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Snow Place Like Home
On a rare trip home for the holidays, Ella may have finally uncovered the secret to a joy-filled future by getting lost in her past. Ella Wilson has avoided home and the holidays for nearly a decade. For her, the season is plagued by a jinx that’s brought nothing but painful her mother’s death nearly two decades ago, her fiancé’s abandonment last year, and now the loss of her job as an art curator. But without work to occupy her, home is exactly where Ella has ended up. And somehow, she’s also been roped into planning the town’s Christmas tree auction—side by side with her first love. Seth Hamil knows that home is where the heart is, and for him, it’s always been the sleepy community of Bellepoint, Pennsylvania . . . and for a while in high school that included Ella Wilson. Since then, he’s been married and widowed and has spent the year throwing himself into his career as a music teacher and trying to keep his wife’s memory alive, starting with the church fundraiser she launched to support local kids. So, despite their history, Seth isn’t about to let his wife’s vision for the event be easily dismissed by Ella’s temporary presence and big-city ideas. To find a way to work together, the two strike a Ella can incorporate her splashy ideas into the auction if she will allow Seth to show her why Christmas is about more than decorations. Soon both begin to wonder whether fate has brought them together for a fresh start—and if Christmas wishes really can come true.
288 pages, Paperback
First published October 10, 2023
60 people are currently reading
7171 people want to read
About the author
Lacey Baker
21 books195 followersLacey Baker, a Maryland native, is a wife, mother, Nana and an author. Family cookouts, reunion vacations and growing up in church have all encouraged Lacey to write heartwarming and inspirational stories about the endurance of family and finding love. She is the author of the Sweetland series and Hallmark Channel Original Movies: A Gingerbread Romance and Christmas In Evergreen: Bells Are Ringing.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 244 reviews
October 8, 2023
Snow Place like Home by Lacey Baker
Holiday Christian romance. Closed door, clean.
Ella Wilson used to love the Christmas holiday season. But that was before returning home to the small community she grew up in. She needs to find a job. A life. A purpose. But she’s not feeling much hope.
Seth Hamil is a widower, an art teacher and a volunteer at his community church. Having Ella back in town reminds him of his youth and his heartbreak. But he still has faith in the season of love and the holiday is perfect time to remind Ella that there can be happiness in her life.
🎧 I alternated between an ebook copy and an audiobook. The audiobook is narrated by Trei Taylor who did a wonderful performance clearly acting emotions and character voice variations.
As Ella and Seth work together on the auction and getting the needed Christmas trees, you can hear their attraction, frustration, and longing in their voices.
The narrator has a very slight lisp. After the few minutes it blends and is barely noticeable. I found the best speed for this narration for me was 1.5.
Christmas warmth and joy. Spiritual happiness is apparent and included.
I enjoyed reading Ella and Seth’s reconnecting and their start down a path of love and joy.
I received a copy of this from NetGalley and publisher Thomas Nelson and Zondervan Audio.
Holiday Christian romance. Closed door, clean.
Ella Wilson used to love the Christmas holiday season. But that was before returning home to the small community she grew up in. She needs to find a job. A life. A purpose. But she’s not feeling much hope.
Seth Hamil is a widower, an art teacher and a volunteer at his community church. Having Ella back in town reminds him of his youth and his heartbreak. But he still has faith in the season of love and the holiday is perfect time to remind Ella that there can be happiness in her life.
🎧 I alternated between an ebook copy and an audiobook. The audiobook is narrated by Trei Taylor who did a wonderful performance clearly acting emotions and character voice variations.
As Ella and Seth work together on the auction and getting the needed Christmas trees, you can hear their attraction, frustration, and longing in their voices.
The narrator has a very slight lisp. After the few minutes it blends and is barely noticeable. I found the best speed for this narration for me was 1.5.
Christmas warmth and joy. Spiritual happiness is apparent and included.
I enjoyed reading Ella and Seth’s reconnecting and their start down a path of love and joy.
I received a copy of this from NetGalley and publisher Thomas Nelson and Zondervan Audio.
December 24, 2023
Snow Place Like Home is a holiday story with small town, seasonal vibes and definitely felt like a Hallmark movie.
Ella returns home after losing her job at an art gallery in the city and a recently broken off engagement with her fiancé. She hasn’t been home in years but wants to see her Aunt Addie, who wastes no time volunteering Ella to help with the community’s Christmas activities, including a fundraising auction. Ella reconnects with Seth, a former high school classmate she hasn’t seen for years, who is also helping, and the two realize despite their different lives today, they have quite a bit in common.
Though predictable (I knew what would happen very early on, and it did), Snow Place Like Home was a cute holiday read.
Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas Nelson Fiction for providing an advance reader copy in exchange for an honest review.
