While You Were Sailing

by Christi Caldwell

From USA Today bestselling author Christi Caldwell comes a romantic holiday short-novel—warm, aching, and just dark enough to hint at what lies ahead...

This Christmas, she believes she belongs to one man—until she falls for the one who sees her clearly.

Lucy LeBeau has spent her life keeping The Spotted Elk alive by sheer will, its empty rooms echoing with the laughter she’s lost and a future she no longer dares imagine.

When a beloved patron suffers an accident outside her door, Lucy’s quiet act of kindness draws her into his family’s glittering, noisy Christmas—one she never dreamed of belonging to.

Only Captain Arran McQuoid, the family’s guarded eldest son, doubts her story.

Snowbound together, glances linger too long. Words cut too close. And what begins as mistrust sharpens into something far more dangerous—because falling for Arran means wanting what Lucy was never meant to claim.

A deeply emotional Regency Christmas short-novel (50k words) featuring slow-burn tension, aching longing, and a guaranteed HEA.

This holiday prequel introduces the McQuoid family and leads into a darker, more dangerous saga to come.

Perfect for readers who
• forbidden attraction
• emotionally guarded heroes
• mistaken identity / misplaced devotion
• hurt-comfort romance

Genres: Historical Romance, Holiday, Historical Fiction, Romance, Adult, Christmas

198 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 15, 2025

About the author

USA TODAY Bestselling author CHRISTI CALDWELL blames Judith McNaught's "Whitney, My Love!" for luring her into the world of historical romance. While sitting in her graduate school apartment at the University of Connecticut, Christi decided to set aside her notes and pick up her laptop to try her hand at romance. She believes the most perfect heroes and heroines have imperfections, and she rather enjoys torturing them before crafting them a well deserved happily ever after!

Christi makes her home in Charlotte, North Carolina where she spends her time writing her own enchanting historical romances, and baking surprisingly good cakes (almost 2 years in lockdown will do that) with her courageous son and twin daughters, each who with their daily antics provides limitless source material.

Reviews

[Margaret · Rating 5 out of 5]

Missy Lucy LeBeau is in trouble. Mr. Campbell Smith was accidentally hit in the head by the sign from her family's inn. Taken to his family home, she gets caught up in the mistaken identity of being his betrothed. Since he's unconscious, he can't tell his family otherwise. His cousin, Arren McQuoid, doesn't believe it. Mistrustful, he's keeping an eye on her, but what he doesn't expect is jealousy toward his cousin and falling in love with Lucy. Anxiety and pain. Kisses and mild descriptive sex.

[belle ☆ﾐ (thisbellereadstoo) · Rating 4 out of 5]

lucy has always had a soft spot for a regular at her family’s inn—mr. campbell smith, who was unfailingly kind to her. when he falls into a coma, lucy brings him back to his family’s home, only for the mcquoids to mistakenly assume she’s his fiancée and insist she stay with them. everyone goes along with it except arran, who immediately doubts the situation.

arran’s suspicion is rooted in guilt. a past mistake—letting an outsider into their close-knit family—led to something painful, and he’s been guarded ever since. lucy’s sudden appearance with his comatose cousin puts him on edge. yet as lucy spends more time with the mcquoids, she finds herself drawn to arran’s quiet, stoic nature. he doesn’t open up easily, but with lucy, he slowly lets his guard down. all the while, lucy struggles with the guilt of not correcting the misunderstanding about her relationship with mr. smith.

overall, this was a sweet and cozy christmas read. i’m always a sucker for stories about emotionally guarded characters learning to open up, and this one delivered that gentle charm perfectly.

[Pam Bereznak · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is my 99th book by Christi Caldwell. I read 2 of her books in 2013 but didn’t pick her up again faithfully until 2015. She is such a good author and I love her writing. She always has great stories and depending on the book, well written sex scenes. Except I have to say her books lately have been super steamy. Let's hope this new one is as well. :)

I liked this story. I liked Lucy and Arran. It was basically a 1820's version of While You Were Sleeping with Sandra Bullock. Still a good read. Not as hot and steamy as her latest reads but overall a good read. I am liking this series.

