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A Stitch in Time #1.5
Ballgowns & Butterflies
The North Yorkshire moors are always a magical place, but they’re particularly enchanting at the holidays…especially if one gets to travel back in time to a Victorian Christmas. For Bronwyn Dale, it is the stuff of dreams. Fancy-dress balls, quirky small-town traditions, even that classic one-horse open sleigh, complete with jingle bells. There’s just the tiny problem of the Butterfly Effect. How does a time-traveler make a difference without disrupting the future forever?
Note: this is a holiday novella not a full-length book
Note: this is a holiday novella not a full-length book
128 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 25, 2021
About the author
Kelley Armstrong
282 books32.5k followersKelley Armstrong has been telling stories since before she could write. Her earliest written efforts were disastrous. If asked for a story about girls and dolls, hers would invariably feature undead girls and evil dolls, much to her teachers' dismay. All efforts to make her produce "normal" stories failed.
Today, she continues to spin tales of ghosts and demons and werewolves, while safely locked away in her basement writing dungeon. She's the author of the NYT-bestselling "Women of the Otherworld" paranormal suspense series and "Darkest Powers" young adult urban fantasy trilogy, as well as the Nadia Stafford crime series. Armstrong lives in southwestern Ontario with her husband, kids and far too many pets.
Today, she continues to spin tales of ghosts and demons and werewolves, while safely locked away in her basement writing dungeon. She's the author of the NYT-bestselling "Women of the Otherworld" paranormal suspense series and "Darkest Powers" young adult urban fantasy trilogy, as well as the Nadia Stafford crime series. Armstrong lives in southwestern Ontario with her husband, kids and far too many pets.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 171 reviews
October 3, 2021
Ballgowns and Butterflies by Kelley Armstrong
A Stitch in Time series book 1.5. Time travel holiday historical and contemporary romance novella. Revisit the couple from the first book. Best read after the first book to avoid spoilers.
Bronwyn flies home after the semester ends to spend the holiday with William in their ancestral home. The house is dark but he has a surprise for her.
So sweet. Holiday traditions and love are evident in the story. Bronwyn worries about the Butterfly effect and their love is the glue in each century. It was lovely to know they have been able to make their very different times, habits and connections work for them.
Previously published in an anthology called Upon a Winter Sky.
🎧 I alternated between an ebook copy and an audiobook. The narrator, Samantha Brentmoor, did a wonderful job with voice differences and drama. I enjoyed the performance at my regular speed of 1.2 without feeling it needed to be faster.
A Stitch in Time series book 1.5. Time travel holiday historical and contemporary romance novella. Revisit the couple from the first book. Best read after the first book to avoid spoilers.
Bronwyn flies home after the semester ends to spend the holiday with William in their ancestral home. The house is dark but he has a surprise for her.
So sweet. Holiday traditions and love are evident in the story. Bronwyn worries about the Butterfly effect and their love is the glue in each century. It was lovely to know they have been able to make their very different times, habits and connections work for them.
Previously published in an anthology called Upon a Winter Sky.
🎧 I alternated between an ebook copy and an audiobook. The narrator, Samantha Brentmoor, did a wonderful job with voice differences and drama. I enjoyed the performance at my regular speed of 1.2 without feeling it needed to be faster.
March 20, 2022
A nice novella for the first book couple, if you still haven't had it enough with them like I did.
Now, I'm kinda curious about the next couple book and the introduction of the evil elder brother in the premise.
Now, I'm kinda curious about the next couple book and the introduction of the evil elder brother in the premise.
January 29, 2022
Super cute story of Bronwyn's first Christmas with William both in her century and his.
She is now 6ish months pregnant and just finishing up her commitments in the 21st century both getting really ready for her married life. As she explores her first Christmas in William's time she gets to attend a fancy ball and also see one of the local village traditions of the children confessing to made up crimes in order to get treats. It is a fun fast cute holiday story of a couple who is literally timeless.
