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Will Martin #1
The Christmas Wish
At the age of four, Will Martin lost his parents and went to live with his grandparents. The warm memories of life in a small town and the old-fashioned Christmas holidays he and his grandparents shared sustain him still as a young man making his way in the world.
Years later, Will takes a leave of absence from his job in New York City to return home after his grandfather's death to help run the family real estate business. There he discovers something about his grandfather's past that shatters him and the memories of the life he so loved. At dinner one evening, his grandmother tells Will that she has been reading her husband's journals and learned that every Christmas Eve, when she and Will were out doing their traditional last-minute shopping, her husband was seeing a woman named Lillian. This year, his grandmother's Christmas wish is for Will to find out who Lillian is and why Will's grandfather, a seemingly devoted husband, saw Lillian every year for more than twenty-seven years and never mentioned her name.
As Will struggles to salvage the family business and learn the truth about Lillian, he approaches a revelation that teaches him a lesson in the power of kindness, forgiveness, and love to uplift an entire community and touch each life within it.
With an inspiring message wrapped in an irresistible mystery, this heartwarming Christmas tale will be cherished as a wonderful gift of the season by anyone who appreciates the magic of yuletide classics old and new.
Years later, Will takes a leave of absence from his job in New York City to return home after his grandfather's death to help run the family real estate business. There he discovers something about his grandfather's past that shatters him and the memories of the life he so loved. At dinner one evening, his grandmother tells Will that she has been reading her husband's journals and learned that every Christmas Eve, when she and Will were out doing their traditional last-minute shopping, her husband was seeing a woman named Lillian. This year, his grandmother's Christmas wish is for Will to find out who Lillian is and why Will's grandfather, a seemingly devoted husband, saw Lillian every year for more than twenty-seven years and never mentioned her name.
As Will struggles to salvage the family business and learn the truth about Lillian, he approaches a revelation that teaches him a lesson in the power of kindness, forgiveness, and love to uplift an entire community and touch each life within it.
With an inspiring message wrapped in an irresistible mystery, this heartwarming Christmas tale will be cherished as a wonderful gift of the season by anyone who appreciates the magic of yuletide classics old and new.
203 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1996
16 people are currently reading
2332 people want to read
About the author
Richard Siddoway
17 books16 followersI was born in Salt Lake City, Utah and reared in Bountiful, a town about 10 miles north of Salt Lake City. I graduated in the first graduating class from Bountiful High School in 1957. Five years later I returned to teach at BHS. I taught there for 26 years with a year out to teach among my Navajo friends in Chinle, Arizona.
I left Bountiful High School when I became vice principal at Viewmont High School--Bountiful's cross-town rivals. I then moved to the Davis School District Office as the supervisor of library/media and technology education. In 1994 Governor Michael O. Leavitt asked me to build the first state-wide virtual high school. When I retired in 2007 the Electronic High School was the largest high school in the nation.
I served three terms in the Utah House of Representatives--the last two years as Speaker Pro Tempore.
I have been lucky enough to have several books published; one of them, "The Christmas Wish" was a New York Times best seller and was made into a movie starring Debbie Reynolds, Neil Patrick Harris, and Naomi Watts.
I am a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and have served as a Bishop and Stake President. My wife and I have served missions in Nauvoo, Illinois, and Taylorsville, Utah (Spanish).
Most importantly we have eight children and twenty six grandchildren.
I left Bountiful High School when I became vice principal at Viewmont High School--Bountiful's cross-town rivals. I then moved to the Davis School District Office as the supervisor of library/media and technology education. In 1994 Governor Michael O. Leavitt asked me to build the first state-wide virtual high school. When I retired in 2007 the Electronic High School was the largest high school in the nation.
I served three terms in the Utah House of Representatives--the last two years as Speaker Pro Tempore.
I have been lucky enough to have several books published; one of them, "The Christmas Wish" was a New York Times best seller and was made into a movie starring Debbie Reynolds, Neil Patrick Harris, and Naomi Watts.
