Krista Galloway is not a fan of Christmas. After her rough childhood in multiple foster homes, the holiday season just brings too many bad memories to the surface. But when she accepts a job as a city manager in the mountain town of Winter Hill, Washington, Christmas is part of the deal. The small town is famous for its Christmasville celebration, something that the city manager . . . well, … manages.
As she tries to make her tiny new apartment feel like home for her and her eight-year-old daughter, Emily, Krista begins to wonder if this move was a mistake. She doesn’t always feel welcomed in the close-knit town, and Emily continually wonders, “Where’s the snow?” Can a friendly stranger and his family help restore Krista’s Christmas spirit before the big day?
Bestselling author Melody Carlson invites you to spend this holiday season in a town you’ll never forget–and never want to leave.
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Christmas in Winter Hill by Melody Carlson is a sweet Christmas novella. I look forward to reading this authors latest Christmas story each year and I was not disappointed with Christmas in Winter Hill. It is well-written with relatable characters in realistic situations. It moves along at a steady pace and can be finished quickly (only 164 pages). Krista Galloway is looking forward to starting over in Winter Hill. She has not had the easiest life growing up in the foster care system and the last few years have been difficult. Her daughter, Emily is looking forward to having a white Christmas and she wants a real home with a backyard. Unfortunately, things do not go as planned for the duo. Emily, though, does enjoy living in Winter Hill and makes friends right away. I enjoyed Emily’s enthusiasm as she embraced all the Christmas festivities. The little girl wants her mother to love Christmas as much as she does and comes up with a plan (I just loved it). The townspeople enthusiastically embrace Christmas and their Christmasville activities. Winter Hill is a quaint town who came up with a clever way to revive their dying city. It is the tenth year for their Christmasville celebration, and they have big plans. Unfortunately, there are a few hiccups along the way. I enjoyed the subplot with Winston Palmer who is the town’s grinch (bah humbug type of guy). Christmas In Winter Hill has new beginnings, a cute little girl, crime, a touch of romance and cheery Christmas festivities. The story has a good moral. We learn that we get what we need in His timing, not when we want them (it can be hard to be patient though). The ending was a delight and left me with a big smile on my face. My favorite phrase comes from Krista who said, “I like to think our troubles make us stronger.” Christmas in Winter Hill is a heartwarming, uplifting story with apartment anguish, Christmas catastrophes, elf escapades, a great giveaway, and holiday high spirits.
It’s tradition for this reader to read Melody Carlson’s new Christmas release each year. In my opinion Christmas in Winter Hill is her best Christmas Novel ever! I felt it deserved more than five Stars. I sympathized with Krista in the situations she had been put in as she tried to do her job as city manager. She had to make some decisions that quite frankly were not appreciated by the citizens and leaders of the small community.
Krista was a single mother living in Arizona. Wanting to get ahead she excepted a job as city manager in a small town in Winter Hill in Washington State. She had to get used to the cold weather and living in a small community. Her apartment was very small and cold. Her pay check was also small but Krista thought city manager would look good on her resume.
Her eight year old daughter Emily was delighted with the move. She so looked forward to seeing snow for the first time. Winter Hill was host to an annual Christmas festival called Christmasville. Krista wasn’t a lover of Christmas for reasons you will find out as you read the book. But she determined to participate in the festivities for Emily’s sake.
It didn’t take long for things to start going bad for poor Krista. As City Manager she had to make a few tough decisions in the first few weeks of her employment. The town soon turned against her. Things looked bleak for her future in Winter Hill. But things aren’t all bad as Krista meets the handsome widower Conner Harris. A dash of romance enters the story but will it be worth staying in a town where people seem to dislike her so much.
This is a very nice clean story that would be suitable for a family read. A nice seasonal read for the holidays. I think it would make a great Hallmark movie. You will love this Christmas book! I highly recommend it for your reading pleasure.
I borrowed a copy of Christmas in Winter Hill from my local library. A review was not requested. All opinions shared here are my own.
