A Sea View Christmas

Author: Julie Klassen
Genre: Historical Holiday Romance
Series: On Devonshire Shores Novella
Pages: 240
Release Date: September 2, 2025
Publisher: Bethany House Publishers

The holiday stirs up excitement as fondly remembered guests come to stay and acquaintances grow into more. . . .

With a promise to her youngest sister, Sarah Summers declares that this year's Christmas at Sea View will exceed all expectations. But an upcoming trip to Scotland--and the prospect of becoming reacquainted with dashing widower Callum Henshall--blows a flurry of doubts into her mind. Sarah had discouraged his attentions before yet soon finds herself once again torn between attraction and duty as alluring thoughts of a second chance at love weave their way into her practical heart.

Meanwhile, seventeen-year-old Georgiana eagerly anticipates the exciting Christmas of her dreams after last year's dull, disappointing holiday filled with endless chores. She enjoys all the promised parties, music, and dancing, but is taken by surprise when young love comes knocking. Does the festive romance of a Sea View Christmas hold the key to a happily-ever-after for both sisters?

Spend the holiday season with the Summers sisters on the charming Devonshire coast, where family bonds are strengthened, love is rekindled, and Christmas joy abounds.

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Reviewer: Charity Henico

What a joy to read the final installment of the Summers sisters saga! I had been waiting oh-so-patiently to see Sarah get her happy ending. 

I loved seeing the continuation of Viola, Emily, and Claire’s stories, too. I just love a series that follows a family! And then to see Miss Georgiana grow up? What a delight. 

My only complaint is that everything happened so fast, but the story also moved a little slowly, which is an odd dichotomy, I know. 

Everything happened fast because it is a novella, after all. I would have really liked to savor all the feelings and emotions a little more. But it also felt like it moved slowly. That I can’t explain. 

I do think that if I hadn’t read the other books, I’d be pretty confused by all the characters, so I do recommend reading the others first. 

All in all, this is a story I’ll treasure for a long time. 

I was given a complimentary copy of this book by Bethany House through Interviews & Reviews. No positive review was required, and all opinions are my own.

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Reviewer: Winnie Thomas

I’ve followed the Summers sisters in Julie Klassen’s series, On Devonshire Shores, and I’ve greatly enjoyed their stories. A Sea View Christmas is a novella showcasing Sarah Summers as she strives to give her youngest sister, Georgiana, a memorable Christmas. Sarah feels she must work hard to help her mother and sisters with their Sea View guest house, but when handsome Scottish widower Callum Henshall returns to Sea View, Sarah is torn between attraction and duty. She had discouraged his attention earlier and has had second thoughts since. I enjoyed this heartwarming and charming story of second chances and the additional side story of Georgiana and her budding relationship with Colin Hutton. 

Filled with entertaining and detailed descriptions of English and Scottish Christmas holiday traditions, this is a delightful conclusion to the series by one of my favorite authors. Julie Klassen is a talented writer and an expert on all things Regency England. I’m looking forward to reading more of her stories. 

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy from Bethany House through Interviews & Reviews. All opinions are my own. 

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Reviewer: Paula Shreckhise

What a lovely time it was to return to Sea View to Sarah and Callum’s story. The setting was magical at Christmastime with all the holiday festivities. I enjoyed learning about the customs of Christmas in 1820. 

I am so glad Sarah and Callum got their second chance. Although it took some time because Sarah was feeling so responsible to her family. Her mother wisely tells her that everything is in God’s hands, that there are a lot of “what ifs” that might not happen.

A favorite character was the youngest daughter, Georgiana, who is growing out of her tomboy ways into a young lady and just might be taking an interest in a certain well-dressed young man. I would love to see a book containing her story. 

It was good to see the family closeness and their hearts for helping the less fortunate in the town. 

This was a wonderful story by a gifted author in a favorite era. 

A complimentary copy of this book was provided by Bethany House through Interviews & Reviews. I was not required to post a favorable review. All opinions are mine alone.

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Reviewer: Linda Klager

I was interested in this book because I have read Julie's series about sisters owning a boarding house by the seaside. I have 3 sisters and love speaking and learning from them.

Old Sidmouth, England came to life for me. The book included a delightful map of the area. Miss Sarah Summers was featured. She never thought she would marry, as her first love passed away.

Sarah was a devoted daughter and sister. She felt that she needed to carry the family's burdens alone. She needed to depend more on others to assist her.

