All That We’re Thankful For: A Thanksgiving Novelette

by L.B. Gaines

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.

Genres: Thanksgiving

70 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 11, 2025

Reviews

[Wind · Rating 3 out of 5]

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.

[Toya Davis-Stokley · Rating 4 out of 5]

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! 👍🏾👍🏾👍🏾

[Keesha · Rating 4 out of 5]

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."

[kiriahsbookshelf · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Thanksgiving table filled with mess!

[Donna C.K · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Thanksgiving family gathering with a side of drama.
This is a really good story.

[Treasure · Rating 4 out of 5]

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?

Read the story to find out!

[readingwithkaya · Rating 4 out of 5]

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.

[NubianJoí · Rating 4 out of 5]

Family, Friends & Foe

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🤭‼️

[Gemini · Rating 3 out of 5]

Madea Be Like…

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.

[Elaine · Rating 5 out of 5]

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

[Shamoya Radcliffe · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Jessica Cooper · Rating 5 out of 5]

Perfect Blend of Sweetness and Drama

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

[Gee M · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Chanel · Rating 4 out of 5]

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.

[Brisace · Rating 4 out of 5]

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.

[Vonetta Evans · Rating 3 out of 5]

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.

[MoMo White · Rating 4 out of 5]

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.

[Dannireads17 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Baby this dinner table scene was a cross from “Why Did I Get Married” & “Soul Food”! The way the secrets was falling out 😩 Quick Read, I enjoyed it

[SKIIBHAD · Rating 4 out of 5]

★ ★ ★ ★

[Savannah R · Rating 2 out of 5]

Give this a 2.5! I was not a fan of memaw ass

[Priscilla Agyemang · Rating 3 out of 5]

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.

[Raya · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5! Super cute quick thanksgiving vibe read

[Nay · Rating 4 out of 5]

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!

[Alicarene · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thankful

This was great family thanksgiving! I love how they were all at different phases in life but sat at the table!