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The Unplanned Christmas Family: An Uplifting Inspirational Romance
’Tis the season for a fresh start…
and a second chance at love.
After a stressful season, event planner Natalie Cooper has strict instructions from her doctor: rest. But when her grandmother volunteers her to plan her retirement community’s Christmas fundraiser, she can’t say no. Now she’s being roped into working alongside the home’s director, Thad MacDougall. The grumpy single father’s priority is his relationship with his son, and Natalie’s workaholic tendencies have them butting heads over every detail. But through hot cocoa and ice fishing with Thad and his son, Natalie’s about to discover that her chaos-filled holiday break might be just what the doctor ordered…
From Love Inspired: Uplifting stories of faith, forgiveness and hope.
Heartland Sweethearts
Book 1: His Sweet Surprise
Book 2: Her Chance at Family
Book 3: The Unplanned Christmas Family
and a second chance at love.
After a stressful season, event planner Natalie Cooper has strict instructions from her doctor: rest. But when her grandmother volunteers her to plan her retirement community’s Christmas fundraiser, she can’t say no. Now she’s being roped into working alongside the home’s director, Thad MacDougall. The grumpy single father’s priority is his relationship with his son, and Natalie’s workaholic tendencies have them butting heads over every detail. But through hot cocoa and ice fishing with Thad and his son, Natalie’s about to discover that her chaos-filled holiday break might be just what the doctor ordered…
From Love Inspired: Uplifting stories of faith, forgiveness and hope.
Heartland Sweethearts
Book 1: His Sweet Surprise
Book 2: Her Chance at Family
Book 3: The Unplanned Christmas Family
- GenresChristmas
208 pages, Mass Market Paperback
Published October 22, 2024
About the author
Angie Dicken
17 books193 followersAngie Dicken credits her love of story to reading British literature during life as a military kid in Cambridgeshire, England. Now living in the U.S., she's an ACFW member, a blog contributor to the Writer's Alley, a baseball mom, and a self-proclaimed foodie. You can connect with her
on social media and learn about upcoming releases at www.angiedicken.com.
on social media and learn about upcoming releases at www.angiedicken.com.
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
December 4, 2024
I did not care for Thad and Gigi. Natalie was lovely though.
December 7, 2024
I am delighted to continue reading the Heartland Sweetheart series, this is number three.
That is takes place in Iowa is another thing I love about this series. My daughter lives in Iowa and being from Pennsylvania I thought I knew a thing or two about winter. Well let me tell you, Iowa winters are brutal. The wind absolutely goes right through you. Iowa is beautiful though and very progressive, a wonderful place to visit.
Event planner Natalie has been told to take it a bit easier because of her health. A staycation of sorts. She is not the type to sit idle and try as she may when grandma at the retirement home asks for her help with the retirement community Christmas fundraiser, she simply can't say no. Grandma wasn't privy to the doctors' words of wisdom. Meeting Thad MacDougall, grumpy single dad and the retirement home's director seems to be one fiasco after another. Not able to agree on anything except for their secret attraction for each other they start bonding when she meets his precious son.
I loved how well they started getting on as they spend more and more time together event planning often with his son there. Natalie is a workaholic, not able to let the thought of someone else plan or have much input in the Christmas fundraising event. She knows she can do it bigger and better. When things don't works as planned will she concede things are better when you have help and ideas from others? Lovely and uplifting inspirational fiction with an upbeat Christmas theme.
I was given a complimentary copy of this book.
All opinions expressed are my own.
That is takes place in Iowa is another thing I love about this series. My daughter lives in Iowa and being from Pennsylvania I thought I knew a thing or two about winter. Well let me tell you, Iowa winters are brutal. The wind absolutely goes right through you. Iowa is beautiful though and very progressive, a wonderful place to visit.
Event planner Natalie has been told to take it a bit easier because of her health. A staycation of sorts. She is not the type to sit idle and try as she may when grandma at the retirement home asks for her help with the retirement community Christmas fundraiser, she simply can't say no. Grandma wasn't privy to the doctors' words of wisdom. Meeting Thad MacDougall, grumpy single dad and the retirement home's director seems to be one fiasco after another. Not able to agree on anything except for their secret attraction for each other they start bonding when she meets his precious son.
I loved how well they started getting on as they spend more and more time together event planning often with his son there. Natalie is a workaholic, not able to let the thought of someone else plan or have much input in the Christmas fundraising event. She knows she can do it bigger and better. When things don't works as planned will she concede things are better when you have help and ideas from others? Lovely and uplifting inspirational fiction with an upbeat Christmas theme.
