Twas the Night Before: A Love Story

by Jerry B. Jenkins

Certain to join O. Henry's Gift of the Magi, Dickens' A Christmas Carol, and the film It's a Wonderful Life as a Christmas classic, 'Twas the Night Before tells the story of a cynical reporter who, after a devastating breakup with his fiancee, finds that his Christmas spirit has been restored.

Genres: Christmas, Romance, Fiction, Christian Fiction, Christian, Adult, Holiday

224 pages, Hardcover

First published October 1, 1998

About the author

Jerry Bruce Jenkins is an American novelist and biographer. He is best known as the writer of the Left Behind series of books for Tim LaHaye and The Chosen novels to accompany his son Dallas's TV series. Jenkins has written more than 200 books, including mysteries, historical fiction, biblical fiction, cop thrillers, international spy thrillers, and children's adventures, as well as nonfiction. His works usually feature Christians as protagonists. In 2005, Jenkins and LaHaye ranked 9th in Amazon.com's 10th Anniversary list of Hall of Fame authors based on books sold at Amazon.com during its first 10 years. Jenkins now teaches writers to become authors here at his website. He and his wife Dianna have three sons and eight grandchildren.

Reviews

[S.F. Brooke · Rating 5 out of 5]

I…I love this book so much. It was so beautiful and so full of belief and love. I will be reading this again come next year.

[Renee · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Christmas romance that revolves around the couple's belief in Santa. Tom and Noella are both a bit quirky and it bugged me at first but as I got into it, I found that's one of the things I liked about the story.

[Anne White · Rating 2 out of 5]

Her deep dark secret is that she believes in Santa. Her sweetheart doesn't. Great angst. Miraculous turnaround, featuring elves.

The thing that made me sad was that this came from the pen of a Christian writer who has given great and useful writing help over many years. If there was meant to be a deeper faith take-home in this one, I guess I missed it. Blame the elves.

[Carrie Daws · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my favorite Christmas stories, perhaps because it feeds my love of Santa and all things Christmas. Mr. Jenkins did a great job creating two genuine characters and believable circumstances to unite their love for and understanding of Santa Claus. This is not a purely light-hearted read as the middle tears your heart, making you wonder if this sweet couple will be able to get past the obstacle between them. Yet the story finishes with an appropriate fairytale ending.

[Cindy Feigert · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a magical Christmas fairy tale, a love story and a story about faith. Noella and Tom are in love but they have different views on Christmas and Santa. Noella believes Tom does not. Until fate intervenes and Tom rethinks his views. If you need a feel-good story this Christmas season read this book.

[Kristi · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lovely read. I enjoyed getting to know Tom and Noella. I thought the writing was done well and left me feeling a sense of belonging. The story is obviously set around Christmas time and has such an impactful meaning. Definitely has the Christmas vibes.

Rating: PG
Language: Clean read
Recommend: yes

[Rachel · Rating 1 out of 5]

I liked the characters but what's up with trying to prove Santa Claus is real? Tom and Noella get married at the end, but there just seems to be some things lacking from the story. Personally, I thought it was kind of cheesy. Okay, very cheesy.

Not to be disrespectful, but I almost wondered if the Goodreads review was a satire when it states, "Certain to join O. Henry's Gift of the Magi, Dickens' A Christmas Carol, and the film It's a Wonderful Life as a Christmas classic..." Honestly, I laughed. I couldn't help myself. I've enjoyed some of Jenkins books but to compare him to Dickens is ludicrous.

You would have to pay me to read it again.

[Becki]

A short novella detailing one woman's faith in Santa Claus and how that effects her life and love. Noella's finace, Tom, is about as 'bah humbug' as a guy can get. Whereas Noella believes in not just the spirit of Christmas but the jolly old man himself. Can their love last?\n\nIt was a cute story. Nothing real spectacular.

[Grant Davis]

was a little disturbed by the books parallel to a "all faiths worship the same God approach" and the God- Santa parallel was a little weak, but the base story of the actual relationship was very engaging!

[Lyndie Blevins · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book Title TWAS THE NIGHT BEFORE
Book Author Jerry Jenkins
Pub. Year 1998
Genre Fiction, love story
My Rating 4 stars
Ease of Read very easy
ISBN 0140280928

I was attracted to this book because… Jerry Jenkins mentioned this book during one of his Office Hours sessions this year. I’m always intrigued by his work, and was especially interested by the fact this is a love story, which is not his typical genre.

This book was about the story of two strong, individual journalists who fall in love, despite being polar opposites in terms of outlook and personality. Despite their deep love, their disparate convictions on the existence of Santa Claus brings them to the brink of separation. Both characters go on journeys to find the right middle ground to restore and secure their relationship. These journeys are fanciful, heartfelt, loving events resulting in restoration of the faith in the power if love for many people.

Things I liked about this book A well paced story, in which I experienced in the good times and the hard times. The climax was a surprise and brought tears to my eyes.

Why you should read this book - a delightful Christmas story for this season, which reminds you of the magic of Christmas. I wonder how many couples have had similar discussions on the existence of Santa. It is a great reminder of the power of love and of giving to others.

This book lived up to the back cover copy - This story does bring romance, good cheer and hope to the holiday season for its readers.

