Like most things in Ellery, Tennessee, this year's Drive Thru Nativity is a little unconventional. The Dollar General parking lot doubles as a Bethlehem stable, and widowed writer Ivy Long, who's been roped into playing Mary, sure as heck isn't a virgin. But then comes an unexpected development: a genuine, real-life baby left in the manger, with only a brief note. And somehow, in the kerfuffle that follows, Ivy finds her life is about to
change . . .

The holidays are a bittersweet time for Ivy--filled with memories of her beloved late husband and reminders that life doesn't always offer the happily-ever-afters her readers expect. So when Ivy ends up with custody of the baby, she can only chalk it up to a Christmas miracle. She doesn't know if it will be forever, but with help from family, she'll make little Zuzu's first Christmas a good one. The nativity's Joseph, aka Gabe Ledbetter, has a pediatrics background that's coming in mighty handy. In turn, Ivy is helping Gabe find his place in the quirky community. If that place turns out to be somewhere near Ivy, well, maybe this particular Christmas story will turn out to be merry and bright after all . .

When I requested Oh My Stars I didn't realize it was part of a series. This was a good holiday-ish book to read

This was so so much more than I expected, and I loved it! I am pretty sure this is my first Sally Kilpatrick book and I will be checking out the others in this series for sure.

A wonderful holiday story, with characters that I cared about. I don't think it's a spoiler to tell you that the guy definitely gets the girl, as most likely happens in romance books. He also gets a little something extra!
I received an ARC of this book from Netgalley.
All opinions are my own.

Ivy Long has been talked into playing Mary in the drive thru Dollar General nativity by her mother. Gabe Ledbetter has been guilted into playing Joseph. Ivy is a widow who just can't put herself in the right frame of mind to write another romance novel. Gabe is a Pediatrician who is trying to determine which direction his career is going after his current lawsuit. Now throw in an abandoned baby in a manger and let the fun ensue.

If the first sentence of my review doesn't tell you what kind of quirky, fun holiday romance this is, then nothing will. I loved this book for so many reasons! First, they kept talking about Memphis, Tennessee and even referenced the University of Memphis. THIS IS MY HOMETOWN AND FAVORITE TEAM!!! It's like she wrote this book for me - lol. Secondly, I loved that these characters don't have the perfect life. They have both been through a major crisis and are trying to move on with life. I also loved the secondary characters. I found myself laughing through a lot of this book. Lastly, I enjoyed how she addressed foster parenting and adoption. I know several people who have been through similar situations and I felt she was spot on in capturing what the foster families go thru as well as the parent giving that child up.

Overall, I highly enjoyed this work. I had no idea it was part of a series and will now have to go look up the others. I really enjoyed her writing style. Five out of Five stars for me.

Thanks to Netgalley and Kensington Books for providing a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I enjoyed this real-life holiday romance.

*Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for providing an e-galley in exchange for an honest review.

Considering Ivy is still recovering from loss, I was surprised at how offbeat the story and characters were, in a good way. Great little small town romance/holiday story that could be read any time of year.

This is book 5 in the Ellery series. Set in Ellery, Tennessee at Christmas the town is doing a drive by Nativity in the Dollar General parking lot. 30 year old widowed Ivy sure isn't the perfect pick for Mary but her mother has decreed it as so. New comer to the town is Gabe who was roped into playing Joseph. They discover a real baby in the manger and the town decides that Ivy should keep her. This is a fun read about a serious subject but the perfect Christmas miracle for everyone involved. An easy to read Christmas romance that can be read as a stand alone but you'll want to catch the other 4 as Ellery is a great place to visit. I received a copy of this ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review.

This was a sweet, quirky story with romance and family drama great for the holiday season. Ivy and Gabe were both likable characters that you really root for to just get together already! The side plot lines of baby Zuzu and Gabe's family situation also tied in nicely to add to the feel good factor. Reminds me a lot of a Hallmark movie.

Love this author. Kilpatrick writes small southern tales with such authenticity. In Oh My Stars, Ivy finds herself playing Mary in a living nativity scene reminiscent of The Best Christmas Pageant Ever. Lucky for Ivy, Joseph is played by the town pediatrician. Why lucky? Because the baby Jesus turns out to be a real swaddled child in need of help.

