A heartwarming Christmas story about finding what really matters in life.
As a first-year law associate, Sydney Batson knows she will be updating her resume by New Year’s if she loses her current case. So when her grandmother gets inexplicably ill while she’s in court, Sydney arranges for a cab to get her to the clinic.
The last thing cab driver Finn Parrish wants is to be saddled with a … wants is to be saddled with a wheelchair-bound old lady with dementia. But because Miss Callie reminds him of his own mother, whom he failed miserably in her last days, he can’t say no when she keeps calling him for rides. Once a successful gourmet chef, Finn’s biggest concern now is paying his rent, but half the time Callie doesn’t remember to pay him. And as she starts to feel better, she leads him on wild-goose chases to find a Christmas date for her granddaughter.
When Finn meets Sydney, he’s quite sure she’s never needed help finding a date. Does Miss Callie have an ulterior motive, or is this just a mission driven by delusions? He’s willing to do whatever he can to help fulfill Callie’s Christmas wish. He just never expected to be a vital part of it.
Praise for Catching Christmas
“The feel-good Christmas book of the year. Blackstock’s tale of love and redemption wrapped in a holiday bow will leave you smiling. Don’t miss Catching Christmas.” —New York Times bestselling author Rachel Hauck
“Blackstock’s Catching Christmas is not your average romance. Darling and laugh-out-loud cute, it makes the reader think about the important things in life. I read it in one gulp and wished there was more. Highly recommended!” —Colleen Coble, USA TODAY bestselling author
“Terri Blackstock’s latest offering touches tender places with its quirky characters and stirring plot. Catching Christmas explores what happens when the paths of a disenchanted taxi driver collide with that of an overworked attorney. Blackstock weaves a compelling, romantic tale that is sure to get you into the Christmas spirit!” —Denise Hunter, bestselling author
- Standalone novel
- Perfect for gift giving or as a stocking stuffer
- Hopeful and encouraging Christmas story that will appeal to fans of Hallmark movies
- Includes discussion questions for book clubs
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I’m glad I read Catching Christmas. It’s a story of love and kindness, of giving and caring, a perfect story for Christmas. What do Finn, a chef turned taxi driver, and Sydney, a struggling young lawyer trying to keep her sanity and her job, have in common? Callie Beecher, Sydney’s sweet, strong-willed grandmother with dementia, who is determined to give her granddaughter the best Christmas ever. Funny, sad, poignant, I recommend it.
Although I’ve heard AMAZING things about Terri Blackstock’s books, I’ve never read any because she writes in a genre I don’t normally gravitate to. This book has been on my radar since it released last year though. It’s by far my favorite Christmas read this year. Real at the same time it’s enchanting. Amazing characters and a perfect ending. Loved it and highly recommend!
I read this in 2018 when it released. Loved it and my revisit since it has come to mind again. My original review:
A sweet but at times sad Christmas book. It fit true to life in many ways as we are a busy people. And Callie, the sweet older lady, is just someone you want to know. There is some sadness but it’s also not as you will find out. Just a wonderful little book and gives a reader some things to think on.
What a lovely book! Not your normal Christmas story but I sure loved this book. Terri Blackstock has been a favorite author for me for the last 20 plus years. This book is not a new release but I had not heard of it before. I am sure glad I came across it this Christmas.
I was looking forward to a feel-good Christmas romance, even welcoming some sap and cheesiness. What I got was a sad story with an emotionless romance and flat characters.
The book goes back and forth between Finn’s and Sydney’s 1st-person points of view, which I still don’t really get, but realize might just be Terri Blackstock’s style (the other book of hers that I read was like this too). Fortunately, most of the time it was from Finn’s POV, because at least him I could stand. His characterization was weak, as the type of person I thought he was supposed to be didn’t jive with how he talked and acted in the 2nd half of the book. But Sydney barely had any characterization. She was a weak female stereotype, despite stating once near the end that she wasn’t the weak type. But she let everyone walk all over her, and everything happened to her. She didn’t do much of anything herself.
Callie would have been my favorite character, as a cheerful, friendly woman who believed so strongly in God and Heaven that her only regret about dying some day was that her granddaughter would be alone. Except that she tended to say really mean things about other people, things that were laughed off because she’s just an old lady with no filter (fat shaming, for example). On a positive note, I would love to pass on the kind of legacy that Callie strives to, pointing others to the God that I serve even in casual interactions.
