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Love Finds You at Home for Christmas
Love finds a home in two heartwarming stories of Christmas past and present.
"Sweet Southern Christmas"
Both Ruby and Cliff have returned home to their small Arkansas town after serving in World War II. As snow blankets the town and Christmas draws near, will their wounded hearts find healing and love?
"Small-Town Christmas"
Sophia never expected to return to her hometown, but she's converting her grandparents' Victorian mansion into a café. Then her childhood friend Jon walks into her café and back into her life. As Christmas descends upon the Ozark hills, Jon woos Sophie with a tender love that makes her feel like she's come home.
"Sweet Southern Christmas"
Both Ruby and Cliff have returned home to their small Arkansas town after serving in World War II. As snow blankets the town and Christmas draws near, will their wounded hearts find healing and love?
"Small-Town Christmas"
Sophia never expected to return to her hometown, but she's converting her grandparents' Victorian mansion into a café. Then her childhood friend Jon walks into her café and back into her life. As Christmas descends upon the Ozark hills, Jon woos Sophie with a tender love that makes her feel like she's come home.
320 pages, Paperback
First published September 28, 2012
11 people are currently reading
758 people want to read
About the author
Annalisa Daughety
29 books111 followersAnnalisa Daughety won first place in the Contemporary Romance category at the 2008 ACFW Genesis Awards. After graduating from Freed-Hardeman University, she spent time working as a park ranger for the National Park Service. Originally from McCrory, Arkansas, Annalisa now resides in Memphis, Tennessee. Read more at www.annalisadaughety.com.
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
February 10, 2017
Two Christmas romance stories. One of the novellas takes place during WW II and the other present day. These are heartwarming, make you feel happy stories.
December 24, 2024
This was a sweet duo of stories told about 2 generations of one family (the female MC in the 1940s story is the grandmother of the female MC in the story set in the present day). I liked that both stories focused on couples who were friends first before exploring a growing closeness that became the love that found them 'at home for Christmas'. I also loved that a plot point from the first story was echoed in the second!
I really appreciated that both stories featured characters who, while not perfect in their faith, sought to improve their relationship with God so that they could move forward in His will.
3.5 stars
I really appreciated that both stories featured characters who, while not perfect in their faith, sought to improve their relationship with God so that they could move forward in His will.
3.5 stars
December 15, 2018
Love Finds You at Home for Christmas is two sweet Christmas stories rolled into one book.
The first is set in the forties during the war and tells Ruby’s story.
The second is set in present time and tells the story of Sophie, Ruby’s granddaughter.
I enjoyed both stories, but preferred Sophie’s story a little more than Ruby’s. The books are written by two different others and I just felt that Sophie’s story was told with some added dimension and description. The author’s writing was smooth and the words seemed to come to life with her descriptions.
Both were great stories though and showed the sweetness of the Christmas season!
The first is set in the forties during the war and tells Ruby’s story.
The second is set in present time and tells the story of Sophie, Ruby’s granddaughter.
I enjoyed both stories, but preferred Sophie’s story a little more than Ruby’s. The books are written by two different others and I just felt that Sophie’s story was told with some added dimension and description. The author’s writing was smooth and the words seemed to come to life with her descriptions.
Both were great stories though and showed the sweetness of the Christmas season!
January 26, 2018
I've read both of these authors previously, so I was anticipating enjoying this book. There were some problems with it, like pacing of each of the stories within it, but on the whole, it was an enjoyable read. I much preferred the WWII story, despite the flaws of the characters, as it seemed a more in depth romance than the contemporary one. Definitely worth reading again at Christmas!
December 25, 2023
I enjoyed both of these stories equally – they each ended on Christmas, but the bulk of the story was not set during the holiday season, making them a good read for any time of the year.
I really liked that the focus of the plot(s) was not entirely on the romance, but rather on the characters personal growth and healing.
Two more authors to add to my list!
I really liked that the focus of the plot(s) was not entirely on the romance, but rather on the characters personal growth and healing.
Two more authors to add to my list!
December 27, 2024
As in a typical romance the reader knows at the beginning of each of the two tales which characters are going to end up together. And as in a typical romance there's an "almost breakup" included in each story, though the second one seemed a bit contrived. (Does that particular complete lack of communication make sense?) Overall, though, these were nice stories about people with some depth of character and the romances weren't "whirlwind".
January 22, 2019
Sometimes a book finds you at the exact right time. This is that book. It warms the soul and quietly unravels the chords of doubt that anything but good is on its way. Here's to miracles of love, friendship, and finding yourself exactly where you are.
March 1, 2014
Title: LOVE FINDS YOU AT HOME FOR CHRISTMAS
Authors: Annalisa Daughety and Gwen Ford Faulkenberry
Publisher: Summerside Press
October 2012
ISBN: 978-1609366872
Genre: Christmas (one historical, one contemporary)
Love finds a home in two heartwarming stories of Christmas past and present.
