I really tried to like this, but unfortunately there were too many things that just didn’t work for me.

My main problem lay with the characters. The protagonist was a project manager named Liz. Her grandparents had owned the inn Angel’s Rest in her youth, and when it comes up for auction she decides to take a gamble as after years of city living she will fulfill a lifelong dream by buying and reopening it. I had no problem with that. However when she interacts with others the problems start. We are told by various characters how lovely she is, and the evidence for this would appear to be her many friends from different parts of her life. However her friend Dan from the city is described by Liz as selfish and unsupportive (she offers no reason why she does actually like him). With Matt (the hero) who is a really nice man who goes out of his way to help her, instead of saying thank you or listening to his advice she instead plays the ‘stupid’ feminist card (this is when the character is supposed to be showing how strong they are, but instead the merely demonstrate stubbornness, arrogance and stupidity, presumably not what the author was intending!). Niagle also can’t let her not be the best at everything. As a child she was the best fly fisherman Matt had ever seen, as an adult she wins a game she has never played before beating everyone else in the town, and when she loses a game of Scrabble we are told that ‘this never happens to her’. This creates a character it is impossible the empathise with which is a real issue in a romance novel.

Matt was another character who I found problematic. He was really handsome and nice, he owned a home in the town (which is in/near North Carolina) but lived and worked in Chicago. No explanation is offered about why he isn’t there or when he expects to go back. This bugged me. He states he had a crush on Liz as a youth and during the book he says this has become love. However she doesn’t remember him at all, and though they spend time together there weren’t any great heart to heart talks to convince me. She never even mentions to him that she has been divorced, and the reader never learns her ex-husband’s name or anything about him or the relationship. This is a pretty significant event that presumably has affected her character but we aren’t given any insight.

We are told that they are both Christians and the church appears to be a significant part of the town’s bedrock. But we learn little of the Pastor, and Liz makes a point of noting that she is essentially asked on a couple of occasions if she is a Christian. It is unclear what difference it would have made if she wasn’t. The introduction of religious faith in a novel can be unifying and inclusive, here however it seemed heavy handed in the way it was written.

I think a big part of the problem was the writing was quite disjointed. The author wanted the reader to feel a particular way about the characters, events and story, but instead of leading the reader to form their own conclusions she told the reader how to feel. The pacing felt off as well, the first three quarters of the book felt too long and laborious but the conclusion felt rushed possibly due to the ‘tell not show’ style.

I hate leaving less than positive reviews, and this review is utterly subjective. I’m sure that many people will not view it as I have done, but for me it seemed a missed opportunity as the plot could have resulted in a truly heartwarming Christmas read and I truly hope that this is what others will find.

*Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher*

Another fun Christmas story. I have read more than I can count and can still say I enjoyed this one. it's predictable, but they all are, right? Liz had a dream and she was not about to let anything stop her. I could see the characters in my mind and smell the scents..staging the scenes for another great Christmas movie. It had all the right elements, love, conflict, interest, intrigue, struggles with a bit of mystery. An all around feel good story that put me in the mood for snow, twinkling lights and hot chocolate. The dog almost steals the show, but the appearance of angels throughout the story made my insides warm and happy. I am so glad Liz took on the challenge of repairing her childhood happy place, took the risk and Matt, and took to the plunge to fall in love. You will not be disappointed.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley. All comments, thoughts, and opinions are my own.

Looking for a heartwarming story to read by the fire this holiday season? Look no further than Christmas Angels! Project manager Liz has always dreamed of owning a mountain inn just like the beloved home of her grandparents. She scans the auction sites and one night notices the impossible - her grandparents inn is for sale! She buys it as is and starts to uproot her life, and soon discovers the inn "as is" a disaster. Good thing neighbor architect Matt is around to lend a helping hand, as well as his heart...if she will let him.

Full of Christmas cheer and charm, this quick read offers the best of a holiday movie in book form. Although the dialogue was stilted at times, the story kept me turning the pages even on a hot summer day. If you loved Christmas Camp by Karen Schaler, try this out!

(PS - This would make a fantastic Hallmark movie. Starring Tyler Hynes. Just saying.)

