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Christmas at Harrington's
Christmas is approaching, and Lena Markham finds herself penniless, friendless, and nearly hopeless. She is trying to restart her life after false accusations landed her in prison, but job opportunities are practically nonexistent. When a secondhand red coat unexpectedly lands her a job as Mrs. Santa at a department store, Lena finally thinks her luck is changing. But can she keep her past a secret? This tender story about fresh starts will charm readers as all of Melody Carlson's Christmas offerings do. Full of redemption and true holiday spirit, Christmas at Harrington's will be readers' newest Christmas tradition.
167 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 1, 2010
329 people are currently reading
5131 people want to read
About the author
Melody Carlson
418 books3,241 followersMelody Carlson is the award-winning author of over two hundred books, several of them Christmas novellas from Revell, including her much-loved and bestselling book, The Christmas Bus.
She also writes many teen books, including the Diary of a Teenage Girl series, the TrueColors series, and the Carter House Girls series.
Melody was nominated for a Romantic Times Career Achievement Award in the inspirational market for her books, including the Notes from a Spinning Planet series and Finding Alice, which is in production as a Lifetime Television movie. She and her husband serve on the Young Life adult committee in central Oregon.
She also writes many teen books, including the Diary of a Teenage Girl series, the TrueColors series, and the Carter House Girls series.
Melody was nominated for a Romantic Times Career Achievement Award in the inspirational market for her books, including the Notes from a Spinning Planet series and Finding Alice, which is in production as a Lifetime Television movie. She and her husband serve on the Young Life adult committee in central Oregon.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 756 reviews
December 15, 2022
This was a short novella and a wonderful meaningful Christmas story. Just look at that beautiful cover!
Lena, plays Mrs. Santa at a small-town department store. A lovely story about grace, humility and generosity. Truly heartwarming 🤶🏻
Lena, plays Mrs. Santa at a small-town department store. A lovely story about grace, humility and generosity. Truly heartwarming 🤶🏻
October 19, 2024
CHRISTMAS AT HARRINGTONS was a heartwarming novella about Lena, a former minister’s wife, who has recently gotten out of prison after serving time for a crime she didn’t commit related to church finances. Lena meets a kind woman on the bus who shows her charity and kindness and that leads to a job playing Mrs. Santa at the Harringtons department store. But eventually Lena’s past catches up with her. I enjoyed this short, heartwarming Christmas read.
September 23, 2024
What a wholesome Christmas story! I loved this one. I find I love her Christmas books with family and redemption elements more than the ones she writes with romance and this one had great family elements and faith threads of forgiveness, second chances through Jesus 💛
In this story, we have Lena Markham and she finds herself broke and with no where to go after being released from prison from false accusations made by her ex-husband. She is trying to start over and lands a job as Mrs. Santa at a department store, due to her wonderful red coat. She is trying to keep her past a secret the best she can and start over. She meets a beautiful young girl with her Mama and helps them out along the way, and makes several friends from the very beginning in this new small town. We see the true redemption, forgiveness and second chances shown in this story and it's filled with great holiday spirit.
No real romance in this book, which I prefer in Melody's books honestly. She writes great family Christmas stories and redemption in Jesus well. Highly recommend.
In this story, we have Lena Markham and she finds herself broke and with no where to go after being released from prison from false accusations made by her ex-husband. She is trying to start over and lands a job as Mrs. Santa at a department store, due to her wonderful red coat. She is trying to keep her past a secret the best she can and start over. She meets a beautiful young girl with her Mama and helps them out along the way, and makes several friends from the very beginning in this new small town. We see the true redemption, forgiveness and second chances shown in this story and it's filled with great holiday spirit.
No real romance in this book, which I prefer in Melody's books honestly. She writes great family Christmas stories and redemption in Jesus well. Highly recommend.
December 31, 2021
Christmas at Harrington's by Melody Carlson is another in her series of Christmas-themed Hallmarkish books if you are looking for a break from your usual. Christmas is approaching, and Lena Markham finds herself penniless, friendless, and nearly hopeless. She is trying to restart her life after false accusations landed her in prison, but job opportunities are practically nonexistent. When a secondhand red coat unexpectedly lands her a job as Mrs. Santa at a department store, Lena finally thinks her luck is changing. But can she keep her past a secret? This tender story about fresh starts will charm readers as all of Melody Carlson's Christmas offerings do. Full of redemption and true holiday spirit, Christmas at Harrington's will be readers' newest Christmas tradition.
