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I'll Be Home for Christmas
I’ll Be Home for Christmas is a moving story that reminds us of the true meaning of Christmas.
Noelle Mitchell never explained why she abruptly ran away from home at the age of fifteen. All anyone knew was that her boyfriend, Reno, convinced her to abandon her family. But when she shows up at the family house on Christmas thirteen years later, what’s revealed about her absence will either tear her family further apart or bring them closer together.
Noelle Mitchell never explained why she abruptly ran away from home at the age of fifteen. All anyone knew was that her boyfriend, Reno, convinced her to abandon her family. But when she shows up at the family house on Christmas thirteen years later, what’s revealed about her absence will either tear her family further apart or bring them closer together.
23 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 20, 2012
854 people are currently reading
3536 people want to read
About the author
Zane
89 books3,714 followersZane is the New York Times bestselling author of Afterburn, The Heat Seekers, Dear G-Spot, Gettin’ Buck Wild, The Hot Box, Total Eclipse of the Heart, Nervous, Skyscraper, Love is Never Painless, Shame on It All, and The Sisters of APF; the ebook short stories “I’ll be Home for Christmas” and “Everything Fades Away”; and editor for the Flava anthology series, including Z-Rated and Busy Bodies. Her TV series, Zane’s Sex Chronicles, and The Jump Off are featured on Cinemax, and her bestselling novel Addicted is a major motion picture with Lionsgate Films. She is the publisher of Strebor Books, an imprint of Atria Books/Simon & Schuster. Visit her online at EroticaNoir.com. - See more at: http://authors.simonandschuster.com/Z...
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 270 reviews
December 28, 2012
What happens when you look out of the window of your life and realize that the world is crumbling down around you? That's the question Noelle had to ask herself. This short story is the answer she chose. It's a quick read, but a good story. It's a tale of repentance and forgiveness, a true "pay attention" to those raising young children. I would have liked to see the story develop more and to get the "what happens next," but even this short snippet is a true demonstration of talent
January 3, 2013
I am still in shock over the fact that I cried during this "short" did I say really "short" story. It was cute, sweet, but, left me needing more. I think it would be an awesome story to tell if there was more about her struggles. Cute, sweet, but, just a little too short.
December 24, 2024
Short and sad...I just wanted to give Noelle a hug, but I'm glad the story ended on a positive note!
November 30, 2020
3.5 stars
March 10, 2021
Lovely
Sometimes reading a short story is beautiful although got me thinking, did the writer write a fuller version. Would recommend this book for someone needing a break away and needs to be reminded on the beauty of forgiveness . The storyline is precise and to the point. I enjoyed the read. 🙂
Sometimes reading a short story is beautiful although got me thinking, did the writer write a fuller version. Would recommend this book for someone needing a break away and needs to be reminded on the beauty of forgiveness . The storyline is precise and to the point. I enjoyed the read. 🙂
January 9, 2023
This short story is only 27 minutes long and still managed to have my crying at the end 😅
September 6, 2018
Great read!
December 27, 2020
This author was suggested to me so when I saw that they had a holiday short I decided to give it a try. Glad I took the chance because I really enjoyed this. The characters were like many people I have known over the years and that made this even more interesting to me. The setting, as in a tense holiday dinner, is another thing that I could relate to and that helped to keep me interested. This is a very short story but it manages to pack in a lot to get its point across.
Thirteen years ago Noelle Mitchell ran away from home with her boyfriend Reno, she was 15 at the time. She never explained to her family why she was leaving, just let herself be convinced to walk away from her life. But here she is returning home on Christmas day and hoping that what she has to say will heal the rift, though it could cause things to break permanently.
As said earlier this is a short story, very short and a large portion of the book is dedicated to promoting other books by the author. I would recommend this for a quick read.
Thirteen years ago Noelle Mitchell ran away from home with her boyfriend Reno, she was 15 at the time. She never explained to her family why she was leaving, just let herself be convinced to walk away from her life. But here she is returning home on Christmas day and hoping that what she has to say will heal the rift, though it could cause things to break permanently.