So what else? Well…

Heartwarming, realistically seasonal (Christmas is never actually all ice skates, snowflakes, and hot cocoa), and uplifting. Paints the picture of a dysfunctional family without pejorative connotation. And makes me want to read more Sally Kilpatrick, Christmas or not.
https://randombookmuses.com/2018/11/03/review-oh-my-stars-by-sally-kilpatrick/

Oh My Stars is a very good, feel good Christmas story. The characters and the story are well developed. I was gifted an arc of this book and the opinions in the review are solely my own.

Paraphrasing one of this months’ titles: “Oh, my stars.” It just happens that this women’s fiction column is almost all Christmas stories (I think there is one that isn’t). Which is fine and dandy — because you can read them now, then read them again in December or put them back and pull out one of these heartwarming tales when you just can’t bake another batch of cookies, or wrap another present, or decorate another room. Still, no matter the season, all explore the gift of love and friendship.
The Christmas Sisters by Sarah Morgan
What it’s about:
In the snowy Highlands of Scotland, Suzanne McBride is dreaming of the perfect cozy Christmas. Her three adopted daughters are coming home for the holidays and she can’t wait to see them. But tensions are running high…
Workaholic Hannah knows she can’t avoid spending the holidays with her family two years in a row. But it’s not the weight of their expectations that’s panicking her—it’s the life-changing secret she’s hiding. Stay-at-home mom Beth is having a personal crisis. All she wants for Christmas is time to decide if she’s ready to return to work—seeing everyone was supposed to help her stress levels, not increase them! Posy isn’t sure she’s living her best life, but with her parents depending on her, making a change seems risky. But not as risky as falling for gorgeous new neighbor Luke…
As Suzanne’s dreams of the perfect McBride Christmas unravel, she must rely on the magic of the season to bring her daughters together. But will this new togetherness teach the sisters that their close-knit bond is strong enough to withstand anything—including a family Christmas?
The right stuff: Complex family relationships caused by past trauma are resolved in this heartwarming tale. Perfect assembled cast of characters. (See an excerpt on HEA from The Christmas Sisters.)
The Christmas Star by Donna VanLiere
What it’s about:
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.
The right stuff: Christian romance book with a heartfelt message of new beginnings and a wonderful second-chance-at-love story.
What Happened to Us? by Faith Hogan
What it’s about:
Sometimes the end is only the beginning…
After ten years together, Carrie Nolan is devastated when she’s dumped by her hot-shot chef boyfriend, Kevin Mulvey without even a backwards glance! But on reflection, she has sacrificed her own long-term happiness by pandering to his excessive ego in their successful Dublin restaurant (and out of it) – but not anymore!
While Kevin is ‘living the dream’ with his beautiful new Brazilian girlfriend, Carrie seeks solace from a circle of mismatched strangers who need her as much as she needs them.
With Christmas just around the corner, all is not quite as it seems and a catastrophic sequence of events leads to the unthinkable.
How far do you need to fall before you learn the true value of family and friends? And is it ever too late to start again…
The right stuff: Spot-on feel-good book. Great characters, wonderful serendipitous reunion and a special bit of karma.
A Healing Justice
by Kristin von Kreisler
What it’s about:
Two years ago, police officer Andrea Brady fell madly in love with a black-muzzled, slightly rumpled German shepherd who showed up at her house one misty autumn day. Now, with the brave and intuitive Justice as her expert K-9 drug sniffer, she’s found an unbeatable partner. Then the unthinkable happens. A savage attack leaves a teenager dead and Andie trapped in every cop’s worst nightmare. Placed on administrative leave, she’s pursued by media and investigated by a deputy sheriff whose handling of the high-profile case could earn him a coveted promotion.
Haunted by self-doubt, Andie is in danger of losing everything—her career, her freedom, and the critically injured dog who’s her soul mate. But as she finds kind allies in her Puget Sound island community, the road back becomes a journey of healing for both Andie and her canine companion. And Andie learns important lessons about justice—and about Justice—as she struggles to find the courage to forgive herself and reclaim the gift of her life …
