From the New York Times bestselling author of The Christmas Hope series comes another heartwarming, inspirational story for the holidays. Thirty-two-year-old Amy Denison volunteers at Glory’s Place, an after school program where she meets seven-year-old Maddie, a precocious young girl who has spent her childhood in foster care. Unbeknownst to Amy, Maddie is a mini-matchmaker, with her eye on just … mini-matchmaker, with her eye on just the right man for Amy at Grandon Elementary School, where she is a student. Amy is hesitant – she’s been hurt before, and isn’t sure she’s ready to lose her heart again – but an unexpected surprise makes her reconsider her lonely lifestyle.
As Christmas nears and the town is blanketed in snow and beautiful decorations, Maddie and the charming staff at Glory’s Place help Amy to see that romance can be more than heartache and broken promises.
In The Christmas Star, Donna VanLiere delivers yet another sweet, joyous story that is sure to capture readers’ hearts.
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The Christmas Star by Donna VanLiere is the ninth a Christmas Hope Novel. It is November 2011 in when Amy Denison volunteers at Glory’s Place in Grandon. She meets the precocious Maddie who is a foster child with cerebral palsy. Maddie has decided to play matchmaker and has the perfect man for Amy. Amy, though, was hurt by her ex-husband and she is not sure she is ready to let another man into her heart and life. Amy is pleasantly surprised by the man Maddie has matched her up with and it has her reconsidering her stance. Lauren Gabriel, a volunteer at Glory’s place, is thrilled when her boyfriend, Travis Mabrey proposes. They want a simple Christmas wedding at the gazebo in the park which has a beautiful new star above it this year. Miriam has her own ideas for their wedding and it will be up to Gloria to rein her in. Can they pull off a wedding in one month? The staff, children and volunteers at Miss Glory’s are busy preparing for the annual fundraiser. This event provides the money to run the center for the next year. It is a busy time of year and it will be all hands on deck. Magic and romance are in the air at Miss Glory’s place.
The Christmas Star is a sweet Christmas story. After I started reading The Christmas Star, I discovered that it continues the story of the characters in The Christmas Town (which I had not read). It also features characters from other novels in the Christmas Hope series (Miriam, Ben and Gloria for example). While The Christmas Star can be read alone, I felt I was missing key details on the characters. The Christmas Star is nicely written with steady pacing. It is a shorter story with only 221 pages (perfect for reading in front of a fire on a snowy afternoon). I did feel the characters lacked development and depth (but you can only do so much in such a short book). I did like the friendly people who volunteer their time to help children. Ben, the bag boy, returns in The Christmas Star. The slips of papers he puts into patron’s bags of groceries provide inspiration and hope. I like that Amy and her match are getting a second chance at finding love and getting their happily ever after. However, the romance between them was rushed. I like the happy ending of The Christmas Star even though it is anticipated (easy to predict how the book will end). Maddie is the highlight of the book. She is a bright and happy child despite her circumstances. Some of the elements featured are faith, hope, love, second chances, friendship, redemption, kindness and forgiveness. The Christmas Star is a feel-good Christmas story that will leave you with a smile on your face.
I always read at least one of Donna VanLiere’s Christmas books each year. This author weaves the spirit of the season through out her stories. In The Christmas Star a seven year old orphan girl plays the role of matchmaker as she tries to bring two of her adult friends together over the holidays.
Amy Denison is a new volunteer at Glories Place, that is an after school program for children whose parents work late. Gabe Rodriquez works for the elementary school as a maintenance man. He has been a recovering alcoholic for the past five years. Little Maddie has always had a special place in his heart.
Maddie thinks that Gabe and Amy should start dating. Trouble is that neither Gabe or Amy are in the least bit interested in dating. Maddie is determined to bring these two Together. Can she achieve this before Christmas or will her plans fall apart?
The author pens surprises into the story along with Christmas magic through the eyes of a young child. I liked that The Christmas Star continued on from her Christmas release of 2016. Both books can be read as a stand alone but I would recommend that The Christmas Town be read first in order to appreciate both stories. This book made this reader laugh out loud and at times I was shedding tears too. I highly recommend both books for your holiday reading schedule. All readers of Christian Fiction will love both books. (le
Donna VanLiere never fails to send a heartfelt message in her books. This novel sends the news that hope, faith and miracles do exist. We need to remember to look up.
“God nudges us throughout our lives but I wonder how many actually act on it.” This quote holds the key to the plot and it is a perfect read no matter the time of year!
Definitely uplifting!
You can not go wrong with a Donna VanLiere book! Each one I read, I say “This is my favorite” and then the next one comes out. This is a book about second chances and getting what your heart desires.
Make that favorite Christmas drink you love and settle in to read this wonderful story!
