Christmas in Winter Hill: A Christmas Novella

Christmas in Winter Hill by Melody Carlson is a sweet Christmas novella. I look forward to reading this authors latest Christmas story each year and I was not disappointed with Christmas in Winter Hill. It is well-written with relatable characters in realistic situations. It moves along at a steady pace and can be finished quickly (only 164 pages). Krista Galloway is looking forward to starting over in Winter Hill. She has not had the easiest life growing up in the foster care system and the last few years have been difficult. Her daughter, Emily is looking forward to having a white Christmas and she wants a real home with a backyard. Unfortunately, things do not go as planned for the duo. Emily, though, does enjoy living in Winter Hill and makes friends right away. I enjoyed Emily’s enthusiasm as she embraced all the Christmas festivities. The little girl wants her mother to love Christmas as much as she does and comes up with a plan (I just loved it). The townspeople enthusiastically embrace Christmas and their Christmasville activities. Winter Hill is a quaint town who came up with a clever way to revive their dying city. It is the tenth year for their Christmasville celebration, and they have big plans. Unfortunately, there are a few hiccups along the way. I enjoyed the subplot with Winston Palmer who is the town’s grinch (bah humbug type of guy). Christmas In Winter Hill has new beginnings, a cute little girl, crime, a touch of romance and cheery Christmas festivities. The story has a good moral. We learn that we get what we need in His timing, not when we want them (it can be hard to be patient though). The ending was a delight and left me with a big smile on my face. My favorite phrase comes from Krista who said, “I like to think our troubles make us stronger.” Christmas in Winter Hill is a heartwarming, uplifting story with apartment anguish, Christmas catastrophes, elf escapades, a great giveaway, and holiday high spirits.

Christmas in Winter Hill By Melody Carlson You just know Christmas is soon to be upon us when Melody Carlson's annual Christmas offering is released. Her books are easy to read and a perfect excuse to curl up in a cozy corner and read away a chilly, rainy, blustery Saturday afternoon. If you like Hallmark movies this is the book version that always your mind to fill in the background details. Christmas in Winter Hill finds Krista Galloway and her daughter Emily moving to the Washington state community just weeks before Christmas. Krista has been hired as Winter Hill's first City Manager and she is more than a little surprised to learn that the annual Christmasville Festival is one of her most important first tasks. But when you've never been a big fan of Christmas this is a less than ideal job. But Krista's Emily is behind herself with anticipation - she LOVES everything Christmas and Winter Hill is perfect in her opinion. With the help of the Harris family, Krista and Emily begin to settle into their new home. Nut change is never easy and when Krista raises some concerns she soon finds herse;f on the wrong side of small-town gossip/ Can Krista show that her concerns are legitimate while preserving the Christmasville Festival and finding her own Christmas spirit? As with all of Melody's Christmas books, you know everything will end on a positive note, maybe not the way the main characters expect or even how the reader is anticipating. I like getting to know Krista who is the main focus of the story and whom we learn the most about. And Emily is a delightful eight-year-old who has a hope within her that just shines throughout the story and one that she wants to share with her mother. This is a contemporary Christmas read. There is a hint of romance but more than anything this is a story of family, friendship, and finding where you belong. this book is 164 pages with a decent sized font so you won't need to squint your way through tiny print. I was provided a complimentary copy of this book by the publisher - Revell, with no expectations but that I provide my honest opinion. All thoughts expressed are my own.