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Moonglow Christmas #1
Mistletoe at Moonglow
The small, old western town of Timberton, Montana, has not been the same since resident chef and artist Mist brought her unique, new age flavor to the area. When guests arrive at the Timberton Hotel for the holidays, they bring worries, fears and broken hearts, unaware that Mist has a way of working magic in people's lives. Will old-fashioned time spent together, exquisite food, conversation and a snowball or two offer guests a chance to trade sadness for hope? One thing is certain: no matter how cold winter's grip is on each guest, no one leaves town without a warmer heart.
152 pages, Paperback
First published November 6, 2015
3167 people are currently reading
2230 people want to read
About the author
Deborah Garner
36 books883 followersDeborah Garner is an accomplished travel writer with a passion for back roads and secret hideaways. Born and raised in California, she studied in France before returning to the U.S. to attend UCLA. After stints in graduate school and teaching, she attempted to clone herself for decades by founding and running a dance and performing arts center, designing and manufacturing clothing and accessories, and tackling both spreadsheets and display racks for corporate retail management. Her passions include photography, hiking and animal rescue. She speaks five languages, some substantially better than others. She now divides her time between California and Wyoming, dragging one human and two canines along whenever possible.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 566 reviews
December 12, 2018
Mistletoe at Moonglow is a very quick holiday read full of good aura, glad tidings and food that will make your mouth water!
This particular novella is more of an excerpt nestled in her series and is the first in what has now become a holiday tradition of Moonglow holiday novellas published each year. In the town of Timberton there is an inn and Mist has reopened her "Moonglow Café" inside of this inn. She creates magic with her cooking - perhaps not literal magic, but we all know of cafes and cooks who create a magical atmosphere with their skills and food. In addition, Mist is a gifted miniature artist who creates works of art for the guests who stay at the inn. This holiday season there are seven guests, all of whom have had a rather tough year. As the holiday unfolds, we get a glimpse of the restorative nature of good food, fellowship and companionship that we all long for - especially during the holidays.
Although this is a very quick, short read, it made me feel as though I had been on a holiday myself, left reality and its problems behind to join the guests at the Moonglow. It also whet my appetite to read more by this author and in this series. The very best part of the book? There are recipes - a lot of them - at the end of the book so you, too, can enjoy the comfort foods of the Moonglow. I've tried two of the recipes to date and I can attest to their "magic." Yum!!!
This particular novella is more of an excerpt nestled in her series and is the first in what has now become a holiday tradition of Moonglow holiday novellas published each year. In the town of Timberton there is an inn and Mist has reopened her "Moonglow Café" inside of this inn. She creates magic with her cooking - perhaps not literal magic, but we all know of cafes and cooks who create a magical atmosphere with their skills and food. In addition, Mist is a gifted miniature artist who creates works of art for the guests who stay at the inn. This holiday season there are seven guests, all of whom have had a rather tough year. As the holiday unfolds, we get a glimpse of the restorative nature of good food, fellowship and companionship that we all long for - especially during the holidays.
Although this is a very quick, short read, it made me feel as though I had been on a holiday myself, left reality and its problems behind to join the guests at the Moonglow. It also whet my appetite to read more by this author and in this series. The very best part of the book? There are recipes - a lot of them - at the end of the book so you, too, can enjoy the comfort foods of the Moonglow. I've tried two of the recipes to date and I can attest to their "magic." Yum!!!
December 31, 2016
This novella was odd in that there was no real story here. Just a glimpse of a bunch of unrelated people together for the holidays, with descriptions of food and decorations. And the main character was somehow an artist, a florist, and a chef all rolled into one. Reading this reminded me of putting on a DVD of a roaring fireplace. No real substance, just atmosphere.
December 5, 2025
Christmas 2021 - Nice
I would absolutely love to spend Christmas at the charming Timberton Inn. And I would love to eat the food prepared at the Moonglow cafe. But … I’d probably rather not interact much with Mist, the annoying hippie-dippy chick who wafts ethereally around the place spouting gibberish like “The past is the present, it just hasn’t happened yet,” and “I just cook and paint. And listen to hearts.”
Seriously if this nitwit approached me first thing in the morning referring to the pot of coffee she carried as “Java Love” I might have to slap her, which would harsh the whole Christmas vibe. This was very short and really wasn’t much of a story. But it was harmless and I amused myself being horrified by Mist and imagining she had siblings named Vapor and Steam. Also there were a bunch of nice cookie recipes at the end.
