I am so grateful to have had a chance to read an advanced copy of this wonderful book. It gave me ALL the feelings. 😄🥹☺️😭🥲🥺🥰

I didn’t read the blurb, but within the first few chapters, I had a feeling my heart was going to hurt when this book was over.

The story and characters drew me in right away and I immediately wanted to know more.

Sienna is newly divorced and alone at Christmastime- she needs her heart healed. Guy has a daughter who may not live to see the new year. When he shows up to answer a “Husband For Hire” ad that was supposed to be a joke, Sienna realizes how serious he is and how she may be able to help.

Together in a marriage of convenience they both strive to make life a bit easier for each other and end up finding hope and love again.

The fight in them is remarkable. The slow burn chemistry is brilliant. Both of their character development is inspiring. I was enthralled with the writing and found it hard to put down. I laughed, I cried. Oof- What a read!!

The Christmas You Found Me is about a lonely, down on her luck rancher, Sienna Naples, who finds a lonely, desperate father, Guy Maple, with a very ill daughter. When Sienna decides to help this beleaguered family, she changes not only thier life, but hers as well.

Every aspect of this novel presented like a Hallmark Christmas movie but there were much heavier elements at play here and it made the novel seem more like a drama than a romance. While the story was touching and engaging with sympathetic characters, some of the plot was quite unbelievable and other elements felt unresolved.

While I did enjoy the novel it was not a light and breezy Christmas read. Recommended for readers who want a holiday novel with a little more drama. 3 stars

Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Casablanca for an advanced reader copy of this novel.

Huge thank you to NetGalley for this eARC

I simply adore Sarah Morgenthaler’s books. I was overjoyed when she announced another book coming. Let me tell you, it did NOT disappoint.

Make sure you check the trigger warnings because this book is incredibly intense in what the characters have going on in their lives regarding the health of those around them.

Sienna is so easy to fall in love with. How hard she fights. How grumpy she is. How big she loves.

Guy is the guy (had to) we all wish we had. He is so well articulated and you can feel his suffering and joy right through the page

Emma and Barley is the romance I’m here for though

No notes, I just want to to hang with their little town friends and never leave…. Except to go to Moose Springs ;)

I have never read anything by this author before, but I really enjoyed reading this book. The pacing was good and the character's were developed very well.

I adore Sarah and her Alaska series so I was very interested to pick up her latest book. Let me just tell you it was the most amazing gut punch you will ever experience. This had a lot of the things we have come to love from Sarah moments of laugh out loud humor and tons of sizzling banter between our main characters. However there is a lot of extra heart that got poured into this one. This is a story full of desperation and grief; but ultimately its about finding your safe people and being ok with letting your self be safe with them. Letting your self feel and have hope again even with everything just sucks. This book had me laughing and bawling in equal measures. I think everyone should read this amazing romance. And while it might not seem like the thing to read at Christmas time it totally is. Esp. when you get to the end and read the author's note (which you should TOTALLY do). Sarah bless you for all that you do and for allowing your readers to be part of your safe space. You have touched us all in ways you will never know.

So, so good! I really loved this one! It was a romance with some depth and covered a variety of deeper themes. It features a woman who is recently divorced, a single Dad and his adorable daughter, small town holiday magic, snowy mountains, a barn full of animals, a slow burn romance and a whirlwind marriage of convenience.

Some of the deeper themes mentioned above include divorce, an elderly parent with dementia, a sick child, kidney failure, hospital stays and being on the transplant list. There's lots going on in this story but it has a lot of heart and is full of hope and love. I love a romance that has a bit more to it, so this one was really good and I enjoyed it a lot!

This story was amazing! I highly recommend this book. This was a heartwarming story with characters you can’t help but fall in love with. This was my first book by this author but it definitely won’t be my last

I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I loved this book. It was wonderful and really helped me get into the Christmas spirit!

I did not expect this book to have me sobbing like it did. I just love Emma so much and wanted her to be okay. When I say it's a slow burn I mean that in terms of book length, not story time. The whole book takes place over maybe a month and a half. Guy and Sienna are so cute and I love how they learned to rely on each other.

I received an arc through netgalley.

I was a huge fan of the Moose Springs series so I was pumped to receive an ARC. WOW. What an emotional gut punch. This has a very different vibe than Moose Springs but still delivers on banter, chemistry, and wonderful, complex characters.