[Dolly Dagger · Rating 3 out of 5]

Skimmed.

[Holly in Bookland · Rating 3 out of 5]

*3.5 stars ✨

[Jean · Rating 2 out of 5]

aka Sandra Bullock's While You Were Sleeping.
All the insta-love is hard to believe.

[Lana Birky · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 While You Were Sailing is Christi Caldwell doing what she does best, taking a wounded, emotionally barricaded man and pairing him with the one woman stubborn enough to pry open the door he’s nailed shut. Lucy LeBeau is pure warmth wrapped in worn boots and grit, keeping The Spotted Elk alive even when her own hope is running on fumes. One act of kindness drops her straight into the McQuoid family’s chaotic Christmas, where she meets Captain Arran McQuoid, resident brooder, professional guilt-carrier, and the last man who expects to be seen clearly.

Their chemistry sparks fast, but Caldwell makes it feel earned: lingering glances, sharp words, and that delicious “I shouldn’t want you but oh no, I do” tension. Lucy doesn’t just fall for Arran, she drags him, gently but firmly, out of the storm he’s been living in. And watching him thaw for her is the real holiday magic.

It’s a quick read with big feelings, a cozy snowbound setting, and a hero who finally realizes that love doesn’t make you weak, it gives you a place to land. A lovely, heartfelt Christmas treat with a guaranteed HEA and just enough angst to keep you turning pages.

[Bridget · Rating 4 out of 5]

A while you were sleeping regency

Even the heroine is named Lucy. She owns and works at the spotted pub\inn. Arran the hero is grumpy and guilt ridden. When Lucy's crush, Campbell, is knocked unconscious by the falling inn sign, she along with her aunt and uncle take him to his family's Yuletide celebration. No one seems to recognize her and of course she is accidentally assumed to be her betrothed. Only Campbell's cousin Arran is suspicious of her. Only difference is the cruel words Arran says to her when he discovers the truth. But we'll written and fun.

[Cynthia Houser · Rating 5 out of 5]

While You Were Sailing

A captivating novella that held me spellbound from start to finish. The McQuoid and Smith family dynamics continue to shine, offering readers another delightful glimpse into their vibrant, boisterous world. Their warmth and infectious energy leap off the page, making this story an absolute page-turner that left me craving more of their heartwarming interactions.

[Kristina · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love the McQuoids. This was a nice change from all the recent dark books, Christi has recently written. This has a different story of the loss of Captain Tremaine’s ship, from what is told in “The Captain.” I guess it is to paint Aaran in a better light. I don’t mind a shift in perspective, but I don’t like when the. ASIC facts of the story the story is changed.

[N Dent · Rating 5 out of 5]

I want a kind Scot

Maybe I loved this book because it had my name in it or maybe I loved it because it is a great book. Lucy had lived a hard life, but she wanted someone of her own. Great characters, fun stories and a forever love!

[R M · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars
While You Were Sleeping, set in 1820. With some wild linguistic influences.
A little lie turns into a big lie and almost ruins the love of a lifetime.
The language and speech are very weird. It’s like the scene was written, then the author edited in some Scots sounding mannerisms.

[Kathy Garcia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun!

Everything one wants in a romance and expect, and more. Arran’s family is something I can sort of recognize, as years ago my own was much the same. The family dynamics are a fun as Arran & Lucy’s romance.

[Nicole Stewart · Rating 5 out of 5]

absolutely loved it.

I loved this story. It was just what I needed to get out of my book slump. Christi always writes with such emotion. Lucy is probably one of my favorite FMCs.

[C.K.]

[Luz T · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was the historical romance version of “While you were sleeping”.
I really liked it, but I had a hard time keeping track of all the secondary characters. 😂 too many people

[📚Brandy🪼]

Couldn’t get into it, I wasn’t feeling the writing