This is a brand new to me author and I didn't realize this book was part of a series. So it can definitely be read as a stand alone and still understand everything that happens. There are couple of stories that are being told in this book but the main one is about Amy Denison and Gabe Rodriguez along with a little girl named Maddie. Amy has decided that something is missing in her life and in order to figure out what it is, she decides to volunteer her time at Glory's Place, which is an after school program that helps children in need. There she meets Maddie, who is a very precocious little girl (and she will win over your heart in an instant!). Maddie decides that Amy and her friend Mr. G. from school need to meet since they are both single. What she doesn't know is what will happen from there and how much things will change in all of their lives.

I absolutely loved this book!! This may have been the first book I read by this author but it certainly won't be the last! Maddie is absolutely adorable and I love her sweet and loving attitude even with everything she has gone through in her young life. Amy had a very hard time before and has tried to move on but she is still missing what she thought she would have. And she certainly never expected for Gabe to come back into her life. Gabe made a lot of mistakes when he was younger. And he definitely put his family through hell. But he owned up to his mistakes and made the changes that were necessary to not only become a better man but to become a better human being. He is literally a different person now and I loved him! And when he and Gabe meet again and they both realize how much they still care about each other and fight to see if they can make things work? Absolutely beautiful!! And then you throw in the side story about the wedding and the wedding dress and it just shows that there are still people who truly know what the Christmas season is supposed to be about!! A great read!!

I wanted to like this book so much, but unfortunately it was not my cup of tea. My mom absolutely adores this author, and I think it would be perfect for her. However, it read too much like a Hallmark movie. Everyone was so nice it didn't feel believable, and there just wasn't much realistic about it. It was like it should have started off by saying, "In a perfect world, here's how this would play out...", because it all just went too smoothly.

**Spoiler Alert**

It also wrapped up too neatly as well - they get married again (happened really fast and at someone else's wedding - come on, now) and then they adopt Maddie, and no thought is given to her foster mother, Linda. Did anyone even talk to her about it? She's supposedly this woman who loves Maddie, has cared for her for years, but then suddenly Amy and Gabe are back together and want her. First of all, given their history and their whirlwind second chance, I would never let them adopt right away. They just got back together after a long time apart, and now they want to adopt a child? It was just...too much. I didn't feel the romance, I didn't understand why things happened so quickly, and it felt like reality was missing from much of the book.

I also will say that there was way too much Maddie time and not enough Gabe/Amy time, which probably contributed to my getting super confused when they were suddenly getting married. Wait, what? This was a story about Maddie, with Gabe and Amy along for the ride.

This is a first time author for me and i found this story to be quite magical, it is well written and the emotions will have you reaching for the tissues.

I received a copy from Netgalley and i am voluntarily leaving my own honest opinion

The Christmas Star by by Donna VanLiere October 16, 2018. 10/6-10/7 n g bb bam a

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.

I was given the chance to review this book via Netgalley. I'm almost shocked to say this is the first book I can recall reading by Ms. VanLiere, since apparently she has written quite a few Christmas books. I'll be going back to read more.
I loved the story of Amy, Gabe and Maddie. All three are hurting for one reason or another. Maddie is a little girl who happens to have a disability. She knows Gabe because he works in her school. She meets Amy when she volunteers at the after school program that Maddie attends. Little Maddie takes her huge heart and decides that Amy and Gabe should get together. She starts working her loving magic to get them to meet. Things don't go as planned, but Maddie isn't about to give up. This is a story of second chances, forgiveness, healing, hope and love...and Christmas!
I gave this book 4 stars instead of 5 because is was written in the present tense. It just seemed awkward to me and the present tense kept distracting me from the plot. I don't know why the author chose this, but it was just something my brain couldn't deal with.

Gabe Rodriguez loved his job as a maintenance man at an elementary school, a job that would have been all but impossible to do five and a half years earlier, before he embraced sobriety. His job duties varied, but every afternoon, as he brought the flag down and folded it, he chatted with seven-year-old Maddie as she waited for her bus.

