Someone From Christmas Past

by Lesa Henderson

Can love return from a Christmas past? After a painful divorce, Elise Raines moves to the quiet mountain town of Laurel Ridge, determined to rebuild her life for herself and her young daughter, Amelia. Planning her cousin' s Christmas wedding seems like the perfect distraction...until Jaxson Bleu, her childhood sweetheart and now a country music superstar, returns to town. The boy she walked away from is back, his heart transformed by newfound belief. But their reunion stirs up old wounds and an undeniable spark.
When Elise discovers a mysterious, silent child in the roadside brush, their lives take an unexpected turn. As they race to uncover the boy' s identity, Elise and Jaxson are drawn into a dangerous web of secrets that threatens their safety and the fragile trust they' re starting to rebuild.
Jaxson never expected to face the woman who broke his heart, but as they work together to protect the child, he realizes his journey isn' t just about redemption; it' s about proving he' s finally the man Elise always deserved. Yet Elise harbors a secret of her own, one that could shatter their second chance before it even begins.
With danger closing in, can they find the courage to forgive, the strength to protect the innocent, and the faith to fight for a love they were always meant to share?
A heart-pounding Christian romance set in the Smoky Mountains, Someone from Christmas Past is a story of redemption, faith, and the enduring power of love. Perfect for fans
inspirational fiction, adorable children, and small-town holiday stories.

Genres: Christmas

301 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 10, 2025

Reviews

[Christian Shelves · Rating 4 out of 5]

What starts out as a reunion of friends in this book quickly turns into a deadly chase for Elise Raines. If you've had the opportunity to read the previous books in the Laurel Ridge series, it's a treat to find out how Cameron and Lee's cousin is doing after she has experienced a breakdown in her marriage. Doing her best to raise Amelia on her own, Elise is a nurturer through and through. It's her caring nature that has her embroiled in some schemes that she unknowingly gets wrapped up in, making her a target as her cousins and friends try to protect her. As Elise navigates her next steps, she is also trying to figure out her feelings after her first love returns to town.

I appreciate the representation from the Indigenous community in this book and that Jaxson Bleu is able to share some of the cultural tensions he has experienced. It's touching to see just how much Jaxson and Elise have grown after their tumultuous pasts as orphans, and the messages around Christmastime are a perfect reminder of how they are not fatherless. Both characters learn how to better listen to God as they not only rescue each other, but others along the way. If you're looking for a suspenseful Christmas story about receiving God's forgiveness and experiencing His second chances, Someone from Christmas Past will point you to the One who is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow.

Review link: https://christianshelves.blogspot.com...

Many thanks to the author for providing me with a complimentary copy of this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.

[Sandy Zirkle · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an amazing book! It kept me on the edge of my seat! I can’t tell you how many times I didn’t realize I was holding my breath in this story. I felt like I was right there with Lisse and Jaxson the entire time! I have read all three of Lesa Henderson’s books and this is by far the BEST! Great story! Good suspense! And you even get happily ever after! I didn’t want this story to end. It’s very relevant to today’s world. What more could you want? I HIGHLY recommend this book!

[VickydpBooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book but didn’t realise it was a series called Laurel Ridge!

A heart-pounding Christian romance set in the Smoky Mountains, Someone from Christmas Past is a story of redemption, faith, and the enduring power of love. Perfect for fans of:


inspirational fiction, adorable children, and small-town holiday stories.

[Lise Kealey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mere words can’t describe this book! Lesa Henderson outdid herself once again, so articulately capturing your attention that you can’t put it down. Such a great journey of love and faith. LOVE THIS BOOK!

[Lynn Hardy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Someone From Christmas Past is a beautifully written, well described story set in the small town of Laurel Ridge in the Smoky Mountains. Henderson perfectly blends romance with danger and suspense on every page and exposes a web of secrets- both past and present- that lead to healing, forgiveness, redemption and renewed love. I highly recommend this book to anyone looking for a faith-filled book that is relevant, heartfelt and deeply relatable.

