This might be my favorite novella collection yet. I'm always up for a Christmas collection and this included some of my favorite authors. Each of the stories were very different from each other making for a good variety.

Christmas at Falston Castle by Sarah Eden.
This might be my favorite of the collection for the simple reason that I already have a love for the Duke of Kielder. I was thrilled to get another story with him. I find him immensely amusing to read but would in fact find him terrifying in real life. Just like he would want me to be. :) It is good to understand his mother better and see that she isn't just an awful person or mother. It is a story of healing as well as sweet love story and we get a visit from everyone in the Lancaster books besides.

The Heart of Christmas by Anita Stansfield
This one was the most religiously themed of the collection. It was a little sermon within a story teaching that Christ can mend our broken parts. It also showed that the behavior of one has an effect on others and can influence them either positively or negatively (if you categorize sadness as negative). It was perhaps a little simplistic that everyone's hearts all turned to mending in one day but it proved the point of the story. Plus it is a novella so everything has to move more quickly. The story was slow paced with a sweet Christmas message.

Tis the Season to be Daring by Esther Hatch
I love regency era stories where characters breech from Ton Society rules and this was definitely a fun one of those. Lord Hawthorne was a delightful character and he made Elizabeth delightful as well as opposed to the dull person her mother made of her. There is nothing wrong with knitting and needlework unless you hate it and only do it because you are forced to by societal rules and your mother's insistence. But once she was around Lord Hawthorne it became apparent that there was someone with depth and fun underneath all that. I thoroughly enjoyed the proposal scene. Found myself smiling through that one.

The Christmas Dress by Joanna Barker
This was a sweet Christmas story that was about finding peace, finding love, and finding Christmas. I enjoyed watching Jacob as he became more and more smitten with Nell. The only negative in this story for me was the author not allowing the reader to see Miss Fowler's face when she realizes she has lost Jacob despite her conniving. I'll have to inject that scene into the story in my own head. It is very satisfying for the vindictive side of me. But the author's story outline probably flowed better. :)

No sex, language or violence

Oh oh oh I loved these stories! I love a Christmas romance collection, but this has to be my favorite one by far. Covenant Communications seems to have a knack for putting the right authors together. I enjoy all of these authors on their own, and what a treat to visit with Sarah M. Eden’s Lancasters and Duke if Kielder again! My favorite universe!

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

I loved this Christmas collection. Each story was well written and full of true romance. It is the perfect way to get into the holiday spirit. The characters are engaging and fun. I would highly recommend this collection.

All Hearts Come Home for Christmas is a wonderful collection of stories by four different authors, and I certainly loved everything about it, from its cover to each individual story. This anthology made me long for it to already be The Season, and gave me the opportunity to find new-to-me-but-now-favorite authors. Here are my individual reviews (keep in mind that each was written just after I had finished reading them):

Christmas at Falstone Castle by Sarah M. Eden
Wow. OK, so I think this is my first story from this author, and thus, after reading the prologue, I thought it was going to be Adam's story (I'm also reading this book without remembering what the back cover said). After realizing this was rather going to be the story of his mother, the Dowager Duchess Harriet, and the Vicar Roswell Duncan, I didn't think I'd enjoy it as much since it would be an "older" romance (the couple is in their fifties at least). However, I was pleasantly surprised when I found myself enjoying the whole of it (especially their planning and plotting around Christmas time). What I also loved were Adam's interactions, his retorts, and "charming" personality, lol (yes, I'll be reading his book in the future), and the occasional scene with his POV. This is a lovely read, and perfect for all the Lancaster family's fans. 5 stars.

The Heart of Christmas by Anita Stansfield
I enjoyed this cute, short story that includes all my favorite things regarding Christmas: an emphasis on Christ as the center and meaning of this celebration, family, traditions, and some food ;) this is a new to me author and I liked how she portrayed the Hardwicke's as a family that had spent too many years pretty much going through the motions, and the miracle that Ms. Adelaide Moore would help them achieve in time for Christmas. 4.5 stars.

