Member Reviews

I really enjoyed this book. It's a great hometown romance. It's seriously such a hallmark feeling book, and I loved every second of it. I recommend this book if you are looking for a sweet Christmas book. Love how the relationship worked out and how the story went.

Was this review helpful?

This was a no for me. Didn’t realize it was a Christian romance- probably would not have picked it up had there been an indication to that. DNF’d at 50%. This was just super slow and could not hold my interest.

Thanks NetGalley for for an e-copy in exchange for an honest review.

Was this review helpful?

Thank you to NetGalley for the early release copy of Snow Place Like Home by Lacey Baker.
A cozy feel good read that will warm your heart. A story of love and second chances and HOME.

The reader did a great job and I enjoyed the performance of the book.
I look forward to exploring other books by this author.

Was this review helpful?

Thank you NetGalley for this ARC!

This was such a sweet heartwarming story. I enjoyed every bit of it. I loved the characters and their development. Such a wholesome book!

Was this review helpful?

I didn't realize that this was from a Christian imprint when I requested this title, but it was a cute story nonetheless.

Was this review helpful?

This was a sweet and wholesome winter read! I enjoyed the dual narration and POVS. Wasn't my favorite holiday book, but wasn't the worst either. Just good

Was this review helpful?

This book was slow and didn’t draw me in. The characters kept harping on the same themes over and over, and I just didn’t really care what happened.

Was this review helpful?

Who would have thought working with a former classmate would be so challenging? Now that they were both grown adults, building a relationship was extremely difficult. They had to create something fresh and move on from the past, and its painful memories. The two come to an agreement: Ella Wilson will auction her extravagant creations if she allows widowed Seth Hamil to demonstrate to her why Christmas is about more than just ornate decorations. Soon both begin to wonder whether fate has brought them together for a fresh start—and if Christmas wishes really can come true.

Talking about their high school experiences, Ella and Seth both understand that things weren't as they appeared. There were a ton of misconceptions. Can they put the memories behind them and work together the way her Aunt Addie wanted? Each person is aware that they have lost a loved one, and they are both grieving. Ella notices that Seth appears to be managing his grief in a constructive manner. They both agree on this and make a commitment to be more open about their feelings.

This is a touching tale about friendship, faith, and forming new connections. I enjoyed how Aunt Addie encouraged reluctant Ella to utilize her skills to help this little town raise the funds required to build and restore a recreation center the community needs.

I appreciate how honest Seth was about his situation; he is still in mourning over the passing of his wife and is making every effort to take care of his dog and his teaching responsibilities. I adored how the entire community came together to host a wonderful Christmas celebration that included gorgeous decorations, a dash of healing, and a beautiful romance!

I listened to the audio book and read the novel. I became fascinated with the way Trei Taylor's narrated this novel. I thought the narrator's voiceovers for several characters were outstanding. The more I listened to the audiobook, the more the narrative touched me personally. I could hear the characters’ frustration, anxiety, and longing as Ella and Seth worked together on the auction to obtain the necessary Christmas trees needed for the celebration. I liked the warmth, delight, and Christmas spirit that this tale evokes. This is a wonderful story to lose yourself in, and one that makes for a fun book club pick.

Was this review helpful?

This sweet Christmas themed romance would make for a great reading choice around the holidays. Fun and readable in the style of the Hallmark Christmas Movie. The narrator's reading for the audiobook edition was engaging and gave a feeling of authenticity to the characters' voices. Recommended.

Was this review helpful?

Imagine the sweetest Christmas movie, which also touches on serious topics, like faith, and loss, and makes you feel all warm and fuzzy inside, but in a book form. I loved this book. The protagonists were likeable, the story wonderful, it gave me some food for thought and faith in happy endings and Christmas magic.

Was this review helpful?