I would absolutely love to spend Christmas at the charming Timberton Inn. And I would love to eat the food prepared at the Moonglow cafe. But … I’d probably rather not interact much with Mist, the annoying hippie-dippy chick who wafts ethereally around the place spouting gibberish like “The past is the present, it just hasn’t happened yet,” and “I just cook and paint. And listen to hearts.”
Seriously if this nitwit approached me first thing in the morning referring to the pot of coffee she carried as “Java Love” I might have to slap her, which would harsh the whole Christmas vibe. This was very short and really wasn’t much of a story. But it was harmless and I amused myself being horrified by Mist and imagining she had siblings named Vapor and Steam. Also there were a bunch of nice cookie recipes at the end.
December 5, 2015
I would have preferred to give this 3 1/2 stars. It deserved better than a 3 but not as good as a 4. I liked the story which was a Christmas vignette, a snapshot so to speak, a moment in time of a particular group of people. We have little knowledge of their lives prior to this point nor are we given any indications of where their futures lie. This type of literary motif does not lend itself to character development. All involvement is superficial. This is not a criticism of the writing only the constraints of this motif. This is a quaint heartwarming Christmas story but I would prefer one with more meat on it's bones.
December 18, 2019
Sweet in every sense.
The characters were so warm-spirited I wanted to reach out and hug each and every one of them!
I loved all the metaphysical philosophy that was shared throughout.
The scenery and recipes were absolute stunners-- culinary magic! I was most definitely so excited when I got to the back of the book and saw the actual recipes from the cookie exchange (a scene from the plot) shared by the author's personal readers and friends. This was so unique and cute, and I cannot wait to bake up some of these delectable delicacies!
My favorite thing about this book is all the inspiration I drew from the DIY crafts that were presented, things like popcorn garlands with cranberries, the recipes, painting gifts for loved ones, and much more, you will have to read to find out more ideas!
The relationships and interactions will warm your Christmas spirit. Love radiates from this book. There was so much beautiful creativity in the details and yet was written simply with an air of confidence.
This is another feel-good Christmas story I would like to read the entire series. Why? The characters were so loving, I really do want to get to know each and every one of their stories, which are spread out across multiple books.
I am unsure what book # in the series this is because on Goodreads it says it is book 2.5, while on my Kindle App says it is book 1. It does not feel like book 1, but because I liked the story and characters dearly, I really would enjoy reading the entire series no matter the book number.
The characters were so warm-spirited I wanted to reach out and hug each and every one of them!
I loved all the metaphysical philosophy that was shared throughout.
The scenery and recipes were absolute stunners-- culinary magic! I was most definitely so excited when I got to the back of the book and saw the actual recipes from the cookie exchange (a scene from the plot) shared by the author's personal readers and friends. This was so unique and cute, and I cannot wait to bake up some of these delectable delicacies!
My favorite thing about this book is all the inspiration I drew from the DIY crafts that were presented, things like popcorn garlands with cranberries, the recipes, painting gifts for loved ones, and much more, you will have to read to find out more ideas!
The relationships and interactions will warm your Christmas spirit. Love radiates from this book. There was so much beautiful creativity in the details and yet was written simply with an air of confidence.
This is another feel-good Christmas story I would like to read the entire series. Why? The characters were so loving, I really do want to get to know each and every one of their stories, which are spread out across multiple books.
I am unsure what book # in the series this is because on Goodreads it says it is book 2.5, while on my Kindle App says it is book 1. It does not feel like book 1, but because I liked the story and characters dearly, I really would enjoy reading the entire series no matter the book number.
December 25, 2024
I loved this book and I am going to read the whole series most definitely. Talk about cozy! It was nice reading a book that was all about the joy of life and the magic of the holidays. Mist is an awesome character and I loved how she thought and appreciated things. The other characters are all great too and it was fun spending some time this Christmas at the Timberton Hotel in Montana. I liked all the cookie recipes at the end too and plan on making the Chocolate Mint cookies tomorrow with my daughter. :)
October 25, 2019
I hadn't even added this book on Goodreads under "Currently Reading" when I finished it and just changed it to "Read". It was so incredibly good I finished it in 1.5 days. It's a shorter book at 152 pages so that's not a big feat, but I didn't want to put it down to deal with real life. Had I been able to do that, it would have been done in a few hours for sure.