Ella returns home after losing her job at an art gallery in the city and a recently broken off engagement with her fiancé. She hasn’t been home in years but wants to see her Aunt Addie, who wastes no time volunteering Ella to help with the community’s Christmas activities, including a fundraising auction. Ella reconnects with Seth, a former high school classmate she hasn’t seen for years, who is also helping, and the two realize despite their different lives today, they have quite a bit in common.
Though predictable (I knew what would happen very early on, and it did), Snow Place Like Home was a cute holiday read.
Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas Nelson Fiction for providing an advance reader copy in exchange for an honest review.
December 29, 2023
DNFing this after 12 chapters, because even though I like the setting of the small town and it might end up being a cute story, it's just too churchy for my taste 🙈
November 25, 2023
This was a clean small town holiday romance and you know what, I kinda loved it. It was about healing, and opening your heart to vulnerability and love again. It stirred my heart in faith, hope and love which doesn’t happen a lot when I read, but with this one I had some feels I wasn’t prepared for. I love when this happens.
November 17, 2023
Mmm I do love a good second chance romance! High school sweethearts finding their way back to each other. The part about the jinx felt a little over the top for me though which is why the lower rating is here. I’ve explained this on most of the Christmas themed books I’ve read- I’m a harsh critic here. Feels like there are too many super cheesy Christmas books out there and I crave more out of them.
October 14, 2023
This was a cute read.
I loved the small town setting. Christmas books are some of my favorites.
I felt like it was slow at times and there wasn’t really anything crazy happening. It felt flat.
It’s a short read so I would recommend I just wish more happened.
I loved the small town setting. Christmas books are some of my favorites.
I felt like it was slow at times and there wasn’t really anything crazy happening. It felt flat.
It’s a short read so I would recommend I just wish more happened.
October 10, 2023
3.5
A feel-good, heartwarming, dual POV, small-town holiday romance between Ella and Seth, two former high school classmates with a complicated past who are each looking to start over and end up falling in love when neither are expecting to.
Finding herself between jobs and no longer engaged, Ella returns home and finds herself roped into organizing the Christmas tree auction with Seth who is still struggling to get over the death of his wife.
Perfect for fans of Hallmark Holiday movies and authors like Belle Calhoune. Nothing super standout but still a fun read and good on audio. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for early digital and audio copies in exchange for my honest review!
Steam level: kissing only
A feel-good, heartwarming, dual POV, small-town holiday romance between Ella and Seth, two former high school classmates with a complicated past who are each looking to start over and end up falling in love when neither are expecting to.
Finding herself between jobs and no longer engaged, Ella returns home and finds herself roped into organizing the Christmas tree auction with Seth who is still struggling to get over the death of his wife.
Perfect for fans of Hallmark Holiday movies and authors like Belle Calhoune. Nothing super standout but still a fun read and good on audio. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for early digital and audio copies in exchange for my honest review!
Steam level: kissing only
November 8, 2023
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for allowing me to read this early, but this just wasn't the book for me. This is a Christian fiction Christmas romance involving high school crushes. Sounds like something I would love but I REALLY struggled to connect with these characters. Our main character, Ella, feels like she has a Christmas curse. Her mom died around Christmas, her fiance broke up with her and now she's lost her job as an art curator. She has to go back home to see her aunt and help her childhood crush with a fundraiser. He's a widower and his wife created a Christmas tree fundraiser to provide free food for school age kids. They work together, confront their pasts, and live happily ever after. I guarantee I won't remember this book in a few weeks and I found myself wanting to skim read so much, I wouldnt really recommend though I do love that its a Christian, black love story with some of my favorite tropes.
October 7, 2023
Snow Place Like Home was a sweet second chance at love story. Ella and Seth were never in a relationship as teens, but it was so sweet to find out that they had both crushed on each other in high school. There was definitely chemistry and attraction between these two, however there was also a lot potentially holding them apart, such as Seth’s feelings of disloyalty to the memory of his wife if he moved on.
I was a little concerned early in the story with the focus on wishing on the Christmas tree star and then Ella feeling cursed. I hoped it wouldn’t be a story filled with superstitions. As the book progressed, I was able to see Ella reconnect with people in her church and begin to reawaken to her belief in God. There were a few direct and focused statements about what Ella believed in regards to what Christmas really stands for. That made me feel a lot better.
I enjoyed this sweet story and thought that the narrator did a very good job.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
You can read this review on my blog:
https://brittreadsfiction.wordpress.c...
I was a little concerned early in the story with the focus on wishing on the Christmas tree star and then Ella feeling cursed. I hoped it wouldn’t be a story filled with superstitions. As the book progressed, I was able to see Ella reconnect with people in her church and begin to reawaken to her belief in God. There were a few direct and focused statements about what Ella believed in regards to what Christmas really stands for. That made me feel a lot better.
I enjoyed this sweet story and thought that the narrator did a very good job.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
You can read this review on my blog:
https://brittreadsfiction.wordpress.c...
