If you love Dickensian stories without the heavy, ponderous themes, then you will love Michelle Griep’s newest book, A Tale of Two Hearts, the second book in her Once Upon A Dickens Christmas series. I enjoyed it as a follow-up to 12 Days at Bleakly Manor, the first book in the series. However, both of these books work very well as a stand-alone book.

Mina Scott decides to accept the offered opportunity to be the pretend bride of her dream husband, William Barlow, to secure William an inheritance and save his uncle. She hopes to capture William’s heart. However, she didn’t count on two devious, scheming cousins, nor did William.

Griep takes us on a fanciful journey through the streets of London and into the countryside, for an enchanting and charming tale of Victorian England. Her different characters vary between beguiling, charming and charismatic to deceitful, false-hearted and callous to the extreme. As you get to know the characters and their motivations, you catch yourself torn between applauding some and booing others.

I couldn’t help caring for Mina, and who can blame me, she loves books almost as much as I do! And I fell in love with Uncle Barlow; he is such a loveable person full of joie de vivre, plus he loves quoting Dickens and reading, too!

The story illustrates God’s love, forgiveness and redemption for all. A Tale of Two Hearts is an enchanting story that can be read at any time but is particularly appropriate for the Christmas season.

I received this book from CelebrateLit. However, I was under no obligation to post a review.

Mina Scott escapes from her daily duties at her father's inn by delving into Charles Dickens' books and daydreaming about handsome customer William Barlow. Although William is far above her in class, he asks her to pose as his wife in order to lend him more respectability as he vies for a place as his uncle's heir. Mina is concerned about the deception, but she doesn't have the willpower to refuse him. Soon, she finds herself enjoying Uncle Barlow's company as a fellow-Dickens-lover and deploring William's odious cousins who want the inheritance for themselves. The deception increases as William asks her to spend Christmas at his uncle's estate, gaining her father's goodwill by pretending to court her in earnest. The truth will out--Mina is sure of it--and when it does, will any of Will's affection prove to be real?

While the story was a fairly run-of-the-mill romance, I really enjoyed the literary flair of the Dickens quotes that started each chapter and the Dickens references within the book itself. The title itself riffs off of one of Dickens' classics, of course, and one Easter Egg I caught was an offhand reference to William taking care of the Jarndyce brief. Another fun tidbit in this book was the reference to Florence Nightingale's hospital for gentlewomen, which featured in another book I read this month, No Cure for the Dead by Christine Trent. All in all, this was a fun holiday read, closer to the length of a novella than a full novel.

Disclosure: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.

A Tale of Two Hearts is a whole new story in Michelle Griep's 'Once Upon a Dickens Christmas' series. After reading Book #1 last year, I jumped at the chance to read another of these fabulous Victorian novels. This book had so much of what I love within its pages… History, Holiday and Sweet Romance… all with a hint of Christianity. And that history was right on target with a bonus of some historical clarifications toward the back of the book.

Once I started reading, I could not put this book down. Not extremely lengthy, but just enough to be thorough with the story. Once again, Charles Dickens would be proud!

Set in London in 1853, Mina Scott, working at her father's Inn, secretly admired William Barlow who frequented the Inn for an occasional glass of ale. When Will asked Mina to be his pretend bride in order for him to impress his uncle and to be named heir to his fortune, Mina knew it was wrong to deceive the man, but agreed anyway. Not to give away spoilers, but the plot thickens and the reader is left wondering if the charade will continue or will the truth come out.

The characters Ms. Griep created are so charming and the story is one that will remain with me for a long time to come. As with the first book in this series, I would love to see A Tale of Two Hearts made into a Christmastime movie. Hallmark, are you listening?

A second chance. At some point in time we all need one. A wonderful story with a strong Christian message throughout. A rags to riches type of story with great heart. A deceptive plan brings them all together in love.

Quote from the book:
If we knew how things would turn out, then there’d be no need for faith, aye?
Effie had a magical way of giving her the courage to look within and dare to hold hands with what she knew to be right.

#ATaleOfTwoHearts #NetGalley

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher and Netgalley book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

This is a delightful story of being asked to pretend to be a young mans wife so he can inherit an Uncles estate! Mina had a crush on William and when he asks he to pretend to be his wife... Yes turns into a story of deception, intrigue, faith and a sweet romance with a sweet ending! Really enjoyed this Tale of Two Hearts! I was gifted a complimentary copy through NetGalley and the publisher, no review was required. My review is voluntary..