The story takes place in the little town of Tmberton, Montana, specifically at the Timberton Hotel. This charming establishment has a steady steam of regulars, especially a few who consider it their home during the holiday season where it's a tradition to make every guest feel like they are having the best Christmas ever.
Well, things at the Timberton Hotel have definitely been enhanced with the arrival of a young lady named Mist. A chef and a person whose caring heart makes her so endearing, Mist has opened her own little cafe inside the Hotel, the Moonglow, where she wows the locals and guests alike with her fabulous cooking.
Mist lives at the Hotel and helps the older owners. She has an incredible gift of knowing how to make every person feel like they are at home and she can also tell exactly what they need to feel comfortable, welcome, and loved. It's almost magical. She is also an artist, both with miniature paintings and with floral arrangements. She is the one who gets the rooms ready for each guest, adding her own special touches, whether it's some candy, a toy if she knows a child will be coming, or the best cup of tea for a gent coming in from England who is spending Christmas away from his family.
The book will restore your faith in humanity. The characters are people you will want to sit down and have a nice dinner and chat with. Mist is a person we'd all love to have in our lives.
A wonderful, uplifting story for any time of the year, but especially as the holidays approach. I promise it will warm your heart. I cannot wait to read the rest of the books in the series.
The story takes place in the little town of Tmberton, Montana, specifically at the Timberton Hotel. This charming establishment has a steady steam of regulars, especially a few who consider it their home during the holiday season where it's a tradition to make every guest feel like they are having the best Christmas ever.
Well, things at the Timberton Hotel have definitely been enhanced with the arrival of a young lady named Mist. A chef and a person whose caring heart makes her so endearing, Mist has opened her own little cafe inside the Hotel, the Moonglow, where she wows the locals and guests alike with her fabulous cooking.
Mist lives at the Hotel and helps the older owners. She has an incredible gift of knowing how to make every person feel like they are at home and she can also tell exactly what they need to feel comfortable, welcome, and loved. It's almost magical. She is also an artist, both with miniature paintings and with floral arrangements. She is the one who gets the rooms ready for each guest, adding her own special touches, whether it's some candy, a toy if she knows a child will be coming, or the best cup of tea for a gent coming in from England who is spending Christmas away from his family.
The book will restore your faith in humanity. The characters are people you will want to sit down and have a nice dinner and chat with. Mist is a person we'd all love to have in our lives.
A wonderful, uplifting story for any time of the year, but especially as the holidays approach. I promise it will warm your heart. I cannot wait to read the rest of the books in the series.
November 16, 2015
Christmas at the Timberton Hotel is special. The beauty and peace people find there is magic. Strangers come to escape their pain and find solace and strength. I loved this story. It gave me a sense of hope. The characters are amazing. Mist is a special person. She has an instinct that helps her sense people's needs and the knowledge to sooth their pain. If you're looking for a story that highlights the meaning of the holiday season, Mistletoe At Moonglow is the perfect story. When I finished, I felt happy. Deborah Garner did a wonderful job! Plus the cookie recipes are a nice touch.
August 20, 2023
3 stars on my grinch-o-meter.
Nice and cosy, what you see is what you get, relaxing Xmas novella.
The mysterious, mystic, wise-cliche-popping MC, Mist was a bit too much for me. She was rather a tool than a character, but couldn't provoke my Grinch (apart from some unavoidable eyeroll) enough to want to come out and smack her over the head, so it's all good.
Nice and cosy, what you see is what you get, relaxing Xmas novella.
The mysterious, mystic, wise-cliche-popping MC, Mist was a bit too much for me. She was rather a tool than a character, but couldn't provoke my Grinch (apart from some unavoidable eyeroll) enough to want to come out and smack her over the head, so it's all good.
December 20, 2022
This one came highly recommended…and it crushed me that I didn’t enjoy it.
There’s nothing wrong with this book. It’s actually a beautiful story. Sentimental. Sweet.
The problem is that I’m a suspense/thriller/historical fiction reader and I NEED to have lots of action and/or learning to remain interested. I just didn’t feel that anything happened. For me, it was simply a story about people staying at the Timberton Hotel at Christmas. While it certainly seems like a magical place to be this time of year and a lovely tradition to meet up with guests who arrive each Christmas, it didn’t hold my interest. I need characters working against each other, a challenge to be overcome, and a variety of emotions. This was just too sweet for me. Another problem I had with this book was the resident chef and artist’s name…Mist. She had a beautiful heart and outlook, but every time her name appeared on the page, it irked me.
