When Kylah Harris drives to her Memaw’s cabin in the Poconos for Thanksgiving, she’s hoping for peace, three quiet days of family, food, and pretending to be fine.
But a sudden snowstorm traps everyone her sharp-tongued cousin Sharelle, her nosy teenage niece, her ex-husband who still craves control, and the one man she vowed never to see again — her younger cousin Kellen’s childhood friend, Marquise Bennett.
As the snow piles high outside, tension thickens within. Secrets stir beneath the hum of dinner conversation, old wounds open with every glass of wine, and gratitude gives way to confession. Over three long days and three uneasy dinners, truth becomes impossible to contain.
When the storm finally breaks, nothing around Memaw’s table will ever be the same.
This is a short thanksgiving special with mess. Everyone at the dinner table has a secret and everything starts to unravel because of that one guest that shouldn’t have been invited. This is a story of family members learning to stand on their own two feet but also learning to lean on your family. Overall I give it a 3.5🌟This is my first book by this author and I’ll read another.
Whew…. Most of us know that when the family gathers at grandma’s house, or in this case MeeMaw’s house for the holidays, there will be some friction, drama, secrets revealed, lies uncovered, love, and finally redemption.
Kylah was both excited and filled with dread about going to MeeMaw’s for Thanksgiving. She knew she needed the love and support of her family. However, being in that house always brought her feelings to the forefront.
Once she arrives, she has a blast from the past arrive on the doorstep. She must get herself together, as to not show her hand. As dinner gets underway, another surprise visitor arrives, and all hell breaks loose. 🤯 MeeMaw why???? 🙄👀
Secrets, lies, and truths are all revealed around MeeMaw’s table. 🥹 A family seemingly broken, is slowly put back together with MeeMaw’s faith, wisdom and love. Heartfelt read! 👍🏾👍🏾👍🏾
I enjoyed this so much! It could've been a full novel. LB Gsines really did her thing with this one, it had a little bit of everything. My favorite quote, "Don't talk about the Lord like He's your bouncer."
Initial thoughts : a novella with the right amount of drama, forgiveness and new beginnings. The prefect short holiday story. Loved the cover!
Book Overview: We follow Kylah who has recently completed her divorce and is spending thanksgiving at her grandmothers house with the rest of her family. What she didn’t know what her ex husband (Damien) and her one night stand -2 years prior ( Marquise)will be in attendance too. Is she ready to face the truth her past and maybe her future love?
Imagine driving up to your Memaw’s cabin for Thanksgiving. It was supposed to be a quiet time with family while enjoying some good food. But Kylah didn’t plan on seeing her cousin’s childhood friend Marquise. But to add insult to injury, her ex-husband walks in. Little did she know, her Memaw invited him.
a snowstorm traps everyone inside — and the real storm begins. With every shared meal, side-eye glance, and too-full wine glass, this story peels back the layers of what families hide in the name of love, loyalty, and tradition.
And listen… this is not your cozy holiday read. This is the kind of story where: • Conversations start polite but end in emotional warfare. • Old relationships refuse to stay buried. • Control, resentment, and “we don’t talk about that” energy sit right at the table with the sweet potatoes.
The turning point comes when the power suddenly fails, plunging the cabin into a quiet that is loud. Memaw gathers everyone by candlelight and does something unexpected: She demands honesty. No more pretending. No more “keeping the peace.” Everyone must tell their truth — including her.
And Memaw’s confession shakes Kylah.
She apologizes to Kylah.
✨ Final Thoughts
By the time the snow clears and the lights come back on, nothing at Memaw’s table is the same. The illusion of harmony is gone — replaced by something far more honest.
And Kylah? She’s no longer surviving someone else’s version of her life. She’s finally standing in her own truth.
She admits she saw who Damien really was. She saw how he treated Kylah, saw the control, saw the imbalance — and stayed silent. She chose tradition, comfort, and avoidance instead of defending her granddaughter.
⭐ Rating: 5/5 A deeply emotional, tension-filled family drama that reminds us: sometimes the most meaningful holiday isn’t about being thankful — it’s about being honest.
“I mean, I am tired of being arranged,” I said. “Of being told where to sit, what to swallow, who to forgive. You think because you’ve weathered storms, you get to schedule mine.”
Ain’t nothing like some good old family drama and this was giving just that. Memaw house was all the tea and memaw herself was getting a side eye from me. As LB Gaines always does with dropping gems in her stories.
I enjoyed the fmc Kylah as the lead character. She has real raw emotions and feelings about her life and family. She also let her truths out and let the chips fall how they may. You can’t let family have that much of a say so in your life to the point you’re unhappy and get disrespected. Sometimes shaking things up is what a family needs.
The perfect Thanksgiving read just in time for the holiday. There aren't many books that are full of gems! Memaw had her moments where I side eyed her but she could give a word. This read was cozy but gave a little bit of drama to ruffle your feathers at the same time. We were given the past and the present in a small package. I personally feel that the story could honestly be the reflection of someone's life. The family dynamic was so realistic and I loved how the characters developed throughout the pages. If you haven't got your holiday dose, here is one for you.
