Cover Image: Catching Christmas

Catching Christmas

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This is a novella, it took me about 2.5 hours to read. It has a good lesson to it, but it made me depressed. Finn is a taxi driver who is angry and ornery. Sydney is stressed with her job and afraid she might lose it. On top of that stress, her Grandmother Callie is not well. Callie is the best and most likeable of all the characters. She is sweet, if not somewhat confused. Finn is drawn into helping Callie. He takes her to the doctor and shopping, etc. Sydney doesn't realize how bad things are with her grandmother and she is wrapped up in work.

The writing is easy to read, but when bad things happen to so many of the characters, it's hard for me to want to read it. Finn is angry and has issues he hasn't dealt with. Sydney is facing a boss who is using her as a scapegoat, a client who expects her to do illegal things to get his spoiled son out of trouble, and then trying to care for her sick grandmother. In the end, there is a nice lesson, but overall the book is sad. I don't like sad. That's the biggest reason I gave it only 3 stars. Otherwise, the lesson of the story, the writing, and such are Hallmark worthy.

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I adored this book. This was the perfect heartwarming story to read during the Christmas season. I loved how the characters were developed, flawed and truly human. And the storyline had me laughing and in tears. I couldn’t put this book down, &’ fact, I finished it in a matter of hours. I definitely recommend this book!

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There is something so tender and sweet about this story. I loved getting to know Miss Callie and fell in love with her. She may be elderly but she has a heart of gold. Miss Callie is forgetful at times and has started to depend on a cab driver named Finn. What will the doctor discover is wrong with her?

It wasn't by accident that Finn got the call to pick Miss Callie up one day. You can feel his frustration as he realizes Miss Callie can't tell him much about where he needs to go. Finn has a special place in his heart for Miss Callie who reminds him of his mother. Does he feel guilt over his mother's passing? When he finally meets Miss Callie's granddaughter there is a bit of animosity towards her.

Sydney is doing her best trying to keep her job as a first year law student and taking care of her grandmother. The author does a great job of allowing readers to understand the desperation each character feels. Sydney is doing the best she can, while Finn has suddenly become Miss Callie's personal driver. I loved how Finn has become attached to Miss Callie and I know there is a reason he has been brought into her life.

When I get to the part in the story where the doctor explains to Sydney and Finn what Miss Callie has, I dropped the book. Oh how I cried because Miss Callie has become like a family member to me. Miss Callie is a woman everyone loves. She has a generous spirit and loves God. It will be hard not to think of her because through this story, she has opened my eyes to Christmas. Her compassion for others is seen throughout the story and her connection with a stranger will change his life in many ways. Sydney can see how much her grandmother loved her. Will she find a way to be happy and follow her heart? It has been an honor to read a book by a very gifted author that has shown me that people do care.

This has been a very well written story with characters that seem like family. I loved watching how Finn grew in his faith and how Sydney realizes what her priorities need to be. This story is set at Christmas time but I think it could be read anytime of the year. The message of love, compassion and the gentle spirit of a special woman makes this story one that you won't forget.

I received a copy of this book from Celebrate Lit. The review is my own opinion.

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Catching Christmas by Terri Blackstock is a fabulous feel-good story with humor and romance. I absolutely loved it. Finn is funny and so relatable. What woman wouldn’t fall for a guy who is kind and generous to an elderly woman suffering from dementia? Sydney is such a sweet woman doing her best to just keep up with the demands of work and elderly caregiving. Best of all, Miss Callie is so lovable I felt like I could reach through the pages to touch her. Such an amazing story of expectations turning into blessings unimaginable. Terri Blackstock never fails to deliver a great book and Catching Christmas is a perfect example of that.

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I will admit it started a bit slow for me but after the first couple of chapters this laugh out loud book had me flipping the pages, just to see what in the world Miss Callie would do or say next.

