One Bright Christmas

Cape Light #21

by Katherine Spencer, Thomas Kinkade

This Christmas the peaceful town of Cape Light shines extra bright.

When Lauren Willoughby returns to Cape Light for the holidays, she’s hardly feeling festive. Although her family views her as a sharp, successful New York attorney, she’s come home to heal from a bad breakup and a career setback. While freelancing for a local law firm, Lauren meets Cole McGuire, a widower and a single father, as difficult to deal with as he is attractive. His sweet daughter Phoebe is instantly drawn to Lauren’s whimsical side, and Cole’s reserve is soon worn down by her straight-talking charm. Lauren knows she’s falling hard for this handsome, enigmatic man and his adorable little girl, but worries that the attachment can only lead to heartache. For Phoebe’s sake, Cole is committed to a quiet country life while Lauren is a city girl, determined to return to the bright lights to
make her mark.  

Meanwhile, a movie crew has come to Cape Light, and the entire town is starstruck. Everyone except Lucy Bates, who harbors a secret about the film’s star, Craig Hamilton. One magical summer long ago, they met at the village theater and fell in love. Despite their big plans and promises, Craig broke her heart. They never spoke again and she’s certainly never forgiven him.  Yet, for some uncanny reason, he’s appeared out of the blue. Will she accept this chance to sort out their painful past? Or forever regret it?

And to Lillian Warwick-Elliot’s dismay, one chilly night her husband Ezra takes in a scruffy, little dog. Lillian is determined to pass the stray to “a more suitable family.” But at what cost to her marriage and Ezra’s devotion? With Christmas nearly here, can the good folks of Cape Light open their hearts to forgiveness and love?

Genres: Christmas, Fiction, Romance, Christian Fiction

368 pages, Hardcover

First published November 1, 2020

About the author

Katherine Spencer was a fiction editor before turning to a full-time career as a writer. The author of more than thirty books, she also writes the Angel Island series, as well as the Black Sheep Knitting Mysteries under her real name, Anne Canadeo. She lives with her husband and daughter in a small village on the Long Island Sound. Outside of her office, she is active in many community charity projects.

Reviews

[Kay · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love this sweet series! It is such a cozy read with a picturesque coastal New England village atmosphere. People are sooo nice here in Cape Light and once a year I pick one to read during the holidays. After discovering Cape Light series 3 years ago, I know I want to check out the first couple books, can't read them all, 18 unread in the series. One Bright Christmas has more romance than others I've read. Usually the plot is about community residents coming together and help those in need. There are a some faith & church in the story.

This is book #21, the author needs to provide cast of characters at the beginning! Mid way through it got quite overwhelming. I made notes and drew family tree, but gave up after a hundred something pages.

One Bright Christmas focuses on two ladies and an older couple. Lucy's high school boyfriend, now a famous actor is back in town shooting a period movie and there's a story between them that was unresolved. She planned on leaving town with him when they were young, but he left without her.

Meanwhile Lauren is visiting home during the holidays. She is single and looking. Not only for love, but also for a new job after not making partner with her current firm in NYC. She was freshly dumped by her boyfriend.

A retired doctor Ezra (90) and wife, Lillian found a stray dog. Lillian doesn't want to keep "the creature" while her husband forms a bond with the new furry friend.

[Sandym24 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love returning to this wholesome series each year for the holidays. Cozy writing, likable characters and good Christmas spirit.

[Virginia Holsten · Rating 4 out of 5]

The best part of all of the Cape Light series is that no matter what everything works out, through convoluted turns and all. Perfect to read this year.

[Leah · Rating 2 out of 5]

The story focuses on three women. Each is dealing with some issues. Lucy's story was the most interesting. Her story is about a high school romance that ended badly. Lillian's story was okay. Her story is about a lost dog. I didn't like Lauren's story. Her story is about finding a new path with a new man. I didn't like her or her choices. All of the stories involve the movie being filmed in town.

[Gina Schade · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this series, and this was a great addition to it.

