Christmas Shoes

Christmas Hope #1

by Donna VanLiere

Already a Christmas classic, The Christmas Shoes, is an extraordinary tale based on the remarkably popular song of the same name. The heartwarming story by NewSong instantly soared to the top of

Genres: Christmas, Fiction, Holiday, Christian Fiction, Christian, Romance, Book Club

230 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2001

About the author

Donna is a New York Times and USA Today best-selling author. She's an in-demand conference speaker and gifted teacher and has 14 published books including four that have been adapted into movies.

Donna is the recipient of multiple industry awards including a Retailer's Choice Award for Fiction, a Dove Award, a Silver Angel Award, two Audie Awards for best inspirational fiction, a nominee for a Gold Medallion Book of the Year and is an inductee in the Ohio Foundation of Independent Colleges Hall of Excellence joining such luminaries as Coretta Scott King, Hugh Downs, Dr. Norman Vincent Peale and Senator John Glenn.

Learn more about Donna by visiting www.DonnaVanLiere.com and stay up-to-date and in-touch by subscribing to her free Friendship List.

Reviews

[Rosh (on a medical break) · Rating 2 out of 5]

In a Nutshell: #GrinchAlert! A typical tearjerker with moral life lessons and sappy events. Will work for those who love emotional Christmassy stories. Not really my cup of tea.

Story Synopsis:

Christmas, 1985.
Robert Layton is a workaholic who believes that he is satisfying his obligation to his family – wife Kate and their two little daughters – by fulfilling their material needs.
Nathan is an eight-year-old boy whose mom has a terminal illness and might not have long to live.
A chance encounter between the two creates a longlasting impact. This involves the titular ‘Christmas Shoes’.
The story comes to us in the first person perspective of Robert and third person limited perspectives of various characters.

This book is based on the song of the same name recorded by the group NewSong. The author’s friend, American Christian singer-songwriter Eddie Carswell, told her the premise of a Christmas song he was writing. He asked if it would make a good Christmas song and she replied that it would make a great book. Thus, NewSong released ‘The Christmas Shoes’ single to radio in the winter of 2000. And this book was published in 2001. There is also a made-for-TV movie that came later.

If you keep in mind that the idea for this book came from a song, you will realise why it seems so stretched out. There is essentially only one crucial scene in the book – the one connected to the shoes where Robert and Nathan interact. The rest is mostly emotional filler.

(I should add that I hadn't heard of this Christmas song ever before. After completing the book, I gave it a try through the Amazon Music app. It was just about okay, with the emotional lyrics being its biggest plus point.)

Some of the characters were really wonderful. (Not surprising for a Christmas story.) Nathan the little boy, Maggie his dying momma, and Doris the teacher were my special favourites. The scenes that had any of these three characters were the best. Most of the other characters were also good, or maybe I should say, too good to be true. Robert is the only grey character, the Scrooge of this Christmas story who has a turnaround after an epiphany. I wish I could say any of the characters surprised me, but every single one of them was as stereotypical as possible. Then again, I shouldn’t expect surprises from this genre, I guess.

What might have elevated this straightforward predictable story for me could have been the writing. However, this is where I was most disappointed. The first person narration is used for Robert while the third person is put into work for a whole load of other characters. However, the switches happen randomly, within the same chapter too. A few paragraphs could have the first person of Robert, then the narrative might move to a third person of Nathan, jumping to third person of Maggie, possibly putting in third person pov of Kate and so on. It was like a figurative 'narratory' ball was being thrown around and whichever character caught it got to recount the next few paragraphs. There are also plenty of time jumps. Though the first chapter mentions the timeline as 1985, the scenes start much before that. But we don’t know the right year as it simply isn’t specified.

Each chapter begins with a quote. Most of the quotes are truly beautiful. However, the final chapter begins with a quote from Donna VanLiere herself, which seemed quite weird tbh. Isn’t she writing the whole book? Why plug another one of her works through a quote?

The book comes under the Christian fiction category, and as such, there are an ample number of biblical values and verses. As I always say, I prefer Christian fiction that focuses more on deeds than words. The characters in this book do both – spout quotes from the Bible as well as act the “Christian” way in terms of love, acceptance and forgiveness. However, one part that really confused me was – how come all these practising Christians aren’t going to church any time, not even on Christmas Eve? Other than the Bible quotes and some paragraphs on what Jesus’ birth meant to humanity, the only thing the characters seem to be doing around Christmas is decorating the house, meeting up for family lunch/dinner, and exchanging gifts. Hello?!?! Remember, HE’s the reason for the season!

