“Readers will be delighted.” —Publishers Weekly starred review on One More for ChristmasFrom the USA TODAY bestselling author of The Christmas Sisters and A Wedding in December comes this sparkling tale of Christmas redemption… time of the year. But this year, they’ll be buying presents for the most unexpected guest of all—their mother. It’s been five years since they last saw each other. But when their mom calls out of the blue, Samantha and Ella cautiously agree to spend Christmas all together in the beautiful Scottish Highlands…
Gayle Mitchell is at the top of her career, but her success has come at a price—her relationship with her daughters. Her tough-love approach to parenting was designed to make them stronger, but instead managed to push them away…until a brush with her own mortality forces Gayle to make amends.
As the snowflakes fall on their first family celebration in years, the Mitchell women must learn that sometimes facing up to the past is all you need to heal your heart…
Don’t miss Sarah Morgan’s next book, The Summer Seekers!
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This talented author gives us a Christmas story that reminds us that families and our relationships in them are messy but also wonderful.
In this case we have three women , all very different. Samantha and Ella Mitchell are sisters. Samantha creates special vacations for families and Ella is a stay at home Mom.
They love Christmas and purposely make it special. Something that was lacking in their childhood.
When Gayle Mitchell, their estranged mother gets injured and hospitalize, a decision is made to spend Christmas together and a trip to Scotland is planned.
Will they be able to overcome old hurts and move forward? Or will the past always hinder their present and future? Or will this “One More For Christmas” be the one to heal their hearts?
Though at times slow moving and not my favorite story by this author, it was still interesting, emotional, with complex characters and thought provoking.
I was entrusted a copy of this book by Netgalley and HQN Books . The opinions expressed are solely my own.
I started reading this Christmas romance and couldn’t put it down; I was quickly drawn into the story and was captivated. The writing flowed so easily and the characters really came to life on the page. Humorous and heartwarming, it was a real joy to read.
The characters were so well developed that I felt like I was really getting to know them. I really loved them all, the way the family was drawn back together and have to deal with the past and the present was brought to life for me in this lovely story. As I said, I loved them all but Brodie, the Laird and self-proclaimed geek I just adored. He is so funny, kind and loving he just captured my heart.
Add in a Scottish manor, a Laird, lots of snow and some Christmas magic, then this book is a clear winner. I would highly recommend buying this book, then curling up by the fire, under a tartan blanket, with a single malt and indulge in this really good story.
I look forward to reading Sarah Morgan’s novels. She’s got enough cheese to keep my feeling happily gooey, but not too much smut to make me uncomfortable. Her novels aren’t always romance, but they’re always going to include romance. Many of the books of hers that I’ve previously read are about the power of friendships, this one is about the power of family.
There were a few things about the story that I found difficult to believe, like have a pseudo-relationship with your kids but not having any idea one of them is married and has a kid. That baffled me. Although…one of my kids got married without letting me (or anybody else) know for a decent chunk of time. All the parents are still a bit miffed about that, but it wasn’t because they were angry at us, it was just because that’s what they wanted to do. This woman got married, had a baby, and kept her life apart from her mom for FIVE YEARS! I can’t even understand that. And I can’t understand Gayle’s rigidity. I just don’t get why she was so unbending. I suppose there wouldn’t be much of a story without those pieces, however, so I’ll just let it all slide.
The one thing that REALLY stuck out to me, and it was such a small thing…but it REALLY stuck out: When Tab got to meet the reindeer, she used the word “stoke” when asking if she could touch them. When was the last time you hear a four-year-old say “Can I stroke him?”. The lack of reality in word choice there really turned this from a four star into a three star. Such a tiny damn thing, but word choice is important. It’s a cute, uplifting holiday read, just had a single, GLARINGLY poor word choice.
With all the good reviews I guess I was expecting something more. Skipped over a lot of it, something I never do. Plot and ending totally predictable.
Wonderful holiday read about forgiveness. Will put you in the mood for the holidays and to be with family.