I've read the Netgalley ARC blurb about this multiple times but nowhere did it say that this was Christian clean closed door romance - I do not need spice to enjoy a romance read, but there was no info for me to tell you I am not the audience for this. It is so slow paced and oddly specific about what everyone is wearing every scene and I'm so so bored. I didn't feel any chemistry or interest and sadly I DNFd at 60%. I don't read GR reviews before obtaining an ARC bc I want my opinions to be my own but if I had, I would have known ahead of time.

Was this review helpful?

Reviewed for NetGalley:

I reviewed the audiobook version of this book.

A bittersweet, holiday romance with a little more heart than the average Hallmark holiday tale.

Ella, avoiding holidays for years after suffering great loss, is thrown into her hometown's Christmas tree auction with her first love, Seth.

Enjoyable read and the narrator did a great job bringing the words to sound.

Was this review helpful?

Snow Place Like Home by Lacey Baker is a cute and clean Christmas story. It follows Ella and Seth, former high school classmates, that end up back in their hometown. They both have painful pasts, but end up working together on a project and begin to wonder if theirs could be a true love story. I listened to this book and found the narrator's voice to be pleasant and she enunciated well, I listened at 2x speed.

Was this review helpful?

Was given this book as an ARC from NetGalley as an audiobook. If you are looking for a book to read during the cozy holiday season, this is it! Seth and Ella both have some traumas to work through so they can heal and learn to love and enjoy life again. The slow burn romance is done very well. I also really enjoyed listening to this narrator. Trei Taylor has a wonderful voice and she narrates several characters very well.

Was this review helpful?

Cute story about Ella going home after years of staying away. Shows her getting reacquainted with her Aunt and back into life in her hometown. Little does she know her high school crush is there and healing his heart after his wife passed away. The only thing I found annoying is that it felt like Ella was constantly whining but that could just have been how the narrator was reading it. If you like Christmas movies, you will like this book.

Was this review helpful?

This was a sweet holiday book.
The story was beautiful, it was such a great journey following Ella's faith and her reconnection to Christmas.
I love a bit of romance so Seth was a great addition to the story!
The narrator did a fantastic job in evoking emotions and she kept the story flowing nicely.
I went through so many emotions in this book and still came out feeling happy.
A job well done!

Was this review helpful?

just what i like this time of year a heartwarming story set in a Christmas setting - i know- strange for a jewish person who doesn’t celebrate the holiday - but maybe that is why I enjoy them so much. The story reminded me of your favorite cozy blanket and how it surrounds you with comfort and warmth.

At the time i requested the audio I did not realize it was a faith based Christian book, but I soldiered through it and really ended up enjoying it.

Was this review helpful?

Snow Place Like Home: A Christmas Novel by Lacey Baker
The two protagonists journey through grief during the novel, but it is not sad and depressing; rather, it is full of Christmas fun and cheer, with lots of lights, decorations, and holiday songs. One can almost taste the snickerdoodle hot cocoa and tasty treats. An uplifting holiday read.

Was this review helpful?

Snow Place Like Home is a not just a Christmas story, but a story about healing and learning to love again. This is a cozy Christian holiday romance, Perfect for those on the hunt for a holiday romance with just a bit more!

Overall,, I enjoyed this love story. Ella's healing journey at times was difficult to read about, she wasn't always that likable. You get to go on a second-chance love story with Seth and Ella that is so rewarding and sweet. I really wanted Seth to get his happily ever after.

It should be stated that this is very much a Christian romance, while i had read the blurb and it mentioned church I was unaware how much religion would play in the plot line. Just be aware of this as you go in to read it. If you are agnostic, of a non-christian religion, or aethiest than this book may not be for you.

I did enjoy this story, particularly the narrators performance. The narrator really breathes life into this story and keeps you listening. While I didn't bond with the characters as much as I would have liked, I really enjoyed this story and think that anyone looking for a Christian Christmas romance should check this one out!

Was this review helpful?

I loved this story! The characters were well developed and I couldn’t wait to see what happened next. The story was light and filled with holiday cheer, philanthropy and romance.

Was this review helpful?