Amy Denison was nervous when she drove up to Glory’s House to volunteer to work with the children there. She didn’t have much experience, but she was ready and willing to help. She was drawn to Maddie, and as they played games together, Maddie insisted she meet her friend Mr. G. Finally worn down, Amy agrees, only to discover that she has met Mr. G before.

Maddie loves her foster mom Linda, but still wishes for a family of her own. Her abandonment at birth was confusing and upsetting to her, and having cerebral palsy made her feel a bit guilty that it was her illness that caused them to leave her. Her strong spirit and desire to make people happy was played out in her matchmaking bug, aimed at Gabe and Amy.

I enjoyed this Christmas story! It’s a fast and easy read, and I loved the way Gabe rebuilt his life and how he and Amy get together. The love and caring from the characters just radiates off the pages, and the Christian references fit the story and don’t feel contrived or forced. Overall, this is a good solid story full of friendship and happiness.

The Christmas Star is a special holiday story of forgiveness, second changes and finding your forever home.

Maddie is the most adorable young child that you will ever meet. She is kind, full of joy and love. She is also quite clever and mischievous! She has big plans for the two important people in her life, that she feels are lonely and need love – Amy and Mr. G. Maddie becomes the star of the story as she brings together two individuals and creates her own future.

Maddie, with childhood innocence, could never have known the history behind Amy and Mr. G – and neither of them could have ever imagined meeting again. While awkward and painful at times, Maddie in her own way, begins to help heal the hearts of these two adults. Allowing them to forgive, to heal and to move forward. With several turns, you are never quite sure where the story will end but you keep hoping that the two can make it together.

The Christmas Star was a sweet story of second chances, forgiveness and hope. While Maddie does tend to steal the show, we have two very important characters in Amy and Mr. G, whom we are rooting for throughout the story. We also have several characters who will crack you up with some excellent comic relief.

A perfect story for the Christmas season or any time of the year. This book will fill you with hope, forgiveness, and happiness all through the magic of a child named Maddie and a star on a gazebo. I loved the second chance theme in the story too. The character of Gabe Rodriguez was amazing as the story developed. I enjoyed watching as he owned up to mistakes he had made and how he was turning his life around. Lauren Gabriel was another character that touched my heart. She is so giving, loving, and kind. I received an advance copy of this book and I willingly chose to write an honest review.

While usually I’d be suggesting that you read the entire series to get the full enjoyment from a story… I don’t feel you need to do that to be completely caught up in The Christmas Star for its message and story are timeless. Yet, if you can read the other books in this series, even if it’s only over a few Christmas seasons, then you’ll find an inspiring, faith-filled Christmas Romance series with tons of believable characters and situations to enjoy for a very long time. My own collection is not yet complete, but Christmas Hope is one series that gets pulled out to be re-read at this time of year.

The Christmas Star is a story of hope, belief and maybe even taking a chance during the Christmas season. Meet Maddie, one adorable little girl who has found herself in the foster care system. Her greatest hope is for a forever home. And when two of her favorite people around look like a really good match for a happy ever after, in Maddie’s mind at least, well, she’ll stop at nothing to get Gabe and Amy together… forever. Unfortunately, Maddie doesn’t see the pain in Gabe or Amy, their past disappointments, how life has shaped them to bring them to this point. Or perhaps that should be fortunately Maddie doesn’t see — for this little girl believes with all her heart, and her ability to move a situation around to her liking, that Gabe and Amy would be perfect for each other. If there is a star of this story – aside from absolute faith – then it has to be little Maddie. I loved that little maneuvering matchmaker and she so richly deserves every happiness she can find.

Both Amy and Gabe are alone, for different reasons perhaps, but the aloneness is still there. Now comes the question that is at heart very simple, can two people who have faced life’s difficulties find it within their hearts to believe that there is someone perfect for them… in spite of their pasts. That is the core of The Christmas Star. And while it might seem that Amy and Gabe are on the opposite sides of a former situation, don’t give up hope for them – it is, after all the time of Christmas miracles… and one determined little matchmaker.

