Hope at Christmas by Nancy Naigle is an absolutely delightful Christmas Romance book. The characters are so vivid and real that I could really connect with them. I would say there isn't just a hero and a heroine in this story but rather four main characters.

Sydney Ragsdale and her daughter Raeanne move to Hopewell, NC from Atlanta after the breakup of her marriage. Her grandparents left her their farmhouse and she decides it just might be the best place to raise her daughter on her own since she spent summers with her grandparents in Hopewell and has many happy memories of her time there.

Mac MacAlee and his son Seth have always lived in Hopewell even after Mac's wife Genna left him and her son Seth one Christmas many years ago leading to Seth's less than enthusiastic enjoyment of the Christmas season. On the other hand Mac never lost his joy of Christmas and exemplifies this sentiment by working as the town Santa Claus. And what a perfect Santa he is with how he gets right into the roll with all the children!

These two single parents and their kids meet and bond and become friends.

Another main character who is essential to the story is Miss Bea, owner of The Book Bea, a book store located in an old mansion in the main area of town. Miss Bea offers Sydney a part-time holiday job and becomes her mentor. Miss Bea is such a loveable character who not only gained my affection as I read about her but is also beloved by the whole town. Everyone needs to meet Miss Bea and enjoy her wisdom and affection.

This story has so much that I enjoy in a Christmas Romance, a small-town atmosphere, traditional Christmas event that the whole town loves and participates in, warm and cheery scenes as well as some poignant ones. This was one of my favorite Christmas Romance stories this year and I highly recommend this book!

A beautiful sweet romance ready for the holidays, the characters Mac and Sydney have a warm chemistry that is delightful to read

I received an ARC from Netgalley and voluntarily leave my opinion

What a cute story. I couldn't put it down. I think I loved the bookstore the most in this book. I am happy that Sydney finally finds her footing. This book was cute, PG rating book. I am more use to the spicier books but I really enjoyed this book. I started it yesterday and found it really hard to put down. The only thing I wished was at the end was an epilogue.

Hope at Christmas by Nancy Naigle is a full-length stand-alone romance novel.
Meet Sydney Ragsdale, sfter her husband cheated on her she starts new in a new city, a new job and maybe a new love. Her and her daughter moved into her grandparents house in Hopewell and she tries to settle in.
Kevin MacAlee is a single father of a 12 year old boy, highschool teacher and the best secret santa of town.
Both struggle to be single parents.
Mac is smitten with her, but Sydney hesitates to give him a chance. Everything is still so raw and fresh.
But fate/ karma decides for her.
Hope at Christmas is a beautiful, heart warming story, beautifully written, beautifully thought out and beautifully told.
I can´t say how much I love this story.
I recommend Hope at Christmas and give 5 stars. Thank you, Nancy Naigle !

This book just didn’t work for me as I couldn’t get past the first twenty five percent of the book. The beginning of the book is way too slow and there is no scene in between the main characters until the fifth chapter in the book. It put me off this book and I could not get into it. I donot recommendation this book.

I was asked to review this book in exchange for an honest opinion. I have never read this author and after reading this story, I need to read more of her books. This author creates such real and genuine characters that you can't help but become friends with them, at least in your mind!

Sydney Ragsdale is going through a divorce and to get away from her soon-to-be ex-husband, Sydney and her daughter RayAnne decide to move to Hopewell, North Carolina. Sydney grew up in Hopewell and when her grandparents died, they left her their old house. For once Sydney is getting to make decisions for herself, not having to do everything her ex said she had to do.

Sydney takes RayAnne to school on her first day and they decides to wander around the small little town. Sydney is shocked to see that The Book Bea is still open and that Bea Marion still runs it. The two quickly catch up and Bea even offers Sydney a temporary job for the next few weeks until her other job starts in January. Sydney just feels at home in the little bookstore. When Bea mentions that she is looking to close the place in January unless someone is interested in buying it (wink wink) Sydney does some serious thinking.

