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Monday, December 18, 2023

A Bramble House Christmas (2015) by C.J. Carmichael #ALiteraryChristmas




πŸŽ„ Willa Fairchild, accompanied by her son Scout, arrived for Christmas holiday at Bramble House B&B in Marietta, Montana, followed by Finn Knightly at the same time. Willa's intention is to have a Christmas holiday, which, somehow, is important for Scout. Finn, however, are following Willa there for, as yet, an obscured purpose.

πŸŽ„ That's how this novella starts, with a snowy village, a cozy inn with lovely people, enshrouded with thin mysteries. Only gradually that the mysteries are unfolding. We came to know that Finn, a children book's illustrator, wants to know why his deceased father had left fifty thousand pounds to the nurse (Willa) who treated him during final illness. The reason behind Willa's over-protectiveness towards Scout soon becomes clear too.

πŸŽ„ Then there's also the mystery around the sapphire ring Finn's father had gifted Willa. The Brambles family - owner of the B&B - recognize the ring as an heirloom. Are there more than one ring, then? And how did Finn's father own the ring in the first place?

πŸŽ„ Amidst all these mysteries, one thing is sure. Finn and Willa are attracted to each other. Willa eventually opens up about her fuss over Scout all the time. But Finn still hasn't confessed that he is the son of her ex-patient, and that Finn isn't his real name. How would Willa react about his true purpose of getting to know her in the first place? That he had thought her a scheming ambitious woman?

πŸŽ„ This seemingly short, light, soppy Christmassy romance, turned out to have more depth than you would've expected - personal struggles in facing illness and death is one, and family secrets is another. All is encased with Christmas and winter cheerfulness - skating, skiing, tobogganing, hot cocoa, snowman's building, gifts, scrumptious Christmas dinner - just all you could imagine of a wonderful Christmas. And of course, there's love, forgiveness, and hopeful future - the essence of Christmas.

πŸŽ„ If it sounds like a perfect Christmas read, well.... it is!

Rating: πŸŽ„πŸŽ„πŸŽ„πŸŽ„1/2

5 comments:

  1. Sounds like this one ticked all your boxes :-)

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    1. It kind of is, Brona. I need feel-good novels so badly these crazy last days of the year!

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  2. It does sound like the perfect Christmas read. :D

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    1. I'm glad I've found it right in time for Christmas! ;)

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  3. Sounds very warm and lovely, perfect for the season!

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