[Hannah Barclay · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5⭐️ i liked this more than I expected

[Salt Life · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Heartwarming Blend of Holiday Magic, Suspense, and Second-Chance Romance

At its core, this is a tale of redemption and the quiet miracles of faith—how forgiveness can thaw the coldest regrets and love, once lost, might just find its way home. Henderson's prose is lyrical yet accessible, painting vivid seasonal scenes that had me smelling pine needles and feeling the chill of mountain air. It's inspirational without preaching, suspenseful without overwhelming the romance, and utterly convincing in its message: sometimes, the greatest gifts arrive not under the tree, but from the echoes of Christmas past.
Grab this for your holiday TBR—whether you're a sucker for clean Christian romance, edge-of-your-seat romantic suspense, or just need a reminder that hope glimmers brightest in the darkest nights. Lesa Henderson has crafted a gem that'll leave you believing in fresh starts. I finished it with a sigh, a smile, and zero regrets. Highly recommend!

I received an Advanced Review Copy of this book, the thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Cornerstone Global · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Heartwarming Blend of Holiday Magic, Suspense, and Second-Chance Romance

If you're craving a Christmas read that wraps you in cozy mountain vibes while delivering pulse-pounding twists and a faith-infused love story that tugs at every heartstring, Someone From Christmas Past by Lesa Henderson is your perfect fireside companion. As the third installment in the Laurel Ridge series, it stands beautifully on its own, but longtime fans will adore slipping back into this enchanting Smoky Mountains town where secrets simmer just beneath the snow-dusted pines.

At its core, this is a tale of redemption and the quiet miracles of faith—how forgiveness can thaw the coldest regrets and love, once lost, might just find its way home. Henderson's prose is lyrical yet accessible, painting vivid seasonal scenes that had me smelling pine needles and feeling the chill of mountain air. It's inspirational without preaching, suspenseful without overwhelming the romance, and utterly convincing in its message: sometimes, the greatest gifts arrive not under the tree, but from the echoes of Christmas past.

Grab this for your holiday TBR—whether you're a sucker for clean Christian romance, edge-of-your-seat romantic suspense, or just need a reminder that hope glimmers brightest in the darkest nights. Lesa Henderson has crafted a gem that'll leave you believing in fresh starts. I finished it with a sigh, a smile, and zero regrets. Highly recommend!

I was given an advance copy of this book to read and review. The opinions are my own.

[Karen Malley · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautifully written, faith-filled novel that will keep you turning pages. I haven’t read the first two books in the series, and while it was clear there was more to the stories of the secondary characters, this book reads as a standalone. It does, however, make me want to go back and read the first two books!

I was drawn in immediately by the mystery. Elise finds a lost little boy in the first chapter. Little Kota will steal your heart like it did Elise’s. Elise finds herself drawn into a world of mystery with danger at every turn. If only she would listen to the advice of her law-enforcement cousin once in a while, she might not keep finding danger. Then again, she might not have made as much progress in solving the mystery!

When you add the unexpected return of her first love (and best friend), her life is turned upside down. I loved trying to figure out the clues in the story (some I figured out and some I didn’t). Elise loves the Lord but has been hurt in the past, both by others and by her own choices. She’s afraid to risk her heart again. But she’s never stopped loving Jaxson, and he’s never stopped loving her.

The book is set in the Christmas season, but it’s not your typical light Christmas story. Between the mystery, the re-kindling romance, some amazing, supportive, secondary characters, and a brilliant rescue dog, you’ll find yourself on the edge of your seat throughout the story. Five stars!

[Kylie Reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

I picked up Someone From Christmas Past expecting a cozy holiday romance, but it turned out to be much more layered and emotional than I anticipated.

Lesa Henderson does a wonderful job creating the small-town charm of Laurel Ridge. As someone who loves stories set in mountain towns, the Smoky Mountains setting felt warm, peaceful, and perfect for a Christmas story. Elise Raines is a very relatable character—she’s trying to rebuild her life after a painful divorce while being a strong mom to her daughter, Amelia. I appreciated how real her struggles felt.

The reappearance of Jaxson Bleu, her childhood sweetheart who is now a country music star, adds an interesting emotional tension to the story. Their history is complicated, and you can feel the unresolved feelings between them from the start. I especially enjoyed watching them slowly reconnect while dealing with their past mistakes.

One element I didn’t expect was the mysterious child Elise discovers on the roadside. That storyline adds suspense and keeps the plot moving beyond just romance. The mix of faith, second chances, and a touch of danger made the book feel deeper than a typical holiday love story.

