Skip to main content

Review: Married Before Christmas

Married Before Christian book cover on blue background

It's always a treat to read a Christmas book that can whisk you away into the holiday season no matter what time of year it is (spring counts, right?) 😊 Married Before Christmas by Hannah Foster is one such book, and it's one that I would recommend adding if you're already compiling Christmas books to read!

Book Synopsis

While Heather MacLinn is still reeling from the unexpected death of her uncle, she discovers he’s left behind a will with some very not so twenty-first-century-like stipulations. If she’s to inherit the home she was raised in since she was twelve then she needs to be married by the end of the year. However, her uncle’s unplanned death doesn’t leave her with much time as Christmas is only just around the corner.

On top of grieving her uncle’s death, and searching for a husband, Heather’s mortal enemy Jed Canopy returns to her life to wreak more havoc. Or at least that’s what she thinks. But can Jed be an unexpected friend when unknown relatives start bringing trouble to her already heavy heart?

Source: Amazon

Book Thoughts

This was a fun read for Christmas with the marriage of convenience trope done in a very respectful manner. I enjoyed getting to meet Heather and Jed as they worked through the issues of forgiveness and repentance, and discovered what a new life in Christ means and looks like. Now that I've read all of Hannah Foster's books, I'm coming to appreciate just how clearly she writes so that there are no misunderstandings between characters. There is also a maturity in how she has her characters work together to answer questions and seek godly wisdom for the challenges they face. Everything is written in such a lovely manner that it's difficult to end one of her books without a smile.

As always, I enjoyed the supporting cast and how well they came around Heather and Jed to help them out during a crisis. I also loved that a Christian perspective on marriages of convenience was actually provided within the story, pointing to the sanctity of marriage and the lifelong commitment it entails. If you are looking for a cozy read involving childhood enemies and a Christmas deadline, Married Before Christmas balances both charm and prudence in a festive and loving manner.

Book Summary

  • Format of book: šŸ“±
  • Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
  • Recommendation: šŸ‘

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Review: Reckless Love - Hatcher Hollow #1

No matter your thoughts on the worship song of the same name,  Reckless Love by Kate Goodwin is a powerful retelling of a story that we don't often think of, demonstrating the heart of God in pursuing us. What a beautiful snapshot of the Father's unrelenting love for us! Many thanks to the author for providing a complimentary copy of this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own. Book Synopsis A pregnant girl A desperate woman The God who sees them both Amina Abdel’s sheltered world is turned upside down when she finds herself alone and with child. The daughter of immigrants flees her mother’s judgment and father’s shame, unexpectedly finding shelter with the small town’s pastor and his wife. Their kindness feels foreign to Amina, until she realizes they too want something from her—the baby. All Melissa Abrams has ever wanted was a son to carry on her husband’s family legacy of keeping an Abrams man behind the pulpit. As barrenness pushes her to a breaking point,...

Shortcut-Less

I recently saw a carousel  post  from someone whom I don't follow that stopped me in my tracks. Essentially, it was about some of the issues found on Instagram; however, the slide that stood out most to me was the one stating, "I am not convinced Bookstagrammers actually read." While I certainly don't need to take the time to defend my actions or activity, I'm saddened at this thought. I've written before about The Privileges of Reading and Aspirational Reading , but things seem to have taken a turn for the worse with the proliferation of generative AI (not agentic AI—see Stop the Slop for the distinction) since I first wrote these posts. I'm careful not to make blanket accusations or pronouncements as many of the people I follow are both genuine and impressive in what they share, but it seems to be a sentiment that is growing in popularity. Whether people believe that I fall into the same category or not is something I cannot control. I can shout until ...

Review: The Final Word - Bite of Betrayal #2

This is a book where the name Miles Morgan will have you wishing he was a real person after getting to meet his character.  The Final Word  is the next book in the Bite of Betrayal series by Laura Thomas , set in the English village of Bramble Downs. Combining the opera, a bakery, a book based on a Cinderella retelling, and sisters who have each others' backs through thick and thin, there is much to explore in Miles and Sophie's story! Many thanks to  Mountain Brook Ink  for providing a complimentary copy of this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own. Content to be aware of : scenes of violence and death, domestic abuse, stalking Book Synopsis When aspiring author Sophie Brooks chooses to trade a vibrant Paris life for the tranquility of a quaint English village, she imagines her final days in the City of Lights will be magical. Sophie doesn’t anticipate a chilling encounter with an old flame—nor does she plan to find a new love on her very last nig...