Published: November 15, 2021

Bookouture

I received a copy of this book for free, and I leave my review voluntarily.

Barbara Josselsohn grew up on Long Island and lived for several years in her beloved New York City before moving to the northern suburbs. She began her career as a business journalist and then turned her attention to her first love, fiction. Her novels include THE LILY GARDEN, THE BLUEBELL GIRLS, THE LILAC HOUSE, and THE LAST DREAMER. Her fifth novel, THE CRANBERRY INN, releases in November 2021.

“You know as well as anyone that if you want the truth, you shouldn’t go looking on social media.”

Laurel gets a random phone call from her father, asking her to return to the family inn a month before Christmas. So Laurel packs up her son, Simon, and they head to Laurel’s hometown. Little did Laurel know, she was about to get the most surprising Christmas of all!

This was a charming Christmas tale. He was filled with a heartwarming story, adorable characters, and a perfect ending. Joel came home after learning his mom had passed away suddenly. He thinks it will be a quick trip to pack up his childhood home and his mother’s store. But a blast from the past has blown in, and now Joel wants to deck the halls.

Laurel was such a beautiful character. I love how she worked through her past trauma and learned the essential things in her life—Simon, happiness, and most importantly- forgiveness.

Joel was such an excellent representation of someone people assumed had it all, not realizing there were big regrets in his past.

Simon was such a fun, light, delightful character. He was such a perfect balance to Laurel’s intensity. And I love that Simon showed Laurel what growth looks like.

I enjoyed how this was a mix of past and present, with a twist of the future: warm, welcoming, and fresh twist on a Christmas romance.

This was a nice break from the thrillers I’ve been reading. And I have a sudden urge to decorate my house for Christmas! Sometimes coming home is both the hardest and best thing to help heal your heart.