The Last Christmas: A Family Comes Home

by Dale J. Moore, Maureen P. Moore (Editor)

Christmas is a time for family. How does a family rebound from an unbearable loss at the holiday?

The Montgomerys once cherished Christmas above all other holidays—until an unimaginable death transformed their season of joy into one of heartbreak. Now, as another crisis grips the family, they stand at a continue drifting apart or find the courage to face their pain together.

With profound empathy and emotional authenticity, this powerful story follows one family's journey through grief and out to the other side. This story speaks to anyone who has faced loss and wondered how to rebuild when the unthinkable happens. It's a testament to family bonds that bend but don't break, even in life's harshest realities.

230 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 18, 2025

About the author

Dale J. Moore and his wife Linda now reside in their native Windsor, Ontario. He writes from his experiences living and working in different cities in Canada, the United States, and Mexico.
Having grown up and graduated from University in Windsor, Dale moved to Ottawa to begin his career in Information Technology. He resided in Ottawa for seven years, before a brief stop in Brampton. Returning to Windsor, he soon began working in the Detroit area, where his job required travel around the U.S.
Having recently retired, Dale continues to work on the Bubbles series of youth books.

Reviews

[AnneMarie Mazotti Gouveia · Rating 5 out of 5]

There's so much to enjoy in this heartfelt and at times funny family story. The plot is realistic and the dialogue between the siblings feels incredibly authentic. The current and reminiscent scenes encapsulate humor and sadness in equal measures. As for the bad guy, you can't help but want to see Danny pay for his abuses. The plot unfolds in a compelling, poignant, and often funny way. There is enough of an edge to not be sappy and yet the Christmas references to movies and songs give it a wonderful holiday spirit of beginnings and endings. The story is well written, and the characters are very well defined, as are their sibling relationships and the relationships they each have with their mother, and even with their father. My favorite parts which I think others will agree with, are not just their escapades like their hospital caper, but the overall way the siblings talk about their shared past with each other and their shared past with their older sister Mary. Loved it!

[Jimmy Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

A emotional yet a bonding story.

A book about a family who loves Christmas but a heartbreaking event changes everything. Its not a long book which is great for teens or young adults who like real family stories but it can be emotional. Its a book where real life struggles can also bring brokenness back together. As a Canadian myself I found the book hitting home for me and got me engaged.

[Kristina · Rating 2 out of 5]

Local author, needs an editor in a bad way. The story is implausible and the overall pace is quite rushed with a lot of distracting and irrelevant content. There was no reason for almost all the shenanigans. And the locale is very undefined. It’s set in LaSalle, Ontario, but could have been anywhere. It was okay, but no better than okay.

[Anna Jason · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a touching story about love, forgiveness, and the power of coming together when it matters most. The author captures family dynamics with honesty and warmth—every character feels real, flawed, and deeply themselves.

[Martha Gillham Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed the characters and the story in this book. It was unbelievable and chaotic when the siblings tried to get their parent home. I didn’t care for that bc it was worrisome how the patient must have felt and Ik sure it was in pain.

[Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book I found very easy to read, both funny and sad and entertaining. But I do want to know what happens later!