From award-winning USA TODAY bestselling author Sarah Morgan comes this heartwarming, emotionally rich new novel, brimming with her trademark Christmas sparkle!The McBride sisters all have different reasons for finding the holiday season challenging, but their adoptive mother is determined this year will be different. As the countdown to Christmas Day begins, arguments, connections and secrets … connections and secrets start bubbling. The McBride family was made, not born—but will they be able to make this the magical family Christmas their mother has always dreamed of?
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A heartwarming holiday read with relatable characters and a magical setting. I loved every minute of it.
I’ve never had the desire to visit Scotland in the middle of the winter, but somehow Sarah Morgan made freezing temperatures, heaps of snow, and spotty cell signal seem like the best place for a fighting family during the holidays. This book is about three adult sisters and their adoptive mother who are all struggling to balance family obligations and their own past trauma. The perspective changes between the four women chapter to chapter.
Those McBride women find a way to pull you into their stories! I don’t have sisters, but I found myself fascinated by the dynamics between the McBride sisters and their mother. I was completely invested in each storyline. This story reminds you that you can never really be aware of what someone is struggling with, even if they seem like they have it all together; even if they’re a member of your family and you feel like you know them.
On top of an engaging storyline, Ms. Morgan expertly penned complex and multilayered characters all with individual problems, fears, and anxieties. There were surprises, sigh-worthy moments, and a few scenes that brought a tear to my eye, everything I want in a story. One of my favorite aspects is was that Christmas felt more like a frame for the story than a major plot point. While this is a delightful holiday read, it could really be enjoyed at any time because the heart of the stories were the characters, not the time of year.
I did find the plot dragging just a bit at the end, and a few of the heartfelt conversations were a little repetitive, but that didn’t detract from my overall enjoyment of a beautifully written book.
Overall, I can’t believe this is my first Sarah Morgan book! I have absolutely been missing out. I highly recommend this lovely story.
**I received an ARC of this book in order to provide an honest review**
Set in Scotland, three sisters come home to their adoptive parents’ for Christmas. All adults now, and with their own lives and personal sets of issues, the magic of the holidays has been replaced by stressed relationships, self-doubt, and shocking secrets. It doesn’t help that their adoptive mother is sick with the flu and confined to her room the whole time. Maybe that’s for the best though. When it comes to sisters, sometimes the drama needs to work itself out.
Sarah Morgan fans should be aware that this is not one of her traditional romances. This is women’s fiction, and it’s pretty good. I loved the Christmas setting in this one and a story that embraces family and tells you to bravely follow your heart is always welcomed during the holidays. Check it out.
I really like the writing of this book as well as the characters and the setting. It was exactly what I needed to get lost in a story for a few days. It had great characters with realistic issues and sister relationships.
4.5/5
This might only be my second time reading a book by Sarah Morgan, but she is already the queen of the Highlands of Scotland to me. I recently read One More for Christmas which had a similar setting and location and loved it, and now I loved The Christmas Sisters as well! This book starts in New York and Scotland, but then moves to just the setting in Scotland and I felt like I was right there. Is it weird that I really want to visit a loch there now?
Although the setting is gorgeous, I would be a poor reviewer if I didn’t mention how incredible Morgan’s writing is as well. There are tough subjects, laughter, romance, and beautifully flawed but real characters in this book, and it is definitely something you can appreciate. I will take complete fluff any day, but I love that she offers so much depth in this novel as well as the romance aspect. The relationship between the sisters was very honest, and I really liked the look at how they connected with Suzanne. I listened to the audio which is narrated by Laurel Lefkow & Mandy Weston and really enjoyed it. Their narration was very good, and they brought the sisters to life for me in a way that just reading the book would not.
I am so happy that I finally read a couple of Morgan’s books and I have a feeling she is going to become a go-to author for me. If you want family drama, romance, and Hallmark plus more feels then I would highly recommend The Christmas Sisters!
Thank you to the publisher for providing me with an advance review copy of this book, all opinions and thoughts are my own.
I thoroughly enjoyed the story of the McBride sisters! Posy was quirky and fun, full of an adventurous spirit. Beth was a totally organized domestic goddess who wanted more from her life. Hannah was a hot mess who didn’t trust her heart but was really good with her career. All of them were adopted by Suzanne and Stewart, a loving couple who have dedicated their lives to raising these three girls. Suzanne wants to create a memorable Christmas for each of them and runs herself ragged in her attempt. All three young women have to come to a revelation about themselves and what they really need in their lives to be fulfilled and content. I enjoyed how the story unraveled, with hints about what was going to happen and really lovable characters. This was a lovely Christmas romance that I highly recommend.
Disclaimer
Disclosure of Material Connection: I checked out a copy of this book from my local library on the Overdrive App. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed are my own.
I absolutely loved this book! I was enthralled by the story from the very first page! I have more books on my wish list by this wonderful author.
There were several surprising turns in this novel. Even jumping ahead didn’t reveal all that was waiting for me if I was patient. Enjoyed all the characters. The sisters are more fully fleshed than the men. Stewart is a rock (no pun intended). Another gentle take on the impact of ACEs (adverse childhood experiences)
This is my first book by this author and definitely won’t be my last. I loved the cover, the characters and the story!
A perfect book to add to your holiday reading
What starts as a tragedy, ends with family bonding beyond the natural family’s love for one another. Three sisters on significantly different paths in life with different relationships between each other and their parents, not to mention the men in their lives. New relationships that have huge tests, while established relationships walk a rocky mountain path and come out stronger. But how they get there is something else altogether. This is the first book I’ve read by Sarah Morgan but it won’t be my last.
