Das Weihnachtswunder von Hope Street

by Emma Heatherington, Claudia Geng (Translator)

Ruth Ryans scheint alles zu haben, was man sich wünschen kann: den perfekten Job, ein schönes Zuhause, Freunde. Doch gerade zu Weihnachten fühlt Ruth sich so alleine wie nie zuvor.
Der Todestag ihres geliebten Vaters jährt sich zum ersten Mal, und am liebsten würde Ruth Weihnachten einfach ausfallen lassen. Doch dann beschließt sie, ihr großes, leeres Haus mit neuem Leben zu füllen. Sie lädt Fremde ein - Einsame, Verlassene und Vergessene -, um das Fest der Liebe gemeinsam zu feiern. Für alle ist dieser Akt der Nächstenliebe ein Geschenk. Doch das größte Geschenk bekommt am Ende Ruth.

Genres: Christmas, Fiction, Romance, Contemporary

352 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 14, 2019

About the author

Emma Heatherington is from Donaghmore, Co Tyrone.

Her latest novel, THE PROMISE, is out now in Ireland (HarperFiction) and available elsewhere on Kindle and Audio.

Reviews

[Sarah · Rating 2 out of 5]

For my full review, visit me at https://mrsbrownsbooks.wordpress.com/...


Wow. My final festive read of 2019 and I was hoping to go out with a big bang. But, Heatherington did not meet my expectations and instead of feeling all Christmassy, I was saddened and rather depressed.


For my full review, visit me at https://mrsbrownsbooks.wordpress.com/...

[Bookread2day · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've never read any books by Emma Heatherington before, but I'm so overjoyed that I have read one my favourite themes a Christmas story, to be introduced to Emma Heatherington how well she writes. I really do recommend A Miracle On Hope Street. Ruth Ryans is an agony aunt for a newspaper helping others with their problems. Her kindness seems to creates miracles for everyone. But Ruth with a celebrity life style has heartache of her own with her fathers death. We all know what's it's like to lose someone close to us, specially remembering them at Christmas time. Reading about Ruth losing her father is a little sad, but there's lots to look forward to without giving too much away, Just like it says on the front cover This Christmas she'll bring them all together.

[Jeanniehay64 · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book represents what Christmas should be all about!! Kindness and caring cost nothing and sometimes in the hustle and bustle of our everyday lives we forget to reach out to others, reading this book reaffirmed to me how beneficial helping others can be.

Ruth is an agony aunt who is very good at giving others advice but underneath the surface of her dazzling life she is very lonely and unfulfilled. Her fathers death and a chance encounter with a homeless man changes the direction of her life.

Reaching out to lonely people and hosting a Christmas dinner for them sets her life in a new direction. She discovers a relationship with her mother who left the family when she was young and an unexpected romance which she never thought could happen. She also makes new friends and brings love and happiness to each of their lives.

This is a fantastic book which will bring a smile to your face and joy to your heart. I loved it. Thank you to netgalley and the publishers for my chance to read this delightful book.

[Nicola Clough · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had never heard of this author before but loved it from the first page was so easy to read and the characters are excellent along with the story plot really made you think and give you hope and simply brilliant all the way through. It’s heartwarming and full of friendship and love and hope and shows you can change peoples lives and be happy. Worth far more than the five stars I’ve given it as such a great read and now want to read more by this author.
Ruth is an agony aunt for a local paper and she loves her father very much but her mother left her years ago and she has know idea. Her father sadly has a stroke and she cares for him while working but when he sadly passes away she thinks her life has fallen apart. She goes into a cafe her friend has and starts talking with Michael and learns that she changed his life when a year ago she gave him so money and he changed his life around and it gets her thinking that this Christmas she could help others and provide a Christmas to remember. She goes through emails of people that have written to her and decides who she wants to invite for Christmas she asks Michael to help her cook on the day. In the process she learns he left his wife and child and he hasn’t seen them for years and she suggests that she contacts his ex to see if they can be friends again and he can see his son but does he do this or not. Just days before Christmas one person she invited she learns has died so she wonders if she is doing the right thing but Michael speaks with her and she decides she will invite someone else instead so chooses someone and when she meets her before the day she gets a shock as it’s her long lost mother can she forgive her and start to build a relationship with her. How does Christmas Day goes and can they all build a new friendship and get on and can it change all their lives forever. Can Michael and Ruth admit their love for each other and does Ruth decide to sell her family home or not.
A simply fantastic read from the first page well worth reading.

