A Sea View Christmas (On Devonshire Shores, # 4)
By: Julie Klassen
Expected Publication: September 2, 2025 by Bethany House Publishers
240 pages
Genre: Adult, Historical Fiction, Christian Fiction
Source: Publisher via NetGalley (Thank you!!)
( Goodreads | Amazon )
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Goodreads description--With a promise to her youngest sister, Sarah Summers declares that this year's Christmas at Sea View will exceed all expectations. But the arrival of Callum Henshall--dashing Scottish widower and returning guest--blows a flurry of doubts into her mind. Sarah had discouraged his attentions before and is once again torn between attraction and duty. Yet even while she's busy managing the family's guest house, alluring thoughts of a second chance at love weave their way into her practical heart.
Meanwhile, seventeen-year-old Georgiana eagerly anticipates the exciting Christmas of her dreams after last year's dull, disappointing holiday filled with endless chores. She enjoys all the promised parties, music, and dancing, but is taken by surprise when young love comes knocking. Does the festive romance of a Sea View Christmas hold the key to a happily-ever-after for both sisters?
Return to Sidmouth for this highly anticipated holiday companion novella to the Summers sisters' lives and loves on the charming Devonshire shore.
I've never read Julie Klassen before, and I'm coming into this book at the end of the series. But the description pulled me in. I'm not always excited about holiday-themed books, but for some reason, I can tolerate them more in historical fiction than in modern times.
Even though this was the last book in a series, as most historical fiction series are, these are really companion novels that follow different sets of main characters. Sarah is our leading female character in A Sea View Christmas, and apparently, she was pretty front and center in the first book in this series, The Sisters of Sea View, but that book did mostly focus on Viola. Emily is the sister most focused on in book 2. Claire is the leading lady of book 3. And then book 4 returns to Sarah and her Scottish suitor. I hate that I missed out on the initial part of their story, but I enjoyed every moment of A Sea View Christmas.
Last Christmas wasn't a normal year, and Sarah has promised to do Christmas right this year for Georgiana. The inn that the family runs is always a good amount of work. Their mother isn't in the best of health, and so Sarah wonders if she can leave the inn for her own happiness. She isn't sure it's possible. Callum has been given reasons to hope that Sarah might return his regard. He wants to pursue every opportunity to spend time with Sarah to see if she might accept his proposal, since she essentially sent him away before. His intentions are obvious. It's just up to Sarah whether she feels like she can leave her mother and younger sisters behind.
This story was layered, and the side characters were often front and center just as much as the main couple. I did love Georgiana and Collin, and I hope that we'll get her/their story eventually as well. Shoot, I'd love to see Cora get a book, also.
Favorite quotes:
-Sarah thought for a moment, then confessed, "I have not often felt God's presence these last few years. I know He has not changed. I'm the one who has grown distant, busy trying to manage everything and everyone on my own." The truth of the admission pressed hard on her heart. "And yet, I have also seen God's provision in ways I never would have asked for or imagined. He is faithful, even when I am not."
-"Sarah Jane Summers. Do you hold my life in your hands, or does God?"
Initially, I thought I probably wouldn't go back and read the previous books in the series, but as I sit down to write this review, I find that I might. I will definitely check out more books by Julie Klassen in the future. I enjoyed every moment of Sarah and Callem's journey. And I look forward to seeing if Georgie or Cora get a book in the future as well. A Sea View Christmas gets 4 Stars. Have you read A Sea View Christmas? What did you think? Let me know!
