Mary Elizabeth Braddon

The Christmas Hirelings

C. J. Daley 

A Christmas classic available via audible for free! So I had to grab this one. I listened to it all in one go while doing inventory at work. 

An old man plans on spending Christmas with his friend and niece. They suggest to him that Christmas isn’t the same without children and that they should hire some. He agrees, almost dismissively, but when they arrive he is immediately taken by the little girl, changing how he feels about everything. During their stay, the young girl falls deathly ill, and he is heartbroken, sparing no expense to get her better. What Sir John didn’t realize, was that the little girl wasn’t actually hired, she was the daughter of his own estranged daughter. Thus bringing her back into the fold of his life. Making him feel love again. 

This on the surface was a nice holiday read that had the feel of A Christmas Carol in the sense that it’s bringing warmth back into a cold heart. The thing that wasn’t that great, was because it is a classic, the daughter was estranged for literally marrying for love, regardless of the husband’s lack of money. Being of poor breed, as they’d say. But it is a product of their time, and the message in positive. 

Personally a 3/5*.

Barbara Williford

Sir John is an elderly man alone in the world except for a beloved niece and friend Danby. When Danby hatches a plan to hire children to brighten up the cold estate, Sir John is aloof until one little girl melts his cold heart. When tragic circumstances hits the home, a long lost secret is revealed.

Jenna Kathleen

A timeless tale just in time for the holidays. Predictable, but a sweet story nonetheless.