A Yorkshire Carol - Review

A Yorkshire Carol (A Christmas Match, # 3)

By: Jennie Goutet

Publication: November 11, 2021 by Millefeuille Press

203 pages

Genre: Adult, Historical Fiction, Christmas, Regency, Clean Romance

Source: YouTube Audiobooks

( Goodreads | Amazon )

*Note: The above link to Amazon is an affiliate links. Affiliate links support giveaways for Somewhere Only We Know readers.

Goodreads description--The heart is deceitful above all things. Who can understand it?

When Juliana Issot’s godmother invites her to spend the month of Christmas for a house party in Yorkshire, Juliana feels compelled by affection to accept. Never mind that she escaped Yorkshire at first chance to secure a more glittering match in London, and the only matrimonial prospect at home is her childhood playmate, Willelm.

Willelm Armitage is a born and bred Yorkshireman, and as far as he is concerned, Juliana belongs here, too—and at his side. However, the one time he tried to convince her of this, she speedily gave him the right-about, making him question whether she truly was the right choice for him. After all, if she cannot see how well they suit, he is not about to force her hand.

A Christmas house party with pudding, games, charades, riding, and carols turns out to be just the thing to remind Juliana of how much she loves Yorkshire. But when her nostalgia slips into love will she be able to admit that Willelm knew the longings of her heart better than she knew her own?

I listened to Yorkshire Carol on audio back in the fall of 2023. However, when it came time to write my review I couldn't remember enough about it. I kept putting off my review so long that I decided to re-listen to it since I knew I enjoyed it the first time and it's a short book so I knew it wouldn't take long. I am so thankful to Jennie Goutet for posting it to YouTube. 

The A Christmas Match series is written by several authors: Jennie Goutet, Sally Britton, Laura Rollins, Jen Geigle Johnson, and Laura Beers. I have only read listened to two of these books because they are available on YouTube audiobooks. The others aren't that I'm aware of. Each author has set her book during Christmas time and each book includes a matchmaker facilitating a match. 

Juliana comes from York but has been enamored with London and fashionable society. She desired to escape York and branch out into the world of sophistication. Her godmother has been after her to visit and circumstances occur that would make it rude for Juliana to turn down her invitation to spend Christmas with her godmother at her house party. Unknown to her, but her godmother is trying to play matchmaker. She hopes for Juliana to match with her old friend, Willelm. 

Willelm followed Juliana to London during her first season. He sought her out at dances and such only for her to tell him that she didn't come to London to dance with her playmates. Willelm was heartbroken because he had been hoping to make Juliana his wife. He sees this Christmas house party for what it is--his last chance to show Juliana that he is the right man for her.

Juliana is reminded of the things she loves about York (and Willelm). She never left because she hated the place, but she still loved London. The two don't have an entirely direct path to happiness. And I liked the way Jennie Goutet worked in the actual Christmas carol to fit the title. I also liked that Willelm explored all his options as Juliana wasn't reciprocating at first. He didn't want to force something that wasn't right for her. Jennie Goutet worked this angle well. Juliana was forced to face the idea that Willelm might not always be waiting on her. The old adage "you don't know what you've got until it's gone."

Yorkshire Carol was good enough to listen to twice. I originally rated it 4 Stars, and I stand by that rating after a second listen. I liked Juliana and Willelm. And I enjoyed seeing them each come to view each other as their match. I want to continue this series, but I don't know if I will considering the other books aren't on YouTube audio. Have you listened to (or read) Yorkshire Carol? What did you think? Let me know! 

A great choice to get you in the mood for the holiday season.

Sunday Post - 12/1/24

The Sunday Post is a weekly meme hosted by Kimba @ The Caffeinated Book Reviewer ~this meme was inspired in part by ~ In My Mailbox~ It's a chance to share News. A post to recap the past week, showcase books and things we have received and share news about what is coming up for the week on our blog.

Husband's friend came to visit last Sunday and stayed through Friday. So Monday we had a down day where we just hung at home. Tuesday, I had to take Big Girl to an early morning check up for her broken toe. Her x-rays looked even better than right after they set it last week. She has to keep wearing the shoe and we go back in 3 weeks. Then we hung at my parent's house all day. I had forgotten to thaw meat to cook for dinner, so we ended up going to Cracker Barrel for dinner Tuesday night. Wednesday, I took Big Girl back to my mom's house so she could help her cook for Thanksgiving. Big Girl loves cooking and baking, and my mom said she was a big help. At home I got a lot of cleaning done--things I'd meant to do before company came. Thursday, we had a wonderful Thanksgiving at my parent's house. Almost all of our normal family was there. We were missing my niece's husband. He's a firefighter and had to work. And then also my nephew that got married in September was with his new wife's family this year. But we had some entended family come as well. It ended up being a really good day. We did stay late so I could help my parent's clean up and the kids got into watching a Christmas movie. Friday, my cousin has a family reuinion at her house every year. It's always so good to see them because this is about the only time of the year that we do get to see any of them anymore. Saturday, I wasn't feeling the best. You know how when you've been so busy you just get run down and exhausted and then end up getting sick. I think that's kind of what happened. I rested most of the day with the exception of the tasks that must get done.

THE PAST WEEK

Monday: Review of Is She Really Going Out with Him? by Sophie Cousens (4.5 Stars) and 2024 Series Enders Reading Challenge - November Wrap Up
Wednesday: Can't Wait for Ex Marks the Spot by Gloria Chao
Thursday: Review of The Art of Us by Julie Wright (4 Stars)
Saturday: November EOM Wrap Up

UPCOMING THIS WEEK:

Monday: Review of A Yorkshire Carol (A Christmas Match, # 3) by Jennie Goutet
Tuesday: Top Ten Tuesday?
Wednesday: Can't Wait for Wednesday?
Thursday: Review of ADHD is Awesome by Kim and Penn Holderness
Friday: Homeschool Friday - Go Go Go

Don’t forget to link up for the 2024 Series Enders Reading Challenge! You have until December 15th, 2024 to sign up. Each month there will be a giveaway for those participating with an end of the year giveaway too! Click on the picture below or the link above to find out more!

NEW BOOKS:

The Ballad of Never After (Once Upon a Broken Heart, # 2)

By: Stephanie Garber

Publication: September 13, 2022 by Flatiron Books

416 pages

Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy, Magic

Source: Personal Kindle Library

( Goodreads | Amazon )

*Note: The above link to Amazon is an affiliate link. Affiliate links support giveaways for Somewhere Only We Know readers.

Goodreads description--After Jacks, the Prince of Hearts, betrays her, Evangeline Fox swears she'll never trust him again. Now that she’s discovered her own magic, Evangeline believes she can use it to restore the chance at happily ever after that Jacks stole away.

But when a new terrifying curse is revealed, Evangeline finds herself entering into a tenuous partnership with the Prince of Hearts again. Only this time, the rules have changed. Jacks isn’t the only force Evangeline needs to be wary of. In fact, he might be the only one she can trust, despite her desire to despise him.

Instead of a love spell wreaking havoc on Evangeline’s life, a murderous spell has been cast. To break it, Evangeline and Jacks will have to do battle with old friends, new foes, and a magic that plays with heads and hearts. Evangeline has always trusted her heart, but this time she’s not sure she can...

That's it for my shelves and recaps of my past and upcoming week. What did you add to your shelves this week? Any bookish news you want to talk about? Let me know!