The wish book Christmas takes place after the events of Lynn Austin’s book If I were you. I recommend reading that one first as the events in this book are continue if from the first. This is a feel good cozy Christmas time book. Nothing serious and climatic. Eve and Audrey aim to teach their sons the importance of Christmas and what it’s really about while at the same time working thru issues of their own. enjoyed this book very much and much enjoyed reading more into the characters Eve and Audrey! It was a bit predictable of what was going to happen eventually in the end but I think the intent of this book was a feel good Christmas time read! The main point of the book is forgiveness. Learning to forgive and forgiving yourself and trusting God that when He says He forgives He does! At the end of the book I came away with a better understanding of what Gods forgiveness truly is, it’s a area I struggle with, forgiving myself and trusting that God can and has forgiven me as well. Lynn Austin is my top favorite Christian authors, she touches on things other authors miss!
I was given a copy by NetGalley for a honest review and all opinions are my own!

This was such a sweet, heart warming story. Audrey and Eve are single moms who are each raising a young boy. When the boys begin to spend every spare moment looking throught the Wish Book, Audrey and Eve know it's time to teach them the real meaning of Christmas.

I really enjoyed this story. It was full of joy, hope and family. It also brought back a lot of childhood memories of looking through the Wish Book. :)

This is a story of two young boys who take a Christmastime journey to becoming Wise Men. It's a story of two young war-time mothers making their way the best they can, together, and learning to forgive and overcome grief. The Sears Wish Book plays prominently throughout the story, and lends a credence to the indulgent setting of 1950s America. The only thing I wasn't sure about this book was that it felt as though I should already know these characters and their back story....and I didn't. So there were a few things I didn't fully understand, in the broader arcing storyline, but it didn't take away from the sweet, sentimental tale of little boys learning about giving.

I received an electronic ARC from Tyndale House Publishers through NetGalley.
A sweet story that continues with the characters from If I Were You. Readers see Eve and Audrey and their respective sons, Harry and Bobby. Austin sets the story in 1951 in the month before Christmas. Parents will relate to the desire for all of the toys in the Wish Book. Readers will also appreciate the way these single moms teach their children about the real meaning behind gifts at Christmas. The Christian faith moves through as part of the storyline. Austin's gentle wording shows the range of emotions these characters experience. They are flawed characters who come to terms with their faith walks.

What a gift this read was! Not only is the story such a great lesson of giving, and leading the next generation, it is an update on the lives of a previous wonderful book "If I Were You", and yes, I suggest you read it, but this can be read alone.
This was a present that as I opened it, it kept on giving, with each page I turned the wrapping gave up more, I just didn't want it to end!
These two little boys make for a delightful, and at times laugh out loud read, and then add in a dog! The kindergarten play is a wonderful treat, and following these woman from England to the states has been an adventure!
I received this book through Net Galley and the Publisher Tyndale House, and was not required to give a positive review.

It was a sweet book reminding us why we celebrate Christmas. But the book is also about love, New and old, finding yourself and forgiving yourself. It is about the daily small miracles. Thank you to netgalley for letting me read this e arc in exchange for an honest opinion.

The Wish Book Christmas by Lynn Austin is a wonderfully charming story set in the early 1950s. Before I started reading I didn't realize it was a story that centers around characters from a previous book by this author, If I Were You. But I soon recognized Audrey and Eve and remembered their heartrending story. The Wish Book Christmas has a much lighter feeling than the earlier book, as readers are entertained by the two five-year-old boys drooling over the Sears Wish Book and their mothers, Audrey and Eve, trying to instill in them the true meaning of Christmas. I loved the idea of Wise Men gifts and how the boys worked for their own money to pay for them. And as the moms are teaching their boys, they just might overcome fears and obligations to experience the gift of second chances. I quite enjoyed revisiting best friends Eve and Audrey and seeing where their lives have taken them. Readers who enjoy stories about families and sweet wholesome romances will not want to miss The Wish Book Christmas. I received a complimentary copy of the book from NetGalley and was not required to write a review. The opinions are my own.

The Wish Book Christmas is the story of Audrey, Eve, and their sons as they try to survive Christmas in wake of the 1951 Sears Christmas Wish Book.

When the boys find a copy of the Wish Book in their home, every moment becomes consumed with all the toys they want Santa Claus to bring them. This creates some tension in the home as both mothers are struggling to remain on a budget for different reasons.

Audrey and Eve come up with a plan to teach their sons the real meaning of Christmas. In the end, the idea that they came up with to refocus the boys attention on what mattered was a good one, but I felt that  the moms didn't take as active a role as they could have in getting the point across. Also, the reminder that Christmas is about Jesus wasn't as prominent as it could have been.

It was nice to see the boys get into the spirit of Christmas, but in some ways this was spoiled by the events on Christmas Day (I don't want to say any more because I don't want to give away any spoilers).

The Wish Book Christmas also showed the blooming friendship between Audrey and Alan, as well as, the romance between Eve and Tom. For much of the book Eve seemed to be trying to force Audrey and Alan together in the hopes of starting a romance which was somewhat hypocritical because she didn't want to resolve her relationship with Tom.

