Hope at Christmas

Our Review

Sydney Ragsdale is divorced and her husband thinks he is still in charge of her life. She decides she needs to find a new life for her and her daughter, RayAnne. They move to Hopewell, North Carolina, because Sydney’s grandparents left her a farmhouse there. Sydney finds out the bookstore she went to as a child is still open. The Book Bea is owned by Bea Marion and has been for decades. Sydney remembers Bea and gets a part-time job working at the store. She needs something to do to keep her busy and get back in touch with the people who live there.

Kevin MacAlea, Mac to his friends, is the local history teacher and baseball coach. His son Seth and RayAnne become fast friends. Mac’s wife and Seth’s mother, Genna had run off one year ago on Christmas, so it is hard for them to celebrate. Mac and Sydney form a friendship since their kids are hanging out.

Mac plays Santa every year at the Christmas Village but very few people know that, including his son. Mac enjoys interacting with the kids and making dreams come true.

When bad things happen right before Christmas, everyone comes together to help each other, because that is what small towns do.

I believe this Christmas story to be one of the most heartfelt, soul-searching tales for this season. You will need some tissues and something for sore ribs from laughing, too. I want to live in this town and meet these people. The night I finished reading this novel, it resonated through my mind for a day or two after. Nancy Naigle has written another good book for the holidays.