I just reviewed Snow Place Like Home by Lacey Baker. #SnowPlaceLikeHome #NetGalley
I unfortunately could not get into this book at all. Found it unengaging. I couldn't get past the 4th chapter .

I enjoyed listening to this audiobook. It had a good Christmas/romance theme. Got me into the festive mood

It’s been a long time since Ella Wilson has gone home for Christmas, but since she recently lost her job, home is where she’s ended up. She’s also been rounded up to help with one of the Christmas fundraisers with someone she loved years ago.

Seth Hamil has never left his hometown, but a great deal has happened since Ella left years ago. Seth was married, then widowed and is now doing his best to keep his wife’s memory alive. Seth’s somewhat resistant to change when he finds out Ella will be helping with the fundraiser that his late wife began.

Seth and Ella compromise and wonder if the stars aligned to bring them together once again.

Thank you to NetGalley, HarperCollins Christian Publishing and Thomas Nelson Fiction for allowing me to listen to an ARC of this novel. #NetGalley #SnowPlaceLikeHome

Felt like I was reading a Hallmark movie!

That being said, although I enjoyed this one, it was not a favorite.
For some reason, I just didn’t feel a connection to either of the main characters.

Ella has just returned home, to her aunt’s house, in PA, after losing her job in the big city. This is where she grew up. This is where she made so many memories. But this is NEVER where she wanted to stay,
Her sweet aunt raised her after her Mom’s death. And she loves her dearly. And so she returns home for a short time, around Christmas time, while looking for a new job.

Seth grew up in this small town. He remained there. Got married…and then lost his wife. He has wonderful memories of growing up there, and terrific memories with his wife too, but also lots of sad ones…

Ella and Seth went to school together. And when they meet up again, it’s quite a shock.
Dual POV’s go on to tell how they both had many things to hide when they were just kids…
But, being as they are both established adults now, they are thrown into planning a church affair to raise money…and it’s sweet to see how it all goes.

3 ⭐️⭐️⭐️ for me.

Thanks to #NetGalley and #HarperCollinsChristainPublishing and #ThomasNelsonFiction for an ARC of the audiobook which is currently on shelves.

#SnowPlaceLikeHome by #LaceyBaker.

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Thanks for reading!

I enjoyed this book. I was a bit sick and wanted to snuggle up with something cozy and this was exactly it. When the gallery where Ella works shuts down she decides to take a break from the city to go enjoy the holidays with her aunt in the small town where she grew up. Does this sound like the beginning of almost every hallmark movie? Yes! When she gets home her aunt volunteers her to raise money for the local church in a Christmas tree decorating event with none other than her high school crush. I thought this book was endearing. Full of Christmas activities, church, family, community, food. For such a cliche book I thought that it was written well. I also enjoyed that the characters had some real issues surrounding grief that they were tackling.

Two children had crushes on each other in school, but neither knew the other had been interested.

Seth had admired Ella from afar, but had never approached her. Ella was quiet and was embarrassed by another boy. After graduation, they built their lives, without a backward glance.

Seth never left town and has recently lost his beloved wife. Ella recently lost her fiancé to a job and then lost her job because of budget cuts. She goes home to regroup and to reconnect with her aunt. She had lived with the aunt after her mother died.

The town matchmakers tried to make them into a couple. Each had been reluctant, still licking their emotional wounds. But they found that they still liked each other, however difficult their differences made their working relationship. Their career and life goals didn't mesh well either.

This is a touching, sweet, emotional story, well reminiscent of Hallmark movies. There is a religious connection through their activities in the church.

I thought it was a very good read and the narrator of the audio book was fantastic.

A feel-good, heartwarming, dual POV, small-town holiday romance between Ella and Seth, two former high school classmates with a complicated past. Finding herself between jobs and no longer engaged, Ella returns home and finds herself roped into organizing the Christmas tree auction.

Perfect for fans of Hallmark Holiday movies and authors like Belle Calhoune. Nothing super standout but still a fun read and good on audio. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for early digital and audio copies in exchange for my honest review!

Thank you to NetGalley, Thomas Nelson and the author for a copy of this audio book to enjoy and review!

