I have been a fan of Richard Paul Evans for years and I have read every book he has written. He has NEVER disappointed me and he still hasn't. This book was absolutely AMAZING!! I devoured this book in a day because I couldn't put it down.

Leigh has had some bad luck throughout her life with an abusive marriage, growing up in an unstable home and witnessing tragedies as an EMT. She feels like she has nothing left to give until she finds a book by J.D. Harper called Bethel. That book spoke to her in so many ways. Because of how he made her fell with Bethel she started reading everything he wrote. She still knew nothing about him as an author but loved his writing. He ends up coming to town for a book signing and she decides she is going to attend to finally meet the man who spoke to her in Bethel. Of course by a twist of fate, these two run into each other at a coffee shop and thet have an instant connection. These two get swept up in dinners and some travels along the way. J.D. also has a past that was not easy and has a secret he needs to tell. Will that tear them apart or bring them closer?

This is an absolute must read holiday story! The story and characters were well written and so enjoyable. Richard Paul Evans just has a way of writing the perfect story that will make you fell all your emotions but still have you smiling. I HIGHLY recommend this book. I would also recommend anything Richard Paul Evans writes as well.

Thank you NetGalley and Gallery Books for allowing me to read this ARC for my honest opinion.

Leigh Beth Stilton has had a lifetime full of heartbreak and trauma. She was broken - until she read the book Bethel that is. That book changed her perspective, and she felt like the author was speaking directly to her. She went on to read every book that J.D. Harper, had written to date. When he comes to town for a book signing, she jumps at the chance to meet her favorite author. In a twist of fate, Leigh runs into J.D. in a coffee shop, but not knowing what he looked like and he was using the name Lee, she had no idea that was who he was. The two immediately hit it off, and before she knows it, she’s swept up in a whirlwind romance. But she’s still guarded after a lifetime of pain and when she discovers that J.D. hasn’t been completely honest, she shuts down and walks away. Can they find their way back to each other and can Leigh learn to trust her heart?

This is a quick read that is both magical and heart-wrenching. The romance between J.D. and Leigh is magical and I wanted it to work out for them. Both of their backstories however, were heart-wrenching. It nearly brought tears to my eyes reading about what horrors parents inflicted upon them. This wasn't so much a Christmas story as it was a love story & a story of reinvention. I loved it, and I think you will too.

This felt very different from the other books by Richard Paul Evans that I’ve read, and I’ve read quite a few of them. In one way, it added an essence of reality to the story, while at the same time feeling as though this was written by a different author at times. But then again, I have typically read his books that were not quite as different as this one was, and I enjoyed seeing that side of how he writes.

A love story, if not your everyday kind of love story, this is a story of two souls who have had a life that was filled with pain, especially in their younger years. A pain that still manages to haunt them both. They meet randomly, when she was in line to have the author sign his latest book but left to get something for herself and another woman who is holding her place in line. But as she’s waiting for her orders, the author offers her a seat, and a conversation follows. What follows is the beginning of a friendship that grows into something more.

A sweet story, overall.


Pub Date: 26 Nov 2024


Many thanks for the ARC provided by Gallery Books

Thank you to NetGalley, Gallery Books and Simon Audio for the ALC and ARC.

This was a really beautiful and thought provoking novel from best selling author Richard Paul Evans. I enjoyed his series of "Mistletoe" themed books, and his "The Christmas Box" is a favorite book and classic Hallmark movie of mine to read and watch around the holiday season, so I was super excited to read this amazing book. I loved the story of Beth and Lee and compared to some romance novels written today, their characters felt like they could be real people. Real people with real flaws and emotions. This shows that Richard Paul Evans is a fantastic writer.

I also thought that Helene Maksoud was the perfect narrator for this book, and I found her voice to be sweet and soothing. I believe I have listened to her narrate other books before, and I would certainly be interested in listening to future audiobooks narrated by her as well. I loved how she brought Beth and Lee's character's to life.


At some points in the story, I felt like I was inside the book experiencing what the characters were going through with them. That is a definite sign of an amazing writer. While this book may not be my favorite Christmas novel by Richard Paul Evans, this book really touched my heart and soul and made a great impact on me. I am sure I will want to revisit this book in Christmas seasons to come as I have done with other Richard Paul Evan's Christmas novels.

I highly recommend you pick this book up for a quick and easy read this holiday season!

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC and ALC.

Tear-jerker about an abused woman whose life changes when she meets her favorite author. A bit melodramatic, but still an enjoyable holiday read.

I received an arc copy of this book from Net Galley in exchange for my honest opinion of it. I normally read psychological thrillers but I can never pass up a book by this author! I finished it up in a day. It was an absolutely wonderful Christmas story! His words just flow and have so much meaning!!!!

Evans' latest Christmas romance follows Leigh Beth Stilton, a woman who is single by choice, and who has never liked the holidays. She grew up in an unstable home, and escaped an abusive marriage, and has had enough.

She doesn't care about Christmas, but she does care about her favorite author, J.D. Harper, a man whose books spoke to her long ago when she happened upon one of them in a bookstore years ago. Now she finally has a chance to attend one of his signings and meet him in person.

Richard Paul Evans' books tug at your heartstrings, and this one is no different. I absolutely adored this book!

WOW! Richard Paul Evans doesn't disappoint! He is always a must read for me - where you drop everything to read his newest reads and he did it again!

He is well known as an amazing writer who tends to write on the inspirational side and his Christmas books are unparalleled. His newest one, Christmas is Bethel touches every level of the heart and emotions. The past experiences of all the characters and their stories and how he weaves it together, he truly has a gift!