September 21, 2023
I received a free copy of, Snow Place Like Home, by Lacey Baker, from the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Ella Wilson is feeling a little a drift this holiday season no job, no fiance, and the loss of her mother. Ella find herself back in her hometown, and now she has to help the town, by working with her first love Seth. Its never easy moving on from the death of a parent, and it definitely makes the holidays so much harder. Ella is a lovely character, I enjoyed reading about her and Seth, and their wonderful town.
November 6, 2023
This is a super clean, Christian romance that’s so stinking cute it’ll melt all the grinchy hearts. With all the makings of a Hallmark Christmas movie, this story delves deep into learning to let go of the past in order to open your arms for what the future holds. However, even with forced proximity and a slight enemies to lovers trope, I wish the pacing was just a little bit faster.
“Did you break his heart or did he break yours?”
“I like to think of it as a lesson,” she said. “Not a heartbreak.”
“And what lesson did you learn?”
“Never fall in love again.”
Ella lost her job, her fiancé, and now has nowhere to go. Going back to her aunt’s house for Christmas, she finds herself helping on the local committee to raise funds for a good cause. But being back in the town she grew up in means she now has to confront all the feelings she’s pushed aside for so long. Plus, reuniting with some old faces again brings up new feelings she’s not quite ready for yet.
Seth is on the committee in honor of his late wife. If it wasn’t for her and the dedication she had to this town, he probably wouldn’t even be here. But a promise is a promise. However, when his old high school crush comes back into town, he finds himself suddenly being the first to volunteer.
“We don’t get to pick the time and the place that our prayers or our whispers are answered. And sometimes, Ella, sometimes the answer to our prayers is no.”
I actually loved the message this story sent. The aunt is the unsung hero for sure! And if this isn’t turned into a Hallmark or Netflix movie, they’re seriously missing out. I think if it was shortened, it’d be just about perfect. I love that it’s written and narrated both by black women. It brings a life to it in a way that not many Christmas books have done in the past. Plus it has a dog!
Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas Nelson for the audiobook in exchange for my honest review.
“Did you break his heart or did he break yours?”
“I like to think of it as a lesson,” she said. “Not a heartbreak.”
“And what lesson did you learn?”
“Never fall in love again.”
Ella lost her job, her fiancé, and now has nowhere to go. Going back to her aunt’s house for Christmas, she finds herself helping on the local committee to raise funds for a good cause. But being back in the town she grew up in means she now has to confront all the feelings she’s pushed aside for so long. Plus, reuniting with some old faces again brings up new feelings she’s not quite ready for yet.
Seth is on the committee in honor of his late wife. If it wasn’t for her and the dedication she had to this town, he probably wouldn’t even be here. But a promise is a promise. However, when his old high school crush comes back into town, he finds himself suddenly being the first to volunteer.
“We don’t get to pick the time and the place that our prayers or our whispers are answered. And sometimes, Ella, sometimes the answer to our prayers is no.”
I actually loved the message this story sent. The aunt is the unsung hero for sure! And if this isn’t turned into a Hallmark or Netflix movie, they’re seriously missing out. I think if it was shortened, it’d be just about perfect. I love that it’s written and narrated both by black women. It brings a life to it in a way that not many Christmas books have done in the past. Plus it has a dog!
Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas Nelson for the audiobook in exchange for my honest review.
November 17, 2023
This novel is an amazing representation of finding love after loss and the obstacles you encounter from the outside, but mainly from your own mind. I appreciated the BIPOC representation and education of different cultural aspects expressed throughout the novel.
Snow Place Like Home is a grumpy sunshine Christmas read, maybe a little Grump/Grump at times depending on what part you’re at. Our two main characters have both experienced major loss, from loss of a loved one to loss of a career, and the spirit of Christmas brings them back together in their home town unexpectedly.
I loved the representation for male emotions throughout this novel. As a society we tend to believe that men don’t cry, men are the strong ones, but in all reality that viewpoint comes from the expectation of suppressed emotions. By having both Seth and Ella’s POV, we were able to fully understand the range of emotions the characters were going through. I believe by including Seth, it helps fight that stigma that grown men don’t cry. They do. And that’s okay! It’s normal!
Snow Place Like Home is a grumpy sunshine Christmas read, maybe a little Grump/Grump at times depending on what part you’re at. Our two main characters have both experienced major loss, from loss of a loved one to loss of a career, and the spirit of Christmas brings them back together in their home town unexpectedly.
I loved the representation for male emotions throughout this novel. As a society we tend to believe that men don’t cry, men are the strong ones, but in all reality that viewpoint comes from the expectation of suppressed emotions. By having both Seth and Ella’s POV, we were able to fully understand the range of emotions the characters were going through. I believe by including Seth, it helps fight that stigma that grown men don’t cry. They do. And that’s okay! It’s normal!
November 4, 2023
I enjoyed this book by Lacey Baker; it had all the necessary aspects of a good Christmas romance story. I also enjoyed that it was a clean romance; nothing crazy happened between the two main characters, and it even referenced having faith quite frequently. Overall, for me, it was a pleasant and easy book to read.
