Donna VanLiere, New York Times bestselling author of the timeless The Christmas Shoes and The Christmas Hope, is back with this moving and uplifting story about finding love, hope, and family in unexpected places. Lauren Gabriel spent many years of her childhood in foster homes, wishing her mother would come back for her and be the family she needs. Now twenty-years-old, she still longs for a … twenty-years-old, she still longs for a place that she can truly call home. Her work as a cashier is unfulfilling, and at Christmas it’s unbearable with the songs and carols and chatter of Christmas that she hears throughout the day.
When Lauren ends her shift one night, she finds herself driving aimlessly in order to avoid returning to her lonely apartment. And when she witnesses a car accident she is suddenly pulled into the small town of Grandon, first as a witness but then as a volunteer for the annual fundraiser for Glory’s Place, a center for single mothers and families who need assistance. Could this town and its people be the home she has always longed for?
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The book was well written and the characters were very funny. I enjoyed the book and couldn’t wait to sit down to read it.
Love the small town “family”.
I I liked the Hallmark Movie version of this book so much better.
Great book.
When I started this book I had not realized it was part of the Christmas Hope series. It definitely worked as a stand alone even with a slight overlap of characters and references, I did not miss anything. This is another great story that restores the reader’s hope in humanity. Lauren is openly accepted into the town and the holiday festivities even though she lived an hour away and was not part of the community. While helping with the festivities, she is also searching for a family for Christmas. Will she get her wish?
A tender story about wanting a family, what makes a family, and finding family. There are many lovely facets to this story, taking place synergistically, and coming together in a wholesome and heart-warming holiday read. Picturing the children practicing for the fundraising sing-athon, imagining the contents of the notes inside the grocery bags, getting to know the community residents and the volunteers. These are all the things that make the heart sing for the protagonist who encounters this small town under the most unusual of circumstances. The writing, the characters and the plot make this a pleasant reading experience any time of the year.
A lovely Holiday read , Lauren who feels lost and lonely finds herself in a town full of hope, joy and family. Everyone needs a Ben in Their life! , he is one of the many characters you will meet that makes this story have you look at life differently, how you as the reader can do good for others , just a kind word goes a long way!.
Very touching story of a young woman who is searching for a family for Christmas. But is Craig’s List the right place to search? Donna Van Liere does a great job reading this story to her audience. I laughed, I was annoyed, and I cried as Lauren struggles to find a family for Christmas. I loved so many characters and this story was so uplifting at the end that I have to say it is probably one of my favorites in this series.
The Christmas town by Donna VanLiere
This holiday read is about Lauren, she’s lived a hard life with her mother in jail and then later in foster homes.
Now she’s in her 20’s and lives with another girl.
Story also follows Ben who’s mentally challenged and he puts notes in grocery bags at the store. Very inspirational uplifting notes that he selects for everyone.
Ben’s mother Stacy meets Lauren at the police station so they can point out who hit her car and left. After they stop at local bakery where they talk and Lauren tells her she works at the grocery store.
She has a suggestion for Gloria’s Place-a local place for mothers, children and those in need. They love her suggestion and her help.
Love how the community takes care of the people in need.
Sweet and inspirational! Loved this mystery for Christmas!
The variety of people in this Christmas story is fantastic. They range from strong outspoken ones to those with either health or emotional limitations. They worked well together and the story is sweet and very inspirational. It displays the best of people of all walks of life coming together and supporting each other.
At times the point-of-view seemed awkward to me. This is a new author to me and it may just be that her writing style is different than what I’m used to reading.
I received a free eBook copy of this novel through NetGalley. I have chosen to write this review to express my personal opinion.