This delightful story had all the components of a truly mesmerizing Christmas tale that warms the hearts of even the coldest readers.
A selfish and jaded male lead.
A beautiful and kind elegant lady.
A pitiful orphan boy.
And don’t forget the stray pup.
Ivy Hill has long been one of my favorite fictional places to visit and it is made even more inviting against the backdrop of a wintery Holiday season.
Christmas is a time for miracles, for old things to become new, and for past mistakes to be made right. Austen & Dickens loving readers will adore this latest offering by renowned author Julie Klassen.

I've been meaning to read the Tales from Ivy Hill series for a while now and for various reasons just haven't been able to, however after finishing An Ivy Hill Christmas I am determined to rectify that over the next few months!

First off, I really loved the characters. Even though Richard Brockwell is supposed to be somewhat unlikable at first, he was a great character. I really liked how he came across as having some Scrooge-like characteristics and first, but yet readers get to watch him grow from a selfish miser into someone who genuinely cares about his fellow man, and even how he has a lot of past hurt he has to work through as well as learning to forgive others.

Arabella was also interesting character and I loved how kind and charitable she was, however, I did not like how she jumped to conclusions about Richard without talking to him about it. I don't know to me it seems kind of childish, but then again, I have to remind myself that this also takes place during a different period of time where something like that was not normally done.

The ensemble of supporting characters were amazing and I fell in love with each and every one of them, however my three favorite side characters were Jamie, Aunt Genevieve, and Mrs. Reeves. I especially enjoyed Mrs. Reeves and the wisdom she shares with Richard as he is wrestling with whether or not he can change. Here are two quotes I loved from that discussion:

"My dear boy, none of us deserves forgiveness for our own failings. If we could, God would not have had to send the Son He loved into the world to die for us. But He did, because He loves us" (Loc. 2222).

"Every day God gives us, we must do our best to trust and obey. We fail, but we do the same the next day, clinging to His promises and strength to help us" (Loc. 2234).

Both of these quotes seem to sum up the themes of this novella, redemption and forgiveness. It is also a reminder to be charitable towards our fellow man, and the joys of giving.

I also really enjoyed learning about more of the Christmas traditions they had in Regency-era England, and even seeing that there are still some that kept today - such as the Christmas "crackers", I remember having those at Christmas during my childhood in South Africa.

Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed An Ivy Hill Christmas and I really need to start reading the other books in the series. This book reminded me why I enjoy Julie Klassen's books so much - they're great stories that convey a great message! 4/5 Stars.

Such a charming, Dickens-ish story by author Julie Klassen. I thoroughly enjoyed returning to Ivy Hill, a village I’ve come to love. (You could read this as a stand alone but I highly recommend the entire Ivy Hill series.)

Characters who are fun, roguish, delightful, and even irritating make the story so enjoyable. But to see people change, forgive, and grow makes it meaningful. This isn’t simply a pleasant Christmas tale, but it’s a tale of love lost, wounds healed, and love found.

Please keep in mind that this is a novella, not a full novel, so there isn’t the time to develop the story as much but if you enjoy stories set in this time period I highly recommend this one!

I received a complimentary copy of this book but was not required to leave a review.

This is a sweet Christmas novella in Julie Klassen's Ivy Hill series.
As the others do, so this one also takes you back to that sweet town in Regency England, Ivy Hill.
This is the story of Richard, the spoiled bachelor playboy second son of the Brockwell family.
His mother has requested he come home for Christmas, and so he begrudgingly makes the journey, knowing full well she is going to expect him to make a match.
Filled with sweet details of a lovely setting, delightful characters, and an intriguing, if a bit expected plot, this sweet Christmas novella fulfilled my expectations.

I found this to be a fun, easy read. A sweet visit to Regency England over Christmas time.
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

If you mixed together A Christmas Carol with a romance from the works of Jane Austen, this would be the result. The Scrooge-like Richard Brackwell possesses the same hesitations and bitingly clever remarks as the beloved Mr. Darcy (as well as the looks and moneyed background). When circumstances demand he return to the quintessential English countryside town of Ivy Hill, he makes the acquaintance of Arabella Awdry, perhaps the only woman capable of putting him in his place.
This Regency-era, holiday-themed romance was as charming and comforting as possible. I did not realize this was part of a series when I read it, but it did not deter me from my reading experience or enjoyment. The characters could have been pulled straight out of a BBC costume drama and the settings were so elegantly described that you could easily envision yourself in them. As a lifelong classics fan and one of the millions who are always on the lookout for the next Mr. Darcy, this one really hit the mark. The banter between the love interests was natural and amusing, and while their happily ever after is inevitable, there was true joy in watching them overcome their internally created obstacles. I'll be adding the rest of the books exploring Ivy Hill to my to be read stack immediately.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for a complimentary advance copy. This did not impact my review.

A regency Christmas novel that feels like a Hallmark movie. This book was very sweet and heartwarming. I love the Christmas theme and it’s emphasis on forgiveness. I will definitely read more books by this author. The pacing and writing was really good and the characters were charming. My only complaint is the final conflict between the two main characters felt a little forced and silly and I could see it coming a mile away. Otherwise a fantastic read!

