I usually enjoy Melody Carlson's books. But I just couldn't connect with this one., To me, it seemed more simplistic that her other books. The story was nice and the characters were likable. But the story, to me, just didn't have any depth.

Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC for an honest review.

Melody Carlson brings us another delightful holiday novel. I always enjoy her Christmas novels and this one is one of my favorites.

While going through her grandmother’s belongings after her death, which leaves her with no family, Simone Winthrop finds an unopened letter written by her great-grandmother to her, asking Simone to go to the French Alps to find a treasure she had left there when she came to the United States. Simone is terrified to fly, but with the insistence of her best friend, decides to make the trip. As she searches for the treasure, she discovers much more than physical treasures.

This is a very enjoyable quick holiday read that you do not want to miss. I highly recommend this book that you will not want to put it down until you have finished reading it.

I received a copy of this book from Revell and NetGalley. The opinions expressed are my own.

From a beloved voice in inspirational Christmas fiction comes a story of lost treasure, discovered family, and grace.

What a delightful read! Melody Carlson is known for her Christmas stories filled with warmth and heart. I’ve enjoyed many of them, though I do believe A Christmas in the Alps is my favorite so far.

The plot of this book was very interesting. I loved reading about Simone finding her great-grandmother’s letter and then traveling to France in search of treasure. Carlson’s descriptions of the small village of Avre were completely charming. The idea of spending Christmas in this little town was just enchanting. I also loved reading about the Beaumonts’ experiences during WWII, as well as Simone’s search for her great-grandmother’s treasure. It kept me guessing throughout the book and added depth to this warm and sweet novella.

Simone was a lovely heroine. Her fear of flying makes her very relatable, as does her selflessness and dedication to her family. It was lovely to see the way things went for her after finding her great-grandmother’s letter; traveling to France, finding love, and getting to know her family. Sort of like a reward for all her hard work caring for her grandmother.

The supporting cast of characters was charming and rounded out the story. Tante Estelle, Kyle, and Noel all fit wonderfully in the story and just made it that much more enjoyable.

Fans of sweet Christmas stories with a dash of romance and a hint of mystery will love A Christmas in the Alps. I highly recommend this novella!

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Revell through NetGalley. All opinions expressed are my own.

I look forward to reading Melody Carlson’s annual Christmas story every fall. This year she has given us A Christmas in the Alps which takes readers to the French Alps. Simone Winthrop just lost her Grandma Betty, and she is busy clearing out her cluttered home. She comes across a letter written to her by her great-grandmother and namesake who has since passed away. Simone is told in the letter that there is a treasure her namesake left behind in Avre when she departed France in the 1940s with the American airman who would become her husband. Her great-grandmother wants Simone to have to the treasure, but she does not provide further details. Simone’s best friend, Andrea convinces her go on the adventure to France. I got to take the journey with Simone to Paris and then Avre. France in December sounds enchanting especially the Christmas markets. I found A Christmas in the Alps to be well-written with steady pacing. This is a short but engaging tale. Simone meets Kyle on the plane and finds herself attracted to him. Unfortunately, Simone fails to get his last name or number before Kyle rushes to catch his flight to Oslo. We wonder if they will meet again. The romance is sweet and plays out slowly. I enjoyed the descriptions of Avre and the factory that makes watches and clocks. The village has an old-world charm that is magical especially at Christmas. Simone gets a chance to search for family and the treasure. There is a light Christian element that emphasizes the importance of prayer and leaving our troubles within God’s hands. A Christmas in the Alps is a story about family and forgiveness. You do not want to wait until it is too late because then you may never get that chance to make amends with someone important. This is a lovely novella, but I found it lacking the humor and magic of Melody Carlson’s earlier Christmas stories. It is a sweet Christmas tale, but I just wanted a little more. A Christmas in the Alps is a cheery Christmas novella with a lost letter, a furtive treasure, a petrifying plane ride, a charismatic seat companion, charming Christmas markets, secret searches, striking clocks, and an astonishing answer.