"Sweet Southern Christmas" by Annalise Daughety -- Both Ruby and Cliff have returned home to their small Arkansas town after serving in World War II. As snow blankets the town and Christmas draws near, will their wounded hearts find healing and love?
"Small-Town Christmas" by Gwen Ford Faulkenberry -- Sophia never expected to return to her hometown, but she's converting her grandparents' Victorian mansion into a café. Then her childhood friend Jon walks into her café and back into her life. As Christmas descends upon the Ozark hills, Jon woos Sophie with a tender love that makes her feel like she's come home.
LOVE FINDS YOU AT HOME FOR CHRISTMAS is a sweet set of two Christmas stories.
Cliff is a sweetheart healing from the death of his brother and physical wounds of his own, and Ruby is healing from the death of her fiancé and finding her place in the new world opening up for women in the work field. Ruby is opinionated and strong, but it did get a little annoying that she repeatedly told everyone she never wanted to marry. It began to sound a bit like a scratched song on the CD that repeats over and over…
Jon, in the second story, has always loved Sophia but she married another and ended up divorced. And now she can’t forgive herself, plus as the preacher’s daughter, she feels rejected by the church. Will she be able to forgive herself enough to move on and give love another chance? This story wasn’t as well written as the first. I didn’t connect with the characters as well, but Ms. Faulkenberry is very talented with description and I could “see” the town as she described it.
If your in the market for a Christmas novel collection and if you haven’t read this one yet, then don’t miss LOVE FINDS YOU AT HOME FOR CHRISTMAS. It’s a great book to put you in the holiday spirit. $12.99. 320 pages. 3.5 stars.
Authors: Annalisa Daughety and Gwen Ford Faulkenberry
Publisher: Summerside Press
October 2012
ISBN: 978-1609366872
Genre: Christmas (one historical, one contemporary)
Love finds a home in two heartwarming stories of Christmas past and present.
"Sweet Southern Christmas" by Annalise Daughety -- Both Ruby and Cliff have returned home to their small Arkansas town after serving in World War II. As snow blankets the town and Christmas draws near, will their wounded hearts find healing and love?
"Small-Town Christmas" by Gwen Ford Faulkenberry -- Sophia never expected to return to her hometown, but she's converting her grandparents' Victorian mansion into a café. Then her childhood friend Jon walks into her café and back into her life. As Christmas descends upon the Ozark hills, Jon woos Sophie with a tender love that makes her feel like she's come home.
LOVE FINDS YOU AT HOME FOR CHRISTMAS is a sweet set of two Christmas stories.
Cliff is a sweetheart healing from the death of his brother and physical wounds of his own, and Ruby is healing from the death of her fiancé and finding her place in the new world opening up for women in the work field. Ruby is opinionated and strong, but it did get a little annoying that she repeatedly told everyone she never wanted to marry. It began to sound a bit like a scratched song on the CD that repeats over and over…
Jon, in the second story, has always loved Sophia but she married another and ended up divorced. And now she can’t forgive herself, plus as the preacher’s daughter, she feels rejected by the church. Will she be able to forgive herself enough to move on and give love another chance? This story wasn’t as well written as the first. I didn’t connect with the characters as well, but Ms. Faulkenberry is very talented with description and I could “see” the town as she described it.
If your in the market for a Christmas novel collection and if you haven’t read this one yet, then don’t miss LOVE FINDS YOU AT HOME FOR CHRISTMAS. It’s a great book to put you in the holiday spirit. $12.99. 320 pages. 3.5 stars.
November 12, 2012
More like 3.5 stars
This book has two stories inside. I read the first one and enjoyed it mainly because it's in a historical setting. I may or may not read the second because it's contemporary romance, which is not my favorite genre. I skimmed it a bit and it didn't grab my interest. So probably not.
The story by Annalisa was heartwarming and sweet. It included a nice bit of history from the WWII era that included jobs to help the war effort. I didn't care for the heroine much because stubborn women in novels tend to annoy me. The hero was sweet, though, and the scene where he shared his heart was touching. The healing theme of the book was also nice and it had a solid spiritual thread running through the plot.
I'm not one for mushy Christmas stories, but this one was nice. If you like a novel that encourages you to sit by the first and sip cocoa as you read, this is the perfect novel for that. If it had been longer I probably would have liked it more, but overall, it was a good read.
This book has two stories inside. I read the first one and enjoyed it mainly because it's in a historical setting. I may or may not read the second because it's contemporary romance, which is not my favorite genre. I skimmed it a bit and it didn't grab my interest. So probably not.
