Four Holiday Novellas of Love through the Generations

In Kristi Ann Hunter’s “Legacy of Love,” Sarah Gooding never suspected returning a brooch to an elderly woman would lead to a job . . . and introduce her to the woman’s grandson, a man far above her station.

In Karen Witemeyer’s “Gift of the Heart,” a widow and her young daughter move to Hope Springs for a fresh start, but with no money to secure a home, Ruth must convince a wealthy resort owner to accept her heirloom brooch as collateral. Will the pin that brought love to three generations soften the heart of a wounded recluse and give Ruth a second chance at love?

In Sarah Loudin Thomas’s “A Shot at Love,” Fleeta Brady’s rough-and-tumble childhood means she prefers hunting to more feminine activities. She never expected her family’s brooch might be how a fellow hunter turns her attention from competition to romance.

In Becky Wade’s “Because of You,” Maddie Winslow has spent years in love with a man whose heart was already spoken for. When a church Christmas project brings them together and she stumbles upon an old family brooch, might it finally be her turn for love?

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Confession: when I agreed to read this collection, I had no idea the heirloom would made an appearance in all four stories or that it was across different time periods. All I knew was that Karen Witemeyer contributed and she’s a favorite of mine, so I said I’d read the book.

I’m so glad that I did! If you’re looking for something to help get you in the mood for Christmas, you can’t go wrong with these sweet love stories. The women are strong, yet realistic, open to love but not incomplete without it. They each face unique circumstances that require them to take action, and love is an added bonus (not the prize for which their striving). With the exception of one story, the heirloom isn’t some sort of talisman that brings love, it’s more of a reminder that each woman in this family can find love.

This was my first introduction to Hunter and Thomas, and I wasn’t disappointed. I didn’t connect as well with Thomas’s story, but I think it was more of the time period than the writing. It was a fun story, and I could relate to Fleete and some of her frustrations. I wasn’t sure what to expect from Hunter, but I slipped right into Sarah’s story and couldn’t put it down. Wade’s style isn’t my personal favorite, but if you enjoy her contemporary romances, you’ll enjoy this novella; it includes some of her popular characters and flows in the same style as her full-length novels. Witemeyer once again managed to create a flawed hero who wasn’t quite a flawed as he thought he was. Her historicals always include a woman who’s a bit tougher than the rest, but not by sacrificing femininity or authenticity. I’ve always been a fan of her stories, and “Gift of the Heart” fits right in with the rest of her novels.

Overall, this was a lot of fun to read. As I mentioned above, I didn’t know a lot about this book when I picked it up, so it was a fun surprise to read the different time periods and then discover the family connection. If you enjoy sweet romance — and are ready to get in the mood for Christmas! — then I highly recommend this collection.

*I received a free copy of this book. The opinions are my own.