A Merry Little Christmas: 1225 Christmas Tree Lane / 5-B Poppy Lane

by Debbie Macomber

Beth Morehouse was expecting presents under the tree, not a basket of abandoned puppies on the doorstep of 1225 Christmas Tree Lane! Now it's a race to find them new homes before she and her daughters leave for their skiing trip. With just three days to Christmas, Beth needs a puppy miracle! To top off her worries, the girls have invited their dad, Beth's ex-husband, Kent, for the holidays. Clearly they have visions of a mum-and-dad reunion under the mistletoe. But Kent's new girlfriend might have other ideas...

Across the road at 5-B Poppy Lane, the Shelton women are sharing relationship stories. Helen approves of the handsome soldier her granddaughter Ruth has brought home, but he reminds her so much of a man she once knew...Will Helen's tales of romance lead Ruth to a happy-ever-after Christmas?
With mistletoe and festive miracles, there's nothing like a Cedar Cove Christmas!
Make time for friends.
Make time for Debbie Macomber.

Genres: Christmas, Romance, Chick Lit, Contemporary, Fiction

384 pages, Paperback

First published October 12, 2012

About the author

Debbie Macomber is a #1 New York Times bestselling author and one of today’s most popular writers with more than 200 million copies of her books in print worldwide. In her novels, Macomber brings to life compelling relationships that embrace family and enduring friendships, uplifting her readers with stories of connection and hope. Macomber’s novels have spent over 1,000 weeks on the New York Times bestseller list. Fifteen of these novels hit the number one spot.

In 2023, Macomber’s all-new hardcover publication includes Must Love Flowers (July). In addition to fiction, Macomber has also published three bestselling cookbooks, three adult coloring books, numerous inspirational and nonfiction works, and two acclaimed children’s books.

Celebrated as “the official storyteller of Christmas”, Macomber’s annual Christmas books are beloved and six have been crafted into original Hallmark Channel movies. Macomber is also the author of the bestselling Cedar Cove Series which the Hallmark Channel chose as the basis for its first dramatic scripted television series. Debuting in 2013, Debbie Macomber’s Cedar Cove was a ratings favorite for three seasons.

She serves on the Guideposts National Advisory Cabinet, is a YFC National Ambassador, and is World Vision’s international spokesperson for their Knit for Kids charity initiative. A devoted grandmother, Debbie and Wayne live in Port Orchard, Washington, the town which inspired the Cedar Cove series.

Reviews

[Gail Danks · Rating 5 out of 5]

An easy read. Happy ending

[Victoria Sigsworth · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book consists of two of Debbie Macomber's novels. The first is 1225 Christmas Tree Lane. This is a novel about the residents who live in and around Cedar Cove. It's a book which shows all the neighbours getting on and helping each other out and as I have never experienced a friendly neighbourhood, and I have lived in many places, the reader has to remind themselves that this is clearly fiction. However it's lovely cosy Christmas fiction. I love Debbie's stories set in this area and especially at Christmas as she really portrays the Christmas atmosphere. If you are looking for this kind of novel at this time of year then this is one for you.
The second novel in the book is a slightly shorter one and is 5-B Poppy Lane. This is very different because even though it's set at Christmas,it is very dark. I hadn't read anything by Debbie quite this dark before so it was a surprise. It begins in the present with Helen's granddaughter wondering if she should pursue a young officer she sent a Christmas card to who is in the marines. It then goes back in time to the second world war where, not to give anything away, Ruth discovers much of her grandmother's history. It is both moving and awful.
I suppose it's good to have these contrasting novels in the same book but personally I don't know whether I wanted to read this second one at this point in the year but of course, that is an individual feeling. Having read the cosy story I didn't feel ready to handle this one and there is nothing in the blurb that gives it away.
However both stories are excellent. Maybe an author to try if you haven't and not necessarily a lightweight either.

[Allison Hurst · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book consists of two stories. 1225 Christmas Tree Lane and 5-B Poppy Lane. The first story Christmas Tree Lane, I enjoyed the Christmas aspect of it. But oh my lord, how many characters? I thought it was just because I have fibro and I get fibro fog sometimes, but it seems others thought the same. It completely mashed my brain trying to keep up with who was who and why they were in the story. Flirting from one couple to another, it just did my head in. I’m still none the wiser to who everyone else was apart from Beth, Kent, Bailey and Sophie Morehouse.

The second story 5-B Poppy Lane was quite a dark war time story and not Christmassy at all really. Bizzaire. It’s apparently part of the Cedar Cove Series.

