Rutabaga's Reads 2026: Part 10

I’m back with my second annual Christmas in July compilation post. Hooray! It remains a new blog post tradition, but I hope more will pop up in the years to come. In the meantime, hope you’re having a happy Christmas in July! (^-^)

The Christmas House (Sept. 2, 2025) by Beverly Lewis.

<This is a standalone holiday novella with recurring characters from previous books.>

With Christmas fast approaching, 22-year-old Liz Lantz’s Christmas House Buggy Tours are booked up. Her younger brother, Adam, typically helps her, but he and their dad have been called away to help a relative with a house addition. Dat finds a young Amishman to work alongside her, but not knowing Matthew Yoder, she is apprehensive about this stranger coming on board. Matt proves to be charismatic, good with the customers and hard-working, taking care to groom King, the horse pulling the buggy. The buggy tours make it a point to go by the extravagantly decorated “Christmas House,” set up by the only non-Amish family (the Hyatts) in that area of Hickory Hollow. While nothing is wrong with a festive spirit, the ensuing traffic causes headaches and concerns for the area Amish. When Liz gives Ashley Hyatt a lift home, she learns more about them and the reason for their overdone Christmas display. It’s eye-opening, and she wonders how she can help their non-Amish neighbors feel welcome in their tightknit Amish community. Liz also struggles with her deepening feelings for Matt, whose faith and care for others lights up her heart like she never knew it could.

            Christmastime beckons readers to Hickory Hollow, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, and a snowy winterscape. Lewis wins yet again with her homespun, Christian Amish romance. The contemporary holiday novella is unpretentious even with the loud light display and charms throughout. It highlights community, family and, of course, Christmas. Little though this book is, there is abundant holiday cheer, a strong faith base amongst the main and supporting characters and a generous assortment of homemade goodies. Tuck into this sweet tale, but don’t forget a sweet treat, too.

The Christmas Ring (Oct. 21, 2025) by Karen Kingsbury.

<This is a standalone holiday novella.>

Four years have passed since Vanessa Mayfield lost the family heirloom, a piece of costume jewelry christened the Christmas ring by her great-grandfather when he found it on D-Day. Four years since she became a widow. Vanessa meets Ben Miller (a widower) when she happens into the vintage store run by Ben and his father in Marietta, Georgia. Vanessa’s just dropped off her daughter, Sadie, at Reinhardt University and happens to need fuel while driving through Marietta. Their friendship easily turns into a whirlwind romance, but romance may not be meant to happen. Vanessa continues to wear her wedding ring. She also hasn’t told Sadie about Ben, and the annual Columbus Cares Military Dance approaches, which Sadie will be home for. Ben’s dad finds the item of a lifetime, a ring appraised at $25,000. It’ll fund the dream trip he’d always hoped to take with his wife and son to Italy, though his wife is also gone. Ben’s worked up the courage to take Vanessa on a real date and declare his love when he learns a terrible truth. It’s one he cannot ignore and finds him rushing back to Marietta the day before the annual military dance and fundraiser. “Love is the greatest diamond in the rough.” Love wins all ... hopefully.

            For those looking for a sweet and clean holiday romance, this might be the Christian fiction tale for you. The drama is never overly dramatic, the plot is uncluttered, and the novella’s whirlwind romance is whirlwind-y. It’s family-friendly and Hallmark-ready. Faith runs deep, compassion rings true, and appreciation for those serving and their military families is authentic. Unfortunately, I couldn’t really get into the story. This Christmas tale is too sweet, the whirlwind romance not convincing enough, which may be due to the lack that can happen in a shortened tale. I don’t regret reading it, but I’m glad that I checked it out from the library versus spending my own money on it.

Once Upon a Christmas Carol (Sept. 2, 2025) by Melody Carlson.

