Cute story about a mom and young daughter starting fresh. Carlson does a great job using her writing to mimic the main character’s indifference to all things Christmas - and then gradually developing a fondness for it. Of course, including a love interest doesn’t hurt! I thought the child character was poorly written - inconsistent and not always authentic behavior for her age. However, the adult character development was on point and believable.
Carlson also came through with a happily ever after - including a new love for Christmas - in and out of the traditional season.

Lovely festive quick read.
This is a the book equivalent of a Christmas movie. Perfect for snuggling up with a hot chocolate and blanket during the holidays.
Thank you Netgalley for the advanced copy in return for an honest review

Christmas In Winter Hill is a delightful Christmas read and one I highly recommend you add to your holiday reading this year. I loved how it wasn't 100% fluff, but was still a light read.



The characters were nice. I liked how Krista grew throughout the story and had so many layers. I felt bad for her and the things she went through in her childhood which caused her to dislike Christmas. I LOVED her daughter - she was so cute! Her joy for everything Christmas and winter was wonderful! I didn't love the romance, mainly because it felt a bit rushed, but the ending was good.



All in all, Christmas In Winter Hill was really good and I recommend it!



*Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention/review it on my blog. I was not required to give a positive review, only my honest opinion - which I've done. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own and I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.*

Melody Carlson's latest Christmas novella is titled Christmas in Winter Hill. You will meet Krista Galloway and her young daughter, Emily, on the opening pages of this Christmas tale. Krista is relocating to Winter Hill to begin her new job as the city manager. She is not sure how she will survive this move. Krista must adjust to a transition from Phoenix to a small town, which is known both for its snow and its celebration of Christmas!

This is a fun and quick read. You will watch Krista attempt to fit into her new home and workplace environment. You will see her run into bumps along the way in each location. Krista has a coworker who wanted her job and now seems out to get her!

It is interesting to see where Krista will land by the final page!

What can go wrong in a town that advertises itself as "the Home Of Christmasville"?

My thoughts: I've been a big fan of Melody Carlson for awhile, and always looking forward to her Christmas novels. It seems that she writes one at least every year, and they always get me in the Christmas spirit. Yes, they can be a tad predictable, but I enjoy them none the less. This one in particular reminded me that not everyone had pleasant Christmas memories. As foster parents we know that most of the kids who come through our home come from trauma. I even know of some foster families who don't celebrate holidays because it's just too hard for the children. These are holidays in which these kids are NOT with their first families and that can be rough. This book reminded me that even Christmas can be a tough time for people, especially kids coming from foster care.

This book was a pretty quick and easy read. The storyline is similar to what I've read before...big city girl moving to small town. The book centers around Christmas and Krista's challenges with the holiday. The book was pretty well written, the ending somewhat predictable. But if you are looking for a warm, cozy read, this book is for you.

I love Melody Carlson's Christmas books! If I had to choose a favorite among them, I think I'd choose The Christmas Bus, but they are all wonderful. Reading Christmas in Winter Hill has definitely put me in the Christmas spirit! I know it's only October, but I'm feeling the need to start decorating!

Well, Krista, the main character in Christmas in Winter Hill is very unlike me. I wouldn't say she's a Scrooge, but her experiences during the Christmas season haven't been positive ones. She tries to make the best of Christmas each year for her daughter, but, now, at eight years old, her daughter Emily has picked up on the fact that her mom doesn't like Christmas.

Unbeknownst to Krista, she chose the wrong time of year to accept a job as city manager in Winter Hill. They're a town that goes all out at Christmas time. And I mean all out! The entire town gets involved in the "Christmasville" celebration. Well, as city manager, Krista has to look at the details like the cost and safety surrounding Christmasville. When some concerns pop up, Krista is quickly blamed for something that threatens Christmasville!

I really enjoyed this quick novella. The characters and setting are just as charming as the ones in Carlson's previous Christmas novellas. This happily ever after book will get you in the Christmas mood!

I love Melody Carlson's yearly Christmas books. They are quick little reads, and yes the plot is predictable, much like a Hallmark movie, but isn't that what we want? This book moves quickly (which it kind of has to since it's a short little read) but it leaves you with the feel good feeling at the end. Yes, you can tell what's going to happen, but it's still worth a read, especially if you want a little slice of Christmas Happiness!

Wow, I loved this story! I always look forward to Melody Carlson’s Christmas books, and this is one of her best. The setting in the small town of Winter Hill is perfect. But it’s the characters that absolutely stole my heart away, especially the character of eight-year-old Emily. Emily and her mom, Krista, have moved to Winter Hill just in time for the town’s Christmasville celebration. Because of heartbreak in Krista’s childhood, she does not love Christmas celebrations, although she loves the Savior. Emily wants her mom to love Christmas, but more than that, she wants a real home; a chance to finally see snow for the very first time, and a best friend. (Can’t you already feel that tug at your heart?) Krista finds herself somewhat unwillingly having to enter into the town’s Christmas festivities. This story is full of faith, hope, love and friendship. I loved Emily’s story and look forward to having this boom on my Christmas bookshelf to reread during each Christmas season.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher. All opinions are my own.

If I were ever to write a book (hopefully someday I will work up the courage to get my ideas from brain to paper!), it would be something very similar to this. I love books set in small, close knit towns that feel magical and story book like. Bonus points if it reminds me of my favorite story book like tv shows Gilmore Girls and Hart of Dixie. There is just something I love about these small town stories. I also am a total sucker for a great Christmas time romance so Christmas in Winter Hill hit me in the feels. I loved the writing style of Melody Carslon and that I was invested in the story and Krista's life from the beginning. I would have loved more time during the Christmasville festivities, but I absolutely loved hearing about the Christmas House and the contest to win it. It was an interesting take on a holiday book and I really enjoyed it. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a sweet (and very innocent) romance or loves books set during Christmas.