Tackling some tough issues, especially at Christmas, Catching Christmas really did come across as warm and genuine. Life isn’t always easy but God is able to work through us, even in the hard times. And humor can always be found. Let me state that in no way did I find this book depressing. It was thought provoking, sometimes sad, but I always felt that redemption was just over the horizon so there was hope.

Ms. Blackstock’s characters were very well developed and in need of help, as most of us are. This made them realistic. We learned about priorities, and making time for our loved ones. It was difficult to read sometimes as I wanted to shake Sydney and wake her up to that truth. But to see her grow was as a person was really nice.

With light romance and much laughter, I can highly recommend this book as a sweet Christmas read.

I received a complimentary copy of this book but was not required to leave a review.

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I received my copy of Catching Christmas a few months back, but have purposely waited until this week to read and review it. I figured it would put me in the right frame of mind for the holidays, and I assumed correctly.

Reading about the last days of sweet, old Miss Callie put a sweet, holiday smile on my face. How she constantly worries over her granddaughter, Sydney, and the beautiful bond she creates with a lonely cab driver named Finn. No, this is not an action-packed story by any means, but it does remind not only Sydney and Finn, but all of us, what is really important in life, when life is all said and done.

Miss Callie's character is sweet, sassy, and bittersweet all rolled into one. Reading about her decline in health brought back painful memories of my own grandmother's decline before she passed away a few short years ago. Watching a loved one having to go through something like that when there is not much you can do is one of the hardest things to endure, and poor Sydney has to learn this lesson all alone, all while trying to juggle an incredibly demanding job that is hanging on by a thread.

Finn is one of those characters that is rough around the edges, but has a heart of gold. Being a huge Gilmore Girls fan, when author Terri Blackstock describes Finn as a Luke lookalike, for the rest of the book I could envision Luke, which made me fall in love with Finn all the more! I also loved how Miss Callie's faith was not pushed on either Sydney or Finn but lived out, which is how faith should be!

All in all, I really enjoyed Catching Christmas. The writing was good, with an easy flow, which made it a quick, easy read, the characters were likable, and going with the Christmas theme, though having a sad note, put you in the right heart for the season.

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Catching Christmas was just the right little Christmas story to read at this time of year when trying to manage the busyness of the season and to still feel the holiday cheer. Author Blackstock takes a situation that is sad and can ultimately be depressing and turns it around to a story filled with hope, love, and a reason to live. This was also a story of second chances, but not quite in the way you might think.
Filled with subtle humor, bittersweet moments, and the frenzied rush of life and just trying to make a living we get the two alternate viewpoints of Finn the cab driver and Sydney the granddaughter of a woman wheel chair bound and suffering dementia by the name of Miss Callie.
Finn unsuspectingly gets drawn in to Miss Callie’s strange requests as he drives her around town to her Dr.’s appointments, social calls that includes matchmaking for her granddaughter, and her Christmas shopping. Finn, so many times wants to walk away from her seemingly craziness but he is in Callie’s words, “a sweet boy” and finds himself unable to leave her on her own.
Sydney, a lawyer trying to keep her job, her bosses happy, and to win a case that is so ridiculous that even she herself is against her defendant, is really juggling too much, especially when her grandmother needs her care so much more now.
I really enjoyed this little witty Christmas story of life and love and joy and look forward to a reading it again and again.
I received a copy of this novel from the publisher. I was not required to post a positive review and all views and opinions are my own.

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I wanted to read a story set at Christmas and this was. It was not what I expected, but maybe just what I needed during this holiday season. Callie has to go to the doctor, but her granddaughter cannot take her, so she arranges to have a cab take her. Finn the cab driver, although he seems gruff, takes her to the doctor, wheels her in to the office and leaves for his next fare. His conscience gets the better of him and he goes back to the doctor's office to check on her and the story goes from there. We get to know Callie, a sweet older woman, who's only wish is to give her granddaughter, Sydney, a memorable Christmas. This was a sweet story that shows the true meaning of Christmas.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Thomas Nelson through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

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This will now be one of my favorite Christmas stories ever. Callie had me laughing and crying throughout. It was nice to see how Callie helped to get Finn and Sydney together once she met Finn. I did not want to put this book down until I was finished. I understand what it is like to learn that your family member doesn’t have long to live. You want to lash out like Callie does. This book really hits home. I received a copy of this book from Celebratelit for a fair and honest opinion that I gave of my own free will.