As said earlier this is a short story, very short and a large portion of the book is dedicated to promoting other books by the author. I would recommend this for a quick read.
December 26, 2017
I really enjoyed this novella, I just wish it was a little longer. This was a great Christmas story that is basically centered around love and forgiveness. Zane is a great story teller and I hope she writes a full length book with these same characters in it. As I was reading I was thinking of just how easy it is to make a mistake and come back to the very place for love and support and forgiveness. For Noelle she did just that, I was happy to see that. the family understood the mistake she made and still welcomed her back with support and love. Because that is what is needed. Great story I'm looking to read more from zane in the new year.
December 20, 2015
I'm not sure if these characters are connected to another story, as I've not read any of Zane's books before. This is just a few pages of a daughter coming home after running away 13 years. Noelle was 15 when she ran away to NY with her boyfriend. She was pregnant, scared and embarrassed, so she ran.
Her sister and father aren't happy to see her, but after explaining everything to her father, all is forgiven. It is, after all, the season of giving and for family togetherness. Still, it just didn't make me feel anything. A meh read.
Her sister and father aren't happy to see her, but after explaining everything to her father, all is forgiven. It is, after all, the season of giving and for family togetherness. Still, it just didn't make me feel anything. A meh read.
November 25, 2012
Going in I knew this was short so that wasn't the issue. This seems like just a chapter from a longer story so it is throughly incomplete. I am happy this was a freebie because I would have been really upset if I paid money for this.
December 20, 2012
This was a short, short story. However I did find it enjoyable. Enough while I waited in the doctor's office. I thought it was a good heart warming story of a child's return after running away. I think this could be the outline of a great longer story, maybe a novella in the future.
November 10, 2013
admit I was expecting a romantic tale. Instead I got an enjoyable short story about forgiveness and family--a very Christmas story
January 7, 2024
Disappointing!
Evidently this 23 page novella, needed a few more pages to make its point about how family members should treat one another, Christmas time or otherwise.
If Noelle Mitchell ran away from home at age 15, with her boyfriend, there were needs not being met at home. Happy people look forward to their futures, not run from them.
In addition, something either tragic or positive, happened for Noelle, to return to her family, 13 years later. However, to be greeted by a slap across the face, instead of a loving embrace, convinced me Noelle should have kept on running from that crew!
December 14, 2021
For The Love of Zane 🤎
I've always read Zane Books growing up. And to read this Short Story warmed me up and have me wanting to go buy more of her books but this time E-Books. This was a quick,fast,and heartwarming Christmas story ❤ 🎄. I enjoyed this quick emotional story about forgiveness, family, and in the spirit of Christmas.
I've always read Zane Books growing up. And to read this Short Story warmed me up and have me wanting to go buy more of her books but this time E-Books. This was a quick,fast,and heartwarming Christmas story ❤ 🎄. I enjoyed this quick emotional story about forgiveness, family, and in the spirit of Christmas.
November 14, 2025
I'll Be DEPRESSED for Christmas!
April 7, 2017
This is a really short story, however it contains so much emotion in it, that it will make you cry!!
December 28, 2022
Quick read and to the point. Communication is key in all relationships.
December 25, 2014
Can one be forgiven for the hurt he or she has caused? This was a short story of Noelle on how she returned home after thirteen years of disappearance. She was back to ask for forgiveness and to let her family know how much she loved them.
This was not a joyous Christmas tale, but it was still uplifting with the message it had. I was saddened to read about Noelle's past and how her actions affected her loved ones. I found myself praying that her father and sister would forgive her and simply accept her back into their lives. I wished the story was more developed because I connected with all of the characters. Though the resolution was a bit rushed, I still liked the message it entailed: it is important to forgive.
This was a bittersweet short story.
This was not a joyous Christmas tale, but it was still uplifting with the message it had. I was saddened to read about Noelle's past and how her actions affected her loved ones. I found myself praying that her father and sister would forgive her and simply accept her back into their lives. I wished the story was more developed because I connected with all of the characters. Though the resolution was a bit rushed, I still liked the message it entailed: it is important to forgive.