Carlson crafts a delightful Christmas novella. Set in a small town, I was immediately captivated by Krista and her daughter Emily. Leaving a broken marriage in Phoenix to make a new start in Winter Hill. Krista is a courageous and determined to make a better life for her and Emily. Yet she is battling dark Christmas memories. I enjoyed following along on Krista and Emily’s journey from brokenness to restoration. This novella is a joy to read.
Recommend to readers who enjoy inspirational, Christmas novellas.
I won a copy. I’ve expressed my honest opinion.
This is a charming small town Christmas story.
I enjoyed getting to know Krista and her daughter Emily. They are working to adjust to their new life in Winter Hill when they move just before Thanksgiving. They have arrived just before the busiest time of the year in the small town. I liked seeing how some of the residents just opened their hearts and welcomed them in, befriending them from the first time they meet.
I like the fact that Krista is willing to deal with hard issues at work to make things better for the small town and all of the residents. She stands up for what is right even though it brings difficulties for her personally.
I really like the narrator and will be looking for more books that she has done. She changes her voice for the different characters which helps to follow the story. It isn’t drastic differences but it is noticeable.
So many times, during the Christmas season we hear of sad stories and difficult times that happen to people around us. People who have had their hearts broken and hurt to the point of never believing anything good could happen during this season.
This is what has happened to Krista and her daughter Emily. Their lives have had so many hard events. But they’ve just moved to a new town and this town starts to show them Christmas really is a wonderful time. A time full of wonder and beauty, woven with bits of the holiday magic.
The author, Melody Carlson has written a sweet story of hope and love. Her description of this town sounds like a place I’d love to visit or even live in. I felt all the emotions that the characters experienced.
This was a sweet book to read before the Christmas holiday busyness settled in. I truly enjoyed this book and highly recommend you pick it up to read.
I was given this book by the publisher which did not influence my review in any way, all thoughts and opinions are my own.
Christmas In Winter Hill by Melody Carlson is a delightful Christmas book that will leave you smiling. Every year Melody Carlson releases a Christmas book and I look forward to reading it, and this year’s offering does not disappoint.
Christmas is a time for love and family but if you have never had one, it can be hard. One may feel isolated and lonely as it looks like the whole world is having fun.
Winter Hill is a place of community. A warm welcome awaits as strangers are taken under its wings. New beginnings are made easier with a greeting from smiling faces.
We all have dreams. Sometimes our dreams are for others. We witness selfless love in action in the novel.
Christmas In Winter Hill was a charming read, encompassing all that is good about Christmas.
I received this book for free. A favourable review was not required and all views expressed are my own.
This was a predictable, but fun read. It’s a short fun book, perfect for the holidays when reading time is short.
Krista has taken a job as city manager for the town of Winter Hill. As she and her daughter, Emily, arrive in town, she realizes how themed to Christmas this little town is, a holiday she doesn’t like. Winter Hill, her job and the people in the town welcome her overall. When she starts bringing up things that need looking in to, she wonders if the town will still accept her. Beautiful story, with wonderful characters, which include Pauline, Connor, Anna, Beth, Julia and a few others. Another delightful, get in the spirit of Christmas, story by this author.
A complimentary copy was provided by Revell. A review was not required and all thoughts and opinions are my own.
I don’t have cable, so I don’t have that popular movie channel. But, when I did have cable and did have that popular movie channel, this story is exactly the movie I would have enjoyed watching, like, a bajillion times.
Essentially, Christmas in Winter Hill by Melody Carlson is a that popular movie channel Christmas movie in book form. And, I enjoyed every adorable page of it!
I definitely recommend this book! It’s super sweet and super clean. The romance is very light and gentle, making this book totally safe for both teens and adults to enjoy!
If you’re a fan of inspirational Christmas-themed stories set in a quirky town with endearing people, Christmas in Winter Hill is the book for you!
Christmas in Winter Hill is available NOW – visit Christian Book for details!
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I received a complimentary copy of this book from Revell as part of the Revell Reads Blog Program. A positive review was not required. All opinions expressed are completely my own.
