What do you think?
Rate this book
The Twelve Days of Christmas
The air glitters with hope as the snowy village of Merrywake celebrates the Christmas season after the tumult of the Napoleonic Wars.
As the Viscount’s famous Twelfth Night Ball draws closer, many of the villagers have a story to tell – we meet a lovelorn vicar and kindly maid reunited after a misunderstanding, three sisters vying for the hand of a dastardly duke, two servants hiding a dangerous secret and a solider making his way home, unsure of the welcome he might receive. As their tales braid together, we see life and love in the village from belowstairs to high society.
Reimagining each of the traditional carol's gifts, and written in tribute to Jane Austen and Georgette Heyer, The Twelve Days of Christmas is a collection of festive tales filled with seasonal cheer and heart-warming characters. Will the challenges and mysteries that the Viscount’s guests encounter be resolved by the night of the ball?
Readers love
'So addictive... the perfect mix of historical fiction, mystery, fantasy and romance'
'Wonderfully atmospheric'
'A beautifully written piece of historical fiction'
'Crackles with danger and mystery... a joy to read'
'An utterly magical book full of secrets, love and hope'
'Beautifully written, gripping and evocative'
As the Viscount’s famous Twelfth Night Ball draws closer, many of the villagers have a story to tell – we meet a lovelorn vicar and kindly maid reunited after a misunderstanding, three sisters vying for the hand of a dastardly duke, two servants hiding a dangerous secret and a solider making his way home, unsure of the welcome he might receive. As their tales braid together, we see life and love in the village from belowstairs to high society.
Reimagining each of the traditional carol's gifts, and written in tribute to Jane Austen and Georgette Heyer, The Twelve Days of Christmas is a collection of festive tales filled with seasonal cheer and heart-warming characters. Will the challenges and mysteries that the Viscount’s guests encounter be resolved by the night of the ball?
Readers love
'So addictive... the perfect mix of historical fiction, mystery, fantasy and romance'
'Wonderfully atmospheric'
'A beautifully written piece of historical fiction'
'Crackles with danger and mystery... a joy to read'
'An utterly magical book full of secrets, love and hope'
'Beautifully written, gripping and evocative'
256 pages, Hardcover
First published September 25, 2025
58 people are currently reading
990 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 97 reviews
January 3, 2026
A wonderful read.
December 7, 2025
**3,75/5**
🎄Christmas setting
❄️Regency era
🎄Downton Abbey coded
❄️interwoven short-stories
🎄multiple pov
What I liked:
- It reminds me a lot of Downton Abbey! You follow different characters and their relationships, catching glimpses of their lives and everyday dramas during Christmastime.
- Although it’s a cozy Christmas book, the author includes social issues of that era, from forbidden homosexuality to women’s independence and even slavery. These themes are incorporated well into the story without feeling unrealistically modern for the time period.
What I didn’t like:
- It’s very low stakes, a bit too much for me. A little bit of a (Christmassy) mystery would have made it more interesting to follow.
Writing style: 4/5
Characters: 4/5
Worldbuilding: 4/5
Story & Plot: 3/5
Vibes: 4/5
Will I buy a physical copy: already did
Will I read more books by the author: yes
Where would I place it on my bookshelf: in the short-story section
🎄Christmas setting
❄️Regency era
🎄Downton Abbey coded
❄️interwoven short-stories
🎄multiple pov
What I liked:
- It reminds me a lot of Downton Abbey! You follow different characters and their relationships, catching glimpses of their lives and everyday dramas during Christmastime.
- Although it’s a cozy Christmas book, the author includes social issues of that era, from forbidden homosexuality to women’s independence and even slavery. These themes are incorporated well into the story without feeling unrealistically modern for the time period.
What I didn’t like:
- It’s very low stakes, a bit too much for me. A little bit of a (Christmassy) mystery would have made it more interesting to follow.