’Tis the Season to Be Daring by Esther Hatch
Oh my goodness, this book (story/novella, you get what I mean)!!! It gripped me from the first page and it never let go! The story starts with a bang (not literally, of course), and introduces us to the fabulous Miss Elizabeth Davenport, and the charming, funny and handsome Lord Charles Hawthorne (Earl). I loved every interaction between the two of them, and the author made me FEEL every feeling that was going on (all the longing glances and every single touch, however simple it may have been). And that last chapter? I may as well have highlighted the whole of it #not #kiddingnearlykidding it was just so swoon-worthy that I had to highlight all my favorite parts (and there were way too many ;) ).
Seriously, I can't believe the author's just beginning her writing career, but I can see me following her every book. LOVED it. 5 stars

The Christmas Dress by Joanna Barker
*Giddy smile* just, wow! Being the only author I already knew out of the four in this anthology, Ms. Barker did not disappoint. This novella was so sweet, charming and delightful, that it left me with all the fuzzy feelings, and certainly longing for Christmas (is it here yet?) I loved every bit of Miss Eleanor "Nell" Addington and Mr. Jacob Hammond's story, as well as watching them slowly fall in love with each other (the longing for each other, and that first kiss... *swoon*). Of course, it being a novella, the conflict was done really well, and it helped the story move towards its perfect ending (and that epilogue was just the sweetest!). 5 stars

What a fun book this was to read. This is my first Christmas book to read this year for the holiday season and what a perfect book it was to kick it off.
Four authors come together to give us novella length books in this holiday collection that is guaranteed to put you in the holiday mood while you're drinking your peppermint tea and eating plum pudding.
I have not read any of these author's before and was pleased with all the stories .
They all take place in Regency England during Christmas time and will give you that warm fuzzy feeling.
Definitely recommended!
Published September 1st 2019 by Covenant Communications.
I was given a complimentary copy of this book. Thank you
All opinions expressed are my own.

Christmas at Falstone Castle: The Dowager Duchess of Kielder is looking forward (though somewhat apprehensively) to spending Christmas with her son and his family at Falstone Castle - though it has always felt more like her long-dead husband's domain, and she never spent much time there. As a result, she largely deserted her son in his childhood, causing somewhat of a chasm between them. Can she bridge the gap - with the help of a cute grandson and a middle-aged vicar? And is she being offered a second chance?

The Heart of Christmas: A request to sew on a button introduces a seamstress who hates her job to a widowed banker with young daughter who can no longer be cared for by her now-bedridden aunt. The offer of a job as housekeeper turns into so much more as she tries to bring joy to a mourning and divided household...

’Tis the Season to Be Daring: Elizabeth wants to escape the London Season because she is sick of her mother trying to push her into marriage with eligible gentlemen in whom she has no interest. What better way could there be to do that than to spend time with the borderline-scandalous Lord Hawthorne? She lays down the rules, and he seems happy to help - at first... But can she guard her heart?

The Christmas Dress: Nell hasn't seen Jacob for years, and is excited at the prospect when he commissions her to make a new wardrobe for his sister - though she never expected to be caught about to climb a tree... But as she spends more time with his sister, it becomes clear how lonely and constrained the girl's life is. Can she bring joy into their Christmas celebration?

This was a great collection. I have previously read and loved books by the first and last authors, but I haven't come across anything by the other two and was interested in trying them. Well, I thoroughly enjoyed the first, third and fourth stories, and just enjoyed the second (it felt a bit stilted somehow). In many ways I particularly liked Elizabeth's story, though the dowager's and Nell's were also good (it feels unusual to have people of the dowager's age getting their own stories, but not in a bad way). All in all, I hope to read more by these authors and would highly recommend this collection to anyone wanting clean, well-written Regency - all the fun, none of the smut, and not too predictable either.

Note that I received a complimentary copy of the book from NetGalley.

A wonderful Regency Christmas Collection!
I completely enjoyed reading "All Hearts Come Home for Christmas". I look forward to reading more from these authors.

In "Christmas at Falstone Castle" by Sarah M. Eden, I loved the healing and reconciliation between Adam and his mother. I also loved the romance that developed between the older couple. I do enjoy a 'second chance at love' story.


The Heart of Christmas by Anita Stansfield filled my heart with goosebumps (that's the only way to describe the feeling I had). This line from the shopkeeper put tears in my eyes, "Of course I can mend them,...I can't promise exactly how they'll turn out; I just follow my instincts...as if an invisible hand is guiding me. ...I promise they'll be beautiful and whole once again."
Addie brings healing and joy to Theo, Becky, and Marla lives and they gave her a feeling of home.