I enjoyed The Christmas Star very much. Its message of hope, forgiveness, understanding and love is timeless and yet as relevant as today’s news. None of us are perfect, we’ve all made mistakes, unwise decisions… but that doesn’t mean that we gave up our happy ending. This story is faith based, yet it does not hit the reader over the head with one type of faith. God is very much alive and working in lives… that is the underlying faith message. I believe that only each individual reader can decide what they feel about The Christmas Star. I happened to love it, and I believe you will, too.

*I received an e-ARC of this novel from the publisher via NetGalley. That does not change what I think of this story. It is my choice to leave a review giving my personal opinion about this book.*

This was a charming, sweet but also emotional story. I fell in love with seven-year-old Maddie much like many of the other people in the book. To me she was the star of the story with the rest of the people satellites around her.
Amy is one of those people quickly charmed by Maddie. She can see that life has not been easy of Maddie. It hasn't killed Maddie's zest for life though. And she often sees the best in people and often brings out that best in people.
Gabe works as a custodian at Glory's Place. He is also one of those people that Maddie helps become more of his real self. The more tender side of himself that he didn't realize that he had.
It was fun to watch the relationship between Maddie, Amy and Gabe develop. There is a surprise twist coming that I didn't see coming but added another level of depth to the story.
Lauren and Travis have their story included as part of the story and it is woven into the people of the community. A community that has basically "adopted" Lauren. Lauren has her part to play with Glory's Place too, so it's not a side story at all. Like I said, it is a part of the story. And as the story goes on you will begin to see the ways that it unexpectedly connects with other main people in the story.
Glory is a woman with a big heart and it even includes her friend Miriam. Miriam who often says things that she shouldn't, causing hurt and problems because they come out harsh and thoughtless. Glory calls her on it every time and that led to some humorous conversations. They kind of bicker back and forth. Later we do get to see that there is a tender heart underneath all that British brashness.
There will be a H.E.A. for Amy and there was also a H.E.A. for Maddie. It was one I was hoping for although it did come about in a slightly unorthodox way.
If you are wondering, yes God will also play a part in this story. I didn't see that mentioned in the original book blurb. But if that is not something that you like, don't let it stop you from enjoying this book. It was definitely a good story of overcoming difficulties.

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.

"Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for the advance copy of this book, in exchange for an honest review."

Loved this book very much. It had just enough sweet romance and the storyline was great! I highly recommend!

Publisher's Description:

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 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.

My Thoughts:

This delightful second chance at romance story is well written and a Hallmark story for the ages.
I loved the character of Maddie and enjoyed reading the second chance story of Amy and her ex-husband Mr. "G" as Maddie fondly calls him.
Hallmark is certain to produce this one as a movie soon if that haven't already done so.
I gave this sweet/clean title 4.75 of 5.0 stars for plot, characterization and storyline.
I received a complimentary digital copy to read. This in no way affected my opinion of this book which I read and reviewed voluntarily.

Well this is the first book in the series I have read, though it can be read as a stand alone. Maddie, a 7 year old steals the show in this book. As a girl in foster care, she feels connected to Gabe, the local maintenance man at her school. He represents a father figure for her. When a new volunteer begins at Glory's place, she tries to set them up. While it is not smooth sailing for the little matchmaker, it just might be a Christmas miracle.


Side Note: I really wish books like this would disclose that it is going to be more religious or faith based so that i can decide if I want to read it. God is brought up a lot which I don't care for, even though I am a lapsed Catholic.

I really wanted to love this story but I felt it wasn't as descriptive or as detailed as it could have been. I didn't feel as though I could picture the settings or the people clearly with the exception of Maddie. I wondered if it were due to it being a book in a series. Whatever the reason I couldn't connect with the story. I wanted to love the book based on the premise but felt the author fell short of presenting a cohesive flushed out narrative.