I am a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and have served as a Bishop and Stake President. My wife and I have served missions in Nauvoo, Illinois, and Taylorsville, Utah (Spanish).
Most importantly we have eight children and twenty six grandchildren.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 196 reviews
August 3, 2017
A sweet holiday story. Totally want to watch the movie now, lol.
December 22, 2025
This is such an amazing book! So unexpected yet delightful...a definite keeper and must read if considering watching the movie based upon it! Loved this story+++
February 10, 2017
Sometimes a hidden secret is far from what you think. A must read!
December 27, 2013
This story is about Will Martin, the grandson of Warren and Ruth Martin, who lost his parents to a car accident 28 years ago. In the current timeline, Will and his grandmother are dealing with the aftermath of his grandfather, Warren's, death. His grandmother reads the journals that Warren kept, which mentions a woman named Lillian that Warren visited every Christmas Eve. Ruth wants to know who is Lillian. "With an inspiring message wrapped in an irresitible mystery, this heartwarming Christmas tale will be cherished by anyone who appreciates the magic of yuletide Classics old and new." - Definitely speaks to the real spirit of Christmas!
The revelation that teaches a lesson in the power of kindness, forgiveness, and love to uplift an entire community and touch each life within it.
Favorite Scene:
"Here's one for you," he said, handing Ruth a small gold-wrapped present. Ruth untied the scarlet bow and removed the wrapping paper. She opened the velvet box to reveal the emerald pendant.
"Oh, Will. You shouldn't have," she cried.
"I didn't," he stammed. "Grandpa had Mr. Taylor (town jewelry store owner) make it for you. He picked out the stone some time before he died."
Her lips began to tremble and tears streamed down her face.
"Thank you, Will. Thank you."
"You're welcome. But I'm confused, Gram. An emerald isn't your birthstone."
"No, Will, it isn't. But it's the birthstone for May, the month your grandfather and I met. He always said that our meeting was a rebirth for both of us."
Isn't that SOOOOO ROMANTIC?!?! Loved how this was portrayed in the TV movie!!
This next scene is definitely about kindness and helping others:
Charlie (homeless person, down on his luck) stared at Will. "Why are you doing this (taking Charlie to lunch so he could have a hot meal on a cold winter day), young man?"
Will shrugged his shoulders. "You looked like you needed help."
Another scene that I liked: setting - Renee's apartment after dinner for Renee, Will and her son.
A few minutes later Renee and Will stood side by side in the kitchen. She was washing and he was drying. "You really didn't have to help me with this," she said.
"No problem. My grandma trained me right."
You go, Grandma!!! More men could use some home-training!
Loved the book and it message.
The revelation that teaches a lesson in the power of kindness, forgiveness, and love to uplift an entire community and touch each life within it.
Favorite Scene:
"Here's one for you," he said, handing Ruth a small gold-wrapped present. Ruth untied the scarlet bow and removed the wrapping paper. She opened the velvet box to reveal the emerald pendant.
"Oh, Will. You shouldn't have," she cried.
"I didn't," he stammed. "Grandpa had Mr. Taylor (town jewelry store owner) make it for you. He picked out the stone some time before he died."
Her lips began to tremble and tears streamed down her face.
"Thank you, Will. Thank you."
"You're welcome. But I'm confused, Gram. An emerald isn't your birthstone."
"No, Will, it isn't. But it's the birthstone for May, the month your grandfather and I met. He always said that our meeting was a rebirth for both of us."
Isn't that SOOOOO ROMANTIC?!?! Loved how this was portrayed in the TV movie!!
This next scene is definitely about kindness and helping others:
Charlie (homeless person, down on his luck) stared at Will. "Why are you doing this (taking Charlie to lunch so he could have a hot meal on a cold winter day), young man?"
Will shrugged his shoulders. "You looked like you needed help."
Another scene that I liked: setting - Renee's apartment after dinner for Renee, Will and her son.
