Coming Home for Christmas: A Holiday Romance

I wasn't sure about this one at first. I definitely wasn't sure about Elizabeth, and it all felt a little depressing for a holiday romance. Nevertheless, the author pulled me in with the rich characters. Reservations or not, I wanted to know the answers, I wanted to understand why things happened the way they did and what would happen between Luke and Elizabeth. I won't go into details because almost anything more than what I've said will give spoilers, so I'll just say that it may not have started out with a holiday feel, but this one will certainly warm your heart as things play out. The characters are well-drawn and each one adds something to the charming town of Haven Point. It's impossible not to love Luke with his big heart and generous nature, and it was heartwarming to see that rub off on others throughout the story. Coming Home for Christmas is part of the Haven Point series, but it easily stands on its own, and now that I've read about these wonderful characters, I will be adding the earlier books to my to be read pile.

RaeAnne Thayne stories are always really good, but this one reached right out of the book and grabbed me by the throat! I literally could not read fast enough to figure out what was going on and what was going to happen. The characters of Elizabeth and Luke had a love that should have gone on forever, but circumstances pulled them apart and keep them separated from each other for years. The obstacles were so devastating, that a reunion certainly didn't seem in the works. When Luke is facing charges in her disappearance and death, Elizabeth has no choice but return to help clear his name. There are more obstacles that she encounters--one being her daughter that wants nothing to do with her. If the family tries to put up a happy front, will Christmas magic be enough to restore the love of the family? This is a perfect Christmas read! It has snow, hot chocolate, warmth, love and yes, Christmas magic. I was given a complimentary copy of this book. All thoughts are my own.

This is a book that defines the "spirit of Christmas" for me. It is one of those books that IMPACTS a reader long after you have read it. I will remember this story and the characters for many years to come. You hear about postpartum depression but you don't really know the depths that a woman can sink to and what she is capable of thinking, feeling and doing when it hits. We tend to think that she can control her thoughts and actions and just "get over it". Sadly, that is not always true. In this story, the author confronts postpartum depression head on and shows how deeply it can effect some women. I hope that doesn't scare off any readers because this book is amazing! The characters are realistic, loving, tender, yet also, angry and frustrated! Seven years ago Elizabeth suffered from postpartum depression and rather than hurt her baby, she walked away from her family without telling them but then other things happened to her and they've had no idea where she was. She has suffered physically and mentally a great deal. Her husband, Luke, finally gets a tip that leads him to her and justifiably he's angry, thinking she just walked away willingly. When the whole story comes out, everyone, including the reader will be touched immeasurably. The harsh words and anger were hard to read at times but that is realistic! That's what would happen in real life. However, Elizabeth is an amazing person and I loved how she stood up to it all and did what she could to repair the relationship with Luke and her children. A MUST READ!!!!