Finding Christmas

by Cindy Nichols

Single dad Ben Carter has one rule. No more heartbreak.

After losing his wife, he's spent years holding onto tradition, raising his seven-year-old daughter Sophie, and keeping the outside world at a safe distance. But when big-city journalist Charlie Wells arrives in Winterberry Hollow, digging for a story about the town's beloved Christmas festival, she threatens to upend the careful life he's built.

Charlie doesn't believe in holiday magic—she believes in facts. And the truth is, places like Winterberry Hollow are too perfect to be real. But as she spends time in the snow-covered streets, the twinkling lights, and in the orbit of one charmingly stubborn single dad and his matchmaking daughter, she begins to question everything she thought she knew.

The problem? The story she came to write could destroy the town—and the man—she's falling for.

With Christmas fast approaching, Ben and Charlie find themselves at a protect their hearts, or risk everything for the kind of love neither of them expected?

A heartwarming small-town Christmas romance about second chances, found family, and believing in magic again.

Genres: Christmas, Romance, Holiday

260 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 24, 2024

About the author

Cindy Nichols also writes as Cindy Caldwell

Cindy Nichols writes heartwarming stories interwoven with the bonds of friendship and family that combine what she loves most about women's fiction and romance.

She's lived most of her life near a beach...just the way she likes it. She hopes to share that feeling of peace and serenity with readers in her gently thought-provoking, feel-good stories.

Feel free to sign up for her mailing list to hear about new releases as soon as they are available. Just copy and paste into your browser:
https://www.subscribepage.com/goodreads

Reviews

[Arlena · Rating 5 out of 5]

Title: Finding Christmas
Author: Cindy Nichols
Publisher: C. N.
Series: Book 1 A Winterberry Hollow Christmas
Reviewed By: Arlena Dean
Rating: Five
Review:
"Finding Christmas' by Cindy Nichols

My Insight:

"Finding Christmas" is a remarkable read that captures the enchanting spirit of the season. Sophie, a young girl with a heart full of hope, along with her supportive community, embarks on a quest to rediscover the magic of Christmas. Enter Charlie, a tenacious journalist, who arrives in Winterberry Hollow to investigate the town's beloved Christmas festival. The unfolding relationship between her and Ben, the devoted single dad, is nothing short of captivating.

Prepare to be swept away by a delightful holiday romance set in a picturesque town brimming with quirky characters. As Charlie navigates the delicate balance between her journalistic pursuits and the allure of belonging, she begins to uncover the true essence of Christmas—the joy, love, and connection that have been so dearly lost in her own life.

This heartwarming tale beautifully illustrates how a father and daughter, grappling with the profound loss of their wife and mother, can find solace and healing in each other and their community. With each turn of the page, you'll be drawn deeper into their journey, eagerly anticipating what lies ahead. "Finding Christmas" is a poignant holiday read that will leave you enchanted and yearning for the next chapter in the "A Winterberry Hollow Christmas" series.

[Deb Blackbourn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Change of Heart

Charlie was given an assignment to go to Winterberry Hollow to find what corruption is lurking in the town where everyone loves & takes part in Christmas celebrations. She then meets Maggie, who is a bakery owner, Leo, who owns a cafe, & Ben & daughter, Sophie. Sophie is a very pretentious young girl. Ben’s wife died when Sophie was only a couple months old. In that time, Ben has not dated since. Charlie & Ben seem to be linked together because Sophie takes an instant liking to Charlie & seems to always search her out. Charlie slowly changes her mind about doing the article about possible corruption in the celebrations. She always assumed she would return to New York after the article was written. However, when she decides to write about the people in the town being kind, wonderful compassionate people, her supervisor gets very angry with her. Charlie then decides she will not be returning to New York. With her staying in town, will her & Ben’s relationship grow or will Ben decide he can’t take a chance on it with Sophie getting too attached?

[Patty Guerard · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story begins with Charlie Wells being sent to Winterberry Hollow on an assignment for the magazine she works for. What starts out as a non-believing journalist sent to uncover and expose ‘the cracks’ behind all the Christmas magic, actually surprises her with the townsfolk and their traditions, the warmth of feelings, the lights, and everything about Winterberry Hollow. Full of Christmas magic, the light of Christmas in a little girl’s eyes, and a little romance, makes this is a perfect book for the holiday.

[Marlene · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is proof that Christmas stories can be read anytime of the year. The storyline brought smiles, reality and warm fuzzies. When a little girl works hard to arrange a plate of cookies for Santa, decorates with fun and laughter, and looks forward to a big Christmas Parade, it's a feel-good read. Charlie was a skeptic about putting up decorations and the big celebrations for the season, until she went to Winterberry Hollow, met wonderful people and got that tickle feeling in her stomach. I loved the book.