A few minutes later Renee and Will stood side by side in the kitchen. She was washing and he was drying. "You really didn't have to help me with this," she said.
"No problem. My grandma trained me right."
You go, Grandma!!! More men could use some home-training!
Loved the book and it message.
December 3, 2020
Hoo boy.
Look, every year in December I try to read a couple Christmas-themed novels. I know they're going to be schlocky. I do. And, I approach them as openly as I can to try to find the silly joy of the literary version of a Hallmark movie.
But, oh my, this one.
The biggest problem for me was the dialogue. No one speaks like these people do. Perhaps, in 1921 they did. Maybe. But not in the late 90s. One more "My boy" at the end of a statement and I was going to chuck this at my Christmas tree. Also, it's not written well. I understand it was 1995 and cell phones were new...but, even then it wasn't necessary to describe the process of using one to call someone in anything less than a sentence. Or the overly torturous descriptions of trees and streets...it was tiresome.
The ending...even for a Christmas feel-good it was a little too on-the-nose and neatly wrapped up. I will give the story this, though. The reveal of who the mysterious "Lillian" was at the heart of this was satisfying and even a bit shocking.
In any case, I can see from the average GR rating that many people loved this so I will count myself in the Grinchy minority apparently!
Look, every year in December I try to read a couple Christmas-themed novels. I know they're going to be schlocky. I do. And, I approach them as openly as I can to try to find the silly joy of the literary version of a Hallmark movie.
But, oh my, this one.
The biggest problem for me was the dialogue. No one speaks like these people do. Perhaps, in 1921 they did. Maybe. But not in the late 90s. One more "My boy" at the end of a statement and I was going to chuck this at my Christmas tree. Also, it's not written well. I understand it was 1995 and cell phones were new...but, even then it wasn't necessary to describe the process of using one to call someone in anything less than a sentence. Or the overly torturous descriptions of trees and streets...it was tiresome.
The ending...even for a Christmas feel-good it was a little too on-the-nose and neatly wrapped up. I will give the story this, though. The reveal of who the mysterious "Lillian" was at the heart of this was satisfying and even a bit shocking.
In any case, I can see from the average GR rating that many people loved this so I will count myself in the Grinchy minority apparently!
March 20, 2015
The Christmas Wish by Richard Siddoway
Will Martin is back to the town where his grandparents had raised him when his parents are killed.
He's there to help the grandmother to settle the estate and he is given the journals, one written every Christmas eve....He recalls many happy holidays.
She wants him to find out about the woman mentioned in the journals for over 27 years....
As life goes on they each learn all the things the grandfather had done for the others in town, whether it be money or a good word to further their education and all kinds of charity work done, with no recognition.
The town is growing on him and he's getting pressure to go back to the city to his girlfriend...love that his handshake was good enough as a signed contract.
Love how the ends are all tied as the last page is turned.
I received this book from National Library Service for my BARD (Braille Audio Reading Device).
Will Martin is back to the town where his grandparents had raised him when his parents are killed.
He's there to help the grandmother to settle the estate and he is given the journals, one written every Christmas eve....He recalls many happy holidays.
She wants him to find out about the woman mentioned in the journals for over 27 years....
As life goes on they each learn all the things the grandfather had done for the others in town, whether it be money or a good word to further their education and all kinds of charity work done, with no recognition.
The town is growing on him and he's getting pressure to go back to the city to his girlfriend...love that his handshake was good enough as a signed contract.
Love how the ends are all tied as the last page is turned.
I received this book from National Library Service for my BARD (Braille Audio Reading Device).
December 14, 2022
Hallmarky and the romance moved way too fast
January 19, 2020
I always plan on reading at least one Christmas-themed book during the Holiday season each year. For the past three years The Christmas Wish was the book I planned to read ... and three years in a row, someone checked it out from the library ahead of me ... and three years in a row, whoever checked it out was so late in returning it that the Holiday season was over before it became available.