December 29, 2022
Really for me a 3.5……thanks to my GR friend Tina for calling my attention to this short, sweet story of kindness, forgiveness, generosity, and second chances.
December 31, 2020
Wonderful story...I even reread this one again after ten years.....gave a copy to a friend for her pleasure of a feel good Christmas story :)
August 20, 2021
People say to never judge a book by its cover, when I saw the cover of Christmas at Harrington's by Melody Carlson I didn't think I was going to like it, but then as I started reading I instantly fell in love with the story and was happy I chose to read it. So, I must say this was an easy 5 star rating book!
Can Lena Markham keep her secret a past?
Lena was in prison for 8 years. Lena is trying to restart her life after she got out of prison, 4 weeks before Christmas. Both of Lena's parents passed away while she was serving her time in prison, and she never understood how they passed. Mrs. Stanfield, Lena's social worker wants to put together a release package which includes a suitable town, living arrangements, temporary employment, and transportation. Naivete has once been Lena's trademark. Mrs. Stanfield have Lena $65 in the release package, but Lena didn't know until she got onto the bus when she was looking through the package.
Lena meets Moira on the bus and offers Lena a turkey sandwich after they talked a little bit. Moira is a sweet genuine old lady, I often found myself wanting to reach into the book and hug Moira. Lena doesn't want her past to follow her to the new town, which is New Haven Minnesota. When Lena arrives in New Haven, she gets a room at a boarding-house, named Miller House. When Lena learns of the rules of the room she's staying in, the most important is NO COOKING or you will be thrown out. Lena also learns that she will have to share the bathroom with 4 other rooms near her.
Lena meets her neighbor Sally and Sally's daughter Jemima. Lena gets Sally a job at The Red Hen Cafe, and starts babysitting Jemima while Sally works. Lena teaches Jemima how to clean their clothes in the sink because Sally and Jemima don't have enough money for the laundromat, they hardly have enough money to buy food. Lena and Jemima instantly form a bond with each other. Lena's ex-husband Daniel told everyone that Lena stole money from the church because she wanted to buy a house, everyone believed Daniel. Lena was arrested for embezzlement. Daniel took Lena's inheritance and the churches money, while he was lying to Lena there whole time telling her that he would help Lena get out of prison, but every lie lead to another lie.
Moira gives Lena clothes, shoes and a jacket that Lena loved similar to the one Moira was wearing when the first met on the bus, Lena calls her new jacket "the Santa coat". Lena had a job interview at Harrington's Department store, and the owner's daughter thinks Lena would be perfect to play Mrs. Santa because of her jacket and her curly hair. Cassidy is the owner Ms. Harrington's daughter. Cassidy thinks that Lena was sent to the store by angels, God, or maybe even Santa Claus. Cassidy is the part time elf, but her mother won't let her work on the weekends. Lena finds out from Moira and Moira's granddaughter Beth that Cassidy has leukemia. Lena gets Beth a job as an elf to help make Cassidy happier and take her mind off her leukemia.
Justine Grant, who knows Lena from her other town learns that Mrs. Santa is Lena and tells everyone that Lena is an ex-con and now Lena is the talk of the town. Lena and Jamima go to the library and the head librarian, Grace Lewis has heard of Lena on the news as Mrs. Santa at Harrington's Department store and Grace wants Lena to be Mrs. Santa at the library and do story hour for the children while their parents like to do last minute Christmas shopping.
Can Lena Markham keep her secret a past?
Lena was in prison for 8 years. Lena is trying to restart her life after she got out of prison, 4 weeks before Christmas. Both of Lena's parents passed away while she was serving her time in prison, and she never understood how they passed. Mrs. Stanfield, Lena's social worker wants to put together a release package which includes a suitable town, living arrangements, temporary employment, and transportation. Naivete has once been Lena's trademark. Mrs. Stanfield have Lena $65 in the release package, but Lena didn't know until she got onto the bus when she was looking through the package.
