Review: Once Upon a Dickens Christmas by Michelle Griep

Beside the quintessential Christmas novel, A Christmas Carol, I’d only ever read one Christmas themed book before now (Giver of Wonders by Roseanna M. White) but after listening to this story collection from Michelle Griep, I think I’m going to have to make reading or listening to Christmas books my new December tradition!

Once Upon a Dickens Christmas is the perfect way to get in the Christmas spirit. It’s ideal for cuddling up on the couch in the light of the Christmas tree with a blanket and a mug of hot chocolate. This fun holiday read is a collection of THREE Victorian era love stories set during the Christmas season. Here’s the official blurb for the collection, including short descriptions of each story:

Three Delightful Christmas Tales from Beloved Storyteller Michelle Griep

Pour yourself a cuppa, get lost in the merriment of the season, and enjoy a Dickensian Christmas in three stories from fan favorite Michelle Griep:

12 Days a Bleakly Manor: Brought together under mysterious circumstances, Clara and Ben discover that what they’ve been striving for isn’t what ultimately matters. What matters most is what Christmas is all about . . . love.

A Tale of Two Hearts: Pleasure seeker William Barlow needs a wife immediately to gain his uncle’s inheritance, and Mina Scott is just the girl to make him look respectable—too bad she turns him down. Ought he give her a second chance?

The Old Lace Shop: Recently widowed Bella White is finally freed from the domination of the overbearing men in her life, but when she enters into a business partnership with the handsome Edmund Archer, she begins to wonder if marriage is worth a second chance.

Each story is unique and entertaining in its own way, but I have to say that my favorite was 12 Days at Bleakly Manor. It’s unmistakably Dickens inspired, with its quirky characters and mysterious plot. I couldn’t figure out what was going on or why until the very end (which is a good thing).

My favorite thing about the series was seeing how Charles Dickens himself would be connected to each tale! His unexpected connection to the first story took me by surprise—delightfully so— and after that, I enjoyed waiting to see how he would be included in the other two.

This cozy, feel-good seasonal read earns a 4/5 Stars rating from me. If you love reading Christmas books around this time of year, Once Upon a Dickens Christmas is a must read!