The story by Annalisa was heartwarming and sweet. It included a nice bit of history from the WWII era that included jobs to help the war effort. I didn't care for the heroine much because stubborn women in novels tend to annoy me. The hero was sweet, though, and the scene where he shared his heart was touching. The healing theme of the book was also nice and it had a solid spiritual thread running through the plot.
I'm not one for mushy Christmas stories, but this one was nice. If you like a novel that encourages you to sit by the first and sip cocoa as you read, this is the perfect novel for that. If it had been longer I probably would have liked it more, but overall, it was a good read.
January 14, 2013
I love sweet love stories such as these. So glad I won this one here on GoodReads. Thank you.
January 19, 2013
Love Finds You At Home For Christmas is a book comprised of two novella's written by two individual authors - Annalisa Daughety and Gwen Ford Gaulkenberry.
I struggled with trying to decide how to rate this book, whether I should give a rating for each individual novella, or whether I should rate the book as a whole. I came to a compromise and am rating the book as a whole but sharing my thoughts on each story individually.
Novella #1 - "Sweet Southern Christmas" by: Annalisa Daughety
This novella is set in the 1940's. Ruby is a farm girl who moves to work in a factory helping in the war effort. While there, she meets Cliff, the cousin of one of her friends. Cliff also works in the factory as a technician/repairman. As their friendship grows, both Ruby and Cliff work through the hardships they've suffered over the past few years during the war - first sharing their stories with one another and giving each other comfort and encouragement through their faith, and then, helping one another move past those experiences and build happier memories together.
What I liked...
Ruby - At first, I thought Ruby would be an independent feminist. I was happy to find this was not entirely the case. While Ruby struggles with a desire to be independent, I quickly realized that it wasn't because she was that way, but rather her independent streak stemmed from her fears and past experiences. I didn't like her at first, but in the end, her character really grew on me and I found I liked her.
Cliff - Just like Ruby, I didn't really like Cliff at first. But, he grew on me too. He was so understanding and patient with Ruby. I loved how he waited for her to be ready before taking the next step in their relationship.
The Christmasy feeling - I received this book in the mail after Christmas and ended up reading it in January so, it turned into an after Christmas read. I wondered if it would feel weird to read it after the holiday's but this first novella kept me in the Christmas mood. I didn't have a fireplace to sit by or a cup of hot coco or tea to drink but I might as well have for all the Christmas spirit this first novella contained.
The Christian message - This is the first fiction book I've read in a while where I felt completely pleased with the Christian messages and lessons. I found, in this first novella, that I could relate with many of the faith based lesson's the characters were learning. It was a true encouragement to me. I have had fears lately about what God might have planned for my future and I came to understand, right along with Ruby, that I could let go of my fears and just trust that God knows what's best for me.
What I didn't like...
Cliff and Ruby's relationship - Ruby says more than once that she doesn't want to be in a relationship. However, she wasn't outright and honest with Cliff from the beginning. Cliff clearly was interested in Ruby as more than just a friend, but it wasn't until later in the book that she confessed to him about not wanting to date or even get married. While, for most of the novella, the two seemed to just enjoy spending time together, it was like they were dating but calling it friendship.
The Dialogue - in the very beginning chapters, there were "catch phrases" that Cliff and Ruby both used from the time period. However, it didn't feel very natural. It seemed like it was just thrown in there so that it would feel more accurate to the time period. It just felt silly though, like it didn't fit the characters themselves.
The Facial Expressions - I had read in another review that the reader was annoyed with repeated facial expressions by characters. I found I agreed with this viewpoint. Specifically in the beginning of the book, there were several pages where Ruby's "eyes widened" and Cliff "shook his head." It would have been bearable if it had only been two or three times dabbled throughout the chapters. But, when it was happening two or three times per page... I found myself becoming exasperated. There are so many other ways of displaying/writing the feelings the writer was trying to portray. The only reaction the writing drew from me was to make me "shake my head" and "widen my eyes" in disbelief at how utterly annoying the characters were in those first few chapters.
Novella #2 - Small-Town Christmas by: Gwen Ford Faulkenberry
This story was set in modern day. Sophie is a recently divorced young woman who has returned to her hometown to start her own business. Jon, her childhood friend, is a writer and published author who has secretly been in love with Sophie since the second grade.
What I liked...
Jon - I pretty much loved his character. Aside from the fact that he was a gentleman and very sweet, he was also patient. He waited for Sophie to ready for another relationship and often prayed for her; hoping that even if God's will for her future didn't include him, that God would help Sophie to heal and find happiness.
Sophie - I loved that she was real. Sophie had dreams that were broken or that hadn't been fulfilled. She had been through hardships. She had made mistakes. And through it all, she was able to stay strong in her relationship with God. While I couldn't understand from personal experience, it was easy to relate to Sophie because, we all go through hard times. I loved that about this novella.
