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melmo2610's review
5.0
This is an utterly charming collection of Christmas stories by some of my all time favorite authors. Spanning multiple generations of a family with a broach handed down from mother to daughter made for some enjoyable stories and characters to meet along the way. Most of the stories have connections to the authors series, so to see the tie-ins there was completely fun. From England in the 1820's to present day Washington, there is a story for everyone and with the sweetness of Christmas thrown in to the mix, this collection is not to be missed!
I received this book from the author and publisher and was not required to post a positive review. All thoughts are my own.
I received this book from the author and publisher and was not required to post a positive review. All thoughts are my own.
michellef's review
5.0
The Christmas Heirloom is an anthology of four different Christmas stories (dating from 1820's Regency England to present day Washington State) and four different authors (Kristi Ann Hunter, Karen Witemeyer, Sarah Loudin Thomas and Becky Wade).
Each story involved an heirloom brooch that was passed down from generation to generation, thus the name Christmas Heirloom. I enjoyed reading this anthology as the Christmas season is quickly approaching and I was introduced to an author I didn't know.
I recommend this book to fans of anthologies. It would also make a great gift to readers on your Christmas list.
Disclaimer: I receive complimentary books from various sources, including, publishers, publicists, authors, and/or NetGalley. I am not required to write a positive review and have not received any compensation. The opinions shared here are my own entirely. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255
Each story involved an heirloom brooch that was passed down from generation to generation, thus the name Christmas Heirloom. I enjoyed reading this anthology as the Christmas season is quickly approaching and I was introduced to an author I didn't know.
I recommend this book to fans of anthologies. It would also make a great gift to readers on your Christmas list.
Disclaimer: I receive complimentary books from various sources, including, publishers, publicists, authors, and/or NetGalley. I am not required to write a positive review and have not received any compensation. The opinions shared here are my own entirely. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255
emmasbookdiary's review
medium-paced
4.0
I really enjoyed this Christmas novella collection! Gift of the Heart by Karen Witemeyer’s was definitely my favorite but I also really enjoyed Legacy of Love by Kristi Ann Hunter and Because of You by Becky Wade! Sadly I didn’t really enjoy A Shot at Love by Sarah Loudin Thomas. It wasn’t really my cup of tea. But I really enjoyed the rest of them! They’re sweet, cozy novellas that give you the Christmas feels and can be read in one sitting.❤️
readingwitherin's review
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
3.5
"If that's the treasure you seek, then quit thinking about how you don't measure up and start thinking about how you can him something that's beyond measure."
Legacy of Love by Kristi Ann Hunter This is where the passing down of the heirloom begins. While Sarah isn't used to the life she is currently living in, she does fit in well and makes the woman she is helping happy by speaking her mind and not holding anything back. It is also what helps this woman's grandson fall in love with her and realize it's time to start working on creating his own life instead of taking care of his family's businesses that he will never inherit or get any part of. This one was really sweet and I actually liked it after the first few chapters as it was a little slow in the beginning.
Gift of the Heart by Karen Witemeyer is the second novella and we see a young widower have to take out a loan in order to provide for herself and her daughter in a new town. This one ended up being my favorite of the four stories. I loved Ruth and her daughter as characters, and the male love interest I liked as well because he wasn't pushy and made sure that things were what Ruth wanted as well and he wasn't assuming anything.
A Shot at Love by Sarah Thomas This was the third novella and one that I just found okay. I wasn't blown away by this story I felt like it definitely needed more pages because of how many characters were involved and all the backstory that felt like it was missing to a certain extent. I did like that Fleeta was so good at shooting and was able to pursue her passion even though her family was struggling financially.
Because of you by Becky Wade This one actually ended up being my least favorite. Maddie was a character that I thought was okay.Maybe because it was two generations out from the last story, and the history was kind of lost by this point because of how the heirloom had been passed down. The love interest just seemed very rushed to a certain extent. This one just wasn't for me personally.
"Then I wouldn't worry too much. Lots of people go a long way looking for contentment without ever finding it."
