Mary Beckwith lives in a magnificent English castle during the twilight years of the gilded age. With the help of an American millionaire, she has succeeded in renovating her beloved Whitefriars castle into a splendid estate just in time for Christmas. From across the ocean, millionaire Everett Wooten has spent a fortune propping up Whitefriars to add modern conveniences and rebuild crumbling old … crumbling old walls. Even though he’s never met Mary, they have enjoyed a lively business correspondence over the nine years they have been working toward a renovation. Now he has finally come to see Mary and the castle in person, but nothing is as he was led to believe.
Mary and Everett try to find a way forward, but red-blooded American entrepreneurship doesn’t always mingle with blue-blooded English tradition. Can a Manhattan business tycoon and an English lady come to an accord, or will their joint venture in Whitefriars result in heartbreak for them both?
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“The rest of her life awaited, and she had no idea what it would look like but had faith that it would be good.”
With captivating characters and a beautifully written story, award winning author Elizabeth Camden delights readers in her newest historical fiction novella, Christmas at Whitefriars. This Christmas novella features the heroine Mary Beckwith, who is the sister of Colin Beckwith from Elizabeth Camden’s Empire State series. Readers will enjoy the cameo appearances of several beloved characters from the Empire State series as they visit Mary at Whitefriars castle in England, but it is not essential to the storyline of Christmas at Whitefriars to have read the Empire Series first. After reading Christmas at Whitefriars, readers who want to discover more about Mary’s in-laws will also enjoy the earlier books in the series.
Christmas at Whitefriars begins in Yorkshire, England in 1912 as Mary Beckwith has been overseeing renovations to the Whitefriars castle, which has been in her family for generations. With the financial contributions of American businessman Everett Wooten, Whitefriars has received funds for needed repairs over the years. However, when Everett finally visits the castle, he is shocked at the condition and insists that changes need to be made immediately, much to Mary’s dismay.
Elizabeth Camden creates realistic characters who deal with issues that many readers can relate to such as panic attacks, anxiety, and struggles with social interactions. From the desire to be brave and overcome her lifelong fears, Mary becomes stronger as she ultimately takes the courageous steps to achieve her dreams. As Mary and Everett experience the delicious taste and flavor of freshly baked gingerbread in Christmas at Whitefriars, readers will be inspired to bake their own gingerbread for the holiday season or even just as a treat to indulge in while reading this novella! Christmas at Whitefriars is highly recommended for fans of historical fiction with light romance and readers who enjoyed Elizabeth Camden’s Empire State series.
I received a complimentary copy of this novella from the author/publisher and was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine.
I thought Christmas at Whitefriars is one of the best novellas I have read. I have loved Ms. Camden’s novels but wasn’t certain if a shorter story would have an impact on me but boy was I wrong!
She managed to write a captivating story that was hard to put down.
Mary Beckwith is an endearing character, her panic attacks and anxiety are something I think we all have experienced at some point in our lives but hopefully not to the extent she did. I felt so bad for her, especially when she and her brother travel to York to meet Everett Wooten. Everett turned out to be much more likable than I originally anticipated and I liked how understanding he could be. Well, he was less understanding when he visits the crumbling castle that Mary is trying to renovate than he was at their first meeting but he is s wonderful character.
In this beautifully crafted story the author skillfully brought her characters to life, she made me care about them and most importantly I think she genuinely cared about them by making them seem so real to me. If you are already a fan of Ms. Camden, you will want to read this novella and if you haven’t read any of her books, this is the perfect book to start with.
I received a copy from the publisher. All opinions are completely my own.
“It can be frightening to step out into something new. I’ve been knocked down, but then comes the time to crawl back up onto your feet, start walking, then running, and don’t stop until you get where you need to be.”
Elizabeth Camden masterfully weaves history, especially the lesser known history, with beautifully crafted fiction in all of her books and this novella is another clear example of her superb storytelling that will draw you into the heart of 1912 Yorkshire, England. Fans of her writing will appreciate the return of characters from her Empire State series and continuation of food industry theme from her latest novel The Spice King.
Set in a crumbling castle and its estate in Whitefriars around Christmastime, the story depicts much beauty and awe of the surroundings and time period yet there is also fear as the American investor Everett comes to inspect the Whitefriars. Everett is a different kind of a hero, socially awkward and straight-laced and often too business-minded, but he falls hard for Mary. Mary, the caretaker of the estate, is sunshine and optimism but plagued by agorphobia. As Everett and Mary spend time with each other and Mary’s extended family, they surprise themselves with new discoveries and growth.