Ella Wilson's life is about to change in many ways, but the biggest one is that she is out of a job. With the closing of a gallery she has been working at for years, Ella decides to return home to her aunt Addies during the Christmas season. A season that she has dreaded since the passing of her mother when she was younger. Convinced she has a jinx when wishing on things, especially around the holiday season, Ella is just hoping she'll have a new job by the first of the year. Coming back home has more than just a new job in store for her. Ella runs into an old classmate who she just so happens to have always had a crush on when their coffee orders get switched in the local coffee shop.
Seth, who lost his wife a year ago, is trying to continue a passion of hers by helping with the annual Christmas tree auction at the church. He has also always had a crush on Ella, but let it die down when she moved away after high school. They'll be thrown together to make this year's Christmas tree auction a success. Love just might start brewing again for the both of them, and Ella might finally find joy in the Christmas season once again. As Ella finds her way back to her faith in God and away from the feeling of not getting what she wishes for, she'll discover what she truly wants for herself in this life.
Thank you so much to Lacey Baker, Thomas Nelson Fiction, and NetGalley for giving me an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
Ella Wilson's life is about to change in many ways, but the biggest one is that she is out of a job. With the closing of a gallery she has been working at for years, Ella decides to return home to her aunt Addies during the Christmas season. A season that she has dreaded since the passing of her mother when she was younger. Convinced she has a jinx when wishing on things, especially around the holiday season, Ella is just hoping she'll have a new job by the first of the year. Coming back home has more than just a new job in store for her. Ella runs into an old classmate who she just so happens to have always had a crush on when their coffee orders get switched in the local coffee shop.
Seth, who lost his wife a year ago, is trying to continue a passion of hers by helping with the annual Christmas tree auction at the church. He has also always had a crush on Ella, but let it die down when she moved away after high school. They'll be thrown together to make this year's Christmas tree auction a success. Love just might start brewing again for the both of them, and Ella might finally find joy in the Christmas season once again. As Ella finds her way back to her faith in God and away from the feeling of not getting what she wishes for, she'll discover what she truly wants for herself in this life.
Thank you so much to Lacey Baker, Thomas Nelson Fiction, and NetGalley for giving me an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
October 12, 2023
I enjoyed this book. I was a bit sick and wanted to snuggle up with something cozy and this was exactly it. When the gallery where Ella works shuts down she decides to take a break from the city to go enjoy the holidays with her aunt in the small town where she grew up. Does this sound like the beginning of almost every hallmark movie? Yes! When she gets home her aunt volunteers her to raise money for the local church in a Christmas tree decorating event with none other than her high school crush. I thought this book was endearing. Full of Christmas activities, church, family, community, food. For such a cliche book I thought that it was written well. I also enjoyed that the characters had some real issues surrounding grief that they were tackling.
Thank you netgalley for an arc in exchange for an honest review.
Thank you netgalley for an arc in exchange for an honest review.
January 21, 2024
Really sweet romance with a lovely small town feel. Very Christmassy and magical, although I wish Teddy had a bigger role! It was a bit more churchy than I prefer, but it wasn't an overwhelming amount. Overall, a lovely holiday read.
November 29, 2023
3.75 🌟 cozy, small-town, holiday romance!!! Very Hallmark-esque! I liked it a lot! 🫶🏻
November 28, 2023
This book gave all the Hallmark Christmas movies. Super sweet. Loved the characters and the town.
November 21, 2023
Loved it! Rtc
January 24, 2024
Snow Place Like Home made me feel like I was watching a Hallmark movie which is my all favorite thing to do. This was a very good story and I truly enjoyed it. It bought back many memories of Christmas with my mom which was also her favorite holiday also. Ella was a very relatable character, her and Seth relationship was very genuine and relatable. This book also hit some of my favorite tropes which are second chance, enemies to lovers and friends to lovers. I felt like Seth and Ella fell into all those categories. I am hoping the author releases Seth’s sister story.
October 25, 2023
Was given this book as an ARC from NetGalley as an audiobook. If you are looking for a book to read during the cozy holiday season, this is it! Seth and Ella both have some traumas to work through so they can heal and learn to love and enjoy life again. The slow burn romance is done very well. I also really enjoyed listening to this narrator. Trei Taylor has a wonderful voice and she narrates several characters very well.
August 26, 2023
**Book Review: "Snow Place Like Home" by Lacey Baker**
In "Snow Place Like Home" by Lacey Baker, readers are invited to experience a heartwarming holiday tale that beautifully captures the magic of the season, the power of second chances, and the warmth of rediscovering one's roots.
The story follows Ella Wilson, a woman who has deliberately distanced herself from her hometown and the holiday season due to a series of painful memories. Ella's past includes the loss of her mother and a broken engagement, which have led her to associate the holiday season with heartache. However, circumstances lead her back home for the holidays, and she finds herself unexpectedly involved in planning the town's Christmas tree auction, alongside her first love, Seth Hamil.