<This is a standalone holiday novella.>

She hates Christmas. With a Christmas Day birthday growing up in a dysfunctional home, Carol Langstrom’s birthdays were never days of celebration and excitement. She’d skip the holiday altogether, but as someone working in the interior design industry, the Christmas holiday is a decorating extravaganza for her rich, entitled clients. This year she’s fleeing to the Bahamas, but bad weather re-routes, and then subsequently strands, her to Michigan. She winds up connecting with an aunt she’s never met and takes shelter from the storm at her place in [fictional] Miller’s Creek, Michigan. She encounters Victor Clarkson when he picks her up from the airport. It turns out he’s the handsomest guy in the community and has a heart of gold. She expects to fly out as soon as flights start up, but there is a charm in this town that Carol’s never experienced. Her mom made out Aunt Maria O’Harney (née Banducci) to be the most selfish, but she’s quite the opposite. It’s with her aunt that she’s wrapped up in a new kind of Christmas, one with family at its core.

            I hail from and live in a winter climate, but even I would be aghast if my tropical getaway became a stranded stay-in. The Christian Christmas novella is decked out in holiday spirit, the joy of family and the comfort that comes in being loved, and it’s wrapped up in the peace of faith. That doesn’t mean the tale is without blustery winds, icy roads and small-town drama, but it strengthens the story’s charm and cheer. The pleasant, contemporary romance would fit right in as a Hallmark movie. Who knew that a wintry wonderland could transform holiday blues over a missed tropical escape into a Christmas that’s merry and bright?

Rutabaga's Reads 2025: Part 11

I aim to make this a regular compilation post annually, but its nickname all these months has been Christmas in July. None of these books were published in July, but as you can see from the titles, they all have a Christmas theme. Happy Christmas in July! (^-^)

Christmas at Sugar Plum Manor (Sept. 3, 2024) by Roseanna M. White.

<This is a standalone novella.>

In Edwardian-era England, 19-year-old Lady Mariah Lyons is the beloved stepdaughter of Lord Geoffrey Lightbourne, the Earl of Castleton. Her mother married the earl when Mariah was only two years old. Lady Mariah has grown up in the idyllic Plumford Manor, a home and village she cherishes, and it’s rechristened Sugar Plum Manor every Christmas holiday. Her childhood friend, whom she hasn’t seen in 12 years, 22-year-old Cyril Lightbourne, is set to return to Plumford as its heir. Lady Mariah once dreamed her friendship with Cyril would spark into something more, but she’s learned that he’s courting the cruel Lady Pearl Kingeland. She vows to accept him as a friend and prays he’ll be the heir her stepfather and Plumford need.

            A youthful misunderstanding kept Cyril away from Plumford Manor, and he no longer has an attachment to Lady Pearl. He hopes Mariah is still a friend, but winning her heart may pose tricky, as a Danish lord, Søren Gyldenkrone, is determined to win her hand and whisk her back to Denmark. Will the magic of the holiday season usher in true love like sugar plums, cinnamon and gingerbread usher holiday merriment into a festive home?

            This short tale is layered with friendship, love, sugar plums, gingerbread and an E.T.A. Hoffman-inspired Nutcracker play. The main characters are easy to root for, and it’s even easy to root for Lord Gyldenkrone and hope for a happy outcome for Lady Louise, Lady Mariah’s 26-year-old widowed sister. There are Scrooge-y hearts that need thawing. The whimsical backdrop of this novella, with its holiday descriptions and Christmassy foods, makes for a charming historical romance. While outside the realm of her usual novels, White remains a powerhouse in Christian, historical fiction. What a treat that it’s Christmas-themed this time!

The Christmas Tree Farm (Sept. 3, 2024) by Melody Carlson.

<This is a standalone novella.>

After several years of teaching in Mongolia, Madison McDowell has returned to her family’s Christmas tree farm in Oregon. There’s damage after a recent wildfire, and it’s also been neglected due to her younger sister’s unwillingness to invest her time and money into the farm. Addie wants to sell, claiming there wasn’t much to inherit after their other grandparent passed away, but Madison is prepared to invest in the farm, and she does. Her time, her money, her sweat. She isn’t thrilled that their property-adjoining neighbors want to create a dusty, noisy, dirt bike track, but maybe dirt bikes aren’t so bad? The neighbor is a widower and her first love, Gavin Thompson, whose younger daughter, Lily, wants the track. The older daughter, Lucy, is away at college. Now all she wants is for them to be good neighbors and friends. Just friends. (Maybe.) Her focus is the Christmas tree farm and restoring the one place that ever felt like home to Madison. It’ll take grit, hard work and great effort to restore the farm, but that may prove easier than reconciling with her sister. Will unexpected help spell a second chance at love or will it just dredge up painful memories right before Christmas?

