Just in time for Christmas, escape with a perfect love song, a perfect love story, and a perfect dose of holiday magic. “Patti Callahan Henry is quickly becoming one of my favorites.” –Debbie Macomber, New York Times bestselling author Can one song change the course of a life? Brothers Jimmy and Jack Sullivan live a nomadic life doing what they love: touring with their band, The Unknown Souls. … their band, The Unknown Souls. But Jack’s recent engagement to Kara has everyone looking forward to a Christmas destination wedding in Ireland.
Unlike his brother, Jimmy never expected to fall in love. But he feels a sense of peace and happiness whenever he’s around Kara’s best friend, Charlotte–which has him wondering what he’s missing. Over Thanksgiving, Jimmy and Charlotte write a song while sitting together on the back porch. When the band sings it at a Christmas concert the next night, Jimmy insists it’s the perfect love song–but a manager for another famous duo is adamant that it’s the perfect Christmas song. Before Jimmy knows what’s happening, he’s on tour with the hottest country band around and suddenly everyone knows his name.
But fame isn’t all it’s cracked up to be, and Jimmy finds himself far away from those he loves–especially Charlotte. Only a Christmas miracle–or two–will be able to lead Jimmy back to Ireland, to his brother, and to love.
“I fell in love with both Patti Callahan Henry and her work. The Perfect Love Song is a lyrical and heartwarming tale of love and forgiveness. Patti takes you to those places in the heart you didn’t even know you wanted to go.” –Pat Conroy, New York Times bestselling author of The Prince of Tides and South of Broad
“Patti Callahan Henry’s The Perfect Love Song is a wonderfully romantic and inspiring novel about love and redemption that sings with emotional truth. An essential read by a master storyteller.” –Cassandra King, New York Times bestselling author of Same Sweet Girls
“Her characters are so real, you feel as if you’ve known them a very long time.” –Emily Giffin, New York Times bestselling author of Something Borrowed
- Beautiful, jacketed hardcover perfect for gift giving
- Sweet Christmas story of approximately 45,000 words
- Includes:
- Discussion questions for book clubs
- Patti’s family shortbread recipe
- Instructions for Charlotte’s Southern Garland
- The Legend of the Claddagh Ring
more
This book is as heartwarming as a mug of hot cocoa by a crackling fire. Lyrically written by a master storyteller and beautifully packaged like a thoughtful gift, this one is for sharing.
Kara Larson is preparing to marry her childhood sweetheart, Jack Sullivan, in a ceremony in Galway, Ireland. Jack’s brother, Jimmy, is in love with Charlotte Carrington, Kara’s best friend and they are happy to be together again at Thanksgiving. Jimmy is a musician and Charlotte is a poet and together they write a beautiful song that they call the perfect love song. It is the holidays and once the song is heard by the public at a concert it is called “the perfect Christmas song” and Jimmy’s life takes a very public turn. Charlotte feels betrayed and lonely, but there is Kara’s wedding, and she will do all she can to make it the best day possible. Jimmy has a personal revelation or epiphany and through many twists is able to get to the wedding.
This is the first story that I have read by this author and I feel in love with her style and characters. I look forward to reading more in the future.
Thanks to the publisher and to NetGalley for an ARC; all opinions are my own.
This was a super love story. Slightly unusual in that it’s told from the perspective of a storyteller, rather than in the main protagonist’s points of view. At first, that made the emotion of what was playing out harder to appreciate, but once I got used to the vibe of the book, it was utterly charming. By the end, the narrator made it feel like a fairytale. If you love a great Christmas romance, ripe with tender feelings and great, rekindled love, then this is absolutely for you. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
I received an ARC from NetGalley.com for an honest review.
This book is a combination of the country music world and the myth of the Claddagh ring. The novel is rich in emotion and description. You may think the story is slow, but it is to be savored. At the end of the book, the author gives us a recipe for the shortbread that we read about. She also gives directions to making garland, also found in the story. I just wish she had come up with the words to The Perfect Love Song.
