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momwithareadingproblem's review
5.0
I received a copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of this review.
What's not to love about a sweet story during the Christmas season?! Stacy Henrie's A Christmas Hope follows the evolving relationship between Maria Schmitt and Dale Emerson. Maria is a character that I fell in love with during Hope at Dawn. She was hopelessly in love, or I guess infatuated with, Friedrick and is heartbroken when he chooses Livy over her. But the willful girl leaves her hometown and remakes herself. She finds a job at a bank and puts her heart and soul into it. You have to admire her! She is strong-willed, full of faith, but guards her heart and why wouldn't she?!
Dale has just returned from the war (WWI), injured and insecure. He lost an eye which means he can no longer be the surgeon he trained to be. He broke off his engagement with a girl that had been his since college. Though thankful for his life, he mourns the life he dreamed of having. Is he bitter? No, not really. Is he unhappy? Yes. He takes his uncle's offer of managing the bank so he can retire. Although he is good at it, it feels stifling to him. With Maria's help though, he begins to accept the hand fate dealt him.
What I love about this story is that Dale and Maria do not instantly like each other. It's a slow, creeping up on them type of love and it's utterly heart-warming! I loved reading the progression of their relationship. Their own insecurities hinder them, but each makes the other a better version of themselves. And isn't that what a spouse/significant other is supposed to do? Make you the best you? Their relationship starts simply when Maria offers to help Dale in his new role at the bank. It's professional, but evolves to friendship. You know the kind of friendship that you feel comfortable being with him/her, the kind that when the day is over you're already planning your next excursion.
The emotions that come through tied with the historical setting are beautifully written. The characters come alive as does the scene of a Northern Christmas where electric lights on the tree is new and something to still wonder at. I lost myself in this short novella and really didn't want it to end! The story was romantic with a hint of Christmas magic and like Hope at Dawn some Christian influence as well. Even though this is a part of a series, it can be read as a stand-alone novel without any interference with the plot. If you are looking for a good, faith-based, historical romance for your quick weekend read or maybe just something for the holidays, I highly suggest you check this one out. It is not to be missed!
What's not to love about a sweet story during the Christmas season?! Stacy Henrie's A Christmas Hope follows the evolving relationship between Maria Schmitt and Dale Emerson. Maria is a character that I fell in love with during Hope at Dawn. She was hopelessly in love, or I guess infatuated with, Friedrick and is heartbroken when he chooses Livy over her. But the willful girl leaves her hometown and remakes herself. She finds a job at a bank and puts her heart and soul into it. You have to admire her! She is strong-willed, full of faith, but guards her heart and why wouldn't she?!
Dale has just returned from the war (WWI), injured and insecure. He lost an eye which means he can no longer be the surgeon he trained to be. He broke off his engagement with a girl that had been his since college. Though thankful for his life, he mourns the life he dreamed of having. Is he bitter? No, not really. Is he unhappy? Yes. He takes his uncle's offer of managing the bank so he can retire. Although he is good at it, it feels stifling to him. With Maria's help though, he begins to accept the hand fate dealt him.
What I love about this story is that Dale and Maria do not instantly like each other. It's a slow, creeping up on them type of love and it's utterly heart-warming! I loved reading the progression of their relationship. Their own insecurities hinder them, but each makes the other a better version of themselves. And isn't that what a spouse/significant other is supposed to do? Make you the best you? Their relationship starts simply when Maria offers to help Dale in his new role at the bank. It's professional, but evolves to friendship. You know the kind of friendship that you feel comfortable being with him/her, the kind that when the day is over you're already planning your next excursion.
The emotions that come through tied with the historical setting are beautifully written. The characters come alive as does the scene of a Northern Christmas where electric lights on the tree is new and something to still wonder at. I lost myself in this short novella and really didn't want it to end! The story was romantic with a hint of Christmas magic and like Hope at Dawn some Christian influence as well. Even though this is a part of a series, it can be read as a stand-alone novel without any interference with the plot. If you are looking for a good, faith-based, historical romance for your quick weekend read or maybe just something for the holidays, I highly suggest you check this one out. It is not to be missed!
ghumpherys's review
5.0
A sweet Christmas novella about two people who need a little hope and a second chance. Loved the historical setting!
jbenando's review
4.0
Very sweet romance. This little novella packs a lot of innocent romance that shows how a bit of hope can go a long way.
I received this ARC for an honest review.
I received this ARC for an honest review.
tearainread's review
4.0
What a great story! Slow burn romance (especially for a novella under 100 pages) between two wonderful characters. Maria Schmitt was a side character in the first book, but you don't have to read that book to enjoy this story. Dale Emerson was wounded on the front lines in France and lost his job due to his injury. The meet cute happens one week after the Armistice, but many of Dale's colleagues are still in France tending to the wounded. He is in Sioux City, IA to take over the running of the bank from his uncle. Maria is a dedicated bank teller, which was a rarity in November 1918 (and yay! she was also a suffragette and Dale was a supporter of the women's vote). Dale is able to do the job of bank manager, but his heart is in medicine and he finds a new way of getting back into healthcare. The big reveal shows that Maria loves Dale enough to let him go and follow his heart, and shows that Dale is seriously committed to making Maria his wife. Just a really satisfying romance in 91 pages.
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