There are times when I think books choose me to read them rather than the other way around. Christmas on the Coast, by Rebecca Boxall, is exactly one such book. I was looking for a simple holiday read, nothing too heavy, when the cover of this gem caught my eye. I quickly learned, however, that while the story takes place in December, it is far from a cute little holiday tale.

The story is told from two perspective: one set in present day Jersey, Chanel Islands and told by Libby, a Vicar's wife, who is frantically preparing for the holidays, her daughter's wedding, keeping up with her own work and two very needy sons. The alternating half is told through a family journal written during the Nazi Occupation of Jersey in 1941.

I, of course, must be the only person in the world that did not know that the Chanel Islands were occupied during the war. While the journal is fiction, it is based upon a found diary from Jersey. The author has done extensive research and has included a Bibliography for further reading. This section of the book is utterly fascinating!

In the present, Libby is in turmoil with her family who is far too needy and with her dearest friend, who suddenly is no longer speaking to her based on a family grudge about which neither woman previously knew existed. The stress and anger threatens to ruin the holidays for everyone. However, after reading the journal, learning the truth, comparing lives in the present with those during the occupation, everyone realizes that forgiveness and peace are far more important than decor and feuds.

The history in this book is phenomenal but not overpowering. The war theme is present and realistic without being so dark that you will not read it. The message itself is one of hope and peace which is ideal for the season and for the world today. If you only read one holiday book this season, I wholly recommend this one.

Thanks so much to Netgalley, Rebecca Boxall and Lake Union Publishing for my copy of this holiday treasure.

A story of family, friendship and old grudges.
Libby and Stella have been friends since primary school, but after hearing a story from her dying mother, Stella breaks the friendship.
Told in 2016 by Libby and from a 1941 journal kept by Libby's great aunt Queenie, this is both a modern tale and a slice of history.
I found this an interesting read which told some of the social history of occupied Jersey and would recommend this for readers who are looking for more than a Christmas hea.

I enjoyed the past to present way this book was written. The story line was well written and enjoyable. I had trouble with the spelling errors in the book however the book may have been translated. The spelling issues did not take away from being able to enjoy the book. I enjoyed the long time friendship and would have liked more of that aspect in the book. Overall it was an enjoyable book.

Believe it or not, Libby is actually dreading Christmas this year, now that her best friend Stella has turned against her. When her father gives her the diary of her great-aunt Queenie, she gets immersed in the entries and can't stop reading. The diary takes place in the winter of 1941, during the Nazi occupation of Jersey. Can she forgive her friend and rediscover the magic of Christmas?

Family, friends, love and duty all combine to bring a wonderful story. Christmas is the vehicle but the story is so much more. I loved it.

This is not another, cute, cozy Christmas romance, but rather a sobering look into one woman’s family history. Libby is trying to do it all, as a cop, a mother and the wife of a vicar on the island of Jersey, she has plenty on her plate. Now her best friend, Stella has suddenly cut her off, saying only that it has to do with some old family grudge. It’s only when Libby’s father shares the diary written by her great-aunt Queenie during the Nazi occupation of the island, that Libby begins to understand. War makes people do things they never would under normal circumstances and Libby is desperate to make Stella understand what happened in hopes they can regain their friendship. I really liked this story, so few people know anything about the Nazi occupation of Jersey during the war, and Boxall’s story makes the people, the island and that terrible time, come to life