Review: Christmas at Sugar Plum Manor by Roseanna M. White

About the Book

The Nutcracker and Edwardian-Era England combine to weave a magical tale of love and friendship at Christmastime.

As the beloved stepdaughter of the Earl of Castleton, Lady Mariah Lyons cherishes her home at Plumford Manor, but her idyllic world will be threatened when the estate passes to Cyril Lightbourne, a childhood friend she hasn't seen or heard from in years. Once, Mariah dreamed their friendship would kindle into something more, but that was before she heard Cyril was courting the cruelhearted Lady Pearl. Now Mariah is willing to welcome him as a friend and pray he will be the heir her stepfather needs, but she'll keep her heart locked safely away from anyone with such poor taste.

Cyril Lightbourne has long avoided returning to Plumford Manor, yet he reluctantly arrives in time for Christmas. When his friendship with Lady Mariah reignites, he finds himself caught between his affection for her and her family's misunderstanding of his attachment to Lady Pearl. Then, more trouble arrives in the form of a Danish lord on a mission to win Mariah's hand by Christmas. Will the magic of the holiday season help lead to the discovery of true love, or will duty to country leave all longing for what could have been?

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MY THOUGHTS

This story was an absolute delight, brimming full of Christmas spirit. It swept me away to Edwardian England during Christmastime. I felt like I was right there in the midst of it all and I loved every minute of it.

Although Mariah and Cyril were childhood friends, time and distance separated them, making them feel almost like strangers when they met again. I loved watching them reconnect and get to know each other again. They were both so easy to like, and I was rooting for them.

Plumford Manor was a character all its own. It was such a beautiful place full of wonder and cheer.

There was a whimsy about this book that I absolutely adored. Not to say that it was all fun and games, but I appreciated the balance between the practical and the whimsy. I think as we get older, we can sometimes lose our sense of wonder, so I loved the reminder that there’s an important place for that too. It's no fun being serious all the time.

This book was full of an infectious joy, I couldn’t help but smile my way through it. It’s the perfect book to get you in the holiday spirit. Needless to say, I highly, highly recommend it.

I received a copy of this book and voluntarily reviewed it. All thoughts and comments are my honest opinion.

FIVE STARS