Krista worry's that her new job and move might be a mistake.she is being hired as the city manager in a small town. She was hoping for a house but gets an apartment Her daughter Emily is excited for upcoming Christmas events and snow. I got bored with the events

Christmas in Winter Hill is a great way to get into the Christmas spirit. I just love this sweet and heartwarming story. The book is not a long one and I was disappointed it had to end so soon. My favorite character is no doubt young Emily. I would love to visit a place like Winter Hill.
I am giving Christmas in Winter Hill a well deserved five plus stars. I highly recommend it for all readers who enjoy a well written and clean Christmas reads.

Christmas in Winter Hill is one of those books that scoops you up and drops you into a delightful setting with wonderful characters. By the time I was halfway through the story, I wanted to live in Winter Hill. Melody Carlson has delivered another charming holiday tale. I think I've read all of her Christmas books, and this is one of my favorites. Christmas in Winter Hill is a quick read and perfect to get you in the holiday spirit. Plus the cover is beautiful! I received a complimentary copy of this book from Revell. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

All her life, Christmases have been disappointing at best, so she dislikes the season. Perhaps Winter Hill was not the best town in which to take the job of city manager, because it does Christmas like no other town around. Will she be able to overcome her feelings enough to avoid being considered the town Grinch, overcome the town Scrooge, and perhaps find that Christmas time can be not so bad after all?

I enjoyed this book as a short, light, fun read - but couldn't help thinking that it would have made a really good full-length novel if expanded to two or three times the length. As it was, it felt quite shallow and a bit rushed, with a bit too much going on for the length. Despite that, though, it was a good and satisfying story, well written and clean.

Note that I received a complimentary copy of the book from NetGalley. I was not required to write a positive review and this is my considered opinion of the book.

Krista and her young daughter, Emily, are beginning a new life. Krista has accepted a position as a city manager in the small town of Winter Hill. Doubts about what she was doing surfaced when she saw the sign indicating that Winter Hill is the home of Christmasville. Krista is not a big fan of Christmas and she soon learns that Christmasville is very important to the community. Problems soon arise for a variety of reasons. Can Krista and Emily fit into this community?

This is a beautifully told story. The characters are well developed and realistic. Most of them are easy to like. I found Emily to be an especially endearing character. The setting is charming and inviting. The plot includes several story lines and they all come together in a very special conclusion. Filled with themes of love, faith and hope, this story is a pleasure to read. Highly recommended.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Revell. The opinions expressed in this review are my own.

Christmas in Winter Hill by Melody Carlson is a sweet Christmas novella. I look forward to reading this authors latest Christmas story each year and I was not disappointed with Christmas in Winter Hill. It is well-written with relatable characters in realistic situations. It moves along at a steady pace and can be finished quickly (only 164 pages). Krista Galloway is looking forward to starting over in Winter Hill. She has not had the easiest life growing up in the foster care system and the last few years have been difficult. Her daughter, Emily is looking forward to having a white Christmas and she wants a real home with a backyard. Unfortunately, things do not go as planned for the duo. Emily, though, does enjoy living in Winter Hill and makes friends right away. I enjoyed Emily’s enthusiasm as she embraced all the Christmas festivities. The little girl wants her mother to love Christmas as much as she does and comes up with a plan (I just loved it). The townspeople enthusiastically embrace Christmas and their Christmasville activities. Winter Hill is a quaint town who came up with a clever way to revive their dying city. It is the tenth year for their Christmasville celebration, and they have big plans. Unfortunately, there are a few hiccups along the way. I enjoyed the subplot with Winston Palmer who is the town’s grinch (bah humbug type of guy). Christmas In Winter Hill has new beginnings, a cute little girl, crime, a touch of romance and cheery Christmas festivities. The story has a good moral. We learn that we get what we need in His timing, not when we want them (it can be hard to be patient though). The ending was a delight and left me with a big smile on my face. My favorite phrase comes from Krista who said, “I like to think our troubles make us stronger.” Christmas in Winter Hill is a heartwarming, uplifting story with apartment anguish, Christmas catastrophes, elf escapades, a great giveaway, and holiday high spirits.

Lovely festive read. It was a heart warming romance. It was a wonderful book to read. It was well written and flowed well.

Every year I look forward for Mrs. Carlson's Christmas novel and every year she delivers! This is a wonderful story to set you in the Christmas spirit, and remind you that the best gifts are not in the material things but in the hearts of those around us. That's just what Krista Galloway discovers in the little Washington town of Winter hill, well after a few bumps in the road anyway. Grab your favorite cozy blanket, a cup of hot chocolate and settle in for a Christmas tale sure to warm your heart. Who knows you may be inspired to start a Christmasville right in your own town

A wonderful, feel good story for the Christmas season, author Melody Carlson doesn’t steer away from a difficult storyline. Some have reviewed this book and said that the challenges Krista faces makes the story “not fun to read”. I have found that challenges make the characters more true to life. After all, who has the perfect life story? I enjoy reading about characters who overcome life challenges. And yet Carlson has kept the warm, Christmas-y feel of the story that we love this time of year.

If you enjoy contemporary Christian fiction with a Christmas theme and a light romance, then you’ll enjoy this story.

I received a complimentary copy of this book but was not required to leave a review.

Oh how I love a good Christmas story! This is another short, feel-good Christmas tale from Melody Carlson. I've read several of her books and they all carry the same essence of community, but shares a unique message with each. A lovely story that put me in the mood for the holidays!
I received a complimentary copy of this book and was under no obligation to post a positive review.