Overall I did enjoy this novella family saga. All of the stories were nice and I loved how they all interconnected but were also still able to stand on their own and each woman was seen as an individual. I liked as well that the broach was either found around Christmas time or that was when it was passed down to the next generation. This was just a really nice Christmas romance series that did just the right amount of romance and allowed each woman to be an individual and have a say for a change. There was some instant love but each couple took their time with the romance as well and there was only one hasty marriage.
shammons's review against another edition
3.0
I only read one of the four novellas included in this compilation, in order to finish out the Bradford Sisters romance series by Becky Wade. I had already read the prequel about dad Garner and wanted to read this short one, set at Christmas, about Maddie (Britt's partner in the chocolate shop) and her friend Leo. Short and sweet and just what I needed :)
melissasbookshelf's review
4.0
I really enjoyed the four novellas contained in this Christmas Heirloom compilation. The story of a family brooch is told through four different time periods beginning in the Regency period and ending in modern times. In each story, the brooch plays a role in how the romances begin and a legend begins to surround the brooch as it is passed down from mother to daughter. This is one of the few compilations where each story is interesting and captures your attention. This is probably because each of the writers is extremely talented in their own right. I loved the continuity between the stories and how the brooch was incorporated into each one. I should mention that I listened to the audiobook version and enjoyed each of the narrators. Highly recommend!
helliott07's review
4.0
I especially favored the first two stories, as they both made me cry...happy tears. ☺️
bird_dwarf's review against another edition
3.0
[a:Kristi Ann Hunter|8635258|Kristi Ann Hunter|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1457373107p2/8635258.jpg]'s Legacy of Love: 2.9 stars
I usually love Kristi Ann Hunter's writing. This one I liked okay.
[a:Karen Witemeyer|3114906|Karen Witemeyer|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1478186513p2/3114906.jpg]'s Gift of the Heart: 3.2 stars
I enjoyed getting to know the characters in this one. I look forward to reading more from Witemeyer.
[a:Sarah Loudin Thomas|7334670|Sarah Loudin Thomas|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1575755658p2/7334670.jpg]'s A Shot at Love: 3.5 stars
This one surprised me by being my favorite of the collection! It's not an era I'm particularly interested in, but I'll definitely be looking for more from the author, regardless.
[a:Becky Wade|5298259|Becky Wade|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1477321766p2/5298259.jpg]'s Because of You: 1.3 stars
You know the writing advice, "show, don't tell"? That means rather than writing, She looked nervous, going with something more along the lines of, Her weight shifted from foot to foot, eyes darting about. It does not mean "give a detailed description of every single outfit, every hair style, the rooms the characters are in, and the food they eat." In addition to the overly detailed physical descriptions, I wasn't able to identify with the main character, Maddie. There were other things about the story that didn't work for me, too, but suffice it to say I'll likely never read another book by this author.
I usually love Kristi Ann Hunter's writing. This one I liked okay.
[a:Karen Witemeyer|3114906|Karen Witemeyer|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1478186513p2/3114906.jpg]'s Gift of the Heart: 3.2 stars
I enjoyed getting to know the characters in this one. I look forward to reading more from Witemeyer.
[a:Sarah Loudin Thomas|7334670|Sarah Loudin Thomas|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1575755658p2/7334670.jpg]'s A Shot at Love: 3.5 stars
This one surprised me by being my favorite of the collection! It's not an era I'm particularly interested in, but I'll definitely be looking for more from the author, regardless.
[a:Becky Wade|5298259|Becky Wade|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1477321766p2/5298259.jpg]'s Because of You: 1.3 stars
You know the writing advice, "show, don't tell"? That means rather than writing, She looked nervous, going with something more along the lines of, Her weight shifted from foot to foot, eyes darting about. It does not mean "give a detailed description of every single outfit, every hair style, the rooms the characters are in, and the food they eat." In addition to the overly detailed physical descriptions, I wasn't able to identify with the main character, Maddie. There were other things about the story that didn't work for me, too, but suffice it to say I'll likely never read another book by this author.
kgormley's review
5.0
Loved this collection of 4 short stories that were connected by an heirloom piece of jewelry that has been handed down throughout the ages.
wintermote's review
3.0
I loved the 2nd story (by KW) but I wasn’t as fond of the others. Really didn’t like the 3rd—but that may have more to do with my feelings toward guns. The first one started out quite well.