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Review: A Very English Christmas

A Very English Christmas book cover on blue background

I think I've found my favourite Christmas book of the season so far, as it's one that points to the true meaning of Christmas in the most sublime way.

A Very English Christmas by Carrie Turansky, Marguerite Gray, and Carole Lehr Johnson is one of the #ClearlyChristianReadathon buddy reads happening this month, and I'm beyond thankful for the opportunity to enjoy such a wonderful book that eschews the trappings of the season for what matters most in awaiting the birth of the Saviour.

Book Synopsis

Celebrate the season with three timeless tales inspired by Jane Austen, Charles Dickens, and Beatrix Potter.

When Emma Grace Langley retreats to her grandmother’s antique shop in the snowy Cotswolds after heartbreak and job loss, she hopes to find clarity. Instead, she finds a collection of heirlooms—a portrait, a rare book, and a charming figurine—that unlock stories from the past. As each tale unfolds, Emma is drawn into the lives of three remarkable women whose lives were touched by England’s greatest storytellers.

In A Portrait of Faith, devoted daughter, Violet Walford, longs for a life beyond duty to her family. When she is asked to paint insightful Regency-era author, Jane Austen, their unexpected friendship inspires Violet to pursue life and love with new courage.

In A Victorian Christmas Tale, Clara Reynolds struggles against physical challenges and family expectations while falling in love with John, a writer with ties to Charles Dickens. Their work at the London Foundling Hospital brings healing, hope, and a Christmas transformation that would make Scrooge proud.

And in A Tale of the Season, Edwardian heiress Arabella Graham escapes to the Lake District and meets a charming country veterinarian—and author and illustrator Beatrix Potter. With gentle wisdom and the peace of a country Christmas, Arabella discovers the joy of finding her own path.

Blending romance, inspiration, and literary nostalgia, A Very English Christmas is the perfect holiday escape for fans of historical fiction and classic English authors.

Source: Amazon

Book Thoughts

Oh, how I love this collection of Christmas novellas all connected to British literary figures! The story that weaves them together is charming and a fitting way to draw different eras into the same reading experience. This is a book that I cannot wait to add to my bookshelves based on how well it transports readers into the Christmas spirit. After encountering the stories of vibrant and faithful women such as Violet, Clara, Arabella, and Emma, it is no wonder that their characters live on in my mind. I am absolutely captivated by their resilience and steadfastness in the face of difficulty, and humbled by how they surrender their lives to Christ.

With each novella being rich in prayer and meditation on the Bible, this book is a special way to usher in the Advent season, by way of storytelling. The themes of honouring others and trusting in God are in abundance and carefully crafted to demonstrate how important it is that we wait on His will instead of rushing forward imprudently with our own plans. Anyone with a love of English literature and Christmas romances will be utterly enchanted by the stories of devoted Christian women spanning the Regency, Victorian, Edwardian, and modern ages in A Very English Christmas.

Book Summary

  • Format of book: 📱
  • Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
  • Recommendation: 👍
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