I love Donna VanLiere’s books and every year when I find out there is a new one I have to read it. I can’t believe I went so long without knowing about this one. It was really good. Loved the characters and story line. I especially loved little matchmaker Maddie. She knows what she wants and has set out to get it if possible.
This is the only book by Donna VanLiere that I have listened to on Audible and didn’t realize at first that she narrates her own book. It was really good and I just couldn’t put it down.
Check it out it won’t disappoint you.
I enjoyed this sweet Christmas story. What a tale filled with love, compassion, forgiveness, and hope. The characters will squeak their way into your heart … even Miriam. A wholesome feel good book that will put you in the Christmas spirit.
Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for my honest review.
This is a delightful holiday romance!
I love the cast of characters in this book. They talk a lot about a family being made up of a group of friends that you love. By the end of this book I felt like they were my family too.
I thoroughly enjoyed how the kids that go to Glory’s Place after school are included in the lives of the adults. Maddie is my favorite on of the children and the characters in general.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley. I was not required to write a positive review. All of the opinions expressed are my own.
Disclaimer: *Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a copy of this book for free in the hope that I would mention/review it on my blog. I was not required to give a positive review, only my honest opinion – which I’ve done. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.*
This is a sweet, clean Christmas romance story. Well-written with interesting and lovable characters along with a HEA makes this story a winner!
Another wonderful, tender story by Donna VanLiere. The author reads the story with personality and feeling for each character and I love to hear, Ms. Glory, Miriam, and in this story the vibrant, Maddie, who steals into your heart and won’t let go. Lauren and Travis’s story continues as you meet Travis’s friend Gabe and new volunteer to Gloria’s Place, Amy Dennison. You’ll laugh, you’ll cry, and celebrate with joy the light of the Christmas Star.
ARC for honest review with no compensation, received from NetGalley.
This was my first book by Donna VanLiere and so enjoyed it! Miracles happen when we least expect them but Christmas time seems to bring about second chances, forgiveness, trust, and finding an everlasting love!!
Looking forward to reading more of Donna VanLiere’s books.
Posted from Goodreads:
Sweet Christmas read. I would have liked a bit more scenes where we see the characters interact and a bit more background but found the stories of Amy, Gabe and, especially, Maddie compelling.
I was lucky enough to get a free advanced reading copy so my main problems with the story may not exist in the finished version. There were some linguistic problems (switching tenses) and I did not like the paragraph spacing. But even if these were not fixed they should not keep anyone from enjoying this Christmas novel.
I received a copy of this book for an honest review. I was not required to give a favorable review. This is a beautiful story about love, second chances, children in need of homes and friends that make all the difference in peoples lives. Ms. Glory runs a program for children in the community that need a place to go after school and with parents that may work late. They have games, tutoring, and activities. Lauren is one of the young women working there, she is a former foster child herself so she knows what they kids go through. She met the love of her life there when he was working as a volunteer Taylor. Then there is Gabe is works as a custodian/maintenance worker at the elementary school and he is working on becoming a teacher, and there is a little girl who he has seen pull self up and has a happy smile for everyone, Maddie. It is Maddie’s mission to make Gabe happy and wants to set him up with the new volunteer at the center little does she & he know that it is his ex-wife Amy who he did wrong 6 years prior. But he has gone through AA and is doing so much better. But everything is around Christmas and many blessings.
The Christmas Star may be the 9th book n the Christmas Hope Series but it certainly can be read as a stand-alone, I know this because Donna VanLiere is a new author to me .
This book is not just about romance it’s about getting to know the townsfolk in this sweet, inspirational holiday season story. Amy Denison volunteers at Glory’s Place, an after school program and this is where she meets seven year old Maddie who happens to be a matchmaker in the making. Maddie knows just the right man for Amy but will Amy be ready to open her heart up after all she has had it broken once before …….
Christmas is approaching the snow is falling what a perfect time and place for a Christmas miracle, this is a sweet romance that is sure to capture your heart. Looking forward to more from this author.
The Christmas Star by Donna VanLiere is book Nine in the Christmas Hope Series. This is the story of Gabe and Amy. I haven’t yet read the previous books, so for me this was a standalone book.
Maddie is a foster child who has some matchmaking skills and feels that Gabe and Amy should meet. Maddie feels a connection with both of them. Amy meets Maddie through the Glory’s Place where Amy volunteers and Gabe works at Maddie’s school.
This was just a really sweet, cute romance. Enjoyed reading it for sure!
The Christmas Star is the 9th book in the popular Christmas Hope series of books from Donna VanLiere. The Christmas Star is a sweet inspirational story that will get readers ready for Christmas.