I was given a complimentary copy of this book.
All opinions expressed are my own.
November 2, 2024
3.5 stars
The Unplanned Christmas Family is a sweet inspirational story in the Heartland Sweethearts series by Angie Dicken.
Workaholic event planner Natalie Cooper is back home to rest, but she doesn't tell her family it's doctors orders. Her grandma volunteers Natalie to help with her retirement communities Christmas Fundraiser. Thad MacDougall is the retirement home's director, and a single dad to Brody, who finds himself attracted to but butting heads frequently with Natalie. I so enjoyed all Natalie's grandma's friends/spies who added fun, teasing, and matchmaking schemes to this story.
Both Natalie and Thad struggle with and are working through past issues. "Sometimes we find ourselves listening to lies about what is good for us. But even if we veer off course for a while, God finds a way to nudge us to an even better plan. We've just got to listen."
Thank you to the author for allowing me to read an early copy of this story. All opinions are my own.
The Unplanned Christmas Family is a sweet inspirational story in the Heartland Sweethearts series by Angie Dicken.
Workaholic event planner Natalie Cooper is back home to rest, but she doesn't tell her family it's doctors orders. Her grandma volunteers Natalie to help with her retirement communities Christmas Fundraiser. Thad MacDougall is the retirement home's director, and a single dad to Brody, who finds himself attracted to but butting heads frequently with Natalie. I so enjoyed all Natalie's grandma's friends/spies who added fun, teasing, and matchmaking schemes to this story.
Both Natalie and Thad struggle with and are working through past issues. "Sometimes we find ourselves listening to lies about what is good for us. But even if we veer off course for a while, God finds a way to nudge us to an even better plan. We've just got to listen."
Thank you to the author for allowing me to read an early copy of this story. All opinions are my own.
November 9, 2024
In author Angie Dicken's The Unplanned Christmas Family, we are back in the heartland of Iowa (book 3 of her Heartland Sweehearts series, in fact, but it can certainly be read as a stand alone).
Snow has fallen, Christmas is near, and event planner Natalie Cooper is under doctor's orders to take a break and REST. She plans a quiet staycation with weekly visits to see her grandmother at her retirement home. But you know what they say about the best laid plans...
Thad MacDougall, single dad and retirement home director, needs help planning the Christmas fundraiser, and Natalie is "volun-told" by her grandmother to help. Side note: Gigi (Natalie's grandmother) is such a pip! What a thoroughly enjoyable character.
Thad just wants to improve his relationship with his young son. Natalie is a "work, work, work" kind of gal. These two lock horns like Big Horn Sheep.
Both Natalie and Thad have a lot on their minds, but little by little, those locked horns untangle and a different kind of fire lights up their eyes.
What a sweet story! The author has a gift for making the reader feel like he or she is right there in person, witnessing it all. Such a treat to the mind's eye! Plus it has my favorite, an epilogue!
I received a complimentary copy of this book, but my opinion is entirely my own.
Snow has fallen, Christmas is near, and event planner Natalie Cooper is under doctor's orders to take a break and REST. She plans a quiet staycation with weekly visits to see her grandmother at her retirement home. But you know what they say about the best laid plans...
Thad MacDougall, single dad and retirement home director, needs help planning the Christmas fundraiser, and Natalie is "volun-told" by her grandmother to help. Side note: Gigi (Natalie's grandmother) is such a pip! What a thoroughly enjoyable character.
Thad just wants to improve his relationship with his young son. Natalie is a "work, work, work" kind of gal. These two lock horns like Big Horn Sheep.
Both Natalie and Thad have a lot on their minds, but little by little, those locked horns untangle and a different kind of fire lights up their eyes.
What a sweet story! The author has a gift for making the reader feel like he or she is right there in person, witnessing it all. Such a treat to the mind's eye! Plus it has my favorite, an epilogue!
I received a complimentary copy of this book, but my opinion is entirely my own.
December 30, 2024
An Unplanned Christmas Family, by Angie Dicken, is a sweet, contemporary romance that is enjoyable and entertaining. Brimming with small town charm, friends, and family, this book is truly engaging and uplifting.
A small town in Iowa is the perfect setting for a story that sparkles with old friends, Christmas traditions, and holiday community events. From the dining room of the Retirement Community, to the snowy banks of the nearby lake, there are several meaningful spaces from which the story easily unfolds.
