🎄🧵🎁 “A Quilt for Christmas” (2022) 🎁🧵🎄 – Book Review
MY REVIEW
Language: English
ISBN: 0800739345
ISBN-13: 978-0800739348
⬅️ Click Photo for Purchase Information
“Christmas should be celebrated with family. But for Vera Swanson, that's not an option this year. Widowed and recently relocated, she is lonely in her condo-for-one--until little Fiona Albright knocks on her door needing help. With her mother seriously ill and her father out of town, Fiona enlists Vera's help, and when she finds out her new neighbor is a quilter, she has a special request--a Christmas quilt for Mama.
Vera will have to get a ragtag group of women together in order to fulfill the request. Between free-spirited artist Tasha, chatty empty nester Beverly, retired therapist Eleanor, and herself, Vera has hopes that Christmas for the Albright family will be merry, after all--and she may find herself a new family of friends along the way.
Bestselling and award-winning author Melody Carlson invites you to cuddle up this holiday season with this cozy story of giving, forgiving, and a little bit of romance.”
Thank you in advance to the publisher, Revell Books (a division of Baker Books), for providing an advanced review copy through Library Thing. A positive review was not required nor requested, and all words are my own.
This is the third Christmas book by the author I’ve read. I previously read The Christmas Swap (2020) and Christmas in the Alps (2021). I’ve also read The Happy Camper (2020). And, while the Christmas books are themed about Christmas, they are standalone – this one is as well.
There are some authors who are “go-to” for Christmas reads. For me, I started with Debbie Macomber about 20 years ago, and in 2019 I discovered Nancy Naigle.
Melody Carlson is another author I have to add to the list. She definitely knows how to tell a beautiful romance with a dash of drama.
What first caught my eye was the cover. It is absolutely gorgeous and definitely festive. One shouldn’t be grabbing books because of the cover, but it is a draw and gets me to look at the book to see if I want to read it.
And, I’ll admit – I want a quilt like that, so I understand Fiona’s desire for a quilt for her mom when she sees one Vera has.
There are six (6) main characters:
🎀 Fiona Albright (5) – neighbor’s child
🧵 Vera Swanson (68, widowed; two kids; has grandkids)
🧵 Tasha Ellison (35, divorced, married for 6 years, no kids)
🧵 Eleanor Rasmussen (67; widowed; son; daughter died)
🎼 Evan Rasmussen (Eleanor’s son)
🧵 Beverly Clark (58; married 40 years; 3 kids; one married and a missionary’ one in Air Force; one trying to find himself)
Along with Fiona’s siblings – Nolan and Maureen, and her parents Kerry and Josh that make up this sweet, adorable, emotional, festive story.
The main two POVs are Vera and Tasha, which I found unusual give that the blurb only mentions Vera as a main character, when the romance involves Tasha.
Anyway ....
Vera is thinking about her old, grand Christmases with her family as a little frantic knock on the door interrupts. It is sweet little Fiona, who is trying to get help for her mom.
Vera finds Kerry who is sick and in need of medical attention (appendicitis). Despite the woman’s pleas since she has no insurance, Vera calls 9-1-1.
Fiona isn’t the only child though, there’s Nolan (8) and Maureen (11). Vera offers to watch them until their father can come home. Due to his work, he’s away and only comes home every few weekends. And, it is clear – by the use of lawn furniture and the sparse furnishings – the family needs the money.
While at Vera’s, Fiona sees a Nordic star quilt and asks Vera to make one for her mom for Christmas. Vera doesn’t see where she’d make the deadline, but with an idea from the kids – get people to help – she sets out to make Fiona’s wish comes true.
Tasha Ellison is working her aunt’s florist shop when Vera comes in. And, after hearing about it – Tasha is all in.
The next recruit, who I disliked right off – Eleanor.
The last one – Beverly Clark, who I wish I had the baking talent of.
Given the lack of room Vera has, Eleanor offers her home to the group, which is where her generosity ends. She questions the colors of the quilt (hello, this is for Fiona’s mom) as well as other things. The group has concerns about her negativity. And, for a former therapist – she seems quite bitter. [This was really concerning to me as well].
That isn’t all she has issues with – the clutter, little Fiona hanging around (did I mention it was her idea for the quilt for her mom), and Beverly’s talking. Eleanor thought it would be a quiet hobby, and even tears into Tasha for being late (though no one is getting paid). She is overly verbal about Beverly’s sweet treats, even going so far as to say she is poisoning her friends. (Any reason I can’t stand the lady).
While, Tasha is happily single, it is at Eleanor’s that she meets Evan. And, immediately he wants to take her on a date.
Evan is nothing like his mother. He instantly takes an interest in the Albright kids – taking them to experiences with Tasha, helping with winter coats, and even helping with a tree since he is getting one for his mom’s place, which causes a scene – especially when she says he has no respect for her home. (Clearly the lady needs help).
As he and Tasha get closer, he also sees the Albright family in great need and has a solution, which has to do with his late sister’s belongings. But, his mother vehemently rails against the idea.