After the death of her grandmother, Simone Winthrop was without family. But the sudden discovery of a letter her great grandmother had sent her two years ago, that she had never received, changed all this. In spite of her deep fear of flying, Simone travels to France to try to find the treasure her great grandmother says she wants her to have. Not knowing where to even begin her search, she tries to find family members who might assist her. Her trip proved to be life changing.

This is a story that embraces the courage to widen one's horizons , the importance of family and the power of forgiveness. The setting is magical and the characters are delightful. Secrets are revealed and there is romance.

I found this to be a well told and charming story. Highly recommended.

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

In this time of feeling unsure in traveling Melody Carlson takes us on a trip to France in A Christmas in the Alps. What a wonderful trip it is. And it is at the Christmas Season no less. Grab a cold drink or a hot one a comfortable chair and go join Simone.

Simone Winthrop needs something positive in her life. While she may not exactly see the found letter as true. However, what an adventure it is while she is searching for truth. A chance meeting of kindness on a plane, another soon afterwards in French Alps is surely no coincidence. This is a story filled with Old World charm, family treasure and love waiting to be found. Anyone who understands the need for healing after loss with identify with Simone. A story of hope.

The publisher through Net Galley provided an ARC. I have voluntarily decided to read and review, giving my personal opinions and thoughts.

I think this is around Melody Carlson's twenty-second Christmas book, of which I have read seven or eight. A Christmas in the Alps is a short, sweet, happily-ever-after story, a great little book for clearing your reading palate between weightier, more somber, reads. After recently becoming a fan of the BBC The Repair Shop series, I was especially interested in the story element of watch making and repair, a quaint occupation that leads one of Carlson's main characters to the also quaint town of Avre, France.

I am grateful to have received a complimentary copy of this book from Revell via NetGalley without obligation. All opinions expressed here are my own.

Melody Carlson has written a sweet novella just in time for Christmas reading. A Christmas in the Alps is a lovely story about Simone Sophia who endeavors to fulfill a request from her dying grandmother to search for a treasure in her French hometown. Although she is deathly afraid of flying, she is coerced by a friend to make the trip. She is seated next to a kind young man, Kyle, who helps her anxiety on the flight, but each goes their own way afterward.

What a coincidence! Kyle and Simone are reunited because her relatives own a clock-making factory that he is to be apprenticed to. Simone finds her relatives and also a mystery surrounding her grandmother and her French relatives. This story is a short sweet Christmas romance destined to bring the spirit of the season to its readers.

The mark of a good book is when you are sad to see the last page and with this book I didn’t want it to end. A sweet tail of family, love, and belonging, this book was well written and I often found myself smiling at the book. A great start to the holiday season.

Well written book but could have been slightly shorter rather than paced out. I will definitely look out for other books by her.

If you are like me, December is extremely busy, but love to read Christmas stories during the season. Melody Carlson writes the best stories that fulfills my love of a Christmas stories that are great, short romance stories that I can read when I have a few minutes to fit them in.
A Christmas in the Alps takes us to France where Simone is searching for her Great Grandma's treasure and meeting her extended family. Her seatmate from her flight over ends up in the same town and together they search for the treasure. The story is a delightful read.
I received a copy of A Christmas in the Alps complimentary from Net Galley, but all opinions are my own.

A Christmas in the Alps is a fantastic book. Well written plot, believable characters and a beautiful setting. I loved this book and highly recommend it. I received an advance ebook from the publisher and Netgalley and this is my unbiased review.

What a beautiful story of finding your family roots and so much more. Simone is at a turning point in her life. She has spent the last few years taking care of her grandmother, who had fallen ill to the terrible disease of Alzheimer’s. She had been raised by her grandparents, after her mother had abandoned her. She knew of no other relatives. As she was cleaning out her grandmothers house to sell it, she came across an unopened letter from her great grandmother. In this letter it talked of her family in a small town, located in the French Alps. Simone‘s dear friend, convinced her she needed to go find the secret and see if she had any relatives still living. After much trepidation, Simone reluctantly got on a plane to fly to France. While on her flight she met an interesting man, by the name of Kyle. Thinking she would never see him after they parted ways on their journey. But destiny seem to have other plans in store. This really is a wonderful story of love, adventure, family, history and faith. I enjoyed the storyline, it is creative and endearing. The characters are wonderful, well defined and engaging. It is a clean contemporary romance with historical ties. It is a quick afternoon, “take me away”, lovely read, with a wonderful HEA. There are many French phrases, but they are either well known or well translated.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