This year, I decided that I would read it whenever it got back to the library even if the Holiday season was long gone. It was due back to the library on December 17 but was not actually returned until nearly a month after that date. So, that is when I checked it out. I read it in two days. It is a fast read both because it is short and because it is a real page turner.
Even though I knew a good deal about the story beforehand, I was still quite pleasantly surprised by the ending. The Christmas Wish is a touching story about the power of forgiveness and of being a good, caring, non-judgmental, Christ-like person to those around us.
This year, I decided that I would read it whenever it got back to the library even if the Holiday season was long gone. It was due back to the library on December 17 but was not actually returned until nearly a month after that date. So, that is when I checked it out. I read it in two days. It is a fast read both because it is short and because it is a real page turner.
Even though I knew a good deal about the story beforehand, I was still quite pleasantly surprised by the ending. The Christmas Wish is a touching story about the power of forgiveness and of being a good, caring, non-judgmental, Christ-like person to those around us.
December 28, 2015
Will has a busy, very-important-j0b in Manhattan, but when his grandfather dies, he heads back to his small-town "home" to help make decisions about his grandfather's real-estate business. Filled with ideas about how to pull this business into this century, make it more profitable takes Will longer than he predicted, which doesn't sit well with either his boss or his girlfriend.
It's when his grandmother gives Will her one wish for Christmas that his world is turned upside down, and Will begins to learn some things about his grandfather he begins to wonder about the man he idolized as a younger man, and questioning everything.
Very simple, but effective.
It's when his grandmother gives Will her one wish for Christmas that his world is turned upside down, and Will begins to learn some things about his grandfather he begins to wonder about the man he idolized as a younger man, and questioning everything.
Very simple, but effective.
February 27, 2009
Very Richard Paul Evanesc I thought. I thought it was ok although I figured out who the mystery person was in the first several chapters. I seems these Richards just keep writing the same story over and over again. Like I said it was ok.
December 18, 2024
This is such a sweet little Christmas book about a woman who finds herself widowed and surrounded by her husband’s stack of journals. In them, she finds the name Lillian – a person she is clueless about. She asks her grandson to find out who it is and thus begins a search that has him looking at so many aspects of his grandfather’s life. It’s a wonderful story and the mystery keeps the reader guessing right up until the end.
Read
May 10, 2025Watched the movie instead.
February 1, 2018
It's a sweet story, ... and if you've read Atlas Shrugged, perhaps a little too sweet when it came to running the family business (if you know what I mean). I did appreciate the relationships in the book though; they were close, warm and meaningful - just as relationships should be and what we all aspire to.
It's not an intricate plot - I had my suspicions about the mysterious Lillian just a number of chapters in. But if you're looking for a Hallmark Christmas movie styled read, this is a good one. Warm and sweet with a happy ending.
Cleanliness: There is some kissing in the book - short and not detailed at all. Spoiler Alert: a divorced women says it was better for her and her husband that they parted ways. She remarries. There are suspicions that an old man had an affair - he did not.
#christmas
**Like my reviews? I also have hundreds of detailed reports that I offer too. These reports give a complete break-down of everything in the book, so you'll know just how clean it is or isn't. I also have Clean Guides (downloadable PDFs) which enable you to clean up your book before reading it! Visit my website: The Book Radar.
It's not an intricate plot - I had my suspicions about the mysterious Lillian just a number of chapters in. But if you're looking for a Hallmark Christmas movie styled read, this is a good one. Warm and sweet with a happy ending.
Cleanliness: There is some kissing in the book - short and not detailed at all. Spoiler Alert: a divorced women says it was better for her and her husband that they parted ways. She remarries. There are suspicions that an old man had an affair - he did not.
#christmas
**Like my reviews? I also have hundreds of detailed reports that I offer too. These reports give a complete break-down of everything in the book, so you'll know just how clean it is or isn't. I also have Clean Guides (downloadable PDFs) which enable you to clean up your book before reading it! Visit my website: The Book Radar.