I find myself looking forward to the latest entry in Donna VanLiere’s Christmas Hope series more than any other Christmas book every year. This year’s The Christmas Star did not disappoint. Weaving in characters from past books in the series, the reader is introduced to three new characters, who will likely have a lasting impact on you all season long. Maddie is a seven-year-old, who despite the challenges she has been dealt, focuses her energy on setting up Gabe, a man who works at her school and goes out of his way to make her feel valued, with Amy, a new volunteer at her afterschool program at Glory’s Place.

Those who have read past books in the series will instantly recognize places and people, including series favorite Ben, but even if you’ve never touched one of Ms. VanLiere’s books in the past, you will fall into the story with ease. Like the rest of the Christmas Hope series, the beginning seems to drag just a bit, while the end feels a little rushed. Overall, an uplifting story that’s sure to impart the spirit of the Christmas season.

The Chhristmas Star (Christmas Hope #9) by Donna VanLiere ...this was the first book by Donna that I have read.... I will be reading more.... thanks to the publisher and #NetGalley for letting me preview this wonderful book. This is a second change romance for Gabe and Amy who had a past...and Maddie an adorable 7 yr old little girl. The are so many other great people in this book and they all have great side stories. This books really tugs at your heart...the true meaning of Christmas comes through.. I shed quite a few tears and really enjoyed all the twists and turns getting to all the HEA's.

Such a sweet story about second chances and Christmas miracles. The characters are great, especially Maddie. Maddie loves Mr. G and when she meets Amy, she knows they are perfect for each other. They used to be perfect for each other, but that has been over for a long time. They are both different people now and are they different enough to make it work this time? Maddie lives in a really good foster home, but she wants a forever home. Will she find it?

After seeing a couple of Hallmark movies made from Ms. VanLiere's books I grabbed an early copy of this book when I saw it on NetGalley. I really enjoyed the movies, but reading this book was even better! It’s everything that a good Christmas story with all the warm and fuzzies should be. A warm, welcoming small-town setting, a touching storyline, flawed but loveable characters, family of the heart rather than blood, and a story of second chances during the time of year when anything seems possible.

It’s great to watch a movie, but somehow reading this book made the store even more alive. I could see every scene as it played in my mind's eye and felt like I was a part of these characters as they experienced every high and low. This is a beautiful story of two people getting their second chance, but only once they open their hearts, let go of hurts, and let love bloom and forgiveness heal. I adored Gabe and Amy and was certainly pulling for them, but it was a seven-year-old precocious matchmaker who stole the show and owned my heart. If you’re looking for a sweet, heartwarming, uplifting Christmas read, you can’t go wrong with this one!

*I reviewed this book freely and voluntarily, having made no commitment to provide a review and receiving no compensation of any kind from any source for this review.

The Christmas Star by Donna VanLiere is a lovely romance with a Christmas setting and feeling. The reader is introduced to Gabe Rodriguez, a 'janitor' at an elementary school, who gets involved with a student (Maddie) who goes to Glory's Place for after school care. Then the reader is introduced to Amy Denison, a new volunteer to Glory's Place and once again Maddie is on the scene and we learn that Maddie has Cerebral Palsy and she is in foster care. Gabe becomes involved with Glory's Place when Maddie accidentally gets left behind at the elementary school and he gives her a ride to Glory's Place. The Christmas star is a decoration that has been placed on top of the gazebo in the town park and Maddie takes it as a sign as she tells Gabe "a star led the Wisemen to Jesus". At Glory's Place Maddie finds out the two of the other volunteers have become engaged to be married and she tries to get Amy to see Gabe as a prospect. Things progress nicely the spirit of Christmas abounds and as things start to come to a conclusion the reader sees more Christmas spirit and learns how the Christmas star has been donated to the town. All in all this is a very sweet story with lots of love and a genuine Christmas feeling.