I loved this book, if this book Hope at Christmas doesn't get you into the spirit nothing will This story proves that you can start over and you can have a life that you always wanted. Your dreams matter. This book is about hope, forgiveness, second chances And to remember you deserve to be happy. And sometimes tragic things happen but to remember it does get better and people can realize they need to change their ways to the better. Sometimes we need to be remind to look and see what is in front of us

This book is sweet and clean – there are no sex scenes and no f-bombs. If those things bother you, there is nothing to worry about here.

Although there is drama and angst in this book (I had to go in search of tissues while reading) it is also so incredibly full of love and hopefulness that it really is the perfect holiday romance novel. All of the characters, while fighting their own battles, are incredibly likable, and the little town of Hopewell is fabulous.

One of Ms. Naigle's incredibly strengths is writing characters who are relatable and realistic and she nailed that in this book. Even though Sydney and RayAnne were struggling to find their balance in their new life in Hopewell, I thought their relationship was really beautiful. RayAnne wasn't the cookie cutter unrealistically perfect kid, but that gave her character. Sydney was a bit of a hot mess who just needed a break in life – something a lot of us readers can appreciate. Seth was absolutely adorable and I adored him from start to finish (especially when he went to see Santa). Mac...oh Mac. He was everything I want in a romance novel hero. He was a solid, good guy who was giving and loving and most importantly, understanding. Even when Sydney had a moment, he didn't get his nose out of joint, he just waited for it to pass and didn't hold it against her.

Another thing that I loved about this book is that it was actually a Christmas story. So often books with holiday covers and blurbs barely touch on the holiday or anything related to it, but this book was actually based around Christmas and the various activities that come with it and I loved that.

The head-nod to the Granny series was really cute and made me smile when I read it. Well played, Ms. Naigle.

***SPOILERS IN THIS PARAGRAPH*** The big twist that happened in this was incredibly difficult to read. I actually kept hoping it wasn't going to happen, and I wasn't a fan of how/when it happened, but it lead to something beautiful so I was able to make peace with it.

I requested and was generously granted an ARC of this book via NetGalley and the publisher. I was under no obligation to write this review, I did so because I really enjoyed this story.

I usually do not read contemporary so this was a surprise. The author writes a heartwarming story that has the right amount of Christmas magic. Stories like this will put you in the Christmas spirit.

A heartwarming little Christmas story with two divorced parents, Sydney and her daughter and Mac and his son. While I enjoyed the story overall, there were a couple of incidents that felt a little forced for drama.

**Thank you to the publisher and Net Galley in exchange of an honest review.**

This is a brand new author to me. And I am a sucker for Christmas love stories that gives someone another chance at a HEA. I can honestly say this one didn't disappoint at all!

This book is about Sydney Ragsdale and Kevin MacAlea. Sydney is a divorced mom of 10 year old RayAnne who has moved to NC to get away from her ex-husband and the town they lived in. Including all the "friends" who never told her that her husband was having an affair for 2 years before he told her he was leaving. Mac is a divorced dad of 12 year old Seth who has lived in Hopewell most of his life and loves every part of his town. He is not only a teacher at the local high school but the baseball coach as well. And during the Christmas season, he dresses up as Santa part time because he loves the season so much. Mac had decided long ago that his son was his priority after the way his wife had left them.

This book has you not only feeling everything Sydney and her daughter feel towards divorce in general but towards her ex. At points I wanted to reach into the book and shake her ex so hard!! People don't realize how much a child can be hurt when a marriage breaks up, especially by a childish, insensitive parent. This author wrote this book that gets that point across and conveys how these kids were hurt by their respective parents in such a way that you could not only understand how they felt but you get angry on their behalf. The parent's that were left behind are heroes in my opinion. They are the ones who not only stayed for their children but they try to make sure their kids are still well rounded, healthy, and most important, happy. Mac and Sydney are perfect together. Not only do they both want to take their relationship slow, but they truly like each other. Even with Sydney's trust issues, they still manage to work that out. And then you throw in Ms. Bea. I absolutely loved Ms. Bea!! She was not only sweet to everyone she met but she helps Sydney and her daughter adjust to their new normal. She was just what they needed, when they needed it. I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The only reason it didn't rank a 5 star ranking for me was because I would have liked some sort of epilogue where we see how they end up after the holidays are over and they are fully together. But either way, it was definitely well worth the read!