[Jennie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was the latest book in a series that I started years ago. I read about many familiar characters and met some new ones. Lillian and Ezra bicker over keeping a dog named Teddy. Lauren meets Cole and his daughter Phoebe and must decide where she wants to live-either NYC or Cape Light. I also enjoyed reading about the baby piglet that they nursed back to health.

[Ronee Hollrah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great feel good book definitely needed this year. Love this series always great to catch up with the residents of Cape Light during the holidays.

[Johanne C. Caruso · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cape Light Series

I look forward to reading a new Cape Light story every Christmas and catching up with the citizens of Cape Light. I love that the stories are based in my home state Massachusetts ❤

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Every year I look forward to reading the newest addition to this delightful Cape Light series. I own most of them and this was one of the best. I enjoyed catching up with all the beloved characters from Reverend Ben to Lillian and Ezra. One of my favorite Christmas traditions.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lauren Willoughby is back in Cape Light in hopes of reestablishing her career as a powerhouse attorney in New York City after a major set-back. But, she needs to catch her breath and enjoy the holidays with her family. Temporarily she takes a job in a local law firm with her good friend Joe whom she has known for years. Joe would love to have more than a friendship with Lauren but she has no intention of going down that road. Then she meets Cole McGuire and his daughter Phoebe and something clicks She also meets Wilbur the tiny pig who needs lots of love and attention as does Phoebe since she lost her mother. As the three grow closer Lauren begins to question her path to success. Perhaps there is another way.

Meanwhile, Lillian Warwick-Elliott is upset with her husband because he wants to adopt a dog he found and she thinks he is crazy until she realizes just how important that dog is to Ezra.

One Bright Christmas is proof that Christmas brings miracles in all shapes and sizes!

[JoAnne · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved being back in Cape Light for the twenty-first book in the series. ONE BRIGHT CHRISTMAS reunited us with many characters we've met before and many of the businesses too. We get to meet new characters, including an actor who has a connection to the area and to Lucy. There were many storylines going on and the annual Christmas events. This is Lauren's story and how she returns to regroup and spend the holidays with her family. While there she works at Joe's law firm - a friend since childhood who's hoping for more.

I enjoyed the new characters we met including Wilbur the pig, Cole and his daughter, Phoebe. There was sadness, laughter, caring, hope, anxiety, stress, family and friends, work, dreams, romance and love. There was some closure with a happily ever after in the offing but many loose ends. I'm hoping we get to return to Cape Light and Angel Island again and again!

[Edward Arrington · Rating 5 out of 5]

I look forward each fall to the latest book in Thomas Kinkade’s Cape Light series by Katherine Spencer. I enjoyed reading the most recent one here just before Christmas. A delightful story of the folks of the small fictional village of Cape Light in New England. Although there are several main characters, each dealing with their own unique situations, I like being able to catch up on the goings-on of many of the families from past stories. I particularly like the short Christmas Eve message by Reverend Ben at the Cape Light Church. Somehow, he manages to say a lot more in a few paragraphs than some people can say while taking all day to do it. As with some of the other stories, Reverend Ben is the unsung hero with his wise words and caring heart.

[Robin · Rating 3 out of 5]

We make another visit to Cape Light at Christmas in this newest addition to the series. Three different plotlines allow readers to catch up on everyone in town. Lucy Bates, nurse and waitress, fears that her past will find her when a movie crew comes to town. High-powered NYC lawyer Lauren Willoughby has lost her job so returns home to lick her wounds and rethink her future. Nasty Lillian Warwick causes her kind husband much angst and anger when she refuses his attempts to rescue a lost dog. These new stories seem to be weaker than previous ones but it is still an enjoyable series. Thanks to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group for providing an ARC.

[Karen · Rating 3 out of 5]

2021 PopSugar Reading Challenge - Your favorite prompt from a past PopSugar Reading Challenge (2018 - A next book in a series you started)

52 Books in 52 Weeks 2021 Reading Challenge - Published by Penguin (Berkley: An Imprint of Penguin Random House, LLC)

Build Your Library 2021 Reading Challenge - A book with a house on the cover

Beat the Backlist 2021 - Kept you up late reading (definitely needed a nap today!)