I don’t read pure romance novels all that often because, though I love a good romance, I prefer subtle, slow builds, and of course in a romance novel, the genre itself tells you that the male and female MCs are going to end up together. I’m okay with that to a point, but that makes it too easy for the author to get lazy. So yes, it’s clear that Finn and Sydney are destined to end up together, but at least make it make sense! They barely had any interaction in the first half of the book, and the romance that developed between them made no sense and was flatly written.
Between the cute cover, the promise of a “feel-good Christmas book” and the other Blackstock book I read being pretty good (Smoke Screen), I was excited about this one. Unfortunately, I feel like I wasted some of my limited Christmas reading time on this book. Thankfully, it was short. I wouldn’t really recommend this book to others, but if you don’t have a problem with the issues I mentioned above and are looking for a Christian romance, you may want to give it a try.
Another winner by Terri Blackstock!
This short novel was not Blackstock’s usual suspense writing, but a very sweet story about an elder lady, her lawyer granddaughter and a cab driver, whose lives become entwined. The characters are spectacular and I loved this story.
What a refreshing story! There are only three main characters–Finn, Callie, and Callie’s granddaughter Sydney–told in first person present tense by Finn and Sydney. It opens with Finn having a curmudgeonly dialog with a rider who usually chooses Uber. Sydney is a young lawyer whose job is on the line, with an impossible client. And her dear grandmother’s health has become quickly more fragile. Finn ends up taking Callie to the doctor, and facing some ghosts from his own past. Callie wants a perfect Christmas and doesn’t want her granddaughter to be alone, so visits eligible bachelors to invite for Christmas! It’s a well-woven story dealing with regrets, how we choose to invest the hours given to us, and even redemption.
The intriguing Author Note tells about her study of the science of happiness, that 40 percent is determined by our own thoughts and actions. And that experiences make humans happier than things do. Her Acknowledgements reveal the doctor’s office episode that blossomed into this delightful novella. It also includes pithy Discussion Questions.
December 2020 – Just reread this delightful book, a perfect gift for the Christmas of 2020.
At a particular point reading this book I had tears rolling down my eyes. Not in pain but in gratitude to God who never leaves us.
Finn, was a Cabbie/taxi driver whose job was to pick and get people to where they were going to. He didn’t need to know how they were doing or care any more for them until He meet Callie. Everyone needs a Callie at on point in their lives. My favorite part of their interactions was the humor filled conversation. He needed a do over in life and it came in form of Callie and her beautiful, lawyer granddaughter Sydney. When rough and grief filled moments filled Finn’s and Sydney’s lives they learnt to trust rest on the God of Callie.
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At a particular point it looked like their was no way forward for the both of them, like they’ve lost so much and there was going to be no do overs or like God was done with them but in one of the most beautiful stories I’ve read the author wove hope and second chances into their lives and I finished his book with this message: God is not done with me yet. No matter how it looks like, He has a plan, He is working, He is not done yet. He promised never to leave me nor forsake me and He intends to keep that promise for all eternity. And that is the most important message of Christmas. God wasn’t done with humanity and He showed that by giving us Jesus.
Keep your Bible close because at a particular point reading this book I had to read what Sydney was reading. That is Revelations 21 and 22.
Thank you to The Mosaic Collection for the gift of this book.
I have to admit. I’m not a big Terri Blackstock fan—only because I’m not a suspense fan. I like sweet, mostly light-hearted stories that I can fall asleep to. Well, this was one of the sweet ones. It had great characters and a perfect ending!
The only thing I didn’t like was the point of view switching back and forth every chapter from Finn to Sydney. It was done well and labeled obviously, but it was just a little jarring for me to go back and forth from one first-person POV to another – maybe because the voice of Finn was so much more interesting, more troubled and unique. And it was through his eyes that we got to know Callie. When we heard from Sydney, she seemed like an outsider to the main story. I really didn’t care about her thoughts, mostly about her court case. I think it would have been a perfect story if the story had been told from Finn’s perspective.
Favorite quotes:
“’I’m afraid I can’t do that, Miss Callie. I’m not set up to carry trees. No can do.’ An hour later, I”m driving away from the Christmas tree lot with a six-foot tree netted on my roof.” (p. 107)
“I look down at her, trying to think of something quippy to say, but then I realize this isn’t a quippy moment. Suddenly I want to kiss her, and in spite of myself and the warring responses in my brain, I lean over and just do it.” (p. 211)
“It’s as if the clouds break on a hurricane day, as if the sun comes out to dry up the floods. It’s as if there are four rainbows encircling me, as if it’s early Christmas Day.” (p. 273)
This sweet Christmas Story is a quick read that leaves your heart warm and chuckling as you read about Miss Callie.
