Silent Night Dreams

Mistletoe Meadows Sweet Christmas Romance #8

by Jessie Gussman

When a classically trained musician suffers debilitating stage fright and a small-town music shop owner sacrificed his own dreams for family, they discover that the most beautiful music doesn't always need to be heard to be felt...

Grace Mitchell is at the height of her career when she suffers a debilitating panic attack just before performing. Returning to her aunt's Victorian home in Mistletoe Meadows was supposed to be temporary—a brief escape to hide from her shattered dreams. The last thing she expected was to find purpose in the small Christmas-obsessed town where music seems to be the centerpiece of every celebration.

Noah Parker gave up his own promising musical future years ago to run the family music shop and raise his siblings after their parents' deaths. Now that his brothers and sisters are grown, he's stuck in Mistletoe Meadows with a struggling business and abandoned dreams. When he spots the famous Grace Mitchell watching his shop from across the street, he sees an opportunity to bring music back into both their lives.

As Christmas approaches and the annual holiday concert faces challenges, Grace reluctantly agrees to help Noah create a performance that might save the town's businesses. Working together on the most extravagant Christmas music festival the town has ever seen, they develop a connection that goes beyond their shared passion for music.

But when Grace receives an offer to teach at a prestigious music program in the city and Noah's shop faces closure from developers, they must decide if the harmony they've found together is strong enough to keep them in Mistletoe Meadows. With the support of the McBride family, Noah's siblings and a town that refuses to let its music die, Grace and Noah might just discover that sometimes the most beautiful melodies are the ones we feel rather than hear.

Return to beloved Mistletoe Meadows in this heartwarming tale of resilience, adaptation, and finding beauty in life's unexpected key changes.

Perfect for fans of Susan Wiggs, RaeAnne Thayne, and Karen Kingsbury, this emotional small-town romance continues the beloved Mistletoe Meadows series with a touching story about finding new dreams when life's symphony takes an unexpected turn.


Here's what reviewer's are saying about Silent Night

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ "Outstandingly good story. Got totally lost in it right from the first page." - D’anah

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ " The consistent quality of Jessie’s writing continues. " - Rhonda

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ "The inspiration that comes from the Mistletoe Meadows series written by Jessie Gussman is amazing." - Grumpy

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “ Grace and Noah finding each other at just the right time in their lives and how they made each other whole was a great story.” - Vickie

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “Nothing else registered until I had finished this exceptional story.” - D’anah



Books in the Mistletoe Meadows

Sleigh Bell DreamsIcicle DreamsSugarplum DreamsChristmas DreamsHolly Jolly Dreams

Genres: Inspirational, Christmas, Romance

180 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 5, 2025

Reviews

[Mary Ann Speel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great book in this series, really enjoyed reading it. The H is the man who is greatly respected in this small town and they turn to him to address and handle their problems. His parents died when he was only 18 and he raised his brothers and sisters through college. All are successful and that year no one is coming home for Christmas. As he is handling this new situation a problem comes up for the town. A big band whom they hired to perform at the big town festival and whom they had paid in advance backed out. They don’t have the funds to hire anyone else much less find someone at a late date. They were trying to raise a lot of money for a big project in their town. The town turns to him to solve their problem. The h is a famous pianist who has suffered from a major panic attack just before her biggest performance of her career and has come to town to live with her elderly aunt to recover and provide company for her aunt whom she loves. The H recognizes the h immediately when he sees her. The h knows about the H and his past, how he sacrificed his career to care for his siblings. One night as she is out walking she hears him play his violin, the music draws her attention because of its beauty. She later realizes that he was composing the music. They meet and connect. When the town meets again to discuss how they will find a solution to their problem the H suggests they should use local talent. The h then suddenly volunteers to help. They formulate a plan and pursue it. In doing so their relationship develops. In the end the h who was unable to perform finds that she can when she plays around the H. They end the festival program by performing together playing the music composed by the H for the piano and the violin. They were a great hit and because the h was well known they drew a great crowd. All the performances put on by the locals drew in great crowds because the towns people wanted to see their friends and neighbors preform. Also in the end the H and h get their HEA. Hope you enjoy this book as much as I did. Enjoy!

[Nancy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Each story in this series has been wonderful. I love the Christmas themes and the Secret Saints. It's always a joy catching up with the growing McBride family. This book's main characters are from the town and not the McBride family. As another Christmas festival approaches Noah Parker, the owner of the local music store discovers that the famous music group they booked for the festival has canceled and is refusing to give back the large deposit they received. Noah must come up with a new plan for the music at the festival and hopefully one that will draw a large crowd as they celebrate 30 years of holding the festival.

