There’s nothing a Christmas kiss won’t cure. Except perhaps a shattered heart… told her Cherish is a safe haven. But she never expected Dorothy’s brother, Deputy Nicholas Thompson, would relight the one thing she thought she’d lost forever. A spark of hope.
Not long ago, while Nicholas’ sister was in rehab, Emmanuelle’s voice and smile on his Skype screen held him together. After that, she seemed to disappear, an absence he felt keenly when his ex-fiancée left his faith in God dented but not broken.
Now she’s in Cherish, even more stunning in person. Yet she’s holding tight to a private pain she refuses to reveal. Nicholas resolves to be patient, vowing that he’ll never let anyone hurt her again. Even when her past rears its ugly head to destroy what’s left of her heart.
Note: Contains references to verbal and physical abuse.
From USA Today bestselling author Josie Riviera comes a new contemporary Christian Romance series set in the small town of Cherish, South Carolina. These sweet and wholesome stories, where God is at the center, brim with love and laughter.
Are his arms a safe haven sent from God…or a Christmas promise waiting to be broken?
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The topic of physical and emotional abuse is difficult to tackle, but author Josie Riviera handles the subject extremely well. When Emmanuelle Sumter arrives to visit her friend Dorothy, she is running from her ex-boyfriend. As is the case with many battered women, she needs to get past the belief that she somehow must have deserved the abuse before she can move emotionally forward with her life.
Emmanuelle and Dorothy’s brother, Deputy Nicholas Thompson, had become friends via Skype when Dorothy was in rehab. However, they did not stay in touch. Nicholas was engaged at that time, but his fiancée has since left him.
This beautiful story allows us to feel the pain as the two work through their hurt and learn to love and trust each other. There are times I felt it was a bit rushed, but since this is a novella, it is a given that things move at a faster pace than in real life.
I love the addition of the dog as he adds a lighthearted touch that serves to relieve some of the tension. Neither Emmanuelle nor Nicholas are particularly domestic, so it is fun to watch them take on challenges in the kitchen.
This is a Christian based story, and it is comforting to see how faith leads them into a future together.
A Christmas to Cherish is the second book in Ms. Riviera’s Cherish series.
Let me start by saying that I listened to the audiobook and so this review covers both the story and the audiobook version. This was an okay book and it met my expectations for a book of it’s length (about 140 pages and not quite 3 hours or audio recording). Personally, I usually prefer longer stories and novels so greater character development and story can evolve/resolve but I knew this was a novella when I started and am okay with that. Overall, the story was okay. The main character, Emmanuelle, steps off a train in the town of cherish to visit a friend as she escapes a verbally and physically abusive relationship in New York. She has lost faith and hopes to build her life back together but is also very distrustful of starting any new relationship but of course, one does begin to develop. The narration was okay but I didn’t care for the voice of Emmanuelle. The voice just didn’t fit the picture I had in my mind of the character. This is probably totally personal preference but it did effect my overall enjoyment. In terms of the story, the storyline was okay but could have been more. There is some direct telling of an abusive (physical, emotional, verbal, psychological) relationship but the main character’s reaction of just running away and trying to put it out of mind and not talk about it was a bit of a brush-off of the subject that could have been handled differently. It takes a strong woman to leave an abusive relationship and I felt the main character was a bit wishy-washy. I also was a little let down by the lack of resolution on the issue of faith. There are many references to faith, believing/struggling with belief or loss of faith (by both Emmanuelle and Nick) and even a couple of scripture quotes in the early-mid part of the book but then nothing really about faith (except for going to a Christmas Eve service) in the last part of the book. Overall, I enjoyed the story and it met my expectations. If you’re looking for a lot of character development or growth through issues addressed, then this will probably disappoint. If you’re looking for a quick holiday read or listen with sweetness, then go for it, it won’t disappoint. I received a copy of the audiobook from the author at my request and am leaving this review honestly and voluntarily.
A Christmas to Cherish is the second in the series based in Cherish, North Carolina. Emmanuelle comes to visit for the holidays and, in part, to escape her abusive ex. She and Nicholas had supported one another through Nicholas’ sister’s rehab from opiate addiction though they had never met. Emmanuelle and his sister had been close friends in New York.
They immediately rekindle their relationship even though Emmanuelle is hesitant about trusting a man. Nicholas has recently been jilted on his wedding day by his ex-fiancee. While the trust issues are handled well, we don’t get to see much emotion from either of them aside from the residual fears of Emmanuelle’s abusive relationship.
I enjoyed this story, but missed seeing some depth to the characters and their relationship. The abuse and recovery was also over-simplified, but this might be just what some romance readers are looking for.
I received a complimentary copy of this book and voluntarily chose to leave an honest review.
All the emotions in running in this book! Love, happiness, fear, sadness, dread, joy. Makes you worry, laugh, cry and fall in love! Unexpected scene added in that I never would have thought. Definitely a must read!
I was looking forward to reading the story about Emmanuelle and Nicholas and I wasn’t disappointed. If you enjoy stories about small towns with a strong Christian element,then this is a perfect read for you. No spoilers, so grab your copy and see what happens.
A beautiful, Christian Romance of two people whose faith has wavered. Set at Christmas time in a small town. The come together, with help from Nicholas’s lovable dog, and they help each other heal and bounce back from sadness and misfortune, trust in God and in love again.
A Christmas to Cherish by Josie Riviera
Always enjoy reading a Christmas story, and it’s just July here. Book starts out with a few words from the author and list of her other works.
Started with Emmanuelle, a professional harpist and she’s on her way to Dorothy’s store. She’s starting her new life after years of troubles.
Loved hearing about all the Christmas decorations.
She prays to God to help her get through the transition and to let things lay in the past.
Her ex took everything from her…
Story also follows Nicholas who’s a deputy and is free from his ex girlfriend after she left him at the altar on their wedding day.
Dorothy hopes to get Emmanuelle to stay and work at her music studio. She knows her and Nicholas have spent many an hour over the year and they have many common interests.
This book is filled with holiday events, mystery and danger and twists and turns and love and believing in God.
Like the location and hope to read more from this locale. A note from the author about the book is included at the end, bonus recipe! acknowledgements, about the author, and other works by the author.
Excerpt from The Love Song to Cherish is included.
Received this review copy from the author and this is my honest opinion.
Shattered dreams can be devastating. Sometimes starting over and having faith can help open your heart to love. When Emmanuelle comes to Cherish to escape an abusive ex boyfriend she meets Nicholas who she has been skyping. Meeting in person these two broken hearted people will find friendship and more. I received a complimentary copy and I am giving a review voluntarily.