As they come closer to finishing the quilt, there is a pivotal showdown between Eleanor and Beverly over the sweets with Eleanor going so far as to say she has the right to “ban” drugs in her home. Fiona steps in and offers some words as well as a hand of friendship.
It takes a bit of work and faith, but Carlson manages to pull off a happy ending with the story. One that does take a bit of holiday magic. And, PS – the bonus chapter is a real treat!
As this is a novella it will be a smaller read, under 200 pages, and the story is going to move quite quickly. There will be little room to widen all arcs of the story as well as develop all the characters. And, there will be some details that won’t make the cut – so to speak.
For me, it was a “day-read”. I’ve actually read a book twice this size in three (3) hours – so that should give one an idea of how short this is. The short chapters and easy flow also helped me read this in a short space of time, and it was such a wonderful story, I couldn’t put it down. This could easily be a Hallmark movie for sure.
I absolutely LOVED the idea of the Irish family needing help – almost like the Cratchit family in A Christmas Carol. And, Carlson got the accents and words right. It’s on-par with the UK words (knackered – tired; flat – apartment). Grammar wise, there were a few typos, but nothing that would detract or subtract from the enjoyment of the story.
The beautiful, heart-warming gesture of Vera to do the quilt for Kerry kept me reading this, along with the beauty of Tasha’s romance with Evan. I absolutely LOVED how they took to the kids and “adopted” them. And, it’s a good thing too. I had to keep focusing on the good things
The reason? I was really, for most of the book, annoyed with Eleanor, who definitely embodied Ebenezer Scrooge better than he did.
Her constant complaining and harassment of Beverly over the sweets made me want to through the book at the wall. Given the reason why Vera got the “quilt club” together – I had to wonder why Eleanor even signed up. It was a charity project, and it was because of Fiona. I was also wondering why Eleanor even stayed with it and offered her home.
The Christmas tree incident with Evan and Tasha was just ill. I got her reasoning about missing people more – but she wasn’t the only one who lost her husband and daughter. Her son lost a father and a sister. But, Eleanor made her grief exclude her son.
There is – slight spoiler – an incident between Evan and Tasha over Emily’s belongings, and a suggestion that the Albright family could use them given their situation. Eleanor’s initial reaction was absolutely disgusting and selfish. I get grief, I understand it. But, to see a family suffering and be selfish? Can’t do it. I’m certain it would’ve broken Emily’s heart to see Fiona’s family suffer. Yes, in the end, Eleanor does what’s right – but it was a bit abhorrent to see her act like that. I was embarrassed for Evan who was trying to do something charitable – the reason for the season and all.
I also didn’t like Eleanor’s treatment of Beverly with regard to the sweets, at one point she even compares sugar to cocaine and carries on like Beverly is trying to kill people with her treats.
Despite all that with Eleanor, I absolutely adored the story, and would love to see a follow-up to it – maybe Evan and Tasha’s “wedding”?.
On a side note – I have never done Black Friday. Never – not once. And, likely wouldn’t in the future. Two reasons – no money (probably a VERY good reason I don’t have money – temptation). The second? I don’t like pushy crowds. So, I definitely related to Vera on skipping that out.
As far as Vera giving her daughter the family ornaments and not knowing if took them when she moved or donated them – heart-breaking. I definitely had a few teary moments given how precious my ornaments are to me.
I don’t have special ones from growing up, and it wasn’t until 1994 I got some that were “collectible” like. I didn’t start getting collectible type ornaments until I was 19 when I became an independent AVON sales representative. In fact, over 80% of my ornaments were collected between 1995-1997 during my years with AVON.
In all my moves (four times since 1994), I’ve never lost my collectible ornaments. In fact, I do all I can to preserve them and cherish them. I also get anywhere from 2-3 new ornaments each year. (That is why I need a tall and WIDE tree).
Despite being distributed by Revell, this has very light Christian faith theme elements. There are mentions of God, but it isn’t preachy in any way given the story’s theme.
For those who love sweet, clean, and faith-hinted Christmas books – this is definitely a good read. Fans of the author are sure to want to check this out. Also, those who want a lighter and “similar” tale of A Christmas Carol – this a a great read.
I’m definitely eager to see what Carlson has planned next.
RATING:
5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ /5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ – Goodreads
5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ /5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ – Bookbub
5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ /5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ – Personal Rating (see rating explanation in this blog: https://readingexcursions.blogspot.com/2020/01/rating-system-2020-changes.html;update https://readingexcursions.blogspot.com/2022/07/what-goes-into-my-reviews-2022-edition.html)
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Melody Carlson is the award-winning author of more than 250 books with sales of more than 7.5 million, including many bestselling Christmas novellas, young adult titles, and contemporary romances. She received a Romantic Times Career Achievement Award in the inspirational market for her many books, her novel All Summer Long was made into a Hallmark movie, and the film version of The Happy Camper is soon to be released. She and her husband live in central Oregon. Learn more at www.melodycarlson.com.
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