There’s nothing wrong with this book. It’s actually a beautiful story. Sentimental. Sweet.
The problem is that I’m a suspense/thriller/historical fiction reader and I NEED to have lots of action and/or learning to remain interested. I just didn’t feel that anything happened. For me, it was simply a story about people staying at the Timberton Hotel at Christmas. While it certainly seems like a magical place to be this time of year and a lovely tradition to meet up with guests who arrive each Christmas, it didn’t hold my interest. I need characters working against each other, a challenge to be overcome, and a variety of emotions. This was just too sweet for me. Another problem I had with this book was the resident chef and artist’s name…Mist. She had a beautiful heart and outlook, but every time her name appeared on the page, it irked me.
December 11, 2016
I love everything Christmas—the meaning, spirit, decorations, carols, and other festivities. It is a special time of year that brings people together, warming hearts and hearth with love, giving, and joy.
Those are the feelings I experienced while reading this charming Christmas tale. It’s as if I just spent the holidays with an intriguing and diverse cast of people, and brought a piece of them back home with me. I adore the people who shared Christmas with Mist, Betty, and Clive at the Timberton Hotel and Moonglow Café.
Mist, a gifted painter and cook, brings a magical ambiance to the Timberton Hotel and Moonglow café, serving her rare and upbeat view of life to everyone she meets. Her goal is to unselfishly provide the visitors a special Christmas and new perspective that allows them to leave their troubles behind.
If you enjoy Hallmark movies, especially ones with sentimental feel-good endings, I’ve no doubt you’ll enjoy Mistletoe at Moonglow, by Deborah Garner. The story is bright and stirring, the characters are nicely developed, and 24 cookie-exchange recipes (including a gluten-free sugar cookie) are included in the back of the book!
A lovely Christmas story I won’t soon forget. An ideal stocking-stuffer! I received a complimentary copy of this book through Beck Valley Books Book Tours.
Cover: Love
Title: Love
Publisher: CranberryCovePress
Pages: 152
Pace: Steady
ISBN: 978-0996044943
First Line: A whisper of snowflakes brushed against Mist’s face as she stood in the doorway of the Timberton Hotel.
Those are the feelings I experienced while reading this charming Christmas tale. It’s as if I just spent the holidays with an intriguing and diverse cast of people, and brought a piece of them back home with me. I adore the people who shared Christmas with Mist, Betty, and Clive at the Timberton Hotel and Moonglow Café.
Sketchpad in her lap, she curled up on the bed and stared at the blank page, envisioning the scenes that would unfold over the next few days as the guests arrived. ~excerpt
Mist, a gifted painter and cook, brings a magical ambiance to the Timberton Hotel and Moonglow café, serving her rare and upbeat view of life to everyone she meets. Her goal is to unselfishly provide the visitors a special Christmas and new perspective that allows them to leave their troubles behind.
“But if you don’t try anything new, you’ll miss finding some of life’s good surprises.” ~excerpt
If you enjoy Hallmark movies, especially ones with sentimental feel-good endings, I’ve no doubt you’ll enjoy Mistletoe at Moonglow, by Deborah Garner. The story is bright and stirring, the characters are nicely developed, and 24 cookie-exchange recipes (including a gluten-free sugar cookie) are included in the back of the book!
A lovely Christmas story I won’t soon forget. An ideal stocking-stuffer! I received a complimentary copy of this book through Beck Valley Books Book Tours.
Cover: Love
Title: Love
Publisher: CranberryCovePress
Pages: 152
Pace: Steady
ISBN: 978-0996044943
First Line: A whisper of snowflakes brushed against Mist’s face as she stood in the doorway of the Timberton Hotel.
September 5, 2020
Mistletoe at Moonglow by Deborah Garner is a sweet Christmas story set in a hotel in Timberton, Montana. The characters are very likable and Mist's philosophy of life is a peaceful balm to this reader's soul at this time with the pandemic and social upheaval.
December 10, 2020
Christmas Cheer
A wonderful story about guests spending the Christmas holidays at the Timberton Inn. Served delicious food from the Moonglow Cafe.
When the guests arrived this year they all had sorrowful and worried faces. That didn’t last for long with Mist, Betty and Clive around.
Soon the festive atmosphere effects everyone and smiling faces are seen around the Christmas tree.
Good
This has been an enjoyable Christmas storyand a fun afternoon read.
