"A Christmas in the Alps" by Melody Carlson

A Christmas in the Alps (Sept. 7, 2021) by Melody Carlson.*

There is something almost magical about the thought of France in the wintertime. Simone Sophia Winthrop is going to see it after discovering a note from her namesake great-grandmamma and lots of pushing from her best friend, Andrea Jacobs. She’s terrified of flying, but meets the handsome and winsome Kyle Larsson. He’s going to Norway before landing in France, while Simone spends time in Paris before taking the train to Avre (sounds like ah-vuh) in hopes of finding a treasure and, perhaps, relatives. It turns out that Kyle has made his way to Avre to apprentice at a clock and watch factory … and the factory is owned by Simone’s long-lost relatives.

            I realize that this is a novella and the story that takes place within must progress at a faster pace due to it being a slim volume and not a full-length novel. Still, I found Simone’s almost immediate crush on Kyle and frequently straying thoughts of Kyle to be off-putting. It’s like she was obsessed with him, minus the stalking and/or creepy, lustful thoughts. That said, this novella reminds me of a Hallmark movie in storybook form, everything from the finding-your-soulmate romance to the idyllic French-Alps-in-the-wintertime setting. Personally, I rooted for Simone to connect with relatives she didn’t previously know existed. To me, that’s the treasure she’s been missing in her life since her great-grandmamma passed away.

 

 * Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Revell Books. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions are expressly my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”