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I really enjoyed Catching Christmas! It was so easy to identify with Syndey and Finn: two hardworking people doing the best they can do in tough situations. I recommend reading this sweet Christmas novel.

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What makes the perfect holiday read? Warm feelings, maybe romance? A shift in perspective? Catching Christmas by Terri Blackstock is the perfect Christmas read. Every year, I look for at least one new holiday read to help put me in the Christmas spirit. Catching Christmas is one of the best Christmas reads of the year. Terri Blackstock is an excellent storyteller, whether it be in writing a thriller or a dramatic novel. This book is a treasure that you definitely want to add to your library and read whenever you need a shift in perspective yourself. I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher with no obligations. These opinions are entirely my own.

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While there are heart-wrenching moments, this book left me feeling encouraged about life. God arranges and rearranges life for us to grow more, in different ways, and different places. The biggest take away was cherish those you love.

The style of the story-telling was interesting. We read in first person, through the eyes of a taxi driver, who is called on to help a very elderly, frail lady. Then in the next chapter or two, we see the story in first person through the eyes of a busy professional woman, who is the granddaughter of the same frail, elderly lady. It's an interesting format and I like to see the two points of view.  One has deep regrets from the past, the other is developing deep regrets, there is an interesting parallel in both their lives that helps move the story along.

For those of you who want a happy christmas story, with hot chocolate and peppermint sticks, it's not this one. But I can tell you, it's well worth reading ... (Just saying: tissue warning!!) But there are funny moments that made me laugh and sweet Christmas-y moments also.

I received this book as a gift. I am not obligated to provide a positive review and I received no compensation, except a very good read.

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Absolutely adored this book that gives out all the feels for this Christmas season. Finn is a cab driver and takes Sydney's Grandmother, Miss Callie, to the Doctor once and now she calls for him everyday. Miss Callie is very sick but she is on a mission to see that Sydney has a boyfriend so she won't be alone after Miss Callie is gone. And that's only one part of this wonderfully written heartwarming story. I thank Netgalley for the opportunity to read and review this great book.

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This book is a total Hallmark movie: gruff cab driver (think Luke Danes from Gilmore Girls—he even looks like him!), overworked young lawyer, matchmaking grandmother. For me, the best part was watching cab driver Finn interact with grandma Callie. Their relationship ended up being so sweet! Callie was so spunky and fun, and I'm glad that the majority of the story was about Finn driving her around.

For me, the romance between Finn and Sydney was just so-so; nothing wrong with it, but it moved a little quickly for my taste, and I didn't really sense the chemistry between them. (However, this did add to the Hallmark-like feel of the story; those romances are almost always rushed.)

Sydney's job at the law firm was a little difficult for me; her job was terrible, and the client she was defending seemed too awful to be believable.

Blackstock is a great writer, so even though I had some issues with certain things in the book, I enjoyed reading it. It's a great way to spend a few hours right before Christmas.

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I am a fan of all the Hallmark Christmas movies and this book, "Catching Christmas," is a definite candidate for a possible future movie.

The characters include an over-worked first year attorney Sydney, Finn, a former chef who is now driving a cab and a delightful yet forgetful grandma Miss Callie. Each of them is struggling in their own way to deal with their current lives and the story centers on how those lives become intertwined.

Woven into the story are the themes of fighting demons from the past, fighting for your dignity and fighting for your life. Somehow all three come together to make this a heartwarming yet poignant Christmas story.

Take the time to read this book and give yourself a Christmas gift. You will be warmed by the love you will find on the pages.

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Terri Blackstock is one of those suspense authors that I try to read each and every one of her books. I eagerly anticipated the reading of this one.

