Melody Carlson gives us a great read with Christmas in Winter Hill. All the feels you want from a short Christmas novella are found in this one for sure. I thought Melody Carlson found a way to envelope us with Christmas warmth and love all around, even though it might have been late coming.

Krista has accepted a new job in Winter Hill and she pretty much is going into it blind. Her assistant at the new job has found Krista and her daughter, Emily, a small apartment in town. Krista and Emily were hoping for a house after leaving their previously comfortable residence, but when they pull up to the address, it is a small apartment. Krista is determined to make it a home for Emily and do whatever she has to to make Emily like it there.

When Krista and Emily get to the apartment, there is her assistants son, Connor, and his daughter there to help with moving them in. It doesn't take long to get everything in the apartment and then Connor invites them to Comet's dinner and to watch an old house in town be moved to a different location. This helps Emily with liking the place a little better.

Krista begins work the next day and is quickly considered the town's grinch. Krista has never really liked Christmas time because there are too many bad memories there that scare her away from the holiday. Emily is determined to help her mom like Christmas again and does one of the sweetest things to help her mom overcome her Christmas fear. I fell in love with all the characters immediately and could not put this one down once I started reading. I am sure you will be the same way as well. Such a great Christmas read!

I voluntarily read and reviewed this book. Thanks to Netgalley, the publisher and the author for an advanced copy of this book!

This is a sweet story of transformation and hope reborn. Krista dislikes Christmas and for pretty good reasons. When she takes a new job in Winter Hill and is thrown into preparations for a citywide Christmasville celebration, it’s hard to keep an open mind. Her daughter Emily, however, is totally enthralled with the city and the celebration.

The story is a bit predictable but still enjoyable. It’s by no means an easy transition for Krista into her new job. She faces daily opposition from someone who may be her closest ally in downplaying Christmasville. This book showcases the power of community and hope.

Thank you to Revell for providing me with a free e-copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

#ChristmasInWinterHill #Netgalley

I received an ARC copy of this book from Net Galley in exchange for my honest opinion of it. This book was just a typical Christmas romance novel. Short and sweet.

Every year I look forward to Melody Carlson's annual Christmas book, wondering if she will be able to top the previous year and that in itself is a good recommendation. However, the one reason her annual books are so memorable is that they are all different. If she has a cookie cutter format like you see in those made for television Christmas movies, I have not seen it. From The Christmas Joy Ride to the Christmas Angel Project, her stories are fresh and evoke fond feelings for the Christmas spirit. Perhaps, because they nudge us to think of those caring feelings we have for others. Perhaps because she can touch the heart of the human spirit.

If ever one wanted a new start, moving from sunny Phoenix to Winter Hill, in Eastern Washington is about as fresh as you can get considering the weather, culture and small town life. For someone with an aversion to Christmas, the town's preoccupation with Christmasville had Kristen wondering if she rushed into accepting this new job. To make it more difficult, her daughter found everything about Winter Hill delightful. I found the story entertaining and easy to read. I am certain that this little town is thinly disguised as Leavenworth Washington, a delightful little town where Christmas is their middle name. The fact that my hometown is mentioned a couple of times in passing didn't hurt either. All that aside, I believe the message within the covers of this quick read is simple: honesty and integrity are never out of date. If you enjoy good-hearted stories, this one is for you. I highly recommend it.

This book is really a long ‘short story’, ideal for using as a palate-cleanser between more weighty tomes. How refreshing it is to read of a young girl with such a positive attitude, one who only sees the good in life (despite the rough hand it has already dealt her.) It is almost a role reversal between the parent & child, with the youngster having to chivvy her mother along all the way. What a pleasure she would be to live with! Whilst without the depth of some of Melody Carlson’s books, sometimes we just need a quick, light read - & especially one we know will be ‘clean’.

Krista Galloway takes a City Manager position in Winter Hill, WA and brings her daughter Emily. It is a grand new adventure until she becomes involved in some old battles at the courthouse and also discovers that there is a big Christmas celebration put on by the town every year. Christmas is her least favorite holiday and she doesn’t want to be involved.

Krista meets some great new people and gets involved with the family of her assistant and after a lot of angst she finds a home in this community. This was a fun, relaxing read.

I have voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from NetGalley. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.