A wonderful story about guests spending the Christmas holidays at the Timberton Inn. Served delicious food from the Moonglow Cafe.
When the guests arrived this year they all had sorrowful and worried faces. That didn’t last for long with Mist, Betty and Clive around.
Soon the festive atmosphere effects everyone and smiling faces are seen around the Christmas tree.
Good
This has been an enjoyable Christmas storyand a fun afternoon read.
December 21, 2016
This had everything I look for in a cheesy, feel-good Christmas story, but I just didn't care for it. The main character annoyed me. If she'd been a side character, I'd probably liked the story more.
November 28, 2020
There was little plot to be had in this book and I really do mean that! The hotel guests arrived, they ate Christmasy food and opened presents, THE END.
That said, the Christmas Cookie recipes at the end of the book is a nice addition, one which bumped my two star review up to three.
That said, the Christmas Cookie recipes at the end of the book is a nice addition, one which bumped my two star review up to three.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 21, 2018
At the Timberton Hotel in the small town of Timberton, Montana the guests assemble to celebrate Christmas. This year they have some new guests, returning guests and others will never return. There's a grieving widow; a broken family in need of healing; a grumpy professor; a mysterious man who loves to read and a woman who originally booked for two guests but changed her reservation to one. It's up to the new chef, an artist named Mist, who runs the Moonglow Cafe in the hotel to keep everyone fed body and soul. As the guests and locals gather together to celebrate the season, Mist seems to know exactly what to do for each one to make their Christmas brighter.
This is a pleasant and heartwarming novella. I liked it well enough but at first I felt confused- dropped into the world without backstory. I got to know the characters as the story went along and figured it out. The best part of the book is all the recipes in the back! As if I need more cookie recipes!
The central character is Mist. I'm unsure whether she's an angel or just an extra intuitive woman. I gather she's a trained artist and chef and excels at both. She has only recently arrived in Timberton but I think she's wandered a bit and doesn't have a family. Timberton is quickly becoming her home and the staff and guests her family. This is largely thanks to the warm and loving environment created by hotel owner Betty. Betty is like Mrs. Claus and her "boyfriend" (they're an elderly couple) Clive is like Santa! Betty is a sweetheart whose kind and cheerful presence endears her to the entire town. Clive is a darling. He's a huge man with a fondness for cookies and play. His Christmas gift for Betty is brilliant and so sweet! I love it.
The townspeople include Hollister, the town's ONLY homeless person who apparently has a free room at the hotel whenever he wants. He never appears on page. Clayton, the town fire chief seems to like Mist's cooking. Maisie, the local flower shop is also an artistic type. She understands Mist better than anyone else. Marge, the sweet shop owner, always has a delectable array of sweets to tempt the young and old.
Among the guests are The Morrisons, a family mourning the loss of a child. The adults neglect their living son Robert wallowing in their misery. I understand losing a child must be a terrible thing but you have to live for your other child. Don't force him to miss out on having a happy childhood because his brother died. Little Robert is too serious and precocious for my tastes. He doesn't sound like a normal 5-year-old except for when he talks about his brother's death. Michael Blanton is my favorite guest. He's a bit mysterious but he's always reading. Obviously I'm going to be crazy about any character who loves to read. I love his banter with Mist. Mrs. Winslow is a new widow, returning to the special place of happy memories she shared her beloved husband. She's grieving quietly but is able to take delight from spending Christmas in Timberton. Professor Hennessey is cranky for no good reason. I totally understand preferring tea to coffee and being a tea snob but he doesn't have to be rude about it. Ms. Greely is a newcomer to the Timberton Hotel. She has a story to tell but is bit reluctant to share it right away.
Read this if you like Hallmark movies. It's not as sappy or corny but pretty close.
This is a pleasant and heartwarming novella. I liked it well enough but at first I felt confused- dropped into the world without backstory. I got to know the characters as the story went along and figured it out. The best part of the book is all the recipes in the back! As if I need more cookie recipes!
The central character is Mist. I'm unsure whether she's an angel or just an extra intuitive woman. I gather she's a trained artist and chef and excels at both. She has only recently arrived in Timberton but I think she's wandered a bit and doesn't have a family. Timberton is quickly becoming her home and the staff and guests her family. This is largely thanks to the warm and loving environment created by hotel owner Betty. Betty is like Mrs. Claus and her "boyfriend" (they're an elderly couple) Clive is like Santa! Betty is a sweetheart whose kind and cheerful presence endears her to the entire town. Clive is a darling. He's a huge man with a fondness for cookies and play. His Christmas gift for Betty is brilliant and so sweet! I love it.
