An absolutely delightful Christmas story.

Told solely from the POV of Hugo meant I felt each of the highs and lows as he was rocked by revelations and buoyed by realisations.

Ruby Moone has a deft touch with her historical writing that I really appreciate. The details are there but I never feel swamped by the weight of her research.

And the modern day bookends of the historical story set it off brilliantly.

I couldn't put it down. Highly recommended. ( )

An absolutely delightful Christmas story.

Told solely from the POV of Hugo meant I felt each of the highs and lows as he was rocked by revelations and buoyed by realisations.

Ruby Moone has a deft touch with her historical writing that I really appreciate. The details are there but I never feel swamped by the weight of her research.

And the modern day bookends of the historical story set it off brilliantly.

I couldn't put it down. Highly recommended. ( )

At the beginning of this book, James Pell-Charnley has just closed up the estate. He finds Dylan in the Library. Dylan has been working for him for a very long time...and sadly... he said "No" the only time James asked if they could be more to one another. What awaits him that night isn't at all what he expects. Dylan says he is resigning. Just at that moment, the two men hear a mysterious waltz coming from somewhere in Winsford Abbey.

James then persuades Dylan that he needs to hear a secret story: a story that has only been told to certain men in his family over the decades.

At this point, the story switches to the tale of Lord Hugo Pell-Charnley. It's 1841 and he too is arriving at the Abbey because he needs his brother's help. He's found himself in a terrible situation. The fact that he is gay has been found out...he's being blackmailed. It just isn't a time during which men and women can have same-sex partners without being arrested... and socially ruining their families.

While at the Abbey, Hugo is reunited with a friend from school... Lyndon Cross. Hugo betrayed Lyndon at school. Both boys were bullied for being "different"... and in spite of the fact that Hugo already had feelings for Lyndon, there were many occasions when he would side with the bullies so that he could feel the relief of not being their target.

There are many secrets in this novella...all of them are interesting and some of them really surprised me! I love being surprised. There is definitely a thread of mystery running throughout this entire novella and it's a pleasure to get to the end to untangle it all.

This book is just as much about family as it is about romantic love. There are several relationships in this book that are prevented from coming to fruition by rules or societal norms. The feelings and emotions are sweet and sad and the writing is very lyrical. This is romance at its finest.

The supporting characters in this book are just as interesting as the man characters. Most of the novella is set in the past and explains the beginnings of a haunting and a family tale of love. Surprisingly, in the short time the modern characters are in this novella, I found that they were written in such a way that I was invested in them.

The world of Winsford Abbey in the past is richly developed. I loved the description of the ball at the house and I was completely caught up in the world of the past. Moone is a great writer, able to transport readers anywhere and with finesse. Moone's books never disappoint and this novella is no exception.

This was absolutely enjoyable, and I loved the Christmas timing of the story. ( )