The “lovely and memorable tale” (Luis Carlos Montalvan, New York Times bestselling author) of a wounded warrior and his younger brother who discover the true meaning of the Christmas holiday in this timeless story of family bonds. As far as ten-year-old Miller McClellan is concerned, it’s the worst Christmas ever. His father’s shrimp boat is docked, his mother is working two jobs, and with … jobs, and with finances strained, Miller is told they can’t afford the dog he desperately wants. “Your brother’s return from war is our family’s gift,” his parents tell him. But when Taylor returns with PTSD, the stress and strain darken the family.
Then Taylor’s service dog arrives–a large black Labrador/Great Dane named Thor. His brother even got the dog When Miller goes out on Christmas Eve with his father’s axe, determined to get his family the tree they can’t afford, he takes the dog for company–but accidentally winds up lost in the wild forest. In the midst of this emergency, the splintered family must come together and rediscover their strengths, family bond, and the true meaning of Christmas.more
One Christmas story in which everything does not go well and lessons are learned.
so informative about realistic important life experiences! best story I’ve read in a long time
I love stories about the low country.
My first Mary Alice Monroe book – I am now a fan! Beautiful Christmas story which deals on the many issues our military faces as they come home and a family’s attempt to understand and deal with their son’s PTSD. Loved it!
I love Mary Alice Monroe books! I liked this one because it was about the
struggles a soldier has to deal with when he gets home and how he finds
himself again.
Lovely story of healing on many levels. I learned a lot about service dogs. Thank you Ms. Monroe.
I love Mary Alice Monroe’s books.
A Christmas story set in SC with a veteran suffering from PTSD as the pivotal character.
The McClellan family is having a hard time. The family’s source of income–a shrimp boat has been docked because it was losing money. 10 year old Miller just wants a dog and it is Christmas time. Then older brother, Taylor comes home from a tour in Afghanistan. Only he is disabled with PTSD. Then Taylor gets a service dog not Miller who has picked out a puppy at a friend’s house. This is a wonderful story although at times a real tear jerker. It highlights the problems of PTSD and the value of service dogs who help the wounded warriors. It also shows how love can overcome problems that seem unsolvable.
This is an insightful telling of the imps t of PTSD on a veteran, his family, and his friends. Sweet and hard at the same time.
Outstanding. It took a little time to get into the book, but once I did, I stayed up all night reading it. This story seems to be so true in its depiction of the men returning from military duty overseas. Having known two young men who returned with severe brain trauma injuries, the book seems to be well researched. In some areas it seemed to be too pat in answers.
My guess is that it shows what is going on in many homes across the country where the fathers of returning veterans have trouble understanding how their sons need help adjusting to everyday life following their return to civilian life. I highly recommend this book.
A Facebook group recommended this book as a good Christmas story and I’m glad I took their advice. This is a heartwarming story about a family struggling at Christmastime. A job loss, no money coming in, a son coming home from the Marines with PTSD, and a disappointed young boy who just wants a dog. It’s a story of love and acceptance, hope and the strength of family. This book is well written with it being told from the perspectives of 3 main characters. It was also interesting to read how a service dog really can provide amazing help to someone In distress. Definitely a book that will make you feel good!
A story with the true meaning of Christmas.
Cute, but could have used more depth