Christmas at Sugar Plum Manor by Roseanna M. White

Christmas at Sugar Plum Manor
by Roseanna M. White

ISBN-13: 9780764242922
Paperback: 208 pages
Publisher: Bethany House
Released: September 3, 2024

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
As the beloved stepdaughter of the Earl of Castleton, Lady Mariah Lyons cherishes her home at Plumford Manor, but her idyllic world will be threatened when the estate passes to Cyril Lightbourne, a childhood friend she hasn't seen or heard from in years. Once, Mariah dreamed their friendship would kindle into something more, but that was before she heard Cyril was courting the cruelhearted Lady Pearl. Now Mariah is willing to welcome him as a friend and pray he will be the heir her stepfather needs, but she'll keep her heart locked safely away from anyone with such poor taste.

Cyril Lightbourne has long avoided returning to Plumford Manor, yet he reluctantly arrives in time for Christmas. When his friendship with Lady Mariah reignites, he finds himself caught between his affection for her and her family's misunderstanding of his attachment to Lady Pearl. Then, more trouble arrives in the form of a Danish lord on a mission to win Mariah's hand by Christmas. Will the magic of the holiday season help lead to the discovery of true love, or will duty to country leave all longing for what could have been?


My Review:
Christmas at Sugar Plum Manor is a delightful, sweet romance set in 1902 in England. Mariah wants a husband who will appreciate her for who she is: Her sense of child-like fun. Her caring for the people of the village. But her sister is much pretty than her, and her current suitors both came very close to proposing to the beautiful but self-centered Lady Pearl. It's clear she'd only be their second choice, mainly desirable for her connections and as a way to get back at the other suitor. Cyril fully appreciates her sense of whimsy and caring, but how to prove it? The Danish lord isn't marrying for love and assumes she'll grow out of her silliness, but Mariah's sister encourages him to treat her as a person rather than a goal.

The characters were likable, complex, and acted realistically. Historical Christmas details were woven into the story. A moment happens when both men realize they've been acting badly and need to change their behavior. Everyone gets a happy ending, filled with fun and delight in the Christmas season. The focus of Christmas was the birth of Christ, and why He came was woven into the story. There was no sex or bad language. Overall, I'd highly recommend this enjoyable novella.


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.