December 7, 2019
A sweet, simple Christmas story, The Christmas Wish is an easy read reminiscent of It’s A Wonderful Life and all its small town charm. Likeable characters abound and even the easygoing plot (if you can call it that as the tension is pretty lighthearted) manages to somehow cement the likeability. If ever there was a Mayberry Christmas Special, this is it.
November 27, 2019
Cute story. I saw the movie first and think I prefer it just a little over the book for small reasons. A few things were cut for the movie version and a few more were added. Plus how do you turn down something that stars both Neil Patrick Harris and Debbie Reynolds?
This was a fast read, which I really liked. That's especially good for Christmas books that you're trying to finish within the month of December.
This was a fast read, which I really liked. That's especially good for Christmas books that you're trying to finish within the month of December.
November 28, 2019
What a sweet little book! Some of it was predictable and sometimes the characters fell a little flat for me, but overall I enjoyed it and the ending had me in tears! ❤️
December 4, 2015
My family taped the TV movie based on this book when it came out years ago and watched it together every Christmas season. It's hard to find the movie now, but my whole family really enjoys the movie. I finally read the book after meaning to for years and found that the movie is a very good adaption of the book and really true to the original story. It is a sweet, moving Christmas story and was a very quick read.
November 26, 2011
This book made me mad. If it was such a good marriage and William Martin was such a great man, why did no one know about him until after his death. It was a contrived mystery.
December 4, 2020
Based on the first 40 or so pages, I didn't think I was going to like this book. The writing felt awkward and forced and immature and I wasn't sure I could get through a couple hundred pages of it. I cringed and rolled my eyes a lot. But somewhere after that 40th page it clicked into place--like Siddoway finally found his groove and pulled his writing voice together into something cute and fun.
Once I got into the story I assumed I had it all figured out. I HAD to know who Lillian was, and I had to know if I'd guessed correctly.
I had not.
The twist hit me hard and it was completely unexpected. Siddoway pulled off a genius story of Christmas intrigue, romance, and family ties without the reader even really realizing it's happening. It's sweet, it's fun, it's festive, it's mostly unrealistic (escapism for the holidays!), and I really enjoyed it. Every character is genuine--even the ones you don't like--and getting to know Will's grandfather is a beautiful adventure in kindness and love that's perfect for Christmas.
I would definitely recommend this story--and make sure to tell anyone I share it with to force themselves past page 40, because that's when it really takes off.
Once I got into the story I assumed I had it all figured out. I HAD to know who Lillian was, and I had to know if I'd guessed correctly.
I had not.
The twist hit me hard and it was completely unexpected. Siddoway pulled off a genius story of Christmas intrigue, romance, and family ties without the reader even really realizing it's happening. It's sweet, it's fun, it's festive, it's mostly unrealistic (escapism for the holidays!), and I really enjoyed it. Every character is genuine--even the ones you don't like--and getting to know Will's grandfather is a beautiful adventure in kindness and love that's perfect for Christmas.
I would definitely recommend this story--and make sure to tell anyone I share it with to force themselves past page 40, because that's when it really takes off.
July 11, 2023
Will Martin had been raised by his grandparents after his parents died when he was four. He has a fond memory of living in a slice of Americana, especially the old-fashioned Christmas holidays he had with his grandparents.
Now years later after his grandfather's death, the adult Will takes a leave of absence from his job to help run the family real estate business. It is then his grandmother tells Will that she has discovered through his journal that her husband has been meeting a woman every Christmas Eve, while she and Will were doing their traditional last-minute shopping. His grandmother sets Will on a mission to find this woman and the control she had over Will's grandfather. No deep dark tale here. it is a nice Holiday Season read.
As Will struggles to salvage the family business and learn the truth about Lillian, he approaches a revelation that teaches him a lesson in the power of kindness, forgiveness, and love to uplift an entire community and touch each life within it.
With an inspiring message wrapped in an irresistible mystery, this heartwarming Christmas tale will be cherished as a wonderful gift of the season by anyone who appreciates the magic of yuletide classics old and new.
