This book was really cool to read and it didn't go like I had thought it would which is not a bad thing. It starts off in 1972 with John and his wife and two children. John has decided that he is going to make a dining table for his wife and he hopes to have it finished by Thanksgiving. His wife, Joan, decides that if she is getting a table than she needs to cook better meals, so she starts using her mother's recipe cards. Her children, Gigi and Christopher love to help her cook and soon they are having a grand time. Then the unthinkable happens and Joan is diagnosed with breast cancer. Soon the table construction is moved to the back burner as John must take care of Joan and the kids. When Joan has her first surgery, John meets a man at the hospital and they bond over their interest in woodworking and the man gets John to thinking about God and how today might be the day that God is doing something grand. We then fast forward to 2012 and meet Lauren, Gloria, Miriam and Andrea. Lauren recently got married and soon learns that she is about to be a mother. Since her house is still in need of some TLC, Gloria, Andrea and Miriam decide to help her decorate. Lauren and Miriam find a lovely table at Larry's furniture shop. Lauren soon discovers a hidden drawer which contains a collection of recipe cards, each card not only contains the recipe, but also comments and stories from a mother to her daughter. Lauren then decides that she must find the family that these recipes belong to because she just knows that they were never meant to be given away. The story continues going back and forth between Lauren and Joan and I knew at some point that they were going to intersect, but I didn't know just how much it was all going to overlap. I really enjoyed this book and its reference to God and the way He works in our lives.
Thanks to NetGalley, Donna VanLiere and St. Martin's Press for allowing me to read an ARC of this book. This is my freely given review and all thoughts and ideas expressed above are strictly my own.

This was a great story. With enough twist and turns to keep things interesting. I loved all the people in the book and how they all interconnected. Growing up in a small town I could relate to each of the charters and how they all supported each other.

This book contains the stages of Cancer that I watched my Dad go through, the bargaining that you go through. I found myself in full on ugly tears twice during reading this book because I understand. It might not resonate the same with others, but it made me feel all the things.

You have two POV’s in this story. The telling of a family from 1972 building this table and using the recipe cards, and a family in 2012 joined together by the recipe cards found in that table. The recipes are personal and very heartfelt. The desire to return the cards to the family where they belong is the backbone of this story.

I will say this book is a clean contemporary story, there were a little too many references to praying and God for my tastes but I could overlook it. I would still suggest reading it if you love stories of families finding hope, love, and feel good times even in times of struggle.

The Christmas Table by Donna VanLiere is the tenth in the Christmas Hope series. This new book in the series can easily be read as a standalone. This New York Times best selling author really knows how to write an inspirational story of faith and the power of prayer.

I have read all ten books in the series and was so looking forward to this one. Reading a Donna VanLiere story is like coming home. All of her stories remind me of a wonderfully written Hallmark movie. It is warm, loving, full of heart, faith, family and hope.

The story is written in two different time periods: 1972 and 2012.
If you have read any of my reviews you know I don’t write about plot specifics because I feel the reader needs to enjoy the details for themselves. I loved the plot, the entire cast of characters and I love how Donna VanLiere weaves a most perfect ending.

I am please to wholeheartedly recommend this book. If you have never experienced the joy of a Donna VanLiere novel please read this one. Well done! I can’t wait to see what this author has in store for us next.

I would like to thank the author, St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion

The Christmas Table is wonderfully poignant and I happily had tears in my eyes throughout most of it. Donna VanLiere is a new-to-me author and her gift at telling a shorter tale that is rich with emotion has me in awe of her writing. The story being told from two timeframes, 4o years apart, flowed beautifully as we get to see the beginnings of a very special Christmas table and the life it led for not one but two families.

She uses the joy of cooking as Joan tries her mother's special recipes for the first time in 1972, some turning out good, others not so much, as she suffers a health setback and is left wondering if she'll ever truly master these dishes.

