For a Christmas novella that barely crosses the hundred-page threshold, this was a truly lovely romance with an original premise and two fully realized main characters. Retired navy captain Phillip Dalton is now settling into life at home with his wife of 20+ years and his grown children, though he's more at sea on land than he ever was at sea. His devoted wife, Annalise, is adjusting to a life with her husband present after years of raising their children on her own, with only infrequent visits to ground their family life together. I didn't realize how much I would love seeing two main characters navigate life with grown children as much as I did, but the through-line of Beth's impending marriage evidenced all of the tender hopes and long-nurtured affection Phillip and Annalise have shared despite their separation. What was once a marriage of convenience becomes a chance at a love match, and it is so beautifully done that I was misty-eyed by the end. I loved this Christmas novella and highly recommend it to historical romance readers desperate for more mature characters navigating marriage and parenthood.