Sarah Morgan is a new author for me. I was originally drawn by the cover. I love all things Christmas. So glad I took a chance on this touching story of sisters putting there emotions out in the open and working through feelings to heal and bond as a family.
Okay, guys aren’t supposed to read books like this one. No spies. No gunfights. So don’t ask me how I ended up reading it! The fact is, I did and I loved it. The characters all had depth and were realistic, the story was the kind that just carried you along, and while I pretty much knew how it was going to end (after all, it IS a Christmas story), it had me totally absorbed anyway. A lot of fun. I definitely recommend it.
Love this story! Wish the author would do a sequel.
Meet the McBride sisters who are preparing for Christmas at home in Scotland. Beth is married and a stay at home mother to two small children but contemplating a return to an outside career. Oldest sister, Hannah, has a highly successful career that seems to keep her from the family but they believe she’s deliberately choosing to stay away. Both she and Beth live in New York but rarely see each other these days. The youngest sister, Posy, hasn’t strayed from home, helping their mother Suzanne run the local café and serving on the alpine rescue team. She’s getting itchy feet to spread her wings but doesn’t want to disappoint her parents by leaving.
I fell in love with this story and the McBride family. Mom Suzanne was counting on the holidays bringing the family together for the first time in two years but completely unaware of the conflicts her children were experiencing. Compounding all of that was the season being the anniversary of a tragic event that seems to have profoundly shaped all of them and continues to plague them. Each sister’s story was extremely interesting and combined just made for an intriguing experience. The event that had such a tremendous impact was revealed slowly, adding even more tension.
The narrator managed each character skillfully, including accents and dialects, creating distinctive individual identities. She added verve to a well written story that I just loved. It’s a delightful tale that deftly used the Christmas season to add emphasis to important themes regarding family, communication and self worth. I don’t normally re-listen to books but I think I will with this one. It clicked on every level and I didn’t want it to end.
(I received an advance copy from the publisher in exchange for an unbiased review)
A delightful holiday romance. Each lady will discover what makes each one have the perfect Christmas. Each character has a heart warming and art stealing storyline . This contemporary holiday story because it will warm your heart and put you in the mood for the holidays.
I absolutely loved this story of the McBride sisters. They come full circle but to being close sisters. You felt like you were right there with them. My favorite character was little Ruby. I couldn’t put the book down. Definitely recommend reading.
Favorite Quotes:
If her sister had been a laptop, Posy would have run antivirus software because there were times when she was convinced Hannah had been taken over by malware.
If parenting was a meal then Jason came straight in at dessert, bypassing all other courses including vegetables.
She smiled. “I’m so glad I married you.” “Of course you are. I’m irresistible. You couldn’t resist my practiced seduction.” Stewart swaggered across the room, ruining the effect by tripping over one of her slippers. She rolled her eyes. “You have a terrible memory. I was the one who seduced you.” “Not true.” “You were moving too slowly for me, Stewart McBride.” “That’s not how I remember it. I was like a rampant stallion.”
I have a trick I use whenever I’m scared…I pretend I’m in a movie… Whatever movie fits the scenario. It’s easier to pretend I’m playing a character, than it is to be me.
My Review:
I have sighed with contentment after reading every Sarah Morgan book I have ever picked up. While her cleverly complicated characters are not always easy to appreciate when initially introduced, over the course of their story they have all managed to magically tunnel their way into my cold heart. It is a specific type of Morgan magic as her word voodoo is strong. This fractious and captivating family was packed with complex personalities with deep-seated issues, and they fascinated me. The writing was engaging and well-paced with generous sprinklings of smirk-worthy wit and clever levity as well as a vibrancy that conjures sharp and vivid scenes in my head as I read. I adore Sarah Morgan in any season. Ms. Morgan is also a frequent contributor to my Brit Word List with the new entries of clag (which seems to have several meanings according to Mr. Google which include sticky as in mud; a clog or clot; and a low cloud, fog, or smog) and snug (a small comfortable room).
I love Christmas books and I consider Sarah Morgan’s an absolute must!
The story being told from the 3 sister’s points of view and their adopted Mom, Suzanne (who was their mom’s best friend) was an amazing way of telling their story. We get all their points of view, their thoughts, their feelings, their hopes, their struggles. I felt we really got to know each of the characters in depth.
Due to twists and turns of life the sisters have drifted apart and now they are gathered again for the holiday and are struggling through their past to regain their future and reconnect.
I really love the intrigue that is in this book. I just couldn’t put it down.
Another Engaging Story by Sarah Morgan.
Set in the snowy Scottish Highlands this Christmas story is told from the viewpoint of four women. Due to a tragedy twenty five years ago, Christmas has always been a holiday overshadowed by what happened and the need by their adoptive mother to make things perfect at this time of year often leads to stress and tension. The three sisters have vastly different personalities and have drifted apart emotionally, each think that the other’s have perfect, put-together lives. Crises in Beth and Hannah’s lives bring them home early for Christmas and gradually their insecurities are exposed and they open up to each other and find a way to be close again. The story flows well and the characters are interesting and I felt invested in their lives.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book from NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
I loved The Christmas Sisters! A wonderful story of the bond between sisters and the love of family. Set in the bustling city of Manhattan and the highlands of Scotland this is the story of three sisters and the woman who adopted them. Hannah leads a busy jet setting life and is a workaholic, Beth is a stay at home mom to two daughters who misses the hustle and bustle of working in Manhattan, and Posey who lives with her adopted parents in Scotland. They all come home for Christmas and their secrets come to light. A heartwarming story of family, trust, and finding yourself. I can’t recommend this book highly enough!