What a sweet booster shot for your Christmas spirit this one is! An inspirational holiday romance that follows Seth & Ella on their journey to break through the pain of loss, disappointment & Christmas jinxes … and open their hearts to new beginnings & second chance love. It’s the perfect cozy read full of family, food, friendships & faith … and it will definitely give you a big helping of the warm holiday fuzzies!

I listened to this on audio & thought the narrator did an amazing job portraying all the different voices! The author has such a great writing style & the characters will win your heart!

This book will pair nicely with some snickerdoodle hot cocoa, a comfy blanket and a twinkly Christmas tree! And awww … the epilogue is so sweet! 🥰🥰

Lots of heavy dialogue and mentions of grief. We follow couple who found out they both had crushes on each other in high school and start to heal one another burdens while also falling for each other. A slow burning romance, with a moderate pace and some sweet, sweet moments between the two MC's, Ella and Seth.

Hallmark type book with a childhood enemies to lovers trope with some miscommunication tropes snuck in.. Very heartwarming and cozy Christian book centered around a Christmas theme. I absolutely loved that it showcased people of color as that seems to be lacking at times.

This book made me super excited for winter. To snuggle up in my warm bed, with a warm blanket and a cup of hot chocolate.
Ella is struggling with her future and she moved back home. She finally finds the path shes supposed to be on. With him. Seth's wife died and he has been telling himself he's fine with his life how it is, but it's not, because the second she comes into his life, it changes forever. The Christmas Tree Fundraiser changed both of their lives. They both found happiness again. I loved this book. Going to buy the hard copy and read again!

This was such a good Christmas story. It was more than a romance. Ella goes back to her hometown struggling with her future. She finds her true path. Seth thinks he is happy living day to day the same way since his wife died. He is alone and thinks that is how it should be. When he is partnered with Ella on the annual Christmas Tree fundraiser he learns that things need to change to have real happiness again. I just loved this story. The narration was great. Thank you NetGalley and HarperCollins Christian Publishing for the arc in exchange for the arc in exchange for my honest review.

Trei Taylor did an excellent job of bringing the words of Lacey Baker's Snow Place Like Home to life. If you're in need of a feel-good, heartwarming, Hallmark vibe Christmas read, look no further.

Ella returns home after a decade of being away and finds herself working on a a charity tree auction with Seth, her high school crush - the one she had secretly adored. Seth finds himself falling for Ella, his secret high school crush. Both grown adults now, working towards a common goal for a good cause. Ella hasn't had a warm feeling towards Christmas for years and Seth is determined to show her the wonder in the season.

Lacey Baker does an amazing job of weaving the magic of the season into the stories of fantastic characters centered with community, family and faith.

Thank you HarperCollins Christian Publishing, Thomas Nelson and Lacey Baker for an ALC in exchange for my honest review.

Snow Place like Home by Lacey Baker
Holiday Christian romance. Closed door, clean.
Ella Wilson used to love the Christmas holiday season. But that was before returning home to the small community she grew up in. She needs to find a job. A life. A purpose. But she’s not feeling much hope.
Seth Hamil is a widower, an art teacher and a volunteer at his community church. Having Ella back in town reminds him of his youth and his heartbreak. But he still has faith in the season of love and the holiday is perfect time to remind Ella that there can be happiness in her life.

🎧 I alternated between an ebook copy and an audiobook. The audiobook is narrated by Trei Taylor who did a wonderful performance clearly acting emotions and character voice variations.
As Ella and Seth work together on the auction and getting the needed Christmas trees, you can hear their attraction, frustration, and longing in their voices.
The narrator has a very slight lisp. After the few minutes it blends and is barely noticeable. I found the best speed for this narration for me was 1.5.

Christmas warmth and joy. Spiritual happiness is apparent and included.
I enjoyed reading Ella and Seth’s reconnecting and their start down a path of love and joy.

I received a copy of this from NetGalley and publisher Thomas Nelson and Zondervan Audio.

Thank you NetGalley, the author and publisher for an advanced copy of this book.
This really wasn’t what I was expecting. I thought it would be a cute Christmasy romance read. It was but also had a lot of grief as both the main characters were dealing with losses. At times I found the book too long and the connection between the characters wasn’t as strong as I’d like. It was still a pretty good read.

