Thanks for providing a review copy. I was unable to get into the book and wont be returning to it, so no official review posted at this time.

This was a cute, clean read about a single woman who finds herself alone in a strange town.  Not exactly what I expected...a bit long but it was ok.

Eve Pickering is on her way to Tyler, Texas, to study under a milliner.  It's not something she wants to do but she has been sent by her grandmother.  During her train ride, she stands up to a mean conductor who caught a stowaway boy, Leo.  Eve takes Leo under her wing and they both find themselves in Turnabout, Texas, in November 1895.  Neither of them know anyone in this town so Eve is trying her best to provide for them both.  

Chance Dawson saw the commotion between a young woman and the conductor and is intrigued by the young woman.  Thanksgiving is two days away and "he found it was always good practice to give a pretty girl the benefit of the doubt."  

Chance decides to offer Eve and Leo a place to live.  He also asks an older widow in town to live with them as a chaperone.  Dotty Epps has recently lost her home from a fire and has been living in a boarding house.  She is more than happy to move into Chance's home.  Eve is uncertain but takes the offering and Leo is pleased to have adults to care for him. 

As the characters move into Chance's home, the character development unfolds.  We learn that Chance is from Philidephia and his father wants him to return.  We learn that Eve has been raised by a strict grandmother who was not warm and caring but hard on Eve.  We learn that Leo is 10 years old and has run away from his abusive guardian.  His parents both died of fever. 

What we don't know is what is going to happen with Eve.  What choice will she make? What will happen with Leo.  Will he be sent to an orphanage?  What will happen with Chance when his father comes to visit.  Will he leave or stay in Turnabout? and what about his disability?

After the dance festival, things change for all the characters. 

Eve wasn't my favorite character ever.  "Was she always so serious about everything..."  She was just too uptight for me.  Too serious.  I don't agree with the author's attempt at changing the characters.  Eve is a determined person who knows her duty and has been taught to obey.  I feel like her character didn't follow who she was in the beginning.  The author tries to explain this but it just felt forced to make Eve follow the way of the author vs keep to the character that was originally set up.  Then later, towards the end, Eve is described as someone who is impulsive and caring.  I just feel like Eve's character was poorly written.  She could have been explained and the story could have been arranged in a way to make her more interesting and less contrary to herself. 

"Truth to tell, she would be sad to leave Turnabout even if they did find a family to take Leo in.  She'd made so many friends in the short time she'd been here.  And she'd gotten a glimpse of what life could be without the cloud of her past hanging over her."

Eve has a secret that she carries with her.  When it finally comes out, I found it to be  kinda lame but it made sense that she would feel that way since her grandmother made bad choices.  

I like how Chance sees Eve.  I like how he wants to bring out the best in her and enjoys Eve for who she is.  

The title comes from Leo's desire to have a home decorated and a family for Christmas, but this sort of takes a back seat to the story.  It's not the primary theme.  

"Sometimes we must do things we'd rather not, simply because they are the right things to do. Is it okay if I say a prayer that you'll stay and that we can have a real family Christmas together. A real family Christmas. Those worlds tugged at her, set up a yearning inside her that echoes Leo's.  Of course it is."

Overall, this wasn't my favorite book ever.  Eve bothered me for most of the book.  Chance was too nice.  Dotty was the best character in the book.  She was the most informative and helpful.  She made the most sense.  I wish Eve's grandmother would have made an appearance but her character was just mentioned.  I was kinda bored reading this book.  It is quite long for what was going on.  The book dragged.  This is a clear Christian novel.  The characters often pray to God about their wishes and desires.  Not preachy with scripture but there is prayer.  I didn't like Chance's father.  There are discussion questions in the back of the book along with an author's note.  This book might be nice for a Holiday pick for a book club. 

Content: clean

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