A Quilt for Christmas

 

MELODY CARLSON

Stats for my copy: Hardback, Revell, 2022.

How acquired: Revell Reads Blogger Program.

First line: Vera Swanson used to love Christmas.

(Goodreads synopsis below.)

My thoughts: I always enjoy Melody Carlson’s Christmas novellas, and this one was no exception. Vera is a widow, who sold her house and downsized to move into a condo near her daughter and her family, and then her daughter’s family has to move out of state when her husband is transferred by his employer. Now Vera lives in this new town where she doesn’t know anyone and has not made any friends. Until she meets little Fiona from across the hall, and suddenly her life becomes very busy and full.

I loved the relationship that developed between Vera and Fiona, as well as Fiona’s brother and sister. It was never labeled as such, but in my eyes Vera became a surrogate grandmother to the kids. Children bring such purpose to your life, and thanks to Fiona, Vera got out of her condo and started meeting people and making friends, as they formed a thrown together quilting group to make a quilt for Fiona’s mother.

The members of the group are all as different from each other as night and day. None of them have experience quilting, so Vera is also cast in the role of teacher and leader. I’ve never sewn, beyond fixing a hem or sewing up a torn seam on a stuffed animal, but I’ve always thought if I did sew I would want to learn to quilt.

There is some friction in the group, as one of the members is haughty and disdainful. Vera worries at times that having Eleanor in the group will bring down morale and pull the group apart. But everyone has a story, and when she finally learns Eleanor’s, it’s heartbreaking. Eleanor’s turnaround was a bit hasty, and seemed to happen very quickly and out of the blue, but then again, it’s a novella, so there isn’t time to drag things out.

This is a fairly quick and easy read, full of Christmas spirit and friendship, plus a romance for one of the members. A great addition to Ms. Carlson’s annual holiday novellas.

*I received a free copy of this book from the publisher and have voluntarily reviewed it*

Goodreads Synopsis: Christmas should be celebrated with family. But for Vera Swanson, that's not an option this year. Widowed and recently relocated, she is lonely in her condo-for-one--until little Fiona Albright knocks on her door needing help. With her mother seriously ill and her father out of town, Fiona enlists Vera's help, and when she finds out her new neighbor is a quilter, she has a special request--a Christmas quilt for Mama.

Vera will have to get a ragtag group of women together in order to fulfill the request. Between free-spirited artist Tasha, chatty empty nester Beverly, retired therapist Eleanor, and herself, Vera has hopes that Christmas for the Albright family will be merry, after all--and she may find herself a new family of friends along the way.