Snow Place Like Home was a sweet second chance at love story. Ella and Seth were never in a relationship as teens, but it was so sweet to find out that they had both crushed on each other in high school. There was definitely chemistry and attraction between these two, however there was also a lot potentially holding them apart, such as Seth’s feelings of disloyalty to the memory of his wife if he moved on.

I was a little concerned early in the story with the focus on wishing on the Christmas tree star and then Ella feeling cursed. I hoped it wouldn’t be a story filled with superstitions. As the book progressed, I was able to see Ella reconnect with people in her church and begin to reawaken to her belief in God. There were a few direct and focused statements about what Ella believed in regards to what Christmas really stands for. That made me feel a lot better.

I enjoyed this sweet story and thought that the narrator did a very good job.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

Snow Place Like Home is not your warm sweet Hallmark story it is heavy with grief after the loss, lots of self- pity and sadness. It does not have a big plot, the characters are likable, the descriptions of the town are perfection you feel like you are there. The beautiful artwork cover makes you believe that the story of returning home is wonderful, the doom of gloom of the characters outweighs any beauty of any holiday cheer that Lacey Baker was trying to portray.

I truly wanted to enjoy this book, as much as I love historical fiction, I can do a 180 and read a good chic lit holiday book - This was not it!

Thank you #netgalley for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Lacey Baker's "Snow Place Like Home" offers a cozy and heartfelt Christmas romance that, while enjoyable, doesn't quite reach the heights of greatness, earning a rating of 3.5 stars.

Set against the enchanting backdrop of the holiday season, the novel delivers a charming love story perfect for Christmas enthusiasts. The festive atmosphere and wintry setting create an inviting ambiance for the budding romance, making it a delightful choice for those in search of a Christmastime love tale.

One prominent aspect of the book is its strong Christian and church-centric themes, though it doesn't explicitly delve into matters of faith. These elements are woven into the characters' lives and values, adding depth and authenticity to the story. However, for readers who prefer less emphasis on religion in their romance novels, this aspect might be a potential drawback.

The novel's cleanliness, with an absence of sexually explicit scenes, sets it apart as a more wholesome and family-friendly read. While this will appeal to some, it may deter readers who enjoy a bit more sensuality and passion in their romantic fiction.

Additionally, "Snow Place Like Home" addresses heavy themes of grief related to the loss of a parent and a partner, providing the narrative with emotional depth and authenticity. This exploration of life after significant loss adds layers to the characters and their journey.

In conclusion, "Snow Place Like Home" is a sweet and touching Christmas romance that blends themes of faith, grief, and love. While it may not stand out as a literary masterpiece, it offers a pleasant reading experience, especially for those seeking a clean and emotionally resonant holiday love story.

I enjoyed this holiday story. It was very heavy with grief after the loss of a parent however, I believe the other characters lightened the load. I wish that she could've come to terms sooner and had a less melancholy feel. Her aunt was the very best part of the book. Overall, I liked this book but it is not lighthearted at all. I just reviewed Snow Place Like Home by Lacey Baker. #SnowPlaceLikeHome #NetGalley

I enjoyed this audiobook, although I found it a bit formulaic. I did like that the cast of characters is Black and this should appeal to many other readers who are looking for diverse stories. The plot employs two classic romance troupes: a woman who returns to her small hometown and falls in love, and a “grinch” who come to love Christmas. The protagonist, Ella, decides to spend the holiday season with her aunt, after she is laid off and no longer has work as an excuse to avoid celebrating. She has tried to ignore Christmas for years as the result of her grief over her mother’s death. She quickly gets involved in the community she left behind long ago and blossoms as she reconnects with her church, old friends, and her high school crush. I liked that the main characters are involved in the arts, that one of them has a cute dog, and I appreciated the clean romance. The story unfolds a bit slowly at times and there are few surprises. But many readers will appreciate the the way that the timeless themes of love and redemption, moving on from grief, and embracing the Christmas spirit are folded into this romance. Thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the opportunity to review this audiobook.