Christmas Novella Mini Reviews

Welcome! The Merry Christmas season is upon us, filling cars with Christmas music and homes with Hallmark movies, Christmas trees, and the spirit of giving. I have a review sampler here of Christmas novellas I’ve read recently (because I love EVERYTHING Christmas!). These will put you in the mood for the season and are to be enjoyed with hot chocolate, tea, or a fireplace close by. Since it’s almost Christmas, you could keep the festivities alive by reading these into January (I totally would!)

(Click on the book covers to visit the Goodreads pages for a plot summary, etc.)

One Enchanted Eve by Melissa Tagg

This novella continues the story of a character we met in last year’s edition, One Enchanted Christmas. It proves there is always more to the story behind seemingly antihero of that one, illustrating everyone has a journey and has trials. I love revisiting Maple Valley, especially the Renwyckes for Christmas. This is a must-read Christmas novella! The combo of drama, humor, and family is just perfect. And I can’t forget to mention the bonding that happens between Collin and Rylan over pastry and the flirting with recipe cards = swoon! In true “Tagg” style, this story is at once nostalgic and insightful, drawing out an emotional depth and realness from its characters, taking us home for Christmas and to blessings in unexpected little things.

Starring Christmas novella set by Rachel McMillan and Allison Pittman

Falling For a Christmas Star by Rachel McMillan

At once depicting a story of made-for-TV Christmas movies AND reading like one, this little novella gives nods to the sappy souls who watch these movies all season and the underlying hope of the season they all exhibit. Rachel applies her humor and pop culture references to a contemporary story for a change, exploring the possibility of happily-ever-after in an unexpected avenue for the characters.

Lone Star Christmas Lights by Allison Pittman

Again reading somewhat like a Hallmark movie with a quaint setting and meet-cute, this one was a proper companion story to Rachel’s because it featured the sister of the hero from hers. Though one of the main professions of the characters was not really “my thing” (it was a craft brewery), I still enjoyed the Christmas setting and relatable characters.

Oh, the Weather Outside Is Frightful by Susan May Warren

This story is perfect for the season – especially if you’re in the mood for a little romance, slight suspense, and blizzards. Oh, and wonderfully familiar faces from the Montana Fire series, like Hannah and CJ St. John, the pair who goes on quite an adventure to realize their feelings for each other. A wonderful message of hope and “being enough” ties this adventure together.

A Night Like No Other by Kristin Vayden

This is a powerful, timely story featuring the relationship of Mary and Joseph before and through Jesus’ birth. While it is a fictional account, it stays true to Biblical events and poses a few “what-if?” scenarios which portray Mary and Joseph in a relatable light. It deftly communicates the wonder of God’s plan, the ordinary people like Mary, Joseph, you and me that He chooses to use. It’s highly recommended, especially to read this time of year!

A Royal Christmas Wedding by Rachel Hauck

Both comfortably read as a standalone novellla AND a return to Rachel’s famed Royal Wedding series, this book spins a modern-day Christmas fairytale with enchanted moments of Divine light. It’s a perfect story for the Christmas season with down-to-earth characters. I enjoyed the second-chance storyline and the way it directs the characters to seek God’s plan for their dreams.I loved the moments of Christmas tradition and the way they were beautifully tied in with an emphasis on the gift of Christ at Christmas. The happily-ever-after ending left me smiling!

Thank you to the Thomas Nelson Fiction Guild for the review copy of A Royal Christmas Wedding.