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A Christmas Reunion, the Gift of a Second Chance
Heartbroken at the news that her betrothed has wed another woman, Emily is determined to pick up the pieces of her life and enjoy Christmas with her family.
Newly returned from war, Bennett holds a secret and will do anything to ensure Emily, his only true love, never discovers it...even if it means losing her.
Fate reunites the star-crossed lovers and reveals the truth that will either unite them or drive them apart forever.
Newly returned from war, Bennett holds a secret and will do anything to ensure Emily, his only true love, never discovers it...even if it means losing her.
Fate reunites the star-crossed lovers and reveals the truth that will either unite them or drive them apart forever.
32 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 4, 2014
About the author
Donna Hatch
40 books1,037 followersMulti-award-winning author of more than twenty best-selling Regency Historical Romances, Donna Hatch is a hopeful romantic and an adventurer at heart. Each book she writes is filled with wit and heart and plenty of swoon-worthy romance. Donna sings, plays the harp, and loves to ballroom dance. Her family, including six children and two cats, recently left their native Arizona for the Pacific coast of the US. No matter where they live, she and her husband of over twenty years are proof that there truly is a happily ever after.
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
April 26, 2017
I loved this short story! Donna Hatch has a way of making the characters and their emotions come to life for the reader. Even though it's short, I finished reading with a smile on my face :)
November 12, 2014
I love anything Ms. Hatch writes and this was no exception. Although it was short, it was packed with endearing characters and a heartwarming romance. I loved getting a peak into the love story of Emily and Bennett, sure I would have loved a full-length novel, but this short story was sweet and a fun escape. Ms. Hatch is great at telling so much story in just a little time. I felt like I was able to get to know Emily and Bennett, they had great chemistry and you can't help but hope they will find a way to be together.
Content: Clean
Source: Purchased via Amazon
Nominated for a 2014 Swoony Award.
Content: Clean
Source: Purchased via Amazon
Nominated for a 2014 Swoony Award.
December 27, 2014
What I really liked about this one was that it was short and sweet--and totally adorable. The holidays are a busy time and it's nice to sit down for a few minutes to put my feet up and read a darling story in one sitting.
I must admit, I was really mad at Bennett at first. He wrote a devastating letter to his betrothed, telling her that he'd wed another while at the hospital, recovering from a war injury. Really?? Of course, Emily was heartbroken. Time passed and their paths crossed again. The truth was revealed and a decision has to be made.
It's not long enough to really delve into the characters and storyline, but it's a perfect snippet.
Content: Clean!
I must admit, I was really mad at Bennett at first. He wrote a devastating letter to his betrothed, telling her that he'd wed another while at the hospital, recovering from a war injury. Really?? Of course, Emily was heartbroken. Time passed and their paths crossed again. The truth was revealed and a decision has to be made.
It's not long enough to really delve into the characters and storyline, but it's a perfect snippet.
Content: Clean!
November 5, 2014
A sweet, clean historical romanced that takes place during the Napoleonic War about two lovers, torn apart by war and wounded hearts. An accidental meeting at a wayside inn gives them a second chance to regain what they lost.
November 10, 2014
Heaven help me I love Donna Hatch. This was so adorable!!! I just didn't want it to end. She can write a sweet moment so well that your heart starts pounding and you get so into it that you forget your reading and not just watching an actual scene from life!(if that makes sense).
September 15, 2024
Reviewed for THC Reviews
A Christmas Reunion is one of Donna Hatch’s Regency romance shorts. It’s only about 32 pages by my eReader’s count, so it doesn’t have a particularly involved plot. In it, we have a young lady who’s been jilted by her fiancé who wrote from a battlefield hospital on the continent that he’d married someone else. What she doesn’t know is that it was all a lie he concocted because of injuries he sustained in battle that makes him believe she’d be better off without him. A chance meeting between them at a posting inn as she’s traveling with her parents to a Christmas celebration at her aunt’s house finally reveals the truth and brings them back together.
Emily was madly in love with Bennett, so she’s been heartbroken ever since receiving his letter three months earlier. She’s a sweet young woman, but one who’s also angry and grief-stricken, having a normal reaction to being thrown over. But I like that, when reunited with Bennett, she’s smart enough to intuit what’s really going on, and she’s very forgiving and loving as well. Bennett was perhaps a bit prideful to break things off like he did without giving Emily a chance to choose for herself, but there are many things that they used to enjoy together, which he can no longer do because of his injuries. However, I liked that, when confronted by Emily, he finally fesses up and is open to receiving her love again.
Overall, A Christmas Reunion is a sweet, tender story about two people finding their way back to one another. There’s no particularly objectionable content, so it should be appropriate for romance readers of all ages and sensitivity levels. It’s too short to go very deep in either plot or characterizations, but it does manage to be pretty satisfying given it’s length. If you’re looking for a heartwarming read that takes an hour or less of your reading time during the busy holiday season, then this little novelette should fit the bill.