Today is Christmas Day, so I guess I have been the biggest Grinch here by reviewing a beloved Christmas story this poorly. However, it just didn’t work for me. I am not a great fan of Christmassy tearjerkers as they all focus on sermonising about moral values and have become highly predictable. I am truly glad if these Hallmark-movie-style stories work for you, but they just don’t click to my reading tastes any more. So do take this review with a pinch of salt.

2 stars.



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[Renata Annese · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the kind of book that quietly wrecks you in the best possible way. From the first pages, it pulls you in with raw emotion, heartfelt faith, and characters that feel instantly real. It’s a powerful story about love, sacrifice, and what truly matters when time feels fragile. 🤍

You will cry. 😭✨ But it’s the kind of emotional punch that leaves you grateful, not drained. This story doesn’t rely on drama... it works because it’s honest, tender, and deeply human, reminding us that hope and compassion often appear when we need them most.

I read this years ago and wasn’t prepared for how hard it would hit all over again. It left me wanting to hug my people tighter and appreciate the moment I’m in. If you want a short, unforgettable read that captures the heart of Christmas and lingers long after the final page, grab this one. 🎄📖

[Sheri · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lovely message of remembering what's really important and one that reminds me of 1 Corinthians 13:13 --And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.

The small, everyday moments we share with others may ultimately have a more lasting and significant impact than we realize, both for them and for us. So cherish your time together, make the memories, and share your love.

[Christine · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've had my eye on this little book for several years. I was thrilled to see that Libby App picked up the whole series this year. There was a long line, but I waited patiently, and my number came up on Christmas Eve!

This book reminds me of those precious Christmas stories written by Richard Paul Evans. There is always such a long queue for Evans' books during the holidays so I've pretty much given up on them. That's OK, as now I have Ms VanLiere's series to feast on. The Christmas Shoes is a tale of an eight-year-old boy whose mother is very ill, a kindly schoolteacher, and a selfish workaholic attorney. Their lives touch each other one December resulting in heartfelt consequences for all three. This is a fast-paced little book that can be easily read in a day. I was immediately engaged and read it in two sittings. I appreciated the epilogue that took place about 15 years later. I loved the tale so much that I have decided that every December I will read at least one of Ms. VanLiere's Christmas books. There are 10 of them, which makes my soul happy. Highly recommended.

[Darla · Rating 5 out of 5]

Some people will never believe. They may feel that such things are too trivial, too simple, or too insignificant to forever change a life. But I believe.

Most of us have heard the song about the boy who wants to buy a beautiful pair of shoes for his momma on Christmas Eve. He wants her to look beautiful when she meets Jesus. Donna VanLiere took the bones of that popular song and given us a Christmas novella that reminds us of the importance of those little things, those divine appointments that we encounter in our lives. In this busy season I am reminded of how imperative it is to meet each person in our lives as the eternal beings that they are. We don't know the significance of one word or action. Only God does. I don't know why it took me so long to get around to reading this book. What I do know is that God can use it in my life today. Merry Christmas, Goodreads friends!

[Kat · Rating 5 out of 5]

A sweet, touching Christmas story about a young boy who is losing his mother to illness around Christmastime and a man who needs to open his heart before he loses his family. This one had just the right amount of holiday and was very sweet.

[Bharath · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a nice little book which brings out what should be life’s priorities by contrasting two different families.

Robert is a workaholic attorney who works long hours and seems bewildered when his wife Kate seeks a divorce. After all, he thinks he was making money only for them. His mother does some frank talking with him, and also motivates him to attempt a new start with family life. Nathan is an 8-year-old boy, and in contrast his family struggles to make ends meet. His dad Jack is a mechanic, and his mom Maggie is suffering from cancer. The sense of bonding among the family is very strong and there is nothing they want more than to be with and support each other. Maggie’s condition worsens rapidly and it does not seem like she has very long left. It is Christmas Eve – Robert and Nathan have a chance encounter at a store when they are both out shopping, and that Nathan is short of money to buy his mom a shoe brings about a change in Robert.

This is a simple story but I liked that the messages are powerful and yet conveyed in a subtle manner. Despite being a fairly small book, the character development is pretty good. There are many loveable characters, especially Maggie, Nathan & Jack. Maggie’s strength shines and the love in the family comes across strongly.