Now years later after his grandfather's death, the adult Will takes a leave of absence from his job to help run the family real estate business. It is then his grandmother tells Will that she has discovered through his journal that her husband has been meeting a woman every Christmas Eve, while she and Will were doing their traditional last-minute shopping. His grandmother sets Will on a mission to find this woman and the control she had over Will's grandfather. No deep dark tale here. it is a nice Holiday Season read.
As Will struggles to salvage the family business and learn the truth about Lillian, he approaches a revelation that teaches him a lesson in the power of kindness, forgiveness, and love to uplift an entire community and touch each life within it.
With an inspiring message wrapped in an irresistible mystery, this heartwarming Christmas tale will be cherished as a wonderful gift of the season by anyone who appreciates the magic of yuletide classics old and new.
July 23, 2017
Will Martin came back home after his Grandfather passed away. Will was raised by his grandparents when his parents were killed in a car accident when he was four. He hope to be able to get his grandfather's Real Estate business brought into the current century. Will took a leave of absence from his job in New York so that he could look over the business. He wants to be able to keep track of the business from New York and he hired someone already to take over once things are headed in the right direction.
His grandparents had taken up the habit of writing journals throughout their marriage to chronical the passage of time and the things they have learned. Ruth has been reading the her husbands journals and she found out something interesting. While she and Will would be out Christmas shopping on Christmas Eve her husband was meeting with someone by the name of Lillian. Ruth asks Will to try and find out who Lillian is. That is the only thing she wants for Christmas. This one requests sends Will on a journey that brings him closer to his Grandfather through reading some of the journal entries and through the people he talks to while on his search.
Great story. Loved it!
His grandparents had taken up the habit of writing journals throughout their marriage to chronical the passage of time and the things they have learned. Ruth has been reading the her husbands journals and she found out something interesting. While she and Will would be out Christmas shopping on Christmas Eve her husband was meeting with someone by the name of Lillian. Ruth asks Will to try and find out who Lillian is. That is the only thing she wants for Christmas. This one requests sends Will on a journey that brings him closer to his Grandfather through reading some of the journal entries and through the people he talks to while on his search.
Great story. Loved it!
December 27, 2023
I don't know how we are supposed to like our main character Will. He is a complete narcissist in most of his relationships, he carelessly dates women (promises to take Julia home to NY with him after dating her while just being back to clean up after his grandfathers death, then dumps her telling her she's just a social climber after he has neglected her, kept her on the hook, made promises, broke all his promises, then blamed her completely... yeaaaaa ok) oh and don't forget that a literal week or two later he proposes to a women he has barely started to date, more like just made her and her son tag along on all his appointments and called them dates, right after saying he and Julia only dated a couple times... uhhhh really?! Also SPOILER ALERT if anyone cares, how the F$@# don't you remember the name of the woman who KILLED YOUR ONLY SON Grandma or Will?!!!?!?! How is this a mystery for them?!!?! Also, Enid is not tied up at all and what was so unbelievably important about the end of year report that never gets looked at but is asked about literally a dozen times. That drove me nuts. Good lord, it was so contrived it hurt.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 9, 2021
I had no idea what to expect when I started this book. In fact, I started it, and after a couple of chapters decided to start a different book because I worried that this would be like so many others with a similar start. Once I had finished the other book, I picked this one up again and pushed forward. It didn't take long to realize that this book was going to be different than I had first thought. But HOW? I couldn't figure it out. I ran through all the scenarios I could think of and when they all came to light and I was still no closer to the answer I couldn't wait to finish the book. I literally sat down one night and finished it. I have rarely been touched by a book so much. This has been added to the list as one of my favorites. That it takes place at Christmas, and is so descriptive and delightful, only adds to the joy and peace this well-written and now well-loved book brings. Unexpected and wonderful, you will want to read this book every year!
November 7, 2023
This was a very quick book to read, chosen for our December book group. It was nice to have a Christmas story, but I wasn't all that interested in the story itself. It did make me appreciate more The Five People you Meet in Heaven, which I read years ago.