A Christmas Reunion is one of Donna Hatch’s Regency romance shorts. It’s only about 32 pages by my eReader’s count, so it doesn’t have a particularly involved plot. In it, we have a young lady who’s been jilted by her fiancé who wrote from a battlefield hospital on the continent that he’d married someone else. What she doesn’t know is that it was all a lie he concocted because of injuries he sustained in battle that makes him believe she’d be better off without him. A chance meeting between them at a posting inn as she’s traveling with her parents to a Christmas celebration at her aunt’s house finally reveals the truth and brings them back together.
Emily was madly in love with Bennett, so she’s been heartbroken ever since receiving his letter three months earlier. She’s a sweet young woman, but one who’s also angry and grief-stricken, having a normal reaction to being thrown over. But I like that, when reunited with Bennett, she’s smart enough to intuit what’s really going on, and she’s very forgiving and loving as well. Bennett was perhaps a bit prideful to break things off like he did without giving Emily a chance to choose for herself, but there are many things that they used to enjoy together, which he can no longer do because of his injuries. However, I liked that, when confronted by Emily, he finally fesses up and is open to receiving her love again.
Overall, A Christmas Reunion is a sweet, tender story about two people finding their way back to one another. There’s no particularly objectionable content, so it should be appropriate for romance readers of all ages and sensitivity levels. It’s too short to go very deep in either plot or characterizations, but it does manage to be pretty satisfying given it’s length. If you’re looking for a heartwarming read that takes an hour or less of your reading time during the busy holiday season, then this little novelette should fit the bill.
March 2, 2017
4.55 stars - mild pg13 - 32 pages
Very short story, but quite satisfying and complete. Liked writing style. Great H & h. Heartwarming and sweet. Easy half hour Christmas read.
Very short story, but quite satisfying and complete. Liked writing style. Great H & h. Heartwarming and sweet. Easy half hour Christmas read.
November 17, 2014
I really enjoy Donna Hatch's writing style, she can pack a lot of story in just a few words. I knew this was a novella length when I started it, but there is short and then there is really short. This felt like I read the first chapter of a wonderful book and then it ended, I wanted the rest of the story.
Content: clean
Content: clean
November 14, 2014
Way short but really good. Would love to see it a full novel.
November 16, 2014
I was in the mood for a short, sweet, happy read and Donna Hatch delivered. Bennett and Emily were extremely likeable and even though it was short, the chemistry was undeniable.
February 23, 2015
I was looking for a good Christmas romance and this really hit the spot.
December 15, 2017
What a lovely short story! It was a quick read but full of romance, heartbreak, tenderness, and love. Donna Hatch creates wonderful Regency tales and this short story is classically Donna Hatch in the fluid writing, lovely characters, and well-planned plot.
Emily is a jilted fiancée still trying to right her world that was turned upside down when her soldier fiancé informs her through a letter that he’s married another while recovering from a wound in Spain. Bennett is the soldier fiancé who feels compelled to leave Emily for reasons that unfold as the story begins. Both are loyal, compassionate, and kind and their chance meeting at an inn allows their story to emerge.
I received a copy of this book from the author. I was not required to write a favorable review. All comments and opinions are solely my own.
Emily is a jilted fiancée still trying to right her world that was turned upside down when her soldier fiancé informs her through a letter that he’s married another while recovering from a wound in Spain. Bennett is the soldier fiancé who feels compelled to leave Emily for reasons that unfold as the story begins. Both are loyal, compassionate, and kind and their chance meeting at an inn allows their story to emerge.
I received a copy of this book from the author. I was not required to write a favorable review. All comments and opinions are solely my own.
December 30, 2018
An introduction to this novella notes that Donna Hatch is a must read author for fans of Regency romance. I found this to be true in this wonderful novella unfolding in England, December, 1813. Having received a letter the previous May from her betrothed, breaking their engagement, Emily Annesley is finally emerging from her self-imposed isolation to attend a Christmas celebration with her family. Her former fiance, Captain Bennett Seton, had been fighting in Spain when the letter was sent, telling Emily he had met and was marrying another. While stopping at a posting inn on their journey to her aunt's, Emily and her parents are surprised to find Captain Seton there. Naturally, there is much more to the story.
Donna Hatch did a wonderful job of unraveling the puzzle behind this break-up, and bringing understanding to the true meaning of love and relationship.
Donna Hatch did a wonderful job of unraveling the puzzle behind this break-up, and bringing understanding to the true meaning of love and relationship.
July 4, 2017
This is a short story, but the two main characters have depth and the story is filled with emotion. Great writing. This is what a short romance should look like. Good job!
June 5, 2020
Sometimes it's really fulfilling to read a short story and get right to the good parts.