In the meantime, Sydney and RayAnne are meeting and making many new friends, including Kevin "Mac" MacAlee and his son Seth. What starts off as a fun friendship between kids and single parents quickly turns into something else. Both of these single parents have to decide if they are ready to trust their hearts again.

When two things happen suddenly, along with an unexpected guest, their worlds collide very emotionally. I just adored Sydney and Mac. Sydney was just trying to find herself again and was doing a great job of it. Mac was just the perfect guy with such a heart of gold. These two people really deserved a happy ending and they really got a great one! If you are looking for a sweet, emotional Christmas story....look no further....this is the one!

I love a good Christmas romance! Not to mention, I am a huge fan of bookstores & this book made me wish I could run the Book Bea store! This is the first time I read anything by this author. I really enjoyed this book. If you are looking for a little Hope at Christmas, then read this book!

"...she needed to set an example for her daughter, to show her that even when dealt a cruddy hand in life, one can respond with grace, strength, and independence."

I admit it. I'm a sucker for sappy, romantic Christmas stories and I really enjoyed this offering. I'm going to read it again a little closer to Christmas to help me get in the holiday spirit. As it is, it's not even Halloween yet and I'm ready to be trimming a tree and wrapping gifts.

Sydney Ragsdale and her 10 year old daughter, RayAnne, leave bustling Atlanta and move into the old farmhouse her grandparents left to her in Hopewell, North Carolina. Hopewell is a small town but it's very big on Christmas.

Sydney is trying to figure out what she wants to do with her life since her husband left her for a younger woman. She happens into THE BOOK BEA, a bookstore she went to as a child while visiting her grandparents during summers and where she fell in love with reading. The same woman still owns the store - Bea - and Sydney and Bea quickly become close friends.

I loved the characters in this story. I loved the small town atmosphere and neighborly closeness. The story just hit all the right buttons for me. Laughing, crying, and all points in between were covered in the pages of the story. (And of course there's a love interest.)

I received this book from St. Martin's Press through Net Galley in exchange for my unbiased review.

Hope at Christmas
A Novel
by Nancy Naigle

A truly enjoyable story. In the plot it is one of the most touching as well as learning experiences. Each moment truly took a part of my heart. It is hope and faith and love. It is life and meaning and real experiences all combined to make a story that is worth reading. A truly good read. I was given this book in return for an honest review. Anna

So every year for the past couple of years, I’ve been promising myself that I was going to read all the Christmas books. I own quite a few of them, as a matter of fact. Only thing is… I’ve read hardly any of them. By and large, I by them, put them on my shelves. And there they stay. This year, however, I already read one. Now, it’s only the beginning of October – so I probably shouldn’t be longing for Christmas already. But, yeah. That’s where Hope at Christmas has me!



Quick disclaimer: I got the chance to read this book via Netgalley. All opinions are completely my own, though!

STORY

A recently divorced woman and her daughter look for a fresh start by moving to a small town that embraces them in ways that only fate and the magic of Christmas can explain.

Sydney Ragsdale is divorced, but her husband is still calling the shots. In an attempt to shake free from his hold, she and her daughter, Ray Anne, head for tiny Hopewell, NC to the only asset her ex has no control over – a decaying farmhouse that once belonged to her grandparents. She finds solace at The Book Bea, the bookstore she’d loved as a child during her summer stays.

Kevin MacAlea, Mac to his friends, is the local high school history teacher and baseball coach. Father of a twelve-year-old son, he’s Hopewell, North Carolina’s most sought after bachelor. His young bride abandoned him and his son just before Christmas and has never come back. It has left his son bitter about Christmas which is hard for Mac who loves the magic of the season. He’s been the Santa here in Hopewell since the year Seth was born.
But when a catastrophe forces The Book Bea to close before the end of the year, everyone in the small town is feeling the loss. While Sydney is already off-balance by the bad news, her ex-husband breaks a promise to their daughter that sends Ray Anne running away. As Sydney tries to figure out what her next steps are she discovers all of the answers are right here in Hopewell.

CHARACTERS

First things first: Sydney’s ex is a bit (well, I say a bit…) of an idiot. Rather insensitive, at that. But I can’t help but admire the way Sydney handles that? That’s actually my general remark on all the characters in this book. “I can’t help but admire the way person X handles situation Y”.

