Who wouldn’t want to spend Christmas in a Wiltshire country home with family and friends?  Definitely not Richard Brockwell, the young gadabout writer who revels in his selfish habits,  while sponging off his mother and partaking in the comforts of the Brockwell family’s London townhouse. Even his editor friend, David Murray, now facing bankruptcy, thought it would be wonderful as Richard tells him how much he doesn’t want to go.

Despite Richard’s desire to stay in London, this time his mother insists he come home and has cut off his funds. Resigned to the boredom he knows he will face, Brockwell asks Murray to come with him as well as bringing Wally, a stray dog he unexpectedly took in from the rain and named for Sir Walter Scott. Arriving with his two unexpected guests, Richard seeks out his sister Justina to find out who else was invited. He is dismayed to find out that Penelope and Arabella Awdry and other family members will also be staying at his old family home, now his brother’s house. 

Yet, despite himself, Richard is shocked to discover when the guests arrive that the giggling and gangling Arabella has blossomed into a beautiful and intelligent woman who wants little to do with him.  How can he get on the sunny side of this lovely,  but thorny Christmas rose?

My verdict on Julie Klassen’s AN IVY HILL CHRISTMAS. . . Loved it, loved it, loved it!   It is truly a shining star of a Christmas romance! AN IVY HILL CHRISTMAS is a delightful read that sweeps the reader away to life in 1822 Wiltshire while linking in themes of love, hope, honesty, and forgiveness in addition to the wonderful Christmas spirit of sharing and peace.

Klassen is well known for being an inspiring Regency Romance writer. In addition to her liking for all things Jane, Klassen slips in some wonderful Austin linkages that fans are sure to pick up on. While AN IVY HILL CHRISTMAS is the first novel I have read in the Ivy Hill series, I can attest both to the fact that it works very well as a standalone novella and that it will not be my last book of hers to read.  I am so looking forward to reading the earlier books in the series and more in the future.

Klassen is a wonderful storyteller and her characters quickly spring to life and are authentic to their various roles and life circumstances.  I particularly liked how Klassen slowly let cracks surface and open in the armour that Brockwell has let harden over his heart, starting from when he first saw the dog woefully looking at him through the glass and reminding him of early memories he had of looking in at the comfort and joy experienced by others. What else can change his hardened heart so he can find joy at Christmas?

Another of Klassen’s strengths is her ability to demonstrate how the slings and arrows of thoughtless jokes or inconsideration to others affect the lives and feelings of others. This is beautifully illustrated in the treatment of Penelope and young Jamie. As Brockwell hears about the problems other experience, it gradually gives him better insights into what really matters,  While this is particularly appropriate for the season of Advent and Christmas, Klassen’s handling of his situations is done so lightly that it does not come across as moralistic or forced.

AN IVY HILL CHRISTMAS is sure to win hearts and easily can become a Christmas classic. This wonderful story of finding Christmas love truly can also be read any time of the year to remind us of the values that are important to building and maintaining relationships. Buy a copy for a friend and one to keep for yourself. AN IVY HILL CHRISTMAS is truly an appetizing seasonal treat to savour and read again!