[booksofallkinds · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful, captivating, and life-changing story, A MIRACLE ON HOPE STREET by Emma Heatherington is one of those books that you will never forget.

Ruth Ryans has the perfect life with a successful career as a famous agony aunt and attending celebrity events with a different hunk on her arm most evenings, and Ruth enjoys her life, she really does. But when her father, to whom she is devoted, passes away Ruth struggles to cope and one year later, everything that she enjoyed in her life before just doesn't seem to cut it anymore. When she is reminded of a good deed and how it transformed a stranger's life, it isn't long before Ruth is brimming with an idea to make the first Christmas without her father more bearable by opening it up to some of her readers who are also struggling this year. And as Ruth throws herself into other people's lives, she soon begins to take stock of her own and realise what she wants and needs. But when she plans to meet a stranger to offer her help but sees a face she knows well, will Ruth be able to put the past behind her and embrace the future?

A MIRACLE ON HOPE STREET by Emma Heatherington is such a superb and special book that will make you tear up and make your heart squeeze tight at times. The subject of loneliness in all of its forms is excellently portrayed and made me think about how something small that one does can make such a difference to someone else's life. The characters are so engaging and relatable that it will make you stop and think about others and what they may be feeling, and there were times when I couldn't stop the tears from falling. But this is not a doom and gloom story at all. There is fun, freshness, laughter, friendship, and more amongst these pages, all beautifully packaged with the sentiment that you never truly know how people are feeling behind the face that they show to the world, so ask them. Showing someone that you see them may make all the difference.

A MIRACLE ON HOPE STREET by Emma Heatherington is moving beyond words and would make the perfect gift this Christmas.

*I voluntarily reviewed this book from the Publisher

[Peggy Jaeger · Rating 5 out of 5]

The premise of A MIRACLE ON HOPE STREET is: Can a single act of kindness change a life forever?
The answer, as written by Emma Heatherington, is YES!

Ruth Ryans is the Dear Abby of her city's newspaper. Her advice is spot on and she thinks she helps people, but is never really sure.

On the night her father dies, Ruth rushes from an event and changes the life of a man who will become very important in her life in the future, but she doesn't know it.

A sinking depression begins to overwhelm her due to her father's death. Ruth's mother abandoned the family years ago and now Ruth is living in her big family home all alone, with no real friends, and no family. With Christmas just a week away, she wonders what her life's purpose is.

Enter Micheal, the man who's life she changed a year ago, and never knew it. Together, the come up with a plan to help other people through the difficult holiday season. In so doing, they both find their purpose in life again.

This book was delightful. 5 stars from me for authentic and real characters. the story line was solid and the underlying message of hope and helping others was grand.
Thanks you to Netgalley and HarperImpulse for a sneak peak

[Rachel Gilbey · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful book and a must read to get a feel for the true spirit of Christmas.

I had been meaning to read a book by Emma Heatherington for a while, and when this one appeared, I just couldn't resist any longer, especially with its gorgeous cover. I suspected that it might bit more emotional than some of the Christmas books out there, but nothing could have prepared me for just what a marvellous story it was.

This is a story that can potentially change if notl lives then the certainly people's mentalities. It is a story that doesn't focus on the material side of Christmas, but rather reaches out to those in need and are feeling lonely at Christmas and highlights a whole set of scenarios as to why someone may feel lonely at Christmas.

It is a timely reminder that you have no idea what is going on beneath the surface of anyone's lives, and not to judge based on how they appear to be the whole time.

If the blurb even sounds remotely like your sort of book, I would urge you to take a chance and you won't be disappointed. I've not really touched on the plot purely because I came into it with no knowledge or expectations and think that may be the best way to discover this journey you are going on with this book. I found it very compelling to read and finished it before i had finished the train journeys I was reading it on, as I was so absorbed.

It is amazing just how far one small act of kindness can really go, both to give and to receive - and all of this is highlighted in a simply lovely book. It is heartwarming, it gives a really feel good vibe to it and its a book I feel all the more enriched for having read.

Thank you to Netgalley and Harper Impulse for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.