Readers of The Wish Book Christmas will be reminded that God's forgiveness is a gift that we can share with others including ourselves.

The Wish Book Christmas is a sequel to If I Were You but can be read as a stand-alone. I received an advanced reader's copy from the publisher through NetGalley; a positive review was not required.

This novella is a sequel for Lynn Austin's book "If I Were You." It's fun to visit Eve and Audrey, Bobby and Harry again, as the little boys learn about the true meaning of Christmas. Eve is still dealing with guilt over stealing Audrey's identity, and desires to make restitution. I do appreciate that part of the story because (in my opinion) the identity theft debacle was resolved too easily in the first book. This is a sweet story and a very nice follow-up on the lives of Eve and Audrey.

After discovering that I was chosen for an advance reading copy of ‘The Wish Book Christmas,’ I quickly bought ‘If I Were You’ and read it. It wasn’t a necessary requirement as this book can stand alone, but to appreciate the reappearance of some characters, I felt it added to my experience. This book was an inspirational read!

Giving away my age here, but….anyone else remember pouring over the Sears Wish Book and circling the toys you wanted Santa to bring? All of a sudden, I was transported to my childhood, immersed in the author’s tale.

Bobby Barrett and Harry Dawson, two 5-year-olds from Connecticut, pour over the Sears Wish Book in December 1951. They are convinced that if they just mark the toys they want, Santa will find a way to make their wishes come true. When they each consider asking Santa to bring them a dad, their single mothers decide it’s time to teach them the true meaning of Christmas.

Audrey and Eve create a project they term the ‘Wise Men’ and offer help to neighbours, hoping that their boys will embrace the true spirit of Christmas. While intended to teach a lesson to their sons, the mothers also learn about receiving help, accepting forgiveness, and being open to love.

Knowing the back story of these two mothers, helps readers appreciate the choices made and the lessons taught. I felt as if I was watching my friends teaching their children an important life lesson, rather than simply reading about characters and their choices. I’d become invested in the characters and swept into their lives as a result of the author’s skill. Much of this story has a spiritual and personal growth focus. These single mothers want to provide for their sons, yet still want to keep them grounded and understanding of the true meaning of Christmas.

If you are a fan of Christmas stories or beautiful stories centered around the Nativity, this five-star Christian story will have you reaching for the tissues and create an urge to go out and help someone. Just looking at that gorgeous cover will bring back memories of Christmases long ago, but this nostalgic and heartwarming read will fill you with warmth and Christmas cheer!

Publishes September 7, 2021.

I was gifted this superb advance copy by Lynn Austin, Tyndale House Publishers, and NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review.

The Wish Book Christmas
by Lynn Austin
Tyndale House Publishers
Series: Sequel to, If I Were You
Rating: 4
Back of the Book: “Best friends Audrey Barrett and Eve Dawson are looking forward to celebrating Christmas in postwar America, thrilled at the prospect of starting new traditions with their five-year-old sons. But when the 1951 Sears Christmas Wish Book arrives and the boys start obsessing over every toy in it, Audrey and Eve realize they must first teach them the true significance of the holiday. They begin by helping Bobby and Harry plan gifts of encouragement and service for those in their community, starting by walking an elderly neighbor’s yellow Lab—since a dog topped the boys’ wish list for Santa. In the charming tale that follows, Audrey and Eve are surprised to find their own hearts healing from the tragedies of war and opening to the possibility of forgiveness and new love.”
My Thoughts: This was a charming Christmas romance with an imperative Christmas message. Harry and Bobby, learn with their mothers, friends, and family, that Jesus is the reason for Christmas. Through Christ's love, we are able to love others. Taking their role as the wise men in their school Christmas play seriously the boys choose to spread love to those around them through different gifts. I had only one issue and it was the ending. How sweet a message to share and a lovely addition to the book, If I Were You.
Inspiring Thoughts: “Thank you for your generosity. You’ve always made Christmas so special for the boys. And for me. But Harry and Bobby don’t need every toy in the Wish Book in order to be happy. The love you’ve shown us is more than enough.” – Have you ever had to have this conversation with loved ones? The holidays can be tricky with kids as it is easy to go overboard. My boys are the only grandbabies on both sides of our families; I’ve had this conversation.
“‘It’s natural to mourn the people we love and to cling to them in our memory. But there comes a time when it’s also natural to be happy again. It doesn’t mean that we loved them any less. In fact, I think it’s a sign of our great love for them that we can still remember what love feels like and be willing to give it and receive it once again.”
I received an ARC of this book via the publisher and NetGalley in exchange for my honest opinion shared here.

The wish book Christmas by Lynn Austin

Lovely book that brings you back to different times when Christmas used to be simpler after WWII and yet on the way to consumerism.
The story is about two british friends that are having a new start in America after the war and want to give meaning to their christmas season.
The story follows the characters of the book "If I were you " (which I haven't read). Having said that, this book can stand alone and be enjoyable as it is (although many will not agree with me).
The writer told the story in a way that made you feel as if you were there. I read the copy in sunny summer time and I felt like snuggling with a blanket, a cup of hot chocolate and the book.
A very enjoyable read. I recommend this beautiful story for a lovely Christmas present.