A wonderful tale that transports you to England in all its Christmas “glory”. From the wealthiest to the simple inn keeper, the tale draws you in. Just how high is the price of deception and lies? And can a second chance change the course of someone’s life?
I highly recommend this Christmas read!

I really enjoyed this book on a very hard subject, sexual molestation. Sexually molested by her uncle as a child and afraid to tell anyone, Jaime Nichols finally decides to speak out about what has happened. Will anyone believe her after she has sat on this for so many years? As a criminal defense attorney who fights daily for her clients, will she finally be able to see justice serviced for herself? Delayed Justice, book three in the Hidden Justice series by Cara Putman, was a deeper book than I guess I have read, and while to me it was not a page turning suspense, it was a good book.

I received a copy of this book from Celebrate Lit and the author, but was not required to give a positive review. This is my honest opinion of this book.

A Tale of Two Hearts will delight a wide variety of fiction fans — those who love historical romance, classic fiction, or a heartwarming Christmas-y book. Michelle Griep’s second novella-length book in the Once Upon A Dickens Christmas series is the perfect partner for holiday reading. Get a mug of cocoa or tea and a fuzzy wrap and be prepared to be entertained!

Set in London in the days leading up to Christmas 1853, A Tale of Two Hearts definitely has a Dickensian feel. Main character Mina Scott is a Dickens enthusiast and every chapter is introduced by a quote from one of his works. Mina even gets a quick glimpse at the famous author as she plays her part in securing the fortunes of handsome Will Barlow. The novel tells the story of Will and Mina and their charade of marriage so that Will’s Uncle Barlow is protected. At least that is the justification they have for the make-believe and deceit. Secondary characters add intrigue and complications to the their plan, and the story becomes more twisted and snarled as it progresses. Both Mina and Will grow up through the course of the book learning that lies will entrap and that a make-believe life is no match for the goodness of reality. Both characters also grow in their faith. One of Mina’s friends shares an interesting view on faith — My mother — God rest her — always told me to think of eternity , then live backward from that. Such a view has a way o’ whittlin’ down our current troubles to a size we can crumple up into a ball and toss aside.” (p. 111). I loved that and other bits of wisdom that are shared throughout the book.

A fun and quick read, A Tale of Two Hearts is a good choice to add to your Christmas reading list.

Recommended.

Audience: adults.

What a lovely wholesome Christmas novel. I loved every second I spent in these pages. When you finish with this book you will be left with a happy heart although if you are like me you will miss the new friends you made while reading this gem. If you are looking for an uplifting Christmas novel be sure to check this one out.

This book was more than a romance it was a reminder we get second chances in God and with people. Mina wants nothing more than to be with Will in more than a fake marriage. Though she is happy to pretend for his Uncle’s sake, and Will’s. She is a sweet girl with a heart of gold, one that is willing to do anything for those that she love. Her dear friend Effie was the one to remind her of the second chance and give her the second chance coin. Which was the sweetest gift ever, in my opinion. Uncle Barlow is the eccentric character that readers come to expect in the series, he is wonderfully and joyfully my favorite character. The way he and Mina took to each other and fondly shared a passion for books made it easy to enjoy each chapter with him in it.

I think Will has the biggest growth in this novel. He learns from his past and present. He is seeing that Mina is a wonderfully and beautifully made woman from God. I liked him from the start, but really liked him in the end.

I have fallen in love with Michelle Griep’s words in this book. She has brought to life a era and family that makes this reader smile and think fondly of Dickens. A Tale of Two Hearts will give readers the warm and cozy feelings they look for around the Christmas season.

A Tale of Two Hearts was a delightful story. I felt thoroughly immersed in the time period. Mina and William were characters that I couldn’t help but like, as they matched wits against some truly deplorable relations of William’s.

The story had a gentle flow to it, as did the romantic feelings that blossomed between Mina and William. I felt that the author captured the time and place nicely in this story, while also peppering the novella with nods to Dickens throughout.