There is a touch of sadness at Maggie’s condition, and yet it is a lovely book – a good one to read before Christmas.

My rating: 4.5 / 5.

[Thibault Busschots · Rating 3 out of 5]

I never expected that I would read this kind of book, because this just does not seem like my kind of story. But someone wanted me to read a proper Christmas-themed story. And you never know for sure until you try. So I decided to just give it a try.


An eight year old boy’s mom is about to die from cancer. He wants to buy her a fancy pair of shoes with his own money, so she can look pretty when she leaves him.

A man’s wife tells him that she’s going to pretend everything is okay for the kids, but after the holidays are over, he needs to move out. He just stands there with his mouth full of teeth, not even trying to stop his marriage from falling apart.

The man’s about to buy Christmas presents for his family when he notices a little boy in front of him, trying to buy a pair of women’s shoes.


It’s a story about those little random touching encounters in life, where two people cross paths and influence each other for the better. It’s about appreciating those little moments in life that don’t seem so important at first glance, but are ultimately cherished forever.


This is not really my kind of story to be honest. It’s a sweet and sad kind of emotional story that’s all about the concept, inspired by a Christmas song I’ve never heard of. There’s also quite a bit of telling instead of showing. But I’m glad I gave this a go. And I did enjoy it for what it is. As far as emotional Christmas-themed stories go, this is definitely pretty good.

[Gloria · Rating 4 out of 5]

Emotional story of happy family moments and sorrows centered around Christmas time. One man is focused on power and materialism to the detriment of his family while another family struggles but have closeness and faith. Both tie in together with a positive ending and an eye to what is important. I listened to the book via Libby and enjoyed the narrator.

[Srivalli Rekha · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.7

Robert is a successful attorney with a good career, a bank balance, and a loving family. He is shocked when he realizes that his marriage is almost over.

Maggie has cancer and knows she doesn't have much time. She wants her last Christmas with family to be special for everyone. Her son, Nathan, an eight-year-old, decides to give his mother a final gift she would cherish.

Nathan and Robert have a chance encounter at a store. Robert is shopping for random gifts, while Nathan knows what he wants to give his mom. The encounter leaves Robert shaken and desperate to save his marriage before he loses everything he loves.

The story alters between the first-person POV by Robert and the third-person POV.

My Thoughts:

The Christmas Shoes is a novella inspired by a song with the same title. It deals with themes like the Christmas spirit, family, love, God, faith, etc. It's a typical plot but in a condensed form with not enough space for character development.

Some scenes are touching. They hit the mark of a Christmas novel about family and relationships. However, the rest is half-done and doesn't go beyond the surface level. It almost feels like adhering to a checklist.

Robert- ambitious and not in touch with his emotions
Robert's mother- capable, happy, sane, and loving elder (nosy & bossy)
Kate (Robert's wife)- doesn't even have enough active presence
Maggie and Jack- poor but loving couple; very goody-goody; somehow never have to worry about money despite being poor
Nathan and Rachel- Maggie and Jack's children
Doris- Nathan's loving school teacher who somehow never had a student's parent pass away in 28 years of her career
Jack has compassionate bosses, while Robert's partners are ambitious like him
Friendly Black neighbors

See the pattern?

I wouldn't have minded this much if the characters were fully developed. However, this short book doesn't have the space for the characters to grow. The encounter between Nathan and Robert and the subsequent change in Robert felt rushed. We are pushed into the next scene even before the importance of the event sinks in.

Then we have Robert's mother being too in the face about the issues in his married life. That man is 38 years old. Wouldn't it work better to nudge him than tell him what to do?

I'm also wondering about the ending. It is sweet, but I'm not sure why it had to be in that particular year (except that the book was published the next year).

To summarize, The Christmas Shoes has lovely themes but deals with them on the surface level. The more to think about the plot, the lesser its emotional impact.

P.S.: I'd rather read goofy romance for Christmas than about dying parents. There's enough pain in the real world, but make Christma painful in books too?

[Julianna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reviewed for THC Reviews
I had recently been lamenting the fact that I hadn't read a true tear-jerker yet this year. I have been know to get a bit misty-eyed at certain scenes, but it is a rare book that makes me actually shed tears. The Christmas Shoes did exactly that and more. It made me cry buckets both while reading it and afterwards while merely thinking about it, and again while trying to write this review. There is a profound and beautiful message packed into this simple short story. It may have been difficult to read at times, evoking many deep and heartfelt emotions, but it was worth every moment. I have been left thinking about it long after turning the last page, which is what I hope for every time I pick up a book to read.

