A Hopeful Christmas by Anneka Walker, Sian Ann Bessey, Carla Kelly, Krista Lynn Jensen

A Hopeful Christmas by Anneka Walker, Sian Ann Bessey, Carla Kelly, Krista Lynn Jensen ISBN-13: 9781524413620 Paperback: 374 pages Publisher: Covenant Communications Released: October 1, 2020

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
Kindle the spirit of the season as four of your favorite storytellers weave tales of love and hope in this charming yuletide collection.

LORD BLAKELY’S GIFT
When Miss Ivy Hunt and Lord Curtis Blakely establish a secret acquaintance, neither can deny that their feelings extend beyond friendship. But as the children of feuding parents, it will take a Christmas miracle for this star-crossed pair to reach their happily ever after.

A SEASON OF HOPE
Following the death of her father, Amelia knows Christmas will be lean. But when circumstances become dire, it is the unexpected arrival of a childhood friend that renews Amelia’s hope—both for the future and for love.

CHRISTMAS BY THE SEA
After two years at sea with the Royal Navy, surgeon Will Crenshaw longs for a quiet Christmas with his family. When the unexpected meddling of his siblings threatens to ruin the holidays, a mysterious house sitter decides to reward the kindness that they have shown to others.

EXPECTATIONS AT CANTERWOOD
Marina Rowley is a spinster, Richard Stanhope a war-weary military man. Both have battle scars from their past, but the unexpected stirrings of their hearts lead to an unforgettable holiday romance.


My Review:
A Hopeful Christmas is a collection of four short romance stories set in the Regency Period. The first story had two new acquaintances meeting, spending time together in a charitable cause, and finding a way to bring forgiveness between the two, feuding families. The second story had a good childhood friend return from abroad just in time to help the heroine and start healing his relationship with his father. The third story had a married man returning home after a long time in the Navy during war and doing his best to set things right after his meddling siblings try to thwart his wife's dreams of a new, larger home. The fourth story had a heroine who felt pressured to marry yet was repeatedly rejected due to her spectacles and low self-esteem, but the hero saw her beauty and trustworthiness.

These were all sweet romances with engaging characters. Despite being short stories, they all had either past friendship or time spent together to build the romance. The couples built each other up and supported each other. Some historical details, like the war in France, were worked into the stories. There was no sex or bad language. Overall, I'd recommend this enjoyable short story collection.


If you've read this book, what do you think about it? I'd be honored if you wrote your own opinion of the book in the comments.