This is a cute story with hope and prayer. Good Christmas book to read if you need something quick and clean book . I would recommend it to my friends to read

A sweet quick Christmas read filled with hope, warmth, and love. The perfect book to sit by a warm fire with a cup of peppermint cocoa and lose yourself in the joys of Winter Hill.

I received a complimentary copy from the publisher, Revell, through NetGalley. Any and all opinions expressed in the above review are entirely my own.

This is a quick and enjoyable Christmas read, with Hallmark feel to it. If you're looking for a sweet feel good Christmas novella, then this is it.

Christmas in Winter Hill by Melody Carlson is a sweet, easy read. The story follows Krista and her daughter Emily as they move from Phoenix, Arizona to a tiny town in Washington. Winter Hill is not only a small town with a chance for new beginnings, it is also the home of Christmasville, a yearly celebration to help bring revenue to the small place. However, Krista is not a huge fan of Christmas, and being the new city manager, she is expected to get on board and help plan the festivities. When conniving employees, asbestos filled rooms, and unhappy after school caregivers threaten to ruin her first few weeks, Krista is tempted to give in. But a nice young man and his family may be just what she needs to find her Christmas spirit. This was a lot of fun. It made me laugh and I had a few tears a couple of times. Definitely worth checking out if you enjoy holiday romances! I received a free copy of this story from NetGalley for my honest review. All opinions are my own.

This delightful Christmas novella totally enchanted me! I love Melody Carlson’s books because they are all quick and fast-paced reads. This little book was a real joy to read and to prepare one’s heart for the holiday season. Krista Galloway, the main character, doesn’t really like Christmas at all because she spent her childhood in foster homes and has no good memories of the holiday. She does want to create good memories for her daughter Emily, though. The two have just moved to the little town of Winter Hill as Krista has accepted the job of city manager there. Unbeknownst to her, Krista has also accepted the job of managing the town’s annual festival called Christmasville. It will take a local man and his daughter to convince Krista that there can be good in life, and especially at Christmastime. Fans of Carlson and Debbie Macomber will enjoy this book because it touches all of the right chords to make your heartstrings hum.

Krista has just accepted a job as the city manager of a mountain town called Winter Hill. She relocates with her young daughter. The longer she’s in the town, the more she wonders if maybe she has made a mistake.

Everyone in Winter Hill seems to be obsessed with the annual Christmasville celebration and expects her to be too. But Krista hates Christmas and has a number of valid reasons why she should.

Christmas in Winter Hill is a Hallmark movie in book format. It was easy to read and the characters were fun to get to know. The plot wasn’t very complicated and I read it as a modern rendition of the Christmas story complete with Santa, Scrooge and the Grinch.

Krista’s and Emily’s were more developed than the other characters. And while I liked Conner, I felt that the romance was a bit forced. I was happy that Ms. Carlson did not claim the characters were in love because while they had some contact, it wasn’t enough in my opinion to create a genuine connection.

The romance between Krista and Conner was not a prevalent feature of Christmas in Winter Hill as it was more of a Christmas magic kind of tale. I enjoyed reading it and would recommend it to anyone looking for a light, feel-good read.

If you’re a huge fan of sweet and predictable Hallmark type movies/stories then you’re going to love this book because it’s so steeped in all things Christmas you’re guaranteed a mouth full of cavities after the happily ever after.This book is well written for maximum holiday cheer but the author fails to provide an emotional connection to the characters, the storyline isn’t in the least bit original and the climax of the story was sadly lacking and totally predictable. I really do love Christmas stories but this fairytale was way too jolly, unoriginal and repetitive for me. I read a complimentary copy of this book through NetGalley and all opinions expressed in my voluntary review are completely my own.

Christmas in Winter Hill is a very well written inspirational romance. I throughly enjoyed the plot and the characters. The book is a good fast read. I highly recommend this book. My thanks to the publisher for my advance ebook. This is my unbiased review.

The cover alone would draw you to this delightful book. Melody Carlson always pleases, always brings a feeling of goodness into her tales.
Krista, with her daughter Emily, make a move from the big city, Phoenix, to a small town, where she takes up the position of City manager. It seems as though so many things, and people, are against her to begin with. Gradually she becomes accepted and we share in the delightful descriptions of a small town's preparations for Christmasville.
Emily , without telling her mother, enters a competition to win the Christmasville house. When you hear her letter you can imagine the beautiful result.
It is a very nice book, as are all of Melody Carlson's.
Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for the chance to read and review this book.