In the meantime, in 2012, Lauren has a wonderful husband and lives in a small town where everyone helps each other daily. Needing to furnish her new home, she stumbles upon a refurbished table that would be perfect for her kitchen. A secret drawer reveals a stack of recipes with handwritten notes from a mother to her daughter and the utter joy felt by Lauren as she feels a sudden closeness to this long ago relationship has her mastering each dish and eventually wanting to find the rightful owner of these culinary treats.

The way the author weaves in and out of each story, allowing the two worlds to intersect after some luck and perseverance give it a realness I couldn't resist. The characters had me laughing out loud one minute and sniffling the next. And each and every person in both years were special and appreciated.

There is a slight bit of spirituality that is used later in the story but it was perfectly placed and never felt preachy nor over the top. I saw it as necessary when things seem at their most dire and together with perhaps a bit of God's help and fate, getting to see how all of these characters' actions led them to a truly extraordinary conclusion, was just beautiful.

I look forward to exploring more of the author's work and in the meantime give The Christmas Table 5 heartfelt stars!

Thank you to NetGalley for providing this book for an honest review. I have read other books by Donna VanLiere and all her books are touching and heart felt. This book is no different. It touches you deep in your heart and reminds you of your childhood. This author has a way making you feel good about the moment. I absolutely loved this book and the ending was amazing. I loved how it all worked together. This is a perfect holiday read.

This was such a sweet book - I had to give it 5 stars since it kept making me cry. We get two timelines - in the first a young father has the goal to build a table for his family, which inspires his wife to learn to cook. In the second, a young wife Lauren learns she is pregnant, and buys a special kitchen table where she finds some wonderful recipes accompanied by heartfelt notes from mother to daughter. I loved both storylines, and I'm going to make a point of searching out the previous books in the series. Plus, I want to try out the recipes.

Thanks to the publisher and netgalley for giving me an ARC of the book!

The Christmas Table tells a story in two timelines. In 1972 Joan is battling cancer. She cooks through a big stack of her mother's recipe cards as her husband builds a special table for her. In 2012, Lauren is pregnant and just making her first home. She and her husband buy a vintage kitchen table and discover a hidden drawer underneath the table. In the drawer there is a stack of recipe cards. Lauren learns to cook with the cards and becomes obsessed with finding the owner of the cards, since they are covered with family notations.

I wanted to read this novel because the 1972 setting appealed to me, I love cooking/food related fiction, and thought the Christmas setting also sounded very appealing.

This is a sweet book with a strong faith (Christian) message. I appreciated the sincerity and message of the book, but was disappointed in the storytelling. Two of the elements that had appealed to me from the description - 1972 vintage setting and Christmas theme - were not really a strong component of the book. For instance, there were no 1970's period details - no retro kitchen description, TV, music, clothing, etc. There were many characters introduced (evidently from earlier books in the series that I have not read) and I found it hard to keep them all straight. There were very few descriptive passages or in-depth characterizations.

The cooking descriptions were charming and I saved a couple of recipes that were included in the book. That was the strongest part of the read for me.

The Christmas Table is a sweet story and very uplifting, but as a novel it just wasn't for me.

The Christmas Table is a split time story taking place in 1972 and 2012. Was it a coincidence that two men met in the hospital waiting room where their wives are receiving cancer treatment in 1972 and Larry told John "All I know is God is big enough and powerful enough to create a tree and a seed and big enough to restructure a damaged heart and get rid of cancer cells. I don't know why that happens for some people and not others. But when people are sick, I pray for them because that's what I can do. I leave the rest to God and however He sees fit to heal...or not heal here on earth." John is working to make a kitchen table by Thanksgiving. You will admire the deep commitment between John and Joan and how they strive to make happy memories for their children. One way Joan does this is by learning to cook recipes her mother sends her.
In 2012 Lauren and her husband learn she is pregnant. Lauren who grew up in foster care worries that she won't be a good mother. Is it a coincidence that she finds a collection of recipe cards in a drawer under an old table she buys. Lauren feels the recipes need to be given to the family who had them originally and seeks to find their origin. You will love this sweet story and the surprise ending. I received an advance e-copy of The Christmas Table from the author and NetGalley. This is my honest opinion.

