Homer and the Holiday Miracle

Adorable little Christmas story about a handicapped rescue cat. Recommended for reading year round and I support the stated mission of finding homes for rescue animals.

I have adored Homer since reading the first book about him when it first came out. This charming Christmas story is just as enchanting, full of all the joy and courage of this wonderful cat.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the chance to read this book!

I read Gwen Cooper's book about Homer a few years back, and I loved both the writing and the story of Homer. It's obvious how much Gwen truly loves her cats, something I can relate to all too well. This book is a short Christmas story about Homer and the miracle he was. Don't let the short part turn you away; there is an emotional punch to this story all the way through. It's a beautiful book, and although I read this as a PDF, I'll definitely be getting a physical copy to add to my Gwen Cooper collection.

A lovely and sad Christmas story. Five stars.

This book is awesome! It's always fun to read about Homer the cat.

I received an ARC from NetGalley and the publisher for an honest review.

I read Homers Odyssey earlier this year and loved it. I fell in love with Homer all over again in this short but sweet story of a Christmas miracle. Homer truly is a wonder.

The perfect Christmas story for cat lovers. It's moving and tender and makes you want to cuddle with your cat while you're reading it.
I love it and recommend it to any cat lover or people who want to read about a Christmas miracle.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC

For fans of Homer's Odyssey (not to be confused with The Odyssey) the decision to read this book is a no-brainer. For those who don't already know of the little, blind, black cat who saved the world (maybe a slight exaggeration) this is a pretty good (albeit brief) introduction. It's a short, sweet story and may make you cry (or so I've heard).

After reading Cooper's My Life in A Cat House, I fully expected this short book to be both touching and funny... and it did not disappoint. Homer was an amazing cat who beat the odds over and over. You can't help but fall in love with Homer. Being owned by a purrfectly impurrfect cat myself, i know that even those with challenges deserve a chance at a wonderful life. This story is a great reminder to live life to the fullest and enjoy every moment, regardless of our particular obstacles.

Thank you to Gwen Cooper, BenBella Books and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this heartwarming book. All comments are my own, unbiased opinion.

Must.Love.Cats.

Homer, the poster child for special-needs animals, provides one last Christmas miracle for his people. A loving, touching tribute to a well-loved family member, this is a perfect short story for the holiday season.

Five Paws!

This is my first Homer book but I am going to read more. This is a cute Christmas story! It is a short story but well worth the read!

I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley in exchange for my unbiased opinion.

In December 2012, Homer the blind cat is rushed to the vet after fainting. His liver test is 1500% higher than normal; the vet said Homer shouldn't even be alive right now and won't make it until Christmas. Homer had one more miracle in him, though.

This was a sweet short story. I've had Homer's Odyssey on my to read list forever; after reading this story, I'll have to move it up to the top of the list! Homer's personality really showed through in this story; I wish I could have met him.

My Review: Being an animal lover, I had to jump at the opportunity to read Homer and the Holiday Miracle. I admit that I haven't read Homer's Odyssey yet even though it has been sitting on my shelf for some time now, but I couldn't resist a holiday story. This one ended up being extremely difficult story for me to read, the story starts out with Homer getting sick and having his liver enzymes off the chart. My own black cat, Valerie, went through this exact situation a few years ago, so it was hard to relive the pain of not knowing whether the beloved pet would survive or not during the holiday season. Even with that sad and heartbreaking undertone, the story still had that warm, fuzzy feeling that I love during the holiday season. We get to see the remarkable connection between pets and their owners and the empathy pets manage to display. This book also manages to include both Christmas and Hanukkah traditions, stories and beliefs, making it a fantastic read during the holiday season.

I absolutely love Homer and this story was no exception! He is such a unique little cat and Gwen’s descriptive storytelling makes the reader visualize his antics. Even if you aren’t a cat lover, this little guy’s story will tear at your heartstrings. Everyone should be so blessed as to have a pet such as Homer in their lives.

I have not read any of the other books but you don't have to. You can enjoy this great Holiday story without reading the original books. I know what it's like to lose a cat so close to my heart and this book is so touching and sad. Though Homer does pull off a miracle just knowing that it could be the end was gut-retching. Though by the end your spirits will be lifted and you will believe in miracles.


*I received a free copy of this book via NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving a review.*

I requested this book from Netgalley even though I fully expected it to be sad. Most cats don't even live to be fifteen years old, so a blind cat who had a rough start to life should be nearing the end by age 15. What I was hoping for was a story of love and loyalty and maybe holiday happiness. I was not disappointed.
I got a bonus with this book, as I also have a glossy black tripod cat sharing my home, who could act out portions of the book as I read.
My only complaint is that this delightful tale, told in a fabulous written voice, was over far too soon.
That seems to be how it goes with cats. Our time together is always too short.