For my first Christmas read this season I did not expect such an emotional story but Sarah Morgenthaler has crafted a story of tragedy, hope, redemption and a little magic in The Christmas You Found Me. Sienna, newly divorced, is struggling running her ranch alone when her friend plays a trick on her and advertises a husband for hire. Never expecting a response, she's shocked when her friend tells her a single dad has responded. The catch: he needs insurance for his daughter's kidney transplant in order for the hospital to approve the transplant. Sienna, worn down from her divorce and her father's failing memory, she feels motivated to help Guy and his sweet daughter Emma. Not bargaining for actual feelings, Sienna and Guy find themselves pulled towards each other. As Emma's health fails, they are in a race against time this holiday season. Told with warmth, decent character development and pacing, The Christmas You Found Me is an emotionally charged holiday novel that her readers will enjoy.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC in exchange for my honest feedback.

4.25 (points deducted for absurd geography)

I don’t think I’ve ever read such a sad story and, as a fan of the Moose Springs, Alaska series, I was in no way prepared for this book.

I dove in, reading the trigger warnings at the beginning, but really just frustrated with the absurd geography that is laid out (see below).

Putting that aside, this is a beautiful story, but it is full with layers upon layers of hardship and loss right up to the end. I’m not saying that there isn’t some good news or happiness along the way or at the end, but the struggle with Emma and her failing kidney is its own main character and it is layered with the man who is broken and trying to keep her alive, the woman who is also facing several kinds of loss, and the other animals and people they love who have been hit hard. I know I’m a cryer, but this was a new level of tears. If this book doesn’t make you cry, we might need to put you on the transplant list for a new heart.

At one point, I tried to explain a couple scenarios to my mother who thought I must have a really bad cold due to my sniffles, but she soon asked me to stop telling her any more about the book because it was just too sad. I hate to be such a downer because this is a sweet story with a sweet romance for two people who deserve it, but just be prepared. I gave it the rating I did because it’s a good story, just not the rom-com that the cover, title, and author might imply.

That’s all I can say without any spoilers. After the book, the authors note indicates that Sara Morganthaler lost her husband in a motorcycle accident soon after the Moose Springs books. That explains some of the change in the feel of this story, but I can’t imagine writing such a fraught story with that real tragedy weighing on me. You don’t have to have a history with any of the triggers mentioned to feel deeply for the struggles of the characters.

FYI: The story supposedly takes place in northern Idaho. Emma‘s doctors are “two hours away” in Idaho Falls, one of the furthest cities in actual geography, probably more like a ten hour drive to the southeast part of the state, depending on how far north you start. The location of the story takes place next to the Frank Church – River of No Return Wilderness, which is in the center of the state. You would think someone would take a look at a map and at least attempt something plausible. It makes me wonder how naïve I may have been with the Alaska stories and any book somewhere unfamiliar.


Thank you to Sarah Morgenthaler, NetGalley, and Berkeley Publishing Group for providing me with a free advanced copy of this book in exchange for my unbiased review.

When newly divorced Sienna meets Guy, a single father with a four-year-old daughter in kidney failure, she learns that little Emma may lose her place on the transplant list because of insurance complications. Enter: marriage of convenience. Sienna and Guy get married so Emma can have insurance and keep her spot on the list.

This book deals with some heavy emotional situations, but they are all handled so well and balanced with very sweet moments in between. And I really liked seeing Sienna be strong and independence, taking care of her own cattle and land.

I'm very happy to see Sarah Morgenthaler picking up her writing again, and am hopeful to see more!

Romance: fade to black

On the one year anniversary of her divorce, Sienna’s friend jokingly puts an ad in the paper looking for a husband. Guy, a desperate man looking for a miracle (and health insurance) for his very ill 4-year-old daughter responds. Despite not actually wanting a husband, Sienna agrees to marry Guy to help Emma. It isn’t long before the love grows among this fake family.
If you’ve been here for a while you probably know I don’t ever read a synopsis. I quite literally judge a book by its cover and that’s how I decide what to read every single time. This book shows that I have not learned my lesson because I was not prepared for the emotional journey this book took me on, especially that last 25%.
This book was incredible. Truly such a beautiful story of an unlikely family who found each other and created the most incredible bond with the magic of the holidays to back it up. There were some very heavy undertones throughout the book making this different from the lighthearted holiday reads I typically gravitate toward. Although I was ugly crying while reading, I did end this story with a warm heart and it has stuck with me since I put it down.
I listened to the audiobook and it truly captivated me. I finished the book in one day while decorating my library because I was so engrossed in the story I didn’t want to stop. Haley Taylor did a phenomenal job with the narration.
Thank you to Sourcebooks Casablanca, Dreamscape Media, and NetGalley for the advance copies.

