Book Description:
This Christmas, the perfect gift might just be learning to let go and love the chaos.
It’s Christmastime, and Olivia Bradshaw is dating her childhood neighbor, veterinarian Malcolm McEntire. Life should be merry, but Olivia is worried about her mother Jane’s reaction to this budding romance. Their families couldn’t be more different. Perfectionist Jane cannot tolerate the unorganized, messy, fun-loving McEntires, and the thought of being permanently linked as in-laws will surely send her over the edge.
Desperate to save both Christmas and her romance, Olivia and her dad concoct an intervention to turn Jane’s holidays into a big mess. But they barely launch their plan before fate intervenes with a serendipitous mess of its own.
In this delightful Christmas novella full of faith and hope, Melody Carlson delivers small-town charm, family dynamics, and a sweet contemporary romance perfect for the holiday season.
Narelle’s Thoughts:
I enjoyed reading We Wish You a Messy Christmas, a charming small town contemporary Christmas novella set in Oregon. Olivia is an only child who loves her parents, lives in the city, and is dreading going home for Christmas. Her difficult mother is an extreme perfectionist who is unlikely to approve of Olivia’s relationship with her new boyfriend, Malcolm. Olivia’s mother can’t stand Malcolm’s messy family who have lived next door for decades.
Olivia’s mother, Jane, lives and breathes order and cleanliness in every area of her life. She has no patience for people who create mess and chaos, including her own free spirited mother, Grandma Lulu. Jane refuses to acknowledge that her attitudes and rigid expectations are causing problems for her husband, daughter, and other people in her life.
Olivia and her father concoct a well meaning plan to try and help Jane by having a fun and messy Christmas season. Unexpected circumstances turn their plans upside down and create many lighthearted and hilarious moments.
I loved how the ensemble cast of fascinating characters were challenged in different ways. The reality of living with mental health issues, including symptoms that resemble Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, are handled with sensitivity and grace. Multiple characters are on a faith journey. Trust and forgiveness themes are explored in the story
I recommend We Wish You a Messy Christmas to contemporary fiction readers who like Christmas novellas with an ensemble cast that includes feuding families, romance, family drama, romcom vibes, mental health issues and strong faith elements in the story.
Many thanks to Revell and NetGalley for the advanced reader copy.
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