            This Hallmark moviesque novella is a Christian, contemporary romance with drops of faith that will have readers wanting a custom wreath, the fresh scent of a real Christmas tree and plenty of hot cocoa. Readers know the story will be tied up with a neat bow by the story’s end, but that’s not a bad thing when you know going in that you’re in for a swift, sweet, charming story that encourages holiday spirit.

Santa’s Secret (Sept. 24, 2024) by Fern Michaels.

<This is the third book in a series.>

With Christmas fast-approaching, ‘tis the season for high school friends Frankie (Francesca) Cappella, Amy Blanchard, Rachael Newmark and Nina Hunter to go on a Girls’ Trip. Their trip finds three-quarters of them traveling with partners, and Frankie’s parents are going, too. They’re traveling to Salerno, Italy, where Giovanni Lombardi’s family lives. Giovanni is Frankie’s boyfriend. Giovanni and his older brother, Marco, run an Italian restaurant in Manhattan, and the traditional family recipes delight tourists and locals alike. But one recipe eludes them, and it’s their mother’s coveted panettone. She claims it’s “Santas’ secret.” Amy, Rachael and Nina have their own side quests planned before converging on the Lombardi family. From lost luggage to the wrong tour group to jet lag and Vespas, there’s never a dull getaway with this crew of high school friends and company.

            The third in the Santa’s Crew series (I’ve not read the previous two) likely finds strong readership with viewers who enjoy their Hallmark holiday movies era. There’s amazing food, mischief-making, holiday merriment and wholesome romance in this contemporary romance, Christmas story. It’s a story of beloved traditions and making new memories. My one struggle is how she writes her interactions with her friends. The friends are in my generational age group, but none of my various friends with their varied backgrounds and current stations interact like that, not even those friends who are huggers. Those interactions are cringey to me. Still, for readers looking for a little merry mayhem during the holiday season and copious amounts of delectable Italian food, this may be the Christmas story for them.

Rutabaga's Reads 2024: Part 10

Here’s the only adult fiction compilation post that I have for this year. Maybe next year, I’ll read enough for two compilation posts!

The Book of Lost Names (July 21, 2020) by Kristin Harmel.

<This is a standalone novel.>

Under dire circumstances, Eva Traube discovers she is skilled at forgery in 1942. She lives with her parents in Paris. While she was born in France and grew up speaking the language, it’s no secret that she and her parents are Jewish; her parents are Polish Jews. Tatuś is taken by French police. Eva and Mamusia flee to Aurignon in southern France, it being part of the Free Zone until it isn’t. Eva and her mom let a room from Madame Barbier. She’s part of an underground network helping people, mainly children, flee to Switzerland. She gets Eva in contact with Père Clément at the Église Saint-Alban, where she meets a handsome forger named Rémy Duchamp. Giving new names to those fleeing may help them survive, but Eva despises the idea that she’s erasing people; hence, The Book of Lost Names. The book itself is lost to the Nazis, and it’s in 2005 when Eva, now Eva Traube Abrams, sees a photograph in a magazine at her local library, where she works as a semi-retired librarian, now well into her 80s. She’ll fly to Berlin to reunite with the book. One thing lost to her is about to be returned, though so much and so many were lost to her during WWII, including Rémy, when the resistance cell they worked for was compromised. Eva’s son knows nothing of this part of her life. Is she ready to share it?

            It’s the title that caught my eye, and the story captured my interest from the first chapter. At turns heartfelt and heart-shattering, tender and devastating, this historical fiction novel is poignant, powerful and purposeful. Despite inhabiting a dark, terrifying time, the characters show bravery, courage and the resilience of the human spirit while walking amongst evil, much like far too many had to do in real life then and, sadly, are doing now. My first story by Harmel, and I was swept up in its emotion and realism. This story is thoughtful and compelling.

Happiness Falls (Aug. 29, 2023) by Angie Kim.