Writing style: 4/5
Characters: 4/5
Worldbuilding: 4/5
Story & Plot: 3/5
Vibes: 4/5
Will I buy a physical copy: already did
Will I read more books by the author: yes
Where would I place it on my bookshelf: in the short-story section
December 31, 2025
I thoroughly enjoyed this. It rapidly joined the ranks of my favourite Christmas books.
A must-read for fans of Austen, Bridgerton and Downton Abbey. I'm keeping everything crossed it will be made into a Christmas mini-series ASAP!
A must-read for fans of Austen, Bridgerton and Downton Abbey. I'm keeping everything crossed it will be made into a Christmas mini-series ASAP!
September 8, 2025
Dearest reader, grab a drink of your favourite tea or tipple, cover yourself with a warm blanket, and get lost within a collection of tales that shall have you feeling as though you’re part of this rich tapestry….
The air glitters with hope as the snowy and sleepy village of Merrywake celebrates the majesty and wonder of the magical Christmas season in the wake of the tumultuous Napoleonic Wars.
As the Viscount’s famous and much-discussed Twelfth Night Ball draws ever closer, the villagers have a story of their own to tell and all are worthy of a keen ear or eye as we go on a journey from a lovelorn vicar and kindly maid who are reunited after many, many years of a misunderstanding finally may come to a conclusion, a duke who has caught the attention of three sisters all determined to secure his hand, two servants that perhaps have much more in common than the other could ever hope to be reciprocated (But there still may be time to), and a soldier making his way home, rather unsure and full of reservations as to the welcome he will receive, and a toy maker trapped in the past who could finally move on with the help of a curious little girl desperate for a toy soldier of her own.
As their tales weave into the tapestry we know as life, pulling each other closer as one tale ends and another starts, stories told from belowstairs and those above, one thing is clear; we all deserve our own moments - no matter how small - to shine, and to feel deserving of another’s love and affection.
Reimagining each of the traditional carol’s gifts, this is a perfect homage to the tales of yore while staying fresh and showcasing the authors true love of storytelling and her adoration for the classics!
Set to be a must-have book this season! I look forward to picking up a stunning hardback!
Thank you both to Susan and the publisher for trusting me with someone so special!
The air glitters with hope as the snowy and sleepy village of Merrywake celebrates the majesty and wonder of the magical Christmas season in the wake of the tumultuous Napoleonic Wars.
As the Viscount’s famous and much-discussed Twelfth Night Ball draws ever closer, the villagers have a story of their own to tell and all are worthy of a keen ear or eye as we go on a journey from a lovelorn vicar and kindly maid who are reunited after many, many years of a misunderstanding finally may come to a conclusion, a duke who has caught the attention of three sisters all determined to secure his hand, two servants that perhaps have much more in common than the other could ever hope to be reciprocated (But there still may be time to), and a soldier making his way home, rather unsure and full of reservations as to the welcome he will receive, and a toy maker trapped in the past who could finally move on with the help of a curious little girl desperate for a toy soldier of her own.
As their tales weave into the tapestry we know as life, pulling each other closer as one tale ends and another starts, stories told from belowstairs and those above, one thing is clear; we all deserve our own moments - no matter how small - to shine, and to feel deserving of another’s love and affection.
Reimagining each of the traditional carol’s gifts, this is a perfect homage to the tales of yore while staying fresh and showcasing the authors true love of storytelling and her adoration for the classics!
Set to be a must-have book this season! I look forward to picking up a stunning hardback!
Thank you both to Susan and the publisher for trusting me with someone so special!
December 3, 2025
I’ve previously only read one short story by Susan Stokes-Chapman (in the anthology The Winter Spirits) and I was interested in reading more of her work. This seemed like the perfect time of year to read her new book, The Twelve Days of Christmas!
The book is loosely based on the Christmas carol of the same name, with each chapter inspired by one of the gifts traditionally mentioned in the song – for example, Chapter 1 features pear trees and a character called Miss Partridge (“a partridge in a pear tree”) and Chapter 6 revolves around a game involving hidden goose eggs (“six geese a-laying”). In some cases this is done quite subtly, but in others it’s more heavy-handed; I can appreciate that it’s probably not easy to work all of these references into a novel without it beginning to feel unnatural!