This was a bittersweet short story.
January 13, 2016
I knew it said 'an eshort story' but I didn't think it was super-duper short to where I was finished in 15 min, smh!
Noelle returns home Christmas day after running away 13 years ago. Now that she's return, she isn't sure if being back was a good idea or not and if the family she left would still be there. Within my 15 minutes of reading, I was able to find out why Noelle left home and what has brought her back and whether or not her family welcomed her home...end of story! That's all folks.
This was really too short to rate. But I will say its wasn't bad nor was it great, just simply 'meh'. Next book please :)
Noelle returns home Christmas day after running away 13 years ago. Now that she's return, she isn't sure if being back was a good idea or not and if the family she left would still be there. Within my 15 minutes of reading, I was able to find out why Noelle left home and what has brought her back and whether or not her family welcomed her home...end of story! That's all folks.
This was really too short to rate. But I will say its wasn't bad nor was it great, just simply 'meh'. Next book please :)
January 21, 2013
I loved this book. simple as that. i loved it. everybody makes mistakes and sometimes we make mistakes that leave us feeling ashamed, and wanting to leave everything all behind. and in the moment we are only thinking about ourselves and not about the people we are leaving behind to deal with the damage.
September 5, 2013
Forgiveness is the key.
October 6, 2014
?
loved the story line, she admitted to her mistake and came back to those who she felt she let down the most. I wish that it was an novel it would have been a great story.
loved the story line, she admitted to her mistake and came back to those who she felt she let down the most. I wish that it was an novel it would have been a great story.
October 16, 2016
Good but too short
I liked the short story but wished it was more. The story could have been in a little more details.
I liked the short story but wished it was more. The story could have been in a little more details.
December 10, 2021
Love and home
Needless to say, I thought this book to be a romance. It was the best short story that I have ever read. It was not what was written but understood and deduced.
Needless to say, I thought this book to be a romance. It was the best short story that I have ever read. It was not what was written but understood and deduced.
June 20, 2022
Super heartfelt, quick read! It’s definitely a subway read or while you’re waiting for dinner in the oven. I’ve always loved Zane so besides it being so short it was pretty good.
April 22, 2022
Review of eBook
When she was fifteen, Noelle Mitchell ran away from home with her boyfriend, Reno, leaving her baby sister, Carolyn, her mother, and her father behind. She’s been gone for thirteen years and, in all that time, no one in her family has heard anything from her. Today, intent on apologizing for her actions all those years ago, she’s coming home.
When she returns, determined to explain, will she be welcomed? Will her explanation bring her family together again?
=========
This short story focuses on the Mitchell family: mother father, married daughter, Carolyn, her husband, Sam, and their daughter, Noelle. When long-missing daughter Noelle arrives on their doorstep on Christmas day, it’s clear that there are still some hard feelings about her abrupt disappearance some thirteen years earlier.
But this story is less about the characters and more about the message: family, forgiveness, and love. It’s bittersweet yet heartfelt; readers will find much to appreciate here.
Although the story neatly ties up the plot points, readers are likely to find themselves wishing there was more to the story. After all, everyone wishes to know what happens next!
Recommended.
When she was fifteen, Noelle Mitchell ran away from home with her boyfriend, Reno, leaving her baby sister, Carolyn, her mother, and her father behind. She’s been gone for thirteen years and, in all that time, no one in her family has heard anything from her. Today, intent on apologizing for her actions all those years ago, she’s coming home.
When she returns, determined to explain, will she be welcomed? Will her explanation bring her family together again?
=========
This short story focuses on the Mitchell family: mother father, married daughter, Carolyn, her husband, Sam, and their daughter, Noelle. When long-missing daughter Noelle arrives on their doorstep on Christmas day, it’s clear that there are still some hard feelings about her abrupt disappearance some thirteen years earlier.
But this story is less about the characters and more about the message: family, forgiveness, and love. It’s bittersweet yet heartfelt; readers will find much to appreciate here.