The appealing characters in this book are also quite special. Though they experience frustrations and uncertainties, they dare to take risks, share their vulnerabilities, and face their insecurities. With honesty, perseverance, and a bit of courage, they endeavor to heal from past hurts as they pursue healing and wholeness. They learn the value of honesty and trust as they pursue their hearts’ desires.
With themes centered around the value of family and proper priorities, An Unplanned Christmas Family is an endearing novel. Filled with hope, compassion, resiliency, trust, and second chances it is genuinely heartwarming. It is a thoughtful, well-written story, and I gladly recommend it.
*I was given a copy of this book by the publisher/author. A review was not required. The review I have written is voluntary and contains opinions that are entirely my own.
A small town in Iowa is the perfect setting for a story that sparkles with old friends, Christmas traditions, and holiday community events. From the dining room of the Retirement Community, to the snowy banks of the nearby lake, there are several meaningful spaces from which the story easily unfolds.
The appealing characters in this book are also quite special. Though they experience frustrations and uncertainties, they dare to take risks, share their vulnerabilities, and face their insecurities. With honesty, perseverance, and a bit of courage, they endeavor to heal from past hurts as they pursue healing and wholeness. They learn the value of honesty and trust as they pursue their hearts’ desires.
With themes centered around the value of family and proper priorities, An Unplanned Christmas Family is an endearing novel. Filled with hope, compassion, resiliency, trust, and second chances it is genuinely heartwarming. It is a thoughtful, well-written story, and I gladly recommend it.
*I was given a copy of this book by the publisher/author. A review was not required. The review I have written is voluntary and contains opinions that are entirely my own.
October 28, 2024
Enjoyed this sweet story of two people striving to find a work/life balance in each of their lives, although for very different reasons. Natalie Cooper loved her job and threw herself into it 110%, to the detriment of her health. Thad MacDougall took a job at the Rapid Falls retirement home in order to build a relationship with his son. I read with interest how their relationship developed, first getting off to a very rocky start and then tiptoeing around each other as the retirement community’s Christmas festival planning got underway in earnest. Natalie’s grandmother and friends added an extra dose of fun and matchmaking mischief to the story while I absolutely fell in love with Lex, the darling golden retriever. Dyslexia was a topic in the story and handled very well by the author. This book is part of a series and while I have not read the others, I had no trouble reading this as a stand alone book. Now I want to go back and read the others! If you are looking for a heartwarming Christmas romance that will have you craving hot chocolate and holiday lights, look no further.
I received a complimentary copy from the author as part of a giveaway. A positive review was not required and these are my own opinions.
I received a complimentary copy from the author as part of a giveaway. A positive review was not required and these are my own opinions.
November 12, 2024
For Natalie it is time for a break from work! But grandmother's have a way of "roping" you into something that you may not have planned on doing, and such is the case as her grandmother requests her help with a retirement home Christmas fundraiser. Thad is the director of the retirement home and he and Natalie don't always see eye to eye as fundraising plans move forward. I love how the author's books are from the state of Iowa, my neighbor state growing up as a child. I lived "across" the street in a Minnesota border town and my friends and I would ride our bikes "out of state" on a frequent basis. So Iowa really has a warm place in my heart. The setting of the book just makes you feel "cozy". This was a sweet story of a matchmaker type, which I just love with a feel-good ending. This is a very nice Christmas read!
I received an ARC copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
I received an ARC copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
December 3, 2024
The Unplanned Christmas Family is a charming and delightful holiday story. When event planner Natalie Cooper is told by her doctor that she needs to rest during the holidays, she heads home for a relaxing time, not knowing that her grandmother has volunteered her services to help plan the retirement home’s Christmas fundraising event. Thad MacDougall, the retirement home director, is a little clueless in the planning process, so naturally Natalie has to help him make it successful.
