I've been daydreaming of diving into the cover of Christmas at Sugar Plum Manor since I first saw the cover reveal of Rosanna M. White's gorgeous new standalone novel. When I found out I was on the launch team I was absolutely ecstatic.
With Christmas around the corner at Plumford Manor, Lady Mariah Lyons, stepdaughter of the Earl of Castleton can barely contain her excitement and joy for Christmas. I loved Mariah's eagerness for this holiday season, her bliss over sugar plums, and the happiness she receives from serving others particularly children. Her creative, fanciful imagination was infectious and delightful. I appreciated that her family accepted her whimsical personality and didn't try to change her.
Mariah is at a crossroads in her life. She's trying to decide whether to leave what society considers as "childish" imaginations and becoming more of what the culture during the Gilded Age era expected of her.
Childhood friend and heir to Plumford Manor, Cyril Lightbourne arrives prior to the Christmas festivities and finds his friendship with Mariah rekindled. What I loved about Cyril and Mariah's relationship is their reminiscing over childhood memories, but also, he sees her for the jewel she is. Who doesn't want to be seen and admired for who they are rather than be molded into what people deem acceptable?
Christmas at Sugar Plum Manor is an Edwardian retelling of The Nutcracker. If you LOVE reading Christmas stories early you need to add this to your TBR pile. It's an enchanting and romantic read coupled with the theme of this story which is striving to bring joy to whomever the Lord puts in our path, and it was beautifully illustrated in heroine Mariah. You can't help but be drawn to her because of the delight she radiates.
I found myself smiling a lot while reading Christmas at Sugar Plum Manor and finished it in a matter of days. And I wanted to live the world Roseanna M. White created. It's on my "keep" and "re-read" shelf and not to be missed.
~~Christmas at Sugar Plum Manor was provided to me by the author and publisher in return for my honest review. I was not required to write a positive review. All viewpoints expressed are my own. ~
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