Mary Elizabeth Braddon
1894
4/5 stars
Sir John Penlyon is prepared to spend his usual dull Christmas, but his friend, Danby, persuades him that children are needed to make the holidays bright again. With Sir John's agreement, Danby hires three siblings for the festive season, one of which steals Sir John's heart and teaches him to love again.
This charming Victorian novel is predictable, but completely enjoyable. The book is well-written and engaging, with believable characters and scenario. It's easy to see why Braddon was an extremely popular novelist of her day. This is a feel-good Christmas story that, while short, is fully entertaining.
Note on the audio book: Richard Armitage is excellent when narrating and when voicing adults. His portrayal of children, however, is not convincing.
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