A beautiful historical for the festive season. Perfect for reading while getting cosy by the fire after all the fuss of Christmas.

Julie Klassen's sweet historical romances are absolutely delightful! I am familiar with a few Ivy Hill residences, but this is the first time I've read one of the books and lets just say it did not disappoint and I will be reading the rest of the series.

Richard Brockwell is commanded by his mother to join the family and their guests for Christmas, really left with no choice he leaves for the country. He doesn't see much of a point in being there, doesn't want to face the memories and home, and most certainly doesn't want to be around any marriageable females, or their mothers. Arabella Awdry is of quite the same mind, set on not marrying and leading her own life-though her future will be more centered around charity works while Richard's is around himself. But the Christmas season, Ivy Hill and their families have a different plan for their Christmas holiday together. With a little bit of Christmas magic, trust in God and loving friends and family hearts are softened, futures change and opportunities present themselves.

One thing I love about the last couple chapters of this book, and the epilogue, is that they aren't rushed. Klassen gives these delightful characters the time they need to come to God, and find themselves before they really open their eyes and hearts to love. There is something about a story that takes it's time like this and it makes the love story that much sweeter.

An Ivy Hill Christmas is a charming read at Christmas time, but really could be read any time of the year because of the wonderful themes and reminders throughout. Klassen uses her Christmas story to convey beautiful messages about personal relationships with God, speaking about and treating others kindly, serving others and so much more. These themes come together along with the well written characters to form a wonderful story. I'm excited to dive into the rest of the series now!

*I received a complimentary copy from the publisher/author(s) via NetGalley and this is my honest opinion.

Thanks for the opportunity to read and review this title.

This was a fun, quick read by this Christmas tree. It isn’t my usual type of book so it was fun to try something different.

Typical 19th century setting with hints of Austen about it, nothing exciting or different about it, but enjoyable all the same - an easy read.

When Richard goes home for Christmas just so his mother will not cut off all his money if he doesn't come back, he gets more than holiday cheer. He is troubled by his past and having to deal with family and a love from his past. When he finds that he has feelings for his lost love will she decide that they should be together or keep it in the past?

This is a short read that is for all those that love to read Christmas books during the Christmas season. It does keep you wondering if they can be together and if Richard is willing to give up his life he has back in London. A nice, relaxing afternoon read with a cup of tea and a fuzzy blanket.

Are we who we seem to be? Or is there someone inside who is the real person that we don’t want others to see?

These are just a few questions you might ask as you read An Ivy Hill Christmas. Julie Klassen excels at writing Regency-era stories and this is just another example of how wonderfully she does.

We get to go back to Ivy Hill and revisit some of the characters we know and love but also get to know new characters who we haven’t known before.

I love coming back to a story that I’ve been to before. It’s like coming home. And now it’s like coming home over the holidays. This is a wonderful Christmas story about two people who have the world believing them a rake and a spinster but who really have other things and desires inside that are just waiting to burst off the pages.

This is a wonderful book and I hope you give it a read. You can read this book without having read any of the Ivy Hill books before but you’re definitely going to want to read them when you’re done if you haven’t already.

I have voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received through Celebrate Lit. All views expressed are only my honest opinion. I was not required to write a positive review nor was I compensated in any other way. All opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC regulations.

Sweet, fluffy and hits all the right feels. It's a perfect book when you want to curl up on your sofa with a hot mug of coffee on a cold day (holidays or not).

What a delightful story about a young man coming home to his family and his faith...this one has all the Christmas-story fuzzies I look for in this sort of story. We get to catch up with the characters from the three previous books and meet some enjoyable new ones, especially young Jamie, an apprentice. The setting is richly portrayed and even a little dog is part of the tale.

If you’re looking for a cozy Christmas story, look no farther!

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a free reading copy. I bought a paperback and have based the review on the finished version. A favorable review was not required.

A lovely historical fiction story sprinkled with a big of Christmas magic. I haven't read the previous books in the series, which would be interesting in terms of character development. But as a standalone it was an enjoyable read

What a treat for Chrisstmas. Lovely romantic scenes conjour in your head. A modern version of a mix of Austen, Dickens and Downton all set in 19thC England. I've always loved the idea of the victorian country Christmas houseparty in 'the big house' and this book takes you right there. The romantic matches are completely predictable by hey, its time for some light relief and joy and this is it!

This was a delightful story, with a big feel good factor. Lots of entertaining characters and a productive storyline. A nice cosy Christmas story and a very enjoyable read.

Richard Brockwell is a cad. And quite frankly, he doesn't care. The only reason that he is going home for Christmas is because his family cut off his money supply.

What he didn't plan on was having his eyes opened to the hurting world around him. A young orphaned apprentice who was being mistreated. His coworker who lost his business. His late best friend's family who due to various circumstances were now destitute. Even his young nephew plays a roll in helping him to see that there is more to the world than his existence.

Arabella Awdry is not convinced the Richard could ever change. She wants to make a difference in the world. The Richard she meets again fits the playboy persona.