’Tis the Season to Be Daring by Esther Hatch was such a fun story! I very much loved the playful, Lord Hawthorne. I laughed out loud several times! It was nice to see a Society Miss and an Earl step away from what is expected of them. "An Earl can do whatever he wants to."

In "The Christmas Dress" by Joanna Barker, I felt sad for Nell's reduced circumstances but proud that she carried on with what she had to do. I loved that Jacob was different from his father and trying to make a better life for his sister, Alice. The scene when Nell sees Jabob for the first time was great!

This was such a joy to read! Each of the four authors wrote a beautiful Christmas story for this collection. The four stories that make up this book are unique and so sweet. The stories are clean, lovely, varied, make-you-sigh romantic, and have wonderful happy endings. I have to say that these are some of my favorite Christmas stories. I definitely recommend this anthology!
#AllHeartsComeHomeforChristmas #HistoricalRomance #SarahMEden #AnitaStansfield ##AuthorEstherHatch #AuthorJoannaBarker

I received a complimentary copy of the book. All opinions are my own and are expressed voluntarily.

The lovely cover and the prospect of reading stories by some of my favorite authors drew me to this book. I don’t usually read Christmas stories in August, but I couldn’t resist the pull. The four novellas in this collection are the perfect length to devour one per evening.

I can always count on Sarah M. Eden for a great read, and Christmas at Falstone Castle is a fun glimpse at Adam and Persephone and their growing family. I was happy to see that he hadn’t lost his “personality” and that Persephone was still working on mellowing him.

The Heart of Christmas by Anita Stansfield was a sweet story about Addie who is hired to help Theo with his family. Addie wants to help the family heal and be happy together. This novella was a bit hard for me to get into, as it was mostly descriptive with little dialog, but I thought the part about the mending of the hearts was lovely.

Esther Hatch’s novella, ‘Tis the Season to Be Daring, was one of my favorites. With a fun premise, a lot of humor, and quite a big dash of romance, I chuckled and smiled my way through it. Elizabeth Davenport and Lord Hawthorne were charming and perfect for each other. I enjoyed Hatch’s sense of humor and fun.

The Christmas Dress by Joanna Barker is a charming tale of a seamstress, Nell Addington, who is reunited with a former friend, Jacob Hammond. As she helps his sister Alice select a dress to be made for Christmas, she also helps them learn how to celebrate the season.

I recommend this novella collection for those who enjoy clean, charming Christmas stories. They’re perfect for an evening’s read.

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy from Covenant Communications/NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

Christmas at Falstone Castle by Sarah M. Eden

I read “Seeking Persephone” as well as the Lancaster family series, so this was a particular favorite of mine to re-visit characters! The duke of Kielder is almost as grumpy as ever, but he seems to have mellowed quite a bit under the light of his wife & children. His relationship with his mother, the Dowager Duchess, however has been strained for years. Watching them get past the hurts and form a closer bond was delightful, as well as seeing her grandchildren blossom under her love & care. Not to mention the second chance love Harriet unexpectedly gets. A story of true Christmas miracles of reconciliation, family bonds, laughter and love. Very heartwarming!

The Heart of Christmas by Anita Stansfield

A chance meeting has all the makings of finding love at Christmas! I really enjoyed this one and getting to know Adelaide, Theodore and his daughter Becky. He's widowed trying to raise his young daughter and care for his ailing mother, which is difficult at best. Meeting Adelaide “Addie” has destiny written all over it! When she agrees to care for his family while he works, her soft heart sees the weight of grief in each one and desires to help heal them under her tender care. Reconciliation is sweet in this tale of healing and the stirrings of new love. Simply delightful!

'Tis the Season to be Daring by Esther Hatch

This was a fun one! Watching the banter between Elizabeth and Charles as they pretend to be courting during the London season was the highlight for me. Thwarting her mother seems to be the highlight of Elizabeth's life and Charles is so unconventional he's the perfect candidate for her plans. But then her feelings get tangled up and it's no longer a game! Can these two find common ground and will love conquer all? A warm, witty, delightful Christmas tale!