Which leads me to my next point. When I find a good author I like to look up what other books they have. Well... on Debbie’s page(s) 20 of them, she has written 383 books? One of the Angel Books I have is a stand alone one but then comes under the Angel Series, which doesn’t make sense to me. And lots of books have been re-issued and some have been called different titles. It’s so confusing. I hate it when you buy a book and read it then find out it’s in a series and there’s others you should of read before it. Why can’t they list the other books in the series somewhere? Some do and some don’t. It’s mind boggling

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great book from the Cedar Cove series. Heartwarming perfect Christmas read. This a actually 1225 Christmas Tree Lane book with a shorter story, 5-B Poppy Lane at the end. Both are captivating in very different ways and I couldn't put it down.

[WyrmbergSabrina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Exactly what I was expecting.
Two lovely stories about, love, regret, loss and family over Christmas.
The first follows Beth, and her search for homes for ten puppies before Christmas, as well as her ex husband coming for Christmas, and he’s not alone. Worse than that, Beth thinks getting divorced might have been a huge mistake.
The second follows Helen, and recounting the story of how her granddaughter fell in love, and her own secret past during the war.
Both of these tales have touching moments, funny ones and sweet ones that you only get during the season of goodwill and forgiveness. I haven’t read anything this Christmassy before, but I really enjoyed Debbie’s style of storytelling, and will probably get my hands on some more of her heartwarming tales.
Read this if you want warm, cosy family stories with happy ever afters.

[E.H. Nolan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This Cedar Cove duo includes the last chronological book in the Cedar Cove series and a bonus novella 5-B Poppy Lane. If you’ve already read 1225 Christmas Tree Lane, you’ll already be two-thirds of the way through this book, but hopefully you’ll already know what’s in this bundle before you take it home, to stave off disappointment.

5-B Poppy Lane was really wonderful to read, and it connects so distantly to Cedar Cove that if you’ve never read one of those books or if you’ve finished the series so long ago you don’t remember anything anymore, it won’t really matter. Charlotte’s friend Helen, who is only briefly mentioned in the series, gets a visit from her granddaughter during Christmas. Her granddaughter has fallen in love with a soldier she’s been exchanging letters with, and as Helen shares her own wartime experiences from WWII, she learns how to steer her own life. Helen’s story was fascinating, dramatic, romantic, and could have easily taken up an entire novel!

http://hottoastyrag.weebly.com/cc-125...

[Chelsea May xxx · Rating 3 out of 5]

I only read the 1st book a merry little Christmas as that’s the one I was more interested in but sadly this book wasn’t what I expected at all. There was way too many different characters though out the book and I kept getting confused and lost with who was talking. This book took me two weeks to read as I put it down at one point and just didn’t want to pick it back up. Yes it was a cozy Christmas book which I really enjoyed and the ending was so good but I think that was the only bit I like. I will be reading more books by this author as I really like this author and her writing skills and how she puts a book together xxx

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book has 2 stories in it but it’s not clear if they are related or not. Well it wasn’t to me.

The first story is very nice. About a divorced woman and her family. Throughout she tries to find homes for puppies. Her Christmas is all set until her daughters invite their father. It’s a lovely story but each chapter is about a different family in the village which becomes a little confusing.

The 2nd story was my favourite. We get to hear a woman’s war story with a love story. It’s was so fascinating and loved it. This story is a lot shorter than the other. Definitely worth a read.

[Nicki Taylor · Rating 1 out of 5]

I don’t often leave reviews but I was so disappointed in this book. I made it halfway through hoping I would find the Christmas magic promised and the story would become interesting but it didn’t. I didn’t finish reading it because I had absolutely no interest in the characters. There were too many characters for you to really get to know any of them properly. It was hard to keep up with all the explanations of their life stories that were told through the characters talking to each other which made the conversations between family members really unrealistic.

[Kerry Henderson · Rating 3 out of 5]

A story about two families celebrating the holidays in their own special ways.

This was a good Christmas read and very much your typical Debbie Macomber story. There was a lot going on in the first story and so many characters I did get a little confused. I really enjoyed the second story more though. The war stories were incredible and so heart breaking.

[Lis Sigona · Rating 5 out of 5]

Two books in one: 1225 Christmas Tree Lane & 5-B Poppy Lane.the stories are not related to each other than they are set in or around Cedar Cove. Other than that they both have different characters personalities and see them with different life aspects to dealing with it in the storyline. While I had reread these in the past, these both were a nice refresher.

[Arti Deshpande · Rating 1 out of 5]

It was very boring. The author kept jumping from one couple to another in a way that it completely confused and jumbled me up. There is nothing, special unique or even charming about the story. It just feels like hundred disjointed ends put together.

[Rachel Hannah · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a book of two halves. The first story I found hard to get into. So many characters that were introduced in each chapter with details that I easily forgot by the time they reappeared in the story. The second half was a much more enjoyable read with exciting details about wartime memories.