The Christian Message - Honestly, I was so pleased with the Christian values in these two novella's. So often Christian/inspiration fictions have an abundance of the fiction and are deeply lacking the "Faith" aspect. I am often disappointed in this area but I wasn't when it came to these two novellas. Truly, I came away feeling that my faith had grown a little and that God had shown me some new things and reinforced some old things I already knew. I felt the love and care that had been put into these novellas and could see on every page that God was the main focus for these writers. As a Christian reader, I was so encouraged and glad to see such wonderful values written about in such a simple yet beautiful way. I came away feeling blessed which doesn't happen very often with fiction books.
What I didn't like...
I felt like the pacing was a bit too fast in the second novella. Though, the back-story involving Sophie's marriage and divorce was handled perfectly. It was just enough information without getting too bogged down in talking about the past. However, in terms of Jon and Sophie's relationship. It started out with him already having feelings for her. I just felt like, the story went too fast and wished things could have been taken at a slightly slower pace.
Overall:
I liked the Christian messages of both novella's as evidenced by my above reviews, however, I wasn't exactly enthralled with the stories themselves. It took me a while to get into the first novella and while both stories were sweet, I was more interested in the faith aspect than the actual characters. The book overall was a fun, easy read and it gave you wonderful biblical truths to contemplate and mull over for days afterwards, but the stories and characters just felt kind of average. In the end, I wasn't really impressed by the stories or the writing, but I was so encouraged and blessed by the reflection of how God can work in our lives and love us unconditionally and bless us and give us everything we need. Based solely on the faith aspect, I would have given this book four stars, however, take that away, and you're left with less than thrilling stories. In the end, I give this book three stars because in terms of the stories themselves, they didn't meet my expectations and they felt pretty ordinary. I wasn't wowed.
(I received this book from goodreads first reads in exchange for an honest review.)
I struggled with trying to decide how to rate this book, whether I should give a rating for each individual novella, or whether I should rate the book as a whole. I came to a compromise and am rating the book as a whole but sharing my thoughts on each story individually.
Novella #1 - "Sweet Southern Christmas" by: Annalisa Daughety
This novella is set in the 1940's. Ruby is a farm girl who moves to work in a factory helping in the war effort. While there, she meets Cliff, the cousin of one of her friends. Cliff also works in the factory as a technician/repairman. As their friendship grows, both Ruby and Cliff work through the hardships they've suffered over the past few years during the war - first sharing their stories with one another and giving each other comfort and encouragement through their faith, and then, helping one another move past those experiences and build happier memories together.
What I liked...
Ruby - At first, I thought Ruby would be an independent feminist. I was happy to find this was not entirely the case. While Ruby struggles with a desire to be independent, I quickly realized that it wasn't because she was that way, but rather her independent streak stemmed from her fears and past experiences. I didn't like her at first, but in the end, her character really grew on me and I found I liked her.
Cliff - Just like Ruby, I didn't really like Cliff at first. But, he grew on me too. He was so understanding and patient with Ruby. I loved how he waited for her to be ready before taking the next step in their relationship.
The Christmasy feeling - I received this book in the mail after Christmas and ended up reading it in January so, it turned into an after Christmas read. I wondered if it would feel weird to read it after the holiday's but this first novella kept me in the Christmas mood. I didn't have a fireplace to sit by or a cup of hot coco or tea to drink but I might as well have for all the Christmas spirit this first novella contained.
The Christian message - This is the first fiction book I've read in a while where I felt completely pleased with the Christian messages and lessons. I found, in this first novella, that I could relate with many of the faith based lesson's the characters were learning. It was a true encouragement to me. I have had fears lately about what God might have planned for my future and I came to understand, right along with Ruby, that I could let go of my fears and just trust that God knows what's best for me.
What I didn't like...
Cliff and Ruby's relationship - Ruby says more than once that she doesn't want to be in a relationship. However, she wasn't outright and honest with Cliff from the beginning. Cliff clearly was interested in Ruby as more than just a friend, but it wasn't until later in the book that she confessed to him about not wanting to date or even get married. While, for most of the novella, the two seemed to just enjoy spending time together, it was like they were dating but calling it friendship.
The Dialogue - in the very beginning chapters, there were "catch phrases" that Cliff and Ruby both used from the time period. However, it didn't feel very natural. It seemed like it was just thrown in there so that it would feel more accurate to the time period. It just felt silly though, like it didn't fit the characters themselves.
The Facial Expressions - I had read in another review that the reader was annoyed with repeated facial expressions by characters. I found I agreed with this viewpoint. Specifically in the beginning of the book, there were several pages where Ruby's "eyes widened" and Cliff "shook his head." It would have been bearable if it had only been two or three times dabbled throughout the chapters. But, when it was happening two or three times per page... I found myself becoming exasperated. There are so many other ways of displaying/writing the feelings the writer was trying to portray. The only reaction the writing drew from me was to make me "shake my head" and "widen my eyes" in disbelief at how utterly annoying the characters were in those first few chapters.
