Having read everything Catherine Anderson has written, I have to say this book was not up to par for me. It tells the love stories of two couples, a younger couple and their older parents. The story felt too dis-jointed, if the plot had focused on one or the other couple the story would have flowed better. Also, I found many of the lead characters unlikable. The only ones I really enjoyed were Cameron and Caleb, and they were a little too good to be true.

Cameron and Kristin are the younger couple, while Caleb is Cam's 16 year old son. Kristin who is 27 seems to me to ac t like an 18 year old. She is childish and sneaks around because her Dad might get mad. These are not the actions of a grown woman, and she is not real likable to me.

The older couple, Sam and Maddie are also childish, manipulative, and sometimes just plain silly. Sam, is basically, mean. Their story is really not one I care to read about. Not because of their age, but, because they are not likable.

Ms. Anderson always writes with heart and emotion and I will continue to read her.

Received as an ARC from Netgalley for an honest review.

Rated 4.5 - THE CHRISTMAS ROOM by Catherine Anderson drew me in with the vintage camper on the cover but the characters snagged my heart. I laughed and cried as they found their way to happy-ever-after.

Cameron (Cam) McLendon moves to Montana with his son and mother. His mom and dad helped raise Caleb, so bringing his mom with them to his dream property after his father’s death makes sense. Madeline (Maddie) is a well-known mystery writer who can continue her craft anywhere. Whether she can keep her secret during this upheaval or not is another story.

Sam Conacher built a reputation as mean-spirited and unreasonable after his wife’s death. So much so that only three people will work for him and one of them is his daughter, Kristin. Sam is especially protective of Kristin, often ruining any man’s reputation who shows an interest in her.

When Kristin and Cam meet, they agree to date secretly to stay out of Sam’s crosshairs. It’s when Sam discovers their attraction that fireworks explode between him and Cam’s mother, Maddie. Can the lion overcome the lioness in a game of rude barbs while protecting their young?

At over 400 pages, there are more characters to enjoy in this family drama that threatens to resemble the gunfight at the O.K. Corral. Maddie and Sam are hilarious as they sling verbal threats at one another. I was happy their fiery friendship is as well developed as Cam and Kristin’s budding romance.

Sam thinks the Clampetts have moved in when he looks at the vintage camper and various outbuildings scattered across the McLendon river property. Had he known it was up for sale, Sam would have bought it to keep the trash out. Unfortunately, the McLendon’s new home construction faces multiple delays so they’re improvising until it’s built. Teenager Caleb McLendon comes with his own set of problems as the new kid from California in a contemporary western small town.

THE CHRISTMAS ROOM is a sweet story about blended families. The characters are well drawn and distinctive. More than the plot or technique which are both enjoyable, the characters are bold in my mind as if they’re real.

This is a large book that could have been tightened to a few less pages and not lost impact. I found myself skimming toward the end as I was ready to experience their resolutions. Although it seemed overdone in some places, readers will appreciate the ability to experience everything with the characters. There were also a couple places that I felt could have been elaborated a bit more but none of my quibbles stopped me from eagerly consuming it.

The dual love stories for two different generations of characters was especially appreciated. I really love reading about well-seasoned couples who find love for the second time. They’re not always easy to love, have a multitude of obstacles to overcome, and must find ways to mesh past and present that is emotionally stunning.

Sam Conacher stole the show for me. He’s cranky and unbearable to those who love him. He has such deep-seated pain that expels in anger. His journey to forgiveness isn’t easy and often hurtful to everyone within an arm’s reach of him. The fact that they still love him proves he’s worth redemption and this reader was elated by the end of the novel.

This is not a story centered on Christmas as the cover may imply, but it has all the blended family holiday feels. The novel’s title reasoning becomes apparent by the end the book and is enchanting. I cried several times in this novel. It’s beautifully rendered and makes the reader care deeply about the characters.

I believe this is the first book I’ve read by Catherine Anderson in many years. I’m sure I read the Comanche series before I kept track or wrote reviews. Ms. Anderson’s talent pulled me right in like some of my favorite authors. Her easy-to-love style of laying out an emotionally wrought family tale that’s heartwarming and filled with laughter is addictive. THE CHRISTMAS ROOM will warm you with its keen spirit of love. Recommended!

Review by Dorine, courtesy of The Zest Quest.

I loved the idea behind two mature people finding love a second time around. I love when older characters are the central focus in a story, love when they find love again. But there was just something missing in The Christmas Room for me to really connect with all the characters. If I hadn't read the blurb, I wouldn't have expected the true story of The Christmas Room to be around Maddie and Sam due to so much time spent building up Kirsten and Cam's love story. I made it to about 20% and then skipped to the end.

Won't be posting a review for this. It was a did-not-finish

Review featured at www.books-n-kisses.com

If you are looking for a feel good holiday romance this is not the story for you. Not that the story is good but it is missing a lot of the holiday cheer that readers (or at least me) want to read in a holiday romance.