The storyline is interesting but not overly Christmassy sweet but definitely encompasses the spirit of Christmas. The reader is introduced to Sydney and her daughter who have moved to Hopewell NC to live in Sydney's grandparents home which she has inherited. Sydney and her husband are divorcing and her daughter is 10yrs old and caught in the middle of loving both her parents. Sydney has a new job lined up, but it doesn't start until after the New Year, so she volunteers to work part time at a bookstore which she has loved since coming there as a child herself. Then we are introduced to Mac (Kevin) who loves Christmas so much he plays Santa (very secretly) to children coming to the Christmas Village the town creates each year. As Sydney begins to work at the book store she begins to create new friendships and re-establish old ones with the people in Hopewell. Mac and Sydney are introduced and starting a friendship as they are both single parents (he has a son). The interesting stuff begins when Sydney and her daughter go to see the Santa at the town's Christmas village because Sydney's soon to be ex cancels seeing his daughter if she goes to Atlanta to see 'her' Santa there. There's lots more action, fun, laughter and sadness as the story continues and ends with a very satisfactory conclusion.

I loved this book. Sydney goes back to the one place that brings her happiness. Her daughter RayAnne is not happy. She is being taken away from all her friends, her parents are getting divorced and it is a small town. As Sydney is walking through town, she sees the sign for the Book Bea. Happy memories come back to her of all the time she spent there. It is still being ran by Bea Marion. From that point on, Bea and her become friends. Sydney has volunteered to come help her through the Christmas season. Not only are they friends but Bea keeps telling her to keep her heart open. She is firm that it is not going to happen. Until Mac and his son Seth walk through the door. In a small town, everyone is pulling for them. Even their children get along. You don't get to the HEA without some angst. You will need some tissues though.

After her divorce Sydney Ragsdale decided to move to the tiny town of Hopewell, NC hoping for a new start with her daughter and to get out from under the thumb of her ex-husband. Sydney’s ex is rich and always tempting their daughter with gifts and trips that she just can’t compete with so she is hoping the move will bring them close together before she loses her to her ex. The only asset that Sydney had in her name was an old house of her grandmother’s so she is determined to make it work for the two of them and make the fresh start they so desperately need.

After settling in Hopewell Sydney finds herself wandering into The Book Bea, a beautiful book store ran by Bea whom Sydney has fond memories of from her own childhood. Talking with Bea Sydney finds she could use some help in the shop through the holidays which is perfect to hold Sydney over until she begins her new job in the new year. Before long though Sydney finds herself falling in love with the small town shop and it’s charm.

Kevin MacAlea, Mac to his friends, is the local eligible bachelor in town, a high school history teacher and baseball coach and father of a twelve year old himself he’s quite the catch. However when Sydney meets Mac the last thing on her mind is starting a new relationship having not broken completely free from the old one but between working at The Book Bea and her daughter becoming friends with Mac’s son the two find themselves spending more and more time together.

Hope at Christmas by Nancy Naigle was a beautiful holiday romance read that was full of small town charm and real emotions from the characters. The setting of The Book Bea in the story sounded so much like such a magical place to a fan of books and reading such as myself with the owner having this lovely place for years with all kinds of small town charisma and events you’d only find in such a store. Bea and her shop certainly steal a big portion of the story and I just loved every minute there.