Novella #2 - Small-Town Christmas by: Gwen Ford Faulkenberry
This story was set in modern day. Sophie is a recently divorced young woman who has returned to her hometown to start her own business. Jon, her childhood friend, is a writer and published author who has secretly been in love with Sophie since the second grade.
What I liked...
Jon - I pretty much loved his character. Aside from the fact that he was a gentleman and very sweet, he was also patient. He waited for Sophie to ready for another relationship and often prayed for her; hoping that even if God's will for her future didn't include him, that God would help Sophie to heal and find happiness.
Sophie - I loved that she was real. Sophie had dreams that were broken or that hadn't been fulfilled. She had been through hardships. She had made mistakes. And through it all, she was able to stay strong in her relationship with God. While I couldn't understand from personal experience, it was easy to relate to Sophie because, we all go through hard times. I loved that about this novella.
The Christian Message - Honestly, I was so pleased with the Christian values in these two novella's. So often Christian/inspiration fictions have an abundance of the fiction and are deeply lacking the "Faith" aspect. I am often disappointed in this area but I wasn't when it came to these two novellas. Truly, I came away feeling that my faith had grown a little and that God had shown me some new things and reinforced some old things I already knew. I felt the love and care that had been put into these novellas and could see on every page that God was the main focus for these writers. As a Christian reader, I was so encouraged and glad to see such wonderful values written about in such a simple yet beautiful way. I came away feeling blessed which doesn't happen very often with fiction books.
What I didn't like...
I felt like the pacing was a bit too fast in the second novella. Though, the back-story involving Sophie's marriage and divorce was handled perfectly. It was just enough information without getting too bogged down in talking about the past. However, in terms of Jon and Sophie's relationship. It started out with him already having feelings for her. I just felt like, the story went too fast and wished things could have been taken at a slightly slower pace.
Overall:
I liked the Christian messages of both novella's as evidenced by my above reviews, however, I wasn't exactly enthralled with the stories themselves. It took me a while to get into the first novella and while both stories were sweet, I was more interested in the faith aspect than the actual characters. The book overall was a fun, easy read and it gave you wonderful biblical truths to contemplate and mull over for days afterwards, but the stories and characters just felt kind of average. In the end, I wasn't really impressed by the stories or the writing, but I was so encouraged and blessed by the reflection of how God can work in our lives and love us unconditionally and bless us and give us everything we need. Based solely on the faith aspect, I would have given this book four stars, however, take that away, and you're left with less than thrilling stories. In the end, I give this book three stars because in terms of the stories themselves, they didn't meet my expectations and they felt pretty ordinary. I wasn't wowed.
(I received this book from goodreads first reads in exchange for an honest review.)
September 16, 2020
This is actually two novellas/short stories by two different authors in the Love-Finds-You series.
>b>Sweet Southern Christmas 5 stars
This is a complete story. I read it not realizing there were two stories in the book, so as the end came closer, I didn't realize it and I was very pleasantly surprised. The way the story is written, it is just the right length.
The story proceeds very nicely as two people grow close together and then lack of good communication on both sides throws a wrench into it. As I said, the ending was a surprise, actually two related ones and it was sweet.
This is a Christian story, but not particularly preachy. There are frequent references to prayer and the overall message is allowing God to be in control, but the message is conveyed by the story.
This story is more about anticipating Christmas with it beginning as early as May, with a climax at Christmas, rather than being a typical Christmas story.
Mature themes: not really. There are a couple of kisses which as far as sex goes. The backstories include deaths from war in this World War II setting.
Small Town Christmas 1.5 stars
This is a complete story.
I don't like to use the word boring, but boring and mundane describe this story. I think I missed some of the subtler aspects of it. It starts out with a good enough premise but never really goes anywhere. If it were a TV movie, the scenery would be breathtaking.
I'm really annoyed with the artificially contrived conflict. The thoughts of the two characters are completely out of character. The circumstances are silly. The ending is abrupt and unsatisfying.
This is a Christian book and seems preachy to me. There is a repeated phrase which seemed a little odd. No strings attached. It seemed out of place with the Christian messages included in the story. Maybe it is just a coincidence that it was repeated.
There is a little surprise very near the end that is almost unrelated to the rest of the story.
Like the first story, this one has little to do with Christmas except that it climaxes then.
Mature themes: nothing unless you count a couple of kisses.
I rate the entire volume 4 stars solely because of the first one.
>b>Sweet Southern Christmas 5 stars
This is a complete story. I read it not realizing there were two stories in the book, so as the end came closer, I didn't realize it and I was very pleasantly surprised. The way the story is written, it is just the right length.
The story proceeds very nicely as two people grow close together and then lack of good communication on both sides throws a wrench into it. As I said, the ending was a surprise, actually two related ones and it was sweet.