[Sheila Penwell · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really loved this story. Charlie was sent to the town of Winterberry to get the scoop on their Winter Christmas festival. She thought no problem but the longer she was there she fell in love with the town and became attached to Ben, Sophie, and Maggie. After Charlie's parents got a divorce when she was a child even though they tried Christmas wasn't the same but being in Winterberry was magical. Did she find Christmas and did she decide to move there. A VERY GOOD READ.

[Betty · Rating 5 out of 5]

Finding Christmas by Cindy Nichols

Charlie arrived in Winterberry Hollow to write an article proving the town's festivities at Christmas were a sham. When she told what her assignment would be, it did not bother her as her mom's and dad's divorce caused the loss of Christmas joy and celebration to cease. What she discovered in Winterberry Hollow was so real, wonderful and unexpected that it changed her thought process, article and her life for the better.

[Brittany Webb · Rating 2 out of 5]

I didn’t find this heartwarming at all, as the reviews suggest. The main characters were so angsty and broody it absolutely ruined what little story there was. Written in a manner as to try and evoke emotion, but there was just nothing happening to be emotional about. The only reason I didn’t DNF this book is because there was a free audiobook and I had a ton of driving time to kill.

[April · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story is infectious. It makes you want to experience the joy, enthusiasm, and spirit of the Christmas season with these people. It even made me think I would enjoy the snow, too. Well, not in reality. I was born in the spring for a reason/season! I enjoyed the relationships and the personalities of the characters. Perfect story for my December Christmas themed reading!

[christine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Finding Christmas

This is a fantastic and wholesome read. If you don't get into Christmas because of painful childhood memories, then don't make your holiday stay in winterberry hollow but, if you do you just might be filled with the magic of Christmas. Wonderful characters and a community that is awesome at making you stay very festive. A must holiday read. Enjoy

[LYNN M VRONKO · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of my very favorite Christmas novels. Such a heartwarming story to sit my the fire with a good cup of hot cocoa. Cindy pulls you right in and makes you feel part of the scene. I love how she helps us visualize this cozy, small town and it’s lovely inhabitants.

[Janet M · Rating 5 out of 5]

Christmas Found

The story kept you thinking until the end. Would she really find Christmas again? It was kind of a romantic story, but not the usual ending. Cindy Nichols did a great job again. Can't wait to read the sequel.

[Becky Hanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

very sweet story

This was a lovely Christmas story about a woman that had lost her sense of wonder. It showed how a young girl along with a few other people helped her find the magic again.

[Cheryl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enchanting

I loved the story line and the character development. It was a heartwarming story of finding yourself and learning to believe in what could happen if you let yourself enjoy the moment.

[Marlys Temen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great story to bring on holiday spirit

I loved how this story progressed. I read it almost nonstop. From someone who doesn’t always feel the holiday spirit it seemed to help redirect where that feeling comes from. The story is a feel good story that is easy to snuggle up with

[Betsy Fisher · Rating 5 out of 5]

Christmas lives in Winter berry Hollow!

It's been a long time since I read a book that made me cry happy tears, but this one certainly did! If you want to regain your spirit of Christmas, then you want to read this book! I don't think you'll be disappointed! Merry Christmas!

[Stacy Doubrava · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very happy Christmas story

I'd like to get a part of a town like Winterberry. I think in our society we'd all benefit from a caring, loving, happy, festive town like Winterberry. Charlie's boss was Ms Scrooge, The rest of the characters were great, with wonderful messages.

[Kay · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was a bit bored with this book. It was good but predictable and not great.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book read like a Hallmark movie....loved it!

[Mary Snopl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Christmas warmth

What a wonderful story! I loved the characters and the way the story developed. Highly recommend this sweet Christmas story.

[june · Rating 5 out of 5]

sappy

This was as all of these things go sappy. I liked it though. Hopefully the rest of the series isn’t as sappy

[Jan Stier · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lovely

It reminded me a bit of s song about having that Christmas feeling all year long. What z wonderful place to grow up in, and grow old in!

[Virginia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sweet story

[Heather Watkins fezuk · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute book but I don’t think the proof reader did their job! Such bad grammar.

[Michele Reise · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a Hallmark Holiday movie in book form

[R Turley · Rating 3 out of 5]

The story was amazing. The epilogue is the reason I gave it three stars instead of four. Why not just make it a chapter?

[Beverly Kee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very sweet story!

I loved this story, such a sweet little girl who really steals the whole story! I enjoyed it so much! And him carving stuff!