<This is a standalone novel.>

Their father is missing. The father is Adam Parson, and the mom is Dr. Hannah Park. Their biracial children are a mash-up of their names: twins Mia and John Parkson and Eugene Parkson, their 14-year-old brother, who’s six years their junior. Mia is the only one at home when Eugene comes running full speed ahead. He’s alone, disheveled and bloody with blood under his nails. Adam isn’t with him, not that Mia notices straight away, with her eyes shut against the sun. By the time Hannah and John have returned home from their respective workplaces, hours have passed. Eugene cannot tell them what happened to their father, as he’s unable to communicate orally or through writing. Eugene has both autism and the rare genetic condition called Angelman syndrome. When Eugene gets in trouble for accidentally assaulting a police officer, it becomes even more imperative to learn what happened to Adam. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, he’s fortunately able to be under house arrest at home instead of kept overnight in an unfamiliar environment (detention center) with complete strangers. As the rollercoaster search continues, it’s discovered that Adam had secrets of his own. Namely, the HQ (happiness quotient) and something major to do with Eugene. The clock is ticking in this investigation. What did Eugene witness?

            There is so much to this domestic drama that’s also a compassionate mystery containing themes of philosophical inquiry, the power of language and its role in perceived intelligence and human connection filled with emotionally rich storytelling. The story is told from Mia’s perspective. She’s hyper-analytical and very judgmental, and I struggled with her character. I can be as judgmental as the next person, but I was also raised to be compassionate. I can stand up for myself without coming across as disdainful. So, whereas John’s niceness as a narrator might’ve been easier to read, it’s Mia’s impertinent, over-thinking mind that moves the story along. I didn’t love this adult fiction novel, which I did read because of the hype – it’s a GMA Book Club Pick – but I can’t deny that it’s one of the smartest books I’ve read this year. It’s multi-layered and thought-provoking. This is a novel that shines with hope amidst heartache and wrests joy from tragedy.

The Sound of Sleighbells (June 27, 2023) by Janet Dailey.

*This is the sixth novel in a series.*

After divorcing her abusive husband, Ruth McCoy is looking to create happy memories and new holiday traditions for her kids: Skip (15), Janeen (6) and Tammy (4). Money may be tight, but she’s got a stable roof over her family’s heads and food on the table. Branding Iron, Texas, is Ruth’s hometown. It’s also Judd Rankin’s hometown, but she’s avoided him easily enough over the years. Her first love, she knows Judd’s history, of his time in jail, but Judd’s turned his life around. He owns a successful custom saddle-making business and Angus ranch. Skip’s friend, Trevor, convinces him to help him with a project out at Judd’s. Ruth is hesitant, worried that Judd and Skip will notice too much. When a blast from the past comes to Branding Iron, a man called Digger, Ruth fears it’s only a matter of time before her secret isn’t so secret anymore. Judd’s never truly gotten over Ruth, but will Ruth give him another chance?

            My first novel from the late author, I found this sixth in The Christmas Tree Ranch series to be sweet with tones of trepidation. While I read this one in the summertime, it’d be perfect for reading on a cold night, wrapped up in one’s favorite blanket with a generous mug of hot chocolate containing extra marshmallows. It is part romance and part intrigue. It’s a wholesome story for readers who love the magic of Christmastime any time of the year. I’m not big on romance novels, but this one with its multigenerational cast delivers good pacing and appeal for readers looking for chaste romance.

"A Royal Christmas" by Melody Carlson

A Royal Christmas (Sept. 5, 2023) by Melody Carlson.*

<This is a standalone novella.>

Life isn’t a fairy tale, certainly not for Adelaide Katelyn Smith. Growing up was a lean time with her mother, a single parent. Her mom’s been gone three years, and Adelaide’s barely been supporting herself by working at a coffee shop for over eight years as she strives to put herself through law school. Then one day a letter arrives notifying her that she’s a direct descendant of King Maximillian Konig V, the ruler of Montovia, a small European principality. After realizing it’s not a joke or a scam, Adelaide finds herself on another continent, her guide the prime minister’s handsome nephew, Anton Balazs, and the youngest member of Montovia’s Parliament. Her royal father is battling liver cancer and losing, but he’s overjoyed to meet Adelaide, and she’s thrilled to know the father she never knew she had. Unfortunately, time is short, and she’s already managed to make an enemy of Queen Johanna Maria Egger Bohm Konig. She clearly wants to make her son, Georg, king, as he is legally King Max’s son by adoption. Prince Farcus, the king’s brother, would be next in line for the throne, but he is missing. Adelaide will be charmed by the villages and a certain youngest member of Parliament. She has a chance at a fairy tale romance and a home in Montovia, but she expects to return to the States. Can someone change her mind?