Thanks to Netgalley and Tyndale House Publisher for providing this book for review.
All opinions expressed on this review are mine alone.

Another masterpiece by Lynn Austin. Beautifully written. Memorable characters. Charming storyline. Nostalgic. Simplistic. Savor this novel. You will not be disappointed. Five stars.

An appropriate topic for our time. So many kids (and adults) are focused on getting things instead of giving. This sweet story shows how two single moms try to teach their boys to be givers.
I like this story. However, I think it would be better read after the book If I Were You. I didn't know that it came after that book, and I believe it would make a lot more sense that way.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the advance e-copy of this book! All opinions are entirely my own.

I fell in love with the characters of Eve and Audrey in Lynn Austin’s If I Were You. The Wish Book Christmas is a continuation of Eve and Audrey’s story and how their friendship grows as they raise their boys together in post WWII America. I remember as a child the excitement when our copy of the Sears Christmas Wish Book arrived each year. Just like Harry and Bobby it was easy to get caught up in page after page of things we wanted. The story has beautiful themes of forgiveness, generosity, friendship, love, and what Christmas really means. It would be a great holiday read but I enjoyed it even in the heat of the summer.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review.

I chose this book because of the author. I did not realize it was part of a series. At first, it confused me but as I continued on, there was enough told to update me on what was going on.
This is a nice story about learning lessens at Christmas time. The story was well done and I enjoyed it.. I would recommend this book. It was an easy and entertaining read.

"The Wish Book Christmas" is a Christian historical romance set in December 1951 in America. This book is a sequel to "If I Were You" but can be read as a stand-alone. However, you'll understand the story better if you read them in order.

Two single moms, Audrey and Eve, want to teach their children that Christmas isn't just about getting toys. It's about giving to others, like Christ did for us. Much of the tale was about these efforts and Christmas events like a funny Christmas play. But both women needed a reminder about accepting undeserved gifts. Audrey refused help from her father-in-law, even though it's kindly meant. Eve refused to marry the man she loves until she's paid back a debt because she can't forgive herself even if everyone else has. But Christ gave the undeserved gift of himself, and he's still giving good gifts to his children.

The characters were complex, realistic people. I cared about what happened to Audrey, Eve, and the people they cared about. Historical details about what life was like at the time were woven into story. There was no sex or bad language. Overall, I'd recommend this charming, well-written historical fiction.

The Wish Book Christmas is truly one of the sweetest holiday reads I've had the pleasure of reading, and I found myself immersed in the beautiful story right from start to finish.

I ended up reading If I Were You right before I dove into this one, and I'm so thankful that Lynn Austin decided to give readers more of Eve and Audrey's story. I actually ended up enjoying this one even more than I did it's counterpart, and it's a story that is going to stick with me for quite sometime.

I appreciated how so much of this story focuses on the spiritual and personal growth that both women have experienced since the start of If I Were You, and how both are determined to give their son's the best life they can while still keeping them grounded in understanding what's truly important in life. However, the story is also nostalgic and heartwarming in little Bobby and Henry's fascination with the beautiful pages of the Wish Book catalogue and the many, many fascinating toys that lie within its pages. As Eve and Audrey struggle to convince their young sons that the true meaning of Christmas involves much more than just the shiny toys in their favorite catalogue, readers are treated to a beautiful story centered around the Nativity and the Three Wise Men who offered baby Jesus beautiful gifts to celebrate His birth.

If you're a fan of Christmas stories that will leave you teary eyed and give you warm fuzzies, then The Wish Book Christmas is definitely the book for you. However, this story involves so much more than just a simple holiday story, and it's a perfect follow up to the poignant, thought provoking If I Were You.

Final Rating: 5/5.

I can't possibly recommend this one enough, and I'm so sad to finally have to say goodbye to these characters. I loved how Lynn Austin chose to conclude these character's stories, and I look forward to reading more from her in the future. I don't personally recommend reading this one before you read If I Were You though as it contains big spoilers and parts of the story really won't make sense out of the context of that one.

Thanks so much to Tyndale House for allowing me to advance read and review this.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advance reader copy of this novel from the publisher (Tyndale House) in exchange for an honest review. I was not required to give a positive review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

This was such a fun book! It was so cool to see what Eve and Audrey (the main characters from If I Were You) were doing. I have so many great memories looking through the wish book catalog and that was fun to do that with the boys, Bobby and Harry.

I particularly enjoyed how the author used something that was fueled by greed and turned the boys in to Wise Men who realized the greatest gift at Christmas was to give things away. The boys weren't the only ones to learn lessons through this experiment and that was pretty cool too!

Thanks so much to netgalley and the publisher for the arc. The opinions are my own.

Readers will want to read If I Were You as this novel continues the story of Eve and Audrey. This story brought back so many memories of pouring over the Sears Wish Book each year as a child. Readers will be able to visualize Bobby and Harry and excitement and anticipation of Christmas. There are powerful lessons for all in this delightful Christmas tale. Highly recommended!