I have to say that having a young child as a main character of a story doesn’t always work for me. However, I really did fall in love with Maddie the mini-matchmaker. She was so precious and I loved she wanted to get her friend Mr. G married off to the new volunteer at Glory’s Place. Of course she has no idea the Gabe and Amy not only already know each other, but were once married to one another. Both Amy and Gabe have changed so much since their divorce, but Amy understandably has trust issues when they first see one another again.
The slow build to Amy and Gabe finding their way back to one another was done very well. I did see it coming well before they started spending more time together, but it was still sweet to see this couple not only rediscover each other, but find a way to accept the changes that occurred while apart and let go of the past. Maddie was really sweet to keep trying to throw them together in the beginning, but I liked the adults took it into their own hands pretty quickly.
My only real issue with the story was I felt like it was more of a surface story than one the delved into all their feelings about the past and present. I really did want Gabe and Amy to discuss the changes that have come about in their lives. I felt like they accepted the changes really quickly, and I would have liked them to talk a bit more before they made long-term choices.
The Christmas Star was an enjoyable read. Readers who enjoy sweet inspirational stories will fall in love with this book. Maddie is absolutely delightful and her joy and enthusiasm is part of the reason I enjoyed the story as much as I did.
Rating: 3 Stars (B-)
Review copy provided by publisher
Anyone who knows me is well aware that I LOVE Christmas stories. I can read them all year round. So when I was given a widget of this book by a publisher I HAD to check it out. This was my first time reading anything by this author. I like her writing style and the plot helps my attention. I loved the little girl Maddie in this book. She was so cute and she really made this story for me. If I’m being honest I had a hard time connecting to Gabe and Amy. Don’t get me wrong I liked them but I just didn’t feel the romantic connection. They have a past history which we are told about but I rather have liked to watch it unfold with flashbacks. I do have to say I love how diverse the characters are in this story. They all come from different walks of life but they are still a family. This was a feel good Christmas that shows you what the holiday season is all about and even though I had some issues, I was still left with a smile when I finished.
3.5 Stars
Christmas is a magical time of the year. There is this gazebo in the town square in Grandon. This year a star was gifted to the town and the light shines brightly. People have come to the belief that the star lights the way to true love and God. The cast of characters will pull at your heartstrings. Maddie is a precocious 4th grader. Gabe Rodriguez AKA Mr. G by the kids in the school, is the custodian. Amy Denison is a new volunteer at Glory’s Place. There is Glory, Miriam, Lauren, and Heddy. The kids that are at Glory’s Place are so cute. This book is about faith and being right where God wants you to be. You will love the ending of this book.
The Christmas Star is the latest holiday offering by author Donna Van Liere. In this tale the reader revisits the small town of Grandon, which was seen two years ago in The Christmas Town. In that story, readers were introduced to Lauren Gabriel, a young woman who grew up in the foster system and is seeking community and connection. As Lauren forms such connections with Gloria, Miriam, Stacy, and begins a deep connection with Parks Dept. worker Travis Mabrey, she enters into a life reenvisioned.
Now, almost a year later, Lauren is an established worker at Glory’s Place, where children’s needs are addressed in an after school setting. New volunteer Amy Denison begins in late fall and foster child Maddie latches on to the new lady right away. Maddie has decided that she would be perfect for the head custodian at her elementary school, Gabe Rodriguez. But Maddie never expects the history that exists between Amy and Gabe.
This is a lovely holiday story centered around a young mildly disabled young girl. Maddie’s magnetic personality attracts the opposites which are Amy and Gabe and is the catalyst that reunites their passion.
This delightful Christmas tale illuminates the spirit of the season. With endearing characters in a lovely setting and a message that is timeless, I enjoyed this story and do recommend it.
The author has given us a story of hope, with people who love God and work at schools, and then donate their time for a safe place for children to go after.
The spirit of giving is alive here, and it keeps touching so many, and makes it a perfect Christmas read.
I did not read the previous book, but now I would love to, but you will not be lost here, and the story plays out beautifully.
While I figured out early on how I thought the story would play out, there were still a lot of surprises!
I received this book through Net Galley and the Publisher St Martin’s Press, and was not required to give a positive review.
I have read all of Donna VanLiere books and they always put me in the Holiday spirit. Her books are heart-felt and charming and The Christmas Star is no different.
This book can be read as a standalone, but there are a lot of characters from her previous books in The Christmas Star. In the first few chapters, those older characters are thrown in pretty quickly and while Donna VanLiere gives you a bit of a refresher, it was a bit much all at once. Once you get past the first chapter, you’ll be familiar with all the main and secondary characters.
This book has a great storyline and moves at a good pace. The characters are likable and I love how all of their lives are interconnected. The author has this way of pulling on your heart strings. This is a story of kindness, forgiveness, and second chances.
The Christmas Star is a wonderful, clean, heart-warming Christmas book that would make a great gift and put one in the holiday spirit.
I received this book as an ARC and I voluntarily leave this review.