Lena meets Moira on the bus and offers Lena a turkey sandwich after they talked a little bit. Moira is a sweet genuine old lady, I often found myself wanting to reach into the book and hug Moira. Lena doesn't want her past to follow her to the new town, which is New Haven Minnesota. When Lena arrives in New Haven, she gets a room at a boarding-house, named Miller House. When Lena learns of the rules of the room she's staying in, the most important is NO COOKING or you will be thrown out. Lena also learns that she will have to share the bathroom with 4 other rooms near her.
Lena meets her neighbor Sally and Sally's daughter Jemima. Lena gets Sally a job at The Red Hen Cafe, and starts babysitting Jemima while Sally works. Lena teaches Jemima how to clean their clothes in the sink because Sally and Jemima don't have enough money for the laundromat, they hardly have enough money to buy food. Lena and Jemima instantly form a bond with each other. Lena's ex-husband Daniel told everyone that Lena stole money from the church because she wanted to buy a house, everyone believed Daniel. Lena was arrested for embezzlement. Daniel took Lena's inheritance and the churches money, while he was lying to Lena there whole time telling her that he would help Lena get out of prison, but every lie lead to another lie.
Moira gives Lena clothes, shoes and a jacket that Lena loved similar to the one Moira was wearing when the first met on the bus, Lena calls her new jacket "the Santa coat". Lena had a job interview at Harrington's Department store, and the owner's daughter thinks Lena would be perfect to play Mrs. Santa because of her jacket and her curly hair. Cassidy is the owner Ms. Harrington's daughter. Cassidy thinks that Lena was sent to the store by angels, God, or maybe even Santa Claus. Cassidy is the part time elf, but her mother won't let her work on the weekends. Lena finds out from Moira and Moira's granddaughter Beth that Cassidy has leukemia. Lena gets Beth a job as an elf to help make Cassidy happier and take her mind off her leukemia.
Justine Grant, who knows Lena from her other town learns that Mrs. Santa is Lena and tells everyone that Lena is an ex-con and now Lena is the talk of the town. Lena and Jamima go to the library and the head librarian, Grace Lewis has heard of Lena on the news as Mrs. Santa at Harrington's Department store and Grace wants Lena to be Mrs. Santa at the library and do story hour for the children while their parents like to do last minute Christmas shopping.
September 22, 2020
Let me be a little "non-PC" here. I believe that you'll enjoy this book more if you're a woman. There are few male characters at all...and most are pretty negative. Still lots of encouragement and in the end a positive outlook.
I'm a Christian and while I don't recommend getting a lot of your theology or Christian thought from most novels, still you can get some encouragement or thoughts there.
I didn't get as involved in it as I would have hoped. As I said, I really believe that this will appeal more to some readers than to others.
A fairly enjoyable read and I'd give it 3+ stars. Hope you like it.
*** Mild Spoiler Below Line ***
I'm a Christian and while I don't recommend getting a lot of your theology or Christian thought from most novels, still you can get some encouragement or thoughts there.
I didn't get as involved in it as I would have hoped. As I said, I really believe that this will appeal more to some readers than to others.
A fairly enjoyable read and I'd give it 3+ stars. Hope you like it.
*** Mild Spoiler Below Line ***
November 14, 2010
I must say that I am guilty of judging a book by its cover, when I saw the cover for Christmas at Harrington's I immediately felt like it was going to be an amazing Christmas story, on the cover you find yourself on a street of any small town in the USA, you have a smiling lady, dressed in a red coat peering into a store window with a display of a Christmas tree and toys snowflakes falling all around her, its just beautiful and depicts the holiday season perfectly.
In this story we are introduced to Lena Markham,its less than four weeks till Christmas and she has just been released from prison after serving and eight year sentence for a crime she didn't commit, she was set up by her husband to take the fall for something he did. She decides she wants a fresh start in a new town, so a social worker puts together a release package for her, finding a town to locate her to, setting her up with a place to live and a temporary job, and a bus trip to get her to get her there, while on the bus she meets an elderly lady, Moira who befriends her,telling Lena that she knows despite whatever happened in her past she is sure Lena is a good person. Once they get off the bus together in New Haven, MN she is introduced to Moira's son Sam, who is a lawyer. She soon realizes that the job that she anticipated isn't there, and the only job available is playing Mrs. Santa.
Can Lena find the new start in this town she hopes for, and can she keep her past a secret, and what about Sam, how does he play into all of this, you need to read this heartwarming story of second chances to find out!