            Channeling “The Princess Diaries,” this rags-to-royalty Christmas novella is a sweet escape from the routine of life. Adelaide is hard-working, sincere and indomitable. Queen Johanna may be shrewd, but she underestimates Adelaide, who won’t be treated like a rug and walked all over. It is easy to cheer Adelaide on and know that she’ll fall for Anton. Readers know the story will have a happy ending, but I would expect nothing less from a cozy tale full of holiday spirit with a dash of mystery and trickery.

            P.S. Does anyone have an excellent, tried-and-true recipe for sacher torte?

* 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.”

"A Quilt for Christmas" by Melody Carlson

A Quilt for Christmas (Sept. 6, 2022) by Melody Carlson.*

*This is a standalone novella.*

The approaching holiday season doesn’t find Vera Swanson (age 68) full of Christmas cheer. A widow who relocated to Fairview, Oregon, five months before to be near her daughter and her daughter’s family (and they’ve since moved to California), Vera is alone in her condo-for-one, a far cry from her Craftsman home in Western Oregon. With no family in town and no friends made, she isn’t feeling merry and bright, but life takes a turn when four-year-old Fiona Albright knocks on her door. Her mom, Kerry, is sick and needs help getting to the hospital. With the dad, Josh, away during the week for work, Vera helps care for Fiona and her older siblings, Maureen (8) and Nolan (11). When Fiona notices Vera’s Nordic Star patchwork quilt, she is in awe and asks Vera to make “a big patchwork quilt” for her mom in time for Christmas, which is only a few weeks away! Vera knows she can’t make such a large quilt that quickly on her own, so she hangs up flyers and gains volunteers Tasha Ellison (a 35-year-old artist who works in her aunt’s floral shop), Beverly Clark (a delightful 58-year-old woman who loves baking at the holidays) and Eleanor Rasmussen (a 67-year-old newly retired therapist). This colorful group of women are banding together to make Christmas brighter for a family that doesn’t have much. Vera right away likes social Beverly and free-spirited Tasha, but aloof, judgmental Eleanor is a challenge. How will Eleanor handle it when it appears that her son and only child, Evan, hits it off with Tasha, a divorcee who never attended college?

            Jesus is the reason for the season, but Vera’s fallen away from faith since her husband passed. Seeing how He brought Fiona and the Albright family into her life, along with her new friends in the quilt club, readers get to watch as Vera’s faith returns, bringing extra warm fuzzies to a wholesome Christmas novella. The story places emphasis on generosity and connection, showcasing that one can connect with others of any age and a multitude of personalities, knowing that the dynamic will be that much richer for their differences. Young Fiona is energetic, sweet and intelligent, and the quick friendship she forms with Vera is adorable. But for me, what’s most moving is Eleanor’s transformation. This standalone is as delectable as any of Beverly’s treats. For fans of holiday stories and a smidge of burgeoning romance, this cozy tale works well for reading by the fire on a cold night or on the beach on a toasty summer day.

* 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.”

"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.”

"The Christmas Swap" by Melody Carlson

 

The Christmas Swap (Sept. 1, 2020) by Melody Carlson.*

The Christmas holiday is coming, and substitute teacher and would-be musician Emma Daley’s plan is to stay home alone in Tempe, Arizona. Her best friend of 14 years, Gillian Landers, has a different plan: that Emma will be with the Landers family, because she always spends Christmas with them since her parents moved to Uganda to run a mission school. This year, though, the Landerses are swapping houses, trading their opulent home in Scottsdale for a white Christmas in Breckenridge, Colorado. Gillian says that her brother, Grant, has a thing for Emma, and Gillian has her eyes set on Harris, who’s coming along, too. Like Gillian’s family, Harris is wealthy, and it’s no secret that she plans to marry for money. So Emma is totally thrown when Gillian suddenly shows an interest in the caretaker of the Breckenridge house they’re staying in. She does a complete 180 and goes from snooty and condescending to flirty and possessive. What is going on? Because Emma is the one who has fallen for the caretaker, known to her as West. He is funny and kind and teaches her how to ski with more patience than a schoolteacher. They enjoy the same type of music, and he’s musically- and vocally-inclined, as is she. But West is actually Tyler West Prescott (TW Prescott, professionally), an in-demand songwriter who writes for famous singers such as Gunner Price. How does Gillian know this about West? Will West tell Emma who he really is, since he’s also fallen for her?

As someone who normally experiences a white Christmas (I live in Minnesota), you won’t find me swapping houses for a warmer climate at Christmastime! Although sugary sweet, I found myself appreciating that one of the lead characters (Emma) is of part Asian descent, and this inspirational, fictional tale is an inspiring one of love. However, let it be said that I found Gillian to be aggravating with her airs and snooty attitude and spoiled demeanor. If you can get past Gillian (and her mother, Lisa, who apparently can’t be satisfied with anything about the house-swapping trip), you will surely discover a story that could be set up for a Hallmark Christmas movie. It’ll warm your heart and tug any musical heartstrings that you have. It’s a casual, light read, so it won’t be for everyone, but if you’re a fan of Christmastime and sweet reads, this might fit cozily on the side table next to your favorite chair near a wood-burning fireplace with a mug of hot chocolate topped with mini marshmallows.

 * 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.”

"Christmas in Winter Hill" by Melody Carlson

Christmas in Winter Hill (Sept. 3, 2019) by Melody Carlson.*

Growing up in the foster care system and with a Christmas Eve birthday that was usually overlooked, Krista Galloway is not charmed by the holiday season. She’d rather skip right into the new year. As it were, she’s taken a new city manager job in the [fictional] town of Winter Hill, Washington. Her eight-year-old daughter, Emily, notices the idyllic town’s sign for Christmasville, which is a grand to-do for the town. Krista is unexcited to learn that she is expected to be active in this celebration, not just in helping to oversee it, but participate as well. Her daughter loves Christmas and is thrilled about a weeks-long Christmas celebration. Growing up in Phoenix, she has never seen snow and can’t wait for the first snowfall. There’s also the Christmas House. A very fortunate essay writer will win it, and she prays so much that it is her. Krista doesn’t have the heart to dash her young hopes, but winning a house simply isn’t realistic. Can Winter Hill change Krista’s mind about how she feels about Christmas?

            Conner Harris and his teenage daughter, Anna, help Krista and Emily move into their apartment. Conner’s mom is Pauline Harris, a city assistant who’s invaluable as Krista’s settling into her new role in a new town. It is clear that Conner is a hard worker, a great father, a helping hand and someone who knows the Lord. He helps Krista with a potential health safety issue at City Hall and donates his company’s time to do so, which makes speechless a tirade-spewing Winston Palmer. Winston would make a good Scrooge, as he’s the town grump and the city’s chief financial officer. Krista has asked repeatedly for last year’s budget, but he drags his feet in  getting her the report. When he does, something is off about it. Is Winston doing something he shouldn’t?

            As someone who loves Christmastime, the thought of helping organize a Christmas celebration sounds fantastic! And getting to dress up and play a part? Where can I sign up?! I’ve been reading many books laden with deep world-building, too many plotlines and sometimes too many points-of-view characters, so it was refreshing to read this slim tale. Despite the hijinks of a rabble-rouser, this story was mostly as sweet as a Christmas bakeshop and as delightful as a Hallmark holiday made-for-TV movie. Certainly that won’t appeal to everyone, and we all know, realistically, that praying hard for something doesn’t mean we will get it, but this book was the type of relaxed read that I needed. If you enjoy uncomplicated holiday tales, this may be for you. If you’re looking for more depth and less sweet, I’d recommend detouring around Winter Hill.

* 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.”