The Christmas Dress by Joanna Barker

It's been years since Nell and Jacob have seen each other. When he commissions her to create dresses for his sister Alice, they find feelings still strong towards one another. But under the cloud of grief can Nell bring happiness and laughter once again to the Hammond house? Christmas has a way of working it's magic spell and stirring hearts. I loved watching Alice and Jacob let go of their burden and remembering the fun of past Christmases. These two blossomed under the care & concern Nell showed, and watching the love story unfold was an added bonus to this already heartwarming tale!

Four stories of the magic of Christmas working it's miracles in hearts and lives made me smile, laugh and care about characters who become real in my mind. I knew Sarah Eden from other stories so it was wonderful to discover new writers in this collection of short novellas. Each one is perfect for the Christmas season & beyond. Sit down with a cup of hot cocoa, a throw blanket over your lap, and enjoy as these take you away to a different time & place!

*I received a complimentary copy of this book from Covenant Communications and was under no obligation to leave a favorable review. All opinions are my own. *

This is a great collection of sweet novellas. I’m a huge fan of Sarah M. Eden, and I’ve really enjoyed what I’ve read by Esther Hatch and Joanna Barker, so it was hard to go wrong with this book. I can see myself pulling this out to read again.

Christmas at Falstone Castle by Sarah M. Eden was especially fantastic. I was so glad to have a continuation of the Dangerous Duke’s family and the Lancasters. It’s a fun story that focuses on Adam’s mom and her own love interest. It was a very sweet, clean read. It wasn’t too rushed as some novellas can be. Lovely story with a happy ending.

5 stars

The Heart of Christmas by Anita Stansfield started out strong for me, and then some parts seemed to drag, while others were rushed. It is a sweet story about overcoming grief, but I didn’t really connect to the characters.

2 stars

Tis the Season to be Daring by Esther Hatch is a fun story about a couple in a fake relationship that ends up falling for each other. It was sweet, well written and engaging.

4 stars

The Christmas Dress by Joanna Barker was another sweet story. It was a fast read, but not too rushed, and the old acquaintanceship that strengthened into a relationship was sweet. Nell also helped Jacob’s sister come out of her shell.

4 stars

Thank you NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read this compilation for an honest review.
First, I hadn't read any of the authors included in this compilation but I will be adding each one to my list of authors to follow. I enjoyed each story with the common theme of being together at Christmas. I didn't want any of the stories to end! I was so happy to learn that some of the stories have other books with these characters.
Each story is set in the Regency Era and has elements of romance without being sickeningly sweet. I loved how each story ended with a bit of happily ever after but could also have a "sequel" or full length book so that readers learn even more about their lives. Highly recommend!

Four wonderful Christmas stories that really touched my heart! Each story was unique and captured my attention from the start. Unexpected love is a theme as well as discovering family and being with those you love over less important frills of the season. You won’t be disappointed!

Christmas at Falstone Castle by Sarah M. Eden

Sarah M. Eden always pulls you right in from the very beginning. The first chapter with little Adam is so heartbreaking.

"Father had taught him to be a duke.

Adam fortified his seven-year-old heart. If Mother didn’t love him, he wouldn’t allow himself to love her or long for her or need her. The pain in his heart was so enormous he knew he wouldn’t be able to bear it if he couldn’t relieve it somehow.

He simply wouldn’t care. About her. About anyone. Not ever again.

I am a duke now. Dukes don’t cry. And dukes don’t need people."

Seeking Persephone is one of my favorite books from Sarah. I love the characters! It was so great to see them again, especially with the addition of little Oliver. Adam and Persephone have such a sweet relationship, and I love seeing the dangerous duke’s sweet side with his son. Adam has the best dry sense of humor, and Persephone is so perfect for him.

Coming into the story I viewed the dowager fairly negatively. She left her only child, and the few times she saw him she called him her poor boy while pointing out his flaws.

While this was a story about the Dowager Duchess of Kielder and Roswell Duncan the local vicar, my favorite parts were with Adam, Persephone, and Oliver.

--
The Heart of Christmas by Anita Stansfield

“Staring at the cracked hearts, Addie felt as if she were looking at a clear and undeniable representation of the three people who lived in this home, the people she’d been hired to care for, the people she’d grown to love. Their hearts were broken, and Addie wanted nothing more than to find a way to help mend the cracks so they could find new happiness in their lives and share life like a family instead of simply living completely separate lives beneath the same roof.”