While the story that unfolded inside the pages of this book wasn't exactly what I anticipated , it is exactly what the holiday season is all about, a perfect Christmas read filled with hope, inspiration and second chances.
Even though I was provided a copy for review by Revell Publishing it in no way alters my opinion of this book.
In this story we are introduced to Lena Markham,its less than four weeks till Christmas and she has just been released from prison after serving and eight year sentence for a crime she didn't commit, she was set up by her husband to take the fall for something he did. She decides she wants a fresh start in a new town, so a social worker puts together a release package for her, finding a town to locate her to, setting her up with a place to live and a temporary job, and a bus trip to get her to get her there, while on the bus she meets an elderly lady, Moira who befriends her,telling Lena that she knows despite whatever happened in her past she is sure Lena is a good person. Once they get off the bus together in New Haven, MN she is introduced to Moira's son Sam, who is a lawyer. She soon realizes that the job that she anticipated isn't there, and the only job available is playing Mrs. Santa.
Can Lena find the new start in this town she hopes for, and can she keep her past a secret, and what about Sam, how does he play into all of this, you need to read this heartwarming story of second chances to find out!
While the story that unfolded inside the pages of this book wasn't exactly what I anticipated , it is exactly what the holiday season is all about, a perfect Christmas read filled with hope, inspiration and second chances.
Even though I was provided a copy for review by Revell Publishing it in no way alters my opinion of this book.
December 29, 2019
I actually bought this book years ago and put it in my book case . There it set for almost a decade because I thought I had read it already. I decided to re-read it again this Christmas but after getting into the book nothing was familiar about the story. Imagine that ! And what a story it was! One of Melody Carlson's best Books I've read and my most favourite Christmas read of the year!
Christmas at Harrington' s has a lot more going for it than just the beautiful cover. Tucked inside is a beautiful story this reader could never forget. A story that captured me from start to finish. It has a rollercoaster of emotions and shows that there are bad and good people in this world. The main lesson being to forgive and let go.
Lena Markham has spent the last eight years of her life in prison for a crime she didn't commit. Betrayed by someone she loved and trusted, she served her time without putting up a defence on her behalf. Now she is being released eighteen months early for good behavior. Lena doesn't want to go back home. Nothing there for her anymore. She asks a social worker to put together a release package for her and choose a town where she could go for a fresh start. She boards a bus bound for New Haven in Northern Minnesota. She has nothing but the clothes on her back and a jacket with a broken zipper. A worn out purse with sixty eight dollars and directions to a boarding house. A lead to a job at a department store is the only hope she has for her new beginning.
This is a very warm hearted book that is suitable for fans of Melody Carlson and readers of Christian Fiction. It is a modern day story that I hope you will get caught up in and lose track of the time. This reader highly recommends it to you.
All comments in this review are my own truthful thoughts about the book. I was not asked to write a review .
Christmas at Harrington' s has a lot more going for it than just the beautiful cover. Tucked inside is a beautiful story this reader could never forget. A story that captured me from start to finish. It has a rollercoaster of emotions and shows that there are bad and good people in this world. The main lesson being to forgive and let go.
Lena Markham has spent the last eight years of her life in prison for a crime she didn't commit. Betrayed by someone she loved and trusted, she served her time without putting up a defence on her behalf. Now she is being released eighteen months early for good behavior. Lena doesn't want to go back home. Nothing there for her anymore. She asks a social worker to put together a release package for her and choose a town where she could go for a fresh start. She boards a bus bound for New Haven in Northern Minnesota. She has nothing but the clothes on her back and a jacket with a broken zipper. A worn out purse with sixty eight dollars and directions to a boarding house. A lead to a job at a department store is the only hope she has for her new beginning.
This is a very warm hearted book that is suitable for fans of Melody Carlson and readers of Christian Fiction. It is a modern day story that I hope you will get caught up in and lose track of the time. This reader highly recommends it to you.
All comments in this review are my own truthful thoughts about the book. I was not asked to write a review .
