This was a nice novel, a bit predictable, but a pleasant read. It revolves around Charlotte, who goes to stay at her grandmother’s guesthouse, The Christmas House for, the holiday period. Charlotte ‘s father walked out on the family when she was 12 years old. On the same day her father left her 12 year old friend and neighbour Wyatt also disappeared from her life. When she visits her grandmothers as an adult for Christmas, Wyatt is coincidentally living next door with his 12 year old daughter, Sam. The plot lines are a little thin, and a little leap of faith is needed with the coincidences, but all in all a pleasant read. Thanks to Alcove Press and Netgalley for an ARC of this novel

The Christmas House by Victoria James is a heartwarming, feel-good story of three generations of women, most of whom don't get along with each other. Another main character of the story is a house itself, The Christmas House, which has in turns been a home, a refuge and a place of hope for many people for many generations.

Another central theme in the story is parenting and how parenting has transformed in several generations. It particularly throws light upon how coming from a set of parents and their parenting method influences a person in their life decisions and how they live their lives. And also what kind of parents they themselves are to their children. Every of these things are explored through various characters and their lives.

I definitely loved how each of these characters are written and how true to life they are. It's not impossible to find all these kinds of people in every one of our lives. This author has an excellent story telling technique and there is depth in her writing.

I only had a small complaint with the interactions between the characters - particularly the adult daughter's with their mother. It seemed rootless sometimes and not very engaging. I was getting more irritated rather than feel for those girls.

Otherwise it's a very good holiday read for people who love to read family stories which are heartwarming. This story is worth 4 stars for me. Thanks to Netgalley, the author and Alcove Press for this ARC and all opinions expressed in this review are my own.

Ruby's granddaughters Charlotte and Olivia have come home for Christmas. Ruby didn't have an easy life- her story is told at the beginning of each chapter-and she wants nothing but happiness for the young women, who she took in after their parents failed them. Charlotte is astounded to see that Wyatt, who she adored as a teen, is back as well, along with his own child. If I have a quibble it's that Olivia doesn't get much play. It's a story of a dysfunctional family that has more positives than they think. It's not really the light hearted tale the blurb promises but it is heartwarming as you will feel for the characters. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. It's early for a Christmas book but it's a good read.

Victoria James’ The Christmas House is the story of Ruby, the owner of the small-town B & B where everyone belongs, and her two grand daughters, Olivia and Charlotte. The Christmas House is a story about grace, secrets, forgiveness, redemption, and love. This book will make you believe in the power of second chances. I look forward to reading more books by Victoria James!

The Christmas House will satisfy your need to read a sweet holiday romance. Both Wyatt and Charlotte had tumultuous childhoods, but fate has brought them back together. Wyatt and his daughter need Charlotte but can they convince her to give them a chance. My favorite character was grandmother Ruby who found her own slice of happiness after years of putting up a strong front. I thought two characters were completely selfish. It’s during the heat of summer as I read a holiday romance but I do like reading books off season.

The Christmas House is the season feel good book you've been waiting for. With a little more depth and a lot more heart, Victoria James paints a beautiful small town up in holly and twinkle lights and gives you a dash of dysfunctional family and a cup of romance. A perfect read to get you in the Christmas mood.

I tried multiple times to "get in" to this book but it was a huge struggle. I found the characters difficult to care about and the storyline was not engaging.

I enjoyed this book. The ending was definitely my favorite part. It turned out to be a feel good story.

This is not your typical Christmas story. Yes, it has all that is required of a Christmas story but it also has a messy family, forgiveness, redemption and of course, love. This story had my emotions all over the place and I actually read it twice back to back. If you are looking for a Christmas story that is not mushy but will still make your eyes water than look no further, you have found it.

I like reading Christmas themed books and I did like reading this one. Three generations gather for the holidays. This is not a happy family reunion. All the women have had hard times. A multitude of social ills have befallen them and we learn their stories. Is there a chance for reconciliation? It is a bit like a Hallmark movie but, hey, its a Christmas book.
(This review is of an advanced reader copy.)

Very cliché hallmark movie type story. Characters are boring and storyline's been done a million times.

Unpredictable and entertaining. Where do I begin...I'm not sure I can do this book or the author justice in this review. The more you read, the better it gets and I was all in on page one. There is drama, lots of emotions, sage advice, true love, more drama, and the absolute best story I have read in a long time.
Beginning in her childhood, Charlotte tried to stay organized and keep her family together. Her mother was a walking disaster and a drunk. Charlotte and her sister eventually went to live with their grandmother Ruby at the Christmas House, a bed and breakfast. Ruby was a wise woman and the strength and stability the little girls needed. Ruby's life had not been easy. As an unwed mother, she was disowned by her parents, kicked out on Christmas with no money and no place to go. The wonderful woman that owned Christmas House took her in, gave her a home and a job, and became her family. Upon her death, she left Christmas House to Ruby.
Wyatt was Charlotte's childhood friend but one day he walked out of a student assembly and disappeared from her life. He disappeared the same day her father was to appear at her school's Career Day. Also to never be seen again. Fast forward - Charlotte, all grown up, comes to Christmas House to spend the holidays with Ruby. After knocking, the door to Christmas House is opened by none other than Wyatt, her grandmother's neighbor and the town deputy. Destiny? Providence? The stars aligned?
Charlotte doesn't believe in destiny and she has made it her life's mission to never need or depend on anyone ever again.
I am so looking forward to reading more books by this talented author. I am always thrilled when I discover a new to me author and a book that I can't put down.
Thank you to NetGalley and Alcove Press for this advanced review copy. In return, I am submitting my unbiased and voluntary review. All opinions and thoughts are my own.