If you enjoy Christian romance, small-town settings, and second-chance love stories with a bit of mystery, this is definitely worth picking up. I’d happily read more books set in Laurel Ridge.

#ChristianRomance #SmallTownRomance #HolidayReads #CleanRomance #BookstagramReads

[Books Review · Rating 5 out of 5]

📕Title: "Someone From Christmas Past"

✍️Author: Lesa Henderson @lesahenderson 😊

📚Review: Lesa Henderson’s Someone From Christmas Past is a touching and faith-filled holiday romance that beautifully intertwines love, redemption, and second chances. Set in the picturesque Smoky Mountains, the story follows Elise Raines, a recently divorced mother determined to start anew, and Jaxson Bleu, her childhood sweetheart turned country music star. Their unexpected reunion rekindles old emotions and forces them to confront the past they never truly left behind.

Henderson masterfully balances heartfelt emotion with suspense as a mysterious child enters their lives, pulling Elise and Jaxson into a gripping web of secrets and danger. Through moments of tenderness and tension, the novel explores forgiveness, faith, and the transformative power of love renewed.

With vivid descriptions, memorable characters, and an inspiring spiritual thread, Someone From Christmas Past delivers everything readers long for in a holiday romance—hope, heart, and healing.

Perfect for fans of Christian fiction and small-town Christmas stories, this uplifting novel will leave you believing in miracles, grace, and the enduring magic of true love. A deeply moving, must-read holiday gem.

✨#books #bookstagram #book #booklover #reading

[Gail Pallotta · Rating 5 out of 5]

I grew involved in this story from the start and couldn’t wait to find out what would happen next. The heroine, Elise, has been hurt by a divorce and has returned home with her daughter, Amelia, to put her life back together. Jaxson, the heartthrob of her youth, who’s now a country music star, also returns to town. Elise has fond memories of Jaxson as the guy she truly loved. While he still cares for her too, they both have wounds from their time together. In addition, Elise worries Jaxson will find out something she did and will want nothing to do with her. After Elise finds a hurt, frightened abandoned child, she and Jaxson try to assist him, even though they don’t know who he is or where he came from. The more they attempt to help the boy, the closer they’re drawn to each other. They eventually find out the boy’s name is Koto by speaking to him in the Cherokee native American language, but he’s still withdrawn. Will they succeed in solving the mystery surrounding Koto? Will the new memories they’re making trying to take care of Koto and spending time with Amelia be enough to re-unite them? What is Elise keeping from Jaxson, and will it keep them apart if she tells him her secret?
I thoroughly enjoyed this book with mystery, danger and faith in God woven into a heartwarming second-chance romance.

[LoRee Peery · Rating 5 out of 5]

Elise Raines and eight-year-old daughter have a flat and rescue a wounded 4-5-year-old boy.
Soon, someone is after her!
Country music star, Jaxson Bleu, a Cherokee mix love from her youth, suddenly shows up in her life.
Her cousin has a seek and find Belgian Melinois that seeks the lost boy’s scent through the woods. It’s memory lane for Elise and Jax as they follow the dog. She’d never loved her ex as she loved Jax.
Jax had never committed to a fellow entertainer, who believes they are a done deal, because he still thought about Elise.
Note clues in the boy’s clothing and a shoe tell his name, a girl’s, along an address, all in code makes them determined to find out who he is and who is after Elise. A hair-raising collision on a mountain road kick-started my heart. Even a motorcycle gang threatens. They conclude there’s trafficking involved.
Elise ends up in the hospital three times in two weeks. During their thrills, they realize they’ve always loved one another but never talked about it.
Elise confesses her haunting secret to Jax. Despite their love, is it the end? God forgives, but can Jax?
The story has a sigh-worthy ending. Well done.