Foremost, the Pocono Mountains (located in Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania) is primarily a ski resort town. A snowstorm in November is inevitable 🤷🏾♀️‼️Thereafter, Ummmm 🤨, the interaction among the Harris’ was ignorant, peculiar & awkward family, friends & foe gathering …snowstorm or not 😬🤔🤭‼️Nevertheless, “All That We’re Thankful For: A Thanksgiving Novelette” unfortunately was just a mediocre read (3.5 ⭐️’s). It was giving Tyler Perry messy rather than “Soul Food” scandalous🤭‼️
This felt like a Tyler Perry Production. The scorned woman had to face her evil ex. All while her much younger sneaky link stood by in brooding silence. The rest of the family was quick to spill each other’s tea knowing they had their own skeletons. Then Memaw acted like a Dr. Seuss character. She spewed nonsensical idioms the whole time. It was all very predictable. It was a quick, easy holiday read that was the perfect break from heavier storylines.
Ok so I know Kylah is the named FMC. However Memaw stole the show for me. I love how she took accountability for her part in allowing Damien the space an opportunity to continue bringing pain upon Ky. I love how Marquise was brought in to show Ky what a real man does for a woman. I felt that he has what it takes to restore her strength and confidence within herself. Overall great read and I’m interested to take a deeper drive into LB Gaines catalog.
I hate Damien! I hate him. But I love that Kylah found her voice. I’m glad she spoke some of her peace and I wish she would have laid Damien’s ass bare because she still gave him too much grace in my opinion. And Memaw was my favorite. Wise enough to put her foot down and hold everyone accountable including HERSELF!!! Big mama wasn’t too old, stubborn, or set in her ways to apologize. I’m hoping there’s a book three about the mystery of Kellan.
The book was amazing hands down a lot of family drama when Kyla ex husband come to the grandma house for thanksgiving but but later she forgive her grandma and later gave and later was gone and it was funny when the Granada kick out her ex and then later open up to marquis’se who she had a one night about two years ago but also going back present day and falls for him
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
imagine going home for thanksgiving, being stuck with family through a snowstorm, what can go wrong right? 2 days filled with family drama, unwelcome guest, secrets and a Memaw that tells it like it is. This novelette packed a punch, but even with all the drama it manages to capture what it is like being home for thanksgiving. Beautiful writing by LB Gaines per usual.
It’s not overly fluffy — there’s just the right amount of drama without it ever feeling over the top. I loved getting a look into the past and seeing how it connects to the present. Everything came together beautifully: sweet, cohesive, and straight to the point
Yesss Kylah!!! This had all the things Thanksgiving is known for.....food, drama and family. Now Memaw you knew better than that. And now there is a snowstorm....and her ex-husband is stuck in the cabin with them.... also, that one person you said you wouldn't be around again..... this novelette is just what you need to get into the Thanksgiving spirit.
Perfect thanksgiving novella. It was short but filled with drama, spice and love all around. At the end of the day, family is all we have. I absolutely enjoyed Memaw, she is the ultimate example of a grandma.
The dynamic between the family just felt so real. The secrets, drama, the unwelcome guest that had me wanting to slap him. It was just so good.
From the moment Kylah stepped into that cabin, I knew peace was not on the menu. A snowstorm traps her with family, a controlling ex, and the man she swore she’d never see again. Baby… that’s not a holiday, that’s a social experiment. L.B. Gaines ate with the messy family dynamics. A short, heartfelt, drama-filled read that understands how holidays can heal and hurt at the same time. Perfect for anyone who loves family chaos with a side of closure.
Kylah was going to her grandmother's house for Thanksgiving to spend time with her family but what she thought was going to be a peaceful time turned into drama with a bunch of secrets being revealed. The book was okay to me but it just seemed like so much was happening in such a short time and the resolution was a little too easy to me. I understood why the grandmother invited Kylah's ex husband but it seemed like that should have been a conversation she had with her before considering she was her blood. Also, his presence mainly seemed to be focused on bringing the drama which seemed rather unnecessary. For me it felt a little like the focus was more on the secrets and drama than the being thankful part.
I LOVE the way this author writes. The Thanksgiving dinner was definitely my favorite. This gave all the messy vibes I look for in a book but it came with healing as well. And I’m so glad Memaw apologized at the end because she was dead wrong for inviting that ex husband in the first place.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
When you think you’re gonna escape to your family for the holidays but the snow storm has everyone stuck and the ugly truths start coming out even if you don’t want them to. Must read
3.5 A messy dysfunctional family got snowed in for thanksgiving. With the help of the family matriarch who’s always preaching, the truth is set free and new love is on the horizon.
I loved this short read. It had all the feels of a real family. From the culture to the raw history and life lessons that I could relate with comepletely.
What's a family gathering without a little bit of drama? lol This book had drama, secrets, lies and a hint of spice! Kylah’s ex truly worked my nerves and should have never been invited. I don’t feel bad one bit about him. Memaw did the same but she redeemed herself. In the end her love and wisdom saved them all. This was a heartfelt read with a happy ending. Definitely puts you in the thanksgiving spirit!