Each chapter feels almost like a separate story (a few of them probably would work as standalones), but they are also linked together through shared characters and a shared setting. That setting is the little English village of Merrywake during the Regency period, with the Napoleonic Wars playing out in the background. Beginning on Christmas Day and ending on Twelfth Night, we join Viscount Pepin of Wakely Hall and his family, friends and servants as they celebrate the festive season. There’s a lovely Christmassy atmosphere as we watch the characters decorate the house, kiss under the mistletoe, open gifts, write and solve riddles, and prepare for the grand Twelfth Night Ball. But although it may all sound idyllic, not everyone at Wakely Hall is having a happy Christmas…
Stokes-Chapman explains in her author’s note that this book is her tribute to Jane Austen and Georgette Heyer and you can definitely see the influence of both. The Viscount and Viscountess Pepin (the name also has links to the song The Twelve Days of Christmas) with their five daughters immediately made me think of Austen’s Pride and Prejudice – the chapter based on “five gold rings” deals with the five girls and their hopes of marriage. The servants, though, are given just as much attention as the upper classes: there are stories about Loveday Lucas, the new kitchen maid, who can’t seem to do anything right; Will Moss the under-gardener, who appears to have fallen in love with someone completely unsuitable; and Mrs Wilson, the cold, strict housekeeper who is shocked to find that her staff consider her heartless.
I loved the world Stokes-Chapman created at Wakely Hall, but it was also nice to get some insights into the lives of the other residents of Merrywake, such as the village toymaker whose son, a drummer in the British army, has failed to come home from France. The toymaker’s story was one of the highlights of the book for me and together with the chapter that follows, about another army musician (a piper, as you may have guessed), it shows that the impact of the Napoleonic Wars is being felt all over the country, in even the smallest of communities.
The Twelve Days of Christmas is a lovely book and despite it obviously being very contrived in places, I found it completely absorbing. I particularly liked the way so many different characters from such varied backgrounds are all given their chance to shine, while each chapter also cleverly builds on the one before. I was sorry to say goodbye to the people of Merrywake and would love a sequel so we could catch up with them again in the summer!
The book is loosely based on the Christmas carol of the same name, with each chapter inspired by one of the gifts traditionally mentioned in the song – for example, Chapter 1 features pear trees and a character called Miss Partridge (“a partridge in a pear tree”) and Chapter 6 revolves around a game involving hidden goose eggs (“six geese a-laying”). In some cases this is done quite subtly, but in others it’s more heavy-handed; I can appreciate that it’s probably not easy to work all of these references into a novel without it beginning to feel unnatural!
Each chapter feels almost like a separate story (a few of them probably would work as standalones), but they are also linked together through shared characters and a shared setting. That setting is the little English village of Merrywake during the Regency period, with the Napoleonic Wars playing out in the background. Beginning on Christmas Day and ending on Twelfth Night, we join Viscount Pepin of Wakely Hall and his family, friends and servants as they celebrate the festive season. There’s a lovely Christmassy atmosphere as we watch the characters decorate the house, kiss under the mistletoe, open gifts, write and solve riddles, and prepare for the grand Twelfth Night Ball. But although it may all sound idyllic, not everyone at Wakely Hall is having a happy Christmas…
Stokes-Chapman explains in her author’s note that this book is her tribute to Jane Austen and Georgette Heyer and you can definitely see the influence of both. The Viscount and Viscountess Pepin (the name also has links to the song The Twelve Days of Christmas) with their five daughters immediately made me think of Austen’s Pride and Prejudice – the chapter based on “five gold rings” deals with the five girls and their hopes of marriage. The servants, though, are given just as much attention as the upper classes: there are stories about Loveday Lucas, the new kitchen maid, who can’t seem to do anything right; Will Moss the under-gardener, who appears to have fallen in love with someone completely unsuitable; and Mrs Wilson, the cold, strict housekeeper who is shocked to find that her staff consider her heartless.
