Review: A Christmas Love Redeemed (novella)

Title: A Christmas Love Redeemed (novella)

Author: Alison Stuart

Publisher: 15th November 2021 by Escape Publishing

Pages: 67 pages

How I Read It: ARC book

Genre: Christmas, regency, romance

My Rating: 5 cups

Synopsis:

Once, on Christmas Day, she sacrificed her heart to save his life. Now, after nine years, will a single glance spark the fire of redemption?

February 1816

Fabien, Comte de Mont Clair, once a highly decorated officer of the exiled Napoleon, cuts a dashing swathe through a London society ball, his eyes only for the glittering ladies of the ton. His heart jolts at the sight of a woman sitting in a shadowed corner. Not just any woman, but one he would have once given the world for.

For Hannah, Lady Maxwell, catering to the spoiled darlings of the ton as a humble chaperone is nothing compared to the pain she suffered at the hands of her late husband. Alone and impoverished, she is a person of no consequence but once, a long time ago, she sacrificed her world for the dashing Comte de Mont Clair. Now all she can do is hope that he may glance her way ...

Revised and updated. Previously published as Nine Years 'Til Christmas in the 12 Rogues of Christmas anthology (see also A Person of No Consequence)

My Thoughts

I am such a fan of Alison’s work and have reviewed her writing before (HERE).  To kick off this Christmas season (Yes! A bit early I know) I thought a short novella by her might be the go! Gosh was I right … she sure packs a punch into this little tale!

‘Was it possible that a shred of the old Hannah Linton still remained? Would the grand Comte de Mont Clair still recognise the girl who nearly gave her life to save him?’

This is such a fantastic novella (something I am never a fan of if we are being honest here) with touches of Jane Austen’s, Persuasion, to it. Two Christmas’, nine years apart, with much going on. There are shipwrecks and concealing the enemy, to park promenading and Christmas Eve balls. Will the stars finally align for these two? Well it was one intense journey to arrive at that final destination - a ride well worth your time.

‘I beg to differ, chere madame. Everyone is of consequence, however great or small.’

Short, sweet and highly entertaining. I seriously consider that Alison could easily have constructed an entire novel around these two as there was just so much more that I wanted to read about. Therefore I am happy to report that Alison has swayed me over with this winning novella. 

This review is based on a complimentary copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. The quoted material may have changed in the final release.