She is now 6ish months pregnant and just finishing up her commitments in the 21st century both getting really ready for her married life. As she explores her first Christmas in William's time she gets to attend a fancy ball and also see one of the local village traditions of the children confessing to made up crimes in order to get treats. It is a fun fast cute holiday story of a couple who is literally timeless.
September 2, 2021
This is about the first Christmas holiday for Bronwyn and William and baby-that-shall-not-be-named Melvina! LOL
Cute, but I want to read Rosalind's story ASAP!
Cute, but I want to read Rosalind's story ASAP!
August 28, 2021
4 stars - Paranormal/Victorian Historical/Time-Travel/Holiday Romance Novella
This is a heartwarming holiday story that serves as an extended epilogue for A Stitch in Time.
This is a heartwarming holiday story that serves as an extended epilogue for A Stitch in Time.
December 5, 2021
This is one of those that felt too short to either have a lot of complaints or a lot of praise . . .
November 27, 2023
This is a short story that takes place (instead of an epilogue) after A Stitch in Time. So, Bronwyn and William alternate their days between 19th and 21st century, and it's time for Bronwyn'w first official Christmas Ball.
I started reading this short story in the anthology "Under a Winter Sky" but then I realised that it wasn't a prequel and I abandoned it until I read the book first.
It was fun to see the MCs after everything was finalised in their lives as the main book lacked a proper epilogue.
I started reading this short story in the anthology "Under a Winter Sky" but then I realised that it wasn't a prequel and I abandoned it until I read the book first.
It was fun to see the MCs after everything was finalised in their lives as the main book lacked a proper epilogue.
December 18, 2021
This was basically an excuse to nerd out to a Victorian era Christmas.
It's a fun little glimpse back into the world through the stitch to catch up with the characters and gives a glimpse into what their lives will be like living across time. Logistically it seems like a nightmare, but they're working together and somehow distance and hardship seems to strengthen their relationship, which was beautiful to see.
It's a fun little glimpse back into the world through the stitch to catch up with the characters and gives a glimpse into what their lives will be like living across time. Logistically it seems like a nightmare, but they're working together and somehow distance and hardship seems to strengthen their relationship, which was beautiful to see.
August 10, 2021
As soon as I began reading, I knew I had read this before. This novella was previously published in November 2020 under the title "Under A Winter Sky" which consists of a compilation of novellas by authors Kelley Armstrong, Jeffe Kennedy, Melissa Marr, L. Penelope and Grace Draven.
This novella picks up where "A Stitch in Time" left off. Ms. Armstrong does a good job of giving it a brief set up and background in this continuation time travel romance and I enjoyed this Christmas-themed Victorian era story. However, I highly recommend "A Stitch in Time" to fully appreciate the complex murder/mystery, romance suspense, ghost time travel story which precedes this novella. It is a five-star read. With Ballgowns & Butterflies, she briefly introduced another intriguing mystery which I very much look forward to reading. ;)
This novella picks up where "A Stitch in Time" left off. Ms. Armstrong does a good job of giving it a brief set up and background in this continuation time travel romance and I enjoyed this Christmas-themed Victorian era story. However, I highly recommend "A Stitch in Time" to fully appreciate the complex murder/mystery, romance suspense, ghost time travel story which precedes this novella. It is a five-star read. With Ballgowns & Butterflies, she briefly introduced another intriguing mystery which I very much look forward to reading. ;)
July 29, 2021
I know I was just complaining this morning about wanting more, so uhhh.... I guess it didn't take me long to find more??? Turns out, while my library doesn't have this particular novella on its own, it does have it as part of an anthology. So naturally, I leapt on the chance to spend a bit more time with Bronwyn and William.
A very sweet, very satisfying little epilogue A Stitch in Time. Filing it away for future Christmas reads, although it kept me cool while out in the sun today.
A very sweet, very satisfying little epilogue A Stitch in Time. Filing it away for future Christmas reads, although it kept me cool while out in the sun today.
April 9, 2024
A cute little Christmas special!!
November 5, 2022
Sequel novella with Victorian Christmas setting.
