Wow! This is an incredibly emotional and beautiful Christmas themed romance! Fantastic!

This is the first book I have ever read by Fern Michaels, and I have struggled a bit with how to review it. On one hand, I thought it was an enjoyable read - a book filled with new beginnings and hope, after someone experiences a great loss. On the other, the main adult characters are in a pretty dark place, and their outlook turns around fairly quickly. I have decided that while some of what happens may not be entirely believable in real life, when I read a book like this, it is an escape from real life, just for awhile. So, I have decided to review it based upon how much I enjoyed it, and nothing else.

For me, 11 year old Holly stole the story. She is determined, spunky, and talented young woman. She is struggling to find her place in the world and understand why her father is so distant. Her father, Daniel, is very distant, and not very likeable in the first half of the book; he is controlling of Holly, does not allow music in their household, and really does not seem to connect with his daughter, let alone play the part of a nurturing parent.

Both Daniel and Ivy are brought together by Holly. Not only are they brought together by Holly, but Holly manages to bring out something in them that neither have had for a long time - hope.

All in all, it was a sweet story, and I enjoyed seeing the transformation in the characters. If you are looking for something hopeful for the holidays, you should consider this one.

This is Fern Michael’s newest book about the Christmas season. The book is all about Ivy, Holly, and Holly's father, Daniel. Both suffered tragedy and loss because of a plane crash and are still suffering as the time goes on. I thought that the book was not bad. For a Christmas book, it was sad and somewhat depressing for a good portion of it. It does remind me of a Hallmark or Lifetime channel Christmas movie. Which is good and bad due to they all have the same story line. It is always they are not looking for love but in the end, you know they will find it. The book did keep me reading and it was a relatively quick read.

I love Fern Michael's books and Holly and Ivy was no exceptions. This book is so well written. I fell in love with the characters, Holly who has lost her husband and children and Ivy who has lost her mother. I recommend this book to readers who enjoy a romance of second chances.

This is the sort of positive, uplifting story you want at the end of a hard day. Ivy's had a horrible time after losing her husband and children in a plane crash. Holly's not sure why her father Daniel is the way he is but she knows she wishes she had a mom. The two meet by chance and together they work through their grief. Daniel too has some growing to do. This isn't a romance, it's a tale of three people coping with tragedy and sorrow and coming out the other side. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. You might not be surprised by the plot but you will find yourself turning the pages and rooting for everyone.

This book is a roller coaster of emotions as two families look at the Christmas season with strong emotions. Many years ago, Ivy's family was killed in an airline crash days before the holiday and she's still not moving forward. Holly lost her mother in the same crash and her father has tried to protect her by being strict and studying hard instead of singing. When these three people come together it's like a Christmas miracle.

I always enjoy a good Christmas read and this book was definitely in that category! It was interesting to read in this book how a totally per chance meeting between a grieving wife/mother and a sad young girl could cause such a turn around in both of their lives. I love happy ever after endings and this book hits the mark.

I have read many, many of Fern Michaels' books; I adore the Godmothers Series and I treasure her trilogies.

WHEN THE BEST YOU CAN DO IS TAKE 1 STEP AT A TIME!!

8 years ago, Ivy suffers an unimaginable loss,
now she wallows in self pity, drinks it away, and thinks about suicide day by day.

Holly is 11, with no memories or stories of her mother,
her father is still lost in his feelings of their loss.

A little girl lost follows a light and finds a vine to climb.

I started reading and did not stop until it was complete.
Clear your schedule- this is a great read!!

I thoroughly enjoyed this book, it kept me turning the pages and was a great easy read.

Ivy is a mother in pain. For eight years she's suffered a traumatic loss and have been just trying to get through her days.

Daniel is a widower whose emotions have been shut down since the tragedy that also took Ivy's family. He's closed off from his daughter and anything that reminds him of his loss.

I really enjoyed Ivy and Daniel's story. I loved the idea of grief having no time limit and how Ivy's family and friends never felt the need to demand she move on past her grief til she was truly ready. And I liked how Holly was a catalyst for waking up both her father and Ivy to move past their pain to persue a new future together.

However, whether it's because of the length of the book or some other reason, I felt the story lacked a bit of depth. I wanted to feel there was more to Daniel and Ivy's love story than a mutual tragedy and adoration for Holly. I would still recommend this story even though I wanted a bit more romance.

Another enjoyable book to get you in the mood for the holidays.

This is one of those books you need tissues for, first for the bad, and then for the good.

Ivy has what she thinks of as a close to perfect life. Until she doesn't. And one minute changed that for her. And now she has a routine but that has made her a recluse except for her trips to the liquor store.

Holly wants to sing and has a beautiful voice, but her father will not allow her to sing or even have a radio. He thinks it's just noise and he doesn't like noise. He also won't tell her anything about her mom. He doesn't let her have sweets. He's mean to her most all the time. She certainly doesn't understand it. She gets good grades and she a good girl. Why does he ignore her?

When Holly shows up at Ivy's house because she is lost things start to change for all of them in a big way.

I received this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

A totally engrossing holiday story full of hope, promise and oh so heart-warming.
Fern Michaels once again delivers a beautifully written story making believers out of all of us that wishes can definitely come true no matter what your age.
Thank you so much for allowing me to read this book prior to publication--it was truly a joy!

This is a very good book. It definitely pulls at your heart strings. A story of tragedy and moving on when the time is right. I highly recommend it.

Ivy is a heiress who has decided life isn't worth living. Sealed in her house away from everything, the death of her children and husband at the supposed hands of an incompetent pilot has driven her into total isolation, pushing her father and everyone else away. Holly is a beautiful young teen with the voice of an angel. Too bad her father wants her to have nothing to do with music after her mother was killed. Two people in search of something more...

This book is one of those feel good stories, that first will make you cry, but in the end, it's a story of Christmas.

Enjoyable read ,excellent characters and a lovely plot keeps the reader interested all the wsy through a resl page turner.Can not wait to read more books by this suthor.

A tragic air crash causes long-lasting grief to two families, but a young girl will bring them together in this heartwarming story. Christmas has a way of bringing hope to many people who have felt lost and burdened by their grief.

Keep up the good work Fern. This was a sweet story. Love and compassion made everything then out fine.

This book turned out completely differently than expected....while it's set at Christmas, it's not really a Christmas story...at all. The characters' names are the most Christmas-y thing about it, and so it wasn't what I had settled in to read. That said, it was a good story all the way around.

Holly and Ivy is an emotional and heartwarming story written by author Fern Michaels. Thanks to NetGalley and Kensington Books for the advance copy.