This is a Christian story, but not particularly preachy. There are frequent references to prayer and the overall message is allowing God to be in control, but the message is conveyed by the story.
This story is more about anticipating Christmas with it beginning as early as May, with a climax at Christmas, rather than being a typical Christmas story.
Mature themes: not really. There are a couple of kisses which as far as sex goes. The backstories include deaths from war in this World War II setting.
Small Town Christmas 1.5 stars
This is a complete story.
I don't like to use the word boring, but boring and mundane describe this story. I think I missed some of the subtler aspects of it. It starts out with a good enough premise but never really goes anywhere. If it were a TV movie, the scenery would be breathtaking.
I'm really annoyed with the artificially contrived conflict. The thoughts of the two characters are completely out of character. The circumstances are silly. The ending is abrupt and unsatisfying.
This is a Christian book and seems preachy to me. There is a repeated phrase which seemed a little odd. No strings attached. It seemed out of place with the Christian messages included in the story. Maybe it is just a coincidence that it was repeated.
There is a little surprise very near the end that is almost unrelated to the rest of the story.
Like the first story, this one has little to do with Christmas except that it climaxes then.
Mature themes: nothing unless you count a couple of kisses.
I rate the entire volume 4 stars solely because of the first one.
December 7, 2024
SWEET SOUTHERN CHRISTMAS || Annalisa Daughety
•⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️•
This was such a cute Christmas story set in 1943! It had everything I love in a story. A fun 1940s love story, friends to more, past hurts that need healing, and Christmas? It had all of that and more!
It was a quick read that I wasn’t hesitant to give four stars to! If you’re looking for a fun Christmas novella with a mix of 1940s cute love, this should be your next read!
As much as I love deep historical romance, I’m also a sucker for the cute love stories set during WW2 time period, where it’s mostly just fun girlish love. This one did it so well, while mixing in the realities of the war.
I absolutely recommend it!
SMALL TOWN CHRISTMAS || Gwen Ford Faulkenberry
•⭐️⭐️⭐️✨•
To be honest, I’m a little confused how to rate this one. As I was reading it, I kept thinking “I liked the first story better” but now I’m remembering the story and trying to write this review. And all I can think of is how fun it was. Does anyone else get that?
This story has all the tropes I love. Rekindled friendship. Friends to more. Home for Christmas. Even the setting is my ideal Christmas novella setting. The story was fun, easy to read and really cute.
The main character was divorced, however, and as unrealistic as it is, I do prefer to not to see that in Christian books. Especially in the main characters. It’s not a very Christian thing to write in Christian books, is it? That was really my only problem with the book, and, other than that, I quite enjoyed it!
Overall I give this Christmas novella collection ⭐️⭐️⭐️✨!
•⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️•
This was such a cute Christmas story set in 1943! It had everything I love in a story. A fun 1940s love story, friends to more, past hurts that need healing, and Christmas? It had all of that and more!
It was a quick read that I wasn’t hesitant to give four stars to! If you’re looking for a fun Christmas novella with a mix of 1940s cute love, this should be your next read!
As much as I love deep historical romance, I’m also a sucker for the cute love stories set during WW2 time period, where it’s mostly just fun girlish love. This one did it so well, while mixing in the realities of the war.
I absolutely recommend it!
SMALL TOWN CHRISTMAS || Gwen Ford Faulkenberry
•⭐️⭐️⭐️✨•
To be honest, I’m a little confused how to rate this one. As I was reading it, I kept thinking “I liked the first story better” but now I’m remembering the story and trying to write this review. And all I can think of is how fun it was. Does anyone else get that?
This story has all the tropes I love. Rekindled friendship. Friends to more. Home for Christmas. Even the setting is my ideal Christmas novella setting. The story was fun, easy to read and really cute.
The main character was divorced, however, and as unrealistic as it is, I do prefer to not to see that in Christian books. Especially in the main characters. It’s not a very Christian thing to write in Christian books, is it? That was really my only problem with the book, and, other than that, I quite enjoyed it!
Overall I give this Christmas novella collection ⭐️⭐️⭐️✨!
January 6, 2018
enjoyable read. a cozy little love story
December 4, 2018
They are good for romance books! HA! Both stories are sweet with characters that are easy to cheer for!
March 1, 2021
This book is one of my favorites to read during the holiday! I absolutely loved it!
June 2, 2023
I’ve never seen a Hallmark movie, but I’m quickly learning I love these sweet romance books…especially anything written by Annalisa Daughety. I’m obsessed with her writing!
October 27, 2024
The two stories in this book were very simple and heartwarming. It's a good holiday read.
November 10, 2012
While on a weekend road trip last month, I read Love Finds You at Home for Christmas--a two-part book series full of Christmas warmth and goodness.