Sienna and Guy meet in the most unconventional way. Fresh off of her divorce, as in, the same day it's finalized, Sienna's friend Jess jokingly publishes an ad for a husband for hire in the local paper. Desperate to do what he can for his daughter, Emma, who's in kidney failure, Guy answers. In an awkward meeting at a coffee shop, Sienna's compassion takes over and before the day is through, she finds herself with a fiance, and two new roomates.

I've loved all of Sarah Morganthaler's books, and The Christmas You Found Me is no exception. It's heavier, a little more complicated, it has grief and loss, but ultimately ends on a hopeful note. The fear and frustration of raising a child who's not like the others is accurately and gently handled. Emma is absolutely adorable, Sienna embracing her and adapting to her needs made my heart ache in the best way. Guy is the most devoted of dads, he's what you would hope every child gets to experience. Don't let the heavier elements of the book scare you away, there is definitely humor and laughter and shiny moments that fill your hear.

I’ve read and enjoyed several of Sarah Morgenthaler’s books. The Christmas You Found Me is by far my favourite of hers so far. Her characters were dynamic and there was substance and depth to the story that I haven’t seen in her other books. This was a joy to read.
Thank you NetGalley for providing me with a digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Just a truly beautiful and lovely book. A perfect Christmas time read and you'll fall in love with Guy and Sienna.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

The Christmas You Found Me by Sarah Morgenthaler is an emotional triumph that completely stole my heart!! Having devoured all of Sarah’s previous works, I can confidently say this is her finest story yet. It’s clear that she poured her own experiences of heartache, healing, and growth into every page, resulting in a story that is raw, poignant, and intensely real!

The story of Guy Maple, a devoted single father desperate to save his precious daughter, and Sienna Naples, a woman craving connection during a lonely holiday season, is as compelling as it is tender. Guy’s determination to secure Emma’s future, despite impossible odds, is truly moving, and Sienna’s warmth and resilience bring a sense of hope that lights up their shared journey! The slow-burn romance between Guy and Sienna is beautifully crafted; each moment is imbued with subtlety and authenticity, making their love story feel natural and deeply affecting!

Morgenthaler’s ability to create a small-town setting filled with holiday magic, quirky animals, and unforgettable characters elevates this story to something extraordinary. Each character, from Guy and Sienna to Emma and the endearing townspeople, is vibrant and memorable, leaving an imprint long after the last page is turned, and familiar enough I will want to come back to this book again and again!

This story made me laugh, cry (more than once!), and root for this newfound family with every fiber of my being!! It’s an honest, heartfelt story that reminds readers of the power of love, sacrifice, and the joy of finding a place—and people—to call home. For those looking for a romance rich in emotion and full of holiday spirit, The Christmas You Found Me is an absolute must-read, I can't recommend it enough!

Sarah Morgenthaler has truly outdone herself!!

This is my first book from this author although I have some of her others on my TBR! Typical! I really enjoyed it and found it quite easy to get into Sarah’s writing. It is an emotionally charged read despite being a bit insta-feelings at times but it’s a good story that will tug your heartstrings. Probably for fans of Sarah Morgan and maybe fans of Elsie Silver.

The Christmas You Found Me is such a heartwarming, emotional and beautiful Christmas romance. While it did break my heart multiple times, it also brought on so much hope and left me smiling. The author truly has a way with words and how she crafted this story to make it absolutely unforgettable. From the start I fell in love with the characters, the setting and the plot of the story.

The characters are absolutely beautiful. They have the biggest hearts, the best of intentions, are so caring towards one another and are honestly the epitome of what a family is, blood or no blood. The lengths each of them went through was absolutely gut wrenching, the moments between father and daughter, step mother and step daughter absolutely warmed my heart. Add on all the Christmas love and cheer, it just made for a wonderful read.

This is in no way an easy book to read as there are some very emotional moments, but it is highly rewarding in the end. The whole message of the book, the storyline is absolutely beautiful. Morgenthaler is a masterful storyteller and I am definitely on the lookout for more from this author.

✨️Thank you to @netgalley, @dreamscapemedia & @sarahmorgenthaler for my gifted ARC & ALC in exchange for an honest review.