Sydney and Mac were also a nice couple to get to know as they got to know one another and come together with their common bond of being single parents. I couldn’t help but root for Sydney to overcome the things her ex had done and was continuing to do and hope that she tightened the bond with her daughter along the way too. With some action going on in the story, the small town holiday setting and lovely characters this was one that I’d definitely recommend checking out for those fans of romance stories.

I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.

I've read a few Christmas books recently, well books with Christmas in the title but not particularly Christmassy in my opinion, but this one was so lovely, much more like the Christmas in the title with such wonderful warm characters.

Sydney has just moved to Hopewell with her 10 year old daughter RayAnne after she split up from her husband as he had been having an affair and left her. She wasn't expecting it and so is still getting to grips with her new life and forging ahead, trying to make things right for her daughter. They moved to Hopewell as Sydney was left her grandparents house when they died, so it is hers and nothing to do with her ex-husband. Sydney used to visit her grandparents when she was younger, so has very fond memories of the place. Once there she starts to get her bearings and realises that the old bookshop is still there that she used to visit all the time when she was younger. She gets talking to Bea, the elderly owner, and ends up working there over the holidays, and a lot of the book revolves around the bookstore which sounded so wonderful.

Mac is a teacher at the local school, and also secretly acts as the Santa in the Santa Village the town has every year. He has a 12 year old son, Seth, who doesn't like Christmas because Mac's wife and Seth's mother left them on Christmas Eve, even though it was years ago now. Mac loves Christmas and keeps hoping that his son will start to love it again too.

There were definitely sparks between Sydney and Mac, but both had been burned before so went on a series of non-dates, just getting together with their children, who got on really well. But of course it started to change when their barriers started to drop a little. It was such a lovely gentle romantic relationship, Mac was such a great guy, I really liked his character - well actually I liked all the characters in this book!

There was a bit of drama, and some sadness, towards the end, but there was also a lovely happy ending. A real feel-good Christmas story. Loved it.

A feel good Christmas story in a small town setting.
I liked the single dad hero, Mac, his kindness and goodness were really remarkable. Other characters in the story also show these traits, contributing for a heartwarming story about two people getting a second-chance at love.
Although I enjoyed the story and the characters, I felt that sometimes the pace was too slow, and trivial and mundane actions often took the foreground.

Ms Naigle gives us a sweet, Christmas story. The main characters are Sydney Ragsdale and Kevin MacAlea (Mac).
Sydney is recently divorced and has moved to Hopewell, NC with her daughter. She inherited her grandparents dilapidated farm . But it’s hers and it’s a chance for a new beginning with her daughter, Ray Anne. Mac is also a single parent, the history teacher at the HS and the basketball coach.
The author gives us a very clean romance, an interesting group of townspeople and a sweet Christmas story.
All that said, I have to confess that as much as I have loved other books by Ms Naigle, this one was just ok , for my taste. I never felt engaged .
I was gifted this copy by St Martin’s Griffin and Netgalley. The opinions expressed are solely my own.

This is a wonderful "feel good" read filled with love and hope. Definitely will read more by this author.

Nancy Naigle is an author that makes her point known while laying the groundwork for captivating stories. Hope at Christmas gives voice to a woman finding her wings and rediscovering her heart. Adulthood has not been easy for Sydney. An unhappy marriage, a controlling ex - husband and a divorce that's left her twisting in the wind. A fresh start is just what she needs to feel like herself again. Returning home with a daughter and not much else is hard, risking her heart while rebuilding her life is not what she envisioned, but could end up being the most rewarding experience of her life. New beginnings are hard to come by, but worth the effort.

Sydney and Mac have a lot in common, but will they find their way to each other? This was a fun little Christmas romance, plenty of heart. I enjoyed this one thoroughly.

I enjoyed reading this sweet Christmas novel that is full of love and hope. A perfect holiday read.

Nancy Naigle has written a perfect, heart-warming, holiday story! If you love a good Christmas setting with a touch of romance and lots of good feels, then this is the book for you.

a change from what I normally read but enjoyed it greatly. Good writing. Wonderful romance.