I guess maybe this story appeared a bit more "heavy-handed"? Not sure. Anyway - a grandfather has died, and his wife asks his grandson for just one thing for Christmas, to find out who "Lillian" is. Evidently, the grandfather had kept a diary every day, and once had mentioned that he and his wife had had an argument, and he went to see Lillian.
The grandson and his wife go through some of the diaries and find out the names of about 8 people the grandpa had mentioned, and they question each of them as to what they knew about the grandpa and if they knew Lillian. Of course, they learn more of what a wonderful man the grandpa was, and find out who Lillian was at the very end of the book.
I guess maybe this story appeared a bit more "heavy-handed"? Not sure. Anyway - a grandfather has died, and his wife asks his grandson for just one thing for Christmas, to find out who "Lillian" is. Evidently, the grandfather had kept a diary every day, and once had mentioned that he and his wife had had an argument, and he went to see Lillian.
The grandson and his wife go through some of the diaries and find out the names of about 8 people the grandpa had mentioned, and they question each of them as to what they knew about the grandpa and if they knew Lillian. Of course, they learn more of what a wonderful man the grandpa was, and find out who Lillian was at the very end of the book.
February 4, 2022
Neil Patrick Harris stars in the 1998 TV movie adaptation of this book. I knew quickly (page 3) that the romance plot of the movie was not part of the book's story line. The book was still an enjoyable, easy read and shines a light on the possibility of good we all do without fanfare or mention to our loved ones. It has a "It's a Wonderful Life" sort of inventory to it and connected strongly to the idea of memorial stones from the Bible that I was reading about simultaneously in another book. Each person Will interviewed in his search for Lillian, added a story/stone to his understanding of his grandfather's life and legacy. I still love the movie, but this book deserves an annual Christmas re-read.
January 3, 2019
A beautiful heartwarming story of forgiveness. Will Martin returns home to take over his grandfather’s struggling Real Estate firm following his grandfather’s passing. It is close to Christmas, Will asks his grandmother for suggestions of what to get her for Christmas, she shows Will Jounals her husband, Warren has been keeping over their 48 years of Marriage. Many of the journal entries mentions “Lillian” a woman, Will’s grandfather is visiting on a regular basis and has kept her identity as a secret. Will is determined to discover who this woman was and grant his grandmother her Christmas wish. Lovely heartwarming story of love and the willingness to forgive.
January 5, 2019
As admirable as it may be to live a life filled with service and charity to others, it seems odd that a man that good would keep his closest family in the dark about it, especially to the point that when his journals are read after his death, his wife is put through the turmoil of wondering if he had been unfaithful. The grandson and his wife did their acts of kindness together. Why was it that many of the grandfather’s good deeds were unknown to his own wife? And why not include the grandson that he was raising as any parent would to instill the same values. Odd.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 26, 2018
Sweet "old time" Christmas story. Will's parents die when he is young and he is raised by his grandparents in a small town. Will's grandpa dies and he comes back to the small town to "wrap up" his grandpa's business. As he stays - he learns so much about his Grandpa and his Grandma asks him for one thing for Christmas - to find out who Lillian is - a lady who is Grandpa visited every Christmas Eve.
December 27, 2022
This was a quick read supporting my fiction addiction! At least one of the reviews stated that they guessed the mystery of who Lillian was early on. Another said she thought she had it solved but was surprised by the unexpected twist at the end of the book. This was me too! All in all, I enjoyed the book. It was relaxing and didn't require much thought on my part. Just mindless enjoyment! Not bad for the days after the Christmas rush!
November 14, 2023
What a wonderful story! I was so captivated by Will’s personal journey back home with his grandmother after his grandfather died. This story brings Christmas spirit in a different light, and is written so beautifully. I love the small town setting, and the fast paced yet, detailed and charming style of Richard’s writing! It is absolutely a Christmas book I will recommend to everyone who will listen.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 196 reviews