If you enjoy historical fiction, you will so enjoy this sweet novella, even if you haven’t read any of Elizabeth Camden’s previous books. I received a copy of the book from the author/publisher and was under no obligation to post a positive review. All comments and opinions are solely my own.
What a lovely return to Whitefriars! Visiting with familiar characters and wondering the grounds with new interest was a great treat this season.
ristmas at Whitefriars was such a delight!! It was just perfect to read during this Christmas Season! and I love the History and the Characters so much , It was such a feel good read . I am very much looking forward to reading more books from Elizabeth Camden! 🙂
Mary Beckwith lives in a beautiful historical castle, which is the namesake of the prestigious American preserves company, Whitefriars, whose label bears an image of her home.
Everett Wooten is a businessman, with a instinct for flavor who has worked hard to maintain the reputation of his family’s brand. He is intrigued by Mary, who is the affectionate caretaker of the real-life Whitefriars and a pile of walking contradictions, he admires her passion for life and love of people. Everett is a man of business, with big dreams, and a drive to get things done, but he is not without his own quirks.
I absolutely adored this delightful Christmas novella about Colin Beckwith’s (from A Dangerous Legacy) sister, Mary. It was so wonderful to go back and visit the Beckwiths and Drakes at Christmastime and get to know more about Mary and her life at Whitefriars. I loved how Everett and Mary brought out the best in each other, and get to show each other their very different worlds. Enjoyable from beginning to end, I was so happy to revisit many of my favorite characters!
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
Wonderful novella . This story could have easily been a novel. I so enjoyed the story I didn’t want it to end. Enjoyable characters.
3.5 stars
All of the “feels” of her ancestral home have pitted Mary Beckwith against an investor whose feelings seem to hover continually over his bottom line. When Everett Wooten makes an unexpected stop in England, determined to thwart Mary’s efforts to lease space in the newly rennovated portions of Whitefriars, her unexpected invitation to spend Christmas at the castle threaten to send both of their lives in an entirely new direction.
What common ground can they possbily find? Surely it cannot be as simple as paper bags and gingerbread.
What an enchanting visit with some of the author’s most beloved characters during the most wonderful time of the year; Christmas at Whitefriars.
Mary has been making good use of the funds provided by the deal her brother Colin made with the Wootens. Unfortunately she’s ignored mail from Everett and her brother reads it and discovers Everett isn’t happy and is talking about a suit against them. We see Colin, Lucy, Nick and Rosalind, along with getting to know Mary and Everett and her beloved castle Whitefriars. Beautiful story, most of which is spent at Whitefriars. Aside from our main characters we also meet some tenants at Whitefriars and they add a lot to the story, despite being minor characters. A great addition to the Empire State series and a fun way to catch up with those story’s main characters. The author brings the history of Whitefriars alive through Mary’s enthusiasm and makes this story hard to put down.
Christmas at Whitefriars is a nice addition to the Empire States series. We meet Mary Beckwith, the sister of Sir Colin Beckwith from A Dangerous Legacy. Mary has spent her whole life at Whitefriars, their ancestral home in rural England. She loves the history of the place and doesn’t want to leave, but to cope with the loneliness, she has allowed a trio of Greek brothers and a couple of potters to live rent free in a couple of the outbuildings. Her latest idea is to restore the tower of the castle to rent to wealthy guests. When Colin and his wife Lucy, along with Lucy’s brother Nick and wife Rosalind and their children visit for Christmas, Colin discovers that Everett Wooten, who made a deal with them to use the image of Whitefriars on his exclusive line of food products, claims they’ve broken the terms of the deal. His visit to Whitefriars starts off on shaky ground but he and Mary find the rapport they had developed through years of letters. This visit changes their lives and Mary finds God’s strength to do something she never believed she could. I enjoyed this Christmas novella. I received a copy of this book from the author. All thoughts are my own.
Christmas at Whitefriars was an absolutely wonderful novella that’s sure to delight fans of historical romance. With the shorter length, I was afraid I wouldn’t like this one as much as Camden’s previous books. But I had nothing to worry about. For a novella, there was a lot packed into it. It was a full and complete story that didn’t feel too short at all.
This is a companion novella to Camden’s Empire State series. Mary is the sister of Colin Beckwith from A Dangerous Legacy. I loved revisiting beloved characters. It stands alone perfectly fine, though, so no need to worry if you haven’t read that series. But I’m sure you’ll be clamoring to get your hands on them after finishing this one.