[Cathy Ryan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ruth Ryans’ public persona is that of a well known and loved agony aunt who writes a weekly column for the city’s biggest newspaper. In private she’s totally different, leaving her celebrity image at the door to her lonely, sad existence. She has wise words, offering hope and comfort to others but is unable to do the same for herself. It’s eight days before Christmas and the first anniversary of her father’s death. This, together with the ongoing pain of her mother’s rejection, cause her to dread the festive season.

Of course Ruth isn’t on her own judging by the amount of mail she receives. Marian Devine was trying without success to carry on with her life after the death of her husband. Molly Flowers’ husband has been made redundant and money is more than tight. Molly doesn’t know how they’ll get through this Christmas. Paul Connolly is a young man fighting a drug addiction all alone. Nicholas Taylor is divorced, living in a tiny fourth floor apartment unable even to play the music he loves because the neighbours complain at the noise. Kelly Robinson was facing Christmas without her baby girl. It was her ex boyfriend’s turn to have their daughter. Real situations that impact on people’s lives.

A visit to her favourite cafe run by her friend Gloria, helps Ruth put things into perspective and form a plan, as she learns how a random act of kindness during one of her bleakest moments a year ago, changed someone’s life.

The underlying message of A Miracle on Hope Street is clear – kindness costs nothing and sometimes, by helping others, you reap more rewards than you could have imagined. Even if you never find out, your helping hand might just be the turning point for that person. Despite the unhappy circumstances of the characters and the topics it encompasses, this is a moving story full of hope and inspiration. Some of the introspective passages are a little too long and repetitive for me, but that aside it’s a perfect read for the season, showing what Christmas should be about. The romance aspect doesn’t overwhelm the narrative and if, now and again, the characters seem a little too effusive…we’ll, it’s Christmas and they’re all hoping for a new lease of life. A story of love, loss and kindness.

I chose to read and review A Miracle on Hope Street based on a copy of the book supplied by NetGalley and the author/publisher.

[Daniela · Rating 3 out of 5]

Eine schöne (vor-)weihnachtliche Geschichte, die zeigt, wie wichtig Familie, Freundschaft und Selbstlosigkeit sind, wie sie helfen mit Verlust, Trauer und Einsamkeit umzugehen.
Nette Charaktere, bei denen ich mir etwas mehr Tiefgang gewünscht h��tte.
Der Schreibstil hat mir gut gefallen.
Die Geschichte selbst war ganz nett und gut zu lesen für zwischendurch, allerdings war das für meinen Geschmack etwas to much - zu viel Kitsch, zu viel Klischee und zwischendurch auch immer wieder zu viel BlaBla...

[MoMo Book Diary · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lovely Christmas story. A book that brings home the true spirit of Christmas.

I had not read Emma Heatherington before but I was drawn to the cover image and blurb of this book.  I am jumping in with both feet for Christmas stories this year so grabbing anything I can get my hands on.

It was marvellous.  It was compelling. It was heartwarming. It causes you to think of those around you. None of us know what is really going on in someone else's life. I found it a very emotional but uplifting journey. 

It is an easy read with excellent characters and plot that gets you thinking as you read. There is a strong sense of friendship and of hope.  I would recommend this book - take a chance on something different, you won't be disappointed.

Read more of my reviews at www.momobookdiary.com

[Shirley · Rating 5 out of 5]





Member Review



A Miracle on Hope Street

by Emma Heatherington

Pub Date: 28 Sep 2018

Review by



Shirley J, Reviewer

Last updated on 07 Oct 2018

I Recommend This Book

 

 

 

 

Strongly

If you read one book this Christmas, make it A Miracle On Hope Street, it's such an amazing, beautiful inspiring read.

I adored Ruth, the agony aunt of a newpaper column, who, when she loses her dad who she was so close to, is left absolutely devasted but to everyone she has everything, money, beautiful house and a great job but is she happy as everyone seems to think she is, to find out you have to read this book, I enjoyed every minute of it. I will be looking out for more of Emma's books.

[Kathleen Gray · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ruth has had an awful year. The last thing she wants is Christmas cheer but then she meets up again with Michael, who she helped the year before. A decision to assist others might not lead any of us to set up a Christmas meal but that's what she does. There's a critical twist here that turns Ruth's world upside down. Rest assured though that this is a warm read that will make you think and smile as well. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC.