It is the autumn season and nearing the Christmas holidays. There are miracles during the Christmas holidays; everyone knows that.
Sydney has brought her daughter, Ray Anne to Hopewell, N. C. They have moved into Sydney's grandparents old house and will try to make new lives. Sydney's divorce is nearly final. She plans to make a fresh start. A start that eliminates her ex-husband Jon's control of her life. Ray Anne misses her father and he has made promises. But, some promises are never meant to be kept.
Sydney walks into the bookstore she loved when she used to visit Hopewell, The Book Bea. Miss Bea remembers Sydney and Sydney falls in love with Miss Bea and her store all over again. She is offered a part time job to help out over the holidays. Sydney is thrilled to take the first step into her new life.
Bea is an encourager. She takes Sydney under her wing and continually reminds her that she is a strong and capable woman. Ray Anne falls under Bea's spell and falls in love with the book store just as her mother did when she was a child.
Ray Anne makes friends and among them is Seth. He is interested in all the things Ray Anne likes. They both like fur wheelers, baseball and just hanging out. The two of them become good buds. Seth's father is a high school teacher, baseball coach and Santa Clause. Mac secretly plays Santa at the Santa Village. It is a huge secret and very few people know about the job he has had for several years. Even Seth does not realize his father is the best Santa in North Carolina. To Mac, a born Christmas lover, being able to play Santa and make children believe is something he truly loves.
Hopewell is a small town and there is a strong sense of family. Sydney and Ray Anne are drawn into the family very quickly. Each of them realize the people in Hopewell want to make them feel at home. It is a warm and comfy place.
Mac has been raising Seth on his own for years. His wife left when Seth was very small because she simply did not want to stay there any longer. Mac and Seth have developed into a wonderful pair. Mac's has the ability to give Seth all he needs to grow into a wonderful man, just like his father.
This is a wonderful book. The plot provides a few surprises but it is basically a love story. Love between parents and children, love between friends and a sense of group love that fills the town of Hopewell.
I am a fan of Ms Naigle, so I was predisposed to fall in love with this book. Her characters are real people. Each of them have flaws, but the flaws simply remind us they are human beings. The secondary characters add a great deal to the texture of the story. I believe my favorite character was Miss Bea. The world would be a much better place if each of us could have an encourager like Miss Bea in our lives.
If you are looking for a feel good Christmas read, this book is for you.
I received the book from the publisher through NetGalley. I am voluntarily writing this review and all opinions are my own.

"Hope at Christmas"
By Nancy Naigle
St. Martin's Griffin


Contemporary Fiction -- Release Date: October 10, 2017


ReaderToReader.com review for NetGalley download


Sydney Ragsdale is grateful she inherited her grandparent's home in Hopewell, North Carolina. Jon, her husband gives her a Valentine's Day gift saying he's leaving her for a younger woman. Unknown to her, he's been having an affair for two years, so feeling like a fool, Sydney and her daughter RayAnne pack their meager belongings and leave Atlanta to start a new life.

Sydney is thrilled to see The Book Bea, a shop she loved while visiting her grandparents is still open with Bea, the owner, behind the counter. Bea is aging and finds the store too much to handle so Sydney offers to work several hours during the holiday season. Remembering her childhood bliss there, she thoroughly enjoys helping and becomes indispensable to Bea.

Kevin MacAlea, also a single parent, in addition to being a teacher is the local Santa--one who takes his job very seriously. He meets Sydney while ordering books for his son, Seth. They strike up a friendship, and RayAnne and Seth become close discovering they have much in common.

With an uncertain future, Sydney becomes enchanted with Hopewell and hopes RayAnne will want to stay permanently. Sydney keeps herself busy expecting a lonely Christmas while RayAnne spends it with her dad and gets engrossed by trying to expand Bea's business.

