Christmas Joy

Christmas Joy, a sweet holiday romance and perfect Christmas gift, comes from a bestselling Australian author and is ideal for fans of Josie Silver and Laurie Gilmore.

1889 Rye, Sussex, England

Joy by name and joy by nature, Miss Joy Parker loves nothing more than performing acts of kindness and making other people's lives brighter. Even after the loss of her family's fortune and being forced to accept a job as a lady's companion to the formidable Lady Hyacinth Montague, Joy remains optimistic. Hyacinth initially treats her as the lowliest of servants, until her great-nephew and heir, Earl Peter Montague, arrives.

Despite a disastrous first impression, Peter is soon captivated by Joy's compassionate ways. Sparks fly between them, and Joy finds herself unexpectedly and heartbreakingly in love. However, in the world of high society, love and marriage are seen as separate entities, and Hyacinth has grander plans for Peter than the impoverished Joy. Montwoods Manor is brimming with the upper class, with Lady Regina of Hove being groomed as the leading candidate to become Peter's wife.

Joy is tasked with organizing a lavish Christmas ball, one she can hardly attend in her humble gown. As the snow falls on this picturesque seaside town on Christmas Eve, Joy's kind heart becomes entangled in a scandalous plot. She begins to question whether the games of the idle rich make love impossible or if the magic of Christmas could bring the greatest gift of all.

Mary-Anne O'Connor, the author, is praised for her breathtakingly beautiful writing. She is dubbed the Queen of Australian Historical Romance on Goodreads. Her historical fiction is of such quality that it takes readers on a beguiling roller-coaster ride, according to Better Reading.