The townspeople include Hollister, the town's ONLY homeless person who apparently has a free room at the hotel whenever he wants. He never appears on page. Clayton, the town fire chief seems to like Mist's cooking. Maisie, the local flower shop is also an artistic type. She understands Mist better than anyone else. Marge, the sweet shop owner, always has a delectable array of sweets to tempt the young and old.
Among the guests are The Morrisons, a family mourning the loss of a child. The adults neglect their living son Robert wallowing in their misery. I understand losing a child must be a terrible thing but you have to live for your other child. Don't force him to miss out on having a happy childhood because his brother died. Little Robert is too serious and precocious for my tastes. He doesn't sound like a normal 5-year-old except for when he talks about his brother's death. Michael Blanton is my favorite guest. He's a bit mysterious but he's always reading. Obviously I'm going to be crazy about any character who loves to read. I love his banter with Mist. Mrs. Winslow is a new widow, returning to the special place of happy memories she shared her beloved husband. She's grieving quietly but is able to take delight from spending Christmas in Timberton. Professor Hennessey is cranky for no good reason. I totally understand preferring tea to coffee and being a tea snob but he doesn't have to be rude about it. Ms. Greely is a newcomer to the Timberton Hotel. She has a story to tell but is bit reluctant to share it right away.
Read this if you like Hallmark movies. It's not as sappy or corny but pretty close.
December 17, 2018
3.5⭐️
•
This was such a cute, cozy, kind of cheesy Christmas story and I loved that! I just felt like I wanted to be at the Timberton Hotel, celebrating Christmas with all the characters. It was such a sweet story. Apparently it’s a Christmas series within a series?! They’re really short books and I really want to read all the Christmas ones right now, but the way my reading month is going, I don’t think that’s going to happen. Oh well.
•
If you’re looking for a light, kind of cheesy, but feel good Christmas story, then I would recommend this one. It kind of had Lifetime/Hallmark movie vibes. Oh and cookie recipes are included!
•
This was such a cute, cozy, kind of cheesy Christmas story and I loved that! I just felt like I wanted to be at the Timberton Hotel, celebrating Christmas with all the characters. It was such a sweet story. Apparently it’s a Christmas series within a series?! They’re really short books and I really want to read all the Christmas ones right now, but the way my reading month is going, I don’t think that’s going to happen. Oh well.
•
If you’re looking for a light, kind of cheesy, but feel good Christmas story, then I would recommend this one. It kind of had Lifetime/Hallmark movie vibes. Oh and cookie recipes are included!
January 19, 2017
A special holiday story of the true spirit of community working it's magic. This one leaves you with a warm glow inside and makes you want to bake some of those cookies right away! Full review on my blog soon...
February 22, 2017
This was a perfect Christmas read for me. Light with a touch of magical realism. It would have been a perfect book club pick.
December 16, 2020
3 stars for Mistletoe at Moonglow.
A Christmas story cliffhanger.
A Christmas story cliffhanger.
November 2, 2022
Cute, sweet, Christmas novella about a small inn and cafe in Montana. Not much happens, but since this is the first in a series this was probably just an introduction to the characters. This has me already getting in the holiday mood!
December 31, 2016
The first thing I decided to do after reading this book, was check myself into the Timberton Hotel. I want Mist to cook for me and be her friend. I know what you are thinking. This is a fiction book and there is no Timberton Hotel. But the author did such an amazing job of making the hotel sound inviting, I wish it were a real place. It is nestled in a beautiful town in Montana with a breathtaking view. I could picture the hotel as guests walked in. The smells of fresh flowers and pine cones filled the air. The aroma of fresh baked cookies billowed through the hotel welcoming guests as they entered.
Mist is unique character that reminds me of a friend you have known forever. . She seems to know what guests need before they even ask. Her presence makes people feel calm and welcomed as she goes about her day. As the guests check in they each bring their share of sadness, grief or worry. Will they find a new sense of happiness when they leave? There is nothing worse than feeling lonely or sad during the holidays. You feel like the world is moving forward but you are stuck in your own pity. Maybe this year will be different for the guests staying at the hotel.
