Review: A Christmas by the Sea by Melody Carlson

A Christmas by the Sea

by Melody Carlson

Publisher: Fleming Revell

Pages: 176

Format: eARC

Buy the Book: Amazon

Goodreads:  When Wendy Harper inherits her family's beachside cottage in Seaside, Maine, she sees it as a way to finally pay off the debts that have mounted since her husband died. But before it can be sold, the neglected property must be renovated. She and her 12-year-old son Jackson move in--temporarily, she reminds him--in order to do the work themselves, even though Christmas is coming. The charming town, along with local craftsman Caleb Colton, pulls on both Wendy and Jackson, who even registers himself for school in a bid to get his mom to move them there permanently. Wendy knows that the most responsible thing to do is to sell the cottage and return to Ohio, but the lure of the sea is hard to resist.


Kritters Thoughts:  Probably my favorite Melody Carlson holiday book that I have read and I think I have read them all!  Wendy Harper inherits a family beach cottage at just the right moment in her life when she and her son need it the most.  Right before the holidays they move to this cottage to reinvent it and sell it and go back to their lives, but plans don't always go as they may.  

Melody Carlson is a Christian fiction author and this book was the best combination of keeping the values of the faith in there, but also including a great plot that readers can enjoy.  Wendy Harper was the best character to follow as you saw her struggles, but you also saw her ready for a change.  With the recent loss of a spouse to cancer she knows that now is the time for a life change and this cottage could be the catalyst for all of it.  

I loved the setting.  I read this during the summer months and I wanted to crank up my AC and curl up under a blanket with this one.  The cold and the holiday season were just right for this book.  It even added to the plot of the story.  

At the novella length, this book would be perfect to curl up with during an afternoon break from the holidays.  Take a break from wrapping presents and all of the baking and cooking and slip into this story.  


Rating: definitely a good read, but can't read two in a row

Ebook 2018 Challenge: 67 out of 100

Disclosure of Material Connection:  I received one copy of this book free of charge from Netgalley.  I was not required to write a positive review in exchange for receipt of the book; rather, the opinions expressed in this review are my own.