If the fact that I started and finished the book while on a road trip with my two young kids tells you anything, I really liked it!
Sweet Southern Christmas by Annalisa Daughety, the first book in the series, tells a Christmas tale of years gone by. This story takes place in a small Arkansas town during World War II. Daughety truly painted the perfect picture Ruby, of a small town farm girl who wanted nothing more than to do her part for her country during a tumultuous time. And, like any good Southern girl, she accidentally finds a Prince Charming at the same time.
Ruby is dead set on doing anything BUT finding love, and it's exciting to watch a friendship blossom between her and Cliff, who by all accounts seems like the epitome of perfection to every other girl he meets. (Even I--a human--had a little crush on Cliff--the book character.) But Ruby was determined to make her own way, she'd been in love before and it cost her.
It was interesting how Daughety was able to weave in interesting tidbits of history while telling this heartwarming story of two friends who just might want to be something more. There were moments where I felt as if I was going to work in the Arkansas Ordinance Plant doing my part to help the boys fighting overseas. I wanted to be there and see it with my own eyes.
To make the story even sweeter, Daughety fits together pieces of Ruby and Cliff's love story by taking cues from her own grandparents, who met in Arkansas during World War II and lived happily ever after.
In Small Town Christmas by Gwen Ford Faulkenberry, we have a modern tale for the ages. Girl meets fledgling rock star and falls in love, leaving behind her nerdy best friend (who happens to be a boy who is completely in love with said girl), gets married, gets cheated on and comes back home to her hometown as a divorcee.
Somewhere over the years of being married to a musician, Sophie lost her way. When she comes back to the small town where she grew up, things are different. Her father has passed away, and Sophie simply doesn't know where to start until she begins a new venture opening a restaurant.
Over the years, Jon, the former nerdy best friend, has made a name for himself as an author. Despite the accolades, fame is not his motive, and he prefers to stay out of the limelight. When Jon and Sophie reconnect, they find familiarity, comfort and friendship in spite of the years spent apart.
Jon is easy to root for because, really, who doesn't love the nerd? It's nice to find Sophie take charge of a terrible situation and tackle things by creating a fresh start rather than running way.
Faulkenberry's characters are likeable and timeless--just about any girl can relate to falling for the bad boy and getting a rude awakening when it's all said and done.
Overall, this series really flowed well together and had an interesting twist to connect the two worlds.
If the fact that I started and finished the book while on a road trip with my two young kids tells you anything, I really liked it!
Sweet Southern Christmas by Annalisa Daughety, the first book in the series, tells a Christmas tale of years gone by. This story takes place in a small Arkansas town during World War II. Daughety truly painted the perfect picture Ruby, of a small town farm girl who wanted nothing more than to do her part for her country during a tumultuous time. And, like any good Southern girl, she accidentally finds a Prince Charming at the same time.
Ruby is dead set on doing anything BUT finding love, and it's exciting to watch a friendship blossom between her and Cliff, who by all accounts seems like the epitome of perfection to every other girl he meets. (Even I--a human--had a little crush on Cliff--the book character.) But Ruby was determined to make her own way, she'd been in love before and it cost her.
It was interesting how Daughety was able to weave in interesting tidbits of history while telling this heartwarming story of two friends who just might want to be something more. There were moments where I felt as if I was going to work in the Arkansas Ordinance Plant doing my part to help the boys fighting overseas. I wanted to be there and see it with my own eyes.
To make the story even sweeter, Daughety fits together pieces of Ruby and Cliff's love story by taking cues from her own grandparents, who met in Arkansas during World War II and lived happily ever after.
In Small Town Christmas by Gwen Ford Faulkenberry, we have a modern tale for the ages. Girl meets fledgling rock star and falls in love, leaving behind her nerdy best friend (who happens to be a boy who is completely in love with said girl), gets married, gets cheated on and comes back home to her hometown as a divorcee.
Somewhere over the years of being married to a musician, Sophie lost her way. When she comes back to the small town where she grew up, things are different. Her father has passed away, and Sophie simply doesn't know where to start until she begins a new venture opening a restaurant.
Over the years, Jon, the former nerdy best friend, has made a name for himself as an author. Despite the accolades, fame is not his motive, and he prefers to stay out of the limelight. When Jon and Sophie reconnect, they find familiarity, comfort and friendship in spite of the years spent apart.
Jon is easy to root for because, really, who doesn't love the nerd? It's nice to find Sophie take charge of a terrible situation and tackle things by creating a fresh start rather than running way.
Faulkenberry's characters are likeable and timeless--just about any girl can relate to falling for the bad boy and getting a rude awakening when it's all said and done.
Overall, this series really flowed well together and had an interesting twist to connect the two worlds.