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

This is a sweet historical romantic story. I enjoyed the characters and loved how this book ended. It was a bit of a twist at the end. The main characters must learn to put there trust in God and pray. I really enjoyed this sweet tale. I received a copy of this book from Celebratelit for a fair and honest opinion that I gave of my own free will.

Victorian England offers a nice historical backdrop for this tale. Mina is the daughter of a widowed innkeeper, but longs for a better future. She has her eye set on a frequent customer, law clerk William Barlow, but doubts he would ever be interested in her. Then circumstances thrust them together. Can their misadventure develop into more than just a sham? William is trying to turn his life around, but he needs to be named his uncle’s heir in order to have needed funds. His competing cousin continually thwarts his efforts. This intriguing tale captured my interest. It doesn’t take long to read, and makes a great escape for the colder evenings by the fire. The characters seem real and their motivation authentic. I enjoyed the twist at the end. It stands alone and is fun to read in any season. I received a copy from Celebrate Lit. All opinions are my own.

A Tale of Two Hearts by Michelle Griep is the second installment in Once Upon a Dickens Christmas. Mina Scott works at The Golden Egg Inn owned by her father, Jasper Scott in 1853 London. Mina is engrossed in David Copperfield when her father finds her and sends her back to work. He fails to understand her love of literature. She enters the taproom and finds her crush William Barlow along with his friend Thomas Fitzroy. William is a law clerk with a gentleman’s upbringing and an ailing mother with crippling medical bills. His uncle, Charles Barlow is ready to name his heir. It is between William and his conniving cousin, Percy. When William learned his uncle would prefer to leave his estate to a married man, William may have given him the impression he had a bride. Now Charles is hosting a tea for his heirs and their wives and William needs to find a woman willing to play the part. When Mina appears, Williams asks if she will do him the favor of playing his wife for the tea. Unfortunately, things do not go as planned and the deception will need to continue until Christmas. Uncle Barlow is kind, gracious and a lover of literature just like Mina. While she dislikes Percy and his equally odious wife, Mina does like deceiving the sweet man. What happens when the truth is revealed?

I enjoyed reading the book to see how the tale would play out. A Tale of Two Hearts is the second book in Once Upon a Dickens Christmas series, but it is a standalone. Michelle Griep brought London in 1853 to life with her descriptions of the clothing, language, literature as well the architecture, cobbled streets, the inn and the insides of the buildings as well as the class stations of the characters. I especially loved the imagery of Purcell’s where they had tea with Uncle Barlow. A Tale of Two Hearts has delightful characters. I especially liked Uncle Barlow and Miss Whymsy. They are two charming people who have a touch of whimsy. There are some good life lessons included in the story. Second chances, forgiveness and Christian charity being the main themes. Every one of us has needed a second chance at one time or another. I thought A Tale of Two Hearts was well-written and had steady pacing which made for an engaging story. The book is told from William and Mina’s point-of-views giving us different perspectives. It is always fascinating to see how different men think from woman. There are references to Charles Dickens work scattered throughout the story. Uncle Barrow loves discussing literature with Mina and challenging her to guess the book title from a quote. My rating for A Tale of Two Hearts is 4 out of 5 stars (I liked it). I highly recommend reading the first book in Once Upon a Dickens Christmas series which is 12 Days at Bleakly Manor. It has an intriguing mystery and a mysterious atmosphere. A Tale of Two Hearts is the type of story that will leave you smiling and have you longing for Christmas.

What a delightful story! I loved all the detail and obvious research the author put into bringing us to Charles Dickens time. The smell of the kidney pie, the coolness of the air and even the snow made me feel like I had left for a world so different than mine. Woven into this lovely setting is the eternal knowledge that mercy is available for all, you need only be willing to ask. Second chances don't only happen in books - the choice is yours for the taking, something the characters in this story discover for themselves.
I received this ebook through CelebrateLit and this review gives my personal impressions and opinions.

I adored this short book.

It has it all. Romance, a bit of mystery, deception and Christmas.

Michelle has me pour over the pages to see what would happen next and she kept adding one twist after another…ugh…but I loved it!

Even I wasn’t sure what Mr. Barlow’s intentions where with Mina, I don’t think he was even sure which made the story all the more interesting.

If you love a good historical romance, with a Christmas theme I am sure you will enjoy this book.