The right stuff: Perfect homage to people in law enforcement, exploring the split decisions that they must make. Another pet lovers’ delight, along with enticing developing romantic relationship.
Oh My Stars by Sally Kilpatrick
What it’s about:
A heartwarming, hilarious Christmas story with a Southern twist.
Like most things in Ellery, Tennessee, this year’s Drive Thru Nativity is a little unconventional. The Dollar General parking lot doubles as a Bethlehem stable, and widowed writer Ivy Long, who’s been roped into playing Mary, sure as heck isn’t a virgin. But then comes an unexpected development: a genuine, real-life baby left in the manger, with only a brief note. And somehow, in the kerfuffle that follows, Ivy finds her life is about to change …
The holidays are a bittersweet time for Ivy—filled with memories of her beloved late husband and reminders that life doesn’t always offer the happily-ever-afters her readers expect. So when Ivy ends up with custody of the baby, she can only chalk it up to a Christmas miracle. She doesn’t know if it will be forever, but with help from family, she’ll make little Zuzu’s first Christmas a good one. The nativity’s Joseph, aka Gabe Ledbetter, has a pediatrics background that’s coming in mighty handy. In turn, Ivy is helping Gabe find his place in the quirky community. If that place turns out to be somewhere near Ivy, well, maybe this particular Christmas story will turn out to be merry and bright after all …
The right stuff: Down-on-their-luck characters get a second chance at love and new beginnings. Quirky and fun with the right amount of pathos!
Mutts and Mistletoe by Natalie Cox
What it’s about:
Thirty-one-year-old Charlie isn’t in the mood for Christmas cheer...
Her boyfriend has left her for his personal trainer, her mother has absconded with her latest husband for the holidays, and—adding insult to (literal) injury—her London apartment has just been destroyed by a gas leak. Single, mildly concussed and temporarily homeless, Charlie realizes there’s only one place to go: Cozy Canine Cottages, where she’ll spend the season looking after her cousin Jez’s doggy day care center. And if she’s not exactly a dog person, well, no one has to know…
But her plans for a quiet Christmas in a quaint country village are quickly dashed. Peggy the pregnant beagle and Malcolm the anxious Great Dane seem determined to keep her up all night. A strange man has been casing her cousin’s house. And where is Cal, the unbearably patronizing but disturbingly handsome local vet, when she needs him?
As the days tick down to Christmas, Charlie’s life has never felt so out of control—but with some help from her new four-legged friends, she just might learn a thing or two about living in the moment, embracing the unexpected and opening herself up to love…
The right stuff: Looking for a little bit zany and a bit of armchair traveling? Then this is the perfect book for you. Pets, humor and romance!
Christmas at the Cat Café
by Melissa Daley
What it’s about:
The town of Stourton-on-the-Hill has its very own cat café. Resident cat Molly, and her kittens, live here in feline paradise, while owner Debbie serves the locals home-made goodies. But even in the most idyllic surroundings, things don’t always go according to plan …
When Debbie’s heartbroken sister Linda arrives at the café, Debbie insists she move in. But Linda is not alone, and the cats are devastated with the arrival of Linda’s dog, Beau. Sadly, Beau’s arrival is not the only bombshell – now Molly’s home is also under threat when a rival cat moves in on her turf.
With Christmas approaching, Molly is unsettled, barely roused by the promise of tinsel to play with. Fearing for her feline family she hopelessly stares out of the café window searching for an answer. Only a Christmas miracle could bring everyone together.
The right stuff: While this is the second book in a series, it can easily be read as a stand-alone. Think cozy, because that is exactly what this story is. Put your own cat in your lap and enjoy!
Leigh Davis is a former contributor to Heroes and Heartbreakers. When she is not reading, she’s usually outside throwing balls to her insatiable dogs. She loves hearing and talking about great books. You can connect with her on Twitter and Goodreads.
MORE ON HEA: See more posts by Leigh