Although the story neatly ties up the plot points, readers are likely to find themselves wishing there was more to the story. After all, everyone wishes to know what happens next!
Recommended.
December 26, 2020
I’ll Be Home For Christmas is a departure from what I know of Zane. Where in my pervious reading of her work was mostly erotica this mini read is about the fractured family dynamics of Noelle Mitchell.
We find that she ran away from home and hasn’t had any contact with ANY member of her family. I loved the message of this story and the portrayal of what the true foundation of family is – love.
Within the 38 pages of this read I connected with Noelle and her family and could see the picture that is being painted with the words. It did disturb me that her family just sort of gave up on looking for and she was super young when she ran away. I think more of an acknowledgement of wrong on the parents’ part should have been included on the handling of their child and the dismissal of her from the family was just accepted apparently. I wish she would have given just a little bit more in the word count to clear that piece up as to the why they didn’t look for her.
It was nice to read something different from the author. 3 Stars
We find that she ran away from home and hasn’t had any contact with ANY member of her family. I loved the message of this story and the portrayal of what the true foundation of family is – love.
Within the 38 pages of this read I connected with Noelle and her family and could see the picture that is being painted with the words. It did disturb me that her family just sort of gave up on looking for and she was super young when she ran away. I think more of an acknowledgement of wrong on the parents’ part should have been included on the handling of their child and the dismissal of her from the family was just accepted apparently. I wish she would have given just a little bit more in the word count to clear that piece up as to the why they didn’t look for her.
It was nice to read something different from the author. 3 Stars
December 12, 2024
"Things are going to be different now. . . . Different from this moment on. Today is Christmas and it's time for forgiveness, it's time for sharing, it's time for expressing the love we have for one another."
In 14 pages, this short story spoke about forgiveness, love, and the strong bonds within a family. It gets straight to the point, does not meander and is enjoyable.
This was a lovely story that was heartbreaking and may cause some readers to cry. It left me wanting more though as I would like to see how Noelle resettled into her family, her home, after returning 13 after she left.
She returned home on Christmas Day. She met her niece, was warmly welcomed by her mother, faced her younger sister Carolyn's wrath as was understandably upset and her got her father's forgiveness after telling him why she ran away.
If you need a break from the holiday romance but want a tender tale rooted in love, this will do.
In 14 pages, this short story spoke about forgiveness, love, and the strong bonds within a family. It gets straight to the point, does not meander and is enjoyable.
This was a lovely story that was heartbreaking and may cause some readers to cry. It left me wanting more though as I would like to see how Noelle resettled into her family, her home, after returning 13 after she left.
She returned home on Christmas Day. She met her niece, was warmly welcomed by her mother, faced her younger sister Carolyn's wrath as was understandably upset and her got her father's forgiveness after telling him why she ran away.
If you need a break from the holiday romance but want a tender tale rooted in love, this will do.
December 31, 2024
This was a free Kindle book that I chose while looking for a Christmas read.
I actually enjoyed it, even though it was so short! It’s about a woman who returns home to her family after having been estranged from them for 13 years.
Memorable quotes:
“It’s just that once you make a mistake, it’s hard to turn back. You just end up stacking one mistake on top of another until your life is in shambles and you’re too ashamed to turn back. To let those who loved you see what you’ve become. I didn’t come back here sooner because I was ashamed. I was ashamed that I left.”
“Today is Christmas and it’s time for forgiveness, it’s time for sharing, and it’s time for expressing the love we have for one another.”
I actually enjoyed it, even though it was so short! It’s about a woman who returns home to her family after having been estranged from them for 13 years.
Memorable quotes:
“It’s just that once you make a mistake, it’s hard to turn back. You just end up stacking one mistake on top of another until your life is in shambles and you’re too ashamed to turn back. To let those who loved you see what you’ve become. I didn’t come back here sooner because I was ashamed. I was ashamed that I left.”
“Today is Christmas and it’s time for forgiveness, it’s time for sharing, and it’s time for expressing the love we have for one another.”
Displaying 1 - 30 of 270 reviews