Author: Richard Paul Evans
Published: 2010
Genre: Christmas, fiction, adult
Source: Library
Published: 2010
Genre: Christmas, fiction, adult
Source: Library
Summary: On Christmas Eve 2008, Beth has a long kept secret that she'll finally reveal. She flashes back to the most important year in her life and shares her incredible story... it's 1989 and Beth's life is falling apart. She's just learned that her husband has cheated on her with nearly a dozen women, and their young daughter has come down with a strange and mysterious illness. Then, on Christmas, she meets Matthew at the 7-Eleven, during a blizzard. He's handsome, mysterious, and persistent in pursuing her. He strangely knows a lot about her and her daughter, and despite Beth's attempts at pushing him away, she falls deeply in love with him. Soon she learns his secret and her life is changed forever.
My Thoughts: WOW! I was blown away by this book. It's beautiful and hopeful, sad and eloquent. I flew through this book in two days, and immediately checked more of Evans' books out of the library. The story combines magical elements with heart-breakingly real events and enfolds you into Beth's life. The characters will make you love them, and your heart will break, as well as lift up, with theirs. Despite the shortness of the book, I really became invested in Beth's story and raced through it to find out Matthew's secret and how it would all come together in the end. I was shocked by the turn of events. I really adored this book. It was amazing and I really recommend it. My only regret is that I hadn't read any of his other books before! Richard Paul Evans is one hell of a storyteller and this book was just stunning.
My Rating: 5/5
What a lovely review. I really need to try this author. I've heard nothing but amazing things about his books.
ReplyDeleteyikes, and I returned this unread, because "too many books, not enough time"...sighhhh so happy u liked it.
ReplyDeleteI haven't read too many by Evans, but you NEED to read The Christmas Box! I read it for the first time a few years ago, and I make sure to read it every year around Christmas.
ReplyDeletei love X'mas books!this one sounds like a good X'mas book =)
ReplyDeleteWell, you convinced me, that's for sure :)
ReplyDeleteI read The Christmas Box years ago and liked it. Will look out for this one!
ReplyDeleteI just finished this book today! I was definitely not expecting the complete change of events. I cried when Matthew had to leave, and was strangely upset when he returned, married to her daughter. . . .
ReplyDeleteThanks for this review! :)
Felicity, at {Simple Elegance}
I read this book for a book club and it was surprising to see that half the women loved this book and the other half hated it. I was one of the ones that was repelled by this book and the messages it sent such as, gambling, stealing, emotional affairs and selfishness. I honestly couldn't find anything good about this book and kept hoping that there would be some redeeming quality to it. That never happened.
ReplyDeleteI read this book and LOVED IT. My friend and I have read a couple other of his books, including Grace, The Gift, A Perfect Day, The Walk, Finding Noel, and the Christmas Box. All of his books have made me happy mixed with sad. Its a confusing feeling, but i liked it...Anyway, He is an excellent author and I loved this book!
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