Neither Ivy Long nor Gabe Ledbetter could have predicted the chain of events that led them to serve as Mary and Joseph at the drive-through nativity in the small town of Ellery, Tennessee.

A published romance author, Ivy has suffered writer’s block since her husband passed away and plans fell through with their foster child. Gabe has returned home from Memphis, with a failing marriage and a looming malpractice suit.

So, when a baby is left in the drive-through Nativity, neither Ivy nor Gabe expected they would become her care givers. Nor could they predict the impact this little girl would have on their hearts. Could this be a Christmas present or miracle to help them both move on from their past and maybe find a new love — not just for the little girl, but for each other.

Rich in authentic characters, situations, and romance, Sally Kilpatrick’s latest novel, Oh My Stars hits all the right notes and tugs on your heart strings in all the right ways. Whether it’s laughing out loud at Ivy and her sister’s feud over who killed their mother’s sacred vacuum cleaner with excessive tinsel years ago or the lump-in-your-throat moments as Ivy and Gabe allow the little girl to get into their hearts and lives and possibly give these two a new definition of a happy ending,Oh My Stars hits all the right emotional beats. If you can walk away from this book without getting a bit of a lump in your throat or misty-eyed, you’re a better reader than I am.

And you can bet this long-time Star Trek fan loved seeing Gabe drop in references to that universe early and often. It’s just icing on the cake of what is a near-perfect novel and a wonderful reading experience.

In the interest of full disclosure, I received a copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

If you like Fannie Flagg's 'Red Bird' you'll enjoy Oh My Stars It has a similar light-hearted touch and a generosity of spirit in its telling.

What a sweet, quirky Christmas love story. I really enjoyed this take on Romeo and Juliet.

Many thanks to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for my ARC. All opinions are my own.

I received an arc copy of this book from Net Galley in exchange for my honest opinion of it. This book did not hold my attention. I don't know if it is because I did not read the other books in the series but I just thought it was okay.

This is the perfect holiday read, as it will definitely make you experience many different emotions. The relationship that develops between Gabe and Ivy is realistic and well written. This is definitely one of those feel good holiday books, which is perfect during the hustle and bustle of the season!

Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher and author for an ARC ebook copy to review. As always, an honest review from me.

How can you go wrong with a real life Christmas miracle? A baby found in the manger of a modern day nativity scene. Romance, from a kind, well educated, handsome guy, after years of heartache. Finally attempting to patch up your relationship with your mom and sister. All good things that made for an enjoyable read.
Bonus! The sisters’ names are Holly and Ivy. It doesn’t get more Christmasy than that.

At first I wasn’t a huge fan of either sister, but over time I grew to understand and like them. Ivy is a romance writer. Writers, bloggers and author as characters in books are all good thing in my opinion. I really enjoyed the relationships between parents and their children and also the siblings. One of my favorite aspects of the book.

The romance is good but not an over the top sweeping romance. There were so many other strong storylines vying for dominance along with the romance, which makes for a realistic complex novel. The book also didn’t gloss over some of the downsides to living in a small Southern town.

The story isn’t all fairytales and roses, but it is realistic, hard work, with a happily ever after.

OH MY STARS by Sally Kirkpatrick is an amazing Christmas novel. I laughed out loud and cried. Not many novels touch me in such a way.

Oh My Stars by Sally Kilpatrick is the fifth book in the contemporary romance An Ellery Novel series. As with most romance series these books change the main couple of the story as they go along but are set in Ellery, Tennessee which brings them altogether as a series.

Ivy Long has been working at the Dollar General while she’s been suffering from writer’s block since the death of her husband. And of course when it comes to small town life sometimes things can be a little unconventional with the town nativity scene being set up in the parking lot of the Dollar General and Ivy gets roped into playing Mary.

What Ivy never expected during her time playing Mary was to find a live baby in the manger with only a brief note. Luckily Joseph was being played by Gabe Ledbetter who is a pediatrician who Ivy also couldn’t help but notice his good looks. After getting the baby checked out Ivy finds herself becoming a foster parent and looks to Gabe for a bit of help in the new role.

Oh My Stars was a lovely little Christmas romance but it took me some time to settle in and get to know and like these characters. It sort of felt like something was missing from the beginning to pull me into the story and I question if it’s not from jumping into the series so late in the game. The story does alternate between Ivy and Gabe with both having a lot going on for themselves and those around them so I may have missed some background to pull me in faster. However for those like myself that love the festive romances this one was still a nice story.

I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.

The more Sally Kilpatrick writes the more I fall in love with her style. Oh My Stars is a sweet small town romance. Life is not perfect but there is a place for love and Christmas.........and GOATS!!!! How can life go wrong with Mary and Joseph and the manager......ask Ivy, Gabe, and Zuzu. Oh My Stars has all the fun and quirkiness that one expects from a Sally Kilpatrick story and this book does not disappoint. I stayed up all night laughing and crying and falling in love.