A copy of this book was given to me through the Celebrate Lit Team. All opinions are my own.

MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK

A Tale of Two Hearts is a nice heartwarming cozy Christmas read. Not that the characters don’t have problems, they do, but throughout this story you can see the grace and love of our God in th situations that arise here. I just loved the inkeepers daughter, Mina and her attraction to William Barlow. So when William ask her to help with an unthinkable task, Mina quickly agreed. But then through the lies and deception, things get worse and the two were gonna have to come clean. But then there is William’s cousin and wife who are real jerks, to say the least. How would Mina and William ever get through this deception and live simple lives again?

You don’t have to read the first book in this series to read this second one, but both are so much much fun to read. Michelle Griep does a great job of creating characters that make this story so realistic and believable. There are many twists and turns in this story, some predictable, so not so easily predicted. So if you are looking for a short Christmas story to read for a little enjoyment, I encourage you to pick this one up. You will be glad you did!

A copy of this book was provided by Celebration Lit Tours and NetGalley for me to read and review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions in this review are mine only.

We are in 1855 London and Mina Scott works with her father in his Inn serving ale and various other tasks. She tries to find a few minutes here and there in her dreary life to read from borrowed books loaned by a friend. She loves living in her made up dream world every chance she gets.
When her secret crush, William Barlow, offers her an opportunity, although only temporary to escape and "be a real lady", she jumps at the chance. As she and William get more and more entangled in deception, they find it harder and harder to come clean.
The story was enjoyable and heartwarming. I was drawn to the characters almost immediately, except for a couple of "villains" that came into focus a few chapters in. This was a pleasant way to get into the holiday spirit and start celebrating the Lord's Birthday a little early.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher through CelebrateLit but was not required to write a review.

A Tale of two Hearts

A wonderful Christmas story. Mina and William pretend to be married to his uncle. William wants his uncle to pick him for his inheritance and not his cousin. His cousin just wants to take advantage.

Loved Mina friend Miss Whymsy, she was a really enjoyable character. Mina loved books especially Charles Dickens, I always enjoy an character that is a reader. Mina father runs an Inn and helps out.

I found the book very enjoyable and exciting. A lot of surprises. Definitely recommend to be on your list to read.

I received an complementary copy of the book from the publisher through Celebrate Lit. I was not required to write an positive review.

4.5 stars

“… think of eternity, then live backward from that.”

Y’all! I loved this story so much! And for a shorter page count, it’s full of delicious gems – multiple sentences that I’ve highlighted in my Kindle copy to remember later.

Mina is an absolutely delightful heroine – a romantic bookworm with a big heart. (“Were this a novel, she’d skip to the next chapter to see how things turned out.”) Though poor by most standards of the day, she is rich in things that truly matter. A love of books. Dear friends. A loving father (even if he is somewhat misguided at times). A sweet spirit. It’s this sweet spirit, however, that gets her in a spot of trouble when she’s compelled to help Will Barlow (her ‘hero’) by pretending to be his wife.

The Dickens references, style, and even a brief appearance by the man himself are deliciously cozy and Christmasy and will warm your bookworm heart. Griep has such a talent for prose, setting, and characters that leap off the page. Such is the case again with A Tale of Two Hearts. The secondary characters (Uncle Barlow) are as vivid & delightful as the protagonists, and I wished for the ability to claim a chair in Uncle Barlow’s library to talk books & Dickens with him and Mina.

A gentle thread of faith weaves throughout the story as well, never overpowering it but rather making it more well-rounded and complete. Our God is a God of grace and second chances, even as He is a God of justice. And as Miss Whymsy tells Mina, “You see, my dear, real joy is not found in the best moments of life, but in trusting that God is making the best of every moment… even those as dreadful as death.”

Bottom Line: The perfect choice for anyone who must have always a book in hand, for you’ll feel right at home with Mina, particularly if that book is often a Dickens novel. Delightful and meaningful quotes from his books introduce his chapter, and the overall tone and cadence of the story is an homage to his writing. But even if you’ve only watched the Muppets’ Christmas Carol and never actually read a Dickens novel, you will adore Mina and Will and A Tale of Two Hearts. Cozy, Christmasy, and deliciously written, this is a story to savor and reread every holiday season. Already looking forward to the next installment!

(I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book)