The author gives us great characters that at times left me with tears rolling down my face slowly as I felt their pain. The book is emotional, happy and hopeful wrapped in a story full of surprises. The special gift Mist gives to each guest is priceless. The memories will linger on for years to come with the help of a very special person who has a heart that loves unconditionally. I didn't want the book to end because I truly felt like I was a guest at the hotel and wanted to savor each moment. The ending is beautifully written with a feeling of contentment. Don't miss this enduring story that will brighten your holiday with love, hope , family and the kindness of a special young woman.
I was given a complimentary copy of this book from Beck Valley Books Tours. The review is my own opinion and I was not compensated for it.
Mist is unique character that reminds me of a friend you have known forever. . She seems to know what guests need before they even ask. Her presence makes people feel calm and welcomed as she goes about her day. As the guests check in they each bring their share of sadness, grief or worry. Will they find a new sense of happiness when they leave? There is nothing worse than feeling lonely or sad during the holidays. You feel like the world is moving forward but you are stuck in your own pity. Maybe this year will be different for the guests staying at the hotel.
The author gives us great characters that at times left me with tears rolling down my face slowly as I felt their pain. The book is emotional, happy and hopeful wrapped in a story full of surprises. The special gift Mist gives to each guest is priceless. The memories will linger on for years to come with the help of a very special person who has a heart that loves unconditionally. I didn't want the book to end because I truly felt like I was a guest at the hotel and wanted to savor each moment. The ending is beautifully written with a feeling of contentment. Don't miss this enduring story that will brighten your holiday with love, hope , family and the kindness of a special young woman.
I was given a complimentary copy of this book from Beck Valley Books Tours. The review is my own opinion and I was not compensated for it.
December 15, 2022
Following a "Christmas in July" party on the author's FB page, I had to investigate the series discussed throughout the evening. I loved this novella!
This is a heartwarming story, especially for those grieving the loss of a loved one who now finds each holiday difficult, especially at Christmas. It is comforting to think of a special place where one could have moments of peace to be alone with precious memories, have the camaraderie of fellow guests in common areas and at meal time, and be wonderfully surprised by all of the special touches that make the hotel stay comforting healing, and yet festive offering hope that there may be smiles and laughter to share with others once more.
With the beautiful descriptions of all of the festive touches and surprises to enjoy at The Timberton Hotel, it was easy to create pictures in my mind from cover to cover. A lovely example was the description of floral arrangements. Mist creates "a mosaic of nature."
Each Christmas season, there is a tradition of a Christmas Cookie Exchange held at the hotel. All who are salivating during this part of the story (myself included) rejoice to find 2 dozen recipes at the end of the novella.
I will continue reading this series during the upcoming Christmas season to immerse myself in the comforts of this enchanting series.
"Christmas memories were special. They became part of their personal life paintings."There is a new employee named Mist at The Timberton Hotel in Timberton, Montana, and as resident artist and chef, she adds many special touches to the hotel's ambiance. With the addition of the Moonglow Café in the hotel, guests and townspeople delight in her delicious culinary offerings for breakfast and dinner. Visitors are a mixture of newcomers and former guests. Former guests return to the hotel annually to celebrate Christmas in this festive and nurturing atmosphere, even as their personal circumstances may have changed since their last stay.
This is a heartwarming story, especially for those grieving the loss of a loved one who now finds each holiday difficult, especially at Christmas. It is comforting to think of a special place where one could have moments of peace to be alone with precious memories, have the camaraderie of fellow guests in common areas and at meal time, and be wonderfully surprised by all of the special touches that make the hotel stay comforting healing, and yet festive offering hope that there may be smiles and laughter to share with others once more.
With the beautiful descriptions of all of the festive touches and surprises to enjoy at The Timberton Hotel, it was easy to create pictures in my mind from cover to cover. A lovely example was the description of floral arrangements. Mist creates "a mosaic of nature."
Each Christmas season, there is a tradition of a Christmas Cookie Exchange held at the hotel. All who are salivating during this part of the story (myself included) rejoice to find 2 dozen recipes at the end of the novella.
I will continue reading this series during the upcoming Christmas season to immerse myself in the comforts of this enchanting series.
December 8, 2021
WARNING! Do not read this book while hungry. There's so much delicious, celebratory, soul-feeding yumminess in this book that reading while hungry could make you hangry.
On the upside, if you fall in love with any of the food while you're reading about the kind people at this special inn, you'll find a load of recipes in the back, so you can see what you do can do about creating that wonder for yourself at home.