Grace Will Bring You Home
This story has elements of a generational saga, women's fiction, clean romance, and Christmas miracles. The story takes the ugliness in the lives of several generations of women and lets them make lives for themselves. They learn about second chances, the beauty of trust, and how to be open to love. This story brought a tear to my eye more than once. It is nice to read a book that lets the characters evolve deeply and have emotional issues and not be perfect. This is an excellent book that I will read again. I received this ARC book for free from Net Galley and this is my honest review.

The promotional description for this book characterizes it as a “light-hearted Christmas tale.” While I thoroughly enjoyed reading this novel, I would not use that terminology. The book explores the multigenerational impact of domestic abuse, alcoholism and drug use, abandonment, adultery and grief. It is deeply evocative of emotional issues rooted in unhealed wounds, which the author addresses with compassion, sensitivity and realistic resolutions. The holiday season is not the focal point of the story, but rather serves as the context for the gathering of a family fractured by all of the above mentioned issues.

The storyline flows alternately between the past and the present time with ease. Ruby, the grandmother, has invited her two adult granddaughters, Charlotte and Olivia, to spend time with her at her Bed and Breakfast Inn, known as The Christmas House. As the estranged sisters gather they begin to uncover long-held secrets and miscommunications that have influenced their life choices. The theme throughout the storyline is that of the opportunity for second chances if one is willing to take a risk – moving beyond fear and embracing love.

This is my first exposure to this author and look forward to reading more of her work.

My thanks to the author, the publisher, and NetGalley for the privilege of reviewing an eARC. The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

This review is being posted immediately to my GoodReads account and will be posted on Amazon upon publication.

The Christmas House is a lovely story of a dysfunctional family, with a whole lot of secrets who come together for Christmas. This is a story of second chances, unraveling the truth and finding your peace with the past. 

The reader is introduced to Ruby, the current owner of The Christmas House and the matriarch of the family. We are told her story as flashbacks interspersed with Charlotte's story. Charlotte and her younger sister Olivia have dealt with their father leaving (without any explanation), being left at their grandmother's doorstep and hardly any contact with their mother. The characters are wonderful and each one has a story to tell that we discover as the story progresses.

Charlotte has grown up resenting her parents and confused about everything that has happened. In addition, she feels the loss of the one friend she has in Wyatt when he suddenly disappears from school. In the present, she turns up at her grandmother's place only to discover that Wyatt lives here with his teenage daughter. As sparks fly, old emotions and memories surface and Charlotte has to confront her feelings. Additionally, she has to deal with the recent fallout with her younger sister and try to find middle ground to reconcile.

With everyone's emotions running high, there are so many decisions to be taken and chances to be considered. It is not everyday that one gets to rekindle an old love which could just be the one. The story is a roller-coaster of emotions and it will make you laugh, cry and eventually be happy. New bonds are formed, old ones are renewed and a family comes together for Christmas in the hopes of reconciliation. This is definitely worth a read especially for those who believe in second chances and strong family bonds and it is happening at The Christmas House!

I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This was a cozy, heartwarming Christmas story. I enjoyed it!

Agh! I get so frustrated when characters don't behave the way I want them to! That said, I enjoyed this book tho' like most of its genre, we know where it is going long before it gets there. It was enjoyable and frustrating at the same time. That said, I would recommend it if you're in the mood for the type of story where you know what will happen eventually. Sometimes, it's all about the journey.

Thanks to the author, the publisher and NetGalley for making this copy available to me.

A sweet inspiring story. The Christmas House tells the story of the women of Ruby Harris's family, how they arrived there, and the internal and external battles that they have faced. It also tells the story as how one generation affects the next.

In the early 70s, Ruby Harris finds herself pregnant and out of her home as her parents kicked her out because she was pregnant and not married. She ends up working in this house in Silver Springs and when the owner dies, she is left the house where she lives with her daughter Wendy. Ruby, naturally, is very protective of Wendy. As Wendy grows up, she meets Mac and they end up married with two daughters, Charlotte and Olivia. When Mac leaves Wendy, Charlotte and Olivia are affected in many ways, which affects what they want for their adult lives.

Wyatt lived next to Charlotte and Olivia for a year when they were in school, but Wyatt moves away suddenly and Charlotte is sad. They meet again when Charlotte is an adult and Wyatt and his daughter, Sam, live next door to Ruby. Sam also has a parent desert her - her mother left and has no contact with her. Sam is immediately comfortable with Charlotte and Sam loves having her around. Charlotte and Wyatt must figure out what their feelings are for each other and if their childhood scars will allow them to overcome their fears and have an adult relationship that will be an epic love affair.

Ruby might have had the magic touch in reconciling people in the past, but it certainty didn't work well with her own two granddaughters. I felt the whole book was Ruby just making excuses for being alone and not allowing herself to love. However she was all for her granddaughters having loving and full lives which disappointed me as I usually like Victoria James.

Thank you NetGalley, Victoria James and Alcove Press for the ARC of The Christmas House.
This is my personal review.
I read this book and was left with feeling like I was part of this story. I connected with all the characters in the book. I am so glad I was given the opportunity to read this book.
I enjoyed the way the author brought the book to life for me through the lives of each person in the book.
The author combined everything together so perfectly for me. Christmas- family- romance- a bit of mystery and suspense. This book has it all.
I loved the cover!