Homeless for the holidays was not what twenty-five-year-old Natalie Mason had planned. However, Natalie decides that being homeless is her safest option after her five-year-old twin daughters are put in danger. Zoe and Ava mean the world to Natalie. When their father tries to harm Zoe, Natalie has to make some tough decisions. Now, three months before the holidays, Natalie finds herself living in a shelter. In addition, Zoe has stopped speaking.
Thirty-two-year-old Jacob Sterling is currently raising his seven-year-old son, Jackson, and caring for his sixty-seven-year-old parents, James and Maggie. Jacob spent twelve years in the military. During a visit home, he learns his son is being abused, and his parents are struggling financially, so he decides to end his military career and come home. Natalie and Jacob began an unexpected friendship.
Will the holidays bring them more than they wished for?
Natalie had a hell of an upbringing and found herself quickly swept up in what she thought was love at eighteen. All seemed well in her life until she is awakened one night shortly before Christmas to her daughter's screams, and her boyfriend out his mind trying to hurt one of the girls. She leaves to protect the twins, but with nowhere to go they end up in a shelter. She is optimistic about getting a place and forming some normalcy for her girls, but things are looking bleak.
Jacob, the mailman, has had his eye on Natalie for some time, and finally decided to shoot his shot. However, his past would come back to haunt him as he was a playboy in these streets. He never wanted love and commitment, but there was something about Natalie that made him want to try.
I loved how they easily blended their families, and how Jacob's parents took Natalie and the girls as their own. What I didn't understand was why Jacob's parents needed to be taken care of? Yes, they were a mess with their fiery banter, but it didn't seem as if they couldn't care for themselves. That twist regarding Dallas was wild, but in the end, it was best for everyone. Although things moved fast, I enjoyed the coupling of Jacob and Natalie.
This was definitely a Christmas story that was different for me. It wasn't cozy and fuzzy, but a heartwarming Christmas story about hurt, loss, survival, and finding love. Being homeless does not mean love is lost to you.
Natalie had to take matters into her own hands to protect her twin girls after one was attacked. Eventually, she & and the girls end up in a shelter. Natalie picks herself up in spite of her setback & circumstances and sets goals for herself. She will not be detered. Along comes Jacob, who she wasn't looking for nor at. Jacob takes things slow and allows Natalie to evolve at her pace. They both open their hearts to friendship, which eventually ends with love.
I loved that Jacob sees himself in a different light with Natalie and her girls, in addition to his son Jackson. The children blended beautifully together as if they'd known each other a lifetime. And the children shall lead, which is what 7 yr old Jackson did. Dad learned a couple of things from his son. Christmas for these two families was special and surrounded with genuine love.
Parents are supposed to provide stability for their children a space that provides security and peace. Sometimes children have to reverse the roll to provide the same stability for their parents.
T.C. Johnson view of home coming from love and affection from family not walls, roof and doors is a great example of family not being blood.
Merry Christmas! This is only my second holiday book of the season as well as a new author to me. However, I thoroughly enjoyed this read and I will be indulging in other works of art by this author.
Jacob was the man that Natalie didn't know she needed. He allowed her to be loved properly. The mere fact she was a package deal that included two adorable twin girls made it one hundred times better. The girls needed a real father figure in their lives. They had endured more heartache, hurt, and disappointment than some grown people have all their adult lives. Little Miss Ava was a force to be reckoned with she most definitely spoke for herself and Zoe. She wasn't going to let an opportunity pass her by to not be an advocate for her sister. Jackson's situation was just as heartbreaking but he got to become a big brother within a few months. He took his role seriously. This is a magnificent read because Jacob needed Natalie in his life just as much as she needed him. All three of the kids had to have a stable environment to heal and grow. Jacob was the man to provide it for all parties including his parents. I highly recommend this Christmas read it will make you fall in love with love again.
To be such a short story, this novella included a lot. When Natalie's boyfriend of 6 years randomly wakes up in the middle of the night and tries to hurt of their 5 year old twin daughters she decides to take her children as far from that situation as possible. She moves into a shelter and gets a job at the same shelter. A couple months shy of a year after the incident she is asked on a date by the guy that delivers mail to her job.
I really liked the chemistry between the two characters. Even though they had both been in some less that ideal romantic situations they didn't let it hold them back from forming a connection. The bond their children formed with one another was also really sweet. Of course there is drama sprinkled throughout that will have you angry and a little sad, too.
This is definitely a good one to read if you want a quick book with a decent amount of drama and a HEA.