Seth has always held a special place in his heart for Bellepoint, Pennsylvania, and he's dedicated himself to his career as a music teacher and preserving his late wife's legacy. When Ella and Seth are thrown together to organize the event, their history and differing perspectives collide. Ella's city-centered ideas clash with Seth's more traditional views on Christmas. To bridge this gap, they strike a deal that allows Ella to infuse her creativity into the auction while Seth helps her discover the deeper meaning behind the holiday.
Lacey Baker crafts a tale that beautifully explores the themes of love, healing, and finding joy in unexpected places. Through Ella and Seth's journey, readers witness the transformation of two individuals who are brought back together by fate. The author's writing skillfully navigates the emotional landscapes of her characters, allowing readers to connect deeply with their experiences.
The setting of Bellepoint, Pennsylvania, is vividly depicted, painting a picturesque backdrop for the unfolding events. From the snowy landscapes to the cozy community atmosphere, the town becomes an integral part of the story, enveloping readers in the magic of the holiday season. As the characters work together to create a memorable Christmas tree auction, readers are treated to a heartwarming tale that captures the essence of tradition, unity, and the importance of giving back.
At its core, "Snow Place Like Home" is a story about rediscovery and the power of forgiveness. As Ella and Seth navigate their shared past and their individual struggles, they learn to appreciate the significance of embracing the present moment and opening their hearts to the possibility of new beginnings. The chemistry between the characters is palpable, and their emotional journeys are beautifully depicted, making their personal growth all the more satisfying.
In conclusion, "Snow Place Like Home" is a delightful and touching holiday read that exudes warmth, charm, and a sense of wonder. Lacey Baker's storytelling is engaging and evocative, inviting readers to immerse themselves in a tale of love, redemption, and the true spirit of Christmas. This novel is a testament to the enduring power of hope, the joy of reconnecting with one's past, and the beauty of finding solace in the embrace of a close-knit community. It's a perfect choice for anyone seeking a heartwarming story to brighten their holiday season.
In "Snow Place Like Home" by Lacey Baker, readers are invited to experience a heartwarming holiday tale that beautifully captures the magic of the season, the power of second chances, and the warmth of rediscovering one's roots.
The story follows Ella Wilson, a woman who has deliberately distanced herself from her hometown and the holiday season due to a series of painful memories. Ella's past includes the loss of her mother and a broken engagement, which have led her to associate the holiday season with heartache. However, circumstances lead her back home for the holidays, and she finds herself unexpectedly involved in planning the town's Christmas tree auction, alongside her first love, Seth Hamil.
Seth has always held a special place in his heart for Bellepoint, Pennsylvania, and he's dedicated himself to his career as a music teacher and preserving his late wife's legacy. When Ella and Seth are thrown together to organize the event, their history and differing perspectives collide. Ella's city-centered ideas clash with Seth's more traditional views on Christmas. To bridge this gap, they strike a deal that allows Ella to infuse her creativity into the auction while Seth helps her discover the deeper meaning behind the holiday.
Lacey Baker crafts a tale that beautifully explores the themes of love, healing, and finding joy in unexpected places. Through Ella and Seth's journey, readers witness the transformation of two individuals who are brought back together by fate. The author's writing skillfully navigates the emotional landscapes of her characters, allowing readers to connect deeply with their experiences.
The setting of Bellepoint, Pennsylvania, is vividly depicted, painting a picturesque backdrop for the unfolding events. From the snowy landscapes to the cozy community atmosphere, the town becomes an integral part of the story, enveloping readers in the magic of the holiday season. As the characters work together to create a memorable Christmas tree auction, readers are treated to a heartwarming tale that captures the essence of tradition, unity, and the importance of giving back.
At its core, "Snow Place Like Home" is a story about rediscovery and the power of forgiveness. As Ella and Seth navigate their shared past and their individual struggles, they learn to appreciate the significance of embracing the present moment and opening their hearts to the possibility of new beginnings. The chemistry between the characters is palpable, and their emotional journeys are beautifully depicted, making their personal growth all the more satisfying.
In conclusion, "Snow Place Like Home" is a delightful and touching holiday read that exudes warmth, charm, and a sense of wonder. Lacey Baker's storytelling is engaging and evocative, inviting readers to immerse themselves in a tale of love, redemption, and the true spirit of Christmas. This novel is a testament to the enduring power of hope, the joy of reconnecting with one's past, and the beauty of finding solace in the embrace of a close-knit community. It's a perfect choice for anyone seeking a heartwarming story to brighten their holiday season.
May 19, 2023
Ella was raised by her aunt after the death of her mother when she was ten years old. After Ella left for college, graduated, and had her own home in Philadelphia, a couple hours away, her aunt encouraged her to come home for a visit, and now ten years has gone by, and Ella had not yet gone home.