This was a short, sweet Christmas novella. The characters were likable and relatable. I enjoyed the setting and the family story of why Simone was in the French Alps.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

#BookReview: A CHRISTMAS IN THE ALPS by Melody Carlson (A Christmas Novella) 4 stars

Do you like to fly? I do but Simone was scared of flying. She didn’t want to fly but her great-grandmama's letter brought her all the way to Avre, France. She was anxious most of the time. I was glad when Kyle came to her rescue. He was such a sweet guy but then I would also be wary since he was too good to be true.

The description of Paris in the book brought back memories of our trip there. Her train ride to Avre sounds wonderful as well. Avre was amazing with its picturesque views and quaint little shops. I’d love to visit there.

If you like a sweet Christmas story of friendship, family, a little bit of romance, clockmaking and lots of snow, this one’s for you. I love how Simone found her treasure.

Thank you @Revell and #netgalley for the complimentary copy. All opinions expressed are my own.

A Christmas in the Alps - Melody Carlson

I received an advance review copy for free thanks to NetGalley and Revell and I am leaving this review voluntarily

After a time of heartache and loss, Simone Winthrop discovers a tantalizing letter from her French great-grandmother, which seems to suggest that she is heir to a family treasure. Ever practical, Simone assumes the claim is baseless, but her best friend encourages her to find out for sure. Despite her deep-rooted fear of flying, Simone boards a jet to travel to Paris at Christmastime to uncover the truth.

This is a sweet Christmas novella that allows the reader to escape to a beautifully described town in the French Alps. It is a quick, short read but is filled with just enough detail to make it a satisfying read.

Such a delightful, heart-warming read, perfect to get you into the Christmas spirit. If you are short on time and just want a quick book to get you in the Holiday spirit then this is the book for you.

Rating 4/5

What a ride this book was to read. I sailed thru the pages and had a great time reading it. It was just what I needed was a book that made me laugh out loud!
Fabulous book, loved the cover too!

American Simone Winthrop is sorting through her grandma's clutter with her bezzie Andrea. They discover a

letter which described a treasure in France. Simone is persuaded to conquer her fear of flying and head off for

the adventure of a lifetime.. She meets Kyle, a clockmaker on the flight, and then again in Avre..

Together they piece together a huge puzzle involving long-hidden secrets and a French family that Simone knew

nothing about.. This book is a lovely tale of discovery, joyous and uplifting.

. I enjoyed reading the book immensely.

.

I love Melody Carlson and was looking forward to reading this novella, Christmas In The Alps. It did not disappoint.

The premise of the story is Simone, the main character, finding a letter from her great grandmother addressed to her which was never opened. She never received the letter as her grandmother, who had dementia, misplaced it. Simone found it while cleaning out her grandmother's home after her passing. In the letter it says for her to go to Avre, France, to find a treasure. She doubts there is a treasure but she goes anyways! As she searches and meets long lost relatives and weathers the storm of family feuds, we are reminded to trust in God in all things. A fantastic read set in the French Alps. I look forward to Book #2 (as the epilogue at the end of the book hints there is more to the story to come!!)

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I absolutely adore Melody Carlson's yearly Christmas novellas!
This year I packed my bags and booked a flight to France with Simone.
She is on a journey to discover her great-grandmother's treasures that were hidden in the French Alps many years ago. Could it still be buried somewhere after so many years?
Simone is also hoping she learns more of her family ancestry.
What this trip also reveals is friendship, love, happiness and a bit of romance!
This is definitely a sweet, happy story that comes at just the perfect time of the year!
It is a quick, delightful trip (book) that will help get everyone in the Christmas spirit!!