Book Description:
When Madison McDowell returns from several years teaching overseas, she has high hopes of picking up where she left off at her family’s Christmas tree farm in Oregon. But between damage from a recent wildfire and the neglect due to her sister Addie’s unwillingness to invest, the farm is in sad shape. In fact, Addie is intent on selling the property. And to top it off, her former high school flame, the now-widowed Gavin Thompson, has plans to break Madison’s heart again by turning his neighboring property into a dusty, noisy dirt bike track for his daughter.
With the odds stacked against her, Madison decides there’s only one thing to do: double down on her dreams. It will take a ton of hard work–and some help from an unlikely ally–to save the farm she so dearly loves. But it may take a miracle to restore her relationship with her sister.
Bestselling and award-winning author Melody Carlson charms and delights with this uplifting Christmas story full of old memories and new beginnings.
Narelle’s Thoughts:
I enjoyed reading The Christmas Tree Farm, a delightful novella set in a small Oregon town. Madison has always considered her paternal grandparents’ Christmas tree farm her true home. After her parents split, Madison spent nearly all of her school vacations at the farm and she fell for the charming boy next door. He broke her heart and Madison spread her wings, determined to explore the world.
Fast forward a few decades and Madison is ready to return home. Her expectations are blown up by the changes that have taken place, including wild fire damage to farms in the region and her younger sister’s negative attitude. Madison isn’t afraid of hard work and she’ll do whatever she can to save the farm.
Sibling rivalry and an unexpected romance challenge Madison to consider her life priorities and future plans. I recommend The Christmas Tree Farm to contemporary fiction readers who like Christmas novellas with second chance romance story elements and a light faith thread in the story.
Many thanks to Revell and NetGalley for the advanced reader copy.