Grace Mitchell would come to Mistletoe Meadows to visit her aunt as she grew up. Now she is returning to the small town to recover from her panic attacks. Grace is a well known professional pianist and before her last concert she began suffering from what she thought was a heart attack. After a visit to the ER she was told it was a panic attack. Now she finds it difficult to sit down to play the piano which she normally loves to do. The people in Mistletoe Meadows receive her with open arms and soon she wants to give back to the community.

I really loved Noah's personality which was very selfless. He was the current Secret Saint and after the death of his parents at eighteen, he gave up a music scholarship to take on the care of his many siblings. Now twenty years later all of them are grown and he has an empty nest. The music shop is struggling as people aren't as interested in learning instruments. He would love to have a wife and a family but he put those desires on the back burner while raising his siblings. When Noah meets Grace he can see she is struggling with something and he just wants to step in to help her.

Noah and Grace want to help the town with their music problem and working together may give them both a solution to their dreams.

I received a copy of this book from the author and this is my honest unbiased review.

[Dee Riley · Rating 5 out of 5]

WOW this book started off with a bang. Grace is a professional classical pianist. She was to go on stage, but all of a sudden she was having issues with her stomach and etc.. Her heart was pounding. She was having heels and a fever. Her manager called grace. Grace let her know that she was so sick and could not perform that night. Our manager called an ambulance. The doctor ran all kinds of test. Basically told Grace she was had an anxiety or panic attack. He prescribed me a prescription and told grace. She needs to set up an appointment with her primary. She has an aunt Vivian who lives in Mistletoe Meadows. Grace knew that she could go there to recuperate. Her aunt Vivian has a beautiful piano that Grace could not even look at without start of a panic attack. She went to church with her aunt and sat in the back row. Noah, was the church pianist, and he owned the music store. He recognized Grace. The first time Grace went to church during the opening hymn all race could do was cry. She ended up walking out of the church. That night there was a committee meeting on the Christmas festival. Since it’s a small town, everyone works to get the Christmas festival organized and be on a committee. Noah is the chair person. From there, Noah and Grace build a relationship. I highly recommend any book that Jessie writes. They are Faith based clean and no ugly seeds. I am part of her ARC team.

[Rebmay · Rating 5 out of 5]

Grace and Noah’s story truly hits all the right notes. They have a God given talent when it comes to music. Noah is a gifted violinist who gave up his career to raise his younger siblings after his parents were killed. Now, all of his siblings have grown up and left town, while he struggles to keep the family’s music shop afloat. Grace is an equally gifted and now famous pianist who has recently developed crippling stage fright (panic attacks). She is staying with her aunt in Mistletoe Meadows while she recovers and regroups. His beautiful music draws her in and they make a profound connection. When he is called upon to save the upcoming music festival after the headliner backs out, Noah asks Grace for her help and hopes that she will perform with him. After her recent experience she is understandably reluctant and afraid. Noah’s help and encouragement go a long way to ease her past her fears. Grace brings Noah a renewed joy and appreciation of music and in his own composing skills. He was feeling a bit lost and under appreciated after his siblings left, and now feels seen and heard. Both of them know, and are thankful, that God had a hand in their meeting and connection. They do indeed make beautiful music together. M

This book is a testament to being resilient, accepting unexpected changes and finding ways to keep moving forward, and finding new opportunities for growth and joy. I am happy to recommend this lovely and inspiring book.

[Roberta aka Bobbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Grace Dempsey, a world renowned pianist, suffered a crippling panic attack just before she was to perform. It was a full house, including the president. She thought she was having a heart attack so an ambulance was called.

When she learned it wasn't her heart but anxiety she cancelled her scheduled performances for the rest of December.

Since the doctor recommended rest and avoiding stressful situations, Grace went to Mistletoe Meadows to stay with her Aunt Vivian. There she connects with Noah Connor, the local music store owner. They gradually get comfortable with each other.

When Noah graduated high school he was offered a full scholarship to Juilliard. What happened to cause Noah to give up the scholarship?

Because of extenuating circumstances, Grace and Noah are asked to perform at the Mistletoe Meadows Christmas Festival. Noah had written a piece of music for violin and piano that he and Grace could perform. Grace commented that Noah had put their story to music.

Silent Night Dreams is a clean, faith-based, contemporary romance based in Mistletoe Meadows. It has a very happy-ever-after finish. I definitely recommend it.

I was given an ARC of this story but all thoughts and comments are mine, given voluntarily.