Theo, his daughter Becky, and Aunt Marla have been living in the same house for almost ten years. They mostly live their lives separately, however. Theo is naturally shy and keeps his emotions to himself, and the aunt doesn’t like to talk about anything sad. Becky believes she is to blame for her mother’s death and chooses to act out like her friends as school. Though truth be told, she doesn’t seem to act out much for a child her age. She seems fairly normal.

Addie wants to do her job the best way she can, and in addition she really wants to help the people she works for come together as a family. She is often described as a kind person and hopes to improve the lives of others. I was a little confused with Addie’s opinion of Becky. Becky presents herself as a skeptical child, however, Addie describes as “peevish” and “cantankerous” after only a short first impression.

I had a hard time getting into this book. I think a large part was because the book is almost entirely written as descriptions with not a lot of dialogue. I prefer more of a combination between the two. The characters also didn’t seem to have much of a connection to each other, and I didn’t feel any connection to them.

---
’Tis the Season to Be Daring by Esther Hatch

Elizabeth fears she lives a boring life only knitting and embroidering. She doesn’t know who she can truly be until she meets Charles.

I love the way Charles is with children. The scene with his niece was one of my favorites. It was sweet and funny and you see a whole other side to him than the moody one that avoids the matchmaking mamas in the ballrooms.

These two are so adorable together!

I sometimes have a harder time connecting to characters in shorter stories, but these characters were really well developed, and I loved them.

There was a nice combination between romance and comedy. Charles and Elizabeth were able to have serious conversations as well as be comfortable and joke with each other. I liked the joke about the booties and the 12 children.

“Our eyes met, and in the firelight his shone an almost iridescent blue. And in an instant I knew. Whoever was lucky enough to marry Lord Hawthorne would live this way. She would have laughter, love, entertainment, and belonging. There would be trust and conversation. Oh, the conversations—always on the verge of laughing, but never at the expense of others. I stepped back away from him as a fire in my chest grew to be more painful and hot than the bowl of brandy in front of us.

I wanted to be that woman. I wanted to spend the rest of my life with Lord Hawthorne, not just the next few days. I had allowed myself to be too long in his company, and now it was too late. No matter how we left things, I would never be the same.”

---
The Christmas Dress by Joanna Barker

Jacob and Nell grew up together, though they did not socialize a lot with each other. Years later they are reunited in an awkward yet cute way.

They have now both lost their fathers. Nell lost her father years ago, but still fiercely misses him and remembers all the good times. Jacob just recently lost his father, but they didn’t get along, and Jacob hadn’t seen him in the five years before his death.

It seems a little harsh for Jacob to not see someone ever again because they did not get along. Especially because that someone was his father and in staying away, he was also staying away from his sister.

I had to laugh when Nell mentioned multiple times that Jacob’s sister Alice shouldn’t wear black, because she is pale and has dark hair. Alice and I share these features, and I often wear black.

Joanna Barker is a newer to me author. I have only read Beauty and the Baron. I enjoyed “The Christmas Dress” and look forward to reading her other books.

“He lifted her burdens without even seeming to be aware that he did it, so naturally kind and thoughtful was he.”

This book has novellas from some of my favorite authors. There were many times I had to fight from laughing out loud (reading in public and avoiding weird looks.) These 4 different novellas show that love can and will cross over the different class distinctions of the regency time period, that it's never too late for second chances and that Christmas is a time for miracles.

In both Sarah Eden's and Esther Hatch's novellas you will revisit some characters from their previous novels. The Lancaster family and the dangerous Duke of Kielder in Sarah's story, Christmas at Fieldstone Castle. Rose Davenport's (from The Roses of Feldstone) sister Elizabeth and her "introduction" to the Lord Hawthorne in Esther Hatch's 'Tis the Season to Be Daring.

This book was so entertaining and will forever be added to my Christmas bookshelf and enjoyed for years to come.

I hadn’t read anything by any of these authors before this. I really enjoyed all of their writing! All of the stories were delightful! I loved all of the heroes and liked all of the heroines. These were the perfect length for a quick read. I would definitely recommend this novella collection!