December 3, 2014
Christmas at Harringtons is a book that let's you believe in second chances. Lena having been just released from prision. She is feeling devestated but trying to stay motivated. On the bus ride to her new town she meets an older woman whom invites to give her a ride to church. She settles in town in a boarding house and meets a down on her luck woman with a little girl. She helps the woman get a job at the restaurant she first went to when she just got to town. She watches the womans daughter while she works. Going to the towns department store she tries to apply for a job and is told there are no jobs as the store is closing at the end of the year. The owners daughter sees Lena and convinces her mother that Lena will be the perfect department store Mrs Santa. She takes the job . At the end she s cleared lf her embezzlement charges and she has a clean record. She gets the record cleared by the woman's son that she met on the bus. He is a lawyer.
This is a story of second chances and redemption. I would have liked the book to be longer but that is my only compliant.
This is a story of second chances and redemption. I would have liked the book to be longer but that is my only compliant.
September 10, 2015
This was a nice, quick read to get into the Christmas spirit and pretty much just what I expected. I liked that the character was a bit out of the ordinary, being a woman recently released from prison and found it to come across as realistic for the most part. There were a couple of things that I found to be inconsistent (why would you set up a job for someone, but not make sure the owner was aware of their previous incarceration??) and kind of had me scratching my head.
Overall though, it was short and sweet, and I'm glad I read it. And thank you, Melody Carlson, for not writing in some cheesy romance plot point!
Overall though, it was short and sweet, and I'm glad I read it. And thank you, Melody Carlson, for not writing in some cheesy romance plot point!
December 21, 2016
This was a sweet story. I loved it.
December 21, 2022
I didn't realize this was Christian fiction, or I probably wouldn't have read it. That said, there's quite a bit of charm to this story of a female ex-con who discovers a new life by playing an unusual role:
I suppose the main character, once a minister's wife, can't help but be a little preachy, but when she lectures a storytime audience at a public library to "check the history books" to find out the real meaning of Christmas, I wanted to urge the author to check her history book (and not the one written by the Texas board of education) where she might discover that Jesus is not the reason for the season, as Christmas was celebrated hundreds of years before the little savior's birth.
Anyway, a it's a nice, clean holiday read - if that's what you're looking for.
I suppose the main character, once a minister's wife, can't help but be a little preachy, but when she lectures a storytime audience at a public library to "check the history books" to find out the real meaning of Christmas, I wanted to urge the author to check her history book (and not the one written by the Texas board of education) where she might discover that Jesus is not the reason for the season, as Christmas was celebrated hundreds of years before the little savior's birth.
Anyway, a it's a nice, clean holiday read - if that's what you're looking for.
December 2, 2011
This is my second attempt at a Melody Carlson book... I'm thinking now that I'm just not a fan of hers. Her writing doesn't pull me in. It's like I'm reading something that's not even real (well of course it's not REAL, it's a book, but it should FEEL real!). This wasn't doing that for me. And the thing I didn't get at all in the actual story was why the owner of Harrington's got so upset when she found out about the main character's criminal record...when she had AGREED to let her work there, and told the social worker to send her over!!! DUH. That just didn't add up.
December 7, 2024
This is quite the redemption story. Lena goes on a faith journey, she has been mistreated and she is trying to start over after many years in prison. I really enjoyed how she played Mrs. Santa and she did not forget Christ, she didn’t shy away of speaking about the true meaning in which we celebrate. I loved how it all fell into place at the end. A heartwarming read indeed.
December 6, 2015
3.75
It took me a few chapters to really get into this, and it needed another chapter at the end; the ending was hurried. But it's a heartwarming little tale of a woman, newly released from prison, trying to get a fresh start in a new town.
It took me a few chapters to really get into this, and it needed another chapter at the end; the ending was hurried. But it's a heartwarming little tale of a woman, newly released from prison, trying to get a fresh start in a new town.
December 26, 2019
✲A great little book that delivers the spirit of Christmas ✲
December 11, 2014
Let me be a little "non-PC" here. I believe that you'll enjoy this book more if you're a woman. There are few male characters at all...and most are pretty negative. Still lots of encouragement and in the end a positive outlook.
I'm a Christian and while I don't recommend getting a lot of your theology or Christian thought from most novels, still you can get some encouragement or thoughts there.
I didn't get as involved in it as I would have hoped. As i said, I really believe that this will appeal more to some readers than to others.
A fairly enjoyable read and I'd give it 3+ stars. Hope you like it.
*************** Mild Spoiler Below Line ******************
Still, a pretty good book and in the end a hopeful Christmas story. Enjoy.
