The Christmas Keepsake is a wonderful, heartwarming story about love, struggles of self-worth, and courage in the face of adversity. It is Mallory’s and Hollis’ story but it is also Nan’s story of days long gone, stolen from her by Alzheimer’s. Mallory is given the gift of her grandmother’s journal which opens her eyes and heart to what she went through as a young woman. Hollis, as a rebellious teenager growing up in foster care, receives his forever family a few months before aging out of the system. But he is dealing with his foster grandfather who is in the beginning stages of dementia. Together, Hollis and Mallory learn about second chances and how love can get them through the good times and the bad times. All they need to do is learn to lean on each other. I highly recommend this very special book.

The Christmas Keepsake is a roller coaster of emotions, but such a delightful and insightful story! If only everyone had a chance to learn their parent’s or grandparent’s story through stories like those focusing on the keepsake ornaments! I love the characters, Mallory and Hollis with their strengths and faults, and getting to meet up again with Savannah and Evan, and Maddie and Sam. This story looks at the ways that life doesn’t always work out the way a person wants, but how second chances and different choices can still bring happiness. Love takes many forms, family comes in many shapes, and many times it comes down to the choices we make. This is a wonderful read which I highly recommend! I hope this isn’t the last we see of Bloom!

As Nan came to realize that her memory was fading, she created a holiday “Memory Tree” filled with keepsakes from her past. These keepsakes, plus the corresponding journal she created, became a precious legacy to pass on to her beloved granddaughters, Mallory and Maddie. This Christmas story is filled with the true spirit of the holidays – traditions, revelations of love – past and present – and finding the courage to follow one’s heart in personal and professional matters.

This is a heart-warming novel that also addresses the heart break of dementia with sensitivity and compassion. It is a love story with many dimensions across time and generations. Be prepared to be deeply touched and take the time to reflect on the wisdom of finding one’s inner compass with an open heart.

My thanks to the author, the publisher, and NetGalley for the privilege of reviewing this book. 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.

This book was really good. It was heartwarming and romantic. It got me in the Christmas spirit. I felt myself relating to Mallory in some ways. I look forward to reading the next book that Annie Rains writes. I'm grateful that netgalley and the publishers let me read this in exchange for an honest review.

Wow! Annie Rains hits it out of the park in her second novel set in Bloom, North Carolina. This book is perfect for Christmas fiction fans, romance fans, or just for the avid reader such as myself who will read anything she can ger her paws on.

In the Christmas Keepsake, Annie Rains tells the story of characters Mallory and Hollis whom we meet in the Finders Keeprs Library. These two childhood friends find that they have more in common than many might think. Mallory is raised by her beloved grandparents and Hollis is thrown in and out of foster care until he meets up wirh Sandy and Matt as a young man of 17 and Matt's dad who become Hollis' beloved Pops. What follows is a sweet, sentimental tale that handles a lot of tough issues (such as memory loss, unplanned pregnancy, infant loss to name a few) and that all important first love that shapes us and stays with us throughout life.

Readers will be transported with Mallory down memory lane as she reads through Nan's memory journal tied to specific Christmas ornaments. She will learn what is really important, and how her and her sister Maddie can preserve the legacy of Nan's beloved community theater. Hollis will learn his own self-woth and that following your heart and dreams will not disappoint those who love you (even though it might take them longer to realize this). You will be rooting for these two to find their way to each other while learning the sweet tender story of Nan and her past.

This Christmas novel has it all. You will be trying to justify putting up that tree and lighting those Christmas candles as soon as possible. But more importantly, Rains will.lead you on a journey of self discovery and finding what is truly important in this life.