Frontier Christmas romances have a way of settling right into your heart—warm fires, small communities learning to lean on one another, and two people quietly discovering that love can still grow even in the hardest seasons. And the Mountains in Reply by Sienna Peake brings all of this to life in a sweet, faith-touched novella about purpose, compassion, and a gentle slow-burn romance set in early Arizona.
If you love stories with humble heroes, resilient heroines, and communities in need of healing, this one is a beautiful winter treat.
Title: And the Mountains in Reply
Author: Sienna Peake
Series: The Carols of Christmas
Genre: Holiday Romance
Rating: 4 out of 5 ⭐
Disclaimer
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I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the author. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.
My Thoughts:
Sarah Gibson arrives in Prescott, Arizona with nothing but determination, a few belongings, and her carefully prepared lesson plans. As the town’s very first schoolteacher, she hopes for a simple new beginning—but instead finds herself face-to-face with the complicated realities of frontier life.
Some families, especially those with mixed Native heritage or connections to the town’s brothels, hesitate to send their children to school. Old prejudices and local politics cast long shadows over Sarah’s hopes for a unified classroom. But Sarah is quietly relentless. She believes deeply that every child deserves the chance to learn, to be seen, and to imagine a future beyond their circumstances.
Her heart is truly the shining thread of this story.
As Christmas approaches, Sarah decides that a schoolwide Christmas concert might be exactly what the town needs—a way to highlight the children’s hard work and gently encourage people to gather as a community again. It’s sweet, earnest, and full of the charm that frontier holiday stories are known for.
Enter Elijah Phelps, a taciturn but deeply kind carpenter who has spent years trying to remain unnoticed after difficult experiences in the military. Sarah and Elijah orbit each other quietly at first—shared glances, small conversations, an unspoken understanding—but it’s clear early on that they see goodness in one another long before either is ready to admit it.
Elijah’s uncertainty about his worthiness makes their romance feel tender and deeply human. Sarah’s compassion, paired with Elijah’s steady, humble presence, creates a bond rooted in trust. Their relationship grows in the softest ways, full of mutual support, whispered encouragement, and a longing neither expected to find.
And the Mountains in Reply is a cozy, heartfelt holiday novella that blends community, faith, and frontier charm into a sweet reminder of how love—and purpose—often arrive exactly when we need them most.
Publisher’s Blurb:
The music of Christmas mends hearts in frontier Arizona
When Sarah Gibson arrives in Arizona, she has nothing to her name but the clothes on her back and a set of lesson plans to start her life as Prescott’s first teacher. From the start, complications arrise, and they all seem to bring her in contact with the same taciturn carpenter: Elijah Phelps. When Sarah’s school plans begin to fall apart, she’ll need to work with Elijah to prepare a Christmas concert powerful enough to bring the town together and maybe the two of them as well.
And the Mountains in Reply is a stand alone novella in the Carols of Christmas series of Christian romances inspired by classic Christmas hymns.
Where to Buy:
Final Thoughts:
If you’re looking for a historical Christmas novella with heart, depth, and a gentle message about belonging, And the Mountains in Reply is such a rewarding read. It captures the spirit of neighborly love, the sweetness of unexpected romance, and the transformative power of kindness. A perfect fireside read for the holiday season.
Do you enjoy Christmas romances set on the frontier, or do you prefer more traditional Victorian or Regency holiday settings?
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