I liked Mary right off the bat and the more I got to know her, the more I admired her. Her anxiety and panic attacks were super relatable for me. I thought she handled things with such grace though. Now Everett, on the other hand, was a bit of a conundrum. Described by others as an oddball, stick-in-the-mud, and all about business, I was not expecting to like him as much as I did upon introduction. But my goodness, I did! He’s so serious and gruff at times, but there’s an endearing quality about him that’s hard to resist. And when more was revealed about him, I understood him a lot better and could even relate to him.
Christmas at Whitefriars is right up there with my other favorite Camden titles. I loved it so much. As soon as I finished it, I wanted to read it all over again. It was just that good. I can’t recommend it highly enough.
Christmas at Whitefriars is a delightful historical novella that is perfect for a Christmas reading spree. Although its length is short, the pages a packed with interesting and sometimes quirky characters, vivid descriptions of Whitefriars and its grounds, and a sweet romance that overcomes fear and social anxiety.
I loved both Mary and Everett and the manner that they encouraged and helped each other deal with their personal inadequacies. Despite its age and deterioration, Whitefriars had a wonderful history that deserved retelling and remembrance. I felt like I was also getting the grand tour of it as Mary showed Everett around and explained its history that she loved so much.
Christmas at Whitefriars is just the book companion for a cozy winter evening by the fire. Please don’t miss it!
I voluntarily reviewed a digital copy of this book provided by the author. A favorable review was not required. All views expressed are my own.
I loved this historical novella! A standalone spin-off from the series, An Empire State, that will leave you smiling long after you read it. Both characters Mari, and Everett are a bit eccentric, which makes them endearing and has you rooting for them to work things out and for her castle success. I enjoyed seeing previous characters pop in, especially Nick. Although Elizabeth Camden didn’t add the element of suspense she usually does, it’s because, and it has some measure of mystery as they try to locate a hidden vintage gingerbread recipe.
This novella set in the year 1912 in England during the Christmas season is a heart-touching story of loneliness, love, and hope. Since this is a novella length story, I was not expecting the main characters, Everett and Mary, to have such depth to them. I felt Mary’s loneliness as she lived practically alone in the aging castle; and Everett’s sad conviction that since his personality was different than most in his upper class society, he’d never have a wife or family of his own. These two were very different, yet so perfect for each other. Even though it’s a shorter length, this storyline felt complete and not rushed. I always enjoy Elizabeth Camden’s books, and this one was a pleasure to read.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher. All opinions are my own.
From the castle renovations (both those completed and those on the list) to the food to the wonderful characters, Christmas at Whitefriars is the perfect gift for fans of Elizabeth Camden.
Catch up with some fictional friends from Camden’s Empire State trilogy while spending time at the castle made famous from gourmet food labels.
Mary and Everett are opposites in so many ways but they quickly grow to appreciate them in each other. Kindhearted Mary loves her quiet country home and experiences severe anxiety when in the city. Manhattan dweller Everett is detail-oriented, focused on business, and a world traveler. Can love overcome the separation of their worlds?
Do yourself a favor and gift yourself this Christmas novella to cozy up with this holiday season.
Disclosure statement:
I receive complimentary books from publishers, publicists, and/or authors, including NetGalley. I am not required to write positive reviews. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.
Great historical novella! The characters were well developed and the setting was great. This book is a great read for the holiday season.
Disclosure statement:
I receive complimentary books for review from publishers, publicists,
and/or authors, including Netgalley. I am not required to write positive
reviews. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this
in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.
It is rare that an author has time to pen characters that have depth and personalities that change and grow in novellas, but Elizabeth Camden does a fantastic job of crafting two characters that have realistic flaws, amusing quirks, and relatable insecurities that create truly memorable individuals. Their love story is sweet as it grows and is challenged throughout the story. I loved the descriptions and historical tidbits of the grand English castle, the details drawing me into the majestic setting at a magical and festive time of year. The themes of faith, security, humility, and compromise are intertwined seamlessly. I really liked Mary and her passion for life even as she struggles with agoraphobia. Readers will also be delighted to meet with characters from Elizabeth Camden’s Empire State series, although this novella stands well on its own too. The story is captivating and I had a really hard time putting it down! I definitely recommend this novella, which is perfect for the holidays, but honestly could be enjoyed any time of the year!
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author. Opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.