[Catherine Perschke · Rating 5 out of 5]

As someone who has experienced the devastation of panic attacks, Silent Night Dreams resonates on so many levels! Who knows what triggers that first one... maybe it's choosing to put so much pressure on ourselves for so long that our bodies abruptly can't cope anymore. I do know, as Grace found out, that though she couldn't think her way out of anxiety attacks, when she trusted God with them, He transformed her life. I connected with Grace as she obeyed the Lord with her music by focusing on blessing and serving others, and He brought joy into her life! The joy of the Lord became her strength!

And, oh my! Noah's story touches tender notes deep inside! He made some costly sacrifices in his life and became a man of exceptional character and compassion. Noah and Grace are perfect for each other! I was so refreshed by their tender, sweet journey to discovering the gift of love the Lord had prepared for them! Thank you, Jessie Gussman, for another delightful story that speaks to the heart!

[Michelle Dodge · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a clean Christian romance. It is part of a series, but can be read as a stand-alone.

Grace is a renowned pianist, but has a panic attack and cannot seem to get past it to perform. She ends up going to Mistletoe Meadows to stay with her aunt and figure out how to get past the panic attacks. She does not want to take medication to resolve it. Noah owns a music store and has finished raising all his siblings after his parents passed. He passed up an opportunity to attend Juilliard. Grace and Noah end up working together for the town’s Christmas pageant. Can she get past her anxiety to help? She does feel like Noah grounds her. Can things work out? Will she be able to perform again?

This was a cute story. I like how they worked together. I always enjoy Jessie’s books and they tend to be centered around Christ. The characters actively pray. And Christmas reads are my favorite.

I received an ARC from the author and am leaving an honest review.

[Linda Burnette · Rating 5 out of 5]

Silent Night Dreams by Jessie Gussman

Grace Dempsey has it all, a great career that fulfills her desire to be successful as a pianist. Until one night, it all fell apart. Noah Connor has lived his life taking care of everyone else. His focus has always been on raising his siblings to be children of Christ and continuing his parent’s legacy of their music store. But does this really fulfill his life’s desire since his siblings are all on their own now and he is alone.

We often find people in our lives at the right moment when we need them the most. Grace and Noah both have demands and opportunities thrown at them at the same time. Can they navigate through the maze while following God’s will for them? Will they remain true to God and themselves?

Come along for the ride while you enjoy another thought provoking read from Jessie Gussman you won’t regret it!

[Becky Collins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Noah had raised his siblings after their parents were killed. They were all out of his care now and he was still managing his music store that his parents had started. It didn’t make much money and he knew he needed to do something differently. He was a violinist and had a chance years ago to become professional but he chose to raise his siblings. Grace has moved in with her Aunt to try and regroup she is a professional pianist but all of a sudden she was having anxiety attacks. Noah and Grace were going to help with the Christmas music program and they discovered they were good for each other. This is the eight book of the Mistletoe Meadow series and I can’t get enough of them. They are definitely putting me in the spirit.

I received this ARC from the author for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Christie Pollard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Grace is a professional concert pianist who has a panic attack before a major performance. She cancels her concerts for the month and goes to her aunt’s home in Mistletoe Meadows. Noah is the owner of the local music store and is struggling financially, but he knows God is his provider. When the town Christmas festival begins to fall apart, they team up to rescue it. Can they help each other to recover from difficulties as they help the town?

Absolutely beautiful story. I was sad when it ended.

Favorite quotes: “God will provide. He always does. Sometimes I feel pressure, but most of the time I’ve learned to trust Him. He always comes through.”
“Trying to become more like Jesus. Knowing God and living your life for the Lord. That’s success.”

I received a copy of this book from the author. My review is entirely voluntary and unbiased.

[Victoria · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved all of the characters in this Christmas-y novel—from Noah, the godly man who gave up a Julliard education in order to raise his siblings after his parents died, to Grace, a famous pianist who has suffered panic attacks that have crippled her career, to Grace’s aunt who welcomed her into her home for some R&R, to Luke’s siblings who turned the tables and lectured him with the same lessons he had taught them. It was such a feel-good, faith-based love story! I wish we could have had a little bit more in the epilogue about the choices Grace and Noah ended up making for the life they would live after they married. And note to the author: I hope we will have some stories about Noah’s siblings. Highly recommend! I received an ARC from the author. Opinions expressed in this review are strictly my own.

[Janet · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Grace and Noah's story. Crace has been crippled with anxiety stemming from the perfectionism she was brought up with. Unfortunately it occurred prior to one of her sold out piano concerts. Noah gave up his chances of a career as a musician after his parents died and he raised his siblings. He's the epitome of service to the point of lending his savings to his brother to assist someone in need when his own furnace and roof need replacing.