I loved the world Stokes-Chapman created at Wakely Hall, but it was also nice to get some insights into the lives of the other residents of Merrywake, such as the village toymaker whose son, a drummer in the British army, has failed to come home from France. The toymaker’s story was one of the highlights of the book for me and together with the chapter that follows, about another army musician (a piper, as you may have guessed), it shows that the impact of the Napoleonic Wars is being felt all over the country, in even the smallest of communities.
The Twelve Days of Christmas is a lovely book and despite it obviously being very contrived in places, I found it completely absorbing. I particularly liked the way so many different characters from such varied backgrounds are all given their chance to shine, while each chapter also cleverly builds on the one before. I was sorry to say goodbye to the people of Merrywake and would love a sequel so we could catch up with them again in the summer!
January 19, 2026
4.5 🌟 Last book of this year! & such a perfect read for this time of the year too. Bought this book in Oxford last october when it just came out, having no idea what it was all about. The Twelve Days of Christmas actually starts at dec 25th and ends at january 6th. I loved this mix of Downton Abbey/Jane Austen-esc 'short stories', which all blended together perfectly, along with the festivities and heartwarming characters in the 19th century.
Absolutely loved it & just what I needed this time of the year! 🦢🦢✨️🍐🥁🕯🎄💍
Absolutely loved it & just what I needed this time of the year! 🦢🦢✨️🍐🥁🕯🎄💍
September 26, 2025
A book of 12 short stories built around the 12 days of Christmas & also interconnected & set in the fictional town of Merrywake.
Of Fruits & Follies (Partridge) - star-crossed lovers reunite in later life. 3 out of 5
The Christmas Box (Turtle Doves) - the new maid causes waves. 4 out of 5
Faith, Hope, & Charity (French Hens) - a visitor to Wakely Hall happens upon a homeless child in the snow. 3.5 out of 5
Mistletoe Gambol (Colly Birds) - a valet & under-gardener have to work together to gather decorations for the Hall, 4 out of 5
A Most Unsuitable Suitor (Gold Rings) - will the Viscount ever see all his daughters married? 4 out of 5
The Humbled Heart (Geese A-Laying) -, stern housekeeper has a change of heart. 3.5 out of 5
First Impressions (Swans A-Swimming) - middle sister Charlotte is determined never to marry. 3.5 out of 5
A Thread Unfinished (Maids A-Milking) - a young couple have a misunderstanding. 4 out of 5
The Wooden Soldier (Drummers Drumming) - the tale of a toymaker & his wife. 4 out of 5
Reunion (Pipers Piping) - a soldier returns. 4 out of 5
C# (Ladies Dancing) - a rehearsal for the ball is held & secrets spilled. 4 out of 5
Twelfth Night (Lords A-Leaping) - all's well that ends well. 4 out of 5
My first thought on this was it's very Downton Abbey meets Pride & Prejudice! In fact it was very P&P coded for me: five daughters (the pretty one, the vivacious one, the studious one, the two rather silly younger ones), one of the stories was even called 'First Impressions'. When I had read the first story (which was the weakest one for me) I wasn't sure this was going to be for me, but after a couple more I was interested in how it was all going to turn out. The stories were really well plotted with the interconnecting stories & characters, & I really enjoyed reading it. One of the best collections of short stories I've ever read. 4.5 stars (rounded down)
My thanks to NetGalley & publishers, Random House UK, Vintage/Harvill, for the opportunity to read an ARC.