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

What a terrific collection of Regency Christmas stories! Even reading it well before the Christmas season, I found it to be captivating and highly enjoyable.

Christmas at Falstone Castle by Sarah M. Eden
It has been years since the Dowager Duchess of Kielder spent Christmas with her son Adam and his family. Although their relationship has been improving slowly, Harriett knows she still has work to do before Adam realizes how much she has always loved him. As she sets out to heal her relationship with her son, the local vicar provides his assistance—and he and Harriett find a connection of their own.
I was thrilled to be able to see some of my favorite characters from Sarah M. Eden's Lancaster family. I absolutely love them, so I was eagerly anticipating this story, and it was wonderful. It has all my favorite elements of a good story--snappy dialogue, laugh-out-loud moments, characters you wish were real, and a good romance. Just a fantastic story!

The Heart of Christmas by Anita Stansfield
When Theo, a widowed banker offers her a chance to leave her demanding and underpaid seamstress job to work in his household, Addie jumps at the chance and quickly finds herself coming to care for him, his daughter, and his elderly aunt, all of whom have wounds that she hopes to help heal during the Christmas season.
This one was more of a sweet story about family and healing with a dash of romance thrown in than a true romance. While Anita Stansfield isn't a favorite author of mine (I tend to like more dialogue and action, rather than the longer descriptive passages that she writes), this story fits well with her style and her fans will be quite happy with it. I still enjoyed it; it just isn't the style I personally prefer.

’Tis the Season to Be Daring by Esther Hatch
In an attempt to escape her mother’s rather embarrassing matchmaking endeavors, Elizabeth Davenport decides to damage her reputation just enough that her mother will withdraw her from the season. In order to do so, she enlists the help of Lord Charles Hawthorne, who has never cared what society thought of him. Although their arrangement is supposed to be temporary, Elizabeth soon finds that her heart doesn’t want their time together to end.
Oh, my gosh. I loved this story! Starting this story, I expected to have a clear favorite (Sarah M. Eden's contribution, since she’s my favorite author), but this one at least tied for favorite. I absolutely loved the plot; Elizabeth and Charles kept me laughing and I just loved all of their interactions. It was just so much fun to read--and I already want to go reread it.

The Christmas Dress by Joanna Barker
Nell Addington has worked as a seamstress ever since the death of her father, a vicar, and has tried to make the best of her lowered position. When Jacob Hammond, a childhood friend, commissions a new wardrobe for his sister, Nell is happy to reconnect with him.
This was a sweet story with a gentle romance between former childhood friends. I liked how Jacob and Nell, both with struggles of their own, came together and brightened each other's lives. It has a great opening scene, and I love the ending, too.

All in all, a great collection with unique stories that I highly recommend! 5 stars!

I read a review copy provided by the publisher. All opinions are my own.

This book was so good and a joy to read. All of the stories were very well written and hold your attention. I love reading this type of book because it is a wonderful way to try new-to-me authors. If you like Regency Christmas stories, you will love this book. Thank you Covenant Communications for the ARC copy of this book. All opinions expressed are my own.

I loved most of these stories so much! It starts out with Sarah Eden's book that brought us back to the Lancaster family! This was a good story! More of Adam and his past and how he is healing his life. I loved it as Adam and Persephone are some of my all time fav of Eden's characters. This is more focused on his mother and her challenge and of course we get a romance:}
The 2nd story is Anita Stansfield. Not a fav author of mine but I enjoyed her story. It is more about a woman healing a family and less of a romance but it fits nicely.
The 3rd story is Ester Hatch's. Elizabeth and Charles!! Oh my gosh I loved this one so much! I wish it were longer but at the same time was so glad they got there HEA so quickly! Hatch just has a way of writing a regency but creating characters that I just love and are unique!
The 4th story is so sweet and awesome. Has a bit of a Cinderella feel to it. Joanna Barker is quickly climbing to one of my favorite authors. I loved this sweet story!!!
Such a fulfilling read. I wish I would have read it closer to Christmas! I think I'll have to reread it:}
I received a copy for my honest review....and trust me it's honest:}

I loved this collection of regency Christmas stories. I was excited to read this book because all the contributing authors are among my favorites. The novellas were each based at Christmas time but still unique. I loved that some had characters in it from the authors other books. I highly recommend this book of Christmas novellas.