December 22, 2022
Ballgowns & Butterflies is the first holiday novella in the series and events take place between the full-length novels A Stitch in Time & A Twist of Fate. It shares a Victorian Christmas as Bronwyn Dale embraces the magic of ballgowns, and sleigh rides, all while worrying about the butterfly effect.
I loved the follow-up story from A Stitch in Time. The story is an epilogue of sorts as we get updates on William and Bronwyn as they manage the time slip. It was magical to see a Victorian Christmas through Bronwyn’s eyes.
If you haven’t yet read A Twist of Fate, this tale offers some foreshadowing of things to come. It also addresses concerns Bronwyn has about the impact the time slip and her actions hold for the future. I thought it was well done.
Lots of holiday cheer left me smiling. It’s the perfect read for a snowy December night. This review was originally posted at Caffeinated Reviewer
I loved the follow-up story from A Stitch in Time. The story is an epilogue of sorts as we get updates on William and Bronwyn as they manage the time slip. It was magical to see a Victorian Christmas through Bronwyn’s eyes.
If you haven’t yet read A Twist of Fate, this tale offers some foreshadowing of things to come. It also addresses concerns Bronwyn has about the impact the time slip and her actions hold for the future. I thought it was well done.
Lots of holiday cheer left me smiling. It’s the perfect read for a snowy December night. This review was originally posted at Caffeinated Reviewer
October 18, 2021
4.5/ 5 stars
Ballgowns & Butterflies is a holiday novella. It is book #1.5 in the Stitch in Time series. You should read this after A Stitch in Time (book 1).
This story could be read as a standalone. However it really reads like an extended epilogue for A Stitch in Time. And there are major spoilers for that book. So I would highly encourage people to read this series in order.
This series is a Victorian time travel mystery romance. And this novella shows us what it would be like to travel back in time to see a Victorian Christmas.
This story is from 39 year old Bronwyn's 1st person POV (she is the narrator of book 1). She is finally home for Christmas after teaching the Fall semester in Canada. I really enjoyed this story. However I was very surprised that most of it took place in William's time.
This story made me even more excited to read A Twist of Fate (book 2 in the series)!
*This story also appears in the anthology Under A Winter Sky.
Ballgowns & Butterflies is a holiday novella. It is book #1.5 in the Stitch in Time series. You should read this after A Stitch in Time (book 1).
This story could be read as a standalone. However it really reads like an extended epilogue for A Stitch in Time. And there are major spoilers for that book. So I would highly encourage people to read this series in order.
This series is a Victorian time travel mystery romance. And this novella shows us what it would be like to travel back in time to see a Victorian Christmas.
This story is from 39 year old Bronwyn's 1st person POV (she is the narrator of book 1). She is finally home for Christmas after teaching the Fall semester in Canada. I really enjoyed this story. However I was very surprised that most of it took place in William's time.
This story made me even more excited to read A Twist of Fate (book 2 in the series)!
*This story also appears in the anthology Under A Winter Sky.
December 11, 2024
Fun novella centering around Bronwyn's first Victorian Christmas season. I enjoyed learning about more of the customs of that era. William and Bronwyn are so sorry together.
I'm encouraged to try the next book in the series. It features a different couple, and a different mystery.
I'm encouraged to try the next book in the series. It features a different couple, and a different mystery.
May 26, 2023
3.5 - cute novella
January 1, 2022
I was really excited about this novella. A Stitch in Time is probably my favourite book of the year (as I keep thinking about it) and I wanted to see where the characters ended up. I loved reading about Bronwyn's Christmas with William. It was festive and adorable. They're a great couple and I'm super obsessed with them.
May 10, 2023
This is a novella to follow the first in the author’s series “A Stitch in Time”. (Possible spoilers for the first book - am marking them, but they are only spoilers if one hasn’t read the first book.) In this one, Bronwyn is back in England to spend Christmas with William. She is now 6 months pregnant, and exhausted, but is looking forward to the holidays with .