My favorite movie at Christmastime is It's a Wonderful Life, and The Christmas Shoes reminded me of it in some ways. Both stories are about the serendipitous nature of life and how each of our lives are important, intertwined with the lives of others, and can affect anyone with whom we come in contact in unexpected ways. It may not seem like some small thing we've done even mattered, but it's possible that it was the thing that utterly changed another person's life, all by us merely being in the right place at the right time. The meeting between Robert and Nathan in The Christmas Shoes was very brief, but during that short encounter, Nathan gave Robert a much-needed wake-up call, while Robert opened his heart enough to fulfill Nathan's Christmas wish for his dying mother. It all makes me wonder in what mysterious and unknown ways I might have affected the life of someone with whom I've come in contact, over the forty years of my own life.

I believe that The Christmas Shoes is the first book I've read that alternates between first and third person perspective. Robert's scenes are written in his first-person voice, while the rest of the book is written from the third-person point of view of various other characters. I didn't really have any difficulty following it, but it did take a little getting used to. Overall, I think this style worked well. Robert was the character whose life seemed to be the most affected, so it made sense to have his part be in first person. No matter what voice they were speaking in, all the characters were vividly brought to life in a touching and realistic way.

In the beginning, Robert is difficult to like. He is a rather selfish workaholic attorney who has become very materialistic and cynical (think shades of Scrooge from A Christmas Carol). His life is about to fall apart with his wife asking for a divorce after Christmas, but he still can't seem to figure out what he truly wants in life or how to make it happen. He also isn't very nice to some of the other characters in the story, and never really spends any time with his family. Once I came to the realization that Robert is a man who has lost his way and doesn't comprehend what is truly important in life, I was able to feel more sympathetic toward him, but real change doesn't come for him until he meets up with an eight-year-old little boy while doing last minute Christmas shopping on Christmas Eve.

While Robert's lifestyle is one of wealth bereft of human connections, Nathan's family has lived very simply, barely making ends meet on his father's salary as a mechanic, yet they have a home that is brimming full of love. His mother, Maggie made it that way, but now she is dying of cancer. I thoroughly admired Maggie's strength and dignity in the face of death. She didn't complain or ask “Why me?”. She chose to live her final days giving as much as she was physically able to her family. Maggie and Jack had a tragic romance to be sure, but one that was filled with more love in the seemingly short time they had together than some couples experience in a lifetime. That love was obviously passed on to their children, especially Nathan who was thoughtful enough to want to give his mother a very special present for her last Christmas with them and in doing so opened the eyes of a man who was lost to help him rediscover his way in life.

Death can be a very difficult topic for some people, and even I have to admit to being a former death phobic. I have slowly been challenged in my thinking on the subject, first by the death of both my parents more than ten years ago, and more recently by the death of two beloved pets who, through their final moments, taught me some very important lessons. It may seem strange to some, but I found a certain peace and beauty in these creature's passings and know that I wouldn't have wanted to be anywhere else but helping them to make that transition. I mention these things, because I absolutely loved the way Donna VanLiere handles death in The Christmas Shoes. She treats it not as something to be feared, but as something that can be very beautiful, a mere step into the afterlife. I also greatly admired the way that Maggie and Jack handled the subject of her impending death with Nathan. It is my fervent opinion that in cases like this, kids should be treated intelligently and allowed to make their own decisions, which can lead to a better sense of peace and closure for them.

Even though The Christmas Shoes was printed by a mainstream publisher, I have seen the book categorized as Christian fiction, and I suppose in some ways it is. The author is a Christian, and the characters talk about God, heaven, and how Christmas is the celebration of the Christ child's birth. Still, I think that the messages about love, life, death and how the choices we make can affect others, are universal ones that can be appreciated by anyone. In my opinion, the story is never preachy, nor does it seek to advance any sort of religious agenda. It merely tells an inspiring tale, leaving it up to the individual reader to discern the deeper meaning contained within its pages, which to me is the best kind of story, Christian or otherwise. In fact, I lost count of all the characters who were behaving in, what to my way of thinking, was a truly “Christ-like” manner which was very impressive to me. Although several main characters were shining beacons of light too, I was particularly taken by the kindness of some of the secondary characters like Nathan's teacher, Mrs. Patterson, the hospice nurse, Sylvia, and the anonymous lady who merely washed dishes and cleaned the kitchen the day after Maggie's death. They became a humble and sometimes silent expression of the real spirit of Christmas by showing God's love in service to those in need.

