loved this sweet Christmas tale. It definitely has a Nutcracker feel to it.

The characters were delightful. I loved Mariah and Cyril. And even enjoyed getting to know the Gyldenkrone.

The setting was fascinating. The lord and the castle. The village and its people. The forest. All of it. I love reading stories set in the Edwardian era, and this book portrayed it so well.

As a Christmas novella, this one is definitely topnotch. My only complaint was that the story was shorter than I would have liked. :) Everything happened very fast, and it all was wrapped up quite neatly by the end.

Magical (in the sense of a Christmasy tale), enchanting, and delightful. I recommend!

Disclaimer: I receive complimentary books from various sources, including, publishers, publicists, authors, and/or NetGalley. I am not required to write a positive review, and have not received any compensation. The opinions shared here are my own entirely.  I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255