Author Angie Dicken has created some realistic, engaging main characters, and a stellar cast of secondary characters, including Grandma Gigi, Lex the dog, and Thad’s son, Brody. They are endearing and add such fun to the tale. Although the outcome is a little predictable, it’s a heart-warming, captivating, entertaining, and enjoyable story.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy. All opinions are my own
Author Angie Dicken has created some realistic, engaging main characters, and a stellar cast of secondary characters, including Grandma Gigi, Lex the dog, and Thad’s son, Brody. They are endearing and add such fun to the tale. Although the outcome is a little predictable, it’s a heart-warming, captivating, entertaining, and enjoyable story.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy. All opinions are my own
November 18, 2024
The Unplanned Christmas Family by Angie Dicken is the 3rd book in her Heartland Sweetheart series. Reading this sweet wonderful story was like immersing yourself into the middle of a Great American Family Christmas movie. It has all the things & I felt all the things while reading it. Cute banter, misunderstandings, Christmas activity fun, a cute dog named Lex, a cute kid named Brody, snowmen, lots of snow, and a few matchmaking knitting club seniors. As I said it has all the things. Thad & Natalie didn’t have a chance & of course you’ll be rooting for this pair. We get a sweet epilogue which will bring a few tears of happiness. I’m willing to bet that by the end of this Christmas story…you’ll be soaring in the Christmas spirit. I was given a copy, but all opinions are my very own.
November 29, 2024
Workaholic Natalie Cooper is under doctor's orders to rest but doesn't tell her family. Her grandmother roped Natalie into working on the retirement community's Christmas fundraiser with the director of the retirement home. Thad MacDougall's priority is reconnecting with his son. Despite conflicts over the fundraiser, Natalie and Thad find themselves spending time together when Thad's son is around. Will Natalie learn to slow down to have fun? Will Thad and Natalie give love a second chance? Read this sweet holiday story to see what happens and what surprises pop up.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and recommend it for a great Christmas read.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and recommend it for a great Christmas read.
October 31, 2024
I enjoyed reading this sweet, heartwarming story. Thad MacDougall struggles to have a relationship with his son. Natalie Cooper's grandmother volunteers her to help with the retirement community's fundraiser. Natalie is supposed to be taking it easy and not working too hard. I loved the wonderful characters. Natalie's grandmother was my favorite. She liked playing matchmaker. I love small town settings in a story and second chances. I was given a complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
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February 18, 2025“The unplanned Christmas Family” by Angie Dicken
Natalie Cooper is an event planner that is taking the holidays off because of her high blood pressure. She is going to share the holidays with her grandma and dog sit while her parents go to Arizona. Thad MacDougall is the new director at the retirement center and has the big annual festival to plan. Grandma (not knowing about Natalie’s blood pressure) has told Thad that Natalie will help him. Why does she keep refusing when he asks for help?
Natalie Cooper is an event planner that is taking the holidays off because of her high blood pressure. She is going to share the holidays with her grandma and dog sit while her parents go to Arizona. Thad MacDougall is the new director at the retirement center and has the big annual festival to plan. Grandma (not knowing about Natalie’s blood pressure) has told Thad that Natalie will help him. Why does she keep refusing when he asks for help?
October 27, 2024
The Unplanned Christmas Family by Angie Dicken was a pleasurable read. I appreciated how the characters confronted and overcame their obstacles. I also loved that the story was set during Christmastime.
My thanks to the author/publisher for the ARC of this book. I was under no obligation to provide a review, and the thoughts contained herein are my own.
My thanks to the author/publisher for the ARC of this book. I was under no obligation to provide a review, and the thoughts contained herein are my own.
November 15, 2024
I loved this wonderfully sweet romance. I loved Natalie and Thad. I enjoyed how Gigi helps to push Natalie and Thad into spending more time together. I laughed and cried as Natalie and Thad get to know and help each other. I received a copy of the book from the publisher for a fair and honest opinion that I gave of my own free will.
September 29, 2026
This book was honestly mid. The plot, in general, was great, but overall it just wasn’t fully there for me. This was a very clichéd romance but that’s to be expected from these books so I’m not too upset about that. It just seemed as though there wasn’t many layers to this book, these characters, or anything. Cute cozy read though!
January 13, 2025
I enjoyed this story and worked to read on its own just fine. I enjoyed the matchmaking grandma and her knitting group which added some nice humor to this romance. Well written and interesting to read the whole time.
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October 1, 2024Inspirational Romance, Contemporary Romance, Holiday Romance, Wholesome Romance
Miniseries
Heartland Sweethearts (Book #3)
Miniseries
Heartland Sweethearts (Book #3)
Read
October 1, 2024Inspirational Romance, Contemporary Romance, Holiday Romance, Wholesome Romance
Miniseries
Heartland Sweethearts (Book #3)
Miniseries
Heartland Sweethearts (Book #3)
November 29, 2024
Lovely Christmas romance!
December 9, 2024
Great read
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews