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.

Each year I look forward to this author’s Christmas offering – his writing style is a comforting invitation to inhabit another perspective and always delivers an uplifting ending.

This novella brings together two people who were emotionally and physically abused as children. The visible and invisible scars have profound effects on their lives, and yet, they find solace in each other as they experience falling in love and overcoming their individual pain in the season leading up to Christmas. A bit of humor is injected into the story by the blunt, acerbic comments made by a brother who uses humor to cope with his own wounding.

Overall, this was a satisfying addition to the author’s collection of annual Christmas books.

My thanks to the author, the publisher, and NetGalley for the privilege of reviewing this book. The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

This review is being posted immediately to my GoodReads account and will be posted on Amazon upon publication.

Beth attends a book signing of J. D. Harper and accidentally meets the author himself. Beth has been deeply touched by a previous book of the author's and has since read all his books. Beth and Lee (the author's real name) begin a relationship. Problems arise on a visit to Lee's house. Read this one coming in November to find out what happens with Beth and Lee's romance.

I enjoyed this addition from Mr. Evans. I look forward to his Christmas offering every year and this one was a wonderful addition.

I loved this book, but unfortunately, I read it to fast, and I wanted more!
I loved how the two main characters meet, Lee meet Leigh, and the cup of coffee!
Without realizing it, these two rather broken individuals, are very much alike, and they need each other.
Can you imagine meeting someone, and then finding out they are famous, but they are ordinary people, right? This basically happens here, but there is so much going on, and Lee is infatuated, but will Leigh, Beth, be able to come to terms to all the secrets?
Some of the secrets these two hold would break anyone, but they have endured so much hardship and pain.
There are surprises, and gifts that need to be opened, and at time it reads like a warm hug!
You will find love and redemption here, and hopefully the new beginnings.
I received this book through Net Galley and the Publisher Gallery Books, and was not required to give a positive review.

Beth has had a hard life. She feels unworthy of love and when it finds her, she doesn't believe that it will last. When she meets Lee, a famous. author that wines and dines her, she can't believe in his love or goodness. Beth is quick to believe the worst when she discovers something about Lee that has her fleeing from him and his love. This book is a true Richard Paul Evans novel and, like his others, is a warm spirited book meant for holiday reading. I am honored to have received a digital ARC from NetGalley and Gallery Books. This review is my own opinion of the book.

Enjoyable read that gets shaken upside down and back again. Lots of surprises and second chances. A book with heart.

Read in one night as Richard Paul Evans never fails to deliver the best Christmas stories of the season.

Another great book by Richard Paul Evan’s. This man’s books never disappoint but often leaves me wanting more. Can’t wait for his next book.

I have read many of this author's books and loved them. Unfortunately, Christmas in Bethel is not among them. I didn't care for either of the main characters from the start. I struggled to get into this book, it just did not hold my attention for very long at a time. Thanks to the author, Gallery Books, and NetGalley. I received a complimentary copy of this ebook. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

Pleased to read an advance ARC copy of this romance. The story moved at a good pace and held my interest. Warning for those who have abuse triggers. This story involves backgrounds for main characters of severe childhood abuse. There was a surprise twist at the end of the story. The romance was a bit more than I like in a story, but perhaps expected from this author.
Thanks to #NetGalley, # RichardPaulEvans, and #GalleryBooks

This was a very sweet b and touching story. Two broken people find each other. A woman with past trauma meets her favorite author who gave her hope. He is also dealing with his own painful past. I loved this book.

I love Richard's christmas books and this was not a disappointment! Leigh beth goes to a book signing of her favorite author. While she is there, Lee, reaches out for her coffee because they have the same name. They end up chatting, and Beth realizes just who he is when she gets back in line to get her book signed. This is a high warming story of two adults that had horrible abusive childhoods finding happiness. The only thing that is kind of bothering me, is that someone in all of his books ends up not being worth and runs away. They kind of all have the same plot. We know how it's going to end. But great book!

Richard Paul Evans never disappoints with his wholesome holiday tales. While “Christmas in Bethel” is set near the holiday season, it can easily be read any time throughout the year - especially if you’re in need of a pick-me-up.