Ella is the Curator at an art gallery in Philadelphia that is closing, resulting in the loss of her job. When Aunt Addie called this time inviting her to come home for Christmas Ella agreed to come. Until recently, Ella had also been engaged to Ben, who announced he accepted a job in another county, broke their engagement and left. Ella had put away, what she considered to be childish things, such as Christmas and never celebrated the holiday again, as an adult. She was also avoiding any kind of a relationship with men.
Once again settled into her childhood room, Aunt Addie convinced Ella to come to a meeting at church with her. Ella had also avoided church for the past ten years. The meeting happened to be about planning a Christmas fund-raiser. Seth, her former high school crush, was in the meeting. Seth was a widower, whose wife had died the previous year. Ella and Seth wholeheartedly disagreed on how to proceed with the fund-raising efforts so they were quickly assigned to be a team of two of take charge of this important Christmas season activity. Seth was determined to bring back a love of Christmas into Ella’s life. From there it was a bit of a roller coaster for both Ella and Seth as they learned to work together.
This heartfelt, delightful story has an interesting cast of relatable characters, as well as numerous unexpected situations. It is perfect for the Christmas season.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions expressed are my own.
Ella is the Curator at an art gallery in Philadelphia that is closing, resulting in the loss of her job. When Aunt Addie called this time inviting her to come home for Christmas Ella agreed to come. Until recently, Ella had also been engaged to Ben, who announced he accepted a job in another county, broke their engagement and left. Ella had put away, what she considered to be childish things, such as Christmas and never celebrated the holiday again, as an adult. She was also avoiding any kind of a relationship with men.
Once again settled into her childhood room, Aunt Addie convinced Ella to come to a meeting at church with her. Ella had also avoided church for the past ten years. The meeting happened to be about planning a Christmas fund-raiser. Seth, her former high school crush, was in the meeting. Seth was a widower, whose wife had died the previous year. Ella and Seth wholeheartedly disagreed on how to proceed with the fund-raising efforts so they were quickly assigned to be a team of two of take charge of this important Christmas season activity. Seth was determined to bring back a love of Christmas into Ella’s life. From there it was a bit of a roller coaster for both Ella and Seth as they learned to work together.
This heartfelt, delightful story has an interesting cast of relatable characters, as well as numerous unexpected situations. It is perfect for the Christmas season.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions expressed are my own.
October 1, 2023
I did not like this book at all. I really really tried to like it, but I barely made it through.
Let me start by saying: I received this audiobook for free in exchange for an honest review. Thank you NetGalley!
Okay, so this book is about a girl who loses her job so she goes back to her hometown for the holidays- something that she has been avoiding doing since she left because she believes she's Christmas Cursed?? Like?? Her mother died when she was a child and then her fiance left her as an adult and so the only logical conclusion she could make is that she is...cursed. I wish i was kidding. She reconnects with her highschool crush who lost his wife a year ago and obviously they still love each other! Obviously!
The writing so stilted, the dialogue was forced. The pacing was slow and I was very confused as to why Ella, who is supposed a certified christmas hater just like jumped in on all of the christmas activities?? There was not a single chapter of this book where we were not reminded about the deep grief both main characters were experiencing. The romance was almost absent until suddenly they were rearranging their lives to be with each other?? AND DON'T EVEN GET ME STARTED ON THE RELIGIOUS ASPECT.
There was SO MUCH JESUS in this book! So much church! So much Scripture!! I was so annoyed every single time they mentioned it AGAIN. If I had known it would be so church-centric I never would have picked this title up.
I really wanted to like this book- I love a cheesy little holiday romance! This is really not that, though. I had a really hard time rooting for the main characters and their story was just so unbelievable. 1.5 stars
Let me start by saying: I received this audiobook for free in exchange for an honest review. Thank you NetGalley!
Okay, so this book is about a girl who loses her job so she goes back to her hometown for the holidays- something that she has been avoiding doing since she left because she believes she's Christmas Cursed?? Like?? Her mother died when she was a child and then her fiance left her as an adult and so the only logical conclusion she could make is that she is...cursed. I wish i was kidding. She reconnects with her highschool crush who lost his wife a year ago and obviously they still love each other! Obviously!
The writing so stilted, the dialogue was forced. The pacing was slow and I was very confused as to why Ella, who is supposed a certified christmas hater just like jumped in on all of the christmas activities?? There was not a single chapter of this book where we were not reminded about the deep grief both main characters were experiencing. The romance was almost absent until suddenly they were rearranging their lives to be with each other?? AND DON'T EVEN GET ME STARTED ON THE RELIGIOUS ASPECT.
There was SO MUCH JESUS in this book! So much church! So much Scripture!! I was so annoyed every single time they mentioned it AGAIN. If I had known it would be so church-centric I never would have picked this title up.
