Christmas Forevermore

Authors: Sally Britton, Sarah Eden, Ashtyn Newbold, Karen Thornell
Genre: Anthology
Pages: 400
Release Date: October 3, 2023
Publisher: Covenant Communications

This holiday season, fall in love with a brand-new collection of swoon-worthy novellas from four of your favorite historical romance authors. From meddling matchmakers to fortuitous fiascos, the holidays have never been more magical!

“A Family Christmas” by Sally Britton
After years abroad, Cyril Grant worries about relating to his highborn relatives at the family’s holiday celebration. But an unexpected connection with a member of the household staff opens his heart—in more ways than one.

“Christmas Forevermore” by Sarah M. Eden
In this reimagining of the beloved Charles Dickens tale A Christmas Carol, spinster Minna Schofield is inadvertently ensnared by a local matchmaker whose meddling launches Minna on a journey of self-reflection that could lead her to unexpected love.

“Christmas at Cranfield” by Ashtyn Newbold
Though childhood friends Hannah and Samuel secretly adore one another, fate conspires to keep them apart. But after years of shared holidays and missed opportunities, this Christmas brings the hope that their stars will align.

 “A Thrill of Hope” by Karen Thornell 
After a devastating loss, Christmas holds little appeal for Isabel Reid. But when a snowstorm traps her in the company of a surprising traveling companion, the perpetual winter of Isabel’s heart may just begin to thaw.

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Reviewer: Monica Huyser

Christmas Forevermore by Sally Britton, Sarah M. Eden, Ashtyn Newbold, and Karen Thornell is a lovely mix of Christmas historical romantic novellas set in the early 1800s. The book contains four novellas:

A Family Christmas by Sally Britton tells the story of Cyril Grant's return to his grandparents at Christmastime after years abroad following his father's death. As he struggles to fit in, Jane Allen, his grandmother's younger companion, gives him a warm welcome. This was a great start to the book. I enjoyed watching Cyril and Jane get to know each other. I also liked how family life was portrayed in 1816.

Christmas Forevermore by Sarah M. Eden was a sweet tale of matchmaking gone awry during the Christmas season. Or did it go awry? In this sort of re-imagining of Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol, Mrs. Jackson sets up spinster Minna Schofield with three potential suitors. I loved the sweet ending to this one.

Christmas at Cranfield by Ashtyn Newbold brings two childhood friends together—Hannah and Samuel as adults. Samuel is Hannah's brother's good friend, and she has admired him for years. There are some twists and turns in this story that make it quite interesting. However, I must admit I did not care for Hannah's brother. However, I did enjoy getting to know Hannah and Samuel.

A Thrill of Hope by Karen Thornell is a wonderful story to end this set of tales set during the Christmas season. Isabel Reid is struggling with the whole idea of Christmas after a devastating loss. Then a snowstorm comes along and changes everything. A grumpy gentleman is set with the task of making sure she gets to her aunt's estate in the midst of that snowstorm. As time goes on, he may not be quite as grumpy. As Isabel discovers, he has had his own losses in life that have made him who he is.

I enjoyed all of these stories set in the early 1800s in England. It was fun to take a step back in time during the Christmas season and enjoy these historical holiday novellas. I have to add that I love this gorgeous cover and think the publisher did a lovely job with it. These novellas are all clean historical reads that will appeal to those who enjoy that era.

I received a copy of this book from Covenant Communications through Interviews & Reviews for my honest opinion.

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Reviewer: Amy Smelser

Christmas Forevermore is a collection of four enchanting stories that take place during the Christmas season. If you are looking for enchanting stories taking place during the holidays or just looking for sweet romance, don’t miss this collection.

A Family Christmas by Sally Britton is a story about finding your place in the family. Cyril Grant has been estranged from his late father’s family since his mother’s remarriage. Now, years later, he and his sister are welcomed back into their father’s family, and while his sister fits in well, Cyril feels out of touch and out of place. However, his grandmother’s companion, Jane Allen, mesmerizes him, as everyone seems to love her. She is a stranger, not part of the family. How does she fit in so well? And how is she getting him to open up as well? A story of a found family.

Christmas Forevermore is a very clever retelling of A Christmas Carol. There are no ghosts in this one, but I enjoyed how author Eden pulled in the past, present, and future. Minna is not necessarily a Scrooge, but she is a character that has been through a lot of sadness. She and her three closest friends are somewhat set in their lives. They all need to have their eyes opened to see what is right before them and to start some positive changes in their lives. I really enjoyed seeing all the similarities with the original tale.

Christmas at Cranfield is about two good friends who are in love with one another. But Hannah and Samuel never seem to be able to express their feelings, especially when one or the other is bound by promises, duty, and family expectations. This is a slow-burn romance between two people who are absolutely meant to be together, but they must admit to themselves first that their happiness is worth fighting for.

A Thrill of Hope was probably the most romantic for me. Here we have two childhood acquaintances meeting up again after many years. Isabel is quite surprised to see that her escort to her aunt’s home is none other than the very serious Robert. Through a travel adventure to her aunt’s home and the bad weather, these two find themselves forced into one another’s company. Avoidance, teasing, and flirting will somehow bring these two together under the mistletoe.

I was provided a copy of these novellas from Covenant Communications through Interviews & Reviews. I was not required to post a positive review, and all views and opinions are my own.

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Reviewer: Elizabeth Eckmeyer

A Family Christmas
Sally Britton gives all the details in A Family Christmas. This Christmas romance has a classic storyline. A grandson who comes home to his family after years of not seeing them and struggles to find his place, and a friendly companion who helps him see where he belongs. This book is full of beautiful detail and description. You will get lost in the characters and in the magic of Christmas!