[Floraljoy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sweet and encouraging:
This was another great addition to the series and an enjoyable read. It was the third book and whilst technically it could be read as a standalone, there was sufficient character overlap and references to past happenings that it would probably be best if they were read in order. Even though I had read the prior books I still had difficulty recalling everything that had previously transpired and I wished that the author had of recapped a bit more.
I thought that the suspense and mystery aspects were particularly good and there was plenty of fast paced action to keep things interesting. There was also a powerful message of bringing our burdens and guilt to Christ, and receiving forgiveness and redemption in return. I liked Elise and Jaxson as a couple and was glad that they got their second chance. However, the ending was super sweet and tied up in a bow a little too neatly and quickly to feel authentic. Also not everything was addressed, such as what happened to Jaxson's musical career, and a more thorough epilogue would have helped remedy this.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[M. Pike · Rating 5 out of 5]

This breath-stealing story had me from the opening pages.

Single mother Elise Raines and her young daughter Amelia encounter car trouble on a mountain road outside the small town of Laurel Ridge. Little does Elise know that her troubles are just beginning. But so is her second chance at love!

Author Lesa Henderson’s Someone From Christmas Past has it all - danger, intrigue, romance, and a splash of Christmas magic. The suspense lover in me was swept along with Elise and hunky hero, Jaxson Bleu as they navigated a perilous path of cryptic clues that eventually led to a shocking discovery of child trafficking. The romance lover in me sighed as Elise and Jaxson rekindled the flames of a love that never died. The faith element was lovely, as were the supporting characters. The author seamlessly wove all of these elements together to deliver a romantic, hope filled tale of enduring love.

Someone From Christmas Past is the first of Lesa Henderson’s books that I have read. It certainly won’t be the last!

[Barbara M. Britton · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story pulls you in from the start. When Elise breaks down on the side of the road, she never expects to discover a lost little boy. The backstory behind this boy--found in the wilderness--is a wild ride that Henderson tackles with grace and heart.

Elise is starting her life over after a divorce. She is a single mom who hopes to plan weddings and not have intruders breaking into her home.

Elise also doesn't expect to see Jaxson back in town. They have a long history culminating in major heartbreak. Will they be able to pick up the pieces of their relationship and stay alive long enough to do so?

As the past of the little boy unravels, Elise and Jax find a web of evil hiding in their small town. You will action and adventure your way to a happily-ever-after.

[Nancy Cavanaugh · Rating 5 out of 5]

I could not put this book down. This is the third book in the series. I will definitely be buying books one and two. This book held my interest from start to finish. The characters were well written. This book had mystery/suspense, humor and the camaraderie between the characters was well developed too. The story flowed very smoothly. I felt like I was right there with the characters. It’s a clean wholesome book. And I liked how the biblical message was an underlying part of the story. I highly recommend this book.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Jacqueline Johnston Cotton · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a wonderful message of faith in this suspense filled Christian romance. Great writing and an amazing story that's inspirational and hopeful combining forgiveness and love. The mystery and danger keeps you on the edge of your seat and reading far past bed time. Loved the incredible characters, they were realistic and relatable with alot of emotion. This book is part of an amazing series with all the feels.

[Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is an outstanding read! It's a heartwarming second chance romance that is full of action, suspense, drama and faith. Elise and Jaxson's story will keep you on the edge of your seat and turning the pages to see what happens next. Loved it!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Kirsten Clark · Rating 5 out of 5]

Someone from Christmas Past kept me up way past my bedtime, turning page after page to discover the fate of the mysterious, silent child Elise Raines discovers on the side of the road. Romance and suspense all in one, this is a standout book in Pelican’s 2025 Christmas Extravaganza!

[Clare Revell · Rating 5 out of 5]

LOVED this one. When Elise and her daughter move to a quiet town to start over they don't expect to crash, find a child on the side of the road or an old boyfriend being the knight in shining armour. Coupled with a few twists, this story kept this reader turning pages long past her bedtime.

[Louise · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this to be a good read. The storyline was well written and the characters were good too. Was captivating. Recommend this book.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Tiffany Burns · Rating 5 out of 5]

Romance, mystery, action and faith!

Love love love the third book in this series. Such a beautiful and exciting story line. I simultaneously didn’t want to put it down and didn’t want it to end. Well done!

[Mindy Groves · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was so good! A great continuation of the Laurel Ridge series. The romance was well done and the elements of action were thrilling and suspenseful. 5 stars!

[The Book Ssirren · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was so heartfelt. Loved the holiday setting and the suspense and mystery incorporated throughout. A beautiful story of love and faith. The romance was perfectly balanced.