This book was such a joy to read. A beautifully heart-warming story with likable characters you will root for. I'm not usually a fan of Christmas books but this one just grabbed my attention and held on to it. I definitely, recommend this one.

I’d read the last Ellery book and enjoyed the voice, characters and setting – it was a fun read with lots of laughs as it navigated change, choice and Christianity in ways that were unexpected and clever. Expecting another light-hearted story that didn’t bog down in an overload of angst, I’ve been back and forth with my reaction to this book. See, both of the main characters are stalled and struggling with grief, Ivy’s from the loss of her husband and her seemingly permanent writer’s block, and Gabe who is back in town after being sued by a pediatric patient’s parents, dealing with a father who sent him away as a child. Right off the bat, the ‘live nativity’ in front of the Dollar General, and the introduction to Ivy and Gabe is giggle-worthy, and gives a sense of the pratfalls to come .

Ivy is still reeling from the loss of her husband to cancer, and back home in her mother’s house, a move for support both financial and emotional, has her at odds. Unable to commit words to paper, with a half-completed book due in a few short weeks, Ivy’s rather stuck - and unable to rectify the situation with a job at Dollar General, a pile of leftover medical bills and a letter from her husband that she’s yet to open. When you ad in the fact that her younger sister is also living in the house – the return to teenaged behaviors and strops is prevalent. Gabe’s story is a bit different – taking a break from his pediatrics career, he’s back in Ellery and living with the father he barely knows, having been sent to live with his aunts and come home only for summer visits. Truly out of his element and unprepared for the livestock duties, conversations with his father and his questions about Julian’s motives – he’s got a ton on his mind.

But then, apparently after one of Ivy’s many pleas to the stars, asking her husband to send her a sign, an actual infant is left in the manger a the drive by nativity – and Ivy and Gabe now have more questions and answers, and something to occupy their time in ways unexpected. And with Christmas around the corner, and Ivy’s sister suddenly having a ‘need’ for decorations and a celebration, a rarity in their household, the story soon becomes a way back to the light and a life previously unexpected for everyone. I’ll be honest and say that the dual points of view in alternating chapters also had the effect, for me, of keeping the characters a bit slow to grab onto, and Ivy was so very prickly and determined to wear her grief and the unfairness of it all like a shield and spear, that she took far more effort to understand. Gabe was a bit more open, if slow to reveal his backstory – and the bomb dropped about Julian without any real resolution just felt splashy and unnecessary to continue reader’s interest in these people in this tiny Tennessee town. While I didn’t enjoy this one as much as the other I’ve read from this series, it’ was loaded with the things that Christmas should mean: family, forgiveness, hope and a bit of unexpected miracles.

I received an eArc copy of the title from the publisher via NetGalley for purpose of honest review. I was not compensated for this review: all conclusions are my own responsibility.

Review first appeared at <a href=” https://wp.me/p3OmRo-a24/” > <a> I am, Indeed </a>

Gabe and Ivy certainly did not expect a real baby would be added to the nativity scene but there baby Zuzu was. The small town of Ellery, Tennessee, is a happy place but some, like both Gabe and Ivy are hiding heartache. Trust Kilpatrick to write a heartwarming, positive story of two people and a baby who become more than just that. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC (and the recipe). Try this when you want to smile when you finish the book!

Sally Kilpatrick writes Christian Rom Com with characters that are complicated yet easy to love and Oh My Stars is another' leave you smiling' novel.

When the live nativity scene at the Baptist Church has an abandoned baby in the manger, Ivy Long finds herself fostering again with the help of her Mom, Genevieve, and sister, Holly. Having a pediatrician, Gabe Ledbetter, playing Joseph to Ivy's Mary comes in handy. That romantic sparks ignite under the mistletoe keeps the new-found families learning to forgive and move on. Can Ivy find inspiration to finish her romance novel and make a living writing more of them? What happens to this adorable baby girl?

Book includes Reading Group Guide and a recipe for Sausage Balls. The latter looks pretty easy and tasty.

OH MY STARS by Sally Kilpatrick is a quick heartwarming read to kick off your holiday. The story is told with duel narrators (with lots of inner dialog) so you get a lot of insight into both Gabe and Ivy. They both are dealing with instability in their own careers and families but find that the little baby left in the manger while they play Mary and Joseph may just be the miracle that brings everything together. It’s sweet, funny, and generally full of likeable characters. If you are a fan of Kilpatrick’s style, you’ll enjoy this next addition to your collection.