[Mia Field · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was adorable gave me very happy vibes but a little slow in places hence why the 4 stars

[Mairead Hearne (swirlandthread.com) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Can a single act of kindness change a life forever?

Ruth Ryans is a well established celebratory agony aunt. Her life is full of social events and glamour, with a different beau on her arm for every night of the week. Ruth has a heart of gold and her advice is cherished and trusted by many who seek out her help with problems they are having.

Ruth has responded to many folk over the years and for along time it made Ruth feel both enriched and happy with the work she was doing. But as the years have passed these feelings of fulfillment have faded, leaving Ruth feeling drained and somewhat downcast with her life.

Ruth’s mother left the family home when Ruth was young, leaving her father to raise herself and her sister Ally on his own. This dramatic change in family life had left a lasting mark on Ruth, perhaps the driving force behind her chosen career to help others. Ruth never gives herself over to anyone, always holding back that little final bit, keeping a protective shell in place. For Ruth this has meant that she has very few close friends in life. People love her, her work colleagues envy her but Ruth has no one special person in her life outside of her father and sister.

Ruth’s life changes one dark and cold Winter’s evening. After receiving a phone call that her father has taken a turn for the worse, Ruth unwittingly sets in motion a chain of events. Her unthinking generosity helps Michael, a homeless man, to see that there is hope, there is a light at the end of that tunnel.

Now a year later, Ruth lives alone in the family home. Although a beautiful house originally, it is now but a shadow of it’s former glory, with very little changed since Ruth was a child. Ruth feels very lonely in this space and dreads Christmas alone, with all the memories coming crashing down on her of the many happy and poignant times spent as a family under this roof.

With Christmas day only a week away, Ruth picks from the selection of emails she has received to her column, and sends out invitations to people she feels need help the most over this festive period. The invitation is to spend Christmas day at her table, in the company of herself and others who feel lost at this festive time. Ruth is energised and inspired and is determined to make this Christmas a very special one indeed.

A Miracle on Hope Street is a book that will genuinely leave you with a warmth in your heart. Emma Heatherington has brought together a wonderful cast of characters. None are perfect. All have issues. All are lonely. We have no idea what is going on in the minds of others. We are fooled by their smile, when inside their hearts may be breaking. A kind word, a small act of generosity can make such a big difference to someone. So perhaps it’s time we all took a page out of Ruth Ryans book and did one random act of kindness this Christmas.

Emotional. Heart-warming. Uplifting.

[Samantha (bookstasamm) · Rating 5 out of 5]

“A simple act of kindness...can sometimes change the world”

That’s how “A Miracle on Hope Street” by Emma Heatherington starts and it describes this lovely story completely.

“A Miracle on Hope Street” tells the story of Ruth Ryans who is an agony aunt (basically Dear Abby) who appears to live the perfect, glamorous life. One fateful night, eight days before Christmas, things will change for Ruth. While waiting on a ride to the hospital (her father is ill) she gives a homeless man money without knowing this man will eventually change her life.

One year later, eight days before Christmas, Ruth is in a serious depression. She lost her father one year ago, lives all alone in her big house, and has no one to share it with. She meets Michael at a cafe she frequents and finds out that he was the homeless man she gave the money to one year earlier. She changed his life that night, and now he will change her life, and the lives of other lonely people with her help.

This is not the type of novel I normally pick to read, but I’m so glad that I did. The book was so well written with relatable characters and a powerful message about the kindness of giving and what it can do for others. I highly recommend this book. I couldn’t put it down and finished it in one day. It’s definitely a 5 star read for me, and I look forward to reading more books by Emma Heatherington.

Thank you NetGalley and HarperImpulse for providing me an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Stacy Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautifully written piece that reminds us about the importance of showing kindness and love to everyone at Christmas time. For some this time of year is excruciatingly lonely and a day filled with dread. This heartwarming and emotional story highlights the magic of reaching out to those who otherwise would be alone.

I was taken in immediately by this captivating story and taken on an emotional but uplifting journey. Ruth's story is a tough one to follow as it tackles the loss of both parents in more than one way, grief and feeling the loss of purpose in life. But willing her on the book takes a magical lift that sees lost souls come together and lives moving in better directions all because a hand of kindness was extended at just the right moment.

I loved everything this book stands for and it certainly provides plenty of food for thought in how we interact as human beings and just how much a moment of kindness can do.