Christmas in Winter Hill is a clean, fast contemporary Christian Christmas read that leaves you feeling good. The town of Winter Hill has a new city manager, the divorced mom of a sweet 8 year old daughter. As they arrive in Winter Hill, they quickly become immersed in the town's Christmas celebrations. Amidst the beginning of a new job, a new town, and new friends, the main character also uncovers discrepancies in the city's budget. As she works to settle those problems, she and her daughter learn how small towns operate in every sense of the word. Quick, sweet Christmas story with a touch of romance. Well worth your time to read! Another sweet read by Melody Carlson!

This is my 16th Christmas novella by Melody Carlson, and she has yet to disappoint. With complex, realistic characters, her stories always sparkle with the fantasy of Christmas in the midst of everyday life.

Krista Galloway has left her job in Phoenix as an assistant city manager to take on the role of city manager in the small town of Winter Hill Washington. Krista grew up in foster homes and never felt Christmas or her birthday on Christmas Eve got much attention. So she is somewhat of a Grinch when it comes to Christmas. But as a single mother of an eight year old daughter, Emma, she has worked hard to hide her dislike of the materialism of Christmas to make it special for her daughter. But Winter Hill is all about Christmas and their annual Christmas extravaganza called Christmasville that draws in lots of tourists and helps bring in money to the small town. So when she arrives the week before Thanksgiving, as city manager she has no choice but to become involved which, in turn, leads to all sorts of problems that divide the town's citizens.

I loved that this novella is full of the Christmas spirit, great main and secondary characters, and a wonderful plot line. I felt completely drawn into Winter Hill, its citizens, and it's magical Christmas feel. The Christmas house contest was delightful, and I loved Emma's heartfelt letter. You can't finish reading this novella without feeling the warmth of Christmas

Christmas in Winter Hill by Melody Carlson is a sweet well-written story about finding the Christmas Spirit as well as finding a place to belong. It has a feel good ending after the main character overcomes many obstacles including her own attitude.

Krista Galloway has had more than her share of difficulties during the past Christmases but taking the position of manager at a small town that is known for having huge Christmasville celebrations, she is going to be right in the middle of it this year. The story focuses on Krista and her daughter, Emily as they negotiate a move across country. The town manager job especially some of the meeting bog the story down a bit but are relevant to the overall plot. However, Emily brighten up every scene that she is in.

This little family of two find hope, love and the magic of Christmas is this charming story. Even the “Ba-humbug” of a town accountant can’t stop this story from shining.

A short, sweet holiday read, Christmas in Winter Hill will delight fans of Hallmark Christmas movies. I wouldn't be in the least surprised to hear of its being made into a screen play at some time in the future.

Krista Galloway and her eight-year-old Emily moved from Phoenix to Winter Hill, Washington for Krista's new job as city manager. Krista is dismayed to learn of the city's obsession with their Christmasville celebration, having no fond Christmas memories of her own. Circumstances cause her to appear to be the town Grinch, and Krista faces disappointing Emily with another move.

I am grateful to have received a copy of Christmas in Winter Hill in exchange for my honest opinion. I was under no obligation to provide a positive review and received no monetary compensation.

Christmas in Winter Hill captures the spirit of Christmas beautifully! 5 charming stars!

Christmas in Winter Hill is an absolutely charming story. The gorgeous cover drew me right in to the lovely streets of Winter Hill.
This is a story about finding the joy of Christmas, and divorced single mom Emily is on just such a journey. Her adorable eight year old daughter Emily is a pure delight and ray of sunshine throughout the book. Contractor Connor is a strong and steady influence and his fourteen year old daughter Anna is a great friend to Emily. It's refreshing to see a teenager portrayed in a positive light.
Emily's new job as city manager gives her many problems to solve in edition to adjusting to her move to Winter Hill, a town in love with all things Christmas and completely contrary to her own sentiments.
The story is beautifully written. I enjoyed the Christmasville celebration events and loved the idea of a Christmas house. Melody Carlson is one of my favorite Christmas book authors. I recommend Christmas in Winter Hill for it's ability to capture the spirit of Christmas in such a lovely way.
I appreciate Revell providing a copy of Christmas in Winter Hill for review.