The first installment in The True Love Novellas series, The Christmas Beau by Renée Allen McCoy is a splendid faith-based romance exploring themes about love, rebuilding trust, and forgiveness. With her graphic design business finally turning a profit this year, Charity feels like all her dreams are coming true except her hope for a good companion and husband. During her Christmas vacation at home in Lewiston Springs, Mississippi, her mother invites their city’s mayor for a brief visit. He arrives with his son who happens to be Charity’s ex-boyfriend. Painful memories resurface when Charity sees Milton for the first time since their hurtful breakup. Charity learns that her mother has also cast her alongside Milton in a play she has planned for a Christmas gala. Charity struggles to put the past behind her while Milton works on earning her trust and proving that he has changed.

The story is an easy read with important themes that the audience will find applicable and helpful. The message regarding second chances and forgiveness in a relationship and within a family is beautifully brought out. The theme is also in line with the meaning of Christmas which involves family, community, and reconciliation. I loved that the characters are fleshed out and the conflicts in the plot are explored in depth. Both Charity and Milton are imperfect which makes their relationship feel authentic. The dialogue included is entertaining and further develops the main characters and the book’s central themes. The Christmas Beau by Renée Allen McCoy is a charming, heart-warming contemporary romance with relevant themes driven by rounded characters who face recognizable struggles. Readers will love its messages and hopeful ending.

Treat yourself to Renée Allen McCoy's cozy romance novel, The Christmas Beau. Charity Maxwell reluctantly returns home to Lewiston Springs, Mississippi, for the holidays upon her mother Margaret's insistence, hoping not to run into her ex-boyfriend, Milton Grayson. It's been seven years since their relationship abruptly ended, and Charity was devastated by their breakup. Meanwhile, Milton Grayson is also in town after receiving the Purple Heart for his service to the country. Milton is a changed man after an injury he suffered two years ago that renewed his faith in God. With sparks flying between the former lovers again, will Charity and Milton end up together?

A tale of making amends, faith, and love, The Christmas Beau is a book that every romance reader will cherish. Renée Allen McCoy spins an absorbing yarn full of romance, humor, and hope that tugs at your heartstrings and leaves you wanting more. The novella is a breezy read with a wholesome feel you cannot help but love. The plot is soaked in family drama, as you are invested in every character from the Maxwell and Grayson families. The narrative focuses on Charity and Milton's relationship, and other character arcs revolve around their dynamic. Charity and Milton have compelling chemistry, and the couple is easy to root for. All in all, an entertaining novella for contemporary romance lovers.