I loved how both Grace and Noah recognized that they each felt more comfortable with each other than alone and were drawn to each other from their initial meeting enough to seek each other out. I also loved how they each were service minded and stepped up to serve the community. I loved how each of them used their talents freely. What a great story with amazing characters.

[Terrie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Grace and Noah's story pulled me in right from the first page. Grace, a world renowned pianist, is suddenly faced with anxiety and panic attacks while performing. To give herself a chance to heal and rejuvenate, she decides to visit her aunt in Mistletoe Meadows. Noah gave up his dreams of being a world class violinist to raise his siblings following the death of his parents. Now that his siblings are all grown and have left the nest, Noah finds himself at loose ends managing the failing music store he inherited from his parents.

I love that Jessie always includes just the right amount of faith in her books which brings her characters closer together. This entire series has been really fun!

I received an ARC of this book, but the opinions and rating are my own.

[Denice · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series is so fantastic and Silent Night Dreams is a great addition. Grace is a musician that had a severe panic attack and had to cancel her concert, left to visit her aunt in Mistletoe Meadows. Noah is a violinist and runs a music store his parents started and just finished raising his siblings after the death of their parents. When someone is needed to take charge of the Christmas concert in town, Noah and Grace are the perfect people to help. While working together they realize how great they are together, there are problems that arise and they trust in God to help and bless them. I loved the conversation with Noah and his siblings; it made me laugh. I loved this story; it is such a fantastic book to read.

[Elaine Coghlan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Silent Night Dreams ~Mistletoe Meadows #8 by Jessie Gussman

Yet another brilliant Christian romance from Jessie Gussman! I absolutely love this series, and this installment only deepened that affection. The characters feel like old friends, and Jessie once again brings them to life with warmth, humour, and heart.

Silent Night Dreams is beautifully written, with a storyline you can effortlessly fall into. The pacing, emotional depth, and charming small-town atmosphere make it a delightful read from beginning to end. Jessie’s talent for crafting wholesome, uplifting romance shines brightly in this book.

If you’re a fan of the Mistletoe Meadows series—or Christian romance in general—this one is a must-read.

[Lia Lorimer · Rating 4 out of 5]

World-renowned pianist, Grace, flees to Mistletoe Meadows to recover from emotional exhaustion, unable to even touch a piano without experiencing a potential panic attack. Ironically, the town’s music store, owned by Noah, is within sight of her aunt’s house.
The mysterious Secret Saint is an icon in the Christmas preparations of this small town and, as Grace’s friendship with Noah develops, and she learns of his care for others, and his current difficulties, she is unable to understand why he is not being assisted.
Ms Gussman continues to share moving stories of faith, healing, empathy and the gift of friendship as she weaves well-loved and new characters together into a cohesive community. I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Leis Phinney · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is Book Eight in the Mistletoe Meadows series, and my favorite book in the series so far. It was very low key, and it felt really believable. I liked the hero and heroine, both quiet people anxious to do what is right. Each of them have circumstances in their lives that create questions about their future. They bond over their shared love of music,and producing the Christmas concert allows them to really know one another. I especially enjoyed the hero's phone call from his siblings, an amusing and also uplifting conversation. This book is an HEA and a standalone, even though it is part of a series. I recommend this book.

[Michaela | Reading in the Heartland · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a really sweet read. A Christian contemporary romance where an accomplished pianist joins her aunt in a small town after suffering a severe panic attack that leaves her unable to play the piano. In this town she meets a neighbor who can also play the piano and they start to talk and spend some time together.

This was a good read with some really good lessons and sweet moments. I especially enjoyed the emphasis on the piano, as I am also a pianist (though nothing close to the level of our MCs). This was a just kisses romance, intimacy level 1.

I received an eARC of this book from the author and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.

[Diane · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great story! Grace has a panic attack and runs from her career as a professional concert pianist. She runs to her Aunt in Mistletoe Meadows where she meets Noah, a struggling music store owner who secretly composes music. Time spent together helps Grace remember that she needs to be seeking God’s direction in her life. There are other things going on—Noah is and empty nester, even though the children that left the nest were the siblings he raised after their parents died and you will learn about the “secret saint”. This is a feel good Christmas story that you will not want to stop reading! You will hear the music and feel the Christmas Spirit. Don’t miss it!