I read this for fun in August, so I could celebrate in my own little way Christmas in August! This author’s First Light series is one of my favorites, and yes, I agree, this is totally not the same feel or genre as those, but it made a fabulous little quick summer read that was light, but yet deep, and just a friendly little book to take along and enjoy. I loved the characters and the nonsense and the wit, and have continued to ponder many of the things she shares in her Author’s Note. I will be re-reading those verses and journaling some there for sure, which I’m looking forward to doing soon. I would recommend this if you like Karen Kingsbury’s short little Christmas books or Richard Paul Evans’ as well. Thanks, Terri. I believe it does what you hoped!
This was a fun book. It was a quick read and would be perfect during the holidays when there isn’t much time to relax and read. I fell in love with the 3 main characters: Sydney: a first-year law associate who is trying to take care of her grandma while also keeping her job, Miss Callie: Sydney’s wheelchair-bound grandma who may or may not have a bit of dementia (and is pretty funny) and Finn, the cab driver who is called to get Miss Callie to a doctor appointment when Sydney can’t. Miss Callie continues to call and specifically request Finn to drive her around. Finn is wondering what he’s gotten himself into. It’s a very simple story with a predictable ending, but still worth the read.
Truly a great book to read.
This is an interesting story; told from the 2 main character’s perspectives. It was a nice change of pace to read a story with a predominantly male lead. Finn is a taxi driver summoned to a house in the suburbs. He already seems to be in a foul mood, because he wasn’t dispatched to the airport; where the fares are frequent and pay well. He needs this job to keep a roof over his head and the basic necessities. When no one responds to the honking of the horn he grudgingly decides to knock on the door. This is how he comes to meet Callie Becher, an elderly woman in a wheel chair. Callie needs to go to the doctor’s office; but, is having trouble trying to remember where it is. Of course, this just makes Finn all the more irritable….
This is a story of our current time as it deals with the issues of elder care and older adults that are living alone and/or the lack of immediate family to care for them. So many people do not have the means/wherewithal, to be able to care for older family members. Those that have elders to care for also have to worry about their jobs too. I believe this is a very timely story and not the usual “Christmas fluff” stories; but, has a message to impart.
Can they help an elderly woman get her Christmas wish?
To say that I am only used to Terri Blackstock’s suspense novels would be an understatement. I had NO idea that she ever stepped out of that genre. But, when I saw that she was the author of Catching Christmas I thought I would take the chance and step out of my usual limit on reading only a select few holiday-themed books during the season. I’m glad I did.
Catching Christmas is sweet, funny, poignant, and a bit of a tear-jerker. Believe me, you’ll run the gamut of emotions at the hands of Terri Blackstock’s delightful characters. And if you’ve ever loved someone with dementia etc. this book will be particularly touching.
The characters in this book are truly something else. I fell in love with the blunt wanna-be-gruff-but-is-really-a-softy Finn right away. Sidney took me a little longer to warm up to but just about anyone can understand the sheer pressure of caring for an elderly relative while trying to hold down a demanding full-time job. And then there’s Callie, your heart just goes out to her as she faces declining health while trying to remember “where are my manners?” She’s a sweet lady with a faith as big as the ocean, a faith that reaches out and touches the granddaughter she loves and the hurting cabbie she takes into her heart.
Catching Christmas is a fairly quick read but it’s a story that will linger long after the wrapping paper has been thrown away and the twinkle lights have been put away for another year…
(I received a copy of this book from the publisher. All opinions are entirely my own.)
Catching Christmas is a beautiful and awesome read for the Christmas season – or anytime, for that matter, because it’s message of hope and redemption knows no season. Terri Blackstock has written a gem of a book – quirky, emotional, romantic, and downright funny at times – and totally different from anything I could have ever expected. Jesus is clearly seen in this story.
“Callie has made herself a daily fixture in my life. She’s like gum on the bottom of my shoe. There’s no way to get it off without making a mess.” (Finn)
Catching Christmas revolves around three characters: Sydney, a young lady with a stress filled, thankless job at a cutthroat law firm; Finn, the reluctant hero, a gourmet chef turned taxicab driver; and Callie, Sydney’s grandmother. Callie is the heart and soul of this story, and when Finn responded to the dispatcher’s call that sent him to Callie’s home, there’s no way he could have anticipated what a pivotal moment in his life that would be.
In the hands of Blackstock’s skilled writing, a story that has the potential to be sad doesn’t come across that way at all. There’s a good balance between humor and poignancy, with some delightfully funny moments – such as the day Finn took Callie shopping.