I received an ARC of this heart-warming book. A wonderful story of love, family and faith. I loved how all the threads were woven together. An inspiring Christmas tale!

My Review: I received a complimentary copy of this book via Netgalley. The following is my honest review and opinion. The Christmas Hope (aka Christmas Shoes) series has become a holiday staple of mine. Last year I finally caught up on the series and was worried that was going to be end of it. When I saw The Christmas Table was coming out soon, I jumped at a chance to read it. At this point it really isn't Christmas with a little Gloria and Miriam banter and love. This might be one of my favorites in the series, I loved all how so much of the story centered around a kitchen table and some family recipes. That is my favorite part of the holidays, how everyone comes together over dinner. I really enjoyed the way this story connects the past with the present as well. This is everything I could want in a holiday book. And as a bonus the recipes that are discussed throughout the story are included at the end of the book! I can't wait to get my physical copy and try some out!

I thought this book started out a little slow but it picked up fast and the story captured my heart. I love it when an author throws a mystery in along the way. It kept me interested until the last page.

If 2020 has been a challenging year for you and you are Covid Bored at home and in need of a pick-me-up,
then you definitely need to read, "The Christmas Table" by Donna VanLiere. She has a marvelous way of
taking something as simple as a kitchen table and creating a heartwarming holiday story. The magic
happens when a young woman searches for the owner of what she feels must be lost family recipes, discovered in a hidden door.
I have read most of Donna VanLiere's Christmas novels and highly recommend them! You simply can't resist her creative holiday stories that are filled with love and light! And with this pandemic, we all could use some "Feel Good" Christmas Magic! This book will do that for your soul!

Thank you to:
St. Martin's Press - Sara LaCotti
NetGalley -- for this wonderful holiday novel

Sheri Kowalski

This is a delightful holiday story.

The story takes place in two different years, 1972 and 2012. The situation in each on is very different. They are both incredibly easy to immerse yourself in. The characters in both years were easy to connect with. At times throughout the book my heart broke for what was going on. Other times I was filled with joy.

The story makes we wish I lived in a small town like Grandon. It is wonderful how everyone works together to help whoever needs it.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher, through NetGalley. I was not required to write a positive review. All of the opinions expressed are my own.

First let me start off by saying that I’m going to have to get the first nine books because I love this book so very much. It really touches most of your emotions and shows you the true meaning of Christmas. Thanks for a great book Donna!

The Christmas Table is the third novel set in Donna VanLiere’s fictional Christmas town of Grandon. As with the first in these books, the character of focus is Lauren Gabrielle Mabrey. Recently married to civil servant Travis Mabrey, when the young couple discovers they are expecting, Lauren’s surrogate mothers, Gloria and Vivian, instigate the refurbishing of the couple’s small home. This includes shopping for needed furniture. One of the first items for the home is the purchase of a table for their kitchen. They find a beautifully refinished maple table in local woodworker Larry’s shop with a special surprise when it is in place. There is a hidden drawer beneath the table containing a collection of lovingly handwritten recipe cards from mother to daughter.

When Lauren discovers these recipes she takes their messages to heart and begins a journey of learning to cook, which she shares with Travis. She also begins a search to find the rightful heir to these recipes, which takes her on a wonderful journey. Lauren, a product of the foster system, instinctively knows that she must return these messages to the person for which they were meant.

Again, we have a delightful Christmas tale that highlights the meaning of family and that, too often, family is chosen, not hereditary. In the search for the rightful owner, we also learn the story of Joan and John and their children, transversing between 1972 and 2012. This is another heartwarming Christmas story from Ms, VanLiere. I very much enjoyed this book and certainly do recommend it!

