I really like his books! This was a fast sweet read. Maybe alittle sappy at times but I still enjoyed it

"The Noel Stranger" is the first book that I've read by author Richard Paul Evans. Giving it a "three-star" rating is not meant to be a 'bad' review- it just isn't the kind of romance fiction that I'm interested in.

Meet Maggie. A recent divorcee around the holidays. In order to get out of her funk and brighten her mood, Maggie decides to buy a Christmas tree. Meet Andrew. A hot guy she instantly falls in love with that owns the Christmas tree lot Maggie goes to. The (only) real plot point: Andrew has a secret, which inevitably leads to the main character finding out.

My only major concern about the book is that there is no real conflict in the first half of the story and the second half has the major one that feels a bit unbelievable. A good third of this book is about a dream vacation that goes nowhere. It does not do much to move the plot forward and many parts of it could be skippable and still keep the integrity of the story. However, there is enough of a backstory to give the characters some dimension and a couple minor characters that were quirky and memorable.

"The Noel Stranger" is a quick read- which makes it a great choice for a light-hearted seasonal pick.

Thanks to Netgalley and Simon and Schuster for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This is my first read by Richard Paul Evans and I am sitting here asking myself why? Now I want to go back and read all of his other books because this one was so good! Once I started this one, I did not want to put it down at all. Very well written and thought out and flows really well.

Maggie is blindsided by one of the biggest secrets her husband could ever hide. How could she be so naive and not know what was going on she asks herself over and over. Her husband was a congressman and has been accused of bigamy. Not only has it humiliated him but also Maggie. Maggie files for divorce and goes into somewhat of a hiding and depression. She doesn't want to get out for fear of public humiliation.

When Maggie's friend and employee insist that she meet her for coffee one day, she reluctantly does. She tells Maggie that she needs to get out of her hiding and suggests that she get a Christmas tree to help get her in the mood for the holidays. Maggie is not really into it but thinks maybe it will help her. Maggie decides to get a Christmas tree and has no idea that the trip to getting her tree is going to soon change her life. Will it be for the better or worse?

Maggie meets Andrew, the owner of the Christmas Tree Farm. Maggie buys her tree and has no idea how she is going to get it home in her little bitty car, but Andrew offers to bring it to her house when he gets off work in exchange for a cup of coffee. Maggie takes him up on the offer and is actually excited that she is going to have someone to talk to for once.

Maggie and Andrew hit it off and when they both start finding excuses to see each other again, they are both falling for each other hard. Andrew is a busy man and Maggie longs for him to spend more time with her each week. When Andrew asks Maggie to go to Cabo with him over Thanksgiving week, she thinks he is crazy but decides what the heck.

When Maggie uncovers some secrets about Andrew, will everything fall to pieces for them or will they be able to work things out in the end? You will have to read this one in order to find out what happens with Maggie and Andrew. I was drawn into this story from the very beginning and did now want to stop reading until I had uncovered all the secrets that unfolded. Such a great read! I am anxious for more from Richard Paul Evans!

I always love richard Paul Evans books. They are always uplifting snd positive. This book was inspirational and had characters that I could relate to. This book was about the power of love and forgivness.

Can a Christmas tree change a person's life? That is what Maddie was hoping to do when she stopped at the local Christmas tree stand. Her spirits were about as low as they could go. Her husband was arrested for bigamy, and she thought her life was over. And then she meets the Noel stranger. Who just happened to operate the Christmas tree stand. Mr Evans once again creates magic with his characters. This is a feel good story for the holidays. We root for these characters to find their happily-ever-after. Not to say that the going is easy there's lots of bumps in this road to happiness. This story has the makings of a great Hallmark movie. Start your holidays out right by curling up with this story.