When Jon cancels on RayAnne, the girl is so upset, she runs to Mac's house, hops on one of his four-wheelers and gets hurt in an accident. Sydney blames Mac, though later learning the truth she's ashamed of her outburst. Then, another tragedy makes a big change for Sydney.

A heartwarming tale of small-town togetherness, "Hope at Christmas" demonstrates love and kindness as well as the fact that one can start over.

"Trust your journey, it will take you where you are supposed to go."- Bea.

Sydney and her 10-year-old daughter, RayAnne, move from Atlanta to the small town of Hopewell, North Carolina after Sydney divorces her husband Jon when she finds out he was cheating on her- his only parting gift were candy hearts on hers and RayAnne's pillows on Valentine's Day.

Making a new start is never easy, especially during the cold month of November which is when they move. RayAnne loved Atlanta, had friends and loved school there, so is the one worst hit by the move. To begin with, she misses her life in Atlanta so much she talks of wanting to move back with her dad. He has more money than he needs, and spoils her rotten. Sydney, however, feels like she is "coming home" in moving to Hopewell as she visited her grandparents there as a child and they have left her their old house there. She feels all set for a new life as she also has a job offer from a shop called Peabody's which is in the town.

One day, whilst strolling through the town whilst RayAnne is at school, she comes across a large house she remembers from her childhood. The large house is actually a bookshop called The Book Bea, and the sight of the shop's sign, unaged despite the passage of time, sparks off memories for her. The pull of the building is such that she ventures inside to find the shop just as she remembered it, and most importantly of all, she finds that Bea, the original ownwr and who the shop is named, after, is still alive and working there. The shop has a lovely vintage feel- high celings and an old cash register and feels homely at the same time.

When Bea mentions she needs help in the shop over the holidays, Sydney cannot resist taking on the task and gets RayAnne helping, too. Soon, their arrival in the small town does not seem so bad or so much of a huge change from what they knew, and they get caught up in the Christmas spirit, decorting the shop and preparing a carol concert.
Bea is lovely and generous, not to mention wise.

There are so many unique images in the book of all the surroundings, the houses shops bookstore and Santa's Village, that it just makes you feel warm and fuzzy inside. We get so many vivid inages from chapter 1 alone, and they are the same throughout the book.

Slowly, as people come into the store, or through Sydney's and RayAnne's interactions with them, we meet the other characters. There's Kevin McAffee, aka Mac, a high shool teacher and baseball coach. He has a 12-year-old son, Seth and is alone since his wife left him.

Neither Sydney nor Mac claim they are looking for love. But will they find it?

Sydney is pleased to see RayAnne settling in, and is pleased to see that she manages to herself, too. Seth and Mac have different opinions about what Christmas means. to them. For Mac, it's a magical time, but for Seth it makes him sceptical. Seth and Mac get on great and they have their neighbour Haley who's happy to be with Seth when Mac goes off to his "special" job at night.

The book is full of good and bad memories, and Bea is everyone's favourite person in the town. She is really warm welcoming and generous and is liked and respected by everyone in Hopewell. The Book Bea was a wedding gift from her husaband which was just so romantic. However, it has an uncertain future after Christmas because of Bea's age. Sydney's dream since she was younger was to be Bea's successor and own The Book Bea. Will she get what she wishes? Will things go further with Mac?

Where Mac was funny, generous welcoming and kind, Jon seemed very self-obsessed and a real "people pleaser," using gifts and money to express love rather than true honest gestures, The amount of times he lied to Sydney and RayAnne during the story was shocking. I ended up feeling as fed up of him as Sydney was.

Hope At Christmas is such a magical story of love hope secrets and second chances. There's more than a fair share of drama and tension too. I'll never forget this story and it is the perfect book for everyone to read, and an absolute must-read!

I received an eARC of this courtesy of St Martin's Press and will be participating in the SMP Romance Blitz. This book is wonderful and well worth 5 stars!

This is the first book I have had the pleasure of reading by Nancy Naigle and I'm certain I'll read more by her.