One of the things I did like was the romance of an older couple, once it began. I didn’t enjoy all the negative talk. So many mean spirited words are said that it takes the joy out of the noel.

Don’t get me wrong some of the story was humorous and enjoyable. The concept is really interesting and different and maybe if I wasn’t expecting a feel good holiday romance novel.

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

This book has so many elements of a perfect woman’s read. A little bit country, a handsome cowboy, some wonderful family connections, marvelous character development, and budding sweet romances. What’s not to love?

The author hit the mark with this great creation. She combined so many different aspects of life into this book that made it so very likable and difficult to put down.

The author touches on the trials and tribulations of a single parent, finding a love connection, moving to a new state, learning the ropes’s of the new area, supporting and dealing with mama, and many more issues and factors of life. Not to mention the crotchety neighbor next-door and his lovely daughter!

The author weaves a wonderful story that is humorous in parts, with touching and endearing characters that are so true to life, and she does it with a fluidity that grabs your attention until the very last word.

Definitely a Christmas story that women’s fiction lovers will enjoy!

It took me awhile to get into this book but once I did I became very invested in the characters. It's a lovely holiday read. And the cover is perfection.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

A couple of days after I (apparently) finished The Christmas Room, I double-checked because I forgot that I'd already read it. That's how unmemorable it was. Then I read the synopsis and thought 'ohh yeah, that was the one that was so schmaltzy.' And mind you, I expect a certain amount of sentimentality in a Christmas story, but this one was just... too much. If your attitude is Bring On the Schmaltz! you may love it.

“Hard work and Christmas, spun together with memories and love.”

I've read all of Catherine Anderson's books and enjoyed each and every one. This book is really special, though, and brought out all my feelings. I follow Anderson on Facebook and I know that she's writing from experience on quite a few things in this story, which made it very real to me.

Maddie McLendon, a famous author, her son, Cam, and her grandson, Caleb, have moved from northern California to Montana's Bitterroot Valley. Maddie's beloved husband died almost two years ago of cancer and they all want a new start in Montana.

Their next door neighbors are a grouchy, mean rancher named Sam Conacher and his beautiful daughter, Kirstin. Sam's beloved wife died from cancer six years ago and he became a changed man - not for the better.

I loved this book and all the different storylines contained within it. It was the perfect book at the perfect time for me.

I am very glad that I received this book from Berkley Publishing through Net Galley in exchange for my unbiased review.

THE CHRISTMAS ROOM by Catherine Anderson delivered a heartfelt tale of family, love, second chances and homespun Christmas. Anderson made me laugh, sigh, and weep as she put me in the holiday mood. If you looking for a heartwarming tale of love, family, and faith, laced with humor and delightful banter, THE CHRISTMAS ROOM is the perfect holiday read.

When widow Maddie McLendon’s family (her son and teenage grandson) move to their new Montana ranch they know they’ll be roughing it until their home is built. They’ll live in tents and trailer and make the best of it. Sam Conacher, the cranky rancher who lives next to their ranch, thinks his new neighbors are gypsies and won’t be issuing a warm welcome any time soon. But all bets are off when Maddie’s adult son falls for Sam’s daughter. And wait until Sam finds out that Maddie is his favorite author! Thoughts of the Hatfield/McCoy feud or the Montague/Capulet story crossed my mind as I read. There are some laugh out loud moments and some that made me cringe. Feelings run deep and for understandable reasons. The challenge for Maddie and Sam is to grow from their experiences and learn that second chances don’t often happen so when it comes along one has to grab it. The Christmas Room has some heart-warming moments that carried me through the frustrating ones. I haven’t read any of Catherine Anderson’s books before but I’d try another one. Recommended to fans of multigenerational novels with a Christmas theme.

Lovely read and though its market as a romance I felt it was more. Cameron has moved his mother Maddie and son Caleb to Montana to pursue cattle rearing and becoming a realtor. One of his many visit to a bar in town he meets Kirstin and is immediately drawn to her, when he finds out her father is Sam Conacher he begins to back off. Sam has a bad reputation of having run off many a man and even have one lose his job because they show an interest in his daughter. So begins this tale of will Cameron or Cam as he is called will he pursue her or give up. As I previously stated this book to me was more than romance. This story touched on one of the characters having cancer spouses who have died from cancer and near death experience. What was truly different and touching in this novel was the secondary romance of the elderly couple of Sam(father of the heroine Kirstin)and Maddie(this is the mom of Cam). It is hard to find romance about couples who are over forty much less over sixty and it was a great touching experience to read loved it. Review can be found on goodreads and amazon.

This is a lovely Christmas story with a very light Christian viewpoint. Maddie is traveling to Montana to help out her son and grandson. They have a small ranch next door to Sam, a widower who thinks that Maddie and her family are nuts trying to build during the brutal winter. When his daughter starts dating Maddie's son the sparks start to fly. A beautiful story of hope and second chances and brings an awareness of how grief can control a life.

Three generations of the McLendon family pulled up roots to make a new life in a rural Montana town amidst the beauty of the wilderness, only to find their next door neighbor will do anything to make their life a living hell. Little did he know he would later eat those words when he meets his match in Maddie McLendon.

Two generations will find love, but it is sixteen-year-old Caleb that shows the most maturity and unselfish love throughout this tale. Maddie has a terrible secret that she keeps “for the good of her family.” Sam blames himself and punishes the world for his wife’s death. Twenty-six-Year-old Kirsten allows her father to run roughshod over her life, sneaking around to find “fun” and lose her virginity. Cameron has tried to raise his son the best he can, and has set an amazing example.

What could have been a beautiful holiday romance got lost in vile name calling, physical violence, and worse, a total lack of understanding and compassion on Sam’s part when Maddie’s “secret” is revealed. While there are moments of humor to lighten the darkness, I just couldn’t relax into this tale and believe in the two romances I saw growing. THE CHRISTMAS ROOM by Catherine Anderson had so much to give being a holiday romance, I was disappointed that it just didn’t quite deliver for me. I would, however, love to read Caleb’s story when he becomes an adult.

I received an ARC edition from Berkley.

My Rating: 3.5 Stars
Publisher: Berkley (September 26, 2017)
Publication Date: September 26, 2017
Genre: Holiday Romance
Print Length: 432 pages
Available from: Amazon | Barnes & Noble
For Reviews & More: http://tometender.blogspot.com

Maddie and Sam have both lost their spouses to cancer and it has affected them very differently. Maddie is loving and close to her family but Sam has been so mean he's pushed everyone away. This sweet holiday romance is about second chances. Enjoyable

I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review. The Christmas Room, conveys what a reader most wants in a Christmas story, it makes you feel both uplifted and the warm fuzzy's at once.
I felt that most of the characters in this book were very well drawn. Sam, the overbearing widowed father of Kristen and Maddie, the mystery writer mother of Cam were exceptional. The initial romance is between the young couple Cam and Kristen with the aide of Cam"s son teenage son, Caleb. My only criticism would be that, Caleb is too perfect and his character does not reflect the usual teenage personality.
Thank you NetGalley, Berkley Publishers and Catherine Anderson for this ARC.

Heartwarming story! Sam, a grumpy old man mad at the world because losing his wife to cancer meets his match when Mattie moves in next door. Kirsten, Sam's daughter falls in love with Cam, Mattie's son and things get interesting. The characters are easy to relate with and likable. The heartbreak of losing someone to cancer and moving on with life is such a hard subject. The author did a great job in handling it. The humorous spats between Mattie and Sam added to the story. Highly recommended.

The Christmas Room by Catherine Anderson is a sweet heartfelt tale. One full of surprises. The beginning was sad, intense, and emotional. I laughed, cried, and fell in love. Loss, grief, fear, and hope are just some of the major themes explored on the pages. The plot was steady paced. There was some heat. Overall, it had a clean romance environment. The families involved felt real. The scenes carried me to the last page. I felt like jumping up and down with excitement and hugging the characters. Catherine Anderson created another cozy family holiday tale that was believable. I enjoyed reading this book. I recommend The Christmas Room to all.

After several very grim war biographies and memoirs, I was in the mood for a light, romantic seasonal romance.

This is a seasonal romance, though its lightness is debatable, as famous mystery writer and widow Maddie McLendon and her handsome son and grandson relocate to the big sky land of Montana. Unfortunately, their property abuts on that of crabby widower Sam Conacher, who keeps a very tight rein on his 26-year-old daughter. So there is a bit of a Romeo and Juliet thing going on with son and daughter, who are instantly attracted, but the real spark is between middle-aged Sam and Maddie.

Good things: the descriptions of Montana were vivid and appreciative of ranch life. Maddie was a crack-up, and Sam a fascinating old codger. The pacing, once it got going, was brisk, and as Christmas approached, there was a sense of the season's meaning that transcended the all-American Giftmas, though I wasn't convinced by the strength of the faith of these characters who suddenly go to church at the very end, after no sign of faith or Christian behavior for the first 75% of the book.

Downside: the teenage grandson is so very good he's kind of like a TV kid, and the younger romance isn't nearly as interesting as that of the oldsters. Also, there was a whole lot of cancer for a light seasonal read. But that might be my prejudice; when I see cancer in fiction, especially romance, it's an instant turnoff. I probably wouldn't have finished this if it hadn't been a NetGalley read.

And yet I found myself glad I did, as everybody redeemed themselves, the community came together, demonstrating the best of community spirit. Anderson's middle aged romance was a rarity and quite welcome after a slew of romances for the under thirty crowd.

This was my first Catherine Anderson book and I can honestly say it will not be my last! I truly enjoyed the writing style and the plot. It was a very good story that caught me from the very beginning. You knew right away the main characters would get together, however the twist was with the older generation and I really liked that.