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?
Bestselling author Melody Carlson invites you to spend this holiday season in a town you’ll never forget–and never want to leave.
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Christmastime is special everywhere but a Christmas spent in Winter Hill is a really big deal! Everyone there loves all of the activities, all of the decorations, and all of the fun and joy associated with the Christmasville celebration. Everyone, that is, until Krista Galloway is hired as the new city manager!
Melody Carlson is known for creating wonderful Christmas stories and she has succeeded once again with this new book. She made me want to visit this small town in Washington to experience the holidays during the Christmasville celebration. This year Winter Hill has a mayor who loves playing Santa Claus–a celebration scheduled to last for days–and an essay contest that will reward the winner with a new home known as the Christmas House!
Krista does not like Christmas and she has serious reservations about all of this hoopla but how can she refuse? As I learned about the years in foster care when her Christmas Eve birthday and Christmas Day were often overlooked, my mind understood why she disliked the holidays so much but my heart ached for the effect that her unhappy childhood was having on her eight-year-old daughter. Emily wanted and needed a joyful Christmas and the essay that she wrote for the contest almost broke my heart! After explaining why she wanted to win the Christmas House, Emily wrote ‘So if I win the Christmas House, I will give it to my mama and it will be her best birthday and best Christmas present ever.’ Grab your tissues!
There is also a mystery and the promise of romance in Christmas in Winter Hill and this is a story that will warm your heart, remind you of the miracles of Christmas, and put you in an early Christmas spirit. It is also a story worthy of being made into a Hallmark movie! I thoroughly enjoyed this book and I recommend it to all who enjoy inspirational holiday stories.
I received a complimentary copy from the author but a positive review was not required.
Every year I look forward to Melody Carlson’s annual Christmas book, wondering if she will be able to top the previous year and that in itself is a good recommendation. However, the one reason her annual books are so memorable is that they are all different. If she has a cookie cutter format like you see in those made for television Christmas movies, I have not seen it. From The Christmas Joy Ride to the Christmas Angel Project, her stories are fresh and evoke fond feelings for the Christmas spirit. Perhaps, because they nudge us to think of those caring feelings we have for others. Perhaps because she can touch the heart of the human spirit.
If ever one wanted a new start, moving from sunny Phoenix to Winter Hill, in Eastern Washington is about as fresh as you can get considering the weather, culture and small town life. For someone with an aversion to Christmas, the town’s preoccupation with Christmasville had Kristen wondering if she rushed into accepting this new job. To make it more difficult, her daughter found everything about Winter Hill delightful. I found the story entertaining and easy to read. I am certain that this little town is thinly disguised as Leavenworth Washington, a delightful little town where Christmas is their middle name. The fact that my hometown is mentioned a couple of times in passing didn’t hurt either. All that aside, I believe the message within the covers of this quick read is simple: honesty and integrity are never out of date. If you enjoy good-hearted stories, this one is for you. I highly recommend
Krista Gallaway is NOT a fan of Christmas. So why is she crazy enough to move from Phoenix, Arizona to Winter Hill, Washington accepting the job of City Manager? Especially when she finds out Chirstmasville is their biggest event of the year! And, to top that off, she’s expected to get behind the celebration 100%.
This was definitely a cutesy, Christmasy, warm-hearted story that will have you rooting for the magic of holiday miracles and the power of love. Krista and her daughter Emily are a delightful duo that dug into my heart as characters to come to care deeply about. Emily—with her little girl charm & enthusiasm for all things Christmas—has big dreams for her mom and starting over in a town that promises her first snowfall! She’s every mom’s dream for a perfect little girl. Though Krista is dead-set against Christmas due to her rough childhood, she at least tries to get into the spirit for the sake of the town. I think perhaps a certain young man named Connor softens her heart with his natural charm and the friendship of his daughter Anna. Watching the foursome become friends (perhaps more?) & the conspiring of two young girls was fun, while watching the town grow on Krista was my grown-up version of a Hallmark worthy Christmas story! I’d love to see this played out on TV; it would be one I’d watch every year. Last but not least, the spiritual theme was uplifting with reminders of the power of God’s love and care for each one of us.
If you’re looking for a inspiring Christmas-themed story full of charming characters and the promise of good things to come, look no farther than Christmas in Winter Hill!
*I received a complimentary copy from Revell and was under no obligation to leave a favorable review. All opinions are strictly my own. *
A quick read that draws you in, and then you don’t want to let go.
I loved Emily, the author gives us such a sweet little girl, and she loves her Mom. Then we have Anna a teenager and how welcoming she is of an eight-year-old, and how she goes about helping her.