November 3, 2023
Loved it! Too short!
March 4, 2017
This was simply delightful. Am enjoying all her books.
November 30, 2014
I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
A Christmas Reunion by Donna Hatch is a sweet story about pain, sacrifice, forgiveness and everlasting love. It is the perfect message for a holiday book and brought a smile to my face.
Emily has loved Bennett forever, but the news that he has married another woman leaves her completely devastated. With Christmas fast approaching, Emily is determined to overcome her pain and enjoy the holiday with her family. Then she runs into Bennett and realizes that she isn’t over him. Bennett is keeping a huge secret from Emily, including the fact that he has never stopped loving her. Christmas is all about miracles and that’s what it’s going to take to bring these two back together.
A Christmas Reunion is a very quick read coming in at around 30 pages, but in those short few pages Ms. Hatch has created a wonderful, heartwarming story that is perfect complement to the holidays. The book’s focus is on emotions which provides more than enough drama and suspense to hold your interest. And while the book is an historical romance, the story could have easily been contemporary with its message about returning soldiers. This book was exactly what I needed to remind me of what’s truly important – love.
The stars of this story were the wonderful characters. I credit Ms. Hatch’s wonderful characterization with causing me to feel so strongly about both Emily and Bennett. From the very first pages, Emily’s pain was evident. I found myself feeling her anguish yet knowing there had to be more to the story that Bennett was sharing. Emily was such a sweet and endearing character that I couldn’t help but fall in love with her and wished for her happiness. Bennett was doing what he thought was best for the woman he would always love. You can’t help but love a man who puts his woman first even as you want to bash him over the head for his stupidity.
If you are looking for a short and sweet story with a happy ending to warm your heart, then this is the perfect book for you. It will put a smile on your face and leave you wanting more.
A Christmas Reunion by Donna Hatch is a sweet story about pain, sacrifice, forgiveness and everlasting love. It is the perfect message for a holiday book and brought a smile to my face.
Emily has loved Bennett forever, but the news that he has married another woman leaves her completely devastated. With Christmas fast approaching, Emily is determined to overcome her pain and enjoy the holiday with her family. Then she runs into Bennett and realizes that she isn’t over him. Bennett is keeping a huge secret from Emily, including the fact that he has never stopped loving her. Christmas is all about miracles and that’s what it’s going to take to bring these two back together.
A Christmas Reunion is a very quick read coming in at around 30 pages, but in those short few pages Ms. Hatch has created a wonderful, heartwarming story that is perfect complement to the holidays. The book’s focus is on emotions which provides more than enough drama and suspense to hold your interest. And while the book is an historical romance, the story could have easily been contemporary with its message about returning soldiers. This book was exactly what I needed to remind me of what’s truly important – love.
The stars of this story were the wonderful characters. I credit Ms. Hatch’s wonderful characterization with causing me to feel so strongly about both Emily and Bennett. From the very first pages, Emily’s pain was evident. I found myself feeling her anguish yet knowing there had to be more to the story that Bennett was sharing. Emily was such a sweet and endearing character that I couldn’t help but fall in love with her and wished for her happiness. Bennett was doing what he thought was best for the woman he would always love. You can’t help but love a man who puts his woman first even as you want to bash him over the head for his stupidity.
If you are looking for a short and sweet story with a happy ending to warm your heart, then this is the perfect book for you. It will put a smile on your face and leave you wanting more.
December 20, 2021
This is a very short sweet moving novella that finds a recently jilted young lady, Emily, unexpectedly meeting her former fiancé, Bennett, at an inn when she and her parents are on their way to a Christmas house party. Emily is still heartbroken over the callous letter that Bennett sent her before he married another. Is Bennett married or is there an alternative reason for his freeing Emily? This story made me cry and than smile at the turn of events. I found it to be an entertaining short read that was perfect for the hectic holiday season.
June 5, 2015
Wish it were longer!
November 25, 2014
Cute sweet novella. Would have love to hear more of Emily and Bennet's story. Great chemistry for such a short read though.
January 26, 2015
Sweet but too short. Review to follow.
November 22, 2014
I loved this story! This is one of my favorite authors, so naturally I wish the book had been longer.
December 3, 2014
I loved the depth of emotion in this novella. A fun Christmas romance.
July 16, 2022
4.5 stars. This was a wonderful short Christmas story. My only complaint was it was too short! Would have loved more about these characters.
April 2, 2016
A nice story, though not particularly related to Christmas as it could have taken place any time of year.
February 1, 2015
I enjoyed this short read. It was so short though but I still ended up really liking both main characters.
March 8, 2015
A short sweet story, and a pleasure to read. Enjoyable.
December 14, 2016
Short but very sweet...a truly lovely second chance romance. A broken military man and a heartsick former fiancé have an unexpected and very revealing meeting while traveling over Christmas.
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews