Author: Melody Carlson
Publisher: Revell
Release Date: September 3, 2019
Rating: 4 Stars
Reviewer: Jessica Higgins
If you love a good Hallmark movie, you will enjoy this book
Krista Galloway has taken a job as City Manager in the small town of Winter Hill, famous for its Christmasville celebration. Not being a fan of the Christmas season, Krista is hesitant, but knows this is a great opportunity. She and her daughter settle into their small apartment and life in their new town. Krista faces many challenges as a young executive taking on a big position. She is slow to accept the idea of Christmasville that so many citizens adore, which makes some of the citizens question her. The CFO of the town gives her a run for her money, challenging her authority. While facing many of the challenges of putting Christmasville on in City Hall, Krista grows close to Conner Harris, the son of her assistant. She and Emily are taken in by the Harris family, making Krista realize that life in a small town may not be so bad. She even realizes that she finds some joy in Christmas, which up to this point has been a reminder of her difficult past. After Emily wins a town contest, Krista and Emily move into “The Christmas House” but Krista believes that it is too good to be true. After fighting for the good of the town, Krista fears she will be turned away as the new-comer who wants to run it into the ground. Truth is revealed and Krista is accepted as a member of the community. Like all feel-good books, this one ends happily for Krista and Emily.
This book was an easy read and very spirited. The Christmas theme was fun to delve into. Krista has a difficult past, including growing up in foster care and a divorce. Her fear of good happening to her can be off-putting at times, but in the end, she is redeemed and gets her happy ending. This book lacked an emotional depth. It was a light and easy read. While feeling slightly bored with the book in the middle portion, the end really did bring me back in. Krista was able to overcome her fears and see that she may have a future in this small Christmas centered town. I even had a tear in my eye reading her daughter, Emily’s, letter she wrote to the Christmasville Council. Overall, I enjoyed reading the book.
I received a complimentary copy of this title from the publisher. The views and opinions expressed within are my own.
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