I really wanted to like this book- I love a cheesy little holiday romance! This is really not that, though. I had a really hard time rooting for the main characters and their story was just so unbelievable. 1.5 stars
October 5, 2023
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Snow Place Like Home
Author: Lacey Baker
Source: NetGalley
Pub Date: Oct. 10, 2023
Snow Place Like Home is a cozy, yummy, and charming Christmas story, and it feels like a Hallmark movie. There is a reason for that: the author has written some shows for Hallmark. So, you know, when you read a book like this, you get to read a sweet story with a kiss (most of the time) at the end to seal the deal. Ella Wilson has not celebrated Christmas since her Mom died, her fiancée dumped her, and her company closed, leaving her jobless. So, Ella takes a long overdue vacation home to the small town where her Aunt raised her. It’s not long before she volunteers to help her family church with an auction to raise funds, and her co-organizer is her childhood crush, Seth, who is now a young widower. You can guess the rest. I enjoyed the dialogue and the descriptive setting, which brought the chemistry of the two young loves together. Maybe we will see this as a Hallmark movie in the future. #Christmas #Wish #romance #ChildhoodCrush #art #religion #TheReasonForTheSeason #SecondChances #Future #Love #SnowPlaceLikeHome @laceybakerbooks @thomasnelson @netgalley
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I received a complimentary copy of this ARC. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own. Thank you to Thomas Nelson, and the author for the opportunity to read this novel. Pub. Date: October 10, 2023.
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#book #books #bookaddict #booksofinstagram #bookstagram #bookstagramer
Snow Place Like Home
Author: Lacey Baker
Source: NetGalley
Pub Date: Oct. 10, 2023
Snow Place Like Home is a cozy, yummy, and charming Christmas story, and it feels like a Hallmark movie. There is a reason for that: the author has written some shows for Hallmark. So, you know, when you read a book like this, you get to read a sweet story with a kiss (most of the time) at the end to seal the deal. Ella Wilson has not celebrated Christmas since her Mom died, her fiancée dumped her, and her company closed, leaving her jobless. So, Ella takes a long overdue vacation home to the small town where her Aunt raised her. It’s not long before she volunteers to help her family church with an auction to raise funds, and her co-organizer is her childhood crush, Seth, who is now a young widower. You can guess the rest. I enjoyed the dialogue and the descriptive setting, which brought the chemistry of the two young loves together. Maybe we will see this as a Hallmark movie in the future. #Christmas #Wish #romance #ChildhoodCrush #art #religion #TheReasonForTheSeason #SecondChances #Future #Love #SnowPlaceLikeHome @laceybakerbooks @thomasnelson @netgalley
🎄
I received a complimentary copy of this ARC. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own. Thank you to Thomas Nelson, and the author for the opportunity to read this novel. Pub. Date: October 10, 2023.
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#book #books #bookaddict #booksofinstagram #bookstagram #bookstagramer
October 19, 2023
-god i've never loathed anything as much as i hated this book. its awful. simply terrible.
look i'm no stranger to mind-numbingly boring characters but this one was next level with the said characters being annoying, was like cherry on top.
-ella was highly unlikable like i get it that something really tragic happened almost 20 years ago that made her hate christmas as much as i hate this book but that doesn't mean she gets a free pass to remind me of it every other paragraph. am i supposed to enjoy the plot or just console her 3 times each page because she is this giant-almost-in-her-30s baby who can't seem to have a grip over herself?
-if ella was unlikable, josh is no better obviously. but since the bar is utterly low im just gonna point out that atleast he was tolerable but to compensate that he has this weirdass family and i finally understand why kluas said "this family makes me wanna murder people" so there's that.
-the urge to dnf this was too strong to resist but i did it so kudos to me. yay. it was so long for no reason, the book could have such a short cozy christmas read but nevermind. highly disappointing.
thanks to netgalley and the publishers for the arc
look i'm no stranger to mind-numbingly boring characters but this one was next level with the said characters being annoying, was like cherry on top.
-ella was highly unlikable like i get it that something really tragic happened almost 20 years ago that made her hate christmas as much as i hate this book but that doesn't mean she gets a free pass to remind me of it every other paragraph. am i supposed to enjoy the plot or just console her 3 times each page because she is this giant-almost-in-her-30s baby who can't seem to have a grip over herself?
-if ella was unlikable, josh is no better obviously. but since the bar is utterly low im just gonna point out that atleast he was tolerable but to compensate that he has this weirdass family and i finally understand why kluas said "this family makes me wanna murder people" so there's that.
-the urge to dnf this was too strong to resist but i did it so kudos to me. yay. it was so long for no reason, the book could have such a short cozy christmas read but nevermind. highly disappointing.
thanks to netgalley and the publishers for the arc
February 14, 2024
Ella has lost her job as an art gallery curator, so she agrees to come home and spend a month home at Aunt Addie's home in Bellepoint. It used to be home but it isn't anymore not since she moved away to go to college. Before she knows it, she is roped into being on a committee to help the local church sell pre-decorated Christmas trees to raise funds with her first crush, Seth Hamill.
