#NetGalley Book Review: A Chance at Christmas by Beppie Harrison

This is a sweet, light historical romance that includes an element of a handicapped sibling.
A Chance at Christmas
by Beppie Harrison

File Size: 5438 KB
Print Length: 118 pages
Page Numbers Source ISBN: 0986240893
Simultaneous Device Usage: Unlimited
Publisher: Camden Hill Press (self) (September 30, 2017)
ASIN: B0763CQY29
Genre: Christmas, Historical Romance, Holiday Romance, Regency
My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0

Christmas is coming, and Catherine Woodsleigh and her crippled brother John have no hope of celebration until an invitation to spend Christmas with an old friend and her family arrives. But after the holiday, worse misfortune looms before them. Living on the diminishing number of coins drawn from a jar left by their dead father and mother, a dire future seems inevitable. Will this chance to share a wondrous sparkling Christmas not only provide a glorious holiday but a new turn in their futures and the astonishing possibility of romance?

Review:
Catherine has been working as a seamstress and pinching pennies to take care of herself and her crippled brother, John. Most families would hide John or put him in a home. But Catherine knows that John is smart and would be able to work as a clerk or similar position if people didn’t look and see only his disability.

Catherine is excited when she receives an invitation from a school friend, Katie, for John and her to visit for Christmas. Catherine knows that she will have trouble meeting bills, even rent, after Christmas. But Christmas is the time for miracles and maybe this is a chance to change her circumstances.

Catherine and John are met at the station by Katie’s older brother, the Viscount de Montjoy. Montjoy is attractive and charming although Katie claims he is a big flirt. Catherine enjoys his company and watches for a chance to ask him to help her brother. When she finally finds the courage, things don’t go quite as expected.

Ms. Harrison does a nice job handling John’s injury and the callous way that many families and society treat someone with disability and disfigurement. Catherine is a lovely example of a caring sister who sees the strengths in her brother and wants to encourage him. The author manages to allow Montjoy to remain a bit mysterious, creating conflict until well into the story.

The story is quick and sweet; a nice, light Christmas read. I recommend this to fans of Christmas and sweet historical romance.

Source: 2018 NetGalley. This qualifies for NetGalley Challenge.