This book is about transformation. Not only Richard's but also Arabella's. They both soon learn that a thousand small ways of making a difference matter more than grand gestures.

I had not read any books in the Ivy Hill series. Characters did seem to overlap. If one read the three prior books, they might appreciate this story even more. But I was able to easily follow along. I really enjoyed this book. The characters were well-developed, and the English Christmas customs were definitely fascinating.

Thank you to Bethany House Publishers for allowing me to read an ARC copy through NetGalley. All opinions in this review are my own.

Julie Klassen writes wonderful clean regency romances. I greatly enjoy them. She has written a three book Ivy Hill series and has added to it with An Ivy Hill Christmas novella. This novella is a standalone work. It is nice to see favorite characters appear, but the story is its own and focuses on a side character who is briefly mentioned in the other novels.

Richard Brockwell is the youngest son of the prominent Brockwell family. He stays in London secretly working on his writing, but his family believes he is just enjoying a fun bachelor lifestyle. His mother cuts off his funding unless he returns home for Christmas to visit the family. She would like him to marry a local beauty. He knows old family secrets and does not want to be married. Will Richard find love? Will he find meaning to his life? Can he put away old grievances?

I greatly enjoyed this novel. I love regency Christmas stories. They are my favorite subgenre. I really loved the theme of forgiveness in this novel. I loved seeing Richard’s growth as he realizes his place in the world. It was also a nice love story between Richard and Arabella Awdry. Arabella is an interesting character who is very interested in philanthropy work. I enjoyed that she had a mind of her own. The novel had a few nods to Pride and Prejudice which I loved.

This is my last Christmas review for the season!

Favorite Quotes:
“Love and forgiveness are not something you earn. They are gifts.”

Overall, An Ivy Hill Christmas is a not to be missed regency Christmas romance.

Book Source: Review Copy from Bethany House via Netgalley. Thank-you!!

“unexpected romance changes the heart of one determined bachelor”

The ‘Ivy Hill’ books are a series, with this shorter novella being a Christmas addition. However the author has invested great efforts in making An Ivy Hill Christmas work as a stand alone story, which it does beautifully. Any references to previous events are no more than could be expected from any other stand alone story, and the characters are all wonderfully drawn with relationships explained as part of the ongoing narrative and dialogue.

Also important for me, is that, whilst Ivy Hill is a fictional family estate in Wiltshire, the village of Wishford, near Salisbury, is most definitely not. As this is only a few miles from home, I would count this as a local to me story, which makes it so much more attractive and appealing.

The strong opening sequence is followed by a heart-warming, slightly predictable storyline, although no more so than I would have expected from a period romance, with the package being topped off, as I might have hoped, with a satisfying and totally wholesome ending.

The period research is meticulous and clearly undertaken with great enthusiasm and attention to detail, which is easily explained by the author’s love of all things Jane Austen and British period romantic drama. The realism and authenticity is apparent, even down to the ‘Queen’s English’ spelling in the narrative and dialogue, although I did spot a couple of lapses back into ‘American English’, but I can forgive those in the overall scheme of things.

In a richly crafted, well developed storyline, which is equally plot and character driven; a rich in detail, social commentary of the times unfolds into a saga of a fractured family reunited, overlaid with unexpected signs of spirituality, hard won forgiveness and serendipitous acts of generosity and kindness. Some visually descriptive narrative and entertaining observational dialogue, make this hugely atmospheric story, one to escape into on a cold winter’s day, putting the reader right at ease and at the centre of the action.

The characters are like the pages of an open book, easy to relate to and become invested in, despite their emotional complexity and their individual searches for a sense of belonging. They are remarkably multi-faceted and engaging, with a surprisingly welcome genuine depth of feeling and synergy between them.

The Brockwell’s are Ivy Hill’s most prominent family and whilst class will ultimately always prevail in this Regency saga, the various members of this largely philanthropic family are a little more generous to the estate villagers and more attentive and caring towards their staff, than many of their landed gentry counterparts. It transpires that the two Brockwell sons, heir Sir Timothy and his younger brother Richard, share an unspoken and closely guarded secret, about which neither has spoken for many years, with each in ignorance of the others knowledge of the matter. It is from this single act of betrayal by a third party, that whilst Timothy treads the path of least resistance and wisely holds his council, Richard chooses the future which he knows will most irk and rile the betrayer and forges for himself a reputation which is self fulfilling and only designed to add to, rather than lessen his feelings of hurt and grief. Thus the brothers are rather set at odds with one another, although neither knows why, creating a compelling backdrop for a storyline which is perceptive, clips along at a good pace, and is written with total maturity and intuition.

Leaving his self-imposed exile in London to come home to Ivy Hill for Christmas, for what is the first time in some while, Richard has his long buried demons forced out into the open, where he has to reconcile them with his conscience. In so doing he must accept that those he has wronged in the past have chosen to forgive him, even though he is struggling to forgive himself. Until he can come to terms with and accept the random acts of kindness which are bestowed upon him, he can never move forward to be the man he is truly destined to be, rather than the penance he thinks he needs to shoulder, as he silently searches for atonement from the sins of the fathers and eventual reconciliation with his family.