Christmas Books Mini Reviews

I’ve been reading a lot of Christmas themed books, and not really writing reviews, so here’s some quick mini reviews.

ONE CHARMED CHRISTMAS, by Sheila Roberts

A very enjoyable story with a huge cast of characters who the author skillfully juggles as they take a river cruise through Germany just before Christmas.

CHRISTMAS IN WHITEHORN, by Susan Mallery

I came to Susan Mallery very late, having first read one of her books two years ago, The Vineyard at Painted Moon (pub 2021), which I absolutely loved. Having only read two of her more recent books, the other one being One Big Happy Family (pub 2024), which I also absolutely loved, it was interesting to check out this earlier story, when she was writing category romance, where so many wonderful romance writers got their start. While this book didn't captivate me quite the way the later books did, it was an enjoyable read with really great characters. A whole lotta angst, and some self-reflection, from both the hero and heroine, this was a quick satisfying read.

THE HOLIDAY COTTAGE, by Sarah Morgan

Sarah Morgan has fast become a favorite author for me, and this may be my favorite of her books. Though looking back at the other four I've read I realize I've given them all five stars. As with the other books, the main theme, besides the Christmas holiday (so far I've not read any of Ms. Morgan's non-Christmas books), is family and relationships. This one was a bit more emotional, with Imogen, who grew up with a mother who didn't want to be a mother, and no other family, no happy childhood memories, finding herself spending Christmas with a family right out of the sappy movies she loves so much. All the characters are wonderfully written. It's just an absolutely wonderful book.

YOU BETTER NOT CRY, by Augusten Burroughs

The first half of this was pretty delightful, and I laughed out loud more than once. Then it grew a little darker, a little grimmer, and a lot less funny. But overall I enjoyed it.

 

DECK THE HALLS, by Debby Mayne

Well written, if slightly depressing, historical Christian romance. Following Lillian through her days of practically doing nothing but work, go home, eat dinner, and go to bed, to get up and do it all again the next day, was heartbreaking. At times I felt a little irritated at her parents for depending on her so much and expecting her to carry all of the burden of supporting the family. but a happy ending of course.

‘TIS THE SEASON, by Trish Perry

I really enjoyed this one. I loved Nikki (Lillian’s great-granddaughter from DECK THE HALLS) and Drew, and of course Freddie the Golden Retriever. I don't think I'd ready anything from Trish Perry before, but I like her writing, and the humor she injects into the story. There were several scenes that made me smile.

One Big Happy Family

 

SUSAN MALLERY

Stats: Trade paperback, Canary Street Press, 2024

How acquired: Harlequin Reader Service subscription.

First line: “But you’re a woman.”

(Goodreads synopsis below.)

My thoughts: I've only previously read one book by Susan Mallery (The Vineyard at Painted Moon), which I very much enjoyed. So when this book arrived as part of my Harlequin Reader Service subscription, and a Christmas book to boot, I was excited to read it. That was in October and it took me until after Christmas to actually get to it, but it was worth the wait. I'd always thought of Ms. Mallery as a romance author (which I have no problem with as I read a lot of romance), but this book was more than that.

There's a large cast of characters, from Julie Parker, the main focus, to her adult children, the 12 years younger man she's been seeing and his young children, and various other partners, exes, friends and family, all coming together for the holiday at Julie's cabin. At it's heart, the story is about relationships. Good ones, bad ones, strained ones, messy ones. One of my favorite characters is Blair, Julie's daughter-in-law, with whom I felt a bit of a kinship.

In her next life she wouldn't know the location of every "safe" bathroom between work and home or home and the grocery store. Her activities wouldn't be defined by whether or not she was going to have a "good" day or if she would be suffering.

Blair has IBS, and if the author's description of that are realistic then it does not sound quite like what I have, but I do have issues for which I'm currently seeing doctors and trying to get a diagnosis and treatment. And if that's TMI for you, I apologize.

A heartwarming read, with lots of great dialogue, lots of moments that made me smile and some that made me laugh, a couple that made me tear up, and of course lots of Christmas spirit. I'm definitely a Susan Mallery fan.

Synopsis from Goodreads:

Julie Parker’s kids are her greatest gift. Still, she’s not exactly heartbroken when they ask to skip a big Christmas. Her son, Nick, is taking a belated honeymoon with his bride, Blair, while her daughter, Dana, will purge every reminder of the guy who dumped her. Again. Julie feels practically giddy for one-on-one holiday time with Heath, the (much) younger man she’s secretly dating. 

But her plans go from cozy to chaotic when Nick and Dana plead for Christmas at the family cabin in memory of their late father, Julie’s ex. She can’t refuse, even though she dreads their reactions to her new man when they realize she’s been hiding him for months. 

As the guest list grows in surprising ways, from Blair’s estranged mom to Heath’s precocious children, Julie’s secret is one of many to be unwrapped. Over this delightfully complicated and very funny Christmas, she’ll discover that more really is merrier, and that a big, happy family can become bigger and happier, if they let go of old hurts and open their hearts to love.