Literary Friday: The Christmas House by Victoria James

 

Happy Literary Friday AND Christmas Eve, My Lovelies!

Today I'm reviewing a touching Christmas book entitled The Christmas House by Victoria James.

According to Goodreads:

It's Christmas in the small town of Silver Springs, which is bursting with holiday spirit. The downtown shops boast twinkling lights, and the town square features an enormous Christmas tree.

Every Christmas Eve for the past 50 years, Ruby Harris, the owner of the historic B&B, The Christmas House, has opened her doors to strangers in need, showing them the compassion once denied to her. When Ruby invites her family home for the holidays, including her two adult grandchildren, Charlotte and Olivia, she hopes they will be able to put the past behind them. However, her plans for reconciliation implode as the women unravel secrets from the past that force them to confront the impact they've had on their dysfunctional family.

As Charlotte grows closer to Wyatt, the neighbor next door and a friend from the past, old memories resurface that the women would rather forget. They're reminded of a man they want to forget. As the clock inches closer to the New Year, can the magic of the season bring the family closer? Or will a surprise guest threaten their tentative truce and test newly formed bonds? This lighthearted Christmas tale draws inspiration from Victoria James' own historical fixer-upper, offering plenty of warmth and holiday cheer.

My Review:

This is a sweet romance between Charlotte and Wyatt, two adults who were close in middle school until Wyatt disappeared from their mutual apartment building and school.  They reconnect at Christmas in their late twenties/early thirties in Charlotte's grandmother Ruby's hometown.  Wyatt's aunt is Ruby's best friend, and both conspire to throw Charlotte and Wyatt together through the purchase of an organizing gift certificate.  Charlotte runs a thriving organization business, yet she's taken two weeks off to enjoy the holiday at Ruby's B&B known as The Christmas House.  Charlotte is shocked to see Wyatt again, and she agrees to take on the job.

Both of their families are imperfect, and both Charlotte and Wyatt still hurt from childhood disappointments and are dealing with trust and abandonment issues.  With so much dysfunction from each family, the odds seem to be against them.  Yet Charlotte and Wyatt have overcome the odds, and both are reasonably well adjusted considering their childhoods.  There is also an additional complication: Wyatt's preteen daughter Sam has been abandoned by her mother, and Wyatt is very protective of Sam's heart.

Ruby's backstory is a big part of the plot, and the lovely hometown of Silver Springs, with plenty of interesting Christmas traditions, contribute much to the plot.  Although many of the family members and situations are not very delightful, Wyatt and Charlotte are a couple worth rooting for.  I like that the characters, as flawed as they are, seem very real.  This book is not as light as most of the Christmas books I've read, but it's worth the read because the ending is spectacular.

NOTE:

I have a stack of Christmas books and Christmas cozy mysteries to read during the holidays, and I will share the ones I like with you in January.  Stay tuned!

This is the last Chrismon for Advent 2021:

The Lion is a symbol for Jesus who is sometimes called 'The Lion of Judah.'  Jesus is also represented as Aslan the Lion in the Chronicles of Narnia books by

C S Lewis.  Also, the lion reminds us of Jesus's kingship, power, and courage.

The Chrismon Advent Calendar is full!  Christmas is here!

Today's scripture:

So the Word became human and made his home among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness.  And we have seen his glory, the glory of the Father’s one and only Son.

John 1:14

Until next time...

Merry Christmas!

Ricki Jill