I'm a Christian and while I don't recommend getting a lot of your theology or Christian thought from most novels, still you can get some encouragement or thoughts there.
I didn't get as involved in it as I would have hoped. As i said, I really believe that this will appeal more to some readers than to others.
A fairly enjoyable read and I'd give it 3+ stars. Hope you like it.
*************** Mild Spoiler Below Line ******************
Still, a pretty good book and in the end a hopeful Christmas story. Enjoy.
December 28, 2020
From the start, I knew this was going to be a wonderful holiday read! It was exactly what I need right now too!
A story about starting over and second chances with a holiday twist. It had every element I was looking for in a holiday read to cheer my spirit and get me in the mood. Though there was a couple of sadder elements, they are also what helped to make this story so special.
I love these characters and really hope to read more about them.
A story about starting over and second chances with a holiday twist. It had every element I was looking for in a holiday read to cheer my spirit and get me in the mood. Though there was a couple of sadder elements, they are also what helped to make this story so special.
I love these characters and really hope to read more about them.
December 8, 2022
vvvvvv cute
December 4, 2014
After eight years spent in prison, all Lena Markham wants is a fresh start in a town where nobody knows her. She is ashamed of her past and would love to forget it in order to live a peaceful Christmas and a better life. Will her dream come true? Is she worth a second chance? It is Christmastime after all, and anything is possible!
“Christmas at Harrington’s” is a story about forgiveness. And what is the best moment of the year to forgive those who were bad to us? Christmas, of course. The injustice towards Lena would be unbearable for everyone, but she survived and, although with many difficulties and fears, she is willing to start a new life. She is scared, but she is also determined not to let her past define herself. She chooses not to care about mean people’s opinions, and tries to live by trusting those who she calls friends. Moira, Beth, Cassidy, Jemima and Sally never judged her, they never pushed her away after they knew the truth about her. Those are the persons who help Lena live again and, most of all, they make Lena believe in God again, without even knowing it. Just their friendship makes Lena feel worthy.
I thoroughly enjoyed this story. It was lovely, touching and I felt the Christmas atmosphere while reading it. I think that when you can dive into a book and feel you are almost a part of it, you have found a good read!
If you love sweet Christmas stories, you should read “Christmas at Harrington’s”. After you finish it, the magic of Christmastime will surround you.
“Christmas at Harrington’s” is a story about forgiveness. And what is the best moment of the year to forgive those who were bad to us? Christmas, of course. The injustice towards Lena would be unbearable for everyone, but she survived and, although with many difficulties and fears, she is willing to start a new life. She is scared, but she is also determined not to let her past define herself. She chooses not to care about mean people’s opinions, and tries to live by trusting those who she calls friends. Moira, Beth, Cassidy, Jemima and Sally never judged her, they never pushed her away after they knew the truth about her. Those are the persons who help Lena live again and, most of all, they make Lena believe in God again, without even knowing it. Just their friendship makes Lena feel worthy.
I thoroughly enjoyed this story. It was lovely, touching and I felt the Christmas atmosphere while reading it. I think that when you can dive into a book and feel you are almost a part of it, you have found a good read!
If you love sweet Christmas stories, you should read “Christmas at Harrington’s”. After you finish it, the magic of Christmastime will surround you.
December 10, 2011
I started out really enjoying this tale and thought I would be rating it 5-stars, but then somewhere around the time the silly Mrs. Santa junk started the story went off-track. It was like the author couldn't make up her mind what genre she wanted to write. It started out human and realistic which worked well in a story about a woman fresh out of prison, living on the edge of homelessness, trying to cope as best she could with gross injustice, but as the story went on, it dropped its aura of gritty realism and drifted into fluffy chick-lit. Many might enjoy the silly fluff, but for me the story would have worked much better if the author had kept the aura of realism around the character and story. Now I was no longer able to identify with and sympathize with the character and I had to lower my rating to 4-stars. Then I got to the rushed ending when the author suddenly got tired of writing and decided to just tie a perfect bow around everything--dropped to 3-stars. There were also three major inconsistencies in the story where the author contradicted herself--better editing would have helped--and even though I admit to being petty about such details, those kind of things really bother me.
