Book Review: Christmas at Harrington's by Melody Carlson

Excerpt: Room 13 was the second on the left. She tried the key and was relieved to see that it worked. The door creaked, and she stepped into a sparsely furnished room with a twin bed, bedside table, dresser, and chair. The smell was musty and the chill in the air suggested that it had been unoccupied for a while. She looked across the brown linoleum floor to spot a closed heat vent in the floor. She opened it and warm air began radiating up.

She went over and sat on the bed, testing it to discover that the mattress was thin and the box springs were squeaky. Still, it was a huge improvement over her accommodations for the last eight years. In fact, the whole room was a pleasant surprise. Her own dresser for her things - not that she had any. Her own chair to sit in and just think. Her own bedside table with a lamp she could turn on and off whenever she liked. She could read in the middle of the night if she wanted. Really, the room was perfect. Christmas at Harrington's, pg 33.

Back Cover: Sometimes the best gift is a second chance.

Christmas is approaching, and Lena Markham finds herself penniless, friendless, and nearly hopeless. She is trying to restart her life, but job opportunities are practically nonexistent. When a secondhand red coat unexpectedly lands her a job as Mrs. Santa at a department store, Lena finally thinks her luck is changing. But can she keep her past a secret?

Reading Christmas at Harrington's, a story full of redemption and true holiday spirit, will be your newest Christmas tradition.

My Review: I really enjoyed Christmas at Harrington's because of the believability of the characters. Lena has been through so much in the last eight years. She has lost faith in herself, other people and even God. Now, she is looking for a chance to get back on her feet and start over, but the past keeps catching up to her. Christmas at Harrington's explores the idea of redemption and second chances. It gives a brief glimpse into the life of a woman who is shadowed by the past, and uncertain about the future. In a way, we can all relate to the struggles that Lena faces in the book. I love the hope in this story.

Christmas at Harrington's is an excellent and fast holiday read.

My Rating:

My Recommendation: I would recommend this novel as an enjoyable holiday read. Who knows, you might just want to add it to your annual Christmas traditions.

Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc. Available at your favourite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.