Of Fruits & Follies (Partridge) - star-crossed lovers reunite in later life. 3 out of 5
The Christmas Box (Turtle Doves) - the new maid causes waves. 4 out of 5
Faith, Hope, & Charity (French Hens) - a visitor to Wakely Hall happens upon a homeless child in the snow. 3.5 out of 5
Mistletoe Gambol (Colly Birds) - a valet & under-gardener have to work together to gather decorations for the Hall, 4 out of 5
A Most Unsuitable Suitor (Gold Rings) - will the Viscount ever see all his daughters married? 4 out of 5
The Humbled Heart (Geese A-Laying) -, stern housekeeper has a change of heart. 3.5 out of 5
First Impressions (Swans A-Swimming) - middle sister Charlotte is determined never to marry. 3.5 out of 5
A Thread Unfinished (Maids A-Milking) - a young couple have a misunderstanding. 4 out of 5
The Wooden Soldier (Drummers Drumming) - the tale of a toymaker & his wife. 4 out of 5
Reunion (Pipers Piping) - a soldier returns. 4 out of 5
C# (Ladies Dancing) - a rehearsal for the ball is held & secrets spilled. 4 out of 5
Twelfth Night (Lords A-Leaping) - all's well that ends well. 4 out of 5
My first thought on this was it's very Downton Abbey meets Pride & Prejudice! In fact it was very P&P coded for me: five daughters (the pretty one, the vivacious one, the studious one, the two rather silly younger ones), one of the stories was even called 'First Impressions'. When I had read the first story (which was the weakest one for me) I wasn't sure this was going to be for me, but after a couple more I was interested in how it was all going to turn out. The stories were really well plotted with the interconnecting stories & characters, & I really enjoyed reading it. One of the best collections of short stories I've ever read. 4.5 stars (rounded down)
My thanks to NetGalley & publishers, Random House UK, Vintage/Harvill, for the opportunity to read an ARC.
December 1, 2025
12 short stories based around the 12 days of Christmas song. The writing is beautiful. It will remind you of a mix of Downton Abbey and pride and prejudice. If you love Georgette Heyer’s writing, you will probably enjoy this.
WARNING ⚠️ ‼️ Chapter 4, contains 2 gentlemen’s lust for one another. Why does every contemporary author feel the need to have to put this in every book? 😥 Sad. Of course, no warning anywhere that this lifestyle is in this book.
WARNING ⚠️ ‼️ Chapter 4, contains 2 gentlemen’s lust for one another. Why does every contemporary author feel the need to have to put this in every book? 😥 Sad. Of course, no warning anywhere that this lifestyle is in this book.
December 11, 2025
I loved the twelve days of Christmas a cosy read perfect for the Christmas season. With a nod to Jane Austen and Downton Abbey . A cast of wonderful characters i couldn’t put down . With thanks to the author (Susan) and the publisher for the ARK
December 31, 2025
4.5 ⭐
everyone just gets with everyone and i love that. get me there asap.
everyone just gets with everyone and i love that. get me there asap.
October 1, 2025
Such a fun and enjoyable collection of stories from Susan Stokes-Chapman. I loved the links between each stave and the link with the 12 Days of Christmas was so cleverly done.
The descriptions of Christmas at the Pepin’s household were beautiful and really set the scene for the whole book. The characters and their stories delightful and emotional.
December 24, 2025
In the run up to Christmas I’ve been all about the festive reads. And in the final few days of the countdown I decided to immerse myself in the gorgeous, heartwarming and enthralling, The Twelve Days of Christmas by Susan Stokes-Chapman.
This book is a collection of seasonal stories that reimagine each of the gifts in the eponymous traditional carol as a Christmassy tale based on a delightful and compelling cast of characters that includes a Viscount and Viscountess, their children, friends and staff. There are weddings, a ball, a lovelorn vicar and kindly maid who are reunited years after a misunderstanding tore them apart, a child found in the woods who won’t tell anyone her name, a trio of sisters who are competing to marry a handsome but dastardly duke, a grieving father, and a soldier making his way home after way. It is an inspired choice that Ms. Stokes-Chapman pulls off with finesse, intricately weaving together each of the stories to create a picture of a merry Regency Christmas in an English village. I loved all of the characters and stories, but especially enjoyed Staves three and five.
I listened to this on audio and Charity Wakefield, the narrator, was fantastic, bringing these stories and their characters to life in vivid detail.