For those, who lived through childhood trauma, myself included, this could be hard to relive, however, the power of healing is so evident in this story and so happy to have read this powerful read.

Would you like to spend Christmas in Bethel? Where is Bethel you ask? You need to read this book to find out. Two souls who didn't know they needed each other meet in this fabulous read. Leigh is a lost soul as is JD Harper. They meet unexpectly and their lives are changed forever. I finished it in one day. What an amazing book!!!!

Thanks Netgalley for allowing me to read this book. Leigh has not had an easy life. She avoids Christmas at all cost. Her remote job keeps her busy. When she meets her favorite author, she is surprised. The author is very nice to her and sweeps her off her feet. I liked this book.

I have been a fan of Richard Paul Evans books for quite some time and eagerly anticipate his holiday books.
First of all, the cover is beautiful. Christmas card pretty! The themes of redemption and hope should have been moving but fell a bit flat for me. The chemistry between J.D. and Beth rang false to me and the storyline although heartbreaking didn't engage me as a reader. I'm disappointed this simply missed the mark for me this time.
Lots of triggers in this book (multiple abuses) for some readers.
However, l will continue to pick up and read the books of Richard Paul Evans.

Thank you to #netgalleyand #gallerybooks for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.
This book releases November 26/2024.

I typically enjoy Richard Paul Evans’ Christmas novel but this one just didn’t resonate with me. Not his finest work.

I received a free copy of, Christmas in Bethel, by Richard Paul Evans, from the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Leigh has never liked the holiday, she has had a very traumatic life, and the holidays were not always a time for joy. Leigh meets famous author J,D, harp at a coffee shop in the mall, before his book signing. I usually love Richard Paul Evans book, but not this one. Not going to spoil the plot, but I knew what was going to happen, and I did not like it.

We meet Beth Stilton when she has truly hit rock bottom. Running through the timeline of her life it seems she started off in a bad place with bad people and it only got worse. With each turn Beth tried her best to escape the abuse and loneliness that haunted her days but Beth never found that happy ending she dreamed about. When she had finally given up, Beth - a lifelong reader - found a novel by J.D. Harper. It saved her life, literally. The years following she remained as isolated as possible but this author, whose books she devoured over and over again - helped her climb into the light of the living. To her delight J.D. Harper scheduled a local book signing and Beth would not miss it for the world. In line for hours she takes a coffee break and miracle of miracles, meets the man himself. He is kind, smart, good looking and calls himself Lee. Beth cannot imagine a scenario where this perfect human is interested in her sorry self. But he is. Their instant connection and friendship blossoms with love and excitement that Beth had long ago given up on. There is a lot J.D. does not know about Beth’s horrific past. And apparently there is an equal amount Lee is hiding. As the Christmas season approaches Lee and Beth must figure out if their feelings can withstand the hard truth. Forgiving oneself is the theme of this magical holiday story that I read in one sitting.

Always an author who brings tears to my eyes and just like in this book, feels he speaks to me. A heartfelt story of broken people who find each other. A hopeful story of being patient and knowing that someone/something will come along to help you and give you purpose! A beautiful story of 2 beautifully healing people.

This story is comforting, a blessing, brought tears to my eyes, and as Beth and Lee's connection started, it reminded me of a few things. One thing that Beth said in the book, was when she was at her lowest, she read the book, Bethel written by the author J.D. Harper, and she felt he was speaking directly to her. It gave her the courage to pick herself up and move on. When she learned that he was going to be signing books nearby, she knew she had to go. Oh, how this changed her and her life.
Richard Paul Evans book, Christmas in Bethel, like his others, makes me feel like he is talking to me. I received an ARC from Gallery Books through NetGalley. If I could give it a 10, I would. It is a heartfelt story, that went into my soul and nourished it.

I loved this book. It is an easy read that hooks you from the beginning. Though it is heartbreaking in parts, it also has redemption and hope. There is romance, humor and great side characters. I also liked that we got a little peek into the book industry.

There were a couple of side stories I would like to have seen taken further, so I think this would make a great series!

Thanks so much to NetGalley and Gallery Books for the ARC. All opinions are my own.

Beautiful!

One of my few 5 star books this year, Beth and Lee’s story is simply wonderful. They’ve both come from terrible backgrounds, yet their relationship is pure and real. Starting as strangers at a coffee shop, then Beth finds out that Lee is actually an author whose works she has admired for years, and played a pivotal part in her survival.

There is a secret revelation that endangers their relationship, but I don’t write spoilers so no more about that. Take my word that you will love this story!

Thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book, but my opinions are my own.

I really loved this story . Leigh Beth was reading The Bethal by J,D Harper and found out he was coming to her home town for a book signing .She felt that this author really was reaching out to her and she wanted to meet him. Not knowing who he was he asked to sit down with her and had coffee and talked and really connected , she didn't actually who he was until she was up to get her book signed. They started hanging out. He even came to her book club and she was so impressed. She had so many problems and a feeling of not being lovable due to her childhood and how he had experienced some of the same. Follow them on their journey as they attempt to get together and all the problems they have. THIS IS A GREAT READ. I highly recommend it/

I absolutely loved this book!!! I loved how Lee is so persistent in pursuing Beth, despite her fear that, like everything other good thing in her life, their relationship will end. Every woman wants to be pursued like that! This was such a well written romance, without too much romantic fluff. I’ll definitely be recommending this book to my book club!

I received an advanced readers copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.