When I actually started reading it, I was immediately captivated by the story, but I also realized that it was not at all what I'd been expecting!

No...if you are looking for suspense, well, this is not the one. It's not a mystery or suspense novel, like Ms. Blackstock's usual stories. But it is a highly entertaining, intriguing Christmas novel.

The main character, Finn, is a taxi driver, and found himself stuck with transporting an elderly lady, one who seems to be suffering from dementia, to various locations and appointments...much to his dismay. He hadn't bargained for this when he first took the job.

Full of Christmas Spirit. Love. Second chances. And so much more.

Catching Christmas is a poignantly sweet Christmas story, and if you are looking to catch some Christmas spirit, then I highly recommend you read this one!


Disclaimer: I receive complimentary books from various sources, including, publishers, publicists, authors, and/or NetGalley. I am not required to write a positive review, and have not received any compensation. The opinions shared here are my own entirely. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255

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Get the tissue box ready!
While Terri Blackstock is known for her romantic suspense and thrillers, this book is neither a suspense nor a thriller. Catching Christmas is a humorous, yet heart-breaking Christmas romance. I laughed, and I cried, then I laughed and cried again. From the chef-turned cab driver to the overworked lawyer to the fragile old lady on an important mission, this book reminds us of the beautiful truth that death is not the end for a child of God.
Finn is a bitter cab driver, who suddenly finds himself the personal chauffer of Callie, an old lady with a very short memory. A trip to the doctor leads to Christmas shopping which leads to husband hunting for her single granddaughter… Finn must learn to forgive the past if he’s ever going to be happy again.
Sydney is a first-year lawyer assigned the dumbest case of the year and unfortunately her entire career hangs on its outcome. She’s struggling to balance everything and in her frazzled state is unaware exactly how sick her grandmother has become.
I loved the unfolding mystery behind Callie’s many stops around town. I thought the ending was perfect and beautiful.
This book is written in first-person with both Finn and Sydney as Point of View characters. It is more Finn’s story than Sydney’s, he has longer narratives and really a larger part in the book. I’m not a huge fan of first-person but I settled into the rhythm of the book easily and was able to follow along without any problems.
Catching Christmas reminds us of the most important things in life. This is the kind of book that could either bring healing to a grieving person or be more than they can handle. I enjoyed this story very much and recommend it to lovers of romantic dramas and stories that make you cry.

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A hilarious romp through small-town America, this story will keep you reading just to see what craziness happens next.

If you were ever a fan of the Gilmore Girls and remember the character, Luke Danes — the cranky-but-lovable cafe owner — you’ll have a fair idea of the hero’s personality in Terri Blackstock’s Catching Christmas. Picture Gilmore Girls‘ Luke as a taxi driver stuck with the sweetest — if a bit mischievous — little old lady suffering from severe memory difficulties and a tendency to nod off in the backseat without telling him where he is supposed to take her next, and you have a fair idea of the comedy involved. Terri’s hero, Finn, just wants to do his job, talk as little as possible, and pay his rent on time. No muss, no fuss. But his softy-heart and a guilty conscience just won’t let him push kind-hearted Miss Callie into the “somebody else’s problem” category. At one point likening the sweet old woman to a parasite that won’t leave his mind alone, Finn finds himself driving Miss Callie all over town while Miss Callie’s granddaughter fights to save the job that is footing Miss Callie’s bills. When the hero and the heroine finally get together, their mutual concern for Miss Callie’s welfare cause both an immediate clash and a common bond. Following along as Miss Callie leads them to a Christmas they’ll never forget, was such a pleasure, this book deserves a place on every reader’s bookshelf.

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Great little read for Christmas! Fans of Terri Blackstock will not be disappointed...she delivers another skillfully written novel!

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Although this wasn't totally the "lighthearted" Christmas book I was expecting, I loved it!

Callie is what we all hope to be as we grow old. Her spunk and her love for all was apparent and made you remember what Christmas is all about.

The love story that blooms was sweet and funny at times. Great characters, great read!

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