[Holly · Rating 4 out of 5]

I bought this book many years ago and re-read it almost every November gearing up for the holiday season. I feel like this book doesn't get much love and it's been mostly forgotten, but it's a lovely little story about two people who fall in love and how believing in Santa brings them together. But that description doesn't really do this story justice.
For so long, I've been invested in Noella and Tom's relationship, two people who are as different as night and day but complement each other so well. The main focus of the book is on their relationship and though there are some side characters, they are easily forgotten and glossed over. The few conversations they have with friends and family aren't that interesting, the most interesting part of the book really is how Tom finds his belief in Santa and that is the best part. I love the descriptions of Fairyland and Santa's workshop. Jenkins does a wonderful job of allowing the reader to really visualize the tree pendant and I will admit to searching for one of my own for years now.
All in all, this is a lovely little holiday book. If you are a fan of Hallmark movies and fantasy, this is the book for you.

[Debby · Rating 3 out of 5]

Noella is a journalism professor at Northwestern Univ. Tom is a cynical reporter for the Chicago Tribune. They meet when she finally convinces him to talk to her classes. Over the next year they meet often and fall in love and get engaged. He's a cynic and she's an optimist who truly believes in Santa Claus due to her 10th Christmas experience when she received a platinum necklace. When she tells Tom, it causes a major rift. He finally decides to do his Christmas columns on Santa Claus legends and goes to the Black Forest to do research. Involved in a small plane crash that kills the other 3 and seriously injures him, he's rescued by Kris Kringle's elves in a magical kingdom. They help to heal him and Kris shows him his workshop and explains how it works. Then Tom is deposited at a Zurich hospital. Now a believer, he can't wait to tell Noella. The proof is in the necklaces that appear.

Really different Christmas story. Well done for the most part and clean.

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

So ... this isn't a romance since the characters are engaged from the start of the novella (but the subtitle states this is a love story, so my mistake) and it's a fantasy (then again, I should have known based on the author, Jerry Jenkins, who is known for the Left Behind series and other supernatural stories).

The fantasy is: Santa Claus REALLY EXISTS.

Here I confess I'm a huge romantic and love Jesus ... so, this book was rough to get through since it doesn't mention Jesus at all! I'm sorta bummed ... but like I said in the first paragraph, I didn't read the signs very well!

Oh well...

Merry Christmas, everyone! Fun little book, really tightly written, and whimsical ... just not my cup of hot cocoa ;)

[Randy Tramp · Rating 5 out of 5]

Even though this was a Christmas story, I loved it in June. In the mood for the holidays, I read this story. After all, the magic of Christmas should touch us all year long. Where reality ended and fairy tail began, I'm not sure. For Tom and Noella, they knew.

The characters couldn't be more opposite. Tom a pessimists, Noella an optimists. Would they find a natural center an "happy ever after? Of course, it's Christmas. But how they found it, that's the mystery and I loved it.

[Alan Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Let me begin by saying that this isn't my favorite genre of book. It's very sad in spots, and tragic in others, and I avoid that kind of thing. However, my girlfriend loaned me this book to read because she loves it, and I'm very happy I read it (Thanks, Buttercup 😊).

It's a magical story in a way I didn't expect, and made me remember how wonderful Christmas should, and still can be. I can't share more beyond telling you it's a love story in more ways than one, and now I love it too.

[Sharon · Rating 3 out of 5]

The first part of this book I would've given a 2, the last part of the book I would've given a 4. It took awhile to come together, but it had a very magical, Hallmark-movie feel to it. My one problem is that by writing fantasy in this story, the folks who know Jerry B. Jenkins by the Left Behind series may think the book of Revelation to also be fantasy.

[Pam · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this story and especially at this time of the year.It a love story about two very different people.It takes place in Chicago and she is a teacher at Northwestern and he is a reporter at Chicago tribune.She believes in everything about Christmas and he does not.This is a story about how they work it out their difference and you will enjoy reading it if you enjoy Christmas.

[Anne Rightler · Rating 4 out of 5]

A sweet love story. A cynical journalist and a professor of journalism who believes in Santa. Are there beliefs too far apart for a relationship to last? A little bit of magic and faith lends credence to this Christmas allegory.

[Brandi Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I adored this book!!! It was the perfect little Christmas romance and it was a "clean" romance as well, which I appreciated. I can see myself reading this book year after year during the holiday season. Definitely recommend!

[James · Rating 1 out of 5]

Definitely disappointed in this book by Jerry Jenkins. I am surprised that God isn't really mentioned in this book, and Santa is, therefore missing the whole reason for the season. Otherwise, the romance was kept clean except for some innuendo, of which I was disappointed.

[Laurie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This one was hard for me to get into, but I'm so glad I stuck with it. I cried through the last couple chapters, in a good way.

[Butterfly Angel · Rating 4 out of 5]

I give this book a 4.5 out of 5 stars. I really enjoyed this book and so well written.

[Star Forbis · Rating 4 out of 5]

“You’re an idea, a spirit.”
“I am Santa Claus.”
“My former fiancée believes you are real.”
“I know her well. A Christmas Eve baby with a lovely name.”

[Michele L. · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such a sweet story. Great for any time of year. It’s uplifting and affirming and will keep you reading “just one more chapter.”

[Joy · Rating 5 out of 5]

A love story of an unusual sort. Made me cry...so moving. Wonderful book

[Kathleen Anderson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Crazy to read a book in two days, but it got too compelling to put down. It was fun. Definitely fiction but pretty fun.

[Kim Cochran · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Christmas “ feel good”, magical book!

[Donna Tulip · Rating 1 out of 5]

I wanted to like this book but couldn’t finish it. Just don’t care.

[Megan Calfee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quick read. Great book to get into the spirit of Christmas!

[Lynn Cansler · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a cute story!