Miss Eliza Cline, a vicar’s sister, has accepted her life as a quiet industrious spinster.Lord Crestwood, the dashing widowed baron, is the rogue from her past.A chance meeting at a Christmas House party presents a second chance for both of them. But Eliza must decide: has the Baron’s unforgivable sin already doomed their love forever?This is a story about forgiveness.Over the course of a … lifetime, a person is faced with millions of choices, some more difficult than others. And sometimes, we make the wrong ones.In a world filled with hard consequences, we need grace.
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Annabelle Anders is quickly becoming my “go to” author. She has a talent for delving into her character’s psyche and drawing out a depth that doesn’t exist in other Regency romances. The Perfect Christmas has a powerful message of failure, forgiveness, and redemption. I really enjoyed the heroine Miss Eliza Cline. I thought her reaction to her circumstances was believable and relatable. In the face of adversity, her character rises up and shows kindness. The overall message of this story: We don’t have to be defined by our failures; we can define ourselves by showing grace.5 stars
The Perfect Christmas, by Annabelle Anders. What an absolutely wonderful romantic holiday love story this book was. I loved everything about it. The romance. The magic of Christmas in the air.
Family and friends together, enjoying the merrymaking was sweet. From beginning to end, Anna focused on the romance between Eliza and Henry. It was sweet and it was beautiful. Almost like Star Cross lovers it was.
I was rooting for these two after each chapter. I found the book easy to read. It was a joy to read. The story was easy to follow. The story didn’t seemed to be drawn out.
Each detail of the story played a part to Eliza and Henry’s love story. I recommend this sweet romantic holiday read. Until next my fellow readers… read on.
A second chance is what this story is all about and how wonderful for it to happen at Christmas time. Eliza and Henry haven’t seen each other in 12 years and when circumstances place them at the same holiday party, forgiveness for what happened in the past is at the forefront. Henry is completely ashamed at what he had done to Eliza all these years ago and she has every reason to hate him but once she learns the reason behind his duplicity, her forgiving heart gives him a second chance. I thoroughly enjoyed every page of this story and I loved seeing characters from the previous books as well. Annabelle Anders always writes from the heart and it shows in every one of her stories.
The added prologue and the bonus material to this story just makes it even better!!
I was given an ARC of this book and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
As usual another great read by Ms Anders. A story of second chances after bad circumstances makes life hard. Both characters were going through difficult times and find some peace with each other but then life pulls takes them on different difficult paths that eventually lead them back to each other. Ms Anders likes to explore and handle difficult situations in her books, which makes them a wonderful read. This one is no different and makes for a very nice little Christmas read. I received this book as an ARC and was very happy to do a review.
Absolutely loved the added parts to this story. I first read it as part of an anthology and it was great them, but even better with the story expanded. I love second chance romances and this one is really and truly second chance. Henry and Eliza meet when she is just shy of getting married to another man. Eliza is working at an inn owned by her fiancé’s family and Henry is a guest. They become friends but then more. Fast forward 12 years and they meet again. It’s a complicated story and it’s handled perfectly by the author.
We first met Eliza in the Not So Saintly Sisters Series, she worked so hard for her brother Thomas’ parish & had been invited to a house party by her best friend Olivia Countess of Kingsley. On the way there she meets Henry Fairchild Baron Crestwood & his two children who are also going to the house party. An old scandal and betrayal is revisited. Strong characters & an emotional story of learning to forgive, to understand & move on – I just loved it & read it in two sittings
Originally published in the Yuletide Happily Ever After II: Christmas Collection but it has been expanded.
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read
I love second chances at love & especially when they appear at Christmas time – this book gave me both of these.
Miss Eliza Cline is sister to a vicar & a 31 yr. old spinster. She heart was broken 12 yrs. ago by a man that flirted, was kind & then took her innocence & left her without a word. Henry Fairchild, Baron Crestwood was guilty of a terrible act over 10 yrs. prior when he found himself enamored with a young, beautiful serving girl. He had felt the guilt but never apologized & even left her without an explanation.
Now they have both met on their separate ways to a house party, Eliza’s best friend & Henry’s cousin is hosting the event. When they meet, the sparks are still there but how can he possibly explain the circumstances back then & expect her to forgive him & how can Eliza possible get over all the hurt she has suffered in the last 12 years.
Ms. Anders has you feeling all the hurt, mistakes, lies & scandal but in the end you are filled with joy because of the forgiveness & love Eliza & Henry had for one another. A wonderful Christmas story that will make you smile!
Eliza meets Henry as he is passing through her town and they have a passionate moment and he disappears afterward leaving Eliza devastated. Years later they are thrown together at a house party where she realizes he was married. He has suffered extreme guilt for hurting her. Even though his wife had a loss of her faculties he knows he was wrong. Eliza should hate him. But as they clear the air, forgiveness will come and maybe circumstances will make things right. I received a complimentary copy and I am voluntarily reviewing.
Starring Miss Eliza Cline and Henry Fairchild, Baron Crestwood.
I first read this novella as part of the YULETIDE EVER AFTER II and I loved it. So I was curious to see what Annabelle Anders would add to this story. The prologue was a nice touch… it gave us a little more insight on Eliza and Henry’s history. There are a few more changes that adds to the story. I found myself forgiving Henry quicker this time around.
Eliza was hurt very badly by Henry’s actions 12 years ago. Due to unfortunate circumstances, Henry behaved in a way that was dishonorable. “I was numb. When I met you, I wanted to be someone else.” “We cannot change the past. We can only paint our futures.” Gaaah… straight to the heart quotes. Annabelle Anders’s stories are real and raw. This is not a trope that I would normally choose, but Annabelle pulls me in, makes it all work out, and then I’m loving every minute I’m in her story. This is a wonderful novella about forgiveness and love. Totally enjoyed it.
I first read this novella as part of the YULETIDE EVER AFTER II. I received a complimentary copy of this extended release. I voluntarily review it and the comments are 100% my own.
My star system:
4 stars: Book was great… loved the characters… will definitely be re-reading this story… but didn’t make me cry.
I love love this book and series! I’m was excited to see the book for Eliza and Henry come out! I totally recommend it! If you haven’t read the others in the book I would totally recommend picking them up! Another great book by Annabelle Anders!
It was so good to read a story about Eliza Cline getting her second chance at love. The ruined sister of the vicar that took care of Mr. Smith’s children along with Olivia in The Perfect Spinster. Her well-worn drab clothing, severe coiffure, and spectacles make her seem older and almost invisible to others when she is really quite lovely.
Baron Crestwood, Henry Fairchild, is the man who ruined her 12 years ago. They meet again at an Inn on the way to Olivia’s house party. When reading the scene where Eliza hears his voice, my heart literally ached for her. The fact that she is seeing him again and wondering if he would even remember her was so heart wrenching. And then you find out why Henry had to ruin her. It doesn’t make what he did right, but it is just sad that they both had to live through such horrible things when they had such a happy relationship before it all went wrong.
This is another wonderful story by Annabelle Anders where I felt the main character’s pain but also the pure bliss of their happiness. I was given an ARC of this book and chose to post a review.