“I feel like I’m getting to know Callie’s Jesus a little better, even though I’m doing all the talking. But he speaks volumes in the way he listens.” (Finn)
An anonymous quote that I’ve frequently heard so aptly applies to Callie: “Preach the gospel at all times, and if necessary, use words.” Catching Christmas reminds us of what’s most important in life, the value of savoring relationships, and of the far-reaching testimony our everyday interactions with people can have.
Normally a writer of suspense, this is Blackstock’s first Christmas story, and I hope many more will follow. Highly recommended.
I received a copy of this book through Celebrate Lit. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.
This is a novella, it took me about 2.5 hours to read. It has a good lesson to it, but it made me depressed. Finn is a taxi driver who is angry and ornery. Sydney is stressed with her job and afraid she might lose it. On top of that stress, her Grandmother Callie is not well. Callie is the best and most likeable of all the characters. She is sweet, if not somewhat confused. Finn is drawn into helping Callie. He takes her to the doctor and shopping, etc. Sydney doesn’t realize how bad things are with her grandmother and she is wrapped up in work.
The writing is easy to read, but when bad things happen to so many of the characters, it’s hard for me to want to read it. Finn is angry and has issues he hasn’t dealt with. Sydney is facing a boss who is using her as a scapegoat, a client who expects her to do illegal things to get his spoiled son out of trouble, and then trying to care for her sick grandmother. In the end, there is a nice lesson, but overall the book is sad. I don’t like sad. That’s the biggest reason I gave it only 3 stars. Otherwise, the lesson of the story, the writing, and such are Hallmark worthy.
Thanks to NetGalley for the opportunity to review this book.
Catching Christmas
What a wonderful story. It was such a blessing to read this book. It is in first person and sometimes that makes a book confusing. This one was not. Each chapter had the character name at the beginning, which I definitely appreciated.
Callie, Finn and Sydney were all special characters. Finn is a cab driver, who meets Callie when her granddaughter arranges for a cab to take her to the doctor. I so enjoyed Callie, she was determined to find someone for Sydney. Callie said exactly what pops into her head. Sydney is trying her best to keep her job but has lot to learn. Then there is Finn, I think a lot of people can relate to him.
I always wandered how the title of the book comes from. If you read the book, you will figure it out like I did. This is definitely one of those books that will stay with me.
I received an complementary copy of the book from the publisher through Celebrate Lit. I was not required to write an positive review. This is my own opinion.
I truly loved this book! Catching Christmas is a sweet story that reminds us of the importance of family, the necessity for faith and the comfort that comes from believing in God. The characters are also very believable. There is Callie, an adorable, elderly woman who grabbed my heart from the beginning with her desire to find someone that her granddaughter can lean on once she is gone. Her granddaughter Sydney Batson is challenged by being a first-year law associate in danger of losing her job and trying to find time to care for her very ill Grammy. And, of course, there is Finn Patrick. Finn is a once-successful chef who is now a cab driver and he reluctantly gets caught up in Callie’s efforts to find that perfect man for Sydney. Finn could almost be labeled a Scrooge until you realize that he has a heart of gold. As hard as he tries to keep from getting involved, as much as he wants to move away from the situation, he can’t because Callie is such a special person!
There is humor in Catching Christmas and Callie is like many older people who have no filters on their speech and reactions. As I was reading it, I made some notes
about some of the funny sayings that Callie utters and some of her insightful thoughts on religion and I named them “Callieisms”. I was right on track because eventually, near the end of the book, the word “Callieisms” is actually mentioned in the plot. Callie is very ill and she struggles with dementia but readers are very aware of Callie’s deep faith. In one episode Finn mentions that Callie seems to be talking to Jesus and Sydney replies “She loves Jesus and she talks to him a lot, right out loud. She did this even before she had this…confusion.” Callie herself shares that “I can just imagine Heaven being a mountaintop experience every day…every hour, just as much as you can stand, till your heart just can’t hold anymore.” Oh, to be as wise and as devout as Callie!
Callie wants to give Sydney the perfect Christmas and it is heartwarming to watch Finn as he finally decides that Christmas is worth having. I believe that Terri Blackstock has perfectly captured his reluctance and ultimately, his acceptance of the true meaning of Christmas.
Catching Christmas is the perfect book for the Christmas season. If you read it before Christmas it will help you get in the Christmas spirit; if you read it after
Christmas it will help you prolong your Christmas holiday! I recommend it to all who enjoy a faith-filled story filled with romance and the spirit of Christmas.
I received a complementary copy of this book from Celebrate Lit but a favorable review was not required.