Christmas Angels
By: Nancy Naigle
Published Year: 2019
Publisher: St Martin’s Press
Pages:
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. This in no way shape or form influenced my opinion of this novel.
Summary (Provided by Goodreads): Growing up, Liz Westmoreland dreamed of taking over her grandparents inn located in the small mountain town of Angels Creek only for it to be sold before she ever got the chance. While browsing the internet, she stumbles upon a listing for what looks to be the picturesque inn and it’s set to go to auction. Liz places a bid, and by a miracle, wins the auction. But when she gets there she finds the property in significant disrepair.
When Matt Hardy narrowly lost the inn and property that butted his land, he just hoped it wasn't another city slicker coming to make matters worse after the previous owners gutted the place for an art gallery. But the minute he recognized the sweet, freckle-faced girl from his childhood and heard her plans to reopen the inn, he jumps at the chance to help his childhood crush restore a place where he made so many fond memories.
While working on repairs, Liz and Matt discover her grandmother’s collection of angels in one of the cabins. When the angels start mysteriously showing up all over the inn, she begins to look at them as reassurance—that restoring the inn is what she's meant to do. But when an accident leaves Liz feeling like she made a mistake, will Matt—and the residents of Angels Creek—be able to show Liz that she's found a home? And possibly true love as well?
First Impressions
I read my first Nancy Naigle Christmas book last year for our Hallmark Book Club and enjoyed it. Her books are perfect for Hallmark adaptations and I was excited when I was offered the opportunity to review her latest one. The cover is a bit blah for me, but the description was right up my ally.
What I thought
It is only October but I am in the Christmas spirit!
Liz has always dreamed of running the inn that her grandparents used to run in Antler Creek. When their old inn ends up on an auction sight, she takes a risk and buys it sight unseen. Matt has grown up in Antler Creek and is back for a while, mourning the death of his father. He also happens to be a contractor which is exactly what Liz needs.
I was a bit unclear of Matt’s backstory. I know that in Hallmark movies, and Naigle novels, that the male characters don’t always get completely fleshed out, but I hoped for a little more. He apparently lives and works in Chicago, but he also lives and has a dream home in the North Carolina mountains. The death of his father also seems to come and go as necessary to the story.
Liz on the other hand is definitely more fleshed out. She is a successful big city realtor who decides to move to the mountains to open her grandparen’t sold inn. Unfortunately, the last owners tried to turn it into an art gallery and as a result, tore it down to the studs, leaving Liz in more of a hole than she originally intended. She does, of course, have a male best friend who does not believe that she is capable of getting this project off the ground.
When this book is adapted into a Hallmark movie, which for sure it will be, I will not be surprised when the male best friend/co-worker is turned into a co-worker/boyfriend. Part of the reason I keep comparing this book is not just because she mentioned Hallmark by name on 5 separate occasions, but because it follows the classic Hallmark formula. As a Hallmark movie lover, I greatly enjoyed this aspect.
The town comes to life in this book which is wonderful. The small town aspect is the perfect amount of warmth for a Christmas story. I love that even though it did have the aspect of the angels, it never got to be super religious. Also, if I’m being completely honest, it didn’t even get completely Christmassy until the end. This book could’ve happened at any time of the year and I appreciated that.
If you are looking for a feel good Christmas book to read curled up by the fire with a cup of coffee or tea, this is the one you should pick. It moves quickly with lovable characters in a lovable setting. There aren’t any completely ridiculous twists or conflicts. Just pure love and romance and joy. I don’t remember liking Christmas Joy as much as this one, so I would recommend Christmas Angels first, but I am definitely looking forward to more Christmas stories by Naigle!