This book is a women’s fiction drama, with some humor and romance mixed in. It follows two sisters, Samantha and Ella, who are extremely close and their estranged mother of 5 years, Gayle, who has always been standoffish and no-nonsense with her girls. Due to a misfortunate accident, Gayle decides it’s time to reconnect with her daughters, but is astonished to find out major life events have happened in their lives and she was not aware. The decision to spend Christmas together is made so that they can hopefully repair their relationship.
I loved Samantha and Ella, both as sisters and individually. They support each other without question and have a loving bond. Throughout the book, they both face things about themselves and make changes in their lives. I loved Ella’s husband, Michael, he is funny and very loving. I just wish he had been present more. And then of course you can’t help but love Tab, the spunky 4-year-old, who just loves everyone and is brimming with excitement for Christmas. The one character I just didn’t grow to like is Gayle; I found her very frustrating.
The majority of the book takes place in the picturesque highlands of Scotland at Christmas time. The author describes the setting in great and beautiful detail, making it easy to picture the scenery perfectly and making me want to visit! (And maybe find a Laird of my own.)
And of course, it can’t be Christmas in Scotland without a blossoming romance. Enter the handsome sweet, adorably awkward Brodie. He wasn’t the typical alpha male you get in a lot of romances, which makes him even more loveable. The connection between him and Samantha is there from the start and is fun to watch grow into more.
Overall, this is a charming story about family, relationships and personal growth. A lot of the authors that I follow have started writing more women’s fiction, focusing on family’s relationships, with some romance thrown in. While I enjoy most of them, I do miss the contemporary romance books and series.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advanced Reader copy of this book.
Sara Morgan is rocking the stand alone women’s fiction books. I have really enjoyed Sarah Morgan’s books. I usually write series books but I love her stand alone because everyone in the book has their own story within the book.
Christmas is supposed to be the happiest time of the year. Most families have traditions and get together as a family to celebrate Christmas. When Samantha and Ella were children they never celebrated Christmas with their mother. Now that they are adults Samantha and Ella always get together and celebrate Christmas. Samantha and Ella have not seen or spoken to their mother in five years. Their mother has an accident and realizes that she doesn’t have anyone to call when she lands in the hospital. Gayle decides she needs to change this and she wants to spend Christmas with them. Samantha and Ella are both reluctant to spend the holiday with their mother. Will Gayle be able to change her ways and enjoy Christmas with her daughters? I highly recommend this book.
I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Sarah Morgan takes us on a family trip to Scotland that is both heartbreaking and heartwarming in One More for Christmas. It’s all about family and friends; love and understanding; and the past, the present and the future. The Mitchell women learn that there is no expiration date on forgiveness in this lovely story.
I read an advanced copy of this book
I love all of Sarah Morgan’s books, but this one is my absolute favorite!! I wish I could give it more than 5 stars. The Mitchell and McIntyre families were both wonderful and I didn’t want their stories to end. I would love to read a sequel to One More for Christmas.
I voluntarily read and reviewed a complimentary Advance Reader Copy.
One More for Christmas is a wonderfully written, charming story filled with Christmas magic and set in fairy tale like castle. This is a story about Gayle, a hardworking, tough as nails, single mother who raised two daughters to be self-sufficient. Samantha and Ella grew up despising their mother for always killing the joy and fun of special events and holidays. When Gayle is seriously injured in a freak accident, she decides that she wants to reconcile with her estranged daughters but learns that their is more to their lives that she has missed. When she suggests spending Christmas together, secrets are revealed and an unexpected adventure begins. The story that follows is filled with love, new friendships, reasons revealed for past decisions, reconciliations, forgiveness and new beginnings. The characters were relatable, realistic, fun and entertaining. I thoroughly enjoyed the development and revelations of the story.
I received an advanced reader copy from the publisher but all thoughts and feelings are my own.
Great read! Wow, now I want to vacation in Scotland for the holidays!