Christmas Angels by Nancy Naigle is a charming, well-written, clean Christmas-themed read that I would truly recommend.

Liz Westmoreland grew up loving Angels Rest, the inn her grandparents owned, and dreamed of taking over someday. Life took her down a different path to a six-figure salary as a project manager launching store openings for fine chains around the world. It is truly serendipity that, while browsing an auction site, she finds Angels Rest up for auction the next day and bids on it, sight unseen, and wins. Liz decides that it's fate but isn't prepared for what the inn looks like, as it had been turned into an art gallery and is nothing like she remembered.

Matt Hardy had bid for Angels Rest, which is adjacent to his land, and worries about the new owner's plans. When he meets Liz, he recognizes her as his childhood crush, and is happy that she has come back to restore the inn. They work together to return the property to its former glory and a budding attraction develops, but both have been burned before and are overly cautious about a new relationship.

When an accident has Liz questioning whether she made the right decision to buy Angels Rest, Matt won't let her go without a fight. He rallies the town and does all he can to convince Liz she belongs with him at Angels Rest. Liz believes in signs, and you'll love the way Matt's dog, Elvis, assists with that!

The story is filled with Christmas spirit that will give you the warm fuzzies, and Naigle references Hallmark several times...it would be a lovely Hallmark movie.

I received a copy from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This was such a sweet book! Though not in the Hallmark series, I could easily see it being a part of that, since it is a clean and wholesome romance. Emphasis is on morals and character, rather than relationships, but there isn't anything overtly religious about the book. I love all of the little vintage details (like the elves!) that are sprinkled here and there throughout the story. Would love to see a follow up...maybe for Krissy.

I read of this book in the same day! I just could not put it book down! This is a small town romance novel. Overcoming the odds of making a go of reopening her grandparents B&B, Liv finds the whole town is behind her success. A very heartwarming story and a must-read book.

To what lengths would you go to make a childhood dream come true?
The answer for Liz Westmoreland is simple – anything.
Her childhood summers and Christmas Holidays were spent happily outdoors with her grandparents at their mountainside inn, Angels Rest. When her grandparents sold the property and retired in their RV, Liz was devastated, but even more so with their death.
Years later, a habit she’s developed, she peruses real estate sites and comes across an online auction. To her surprise, Angels Rest is listed and will be auctioned – the next morning. Scrambling to check her finances and her heart filled with hope, Liz takes a step of faith and bids on the property.
When she crosses the threshold of her eagerly won home, she wonders if she made a colossal mistake.
Her life will never be the same.
Angels Rest will never be the same.
With a colourful cast of small-town characters, Liz forges friendships and relationships with people from her past while striving to make her dream come true, all in time for Christmas.
I quite enjoyed this light read, although in spots some scenes dragged. I loved the small town feel, and the details of the renovations taking place. I could picture the transformation quite easily.
Another wonderful Christmas read from Nancy Naigle.
I received an ecopy from the publisher through NetGalley. All opinions expressed are my own.

This book was okay. It started slow and then was rushed at the end. I just didn't get a good feeling from it.

I'm ready for Christmas now! This story had all the sweetness and nolgetsic feelings of a family Christmas with little heartwarming details like the collection of family angels and the adorable inn where the story takes places. So charming and cute made me so ready to celebrate with my own family and also made me want to stay at a inn somewhere!

This is a book that will touch your heart and soul. It is beautifully written and holds your attention. Come meet the people of Angels Creek and forget about all your troubles for a while. There has not been many books that made me cry tears of joy, but this one did. I can't put into words how wonderful this book is and how much I enjoyed reading it. This is a book I will read again and again. I'm going to order a paperback copy as soon as it comes out. Thank you St. Martin's Press via NetGalley for the ARC copy of this book. All opinions expressed are my own. I highly recommend this heartwarming book.

This is my first book by Nancy Naigle. I enjoyed it, even though there wasn't any mystery or suspense. It's the story of Liz and Matt. Liz has always envied the life her grandparents led and finds herself in the position of being able to purchase their old Inn, Angel's Rest, which they sold years ago. Matt has moved back to Antler Creek after the death of his father and is the town's handy man and overall nice guy. I like that this story is about living out your dreams and taking a chance. I am a believer in the saying that "everything happens for a reason" and this story definitely uses that a lot. It's a cute story about child hood crushes and making dreams come true.