[Kate Mclaughlin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I utterly adore this book.
From it's cover to its characters and plot, all of which help to restore my faith in humanity.
I am an avid fan of festive romance and this is one of the most inspirational stories I've read in a long while.
The authors understanding of her characters problems and the compassion with which she has her main character respond warmed my heart.
Emma Heatherington is a new author to me but I look forward to reading more of her work.
It's 5 stars with me, I highly recommend this novel, it will make you laugh, cry and hopefully change the way you view those around you.
Many thanks to #Netgalley and #HarperImpluse #AMiracleOnHopeStreet

[Chelsea Sawyers · Rating 4 out of 5]

I got this book as an ARC on netgalley in exchange for an honest review:

What a beautiful and inspiring book. I was intrigued by the story with chapter one, but a few chapters in things really took off and I had a hard time putting it down. I feel that I have been in Ruth's shoes and could definitely relate to her trying to find her place in this world. This was a heart-warming, (and at times tear-jerking) story to read. It will definitely be one I read again and again. I would highly recommend this book. Side note for American readers--some slang is British but don't let it deter you from this great book!

[Kel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love an author who writes with such skill to always trigger an emotional response and this story again pulls at the heart strings.

A Miracle on Hope Street is a beautiful story about loss, love and finding a reason to hope again. It is a story full of characters from all walks of life who have loved and lost and through being united are finding reasons to hope again.

A truly brilliant story that I absolutely loved and will definitely be recommending as it made me feel all of the emotions being portrayed as I read them throughout the story

[Claire Dillon · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Fantastic Read!!

Another fab read by Emma. A must read it covers the subject of loneliness and how we can all suffer loneliness. The characters are great, you really get to know them and I'm missing them already. I couldn't help but remember while reading this book one of my best memories of living in San Francisco 20 years ago and it was Thanksgiving. I had invited about 5 other lonely Irish people for dinner, which ended up about 20 people as everyone knew someone spending the holiday alone and we had such a brilliant day and I'm still friends with most of them. Congratulations Emma and can't wait for your next book. Xx

[Shanoe · Rating 3 out of 5]

Eine süße Weihnachtsgeschichte, die fast alles abdeckt: Verlust und der Umgang damit, Einsamkeit, Trauer, Freundschaft, Hoffnung, Liebe. Ich mochte die Charaktere und die Geschichte, nur die Liebesgeschichte konnte mich nicht so recht überzeugen, die war gerade gegen Ende hin irgendwie nicht ganz authentisch, fand ich (vor allem, als sinngemäß darüber gesprochen wurde, wie lang sich die Leidenschaft nicht aufgestaut hätte, obwohl sie sich erst ein oder zwei Wochen kennen) ... Deswegen gibts insgesamt von mir drei Sterne.

[Kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book made me feel good. There are some sad bits for sure but I think this is just what I needed to read. I kind of wish it was mire of a series instead of a standalone book. I think it would have worked well to profile all of the characters in individual books.

Ended up reading this in one sitting.

[Gea · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tired of the pressure to make this Christmas the best ever, or feeling lonely in the midst of it all? This book is just what you need! It's a recipe for how to give more meaning to Christmas, and to those around you who may be struggling, the loneliest and alone. You won't need to be an "agony aunt" like the main character, Ruth; their are people all around you that you can reach out to. A beautiful, heartwarming book.

[Jessy Hackett · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! This book was honestly incredible. Such a heart warming story about love and kindness. The story and characters were strong and I fell in love with them and their journeys! So much power in the heart behind this story. Would definitely read it again!

[Brenda Steele · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book.

[Margaret McLaughlin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lovely Christmas Story

Really lovely book set during Christmas. Great characters that you would love to meet in real life. Had me in tears of sadness and joy.

[Penny-sue Wolfe · Rating 5 out of 5]

A gem of a book. Everything you want in a feel good Christmas read; love, hope, family and giving. Wonderful!

[Claudi Fröhlich · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ein schöner Weihnachtsroman mit ganz viel Herz und Liebe.

[Cheryl Briggs · Rating 5 out of 5]

For anyone feeling low at Christmas this book is for you. A feel-good story that starts with one small gesture & changes lives for so many people. Definitely read this!

[Danielle · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 rounded up