Christmas at Whitefriars: A Novella
Elizabeth Camden
https://m.facebook.com/ElizabethCamden/
Release date 10/29/2019
Blurb :
Mary Beckwith lives in a magnificent English castle during the twilight years of the gilded age. With the help of an American millionaire, she has succeeded in renovating her beloved Whitefriars castle into a splendid estate just in time for Christmas.
From across the ocean, millionaire Everett Wooten has spent a fortune propping up Whitefriars to add modern conveniences and rebuild crumbling old walls. Even though he’s never met Mary, they have enjoyed a lively business correspondence over the nine years they have been working toward a renovation. Now he has finally come to see Mary and the castle in person, but nothing is as he was led to believe.
Mary and Everett try to find a way forward, but red-blooded American entrepreneurship doesn’t always mingle with blue-blooded English tradition. Can a Manhattan business tycoon and an English lady come to an accord, or will their joint venture in Whitefriars result in heartbreak for them both?
My review :
Can two persons have a common future when they live apart with an ocean separating them …
I discovered Mrs Elizabeth Camden’s work with her last release The Spice King, and I was hooked by her way with words and details.
With this Christmastide themed tale, I felt like I was visiting a place like Downtown Abbey, more on the impoverished side.
I loved the many descriptions of the property, its history and the many events the dwelling have seen unfold between its walls.
Mary is a kind lonesome soul, why she even more appreciate the end of the years when her family comes to visit her.
Her agoraphobia having impeded her from leaving her birthplace. Probably why she tries to recreated in her own way, a warm-hearted environment.
Everett is business-focused, his awkwardness in society preventing him to meddling in, why his father’s enterprise has become the center of his life.
Still he has his own secret garden, and for Mary, he will be ready to share it with her kin.
It was just so sweet to see them interact, they have both their own impediment to living a socially normal life but together they do not feel the discomfort they usually have.
Still their homes and working places are thousands of miles apart, so will the sentiments that arise during their short time together be enough for them to find a mean to give a chance to their relationship.
Mrs Camden has lovingly crafted a warm tale of love giving us the necessary strength to face our fear if it must be.
5 stars
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Short stories and novellas require a certain skill, as an author has very little space in which to balance weaving a good story with creating characters that quickly become captivating. Of course, being the fantastic author that she is, Elizabeth Camden is definitely up to the task! On the surface, creating a novella such as Christmas at Whitefriars might seem a simpler task, drawing as it does on the Empire State series. Amazingly, though, a reader could easily enjoy this novella without ever having touched the full series (although this approach would definitely whet the appetite, leaving readers wanting to know more about Colin, Lucy, Nick, and Rosalind). And that is the beauty of this novella. Fans of Elizabeth Camden will enjoy the cameos and the deeper look at Colin’s home and sister. Newcomers, meanwhile, will see just how readily Elizabeth Camden can weave a delightful story.
Without giving too much away, I will say that Christmas at Whitefriars combines character development, sweet romance, fascinating history (the key that drew me to Elizabeth Camden years ago!), and personal challenge. Both of the main characters have much to overcome, and neither is given to flighty relationships. Yet, overcoming is not as impossible as it might initially seem.
As the Christmas season approaches, this sweet novella is a great one for snatching little moments of relaxation, enjoying a glimpse of history, and appreciating that Christmas–even if it doesn’t go as expected–can bring unexpected surprises.
Set in England in 1912 and with a cast of colorful, realistic, and endearing characters, Christmas at Whitefriars is a charming story that delighted my historical romance loving heart. It’s rare to find a novella that doesn’t feel rushed, but Elizabeth Camden unfolds this story with perfect pacing and a satisfying and meaningful conclusion. The heroine, Mary Beckwith, loves Whitefriars Castle and is in her comfort zone there until Everett Wooten arrives with some questions, and problems arise. Camden isn’t afraid to inflict her characters with realistic issues like panic attacks and anxiety, while giving them faith and courage to overcome them. I enjoyed seeing Mary and Everett grow in their relationship and their individual strengths.
“It can be frightening to step out into something new. I’ve been knocked down, but then comes the time to crawl back up onto your feet, start walking, then running, and don’t stop until you get where you need to be.”
Although this novella features characters from the author’s Empire State series, it’s not necessary to have read the other books, as the novella stands on its own perfectly. Elizabeth Camden is a gifted writer and has quickly become a favorite of mine. I’m looking forward to reading more of her stories.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy from the author/publisher. All opinions are my own.