Monday, October 7, 2019

Book Review - Christmas in Winter Hill by Melody Carlson

Book Synopsis
Krista Galloway is not a fan of Christmas. After her rough childhood in multiple foster homes, the holiday season just brings too many bad memories to the surface. But when she accepts a job as a city manager in the mountain town of Winter Hill, Washington, Christmas is part of the deal. The small town is famous for its Christmasville celebration, something that the city manager . . . well, manages.

As she tries to make her tiny new apartment feel like home for her and her eight-year-old daughter, Emily, Krista begins to wonder if this move was a mistake. She doesn't always feel welcomed in the close-knit town, and Emily continually wonders, "Where's the snow?"

Can a friendly stranger and his family help restore Krista's Christmas spirit before the big day?


My Review
Krista Galloway is newly divorced with an eight year old daughter named Emily.  She leaves her home in Phoenix to move to a small town called Winter Hill, Washington.  She has accepted a job as city manager for the town, and upon arrival realizes that a big part of the job involves planning the annual Christmasville celebration.  The problem? Krista hates Christmas.

I enjoy all things Christmas, including, of course, Christmas books.  I like Melody Carlson's Christmas books, so was eager to read her latest holiday story.

Christmas in Winter Hill is a very sweet story.  Krista is a bit of a grump, but understandably so, after a rough life (years in foster care as a child, a Christmas Eve birthday that was always forgotten, a cheating husband, a contentious divorce).  With all she had been through, I really pulled for her in this book.

The story of this book involves Krista and Emily's settling into a new town just before the holidays and Krista managing the Christmasville celebration.  There is a charming and mysterious little cottage called the Christmas House that is up for a community giveaway, and there is the possibility of romance with a young widower who has a daughter a bit older than Emily.

This is a light, quick read.  It is only 168 pages.  It is still October now, but the story put me in the Christmas mood.  I think it would be an especially nice afternoon or evening read over the holidays.  It is a sweet story that would make a good Hallmark movie!

Recommended for fans of Christmas fiction -- just make cocoa, coffee, or tea and settle in to enjoy!

Author Bio
Melody Carlson is the award-winning author of more than two hundred books with combined sales of more than seven million. She is the author of many Christmas books, including the bestselling The Christmas Bus, The Christmas Dog, Christmas at Harrington's, The Christmas Cat, The Christmas Joy Ride, The Christmas Angel Project, The Christmas Blessing, and A Christmas by the Sea. She received a Romantic Times Career Achievement Award in the inspirational market for her many books, including the Diary of a Teenage Girl series and Finding Alice. She and her husband live in central Oregon. Learn more at www.melodycarlson.com.