Review: Their Holiday Secret

Their Holiday Secret book cover on blue background

It's safe to say that I needed to read a book just like this one; I am incredibly grateful that I picked up Their Holiday Secret by Betsy St. Amant as it was exactly the palate cleanser I needed. Having read some of Betsy's previous books, I knew I would be in for a treat, yet this book still exceeded my expectations!

Book Synopsis

Can their pretend relationship turn into a true Christmas gift?

Preston Green will do anything for a fake girlfriend—even bid on one at a charity auction. Sweet and quirky baker Lulu Boyd is the perfect choice to stop his mother’s constant matchmaking. And it’s just for one holiday family dinner—until his father’s failing health makes ending their ruse impossible. Soon it feels all too real…but another secret might make this their last Christmas together.

Source: Amazon

Book Thoughts

What an incredibly charming book about a Christmastime romance! I loved that the author even mentioned all the elements of a perfect Christmas story in a cute, tongue-in-cheek way as part of the book. Beyond the picturesque setting of Tulip Mound, I would have to say that this book stands out based on its remarkable treatment of secrets. I've typically found the fake relationship trope to be a difficult one to tackle in Christian fiction; however, Betsy not only addresses the issues of deception and lying head-on, she brings it all back to what it means to have integrity as a Christian. Characters experience the consequences of their decisions and there are meaningful discussions about what secrets can do to people. Their Holiday Secret is probably one of the best stories I've read in bringing up ethical intentions and behaviours, and how God views them.

Along with strong messages about faith, prayer, and self-sacrificial love, the story between Lulu and Preston unfolds in such a realistic and heartwarming way. I love that their relationship is not in a vacuum and that you can see how they interact with both teenagers and family members in this book. One of the highlights is seeing the faith transmission that takes place and how these two adults make a serious impact on the next generation by living out their Christian walks. Furthermore, I also appreciate that while there's a hint of chemistry and attraction, it isn't drawn out and overemphasized. Instead, readers can catch a glimpse of why Lulu and Preston are so special based on how they act and treat others, making it even more wonderful to see how their relationship develops. This is a book that I don't want to keep a secret based on how well it's executed!

Book Summary

Format of book: 📖
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Recommendation: 👍

Comments

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