We are given a little bit of sweet romance, crime, new beginnings, and all things Christmas, and all wrapped up in a page-turning read.
Only problem I had was I wanted more!
I received this book through the Revell Readers Program, and was not required to give a positive review
A sweet quick Christmas read filled with hope, warmth, and love. The perfect book to sit by a warm fire with a cup of peppermint cocoa and lose yourself in the joys of Winter Hill.
I received a complimentary copy from the publisher, Revell, through NetGalley. Any and all opinions expressed in the above review are entirely my own.
This book is pure Christmas enchantment with a dash of scrooge! Accepting a new position as city manager, a single mother and her eight-year-old daughter move to the northern town of Winter Hill. As they arrive, the daughter is immediately enchanted when she reads a sign, “Home of Christmasville.” While the daughter falls under the spell of Christmas, her mother is anything but enchanted when she suspects dishonesty with one of the more scrooge-like city employees. The employee would like nothing more than to see her lose her job. With Christmasville festivities in full swing, and a Christmas house to be given away as the highlight of the event, you just know the outcome will unfold with charm and heart.
I couldn’t put this book down and read it all in 1 day. I’ve been having these same feelings as Krista lately and this was a great reminder and made me feel like I used to at Christmas. Melody Carlson did it again. I highly recommend this book!
Tis the season for Christmas reads to start appearing, and Melody Carlson kicks us off with another sweet contemporary novella to get us in the holiday spirit.
As Winter Hill’s Christmasville celebrations get underway, Krista’s slight Grinch-like attitude contrasts to the excitement surrounding the festivities. Through her daughter and another family, Krista’s complacency toward Christmas begins to change.
Fans of Hallmark movies (right down to the snow falling at the first kiss at the end) will enjoy this hope-filled, small-town read.
Disclosure statement:
I receive complimentary books from publishers, publicists, and/or authors, including NetGalley. I am not required to write positive reviews. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.
Christmas in Winter Hill by Melody Carlson
Oh my, such a sweet Christmas story about small town living. This book inspires us to enjoy Christmas, family and our community. Melody Carlson did a fantastic job of brining this story to life. The characters are well developed and the story line is believable. It is full of hope, love and encouragement. I came away looking forward to the Christmas season and time spent with family. I give Christmas in Winter Hill 5 stars. It’s all about the magical season, celebration and fellowship.
What’s not to love about a Melody Carlson Christmas book any time of the year. Add this one to your must read list for this holiday season or grab an extra for gift giving, as you won’t want to miss this one. Emily, the eight year old daughter of Krista will make your heart melt, especially when she tries to win a house for her mom. This story has all the ingredients for a prize winning cake when you take the first mouth watering bite. You can picture all the lights and feel the bite of cold as you are enraptured in the storyline. Of course you have to have a Scrooge that tries to throw a cog in the wheel. Be swept away for a few hours and dream of your favorite Christmas.
I received a complimentary copy from the author/publisher. The honest review and opinions are my own and were not required.
I love and look forward to reading Melody Carlson’s newest Christmas book that comes out every year!
This is no exception!
The story is light, happy and will give you a “warm and fuzzy” feeling while you turn each page.
Winter HillI is a magical little village that has a Christmas feel every day!
Sight unseen, Krista accepts a job and relocates here with her young daughter Emily.
She hopes to start fresh and find happiness for her tiny family.
Krista realizes she has no idea what she has walked in to as she begins her job and meets the town folks.
Can it really be a Chrstimas town? Is she scrooge in disguise?
The details given are amazing and you immediately get a sense of belonging and longing to be in Winter Hill. These lovely people are what we all need these days! Terrific and a quick read!
I never miss one of Melody Carlson’s Christmas tales. They are so good and hopeful. This time around a single mother and her eight year old daughter move from Phoenix to Washington state where the mom has a new job. It’s nearing Christmas time and this town goes all out! Much to the mom’s dismay. She has never had a good experience at Christmas time. Never. But what happens will bless you and restore her faith in Christmas again. Don’t miss this wonderful little story.
*My thanks to Revell Publishing for a preview copy of this book. The opinions stated here are entirely my own.
Krista and 8 yo Emily, after divorce, start a new life in Winter Hill, how many challenges to solve: new job and school, new collegues and friends,
new car, new flat to transform to home, and chilly and snowy weather.
Emily is so eager to live there, that Krista bad thoughts and fear vanish, but she know well that “Life inevitably held disappointments. It was inescapable”.
Funny Christmas story, lovely characters, very good description, easy to read, original.