November 6, 2022
Christmas at Harrington's by Melody Carlson 167-page Hardback
Genre: Holiday > Christmas; Christian Fiction, Contemporary Romance, Women's Fiction > Chick Lit, Inspirational
Featuring: Indianapolis, Prison Release, New Haven, Minnesota; Starting Over/Newcomer Trope, The Night Before Christmas, Advertisements
Rating as a movie: PG
My rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🎄
My thoughts: 📖 Page 96 of 167 Ch. 10 - This story is starting to resemble a retelling of a Christmas movie I was never a fan of, but I'm not mad at it.
I was a bit confused when I ran out of pages.This story should have been a novel, and they need fewer advertisements in these books.
Recommend to others?: Yes! This story was fantastic. I really want more stories about these characters.
Genre: Holiday > Christmas; Christian Fiction, Contemporary Romance, Women's Fiction > Chick Lit, Inspirational
Featuring: Indianapolis, Prison Release, New Haven, Minnesota; Starting Over/Newcomer Trope, The Night Before Christmas, Advertisements
Rating as a movie: PG
My rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🎄
My thoughts: 📖 Page 96 of 167 Ch. 10 - This story is starting to resemble a retelling of a Christmas movie I was never a fan of, but I'm not mad at it.
I was a bit confused when I ran out of pages.This story should have been a novel, and they need fewer advertisements in these books.
Recommend to others?: Yes! This story was fantastic. I really want more stories about these characters.
December 12, 2023
This is a super sweet story about second chances. It is everything I want in a Christmas story, except there isn't any romance, which I didn't really mind! A good read if you are wanting a Christmas fix.
December 26, 2022
Sometimes you just want a "feel-good" story at any time of the year, but even more so at Christmas. This was a sweet, tender tale of redemption and hope. It does have an inspirational message, but was in no way "preachy" or religious. Mostly it was just pure escapism with a bit of parable thrown in. Sure, it was a little on the corny, Hallmark-movie side, .... but I still loved it!
July 8, 2015
Since I’m a huge Melody Carlson fan, I was thrilled to receive this review copy of Christmas at Harrington’s. Melody knows how to tell a story to prepare your heart and mind for Christmas. Reading this book is the perfect way to start the holiday season. This novel opens with Lena Markham heading to New Haven for a fresh start.
Lena quickly adjusts to this new town and finds herself helping out a neighbor by watching her daughter, Jemima, as she looks for a job. Lena discovers an unexpected job herself as Mrs. Santa for Harrington’s Dept store. Who’d-a–thought, her new life would begin as Santa’s wife. Not what she had planned, but the pay wasn’t bad and it was the only job in town.
As Lena played Mrs. Santa, she listened to the children and their Christmas wishes. She adored the children. Lena’s numb heart started to feel again. She realized, “Even though some people kicked me down, there where a lot who didn’t.” There are good people, many encouraged her even when they found out about her past. Lena was heart broken and lost her desire to fight for what mattered to her most in life.
When Lena told the Christmas story to Jemima and the kids, the message and hope was touching their hearts and hers. Lena said, “Santa has asked me to come here and talk to you, to remind you about Jesus’ birthday...I had told you earlier about how it’s impossible to be good all the time, remember?...God understands that. And that’s why he sent his Son to forgive us and teach us to forgive others. Doesn’t it feel good when someone forgives you for making a mistake?...So Santa and I want you to remember that when you’re thinking about Christmas.”
I love Melody Carlson and the stories she writes, and this one is no exception. Melody has unforgettable characters that I cared about from the beginning and the story line got my attention as it was very unusual. I had to see where all this would be leading. I hurt for Lena and the spiritual journey she had been on up until this point. It was heart breaking and fascinating all at the same time. This author has a unique way of writing a story that the reader can connect with, and then leave like they’ve just spent time with good friends. This is a meaningful, touching story that will become your families’ favorite; you’ll want to read it again and share with friends. Thanks Melody, for a story that touches the heart and shows the love we need to show each other all year long...not just at Christmas!
Disclosure of Material Connection:
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”
Nora St.Laurent
The Book Club Network www.bookfun.org
The Book Club Network www.psalm516.blogspot.com
Book Fun Magazine www.bookfunmagazine.com
Lena quickly adjusts to this new town and finds herself helping out a neighbor by watching her daughter, Jemima, as she looks for a job. Lena discovers an unexpected job herself as Mrs. Santa for Harrington’s Dept store. Who’d-a–thought, her new life would begin as Santa’s wife. Not what she had planned, but the pay wasn’t bad and it was the only job in town.