Pretty Mess Reading 2021 Reading Challenge - Next book in a series

Around America in 50 Books Reading Challenge - A book set in Massachusetts

A to Z 2021 Reading Challenge - A book starting with the letter "O"

[Becky Tatar · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lauren Willoghby has come home to Cape LIght for the holidays after leaving her law firm, and her fiancee breaking off their relationship. An old friend is trying to get her to join his law firm, and possibly join his life. Lucy Bates is fighting feelings of abandonment after a film crew is in town, and the star of the film is her old college sweetheart, who left her to go to Hollywood. And Lillian Warwick-Elliott, starchy matriarch, is finding her husband Ezra completely enthralled by a stray dog he has rescued. But Christmas finds answers you weren't expecting to questions you thought you knew.

Really good. Now, another series I have to go back and read!

[Debbie Beeman · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed going to Cape Light again at Christmas. My dislike of the character of Lillian kind of spoiled it for me. That woman is a nasty snob whose family enables her. Why didn’t Ezra man up and tell her he wanted to keep the dog isn’t of acting like a two year old who doesn’t get his way. If she wasn’t in it, the book would have been wonderful.

Obviously the author is a good writer, to make me have such a strong dislike for a character.

[Leah LeBeau · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this story and am glad that I stuck with it to the finish. The beginning is overwhelming with a large cast of characters and I struggled to distinguish them from each other. I referenced the character guide often. Once I established the characters in my mind, I enjoyed reading about their struggles and rich experiences with a variety of emotions that expanded the usual happy/sad scope.

[Mary Ellen Barringer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Each of my visits to Cape Light has been a delight. This trip is bittersweet as this is the 21st book in the series and the last that has been published. I would love to continue to visit if the author continues this series.

While the books are somewhat predictable, the family nature of the books and beautiful descriptions of New England make the series worthwhile.

[Pat · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lauren comes home from New York at Christmas, hurting from a broken relationship and fired from her job. Lucy's old flame, who broke her heart, is back in Cape Light. Ezra wants to keep a foundling and Lillian is beside herself!

[Janet · Rating 4 out of 5]

Always catching up with the people of Cape Light. It wouldn’t be Christmas without hearing how everyone is.

The story of the pig was so cute, the story of the lost dog dragged on a little long but so thankful for how that ended up. The visual is wonderful.

[Dawn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I always enjoy my visits to Cape Light but this visit was almost marred by Lillian. For some reason she ws more unlikeable and crabbier than she had ever been. But I realize it is only a book......but a good one.....so I let it slide. See you guys next yeara!

[Karen Butman]

I have absolutely loved every book in this series. Now, I have to wait another year for, hopefully, another one. But, I will read her other work to fill in the time. I love her writing, the characters, the wisdom tidbits, just everything. Well done, Katherine Spencer.

[Nancy A. Norman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another good one

I have enjoyed the Cape Light series and getting to know all the families and friends l feel like l 've made. It was hard to wait for Lillian to see the light. And Lauren to follow her heart.

[Pat · Rating 5 out of 5]

One Bright Christmas

This was a wonderful book. I hate for the Cape Light Series to end. My favorite is always about Lillian and Ezra . I would highly recommend this book and of course the series .

[Lindsey Ruppe · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’ve been a Cape Light reader from the beginning. Maybe because this is seemingly the end of the long series and it was bittersweet or just wasn’t as good as the others. The highlight was Ezra and Teddy! Delightful

[Lisa Currier · Rating 4 out of 5]

I look forward to this every year. Familiar characters, good stories

[Christine Jasica · Rating 5 out of 5]

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/5...#

[Beachbum7805 · Rating 5 out of 5]

I always enjoy the Christmas series. I look forward each year to see what is going on in Cape Light!

[Ann Hahn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Now I have to wait a year til the next book!

[Mindy · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25*