A heartwarming, hilarious Christmas story with a Southern twist. Like most things in Ellery, Tennessee, this year’s Drive Thru Nativity is a little unconventional. The Dollar General parking lot doubles as a Bethlehem stable, and widowed writer Ivy Long, who’s been roped into playing Mary, sure as heck isn’t a virgin. But then comes an unexpected development: a genuine, real-life baby left in the … real-life baby left in the manger, with only a brief note. And somehow, in the kerfuffle that follows, Ivy finds her life is about to change . . .
The holidays are a bittersweet time for Ivy—filled with memories of her beloved late husband and reminders that life doesn’t always offer the happily-ever-afters her readers expect. So when Ivy ends up with custody of the baby, she can only chalk it up to a Christmas miracle. She doesn’t know if it will be forever, but with help from family, she’ll make little Zuzu’s first Christmas a good one. The nativity’s Joseph, aka Gabe Ledbetter, has a pediatrics background that’s coming in mighty handy. In turn, Ivy is helping Gabe find his place in the quirky community. If that place turns out to be somewhere near Ivy, well, maybe this particular Christmas story will turn out to be merry and bright after all . . .
Praise for Sally Kilpatrick’s Previous Novels
“Do yourself a favor and grab this book and hide away with its laugh-out-loud and cry-out-loud moments all mixed up in one place.”
—Patti Callahan Henry, New York Times bestselling author
“Don’t miss this quirky, fun love story. I couldn’t put it down.”
—Haywood Smith, New York Times bestselling author on Better Get to Livin’
“A pleasantly engaging take on Romeo and Juliet.” —Library Journal on Bittersweet Creek
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Do yourself a favor and grab this book and hide away with its laugh-out-loud and cry-out-loud moments all mixed up in one place. Kilpatrick enthralls us again with her trademark quirky humor and vivid characters.
I adored this sweet, touching love story, and it is PERFECT for the holiday season. Ms. Kilpatrick writes with warmth and humor, and every character in the book is authentic and unique. I even wish I could read Ivy’s historical romances (my favorite kind of books) and am putting out a call that this author write them as well.
Ivy and Gabe meet while playing Mary and Joseph in a “live” nativity (with a cast that includes a petting zoo). Both of them come to the story with realistic heartache (hers in the form of bereavement, his having to do with his medical practice), and each has some family baggage to deal with as well. I loved getting to watch all those relationships change and grow, particularly with respect to Gabe’s family. Then there is baby Zuzu. My heart ached and grew along with everyone’s in the book.
And on top of a delightful read, there is a recipe for sausage meatballs (basically a sausage cheese biscuit) in the back of the book.
Do yourself and favor and pick up this book for the holiday! It’s a perfect stocking-stuffer for your friends, too!
This is the perfect book for the holiday season. Ellery, Tennessee is the setting for this Southern Christmas gem. Ivy and Gabe meet when they are talked into playing Mary and Joseph in the local live nativity in front of the Dollar General. Ivy is a widow and an author with a stalled writing career. Gabe is a doctor back home after a lawsuit threatens his medical career. Neither are looking for love but will they find it in the manger in front of the Dollar General? Read this charming story to find out!
This is the fifth book of the Ellery season. I read this series in order and I do recommend that. The books can be read separately, but the reader gets a boarder view of the small town if they read all the books. I do not know if there will be additional books in this series, but I hope so.
I love Sally Kilpatrick’s writing style and reading this series, I feel like I am part of the town. She created a community of warmth and caring and I have enjoyed it so much. This book might be my favorite of the series, which I have said after every book in the series that I have read.
I am so happy to have found Sally Kilpatrick’s books. She is definitely on my favorite author list.
A sweet and beautifully written love story revolving around the Christmas season.
The main character Ivy, is an author and loves to write. However, since the loss of her husband, she has been unable to concentrate on her next novel. In fact, she now works at a Dollar General as a means to make just a little bit of money until she has the energy to look for another job and resume her writing.
She asks her late husband for a sign and maybe a little “miracle” and it’s exactly what she receives!
I truly enjoyed this book and know it will be a Christmas classic!