Christmas at Harrington's by Melody Carlson : A Review

BOOK TITLE: Christmas at Harrington's

AUTHOR: Melody Carlson

ISBN/ASIN: B004071VLG

GENRE: Fiction / Contemporary Literature / Religion

NUMBER OF PAGES: 167

SERIES / STANDALONE: Standalone

HOW I GOT THIS BOOK: I thank my friend JB for sharing this book with me.

SUMMARY:

Sometimes the best gift is a second chance 

Christmas is approaching, and Lena Markham finds herself penniless, friendless, and nearly hopeless. She is trying to restart her life after false accusations landed her in prison, but job opportunities are practically nonexistent. When a secondhand red coat unexpectedly lands her a job as Mrs. Santa at a department store, Lena finally thinks her luck is changing. But can she keep her past a secret? This tender story about fresh starts will charm readers as all of Melody Carlson's Christmas offerings do. Full of redemption and true holiday spirit, Christmas at Harrington's will be readers' newest Christmas tradition.

FIRST IMPRESSION:

This review is for a personal reading copy after a long time. I have been so engrossed in reading review copies that I wanted a quick change in tracks. Reading this book was not a planned choice. I just happened upon this book, a gift from my good friend, and I browsed through the first few pages. Before long I had begun reading it and I finished it in one go. I was not really focused on the genre or the summary. The only thing that attracted me to this book from the collection was the cover and the title. I don't have much patience for religious fiction, but I had no idea this book belonged to the genre when I began reading.

REVIEW:

Christmas based books generally have a happy theme, or at least describe a season of believing in miracles and bringing out the good in people. This book was similar. It started off in suspense, where the protagonist Lena Markham has just been released from Prison. With less than a month to go for Christmas, she finds herself in a new town. A mild shroud of mystery covers her. The readers are made to understand that she had been imprisoned for a crime she did not commit. On her way into town, she meets a kindly old lady who talks to her, befriends her and invites her over to her house.

Naturally wary, Lena feels apprehensive about everything in the new place. She tries to settle in the new town, but finds it difficult with her prison record and swiftly dwindling cash stock. She finds the cheapest available accommodation where she meets people who will bring about a change in her life. A chance with a second-hand red coat lands her a job as a Santa for a departmental store. But her past catches up quickly despite her moving cities, and all of a sudden her concealed truths come out to haunt her and she is a marked woman in the little town. If or how she comes out of this forms the rest of the story.

The story itself was not much. It just held simple messages and stayed true to the theme. There are a few critical flaws in the narrative that would be obvious but overall, the story effectively manages to have a feel good factor. The book works mainly due to the careful build up of suspense on Lena's part and the way her actual caring, helping nature is curbed because of her bitter experience. Most of the men in this story are portrayed in a dull light, often considered evil in some regard. Be it Lena's scheming husband, or abusive domineering father, the background is laid pretty thick for Lena to be wary of anything to do with men. Kids are given prominence, and are a crucial part of the story, including being the reasons Lena gets a job and manages to keep it.

I loved the book for its language and theme. It left a lot to be desired and had a few logic loopholes in writing but the overall effect was pleasant, realistic and a teensy bit prompting towards the readers believing in the power of Christmas Miracles. If you are a naturally religious person, this book might leave you with a warm feeling but for others, this can bring about a christmassy feel.

WHAT I LIKED:

• The cover and the summary
• The theme of the story
• The language and pace.

WHAT COULD HAVE BEEN BETTER:

• The book could have had stronger characters, especially male
• The logical loopholes could be avoided.
• The lack of backstories is a serious drawback.

VERDICT:

Christmassy book, but not too preachy. It is more focused on making the people feel good about miracles.

RATING: 3.8/5

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Melody Carlson is the award-winning author of over two hundred books, several of them Christmas novellas from Revell, including her much-loved and bestselling book, The Christmas Bus.

She also writes many teen books, including the Diary of a Teenage Girl series, the TrueColors series, and the Carter House Girls series.

Melody was nominated for a Romantic Times Career Achievement Award in the inspirational market for her books, including the Notes from a Spinning Planet series and Finding Alice, which is in production as a Lifetime Television movie. She and her husband serve on the Young Life adult committee in central Oregon.

EDITIONS AVAILABLE: Kindle, Paperback, Hardcover

PRICE $1.98 for Kindle, $4.00 for Paperback, $3.98 for Hardcover

BOOK LINKS: Amazon