A heartwarming, emotional and sweetly thrilling journey filled with witty and engaging charters, memorable dialog, heart racing twists and exciting turns all centered around an intriguing plot. An edge of your seat, highly entertaining read.

"The Christmas Table" is book ten in the “Christmas Hope” series by Donna VanLiere. I love how the story is presented in dual timelines. One timeline is set in 1972 while the other is set in 2012. Without getting into too much detail about the plot, I must say that this was a sweet, lighthearted book that I really liked. I do have to say that I have not read the Christmas Hope series in its entirety leading up to this tenth book and I feel like I need to. I love that it focuses on faith and family. It was just such a good, heartfelt Christmas read.

I have only read a few of the books in this series. I don’t think it made a difference, though I am glad that I read the previous book (The Christmas Star). This was a wonderful sequel and I believe that it made The Christmas Table a pleasure to read because of the information I learned in The Christmas Star.

This was such a warm and cozy book filled with love, family, faith, hope, and recipes. Ahhh! So delicious recipes! The dual timeline flowed smoothly and pulls you into the story and has you invested in the lives of the characters. The simple kitchen table will bring together family and friends and enrich their lives in many ways. Such wonderful blessings are shared throughout the pages. Your heart will be warmed and your spirit lifted as you experience the love between themen and women who become part of the story.

I am definitely going back and reading the earlier books in the series and will continue to follow them as the author hopefully continues the Christmas Hope series.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for my advanced review copy. All opinions and thoughts are my own.

4.5 Stars

Hopeful, poignant and uplifting, Donna VanLiere’s The Christmas Table is an emotional page-turner that makes for perfect holiday reading.

In 1972, John Creighton decides to build a kitchen table for his wife Joan. This will probably be John’s most ambitious project to date as thus far, his repertoire has extended only to picture frames, but despite his limited expertise, John refuses to be deterred. He will make his beloved wife’s dream a reality and build her the table she has always wanted for Thanksgiving dinner. John cannot wait to see the joy on her face when he finally finishes this table. An excited Joan cannot wait to see what her husband will create for her and inspired to put something delicious on her new table begins to scour through her mother’s recipes for a Thanksgiving holiday the family will always remember.

In June 2012, Lauren Mabrey has just discovered that she is pregnant. Her friends all rally round her for support and promise that they will always be there for her ready and willing to lend a helping hand and a supportive shoulder when she needs it the most. Humbled by their love and support, Lauren decides to start nesting and to begin to build a home for her and her baby. When she comes across a beautifully finished kitchen table, Lauren decides to buy it and takes it home. Only to find that this table is not a mere piece of furniture but has hidden depths that might just help to clarify and allay some of the fears which Lauren has been experiencing lately. As she finds a hidden drawer under the table with a stack of recipe cards, Lauren begins to feel a connection to the mother who had left the recipe cards for her daughter and assorted notes and suggestions which she soon begins to take to heart. As she begins to experiment in the kitchen thanks to these recipes, Lauren vows to make this mother proud.

As Lauren begins to wonder about who these people were, she finds herself drawn into a mystery that she is determined to solve as she begins her quest for peace, fulfilment and joy in the most magical time of year.

Donna VanLiere’s The Christmas Table is a book that will bring a tear to the eye of even the most jaded and cynical of readers. A writer who deftly juggles pathos and sadness with faith, humor and warmth, The Christmas Table is the story of two different women living four decades apart that will strike a chord with women everywhere and will have readers laughing out loud on one page and crying their eyes out on the next. But The Christmas Table is not a sad book, but a beautifully written tale about family, connection, loyalty and things people do for the ones they love.

A book that is difficult to put down and just as hard to forget, Donna VanLiere’s The Christmas Table is an immensely enjoyable Yuletide read that will steal readers’ hearts this Christmas.