Congratulation to Patti Callahan for receiving the Book of the Year Christy Award 2019. Her book, “Becoming Mrs. Lewis,” is another excellent read.
At first, I wasn’t sure what to think of this story, but I am so glad that I kept on reading it. This is story includes a myth, two lost and found loves, hope and redemption. It is about finding the one you love and then losing them for awhile and then finding them again. It is about not losing hope or faith. It is about the strength of family and friends that are family and about strangers that go above and beyond. It is about how one woman’s story of love filled with mythology from her home in Ireland, touches the lives of Kara, Jack, Charlotte and Jimmy and shows them the meaning of believing in true love. I think this book fits in beautifully with the meaning of Christmas and I believe that many of those who read it will be touched with its messages. I am also looking forward to making the shortbread cookie recipe featured in the back.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Sweet contemporary Christmas story. The formatting is the only reason it didn’t get 5 stars. There were numerous Thomas Nelson 1798. Ms. Henry did a wonderful job making the laid back country band. Jimmy and Jack had a rough childhood but used music as their way to escape. Now as adults Jimmy sings with the band but it’s hard to be recognized. He’s fallen for his brothers fiancé’s best friend, Charlotte. There are a lot of ups and downs and it’s especially hard to deal with during the holidays and while Jimmy’s on the road. I received a complementary copy of the book via Net Galley and chose to write a review. I look forward to reading future books by Ms. Callahan Henry.
The Perfect Love Song is about following your heart. It tells the story of finding the one person you want to walk through life with. All the ups and downs. It was co-written by Charlotte and Jimmy. When people heard the song, they wanted to change the name and make it something it really wasn’t. In the process, Jimmy was loosing sight of what was really important. It wasn’t until the past came rushing in, that he knew he had to act or all would be lost. That means getting to Ireland for his brothers wedding and hopefully gaining forgiveness from Charlotte. It is Christmas Day and miracles have been known to happen.
Jimmy and Jack have a band and travel the country sharing their love of music. When Jimmy and his friend Charlotte write a love song, it rockets Jimmy and Jack to stardom. It also takes him away from his friends and family, including Charlotte. She has come to be more than a friend. This is not something Jimmy ever expected.
Charlotte and Jimmy really click well together. They each have a love of music. Plus, Charlotte loves to write poetry. These two combinations go hand in hand. I loved these two. However, there were places where the author stated the obvious or the conversations were a little stilted. This did not necessarily take away from the story.
This is such a sweet and enjoyable read. I loved the country music references. Plus the characters just made this tale all the better. This would make a fantastic Hallmark Movie!
A Christmas holiday miracle story. Despite the good things Jimmy has going in his life, unexpected fame causes him to lose sight of what is important. 5he song he wrote with and for Charlotte almost causes him to lose her. It takes a Christmas miracle to help him him find his way back to his family and her. The story tells an Irish tale about a ring which is a symbol of trust and love.
The Perfect Love Song, by Patti Callahan Henry, was first released in 2010 and is now rereleased with additional content. This is the story of finding a perfect love represented by the song written spontaneously by Unknown Souls guitarist Jimmy Sullivan and his lady love Charlotte Carrington. When the group performs the song at the Holiday Jingle Jam, the song takes on a new life, propelling jimmy away from his brother Jack and other band members and away from Charlotte. Although Jimmy continues to rationalize that all that he does will ultimately benefit the group, each yes given to the promoter sends him further from his heart’s desire.
In a lovely story laced with Irish folklore, including the legend of the Claddagh ring, the characters find their ways to love and their loved ones, ultimately enjoying the true meaning of Christmas.
This is an endearing story. I did enjoy this book and I do recommend it
“The Perfect Love Song” by Patti Callahan Henry
I clean contemporary story of love and life and finding one’s way. I do get caught up in the emotions of a story and this one grabbed me and would not let go. Yes, I shed my share of tears, and enjoyed some laughter too. I requested an ARC of this story via NetGalley and the publisher granted that wish. So, read the description and then grab your copy of this story.. because I am sure you will love this story as much as I did. Happy Reading ! !