Exquisitely written, atmospheric, poignant and joyful, this was the perfect book to get me into the Christmas spirit and would be a great gift to find under the tree. Highly recommended.
This book is a collection of seasonal stories that reimagine each of the gifts in the eponymous traditional carol as a Christmassy tale based on a delightful and compelling cast of characters that includes a Viscount and Viscountess, their children, friends and staff. There are weddings, a ball, a lovelorn vicar and kindly maid who are reunited years after a misunderstanding tore them apart, a child found in the woods who won’t tell anyone her name, a trio of sisters who are competing to marry a handsome but dastardly duke, a grieving father, and a soldier making his way home after way. It is an inspired choice that Ms. Stokes-Chapman pulls off with finesse, intricately weaving together each of the stories to create a picture of a merry Regency Christmas in an English village. I loved all of the characters and stories, but especially enjoyed Staves three and five.
I listened to this on audio and Charity Wakefield, the narrator, was fantastic, bringing these stories and their characters to life in vivid detail.
Exquisitely written, atmospheric, poignant and joyful, this was the perfect book to get me into the Christmas spirit and would be a great gift to find under the tree. Highly recommended.
January 31, 2026
A cheery Yule time read set in regency England which tells the interconnected stories of people who live, work, and serve at a prominent stately home, Wakefield, of the Viscount Pépin and family. The story leads up to a big luscious ball of long-standing tradition and cleverly incorporates the famous Twelve Days of Christmas song (you know the one from school where it was a competition to see how loud you could belt out five golden rings without getting detention). It’s a ridiculous song if taken literally and Brian Bilston has written a funny poem on this premise, although the novel is serious in places it’s in keeping with the jovial and silliness of the song it’s moulded around.
Recommend for people who enjoy regency romances, historical fiction, or Downtown Abbey, who are looking for light winter reading.
Recommend for people who enjoy regency romances, historical fiction, or Downtown Abbey, who are looking for light winter reading.
December 20, 2025
This was a charming, endearing and wonderfully festive book. I loved the stories and how each chapter/stave was part of that festive rhyme The Twelve Days of Christmas. All set in the regency period and just after the Napoleonic Wars. To me this was a tribute to Jane Austen and to another romantic writer Georgette Heyer I found myself smiling and kicking my feet up at all the romantic trysts that happened. This book though at times could be dark… due to the period in which it is set and just how particular society was I still felt a warm glow from the characters. I would highly recommend this book to anyone who has loved Bridgerton and needs a fix or even just loved Austen and any historical romance.
December 23, 2025
I read this as part of a book club pick for December and to be honest ordinarily it's not something I would have picked up - but I'm so glad I did!
Set in the Regency Era (think Bridgerton vibes) you find yourself in the fictional town of Merrywake as they celebrate the Christmas season.
This book is split into 12 short stories/'staves' each reimagining the traditional carols gift and following different residents of the town with the focal point being Wakely Hall and the lead up to the viscounts annual Twelfth Night Ball!
I loved just the cosy feel of this book and I found myself so invested in all the different characters, I could have read more about each of them! I liked that the stories were interwoven so you found out how other characters had progressed in future stories as like I said | just wanted to know more! I could have read even more William and Ralph for sure and Molly and George's parents!
This book also deals with some heavier topics given the era it's set in such as slavery, forbidden homosexuality, loss of loved ones and women's rights but these themes are incorporated in a way that feels realistic for the period and not too much so that it makes the book feel like a difficult read in anyway!
Overall I recommend this if you're looking for an old timey wholesome cosy Christmas read!
Set in the Regency Era (think Bridgerton vibes) you find yourself in the fictional town of Merrywake as they celebrate the Christmas season.
This book is split into 12 short stories/'staves' each reimagining the traditional carols gift and following different residents of the town with the focal point being Wakely Hall and the lead up to the viscounts annual Twelfth Night Ball!
I loved just the cosy feel of this book and I found myself so invested in all the different characters, I could have read more about each of them! I liked that the stories were interwoven so you found out how other characters had progressed in future stories as like I said | just wanted to know more! I could have read even more William and Ralph for sure and Molly and George's parents!