Christmas Angels is a lovely holiday story. I can picture this a Hallmark Channel Christmas movie and I love Hallmark Christmas movies! This is a well written book with wonderful characters. This story covers lots of Christmas musts for me including hope, love, a caring community, a bit of angel magic, and of course snow. I liked the message to trust your dream. A wonderful Christmas book to snuggle down and read.

A light hearted romance that has everything going for it. Perfect hero, perfect town, perfect ending. Thoroughly enjoyed the story - angels are everywhere>

Have you ever had a dream of owning your grandparents Inn based on your childhood memories? Well, Liz has and it has finally come true. Or has it?!
Liz has so many wonderful memories of her visits to Antler Creek, North Carolina. Matt remembers her from when they were kids.
A heartwarming Christmas story by author Nancy Naigle with romance, community, holiday spirit or should I say Angels.
Thank you NetGalley and St Martin's Press - St Martin's Griffin for the opportunity to read this book.

LOVED this book!!!!! Couldn't put it down. I felt like I was Liz Westmoreland buying what used to be my grandparents inn and living my dream. The town of Angels Creek all came together to help when Liz was injured in an accident and questioning if this was what she should be doing.

I received a copy of this book from Net Galley for my honest opinion. I was not paid for this review.

A delightful story that I enjoyed very much! It was very fast book and kept me turning the pages. This will certainly put in the Christmas holiday mood! Loved the book! Thanks to Netgalley for the early copy

If you want a sweet uplifting romance....This is it.
Liz Westmoreland misses the joy she felt at her grandparents lodge. Unhappy and looking for a link to her happier past, she finds a B & B online, but looking further...she finds the one of her dreams up for auction, her grandparents lodge and wins it after bidding furiously for it.
Matt Hardy has very fond memories of the lodge and was also bidding for it. He aids Liz when she discovers just how badly the lodge has been treated by interim owners and together they recreate it and create a love story. No sex, just romance. Suitable for any age. I enjoyed it very much and have it in mind for a couple of friends for the holidays.
I requested and received a NetGalley ARC to peruse for my honest opinion.

4* Sweet Angel Stars

This slow burn romance between Liz and Matt was heartfelt and realistic. The secondary characters that surrounded Matt and Liz were loveable and caring. I wished that I was part of this wonderful town where everyone joined forces to make sure that the Christmas spirit of the past was bought back again for all to enjoy.

This was such a sweet good feel story that will leave you happy and looking forward to sharing Christmas with your family and friends.

Many thanks to St. Martin’s Griffin and NetGalley for my copy to read and review.

Oh my, what a sweet book!

Liz Westmoreland, who always dreamed of taking over her grandparents inn in Angels Creek, was overwhelmed when she stumbled upon a listing for the inn, which is going up for auction. Her grandparents had sold it many years ago, much to Liz’s disappointment. She decided to bid on the inn, even though the auction is right away and she doesn’t have time to see it beforehand. To her surprise, she wins the auction and heads to Angels Creek to fulfill her dream. But when she arrives, she is heartbroken to find the property in really bad shape. Matt Hardy had also bid on the property and was surprised to find out Liz was the new owner. He remembers her from his childhood. Together they make plans to restore the inn. But after Liz has an accident, she’s rethinking her original plan and wonders if she’ll ever be able to make her dream a reality. Matt, and the people of Angels Creek, show her what restoring the inn would mean to them.

I found this book so heartwarming. I love Christmas stories and this was one of the best I’ve read in recent years. 5 hearty stars!

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC of this book in return for an honest review.


READING PROGRESS

Christmas Angels is the perfect Christmas romance and Hallmark story all wrapped up. I enjoyed the many memorable characters who were believable, and the small town setting was a great way to involve everyone as Christmas angels. Great feel good read - perfect for Christmas to put you in the mood whether it's July or December! I think a sequel would be fun to read too, and I'd love to see how the inn turns out!