One of the boarders who had a young daughter had known Sarah from one of the other books of this series. At first, Sarah suspected Callum Henshall, the Scotsman, of misbehavior. Then Sarah became interested in him, which led to romance. Sarah had a really difficult time letting go of her responsibilities.  

I love to read fiction that centers around Christmas, and I was not disappointed in learning more about how people in England celebrated our Lord Jesus and his birth. Also included were Scottish traditions.  

I highly recommend this book. I received a complimentary copy courtesy of Bethany House Publishers through Interviews & Reviews for my honest opinion.

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Reviewer: Laura J. Davis

I love it when I can celebrate Christmas in July! Julie Klassen’s novella A Sea View Christmas was everything I hoped for. I finished it in one day!

The Summers sisters are getting on with their lives except for Sarah, who is still pining for her dashing Scot, Callum Henshall. She has consistently put her family above her own needs, and if you read any of these books, you know she has regretted turning down Callum. But now she has a chance to undo all that when she accompanies her sister and her new husband to Scotland. 

Of course, things are never that easy, and they return home without ever seeing Callum. Sarah once again tries to focus on her family and the many Christmas preparations that need to take place. Wondering if Callum had received her letters that she had gone to see him. When she doesn’t hear from him, she is devastated. But it’s Christmas! And wonderful things happen at Christmas!

I loved this story, and I was pleased to see Georgiana start to grow into a young woman who might have her own love interest. Another book? I hope so!

If you enjoy historical romances set during Christmas, you will love A Sea View Christmas. You do not need to read the other books, but you will not get the full impact of this story if you don’t.

I received a complimentary copy courtesy of Bethany House Publishers through NetGalley for my honest opinion.

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Reviewer: Trixi Oberembt

With her lyrical writer’s voice, Julie Klassen brings the Devonshire Shores series to a wonderful conclusion. Though I wished it didn’t have to end! It’s one of those engaging series that has been so enjoyable to get to know the Summer sisters and feel like I was part of their lives, both in the ups and downs and all the in-betweens. I very highly recommend reading these books in order to get a more complete view of the characters, their situations, lives & loves and a deeper understanding of the whole storyline. 

This is elder sister Sarah’s story, and I have been anticipating it since the very first book ‘The Sisters of Sea View’. I love her devotion to family and her commitment to seeing to their livelihood after the death of their father. She’s sacrificed her own happiness and wellbeing—while this is admirable—it has cost her a great deal and the possibility of a lifetime love of her own. 

When a trip to Scotland takes place to be in attendance with her sister and new brother-in-law after their marriage, it puts her in close proximity to one Callum Henshall. He’s the widower who first stayed at Sea View and the man she grew to admire a great deal. Could it be a second chance for both of them to get reacquainted and renew not only a deep friendship, but possibly the love of a lifetime? If only Sarah didn’t feel so duty-bound to her sisters and mother, and if Callum can convince her to take a chance on him. 

I was on pins and needles the whole book, hoping Sarah would choose love over all else! I won’t spoil the ending, but will only say it was well worth the anticipation. There is also a side story involving the youngest sister Georgiana and her discovery of a blossoming first love of her own that just added another charming layer to this. 

Julie Klassen knows how to draw the reader into her characters’ lives. She’s one of my top favorite historical authors. Her stories are always heartwarming, delightful, full of faith, family love and those oh so happily-ever-afters that I love to read about. 

My favorite part of this was reading about all the Christmas traditions in Regency times..... even wishing I lived in that era for all the wonderful preparations, games, dances and celebrations. As I said earlier, I didn’t want this series to end! I can’t wait to see what novel is next in line from Klassen. 

I received a complimentary copy from Bethany House and Interviews & Reviews through NetGalley and wasn’t obligated to leave a favorable review. All opinions expressed here are mine alone.

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Reviewer: Rebecca Maney

“… let me make something clear. I know how I feel about ye, lass.”

As the Christmas season approaches, Sarah Summers tries not to lament over how her life might have turned out differently, accepting the responsibilities of keeping her family’s boarding house running smoothly and efficiently had consumed her life for months on end, while watching three most beloved sisters fall in love with their soul mates.

A reunion between Sarah and their previous Scottish guest Callum Henshall seems but a whispered dream buried deep within her tender heart.

This highly anticipated conclusion to the series in no way disappoints, for not only does Sarah gain an opportunity for a holiday happily-ever-after, but the Regency era festivities are so beautifully described that readers will dream about traveling back in time just to experience the delicious food, revered traditions and creative games for themselves.

I voluntarily reviewed this book from Bethany House through Interviews & Reviews.

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