From “The King of Christmas,” Richard Paul Evans, comes the next exciting holiday novel perfect for “fans of Debbie Macomber” (Booklist) in his New York Times bestselling Noel Collection. Maggie Walther feels like her world is imploding. Publicly humiliated after her husband, a local councilman, is arrested for bigamy, and her subsequent divorce, she has isolated herself from the world. When her … herself from the world. When her only friend insists that Maggie climb out of her hole, and embrace the season to get her out of her funk, Maggie decides to put up a Christmas tree and heads off to buy one–albeit reluctantly. She is immediately taken by Andrew, the kind, handsome man who owns the Christmas tree lot and delivers her tree. She soon learns that Andrew is single and new to her city and, like her, is also starting his life anew.
As their friendship develops, Maggie slowly begins to trust again–something she never thought possible. Then, just when she thinks she has finally found happiness, she discovers a dark secret from Andrew’s past. Is there more to this stranger’s truth than meets the eye? This powerful new holiday novel from Richard Paul Evans, the “King of Christmas fiction” (The New York Times), explores the true power of the season, redemption, and the freedom that comes from forgiveness.
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For some reason, stories of redemption are even more welcomed around the holidays which is why I never miss a Richard Paul Evans end-of-the-year release. Full of warmth and flawed characters, Evans’ storytelling seems to always leave my heart aglow with the idea that the human condition is capable of evoking healing in the midst of so much harm. The Noel Stranger is Evans’ November 2018 release and it is also the second installment in his Noel Collection, a series of standalone novels.
The Noel Stranger may not be Evans’ finest piece of storytelling, but they can’t all be 5-star winners. That’s not how writing works nor is it a fair expectation to place on an author. As is consistent with Evans’ work, this story possesses the spirit of forgiveness and redemption, and is set inside a squeaky clean contemporary romance. The sentiment of the following quote pretty much sums up what I enjoyed most about this book and is what I think makes it worth the read especially as the New Year approaches. Check it out.
“You’re still here. Life isn’t through with you. You never know what’s around the corner.”
The only thing good about coming to the end of this book was knowing there were more in the series.
Richard Paul Evans is the best!!
Being a more mature reader, I had to remind myself that the main character was in her early thirties. But the story could happen to anyone at any stage of life. So no matter where you are in your life, you will be able to relate to this book. The author leaves bread crumbs throughout the book about who the mysterious Andrew Hill really was. The characters are well developed and the story moves along at a good pace. The one thing I liked about the book was the fact that at times you want to yell at the characters to just talk to each other, but this doesn’t last long. The characters do talk to each other and resolve their differences. The very end may be a bit surprising but very pleasing. Spoiler Alert: Love does win over all. And sacrifices made are usually worth it.
While you experience a short amount of time in the lives of the main characters, you will struggle through a lifetime of emotions as you find yourself flipping through the pages as fast as you can. The author has once again created a tale of love, unfaithfulness, fear, insecurity, need for companionship, lies, and discovery.
You will find your heart breaking as the tears trickle down your face. But then there are bursts of anger and excitement that takes you on a roller coaster ride of emotions. Richard Paul Evans manages to open up your heart as you experience the lives of the characters of whom he writes. You will be challenged to become a better person, to take a deep look at your beliefs and behaviors, and decide what you hope to accomplish in life.
Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Richard Paul Evans is a master at writing Christmas stories that will not only tug at your heart strings but make you wonder why people treat others so bad and then wonder “WHY” they will have nothing to do with them. This book was so good it was very hard to put down (other then to make a cup of tea). I must read more of his books because, they are that good! The stories are realistic, they grab you and make you want to be a kinder person.
Most of the book was slow moving with a simple plot and characters not fully developed. The last fourth of the book was much better and had a catchy twist. I liked other books by this author much better.
I always enjoy Richard Paul Evans’ books, and The Noel Stranger is wonderful. This is the second in his Noel Series, and I also enjoyed his first book, The Noel Diaries. I love his books!
Loved this book! A woman with a difficult childhood history and recently divorced from a bigamist husband-politician has an emotional meltdown. Leaving her catering business in the hands of her best friend and co-worker, she avoids the public, spending her days in the refuge of her home. Her friend tries to encourage her to pick herself up out of despair and at least go out and buy a tree for Christmas. This she does, and when she meets the man who sells the trees, and they hit it off, the story begins to read like a love story, then twists into a suspense. I loved trying to figure out what was really going on and what other secrets would be revealed. Excellent!
The Noel Stranger by Richard Paul Evans takes readers to Salt Lake City, Utah. Agnetha “Maggie” Walther is shocked when she learns that her husband, Clive is a bigamist. Maggie hides in her home for the next six months to avoid the people’s looks and reporters. Her friend, Carina convinces Maggie that she needs to get out and suggests she purchase a Christmas tree. Maggie goes to the local tree lot where she meets the owner, Andrew. Andrew delivers the tree later that evening and they chat over coffee. Maggie is taken with him and cannot stop thinking about the handsome Andrew. A few days later Maggie goes back to the lot to obtain Christmas lights, and he offers to help her decorate the tree. Their friendship begins and quickly blossoms into romance. Maggie’s heart is opening as she falls in love with Andrew. But then Maggie discovers that Andrew has been not been forthcoming on his past and doubts begin to surface. Can Maggie listen to Andrew with an open mind and heart?
The Noel Stranger is the second book in The Noel Collection, but each book in the series is meant to stand on its own. While I have enjoyed other stories by Richard Paul Evans (The Christmas Box being my favorite), The Noel Stranger was a letdown. Maggie is supposed to have trust issues, but she meets Andrew and seems to instantly fall in love. Within two weeks, they are jetting off to Mexico for a vacation. I would have expected the romance to progress at a slower pace as she slowly gets to know Andrew. The Noel Stranger felt unrealistic and predictable. The story lacked depth and I was not able to connect with the characters. Maggie is a contradiction as well as selfish. Maggie has been neglecting her business for the last six months while she has been wallowing at home in self-pity (I would have been angry). She has been relying on her business assistant to run the business and she has little training (I am shocked she still has a business). The story felt contrived and flat. I rolled my eyes so often they hurt the next day. The Noel Stranger features forgiveness, love, redemption, hope, compassion, important of communication and second changes. I am giving The Noel Stranger 3 out of 5 stars. The Noel Stranger is a light, clean romance novel that is an easy and quick story to read (just not the right fit for me).
A wonderful holiday story with several twists I didn’t see coming. I totally recommend this read this Christmas
The ending of this book is completely unexpected!! Love Richard Paul Evans’ books!
I knew I would like this book, and I was right. I read it in like two good sessions. I loved how I could feel like we had a big-ol’ lot of snow outside for real as I imagined all the mess they were getting in the story. I have never been to the sunny getaway they visited, or anything even remotely like it, so I kind of dreamed big there too! I figured out the twist though, but I wasn’t disappointed. It actually made me feel good knowing, “I’ve got it!” And the happy ending was lovely as well. I didn’t know there would be a book three, so I’m pleasantly surprised about that too. As always, I will recommend this Richard Paul Evans book to my friends!
It flowed right along. I read it in 2 days. I enjoyed the story and the happy ending.
I have never been disappointed by Richard Paul Evans. All of his books are wonderful and always waiting anxiously for the next one to come out.
The Noel Stranger is an excellent read from one of my favorite authors. I thought I had it figured out and I did, but then he threw another twist in the story I didn’t see coming! The story centers around trust in relationships, and the characters were certainly put to the test. I really enjoyed this book; had to put it down twice which was too many times. Highly recommend for young adult and up.