That’s also probably the most negative thing I can say about this book – the characters are just a little bit Mary Sue. That’s not necessarily a bad thing. But it was the case.

(Oh, apart from Bea – Bea is awesome. I want a Bea in my life.)

NARRATION

Okay, so you know how I really love books? And Christmas? So basically, this could have been something I said:

The rest of this town seemed smaller than she remembered, but The Book Bea still felt as big and magical as ever.

(…)

There was beauty in that. The smell of books, knowledge, and old ink may have been in her imagination, but it all worked like some kind of happiness pheromone.
And sure, at times this book felt just like some sort of a lifetime, straight-to-television movie. But it’s very much aware of that:

It was a romantic gesture straight out of a Hallmark movie. Who wouldn’t love being treated like this?
Although it does still come with sayings like “Hope? You need to substitute every hope with believe.”

But if there’s one thing I absolutely love? “Christmas joy. I guess it’s like fairy dust.”

Oh, and Christmas carols. Because those are just the best.

They sang, and as beautiful as that music sounded from the front porch of that old mansion, it felt even bigger and more pure from right here in the middle of it.
I mean, there’s a reason I have a list of Christmas-songs I love for every holiday season I’ve blogged – all two of them :p

OVERALL: 4.25/5

You know that feeling, when it’s really cold out? And you’ve got your comfy clothes on, you’re cuddled up in the sofa with a nice cup of warm cacao or hot tea in front of the open fire? This book is that feeling, but in book-form. I found myself longing for Christmas so much – so that’s some sort of side effect I feel I should warn you for.

Apart from that? Read this one. Seriously, it’s such a fun, fluffy read, it’s so full with Christmas – clichés and all. I loved every second of reading this, and I cannot recommend it enough. (If you’re interested – you can find it on Amazon! (Affiliate link). Hope at Christmas will be published on October 10th!)

-Saar

I usually love Nancy's books but this one was a bit too twee for me. There was no mystery and I confess I skipped paragraphs. Well written and will appeal to some, just not me.

I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Hope for Christmas by Nancy Naigle

A heartwarming and teary Christmas romance novel where a bookstore is a retreat and salvation.
Newly divorced Sydney and her daughter RayAnne move to Hopewell to rebuild their lives. Sydney rediscovers the bookstore where she spent her childhood and discovered the joy of reading.

The bookstore owner has a lot of little pieces of advice such as “Like yourself” and “Be open to new opportunities.” Good advice. She seems so at peace and worldly.
“You were meant to come in here today. Trust your journey, dear. It will take you where you’re supposed to go.”

10 year old Seth. So selfless. I cried when he talked to Santa. It wasn’t sad. Just so heartwarming.

These two extra characters made the depth of the stories so rich.
Overall, a joy of a Christmas story.

A fantastic story of new beginnings and finding love when you least expect it. This is a great wholesome small town romance. It's wonderfully written and has some very interesting characters.

Recently divorced Sydney Ragsdale moves herself and her 10 year old daughter to Hopewell, NC for a fresh start. Something her daughter is not too happy about. Sydney hopes that the wonderful people of the little town will eventually win Ray Anne over. Spending time at the Book Bea and meeting Kevin "Mac" MacAlea and his son Seth seem to be just the magic needed.

This is a relaxing heartwarming read that you will definitely want on your must read list. I highly recommend it.

3.5 stars
Sydney Ragsdale is looking for a fresh start far away from her controlling ex-husband and the self-doubt that has plagued her since the divorce so returns to her childhood home in Hopewell, North Carolina & moves into a farmhouse that was once belonged to her grandparents. While there Sydney finds solace working at The Book Bea, her favourite bookstore.
Single dad Kevin MacAlea, Mac to his friends, is the local high school history teacher and baseball coach. He is also the towns best kept secret he has been playing Santa since his son was born twelve years ago. When a catastrophe forces The Book Bea to close before the end of the year, everyone in the small town is feeling the loss.
This is a heart warming clean story & to some may be a little too sweet & sugary. But hey it’s ideal for a light Christmas read. The characters were well portrayed & I felt I was getting to know them as they got to know each other. I was also routing for the two single parents to find happiness with each other. An enjoyable read

This was an ok book, definitely not my favorite by her. If you like the word y'all you will love this book. I live in the South and do not hear it spoken as much as it was in this book. Bea was a favorite character of mine. Mac was ok but Sydney was irritating.