This book also deals with some heavier topics given the era it's set in such as slavery, forbidden homosexuality, loss of loved ones and women's rights but these themes are incorporated in a way that feels realistic for the period and not too much so that it makes the book feel like a difficult read in anyway!
Overall I recommend this if you're looking for an old timey wholesome cosy Christmas read!
January 5, 2026
'The Twelve Days of Christmas' was given to me as a Christmas present, and what a perfect gift! I have delighted in every single word. This book is so beautifully written, often amusing, unerringly warm and touching, cosy and truly festive without ignoring the harsh realities of the era in which it's set. And the way in which the gifts of the Twelve Days are woven into the story are often surprising, always clever, and utterly enchanting. Plus, although I read the book on Kindle, the physical version has the most beautiful cover and will be a treasured addition to my Christmas bookshelf (which everyone should surely have).
In summary, this book is an absolute delight and I recommend it most heartily. I will deeply miss all the characters but am content that they have gone on to lead fine lives with a Twelfth Night ball at the end of every year. God bless us, everyone!
In summary, this book is an absolute delight and I recommend it most heartily. I will deeply miss all the characters but am content that they have gone on to lead fine lives with a Twelfth Night ball at the end of every year. God bless us, everyone!
December 28, 2025
Four stars for the amount I enjoyed it rather than it's literary quality really - yes the characters and some of the plots are not very original, everything is resolved satisfactorily, and people are a little too *good*, but the front cover says 'festive tales to curl up with ', and it is exactly that, really lovely and cosy. I loved how all the stories and characters intersected, and how some of the less pleasant aspects to the period were not ignored, such as the war, and servants not always wanting to serve. It made me feel very cosy and festive, I'd like to see this made into a TV series, I think it could be lovely to watch over Christmas.
January 1, 2026
I loooooved this! Giggling and kicking my feet the whole way through.
Some stories were significantly stronger than others (Mistletoe Gambol and First Impressions are both amazing) so not quite a five star read but I will definitely do a reread of this next Christmas! I’d love to see this adapted into a mini series 🎄✨
Some stories were significantly stronger than others (Mistletoe Gambol and First Impressions are both amazing) so not quite a five star read but I will definitely do a reread of this next Christmas! I’d love to see this adapted into a mini series 🎄✨
December 27, 2025
Een collectie van twaalf korte verhalen (steeds ander pov, maar dezelfde personages komen wel steeds weer langs) in een Downton Abbey achtige setting, met een iets meer zoetsappige insteek. Perfect kerstboek.
December 24, 2025
Absolutely lovely
December 31, 2025
I LOVE IT! It’s got regency, romance, history, christmas,… What more could you want?
January 5, 2026
Reading one chapter per day starting on Christmas has been a delight
January 6, 2026
Really enjoyed this story, quite a lot of characters an a similar feel to Downton Abbey but I really enjoyed it and the happy ending added to that too
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 14, 2026
Festive fun for the lovers of Jane Austen.
December 30, 2025
lovely short stories all interlinked
January 13, 2026
No notes, absolutely loved this, fully expect to reread it every Christmas season.
December 29, 2025
A fun collection of interconnected tales!
January 10, 2026
Not my usual genre of book to read and did start after Christmas. Each chapter is a separate story relating to the Twelve Days of Christmas rhyme, but all link together to give a story about Pepin's estate and workers. I really enjoyed this book and have put it aside to read this Christmas again
December 21, 2025
Very sweet, I enjoyed this book a lot. Fun to read a festive story & enjoyed the book being made up of lots of interconnecting short stories.
November 28, 2025
This was a cute and festive read. It felt like a story that's been passed along generations. Each chapter follows different characters feeling like a short story yet they all intertwine through use of invisible strings. It was not a book I felt like I could read in one sitting but rather enjoy a tale or two at a time. Great read for transitioning into the holiday season!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 97 reviews