Sunday, October 5, 2025

A CAROL FOR MRS. DICKENS by Rebecca Connolly, Reviewed by Paula Shreckhise


PAULA'S REVIEW:
A Carol for Mrs. Dickens by Rebecca Connolly is set in London 1851 at a house party hosted by Charles Dickens.
 
In all the hustle and bustle of Christmas preparations and her husband’s enthusiasm for the holiday, Kate Dickens has lost her zeal for the sacred time of year. In the midst of a Christmas party, Kate is taken on a memory journey much like Scrooge in A Christmas Carol. Instead of ghosts, Kate is transported by her recollections to times around Christmases past that cause her to ponder the real reason for Christmas: the birth of the Savior. Her contemplations on the past create a new appreciation for the spirit of Christmas and re-awaken her giving heart. “Christmas felt most like Christmas when she was with family.”
 
I liked the addition of Victorian Christmas Traditions and History at the end.
 
This story is just right for the holiday season and spells out the true faith of Christmas.
*A complimentary copy was provided by Shadow Mountain Publishing via NetGalley. All opinions are mine alone.* 4.5 stars and a solid faith thread 
 
BackCover Blurb:
Catherine Dickens, wife of Charles Dickens, experiences her own Christmas Eve transformation as she magically travels through her cherished memories to rediscover her lost love of Christmas.

By 1851, all of London has fallen in love with A Christmas Carol, heralding Charles Dickens as “the man who invented Christmas.” But for his wife, Catherine, Christmas is less of a reason for celebration and more of a burden. Between hosting lavish parties, decorating her home, and caring for her eight children—with one more on the way—she feels more like Scrooge than herself this year.

But everything changes after a chance encounter with a kitchen cook, who reminds her that Christmas can be a time of miracles and magic, if she is willing to open her heart.

Armed with a magical sprig of holly, Kate embarks on three transformative journeys into her past, hoping to reconnect with the love she once felt for the holiday—and with herself. But can these memories be enough to reignite her Christmas spirit? Or are such miraculous transformations only meant for the characters in her husband’s beloved tales?

Inspired by real individuals, A Carol for Mrs. Dickens reminds us that the true spirit of the holiday lies in love, faith, and the joy of giving.

Catherine Dickens struggles with the burdens of Christmas despite her husband’s success with A Christmas Carol. A magical sprig of holly leads her on three journeys into her past, rekindling her faith and holiday spirit. This heartwarming tale celebrates love, faith, and the simple joys of Christmas. 
 
Shadow Mountain Publishing, 2025
Available in digital ebook, hardcover, and audiobook
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