The Christmas Shoes is the first book in the Christmas Hope series. There are currently five books in the series, and the next one, The Christmas Blessing, follows Nathan as a young man dealing with new challenges in his grown-up life. I may not get a chance to read The Christmas Blessing this holiday season, but I will definitely be reading it at some point in the future. For anyone who isn't aware, The Christmas Shoes is based on the song of the same name recorded by the group NewSong. I've heard it on the radio at Christmastime a few times, and it always makes me cry just like the book did. There was also a made-for-TV movie adapted from the book which aired on television a few years ago and is now available on DVD. While recently shopping, I chanced to find a copy at Target even though I wasn't specifically searching for it, and I am now looking forward to watching it soon. Overall, The Christmas Shoes is an amazing book that made me cry like I don't think any other story ever has, but also left me with some very profound food for thought. Enjoy isn't quite the right word for such a heart-wrenching read, but it was a beautiful and utterly moving experience that has touched my heart and mind in inexplicable ways with its pure and simple expression of the true meaning of the holiday season. I highly recommend this book to all readers. Just be sure to have a box of tissues handy for the inevitable flood of tears.

Note: This book has no objectionable content, so in my opinion, would be suitable for teen readers and possibly even pre-teens as long as they wouldn't be bothered by the highly emotional nature of the subject matter.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

LOVED this book! So heartwarming and such great messages! Most people have heard the song, but the book is even better! Completely recommend!

[Kay · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good holiday read.
(edit 2017) This was a very good Christmas book and will probably make you cry. After reading a few more holiday books since then, it is difficult to find one as good as this.

[Karlyflower *The Vampire Ninja, Luminescent Monster & Wendigo Nerd Goddess of Canada (according to The Hulk)* · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 Stars



I’ve never been much of a seasonal reader. I believe 2014 was the first year I read any books set at Christmas time during the holidays (other than children’s books), but when I saw that my 2015 PopSugar challenge had such an entry, I knew 2014 wouldn’t be the last year I did it.

I don’t know how familiar you guys are with the song “The Christmas Shoes”, I know I’ve heard it and the general message is one that I know pretty well but it’s not a favourite or anything. So imagine my surprise when I was scouring my shelves looking for a Christmas book to complete this entry and saw this slim volume tucked in there… I actually have no idea where it came from, oh well.

The Christmas Shoes follows two different families, one which is falling apart due to illness and another due to a lack of effort. The two families cross paths on several occasions (some pleasant and some not so much) but never converge. It’s a fairly accurate reality for most people who live in the same community. And truthfully some of the most impactful moments in my life will probably never be understood by the seemingly random people who were present.

For me this book is pretty religious, which I actually don’t mind seeing as how it is set at Christmas, and it does a lovely job of tightroping that line and never becoming actually preachy. I appreciate that; preachy prose is one of my least favourite things in literature.

Probably my biggest disappointment in this book was the text itself; it gives a whole new meaning to the term “bland”. With all the heart-string pulling ammunition available in this story (and a fabulous message to boot) you would think it would invoke some feelings in me. It didn’t. It was sweet and a bit sad but overall it just sort of felt like regurgita of the same message that is in pretty much every holiday book; people are more precious than gifts.

And THAT is a message I completely agree with. However, this book bored me overall.


Category: A Book set at Christmas.

[Jennie Louwes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Poignant is the word that best describes this book. Heartfelt and moving, at times a bit trite; but, overall evocative and well worth ones time to read.

I smiled, I cried, I cared deeply for the parallel lives of the characters that were being lived out simultaneously.

Tender touches matter. Paying kindness forward matters. Life and death are so integrally intertwined; we will all know someone who dies. How then should we be prompted to live our lives? Why, with great respect towards one another! Aware that no one's path is easy. Everyone has struggles. Strive to be thoughtful and to give of yourself in a personal way to those your life intersects with.

Be sensitive. Look outside of yourself. Strive to be more than a provider for your family but a true presence in their lives. Earn your right to be missed by placing yourself in other people's hearts. You do this by being present in the lives of others, both family and strangers alike, and becoming the present they've been hoping and praying for.

Stop walking through each day with your own life's, film reel running; but, take in your surroundings. Be the helping hands that someone else may need; and, when you give do so generously and with a joyful heart.