Quite a charming holiday novella, with characters who begin with worries finding peace and happiness when they spend Christmas together.
On the upside, if you fall in love with any of the food while you're reading about the kind people at this special inn, you'll find a load of recipes in the back, so you can see what you do can do about creating that wonder for yourself at home.
Quite a charming holiday novella, with characters who begin with worries finding peace and happiness when they spend Christmas together.
December 24, 2019
I read this book during the Christmas in July Readathon. I love it! It is contemporary but has the feel of the classics I adore. Reading it feels like you are there, a part of the hotel. It restores your faith in people and refreshes your soul. I will read this again during the Christmas rush. It will keep me sane and remind me of the true spirit of Christmas.
December 16, 2017
Thank goodness I'm going to the dentist this week.
November 29, 2018
First off, I found this an enchanting Christmas read. It’s light-hearted and filled with the holiday spirit. I loved the recipes at the end; they were a really fun touch! The characters were a little too sugary, but that’s exactly what you expect from a Christmas story.
The only thing that threw me off was some of the flow. The sentences at the beginning were a little jarring. I had to go back and re-read a bunch because the words just weren’t flowing and put me off my reading game. I will say this is improved as the novel moved on. Also, some of the dialog for the British gentleman seemed too forced. Like a non-British person was trying really hard to sound British, and it wasn’t working.
All in all, I will give this a 4 out 5. It’s a charming story, the main character, Mist, is a delight, and it really puts you in the holiday mood. If it flowed a little better, it would definitely be a 5 out of 5.
The only thing that threw me off was some of the flow. The sentences at the beginning were a little jarring. I had to go back and re-read a bunch because the words just weren’t flowing and put me off my reading game. I will say this is improved as the novel moved on. Also, some of the dialog for the British gentleman seemed too forced. Like a non-British person was trying really hard to sound British, and it wasn’t working.
All in all, I will give this a 4 out 5. It’s a charming story, the main character, Mist, is a delight, and it really puts you in the holiday mood. If it flowed a little better, it would definitely be a 5 out of 5.
December 11, 2018
4 books in this series? love hearing that, so cool!! love that cover! now Goodreads calls this the 2.5 in the series??! i wonder?! novella. a very light hearted Christmas read. such a fan. I am new to Deborah Garner and this read is set in Montana ...if u know .. she love anything Christmas, anything Montana ...hello!! so many checks ...how i found myself here ...yep it totally makes sense. small towns ... where can you find one ... are they are so picturesque? hope so??! who doesn't love picking their favorite character out .. Clive .. something about him just hooked me in. I wanna look more into this series soon enough. great writing style. love finding a newbie author to me ... will read more from Deborah soon enough. ( :
December 31, 2020
Over the last 2 years, my husband has really gotten me into slice of life anime. I never would have imagined that I would love this genre because it has no overarching story, instead focusing on characters' lives in an often gentle manner. I also love their frequent focus on portraying food and backgrounds.
I mention my new appreciation of slice of life anime because that is exactly what this novella is-- a highly relaxing slice of life. The story focuses on a little inn where a chef delights in thinking up amazing meals for the inn guests and its small community. A handful of guests come for Christmas, and each has some sort of healing that needs to happen.
The book does not follow a traditional plot structure, so anyone going into it expecting that will be deeply disappointed. If you go in expecting a relaxing time reading these sweet, festive, food-filled, decor-filled pages, you're in for a treat. There are also a dozen cookie recipes at the back of the book!
I mention my new appreciation of slice of life anime because that is exactly what this novella is-- a highly relaxing slice of life. The story focuses on a little inn where a chef delights in thinking up amazing meals for the inn guests and its small community. A handful of guests come for Christmas, and each has some sort of healing that needs to happen.
The book does not follow a traditional plot structure, so anyone going into it expecting that will be deeply disappointed. If you go in expecting a relaxing time reading these sweet, festive, food-filled, decor-filled pages, you're in for a treat. There are also a dozen cookie recipes at the back of the book!
November 23, 2020
This was a story that was well written and structured. A great Christmas story about the people who come to celebrate Christmas at the Timberton Hotel. Some are grieving, some are hurting from the loss of a relationship and some have health concerns. There is a touch of magical realism around this story. Mist the MC arrived in the fall and has become an asset to the hotel. She is the chef and works in the hotel cafe. A very heartwarming enjoyable read.
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