[Beccy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love a Debbie Macomber festive read! No brain cells required.

[Veronica · Rating 2 out of 5]

Njaee

[Pam Piper · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love these little quick reads!

[Maggie Craig · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was so good xxx

[Coral Shepherd · Rating 5 out of 5]

A incredibly heart warming book, I couldn't put it down.

[Emma Harvey · Rating 3 out of 5]

A lovely warm Christmas book but a lot of characters and a few too many stories to follow. I like the twist with Danielle though!

[Joyce · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyed this book lovely little Christmas read.

[Pam · Rating 4 out of 5]

Two lovely stories, a bit predictable but still a nice read.

[Jean · Rating 2 out of 5]

Too many characters to keep up with if it was just the two main family characters it would have been interesting.

[Vicky Esirpeoglou · Rating 3 out of 5]

A cute Christmas read, full off movie like suburban life somewhat romcom style. But enjoyed it, nice little Christmas spirit read

[Kay Townsend · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Christmas read.

[victoria whale · Rating 2 out of 5]

I think there was too many people in it and kinda put me in a slum butfinished it anyway just took about 2 months.

[Clair Davis · Rating 1 out of 5]

A Merry Little Christmas... DNF 29%

Just the same drivel, how does she mange to get this crap published!

[Bev Hitchcock · Rating 3 out of 5]

too many characters, I got confused

[Dannielle Potts · Rating 4 out of 5]

I Loved Both Of These Tales, Maybe The Second One Just A Tiny Bit More But Both Had Elements That Really Appealed To Me. My First Book By This Author And I Think It Was A Perfect One To Start With.

[Ocean · Rating 3 out of 5]

Let me prelude this by saying that I would have never picked up this book for myself. A friend of mine lended it to me and it's not necessarily my favourite genre. However, I was in the mood for an easy read (after struggling with that 'black blade' book I quickly reviewed a few days ago) and I was in much need for some positivity so allured by the glittery cover I decided to get into " a merry little christmas".

This book contains two novels.
The first one: '1225 Christmas Tree Lane' is about Beth Morehouse, the woman has rebuilt her life after her divorce, bought a farm and started her own business. She's gotten ready to celebrate the holidays when someone left a basket full of puppies at her doorstep.Her two daughters Bailey and Sophie want to get their parents back together and so arrange for their father, Kent, to spend Christmas with them but he shows up with a "friend".

The second: '5B Poppy lane' is about a Ruth, a young woman who happened to send a christmas card to a random man in the marine during iraq's war, they remain pen pals for a while and when they finally meet, they both realise how much they love each other. They happen to visit Ruth's grandmother who eventually shares a difficult time of her life: she happened to be part of the French resistance during WWII..

Both stories are very cliche, hardly believable (there is a terrible lack of depth and character growth although i guess there wouldnt have been time for that since it all happens in the matter of a few days) and I had to laugh at some passages, but if you're into romantic, sweet happy ending books, then I do recommend this to you. The first novel would have been a perfect Christmas read, it was a real guilty pleasure, the imagery made me want to dive right back into the most wonderful time of the year. I did read other books by Debbie Macomber and didnt like them half as much.So anyway I'll just have to end this review by admitting that im a north pole elf at heart.

[Nicole · Rating 2 out of 5]

Read December 2013
update:I did decide to go for two stars, I really didn't like the first story and it's much longer than the second so my star rating should also be closer to the first..

I have no idea what to rate this book, so for now I’m not going to give it a rating at all..
There are two stories in this book, the 255 page long 1225 Christmas Tree Lane & the 120 page long 5-B Poppy Lane.

I really did not like 1225 Christmas Tree Lane. Sure the puppies were cute, but other than that I did not like it at all.. There where way too many characters and I didn’t care about any of them or their (part in the) story line. the story itself I didn’t enjoy either it was all too predictable and perfect. I would give this story only one star.

So after that first story I didn’t really want to read the second one anymore, I sort of assumed it would be very similar and I didn’t want to read something like that again, I was so happy when I finally finished the first story. But yeah, I don’t like to leave things unfinished and since the second story was much shorter I decided to at least give it a try.

I’m very happy I did start 5-B Poppy Lane because I did really love this story. there were a lot less characters and the ones that where there I really loved, especially the grandmother. I also liked the story itself so much more, I would give this one four stars.

So yeah one star and four stars. I could go with 2.5 for the book as a whole but that feels wrong.. It’s much too high for how I felt about the first story, but also much too long for the second one. Then there is the problem of not being able to give half stars.. Should I give it two stars? Three stars? Both would make the above problem bigger.