This book is the perfect feel good holiday read. You know how the story is going to end up, but enjoy the ride! I enjoy these heartfelt books during the holidays and this one was extremely well written.

I love cat stories, but the true ones just are so much more touching. This short story, of the last days of a blind cat named Homer, might seem like one that will be a tear-jerker. But, I found it inspirational and uplifting. And, once again it shows how we simply can't begin to predict what cats will do! I think you'll enjoy this lovely holiday story.

This was such an endearing story; all the more so for the fact that it actually happened. Fall in love with an energetic, lovable, amazing little cat named Homer. This is one of his stories about him, his human and his brother and sister. This was such a quick read; but, oh, so enjoyable. It's like your sitting with the author and she's telling you the story and you can just picture it all happening.

After reading My Life in a Cat House, I had to proceed immediately with another Gwen's story (thank you so much for offering it on NetGalley!). This is another sweet story perfect for holiday reading. A story about an extraordinary (and very real one) cat who refused to submit to numbers his bloodwork gave, is really worth reading. I faced a couple of sudden losses in my life, still, this story gave me support and encouragement to continue to defy statistics. Just believe, offer your love and heart in full, do whatever you can, and hope for the best.

Great short story. Makes you want to curl with your beloved cat. A true Christmas miracle. Homer makes up for his disability in both big and small ways. A heatwarming and endearing read.

Excerpt from Review: "...Okay, I’ll admit it, I was crying after reading this short story. Homer and the Holiday Miracle is bound to touch anyone who has lost a pet in their lives. The fact that Homer seemed to know just what Gwen needed at each and every point (high or low) in her life tells me that these two were fated to meet and spend their lives together. The story of Homer’s holiday miracle is something that many of us cat people have experienced. Cats have a resiliency that amazes most folks. And special cats like Homer tend to know when they are needed most..."

Homer and the Holiday Miracle is a short story about a cat named Homer. He’s a 15-year-old rescue cat who has no eyes, due to having lost them to an infection when he was three weeks old. That hasn’t stopped Homer though! His blindness doesn’t seem to impair this spunky cat one bit! When he falls sick and is taken to the vet, his owner, Gwen, is told that his blood test numbers are “incompatible with life” and that he doesn’t have long to live. Homer proves them all wrong though! His holiday miracle will have you alternately cheering and crying. If you haven’t read any of her other books, Gwen Cooper has written about Homer previously in Homer’s Odyssey, where you can learn more about this amazing little cat! She has several other cat books, and I recommend them all. They all make great reading for cat lovers. If you are a cat lover looking for a short and uplifting story for the holidays, get Homer and the Holiday Miracle. If I could give it more than five stars, I would.

I received this book "Homer and the Holiday Miracle" from NetGalley and all opinions expressed are my own. I guess there are other books about Homer. I have not read any of them. I enjoy books about animals and this one was good. It was a fast read. Homer was awesome. Beautiful story and I hope to read the other books.

I always love books about people and animals who beat the odds. This is one of them. Adorable Homer shows them that he has another life left in him. Being blind has never slowed him down.
Great for the cat lovers on your gift list.

What a cute story for all animal lovers. Homer is definitely a miracle kitty. I fell in love with him.

An uplifting story about a blind cat. He fights the odds and lives a good life.
If you've ever loved a pet, you'll love the insights that humans can gleam from this story.

I received an ARC from Netgalley and am thankful to the writer and Netgalley.

These are my own unsolicited opinions.

Princess Fuzzypants here: Is there anyone out there who doesn’t love Homer? I cannot conceive of such a human or kitty. His mom Gwen turned him into a major celebrity when she wrote her first book about how a plucky and brave blind house panther took on the world and won. He defied the odds so often and lived a full and rich life.
But, as it comes to all of us, fate would not let him live forever. His descent was abrupt. One day he fainted and when the vet told his parents the bad news, they also said according to the results of his tests, he should not have been alive. They were told the end was inevitable and it would be soon, within days. They were devastated, Everyone figured Homer was down for the count this time.
That is except Homer. Whether it was the battle royale that he pitched with the three full sized humans when they were trying to take care of him at the vets that brought out the fighting spirit no one will ever know. But when Gwen brought him home -everyone agreeing he would not be happy staying at the vet- she began what she believed to be his death watch.
Like the Chanukah candles, Homer’s light would not be extinguished. He not only survived those days immediately after his diagnosis, he made it through the Holidays and then some. Of course, there was a finite time that he could beat the odds but for nine miraculous months, he enjoyed his life and brought happiness to all who knew and loved him.
Be warned, as with her other books, there will be a few leaky eyes as well as some loud guffaws.. It is a moving story told with such love. A reader would need a heart of stone to not be touched. It is a wonderful tale both for the holidays and any time.
Five purrs and two paws up. I wish I had know you Homer.