It was fun to “experience” the Victorian Christmas with Bronwyn. I also loved the cover! There were a few things that happened that will likely extend into the next book (though I’m sure it will be briefly explained there, too), so it was nice to see how those things happened, but I really liked the Christmas/holiday theme of this one! (I actually don’t read very many Christmas-themed books.)
It was fun to “experience” the Victorian Christmas with Bronwyn. I also loved the cover! There were a few things that happened that will likely extend into the next book (though I’m sure it will be briefly explained there, too), so it was nice to see how those things happened, but I really liked the Christmas/holiday theme of this one! (I actually don’t read very many Christmas-themed books.)
December 15, 2021
I really enjoyed this book. It took someone from a modern time, and let her go back and forth in time. She can finish her university studies, and come back to the same house that has a portal to the house in Victorian Times. She arrives back home for a break to her home , and finds her husband ready to fuss over her. Then they go through the stitch in time to prepare to share the Christmas season in a village ,that her husband owns ,and cares for from his large estate. They are Lord and Lady of the area, and have many parties to attend, including a ball. They have baskets to deliver to the widows, or those in need, and she is very excited, yet exhausted due to all her traveling,, and pregnancy. She has always feared the butterfly affect, and how easily doing something in the past could affect the future. She has to assure herself that she cannot stop her life. fearing everything she does. When she oversees a servant being misused she knows she must take action, to interrupt it. Then her husband takes over, and gets the girl out of that estate to a safer one for her. She realizes she can have the best of both worlds, and help those in need in the past to make their future better.I really liked this book. I only wish it would have been longer. I was hoping we could see when her baby is born, and not end these books in cliffhangers. Four plus stars for me. There is a paranormal touch to this one as well.
August 9, 2021
While I liked this novella, I have to admit I lost a little bit of respect for Armstrong through it. She used the word ''invalid'' at 3 different occasions. For one of them, I could understand it: If you said ''my disabled relative'' in Victorian England, they wouldn't understand what you meant, but outside of that? Even just saying it outside of it to make sure she wouldn't mess it up when needed would have been OK, as long as she made a point out of mentioning that the proper word for it these days is ''disabled''. Armstrong has, after all, included disabled characters in her stories before without issue, and seeing her use this word, which is so belittling and demeaning... it didn't sit right at all.
Other than that, it was an OK short story set during the first Yule after the original book. It answered some of the more open questions, and even gave a small hint toward book 2! (now that I know what it's going to be about) I'm looking forward to continuing exploring this world and its characters.
Other than that, it was an OK short story set during the first Yule after the original book. It answered some of the more open questions, and even gave a small hint toward book 2! (now that I know what it's going to be about) I'm looking forward to continuing exploring this world and its characters.
November 4, 2021
This makes me want to read the first one again. How I love William. He is so adorable! But I am excited for the new mystery being set up and can't wait to read the next book in the series!
December 30, 2021
The first and second books in this series are my favorites. The next book comes out soon, I hope. A very good series. Great way to write historical romance and contemporary romance all in one.
January 30, 2022
What a nice treat for the holiday season.
February 13, 2022
Enjoyed this novella that involves time travel between the present and the nineteenth century. It is set at Christmas time and there are some Victorian traditions described that I didn't know about.
William and Bronwyn are sweet but I think the first book needed to be read before this one to really know their story properly. It sounds interesting too with a mix of fantasy, romance and mystery.
William and Bronwyn are sweet but I think the first book needed to be read before this one to really know their story properly. It sounds interesting too with a mix of fantasy, romance and mystery.
August 8, 2023
A 128-page Christmas novella about William and Bronwyn from the first book, 'A Stitch in Time'. This was a sweet and quick read, they continue to be adorable. I hope we see them again… onto the 2nd book!
March 18, 2024
Sweet novella set in the world of A Stitch in Time.
October 9, 2024
A perfect addition to the first book! And a great Christmas read that you can enjoy any time of the year!
March 26, 2022
Adorable
This was such a cute boost of serotonin. I loved it. Bronwyn and William are just awwwww and cute all over the place.
This was such a cute boost of serotonin. I loved it. Bronwyn and William are just awwwww and cute all over the place.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 171 reviews