A cozy Christmas read! Krista Galloway moves to Winter Hill as a young city manager who dislikes the Christmas holidays. Krista and especially her eight year old daughter Emily are great leading characters. Krista’s assistant sends her “boy” Conner to help them unload the moving truck! Conner turns out to be a widower with a teenage daughter who play a big part in welcoming Krista and Emily to Winter Hill and the Christmasville activities! I recommend Christmas in Winter Hill as an easy to read Christmas story. I won a copy of Christmas in Winter Hill in a giveaway. This is my honest opinion.
Wow, I loved this story! I always look forward to Melody Carlson’s Christmas books, and this is one of her best. The setting in the small town of Winter Hill is perfect. But it’s the characters that absolutely stole my heart away, especially the character of eight-year-old Emily. Emily and her mom, Krista, have moved to Winter Hill just in time for the town’s Christmasville celebration. Because of heartbreak in Krista’s childhood, she does not love Christmas celebrations, although she loves the Savior. Emily wants her mom to love Christmas, but more than that, she wants a real home; a chance to finally see snow for the very first time, and a best friend. (Can’t you already feel that tug at your heart?) Krista finds herself somewhat unwillingly having to enter into the town’s Christmas festivities. This story is full of faith, hope, love and friendship. I loved Emily’s story and look forward to having this boom on my Christmas bookshelf to reread during each Christmas season.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher. All opinions are my own.
I love how the author did not hit us with the falling in love scenes at first. She allowed the characters grow into it.
Krista and Conner’s story even though short is one of my favorite love stories. It was so natural, they grew into it. The author allowed her readers to get to know the characters, Conner and Krista’s life’s weren’t just tied around falling in love with each other but also about other things. I really like this approach.
This is my best Christmas book. The story was awesome. I love romantic books but this wasn’t flooded with it. It concentrated on other things like how Krista had to let go off her childhood disappointments and trust God to do a new thing in her life and Emily’s. I love her daughter Emily’s enthusiasm about life. Such big faith coming from an 8 year old is just amazing. Even when things were not looking good Emily refused to lose faith. Christmas did come with miracles for them.
I loved reading about how Conner stood beside Krista and encourages her. He never allowed her to get swallowed up in self pity. He was always there giving encouragments.
I love reading about the citizens of Winter Hill and how they helped each other. Small towns have their perks. Winter Hill’s was hospitality and lending a helping hand and it was just delightful.
Their Christmas tradition was just the best.
Everyone needs someone like Pauline Krista’s assistant in their corner. Her heart to help and stand by Krista was so heartwarming. She stood beside Krista through thick and thin.
Krista learnt that when we are in Christ we are new creatures and old things have passed away. God is our father and he takes care of us.
The characters of this book were sweet and enjoyable to read about.
The setting was awesome. I want to live in Winter Hill. LOL.
This book to me was about a woman finding herself and in the process found God and discovered the everlasting love of God.
I received a copy of the book and this is my honest opinion.
A trademark of Melody Carlson’s prolific writing is her yearly Christmas novella and Christmas in Winter Hill is a welcome addition. This is my first Christmas-themed read of the fall and I enjoyed it very much. The small town of Winter Hill, Washington is the perfect backdrop for this uplifting story of family and community. There’s a Hallmark feel to this story and I can easily see it in the future lineup of Christmas movies. That’s not a criticism, by the way, for I never tire of Hallmark productions.
“It takes a village to raise a Christmasville” (Mayor Richards). A new city manager who doesn’t enjoy Christmas and a town who lives for Christmas … now that’s a promising foundation for some interesting storytelling! Although there’s a gentle romance woven throughout and the yearly Christmasville production is key, the story’s main focus is on Krista and her daughter – difficulties that arise in Krista’s efforts to be a good city manager and their need for a fresh start, a place to truly belong. There’s a complexity to the characters and Krista’s background of growing up in foster homes – some good and others not so good – give a realness to her feelings about Christmas. Krista is easy to connect with and her daughter, Emily, is precious. I loved Krista’s approach to the seriousness of her job, as well as the way she brought Christmas into Emily’s life in spite of her own feelings.
