Kristianna Harrington always dreamed of a Christmas wedding. But after two broken engagements, she's content to forget romance and run her Christmas shop in Jingle Bells, Arkansas. She thinks her biggest fear is making it down the aisle as maid of honor in her best friend's Christmas wedding, with at least one ex-fiancé looking on. But when her beloved Jingle Bells is threatened, Kristianna struggles to sort through her jumbled feelings concerning the handsome lawyer hired to change the town name and her childhood sweetheart who has returned just in time to come to her aid. Will her heart discover the truth before both her town and her Christmas spirit is extinguished?
Award-winning author and past president of American Christian Romance Writers, Christine Lynxwiler has numerous novels and novellas published with Barbour Publishing. She and her husband, Kevin, along with their two daughters, four horses, and two dogs live in the foothills of the beautiful Ozark Mountains in their home state of Arkansas."
Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, jingle all the way . . .
Back with another holiday treat from my "Twelve Days of Christmas" books-on-review. I adore snowmen and the cover caught my eye immediately. Isn’t he a handsome little fellow? I also love this time of year, and there’s nothing better than a Christmas-themed rom-com to enjoy between the errands and stress of the season.
This is an older published choice, but was a very pleasant surprise. The pages are filled with warm fuzzy feels, along with a story that made me smile and laugh with its clever analogies and innuendos. Even though it may seem a bit cliché and sappy at times, it’s also not as predictable as one might think. With a story that sparkles and shines and is well-written, Lynxwiler’s creatively unique plot has a lemon-drop twist that’ll keep you anxiously looking forward to the arrival of Christmas and what Santa has tucked inside his bag of goodies.
The townspeople find themselves in a conundrum over whether or not to allow Sun Valley Outdoors Corporation’s request to change the name of their town in exchange for moving their offices and creating jobs amid a struggling economy in Jingle Bells. And Kristianna Harrington is a girl on a mission to save her beloved town from the name change. Another character has a whole lot of ‘splainin to do in order to get off that infamous naughty list. With just a hint of mystery, the small possibility of a romantic triangle and a low-heat romance that’s certain to tug at your heartstrings, I guarantee this story will put a warm and happy smile on your face.
In Jingle Bells, Arkansas, you’ll find the true spirit of the holidays and a host of lovable Hallmark-type characters steeped in family traditions. Winter, spring, summer and fall, the residents celebrate their charming little town “where Christmas lives in our hearts all year long.”
A town devoted to Christmas is fighting for its life, and name: Jingle Bells!
Altho’ this story was originally written 10 years ago, author, Christine Lynxwiler, updated this book last year. The characters and story are contemporary as are the conversation and references made. As I didn’t read the original, I don’t know why this was necessary, but the publisher mentioned the author was easing back into writing after a 10 year sabbatical due to a tragedy.
Jingle Bells, the town, is all about Christmas - every day. A large conglomerate wants to move into town and bring jobs, growth, money and save the town. Good news for everyone because the town is almost bankrupt since the factory closed. There’s one big problem. They want to change the name of the town: SUMMER VALLEY!!!
Small town charm, quirky characters, tried and true friendships, blind to love interests, fighting for what’s right, faith & family; “Forever Christmas” has something for everyone. It also deals with: fear, anger, longing, broken trust, broken family relationships and more.
Free from violence, sexual content and foul language, “Forever Christmas” is a feel good Christmas read📚
I wasn't too sure about this book when I started it, but I had heard it was cute and clean, so I gave it a go. It really was a cute story! A love triangle with a teeny bit of a mystery; a girl impassioned with her cause; a small town coming together; and a happy ending.
Pretty good for a romance story but kept wishing all the way through that there would be a dead body maybe burried in the snowman or something. That would really have put the town of Jingle Bells on the map.
Growing up in a small Arkansas town named Jingle Bells with the spirit of Christmas always at hand Kristianna was heart broken when the town started going down hill after the distribution center closed down. Money and jobs were scarce. When the town received an offer to purchase the now vacant building and move a new business to the area but only on the condition that the town change its name she felt her world collapsing. Her heart told her that she needed to fight to stop this. Our story is about that and the most incredible love story.
