Christmas in the Castle Library by Ann Swindell

Christmas in the Castle Library by Ann Swindell
Series: In the Castle Library, Book 1
Publisher: White Crown Publishing (October 15, 2024)

REVIEW BY KELLY J. GOSHORN

Christmas in the Castle Library is a heartwarming Christmas novel that blends romance, spiritual healing, and a deep love of books into a cozy seasonal escape.

The novel opens as the heroine, Ellie Sawyer, receives an invitation to travel to the kingdom of Leathersby to access rare historical resources, resources hidden deep within the castle library that she hopes will help her unravel the mysterious disappearance of Queen Alma and save her PhD dissertation. With the help of Mark, a thoughtful and quietly heroic castle staff member who shares her love of history, Ellie not only discovers clues about the lost queen but begins to untangle the misconceptions she’s held about herself and her faith.

Ellie Sawyer is the kind of heroine I can relate to—she loves history, books, and research. She’s also a bit spiritually adrift, and insecure about her figure and self worth. Through the course of the novel, Ellie’s research trip becomes a journey of self-discovery. While she begins the novel guarded and unsure of herself, she gradually learns to trust herself again. Ellie’s arc feels authentic, marked by small but meaningful shifts rather than sudden transformation. Perhaps the greatest discovery of all is her deeper relationship with Jesus.

Although this romance is only told from Ellie’s POV, I found Mark to be a very swoonworthy hero. Bound by duty and the weight of tradition, he struggles between preserving the past and pursuing something new. Over the course of the novel, he learns that honoring history does not mean sacrificing happiness, and that love can coexist with responsibility.

Ellie and Mark’s relationship unfolds slowly and organically, shaped by shared moments in the library and their mutual love of books and history, honest conversations, and the quiet magic of the season. Together, their arcs complement one another, creating a romance rooted in mutual understanding rather than grand gestures that allows both characters to confront loss, expectations, and the courage it takes to choose a new path.

“He wasn’t just a cute guy; he was Mark, and the thing about him that truly made her heart ache was the very thing that she didn’t even know how to name.”

Ann Swindell, Christmas in the Castle Library

Christmas in the Castle Library is the perfect read for anyone who loves Christmas stories with heart, faith, and bibliophile charm. It’s a testament to the transformative power of God’s love, the joy of rediscovery, and the magic that can unfold when mystery, romance, and spiritual growth intertwine. It’s the kind of book best enjoyed with a blanket, a mug of your favorite hot beverage, and plenty of time to linger among the shelves.

For all these reasons I give Christmas in the Castle Library five festive fish!

I listened to the audiobook version of Christmas in the Castle Library on Audible. The narrator, Marni Penning, brought this delightful book to life. If you’re a fan of audiobooks, this one is worth the listen.