Christmas in Winter Hill is an easy read, fairly predictable, but that in no way lessened my enjoyment. It’s a heartwarming story, with a gentle faith thread – a reminder of God’s timing and the need for a childlike faith in God’s goodness.
Recommended.
I received a copy of this book from Revell Publishing. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.
This was a fun, short, light-hearted Christmas story that I really enjoyed reading!
I loved the main characters Krista and her daughter Emily, as well as Conner and his daughter. Single mom Krista and her daughter move from Arizona to Washington for a new job and a new start. The weather is different, the house is different, the town people are different…As they get more involved with work and school, they both start getting excited for Christmas but are left wondering if it will lead to disappointment like so many holidays in the past.
Sweet holiday story about love, trust, new beginnings and community. Absolutely loved it!
I received a copy of this book complimentary for blog and social media review. All opinions are my own.
Each year when the days of summer are winding down and autumn begins to open the doors to the beginning of fall and winter holidays, I anticipate the release of Melody Carlson’s traditional Christmas novella. I never know what kind of story to expect but I am confident that it will be a good one that will probably touch my heart in some way. This year’s offering from Carlson, Christmas in Winter Hill did not disappoint.
Featuring a young single mother whose life has not been easy, the story introduces her to a new home town where everyone pretty much drops everything to celebrate Christmasville in the days leading up to Christmas. Unfortunately most of the saddest events in Krista’s life took place around Christmas. As a result Christmas was way down her list of favorites so when she found out her new job as city manager would plunge her deeply into preparations for the festival, Krista wondered if she had made the right decision in moving to Winter Hill.
A well-paced plot, excellent characters, and enough conflict to keep things interesting made Christmas in Winter Hill a delight to read. A bit of romance didn’t hurt anything either. I loved this story with its faith filled message of the true spirit of the Christmas season. Another win for Melody Carlson!
I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book provided by Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group. A favorable review was not required. All views expressed are my own.
loved it!
This book was a very enjoyable, quick read. It was very reminiscent of a Hallmark movie. It moved at a decent pace and had a sweet ending. I really enjoyed it!
I received a complimentary copy from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.
A wonderful, feel good story for the Christmas season, author Melody Carlson doesn’t steer away from a difficult storyline. Some have reviewed this book and said that the challenges Krista faces makes the story “not fun to read”. I have found that challenges make the characters more true to life. After all, who has the perfect life story? I enjoy reading about characters who overcome life challenges. And yet Carlson has kept the warm, Christmas-y feel of the story that we love this time of year.
If you enjoy contemporary Christian fiction with a Christmas theme and a light romance, then you’ll enjoy this story.
I received a complimentary copy of this book but was not required to leave a review.
Christmas in Winter Hill is a great way to get into the Christmas spirit. I just love this sweet and heartwarming story. The book is not a long one and I was disappointed it had to end so soon. My favorite character is no doubt young Emily. I would love to visit a place like Winter Hill.
I am giving Christmas in Winter Hill a well deserved five plus stars. I highly recommend it for all readers who enjoy a well written and clean Christmas reads.
I received this book from the publisher. This review is 100% my own honest opinion.
Sometimes it seems impossible but that’s when you just have to trust in God that things will work out for the good in His own time. Not when we want it to!
This sweet Christmas book is a gentle reminder of that. I loved the remainder and sometimes I know that we’re not always patient myself included.
I try to never miss a Melody Carlson book for this reason. Her stories are always wonderful and I love her books!
I enjoyed this story through the eyes of an 8 year old named Emily. Her enthusiasm is just wow! I wish I had her energy!! Her mother is blessed to have an outgoing youngster like Emily!!
If this book doesn’t get you into the Christmas mood then I don’t kmow what will! This Will be a great read for Christmas Eve. I think I will read it to my family on Christmas Eve.
My thanks to the author for a copy if this book. NO compensations were received. All opinions are my own.