What did I like? This is one beautiful love story that captured my heart from page one and wouldn't let go. I loved Kristianna's dedication to her little town and the true meaning behind the town's name and it's history and her fight to keep it. Along with her fight came the realization of her true love.
What are you going to like? A truly beautiful love story that is so enthralling that you will not be able to stop reading. The story line is filed with love, laughter, misunderstandings, trust, jealousy, did I say love, action, tears of joy, suspense and faith. The authors research is unbelievable and it shows on every page. The detailed descriptions will fill your mind with this beautiful little town and capture your minds eye. The characters will open your mind to the love of neighborly living. Small town love will fill your heart. It's incredible how much love will fall into your lap. What will you like? EVERYTHING!! I highly recommend this book for all ages.
"Forever Christmas" was my first time to read a Christine Lynxwiler book, and it was a charming read. Christmas-themed books are my favorite genre to read--and I mean ALL year long.
I liked the story for several reasons, one being that it takes place in the town of Jingle Bells, a fictitious town in Arkansas. Since I, too, live in Arkansas, it's nice to read a book centered in my own state. As an author myself, it's nice to discover another fellow Arkansas author.
I also love that it had threads of Christian-themes woven into the story. As such, the story is free of profanity and other unsavory secular elements. I'm always grateful to find a new author who writes clean.
The book is well written and well edited, and the characters were easy to like, even the antagonists.
For readers who may not care for Christmas books, especially outside of the season, you might still enjoy reading this book anytime of the year because it isn't clogged with everything Christmas like many Christmas books. Christmas is really a minor part of the story, overall, which was a little disappointing to me since I love the Christmas genre so much, but that said, I still very much enjoyed it. I look forward to reading another of the author's books.
I enjoyed the witty, fun writing of this story. I got many good laughs from it. A perfect book to read for the holidays. I was mainly bothered by Kristina's attitude toward her parents and the name changing of the town. Not as Christian filled as I would have hoped as well. Still a good, clean read.
Fun fun book! I really enjoyed it. It is a light clean read with enough twists to make it so enjoyable. Such a good book for this time of year.I will look for more from this author.
This was a wonderful book. I would love to live in a town like Jingle Bells. I am just glad Two people who belong together finally figured it themselves.
Omg this book was PERFECT!!! Absolutely no scandalous moments and just an adorable Christmas book! Also loved the Christian parts 🙏 Now I’m on the hunt to find me a Garrett brb 🏃🏻♀️
Kristiana has had 2 broken engagements before she moved back home. After her gran dies she gives the Christmas store to Kristiana in Jingle Bells, the town where she grew up and loved. Soon a petition starts to rename the town Summer Valley which the towns people end up going against each other in disagreement. The ending was so cute and I loved the ending so much!
I started this book and it seemed familiar to me, but I couldn't have read it or I would have known how it was going to end. Toward the end I was certain I had read it last year or the year before but still couldn't remember the end. But once again I needed to finish the book, none of that oh, I already did this one. Right off the Hallmark Christmas channel. A very fun, sweet read.
That was a thing. Poor story is all over the place, all the guys and lawyers. It's a lot of fake drama with the families and the town and it is just manufactured to book length it felt like. Skip, wasn't romantic enough and wasn't holiday themed enough, which is shocking considering the town where the story takes place.
A wonderful read.Great action, interesting people and a surprising ending. It felt good to read and held my interest to the end of the story. I'll be looking for more books by this author.
Spirituality was handled with grace and in context. The characters had depth, personality, and were people I would be interested to get to know better.
This story of a small town struggling to survive and the divided community are the catalyst of a love story. This is a heartwarming story of community, love, friends and forgiveness. Enjoy!
A cute romance about a town named Jingle Bells. Short chapters kept me always wanting to read one more. Suitable for younger readers as well. Highly recommended.