[Kitty Elder · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a sweet story of what happens when two very different people find each other and make a match. While this is the eighth book in the Mistletoe Meadows series, it is perfectly fine to read this book as a standalone story. If you have read earlier books, you may recognize some of the people from the earlier books showing up in cameos in this one. But the book will be perfectly understandable without knowing any previous details, even if it’s the very first Gussman book you’ve ever read. The book is full of faith, heart, wisdom, and the occasional funny moment. A sweet holiday romance, and a fairly quick read.

[Sandra Hartzel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had an ARC for this book, but this is my voluntary and honest opinion. Grace Mitchell is a famous pianist, but one night she has a panic attack and cancels her concert. She goes to Mistletoe Meadows to rest and recover. She meets music store owner, Noah Parker who has raised his siblings and is barely making ends meet. He is also in charge of the annual Christmas festival when they find out the band they had hired as the main attraction will not make it. They work together to form a program of various music groups with them doing a duet of piano and violin. An awesome book about priorities, finding love, and discovering meaning in life.

[Mary Stalnaker · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this series. The characters appear from book to book, but you don't have to read them all. This one is about Grace, a classically trained pianist, who goes to visit her Aunt in Mistletoe Meadows after she suffers a panic attack when she was supposed to giving a concert. While there, she meets Noah, a gifted musician, who gave up his dream of a music career to raise his siblings. The story shows how God can move in very unexpected ways. It was great! I did receive a copy of the book from the author, but this review is my own opinion.

[Dora · Rating 5 out of 5]

Grace and Noah are both trying to figure out what comes next for their future for different reasons.
Grace , after suffering a severe panic has to figure out if she will continue on the path of performing as classically trained musician.
Noah , now that his siblings are all grown and out of the house has to decide what the rest of his future will look like.
While they are trying to figure it out, God is helping them to bring them to what he has already planned for them. It may not look anything like they thought it would , but it is better than anything they imagined for themselves.

[Rhonda Sledge · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely love this series. I love the fact that you don't have to read all the books to make sense of the next one. Each book stands on its own, but the characters in this small town appear in all the books giving them a sense of continuity. I love that the first books centered on the McBride family, but the last couple of books have migrated to the friends and acquaintances of the McBrides. I loved the main characters in this story. They were both dealing with struggles of their own, but each one was eager to help others in need.

[Joyce Marion · Rating 5 out of 5]

Grace is a concert pianist in NYC. When she has a panic attack and can't perform, she goes to her Aunt Vivian's house in Mistletoe Meadow for the holidays. Noah is the music store owner in town. When his parents were killed in a car accident, he raised his 4 younger siblings. They are now grown and he wonders what is next for him. Grace agrees to help him with the Christmas festival. As they work together, she finds joy in music again. It is no longer a job, but the joy it had once been. Noah finds his purpose in writing music and continuing to run his store.

[D'anah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Outstandingly good story. Got totally lost in it right from the first page. It was like stepping into another world, from start to finish. Nothing else registered until I had finished this exceptional story. There is so much "meat" in the story: of selfless giving, of what life is truly about, defining success, how healing comes when give to others, how to overcome panic attacks, and way more! The ending is stupendous! A very satisfying read.

[Rhonda Cooper · Rating 5 out of 5]

The consistent quality of Jessie’s writing continues. Two musicians coming from different training and lives intersect. What happens when “…she prayed for God to show her what He wanted from her, instead of begging God to do what she wanted.”? What happens we he realizes “…as humans we have trouble letting go of our dreams, the things we want…”? Their conversation about practically living God’s Word challenged and encouraged me.

[Grumpy74rwgmail.Com · Rating 5 out of 5]

The inspiration that comes from the Mistletoe Meadows series written by Jessie Gussman is amazing. This latest book is no exception. A small town with such wonderful residents and characters that are not ashamed to talk about and live their faith. Grace and Noah were destined to be together. They each complemented the other so well and provided the strength and courage that was required. A fantastic story.

[Kathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the community of Mistletoe Meadows. I love the idea of a Secret Saint. Grace is a professional musician who has a horrible panic attack. I have had panic attacks many years ago and could relate so well with her. Noah is such a great man, raising 5 siblings after their parents death. His love and sacrifice and Christian living are a wonderful example. I love his analogy of the farmer. This story is inspirational and so heartwarming.

[Michele · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely love every book in this series. I can’t say that enough. Noah and Grace’s story is just as beautiful. I love the way Noah supports and encourages Grace as she grows less afraid. I love the way their stories intertwine. I’d love to read more about this couple as they move forward into their future. How do Grace’s parents react? How do Noah’s siblings? I can’t wait for the next book in this series!

I received an ARC and this is my honest review.