I devoured this book in one sitting, staying up way too late to discover the fate of Beth & author J.D. Harper. Equally heart wrenching & heartwarming, Evans’ newest release will give you all the feels as you turn the pages. Just as Beth & many others throughout the book thank their favorite author for the entertainment, escape & words of advice he has granted them, I must thank Richard Paul Evans for continuing to mesmerize me with his work.

Richard Paul Evans will forever hold a special place in my heart. It’s a Christmas tradition my mom buys me his new release, and I devour it within one day, lol. His writing style is captivating, to the point I feel as though I am the main character going thru the story, a feat not many can pull off.

I loved how Lee and Beth learned from each other, and Beth even learned from Marc. I wouldn’t be upset if Marc got his own book!!

Christmas in Bethel had me hooked with the prologue. It is a book that completely surprised me. I thought I knew where the story was going, but what actually happened caught me off guard. I didn’t see it coming at all, and that made the story even more memorable.

From the beginning, I felt deeply connected to the characters. The short chapters were a delightful touch, making the story flow effortlessly.

What touched me the most was the theme of brokenness and healing. Two people, each with their own scars, find each other and, through love, begin to heal. It’s a beautiful reminder that love isn’t always what we imagine—it’s something we are willing to give. So it goes!

Leigh meets her favorite author in a coffee shop. Unknown to her, since he uses a pen name for his writing. So begins an adventure of a lifetime. So begins a whirlwind of love, joy, and regret. Great story! Richard Paul Evans writing make you feel as if you are a part of the story.

I love Richard Paul Evans Christmas stories and this one did not disappoint. We follow Leigh Beth Stilton, who had a very hard life. She got to the point where she thought she had nothing to live for. She picks up a copy of author JD Harper's new book and it saved and changed her life. Flashforward and Leigh's life is better and she wants to meet the author that changed the trajectory of her life. What she finds first is a chance meeting with another Lee at a local coffee shop. They have a pleasant conversations before she leaves to go to the book signing. She is in for a surprise that will forever change her life. She discovers that she and the author have a lot in common. Could there be a romance brewing? Will she find a happily ever after? In true Evans fashion there are some twist and turns and surprising revelations that you maybe or maybe not see coming.

If you are a fan of Richard Paul Evans, then Christmas in Bethel is for you.

Leigh Beth Stilton has had a difficult life. On one Christmas eve she decides to give it all up. But she comes across a book, Bethel, that changes everything for her.

Beth meets a man in the coffee shop on her way to the book signing of J. D. Harper, the author of Bethel. The two connect, and before she knows it, she realizes the man is actually J. D. She is swept up in a world of dinners, travel and the attention she craves. But when she discovers his secret, will she be able to trust her heart again?

This story is classic Richard Paul Evans. He takes us on a journey that is heartwarming, an easy read about love and redemption. The perfect Christmas story.

I received a complimentary ebook copy from the publisher, through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Christmas in Bethel
by Richard Paul Evans
Pub Date Nov. 26, 2024
Thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the ARC of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.
From Richard Paul Evans, the New York Times bestselling author of The Christmas Promise and The Christmas Box— “the most popular holiday tale since Tiny Tim” (Newsweek)—a new novel celebrating the life-changing power of the holiday spirit.
When I saw Evans was releasing another Christmas novel, I could not wait to request it!
I loved the premise of this novel. A young lady who has very few fond memories of Christmas is not eager for the season. She meets someone in a cafe who changes her mind about the season.
5 stars

The Christmas season would not be complete without a Richard Paul Evans Christmas Story. As a young single woman, Beth is struggling to overcome her different past. When she reads that her favourite author, whose words have helped her find the strength to move forward, is having a book signing near her, she knows she can't miss the opportunity to meet him in person. As much as his books have helped changer her life, meeting him takes things to a whole new level.

This new book has everything you could want in a Christmas Story. Love and hurt, strength and weakness, self doubt and self protection, second chances and redemption. It is an easy, touching, fast read you can't put down. If you are like me and are always on the lookout for a new heartwarming Christmas story, this one will fit the bill.