Idk this wasn’t a good story to me, like the holiday vibes got lost in all the trauma. I’m sorry but ole girl was a bird and sure it could be justified cus her own horrid upbringing but she needed REAL ACTUAL HELP. She lost me as soon as she said she was getting so discouraged that she contemplated moving back with the man who strangled her dang daughter. I’m sorry there was nothing fluffy, festive or sweet about this tale. Jacob’s parents were out of order a lot and the fact that he had to give up his dream to take care of them and ain’t even know his son was being abused yeah no let me up off this ride!
This is a new to me author I came across on IG. Overall, this was a super sweet story. Despite being less than 150 pages, it was a complete story. The writing was 4 stars, but the repetitiveness and some sequencing stuff took it down a few stars for me.
For example: something would be disclosed and a few pages later, the character would restart the information as if it’s new.
Natalie was a character I could root for and I love how the age gap was addressed. Although 7 years wasn’t cringe. I love the blended family, this was simply a very sweet story.
Enjoyed this short Xmas story happy that through all ups and downs the children were finally able to have a loving and stable life, even after the turmoil from their biological sperm donor and his issues being solved/fixed he still turned out to be a butt hole, but they now have someone in their lives to give them all the love and happiness they deserved. Jacob being older and somewhat set in his ways never wanted what he was about to loose, he was assuming things instead of listening and allowing Natalie to explain things.
I didn't love this book but I also didn't hate it... some parts made me feel like I was reading two different books. But one thing you can tell is how much Natalie and the girls needed Jacob and his family. They all experienced some trauma so I love seeing them get the happiness and love they deserve. Maggie and James really made this book cause one thing about them parents/grandparents they don't hold back lmfaooo
WOW 🤩‼️.. both heart wrenching & elated simultaneously for the journey of this story, the characters and this family. An absolutely beautiful year of, life of as well as family of first‼️ “Home For Christmas” just might be the best book I read this year. Certainly, it ranks as number one in my 2024 holiday 🎄literary journey 🥰🤩💐‼️
Goodness, what a difference a year can make when love comes into play. Nathalie and her twin daughters was homeless. But a year later, God had provided not only a home but a good man. Jacob was a good fit to become a husband and father. And his parents and his son completed a loving family along with a loving home for Christmas!
Now this is a Christmas Story filled with love, family, blessings and miracles!! This was a fun, emotional story that also had me laughing in stitches!! This is a wonderful feel-good story and I thoroughly enjoyed it and highly recommend you reading it! So grab your copy today and indulge in some Christmas cheer!! Kudos, T.C.!! 💜
I enjoyed reading this quick Christmas novella with Jacob and Natalie falling in love and blending their families together. I loved how well James, Maggie, Jackson, Ava, and Zoe bonded together especially Zoe and Jacob.
This was very good . I enjoyed both the FMC and the MMC but the highlight was the MMC ‘s parents. I enjoyed the all the holiday feels and would like to read more from the author.
This was such a sweet Christmas read! It really warmed my heart. I just fell in love with everybody except Dallas, his mom, and Natalie's mom! I could read about Jacob and Natalie for days. Great read
I loved this book from start to finish. Jacob’s parents were to funny especially Mr James but I also loved their back and forth it showed how much they loved each other. This family is one of my favorites this holiday season. Definitely a must read.
This was a heavy Christmas story that is about children dealing with traumatic events. The FMC loved her babies and did what was best for them. The MMC was sweet, he saw what he wanted and went after it. There were a few plot holes, but it was an overall good story.
Natalie and her girls had been through a lot, I was so happy when Jacob and his family had welcomed them with open arms and fell in love with them. So happy when Zoe finally spoke. and later how the kids both wanted to call them mom and dad. And the finally had a place to call home.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Natalie and Jacob were meant to be. Natalie had such a ruff life and evil people. Natalie took good care of her daughters. I was happy that Zoe started to talk. Excellent story about real life issues.
Jacob was exactly what Natalie and the twins need and she and her girl were exactly what Jacob and Jackson needed. I like Grammy and gramps the keep it real with their son and also loved the twins like their own.
All the feel goods you need for the holidays I love when a man can just be that, a man. You can be your most vulnerable around the and you short comings aren't weaponized against you. Loved everything about this book.
Truly enjoyed this story! Although short I definitely felt the bond between the MMC and FMC! Just the right amount of drama and spice and a whole lot of love!
This was my first time reading a T.C. Johnson book. It had just the right amount of hurt, pain, disappointment, drama, humor and a lot of love. I will definitely read more T. C. Johnson books.