This book is filled with wisdom for the ages and should become a sentinel on your home's library bookshelves. A thin volume that will continue to stand the testaments of time (both this book and the song that carries the same title).

A book you'd be capable of reading in one sitting; but, also a book not meant to be rushed through. Let it soak in; and, allow the quotes at the beginning of each chapter to speak to you too:

"The more I think it over, the more I feel that there is nothing more truly artistic than to love people." -Vincent van Gogh

A 5 star read.

[Jerry (Rebel With a Massive Media Library) · Rating 4 out of 5]

The tune that inspired this novel has been called "the saddest song of all time," so, of course this book would be emotionally charged. Still, if you don't mind that, it's a good read.

[Chris St · Rating 4 out of 5]

A quick read about what should be important in life.

[Elizabeth · Rating 2 out of 5]

This novel follows two different characters during a difficult Christmas season: A boy, Nathan, learns that his mother is dying of cancer, while a hard-working lawyer, Robert, realizes that he has become distanced from his wife and children. When a chance encounter brings the boy and the lawyer to the same department store check-out line, Robert learns something beautiful about the true meaning of Christmas.

I was not expecting this book to be the Great American Novel. I was expecting it to be sappy, saccharine even, and it was, and I don't have a problem with that. Sometimes I'm in the mood for something schmaltzy, and that's fine. If I hadn't wanted to read something sappy, I'd have quit after the first few pages. I was not expecting it to be Christian fiction, although that doesn't really surprise me. What did surprise me was this book's knack for making me angry.

First of all, the mom has been very sick for some time. She's tired and getting weaker. She's on hospice. She knew from the very beginning that she probably wouldn't make it. She's already done the chemotherapy, and she's got a hospital bed for her living room. She's come home to die. So I want to know why in the heck she and her husband wait until the day she dies to tell their eight-year-old son that the mother won't get better. Up until that day, he thought she wasn't seriously sick. I understand the parents wanting to protect the child, but they can't save the mother, so he's going to have to face this tragedy anyway. The least they could do was be honest with him. Moreover, during the mother's last hours of consciousness, the father and grandmother sit with her, read to her, talk to her. When she's safely dead, they decide it's okay for their son to come in and say goodbye. He's eight. He's not a baby. He's certainly old enough to understand what's going on, and they have robbed him of something he'll never regain. But Nathan is relieved, because apparently his father almost waited until the next day to tell the son. So hey, it could have been even worse.

Most of the cancer plot is done well enough. It's sappy and a little predictable, but that's okay for this style of book. There were even some things that I liked. For instance, I always thought shoes were a sort of strange gift to give to someone who could no longer walk, so I was wondering how VanLiere would introduce the idea. It turns out that Nathan heard his teacher saying that her favorite Christmas was the one on which she received, as a present, a new pair of shoes. So Nathan, who only just learned of his mother's impending death, dashes off to buy the only thing he knows of TO buy. It makes sense, and its both sweet and sad. That said, the teacher character isn't all that well-written: in 29 years of teaching, she's never had a student whose parent had died. Really? 29 years' worth of students all came from happy, two-parent homes? VanLiere did not have to make Nathan's surroundings artificially cheery in order to make his situation, which is intrinsically tragic, seem sad.

What really steamed me about this book is the other plot, the lawyer who has a chance encounter with the boy. He had a nice job. He bought a nice house. This, apparently, makes him a bad guy. His wife thinks that he works too many hours, and she wants a divorce, She doesn't suggest trying to reconnect, nor does she want counseling. No, the first indication that he has that she is in any way dissatisfied is when she says that she wants a divorce, which she then tries to justify with the flimsiest rationalization I can imagine: "Let's face it, you left this family a long time ago." Are we even supposed to like the wife? It's not that she's mean. In fact, outside this one scene (a page and a half), she doesn't really have any personality. What did he do that was so wrong? He embezzled! No, wait, that's not it. Maybe he had an affair? No? Did he just get drunk and make a pass at his mother-in-law? No? Really? You mean he only worked hard and lived honestly? Heck, I'd divorce him too.

But like I said, there isn't enough of the wife in the book to like or dislike her. She's just kind of there. Robert's mother, however, has a personality. Not a great one. She's nosy, arrogant, judgmental, mean-spirited, and she's one of the story's heroes because it was she (and not the wife) pointed out to Robert the error of his ways. She cornered him, and even though he did not want to discuss it with her, he listened to her sermon lecture conversation. But did it have to be so much like a catechism? What is the problem in your marriage? I'll tell you. You are the problem in your marriage. Why are you the problem in your marriage? And on. And on. The mother seems to have been endowed with the ability to know exactly what's troubling her daughter-in-law without ever having discussed anything with her, but is she psychic? No! Turns out she can speak for all women. Joy!

Meanwhile, the rich lawyer is contrasted with Nathan's family, where money is "tight," and they "can barely make ends meet." They bought a ranch house, put in a new roof, new floors, new carpeting, and new plumbing. And I don't mean they fixed a leak; they ripped out the pipes and put in new ones, and they made repairs to the foundation as well. They made it "the nicest" home on the block. Then, the wife went nuts buying all kinds of new plants for the garden. Meanwhile, her husband had a steady job, and she worked part-time. But, oh, by the way, they're so poor. The husband is kept awake nights feeling guilty for not being a better provider, and the wife consoles him by saying that there is a difference between wants and needs, and at least they have their needs. Heck, if a sprawling ranch house, remodel, and plants are needs, I'd hate to see their wants. Of course, by the end of the story, the lawyer learns how misguided he has has been. He says, "We all have questions in this life. It's taken me a long time to figure out what the really important question are. NotHow am I going to make enough money?[. . .]No, more like What are flowers thinking beneath the snow?" That about says it all, I think. Years from now, I can tell my own kids, "Aw, gee, Sport. I'm sorry you're having the seizures/chest pains/asthma attacks/allergies/near-sightedness/any-kind-of-ailment, but son, that's just not important. You should focus instead on the emotions of last summer's dead plants. That really matters." (I assume VanLiere meant "seeds" or "bulbs," not flowers, but it's a moot point anyway since neither dead flowers nor live bulbs possess an amygdala.)

That's most of what bothered me with this book. It was too shallow, the characters were unlikeable (except for the unlikable lawyer--him I understood). It tries too hard. It presents a moving scene, but then it spells out why it's moving, and then it has the characters narrate their own process of discovering the beauty/sorrow/love of the season. It's the kind of Christian book that gives Christian fiction a bad reputation, and I'm not even sure how Christian it is. I didn't appreciate VanLiere insulting Easter, the holiest of our festivals, just to make Christmas look better by comparison, nor did I enjoy her interpretation of the star that guided the magi as being the light at the end of the tunnel. Look at the light! Go into the star! It's a death star! Oh, please.


Life is too short to read bad books. Save yourself from this one.

[Priya · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a beautiful book about how important the little things are, how they are the most significant in fact!
An attorney who is facing the end of his marriage after years of choosing work over family is hurriedly scooping up presents late on Christmas Eve. He happens to come across a little boy who is about to lose his mother to illness.
From this it's clear that this will make you cry and it does. There is sometimes nothing we can do to get back a loved one but what about those times when life gives us another chance?
Maybe this had more impact for me because the year it is set in was personally a very difficult one and I related so much to the child in this story. It is definitely a reminder to make and hold those precious memories that are a comfort forever.

[Camilla · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars.

[Nathan · Rating 1 out of 5]

This was given to me as a gag gift, and (spoiler alert!) it sucks. I suppose you could say that it is somewhat capably written, much in the same way that a high school essay takes a few scattered facts and stretches them out into a full research page paper. That's where the positives end. The book is filled with enough sugary schmaltz and false sentimentality to send cookie monster into a diabetic coma. The character development (if you could call it that) of secondary characters serves little purpose other than to push the plot forward to it's predictable conclusion. Protagonist is a jerk, everyone else is a good person, sick people die, lessons learned, the end. The book is basically A Christmas Carol without any of the badass ghosts. I've read Hallmark greeting cards with more interesting plot twists than this book. I've got to end this review for now; I have a copy of My Humps: the Novel that needs to be read.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yes, this is a teary eyed read, but I am not ashamed to say that I really enjoyed it. It reminded me a lot of the theme expressed in Jimmy Stewart's movie, It's a Wonderful Life. It will remind you of what's really important in your life. I know, while I was reading it today, I blew up my husband's phone with random text messages telling him how much I loved him. I like books that inspire me to love my family more and to appreciate them and this book did exactly that. I look forward to reading the rest of this Christmas series.

[Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book! A real tear jerker!

[Antof9 · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm not sure why I'd start reading a book like this on the anniversary of the day my dad died, but I started it yesterday. After sobbing through the first half, I put it down to finish it this evening. It's one of those short, heartwarming stories where a hardened workaholic learns the true meaning of Christmas, someone dies (actually multiple people die), and you really wish it was snowing outside. In short, it was lovely, and I cried all the way through it.

The perspective change throughout was a little confusing. Every time a chapter started and the writer said "I", I had to pay careful attention to which story I was reading. I swear I re-read the fake forward about three times (being confused about "Donna Van Liere" writing about her wife.

But it was still a great book, and I loved how Robert's mom yelled at him. I also loved her neighbors, and Doris.

It's great for a good cry and a reminder of what Christmas is all about. And it's a quick read :)

[Shirley Chapel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've heard the song many times. Watched the movie quite a few times too. I'd never read the book until now. It's tradition for me to read a Christmas book by Donna VanLiere every Christmas and this year I chose The Christmas Shoes. It's a lot like the movie and song but in some ways it's not like either . I will say that I liked the book better than the movie.
This tiny book packs a powerful message. It will drive you to tears. It will cause you to smile. It has a heaping helping of the Christmas Spirit with much love blended in. All of this is packed into 132 pages of this classic Christmas book. I'd recommend it to readers of any genre. The book left me with a warm feeling that just maybe I might be a better person because I read it.

[Kristina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oh my word, if you want a book to make you feel- this is the one!

I listened to this as an audiobook, and I don't have the same connection to characters hearing the story versus reading (thank you auditory/cognitive issues). Had I read it physically, I would have been a puddle the whole time. I recently read The Christmas Table, unaware it was the tenth (and maybe last?) book in this series. I adored that story, so of course I had to go back to the beginning of the series and will be working my way through the rest of them rather quickly I'm sure. I loved the faith on display in this one and the discussion about marriage from one of the couples who contemplated divorce.

After binging the The Time of Jacob's Trouble series and now loving two Christmas novellas, Donna VanLiere is an author I must read everything from!!

[Tatevik (on hiatus) · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a solid 3-star book, before I reached the half of it. The book should have ended there, even in the middle of the sentence. It should have.

I am not a huge fan of romance and chick lit, but I wanted something Christmassy and light to turn off my brain from everything, so combing through the GR Christmas book lists resulted some children's classic picture books and this.

And strangely enough I was not that annoyed as I am usually when reading this type of books. The writing was a little "romancey" and the story was artificially prolonged for me. And oh, I cried before I reached the half of it. Somehow some topics make me cry no matter how bad the book is. I was crying like I did for A Monster Calls. That's why I was saying she should have ended the book there. That and a little polish, this book would turn out to be another A Monster Calls.

2,5 stars and the half is for making me cry.

[madame · Rating 4 out of 5]

tout ce qui touche à la famille me touche toujours sans bon sens. chacune de ces histoires — dans ce roman, sont venues me chercher d’une manière ou d’une autre. prendre soin des nôtres, la maladie et l’amour, tout ça m’a renversée. une belle belle histoire, mais à lire avec des mouchoirs.

[Lorraine · Rating 5 out of 5]

My favorite Christmas read of the season 🎄
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️Stars

[R.A. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! How do I even review this? The cover is lovely, but the story was just amazing!

I don't know anything about The Christmas Shoes song, so that wasn't the reason I bought this and read it! But I LOVE how the story is focused around the lyrics of that song (the lyrics are on a page at the end of the book).

It's a very powerful, spiritual book which made me love it more! It was so focused around God! There was forgiveness as well, along with the fact that married couples should stay together when they're married - they shouldn't give up, even if something hard is going on. I just loved everything about this book!

The characters were so great and I loved them clear to the end of the book! There were several point of views, but they all connected some way or another, which was really neat ... and it wasn't awkwardly written either! It's so sad that Maggie died of cancer! :(

The ending is probably my favourite bit of this book, but I won't say anything in case I spill out a spoiler or something! Well, I am going to spit out a spoiler, but it'll be in the special spoiler thingy. Don't click on it, unless you don't care about spoilers! (I hope you do care about them though! :D) It's amazing how at the end, Robert and the little boy (which is Nathan, but he's grown up now) meet each other in the cemetery, but they obviously don't know who each other are! It was amazing! I just love how the "Christmas Shoes" came is as well ... so sweet! <3

Anyway, I'll be done with this review, but I don't know what else to say! It's a lovely Christmas read with a great message! I'd read it if I were you!