Christmas forevermore
Sarah Eden takes you back in time to a traditional London Christmas. It is full of Christmas parties, food, and dancing while fostering friendships and fun. I enjoyed the character's connections and their humor. As the reader, I felt like I was there, sharing in this old-fashioned Christmas with friends. This romance leaves you fulfilled and in the Christmas spirit!

A Christmas at Canfield
Ashtyn Newbold brings a Christmas romance you won't soon forget. The main characters, Samuel and Hannah, are childhood friends placed in two different worlds as adults. Although neither of them has wavered from their childhood feelings, both are stuck in choices that are made for them. This book leaves you at the edge of your seat, wondering how it will end. A very refreshing Christmas romance novel!

A Thrill of Hope 
Karen Thornel takes you on a carriage ride close to Christmas. Isabel Reid waits for her escort to her aunt's house after her mother has passed away. She discovers that an old friend is escorting her, which makes her reluctant to go. It's a love story you don't expect, and the story keeps your curiosity active and wondering what will happen. The perfect unexpected romance in the light of Christmas!

I received a complimentary copy courtesy of Covenant Communications through Interviews & Reviews for my honest opinion.

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Reviewer: Ewurabena Wilson

A delightful anthology that is sure to whet one’s appetite for Christmas.

Christmas Forevermore is a collection of four novels that all revolve around Christmas, set in the early 1800s and in different places in the United Kingdom. Sally Britton’s A Family Christmas will usher you into the home of Lord and Lady Mardale, where Cyril Grant, the grandson of Lord Mardale, is having a difficult time integrating into his family after being gone for so long. Enter Jane Allen, the female companion of his grandmother, Lady Mardale, to help at the request of her employer. None of them can imagine what this request will eventually lead to.

If this does not create enough excitement for Christmas, Sarah M. Eden’s Christmas Forever, a retelling of Charles Dickson’s A Christmas Carol, is sure to get you there. Minna Schofield, Rupert Crawford, and Mrs. Mary Jackman may leave an indelible mark in your mind as they do mine.

Ashtyn Newford’s Christmas at Cranfield is another beautiful piece that will get you wondering if Hannah and Samuel will ever have their happy ending. Karen Thornell’s A Thrill of Hope lives by its name. The story of Isabel Reid and Robert Collingham caught my attention from the beginning to the very end. A simple request by Robert’s father to escort Isabel, a childhood acquaintance, leads to a new beginning for these two.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading these pieces and will recommend this book to anyone who wants to start Christmas early. Happy ‘readmas’!

I received a complimentary copy courtesy of Bethany House through NetGalley and Interviews & Reviews for my honest opinion.

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Reviewer: Laura J. Davis

What is better than getting a book with four stories in it? Getting a book with four Christmas stories in it!

Christmas Forevermore is a delightful Christmas anthology, with some authors that are new to me and others that I already follow. But each author got me in the mood for Christmas and kept me turning the pages.

Each story is set in the 1800s and takes you back to all the Christmas activities that might have taken place. From gathering greenery to decorate the house, to lighting a Yule log, to snowball fights in the snow, and to romances that make you wish to see the characters again, Christmas Forevermore is a book you want to read.

Make sure you get this book on your list for the holiday season, as it is one you don't want to miss!

I received a complimentary copy courtesy of Covenant Communications through NetGalley for my honest review.

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Reviewer: Trixi Oberembt

A Family Christmas by Sally Britton: 

Cryril Grant spends Christmas time with his family after years abroad, but he doesn't feel he fits in. Jane Allen, a ladies companion to his grandmother, shows him kindness and eases him into the holiday fun with all his cousins. Her gentle ways soon lead him to fall in love with her. It seems this Christmas had a magic all its own!

Christmas Forevermore by Sarah M. Eden:

A Christmas Carol re-imagining story that was every bit as delightful as the original! Against her wishes, the local matchmaker sets Minna Schofield up to meet three gentlemen in hopes of a wedding by Christmas day. Minna is just as determined to thwart her efforts! I loved the twists and turns, and the references to the movie or book were cleverly sprinkled throughout. It was also a friends-to-more romance, which I absolutely love! If you are like me and enjoy watching Charles Dickens movies every year, you'll be delighted with Sarah Eden's contribution to this wonderful collection.

Christmas at Cranfield by Ashtyn Newbold:

Siblings William and Hannah Somerton are invited to spend Christmastide with their childhood friend Samuel on his newly inherited estate. Both Hannah and Samuel carry a secret adoration for each other and hope this holiday season will spark a romance between them. However, circumstances conspire to keep them apart. Will their someday love story ever come to pass? I loved this friends-to-more trope by a favorite author of mine! Newbold pens heartfelt stories that tug at your emotions, and this was no exception. What a perfectly lovely novella!

A Thrill of Hope by Karen Thornell

A snowstorm forces Isabel Reid and Robert Collingham to spend Christmastide at her aunt’s estate. They haven’t seen each other since childhood, and it wasn’t with fond memories either. Sparks fly between the two, but most certainly not the romantic kind! Will their close proximity bring more strife, or perhaps a possibility for love? I didn’t care for this one as much because I had a hard time liking Isabel’s character. I felt she was much too abrasive, abrupt, aggravating, and childish at times. I didn’t see enough redemptive qualities for my taste, even in the end. All in all, I did enjoy getting to know her aunt and Robert, and all the Regency Christmas traditions played out in the pages.

Each one of these stories brought Christmas to life in all of its festive traditions of old, and through the eyes of the characters. If you’re looking for your next holiday read, might I suggest picking up Christmas Forevermore to enjoy?

I received a complimentary copy courtesy of Covenant Communications through Interviews & Reviews and NetGalley.

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