Nicely written small town Christmas tale! My one quibble (and it might be yours too) is my concern that Mac might be just a rebound romance for Sydney, who has moved to Hopewell, North Carolina after a nasty divorce. See- that's a positive for this book because I found myself invested in the characters, not just Sydney and Mac but also their kids Ray Anne and Seth. I was especially sympathetic to Syndey's troubles with Ray Anne, who is whipped around by her dad. There's a book store, there's some bad stuff, but mostly the bad stuff is the impetus for the good stuff. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC- this is a nice clean happy novel that will cheer you up.

Hope at Christmas is a nice new beginnings story set in Hopewell, North Carolina. Sydney & RayAnne have moved from Atlanta to get a fresh start in the small town. Sydney needs to get away from her ex after the divorce so she can rebuild her life. She's not sure exactly what she wants to do but she owns her grandparents farmhouse & has found a job. She has fond memories of the town & hopes her daughter will learn to love it. She didn't anticipate meeting Mac & his son or the chemistry that flared between them.

This is an emotional Christmas story. The interactions between Sydney & her ex, Jon, detail the difficulties that lie in a divorce & the emotional toll it can take. The friendship that grows between Sydney & Bea, the bookstore owner, resembles a relationship between a grandmother & child with the affection that is present. This is a nice story that will tug at your heart.

I loved this book, if this book Hope at Christmas doesn't get you into the spirit nothing will This story proves that you can start over and you can have a life that you always wanted. Your dreams matter. This book is about hope, forgiveness, second chances And to remember you deserve to be happy. And sometimes tragic things happen but to remember it does get better and people can realize they need to change their ways to the better. Sometimes we need to be remind to look and see what is in front of us

This book is sweet and clean – there are no sex scenes and no f-bombs. If those things bother you, there is nothing to worry about here.

Although there is drama and angst in this book (I had to go in search of tissues while reading) it is also so incredibly full of love and hopefulness that it really is the perfect holiday romance novel. All of the characters, while fighting their own battles, are incredibly likable, and the little town of Hopewell is fabulous.

One of Ms. Naigle's incredibly strengths is writing characters who are relatable and realistic and she nailed that in this book. Even though Sydney and RayAnne were struggling to find their balance in their new life in Hopewell, I thought their relationship was really beautiful. RayAnne wasn't the cookie cutter unrealistically perfect kid, but that gave her character. Sydney was a bit of a hot mess who just needed a break in life – something a lot of us readers can appreciate. Seth was absolutely adorable and I adored him from start to finish (especially when he went to see Santa). Mac...oh Mac. He was everything I want in a romance novel hero. He was a solid, good guy who was giving and loving and most importantly, understanding. Even when Sydney had a moment, he didn't get his nose out of joint, he just waited for it to pass and didn't hold it against her.

Another thing that I loved about this book is that it was actually a Christmas story. So often books with holiday covers and blurbs barely touch on the holiday or anything related to it, but this book was actually based around Christmas and the various activities that come with it and I loved that.

The head-nod to the Granny series was really cute and made me smile when I read it. Well played, Ms. Naigle.

***SPOILERS IN THIS PARAGRAPH*** The big twist that happened in this was incredibly difficult to read. I actually kept hoping it wasn't going to happen, and I wasn't a fan of how/when it happened, but it lead to something beautiful so I was able to make peace with it.

I requested and was generously granted an ARC of this book via NetGalley and the publisher. I was under no obligation to write this review, I did so because I really enjoyed this story.

I usually do not read contemporary so this was a surprise. The author writes a heartwarming story that has the right amount of Christmas magic. Stories like this will put you in the Christmas spirit.