If you’re a fan of Nora Roberts’ romances, you need to know the two stories in this book are not new, although Once Upon a Christmas Spell was just released. “All I Want for Christmas” was first published in 1994. “Charmed” is part of the Donovan Legacy, books about an Irish family of witches, with the latest generation living in California and Oregon. That story originally came out in 1992. I needed these stories right now.
“All I Want for Christmas” is a novella that features twins, two boys just starting first grade. Zack and Zeke Taylor’s mother deserted them and their father, Mac, when they were infants. Now, they have a Christmas wish. Zeke isn’t happy when his brother tells them they can ask for bikes in their letter to Santa, but their other request is too big, and they can’t ask for more other than that one. In their letter, they request “the mom”, with “yello hair”, and she must like little boys and big dogs. When they meet Nell Davis, the new music teacher at the high school, they believe she fits the bill. Now, if only their father and Miss Davis will get together before Christmas. It’s a Hallmark type of novella with, of course, charming twins and the Grumpy/Sunshine trope.
I liked the Donovan family so much in “Charmed” that I ordered the other books in the Donovan Legacy series. All of the Donovans are witches. Although the older generation lives in Donovan Castle in Ireland, the three cousins in their late twenties and early thirties live in Monterey. The story of Morgana’s romance and her cousin, Sebastian’s, are told in earlier books. This is Anastasia’s story. Ana is a healer, an empath, with strong healing powers. When Jessie Sawyer, the new neighbor peeks through the hedge of fairy roses, Ana immediately falls in love with the chatty six-year-old. But, her father, Boone, the author of fairy tales, is suspicious. He’s moved from Indiana, partially because of a woman who used Jessie to try to get close to the wealthy widower. But, it’s hard to keep Jessie out of Ana’s garden, and Ana out of Boone’s thoughts.
“Charmed” is another story with an enchanting child who is first attracted to the female main character. It’s a story of the magic of love and healing, and a wonderful story of family love. As I said, I enjoyed this one enough to order the others in the Donovan Legacy series. The book was just what I needed right now, stories of family, life, and love.
Nora Roberts’ website is https://noraroberts.com/
Once Upon a Christmas Spell by Nora Roberts. Silhouette, 2026. 336p.
FTC Full Disclosure – I bought a copy of the book.