I received an ARC of this novel from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

I'm not usually one for Christmas books,,,or sappy love stories...or anything like that but this was something special. Maybe it was because Ivy couldn't seem to get her life together...maybe Gabriel sounds like a the perfect husband..maybe I have a soft spot where my heart is after all.

What I loved:These characters are human - flaws and all which makes them more lovable. The entire drive by nativity scene is a little odd for me (don't have all of the animals at our disposal here) but now I want to track one down to experience it. My heart (and knees) weep for the participants if they can't move...

What I didn't love: So you drop the bombshell about Justin and never really go into the lineage? And all of those questions towards Holly but never explain who or why? Perhaps the author is setting up for future Christmas sequels - I could live with that as I would definitely want to re-visit this extended family again.

Overall Grade: B+

I am a huge fan of this author so I don’t know if I can be objective but I don’t really care. This was such a fun and heartwarming holiday read, and I LOVED it! I don’t care if it is August maybe that is the best time to read a Christmas book. You won’t be disappointed with this one, in fact it may be a new favorite for me!

In her latest novel “Oh My Stars,” Sally Kilpatrick has once again created a story that elicits emotions so deep that the reader will laugh and cry right along with the characters she created. Ivy is home living with her mom and sister as she is trying to get her life on track after the death of her husband several years earlier. Gabe has come home to lick his wounds after his divorce and trying to resolve a malpractice suit that was brought against him by two grieving parents. When both of these two imperfect people are coerced into taking part in the local live nativity scene they are bound to see at least one Christmas miracle. Ms. Kilpatrick is talented writer who creates real life characters that allows each reader to see a bit of themselves in each novel she has written. I was given an advanced copy of this book, and all of the opinions expressed in this review are my own.

What a great setting for a witty, enchanting romance novel like this to begin— it all starts with the Nativity! I enjoyed the light-hearted romantic journey of each of the main characters, as well as some of the minor players too. At several points I thought the story got bogged down with too much detail, but otherwise loved it, especially waiting for what was in the envelope that our heroine’s late husband left her.

Thanks to NetGalley, the author and publisher for an advanced reading copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

A sweet and beautifully written love story revolving around the Christmas season.
The main character Ivy, is an author and loves to write. However, since the loss of her husband, she has been unable to concentrate on her next novel. In fact, she now works at a Dollar General as a means to make just a little bit of money until she has the energy to look for another job and resume her writing.
She asks her late husband for a sign and maybe a little "miracle" and it's exactly what she receives!
I truly enjoyed this book and know it will be a Christmas classic!
.

Oh My Stars by Sally Kilpatrick is one of those books that will stay with readers for a very long time.
Ivy is a widow and a past writter since she hasn't written anything after her husbands death. Gabe is a pediatrician being sued for by the dead patient's family. They both get teicked into playing Mary and Joseph in the Nativity scene. There is even an abandoned baby and it's that magical time of the year.
Incredibly sad and hopeless at the beginning it evolves into something so special and precious and not just because of the holiday season. I found myself rooting for each and every person.
It introduces many characters and deals with so many issues and relationships and talks about so many topics that are we all deal with every day.
Sweet and heartbreaking, warm and touching it made me laugh and cry as well.
Characters are so real to me and have left such an impression that I couldn't stop thinking about for days after finishing the book.
For those who believe in love no matter what and who dare to dream of happier timea this is the perfect choice.

It took a bit to get into this story, as I had a hard time connecting with the characters, but once the surprise came on the scene, they became much easier to get involved with. It was a real-life story; a real-life backwoods story in a small southern town...and once I got into it, I loved it. The last quarter was nerve-wracking as I tried to figure out how it would end...but thankfully, it all worked out. Whew!

This was such a fun and heartwarming holiday read! It was perfect to read in August when it is so hot and humid and it made me dream of Christmas! The characters are warm and real and the whole small town is lovable. This book has romance, a little mystery and lots of heart! I received an advanced readers copy from NetGalley and Kensington Books. All opinions are my own.

I enjoyed Oh My Stars, and I believe you'll find it a fun holiday read. The characters are quirky and fun, but believable, and I love the sub plots with the various families in the book. There were parts that were a little easy to predict, but sometimes, in the midst of all the negativity surrounding us, this is exactly what you need to read to remind you that there's still good in the world.
Thank you to Net Galley and Kensington Books for the e-ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I'm not typically a fan of romance, so this wasn't entirely my cup of tea. However, it was hard NOT to love these characters. And the humor and snappy dialogue was wonderful.

Thank you for the early copy.

I picked this up because of the cover and the plot. I'm glad that I decided to pick this one up! I recommend this for fans of adult contemporary fiction.