As Lena played Mrs. Santa, she listened to the children and their Christmas wishes. She adored the children. Lena’s numb heart started to feel again. She realized, “Even though some people kicked me down, there where a lot who didn’t.” There are good people, many encouraged her even when they found out about her past. Lena was heart broken and lost her desire to fight for what mattered to her most in life.
When Lena told the Christmas story to Jemima and the kids, the message and hope was touching their hearts and hers. Lena said, “Santa has asked me to come here and talk to you, to remind you about Jesus’ birthday...I had told you earlier about how it’s impossible to be good all the time, remember?...God understands that. And that’s why he sent his Son to forgive us and teach us to forgive others. Doesn’t it feel good when someone forgives you for making a mistake?...So Santa and I want you to remember that when you’re thinking about Christmas.”
I love Melody Carlson and the stories she writes, and this one is no exception. Melody has unforgettable characters that I cared about from the beginning and the story line got my attention as it was very unusual. I had to see where all this would be leading. I hurt for Lena and the spiritual journey she had been on up until this point. It was heart breaking and fascinating all at the same time. This author has a unique way of writing a story that the reader can connect with, and then leave like they’ve just spent time with good friends. This is a meaningful, touching story that will become your families’ favorite; you’ll want to read it again and share with friends. Thanks Melody, for a story that touches the heart and shows the love we need to show each other all year long...not just at Christmas!
Disclosure of Material Connection:
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”
Nora St.Laurent
The Book Club Network www.bookfun.org
The Book Club Network www.psalm516.blogspot.com
Book Fun Magazine www.bookfunmagazine.com
December 4, 2025
For my 12th Christmas story of the season I read Christmas at Harrington's, by Melody Carlson.
Lena is an ex-pastor's wife, sent to prison for embezzling from the very church she attended. Whether she did it or not you will discover as you read this delightful little book.
This seemed bigger than a novella, so there was a lot more detail and character development, and plot, making it seem more like a book.
I loved it. In fact I came close to giving it 5-stars because it kept my interest from the first paragraph to the last, and I fell in love with so many of the characters. It is simply my personal bias against Santa Claus that kept it from a 5-star for me. But without Santa there would be no Mrs. Claus, and that's what the book was greatly about. I’m in the minority here in the South where they have Santa even in churches, but I abhor lying to children... Santa, Easter Bunny, Tooth Fairy, etc., and the way those lies detract from the real meaning of those days they celebrate. So I had a hard time giving it what the entertainment value demanded. So, let's just say it's a 4.5 because it was so well done and just a very nice story.
If you’re okay with Santa, go for it. You'll love this story!
Lena is an ex-pastor's wife, sent to prison for embezzling from the very church she attended. Whether she did it or not you will discover as you read this delightful little book.
This seemed bigger than a novella, so there was a lot more detail and character development, and plot, making it seem more like a book.
I loved it. In fact I came close to giving it 5-stars because it kept my interest from the first paragraph to the last, and I fell in love with so many of the characters. It is simply my personal bias against Santa Claus that kept it from a 5-star for me. But without Santa there would be no Mrs. Claus, and that's what the book was greatly about. I’m in the minority here in the South where they have Santa even in churches, but I abhor lying to children... Santa, Easter Bunny, Tooth Fairy, etc., and the way those lies detract from the real meaning of those days they celebrate. So I had a hard time giving it what the entertainment value demanded. So, let's just say it's a 4.5 because it was so well done and just a very nice story.
If you’re okay with Santa, go for it. You'll love this story!
December 22, 2021
4.5 STARS | Loved this book! CHRISTMAS AT HARRINGTON’S is a TIMELESS and BEAUTIFUL Christmas story! Christmas is approaching, and Lena Markham finds herself poor, and hopeless. She is trying to restart her life, but job opportunities are practically nonexistent. When a secondhand red coat unexpectedly lands her a job as Mrs. Santa at the department store, Harrington’s, Lena finally thinks her luck is changing. A quick fast-paced novel or novella that shows you the true meaning of Christmas! Love it!
November 15, 2014
Sweet Christmas story about second chances.
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