January 1, 2015
SUMMARY: "Sweet Southern Christmas" Both Ruby and Cliff have returned home to their small Arkansas town after serving in World War II. As snow blankets the town and Christmas draws near, will their wounded hearts find healing and love? "Small-Town Christmas" Sophia never expected to return to her hometown, but she’s converting her grandparents' Victorian mansion into a cafe. Then her childhood friend Jon walks into her cafe and back into her life. As Chrstmas descends upon the Ozark hills, Jon woos Sophie with a tender love that makes her feel like she’s come home.
REVIEW: I liked the fact that the two stories in this book tied together. Sweet, easy to read Christmas romances. I enjoyed the tidbits of history that Daughety included in her historical romance. It was interesting to learn a bit about the armament plants where many young women worked in this desire to help out their men who were overseas fighting in World War II. Loved the unique way that Cliff proposed and Ruby missed and that it was repeated in the modern story of Fualkenberry. Definitely a good book to curl up with at Christmas time.
FAVORITE QUOTES: "Some things happen. Things we don't understand or can't explain...It's easy to place blame on ourselves or on the people around us. ...But if there's one thing I've learned over the past few years, it's that we can't do that. We have to trust that God will take care of us. That He is bigger than all of the bad stuff. Bigger than the wars or the hunger or the sadness."
"...trusting in God doesn't mean that everything will always be perfect. It just means that you have a faith that will get you through those tough times."
"But one thing I've learned through the years is to look inside and see what God has for me...what He wants to make out of my life. All we have to offer is ourselves--our strengths and also our weaknesses. In His hands, even those can become something beautiful."
REVIEW: I liked the fact that the two stories in this book tied together. Sweet, easy to read Christmas romances. I enjoyed the tidbits of history that Daughety included in her historical romance. It was interesting to learn a bit about the armament plants where many young women worked in this desire to help out their men who were overseas fighting in World War II. Loved the unique way that Cliff proposed and Ruby missed and that it was repeated in the modern story of Fualkenberry. Definitely a good book to curl up with at Christmas time.
FAVORITE QUOTES: "Some things happen. Things we don't understand or can't explain...It's easy to place blame on ourselves or on the people around us. ...But if there's one thing I've learned over the past few years, it's that we can't do that. We have to trust that God will take care of us. That He is bigger than all of the bad stuff. Bigger than the wars or the hunger or the sadness."
"...trusting in God doesn't mean that everything will always be perfect. It just means that you have a faith that will get you through those tough times."
"But one thing I've learned through the years is to look inside and see what God has for me...what He wants to make out of my life. All we have to offer is ourselves--our strengths and also our weaknesses. In His hands, even those can become something beautiful."
October 22, 2012
Love, love, loved this book! It's a sweet, make-you-feel good kind of book. It's actually two stories in one book. Past and present.
Sweet Southern Christmas, is the "past" story. The time is 1943. World War II. This was actually my favorite of the two stories. The ending, as well as the epilogue, will make you sigh. It's that sweet. I also appreciate that the author tells the story without a lot of fluff about the surroundings, dress details, etc. This story gets 5 stars.
Small-Town Christmas is story number two. It revolves around the granddaughter of the main characters in story one. The author of this story, in my opinion, spent more time than necessary on details - surroundings, room decorations, etc. - but it was still a very good story. A big negative for me on this story was no epilogue. But it still had an assumed Happley-ever-after ending. This story gets 4 stars.
Sweet Southern Christmas, is the "past" story. The time is 1943. World War II. This was actually my favorite of the two stories. The ending, as well as the epilogue, will make you sigh. It's that sweet. I also appreciate that the author tells the story without a lot of fluff about the surroundings, dress details, etc. This story gets 5 stars.
Small-Town Christmas is story number two. It revolves around the granddaughter of the main characters in story one. The author of this story, in my opinion, spent more time than necessary on details - surroundings, room decorations, etc. - but it was still a very good story. A big negative for me on this story was no epilogue. But it still had an assumed Happley-ever-after ending. This story gets 4 stars.
April 27, 2015
This book has two stories written by two different authors. I only read the first one, Sweet Southern Christmas by Annalise Daughety. It was an easy read. There was too much talk about how each other liked each other but didn't want to lay it all out there to each other. Anyway, I'm not a chick lit chick but met the author and wanted to read one of her books.
January 28, 2013
I enjoyed the second story more, but both are sweet, predictable stories.
September 25, 2013
I enjoyed Small-Town Christmas. In the book Sophie was trying to rebuild her life.
Sweet Southern Christmas is a World War II romance.
Sweet Southern Christmas is a World War II romance.
January 13, 2014
3.5
Cute....a little slow though. I enjoyed it enough but wouldn't read it again.
Cute....a little slow though. I enjoyed it enough but wouldn't read it again.
February 26, 2022
I read this book at a time when I really needed the message the stories gave. It helped me through some pain and grief.
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