Seth Hamill lost his wife, Rhonda a year ago, but he doesn't want her memory to be forgotten and he's afraid that might happen with Ella being in charge. Unbeknownst to each other, they both had crushes on each other, it seems that everyone seems to think they would still be good with and for each other. Their friendship still seemingly intact moves to something more and it isn't forced and it makes reading all the more enjoyable.
Seth is committed to helping Ella see what Christmas is really about, it's not about a jinx', or anything that Elle misses with her Mom who passed while she was a young girl, but it's about joy, hope, and love.
I liked the play on words, Snow Place like Home (There's no place like home) and it was appropriate for this story because Ella needed to see that home wasn't the enemy like it was in her mind and perspective. This was just such a feel-good read that is good to read any time of the year!
Seth Hamill lost his wife, Rhonda a year ago, but he doesn't want her memory to be forgotten and he's afraid that might happen with Ella being in charge. Unbeknownst to each other, they both had crushes on each other, it seems that everyone seems to think they would still be good with and for each other. Their friendship still seemingly intact moves to something more and it isn't forced and it makes reading all the more enjoyable.
Seth is committed to helping Ella see what Christmas is really about, it's not about a jinx', or anything that Elle misses with her Mom who passed while she was a young girl, but it's about joy, hope, and love.
I liked the play on words, Snow Place like Home (There's no place like home) and it was appropriate for this story because Ella needed to see that home wasn't the enemy like it was in her mind and perspective. This was just such a feel-good read that is good to read any time of the year!
November 26, 2023
The sweetest, heartwarming, small town holiday romance for you to add to your TBR! If you love Hallmark Christmas movies, then this is a book for you - for sure.
The main characters are two former high school classmates whose past is intertwined - Ella and Seth are looking to start over in their lives and while doing so, find love in each other and they never expected it.
Ella returns home and her engagement ends and losing her job - she gets herself roped into organizing the Christmas tree auction as one does in a small town romance. But for a twist, she's doing it with a recent widower - Seth.
I loved this book, though I did feel like some times the pacing was a bit off and I found myself waiting for something more to happen. It was a great Christmas read, but as long as you go into it expecting a sweet Christmas read, you'll be satisfied.
3.5/5
The main characters are two former high school classmates whose past is intertwined - Ella and Seth are looking to start over in their lives and while doing so, find love in each other and they never expected it.
Ella returns home and her engagement ends and losing her job - she gets herself roped into organizing the Christmas tree auction as one does in a small town romance. But for a twist, she's doing it with a recent widower - Seth.
I loved this book, though I did feel like some times the pacing was a bit off and I found myself waiting for something more to happen. It was a great Christmas read, but as long as you go into it expecting a sweet Christmas read, you'll be satisfied.
3.5/5
November 19, 2025
Snow Place Like Home is exactly the kind of charming, heartwarming holiday read that delivers comfort, sweetness, and a touch of small-town magic. Lacey Baker brings Winter Valley to life with cozy shops, festive traditions, and that soft, sparkling atmosphere that feels like stepping straight into a Christmas movie.
I really enjoyed following the characters as they navigated old memories, new beginnings, and the kind of gentle romance that feels both nostalgic and hopeful. Baker’s writing has this easy warmth to it …light, inviting, and full of that feel-good glow you want in a holiday novel. It’s the perfect book to curl up with on a cold day.
If you’re looking for a wholesome, uplifting seasonal read with family, community, and plenty of Christmas charm, this one is a lovely pick.
Thank you to Hallmark Publishing, the author, and NetGalley for the ARC!
I really enjoyed following the characters as they navigated old memories, new beginnings, and the kind of gentle romance that feels both nostalgic and hopeful. Baker’s writing has this easy warmth to it …light, inviting, and full of that feel-good glow you want in a holiday novel. It’s the perfect book to curl up with on a cold day.
If you’re looking for a wholesome, uplifting seasonal read with family, community, and plenty of Christmas charm, this one is a lovely pick.
Thank you to Hallmark Publishing, the author, and NetGalley for the ARC!
December 4, 2023
Sweet, clean, emotional Christmas romance that is actually more faith filled than most things published by Thomas Nelson these days. I enjoyed it and the small town setting but the story felt a little dull and slow at times. This is my first by this author and I appreciate the focus around church and processing grief. It was enjoyable and one I will recommend to those who are looking for clean Christmas romance.
Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for my review!
Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for my review!
June 6, 2023
A grief shared often helps to relieve some of the burden. In this story, Ella and Seth are loaded down with a lot of grief. Ella seems to deal more negatively with her grief and Seth appears to be more healthy. The book was a little slow for me. My favorite character was Aunt Addie. She loved Ella so much and dedicated her life to raising her.
Thanks so much to netgalley and the publisher for the arc. The opinions are my own.
Thanks so much to netgalley and the publisher for the arc. The opinions are my own.
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