The Christmas Contest

by Theresa Sederholt

Donald Willows is dying but has one last item to check off his bucket list. Hopefully, the enticement of winning his house and the magic of the holidays will lure in just the right person!

Holly Kirby was a bit shocked when she read the ad. The winner of the Christmas contest would receive a house! Knowing this might be some sort of scam, she still can’t help but imagine all the wonderful things she could do with a beautiful house on Nantucket. Holly decides to go ahead and enter, hoping that the Christmas angels will bring her a miracle.

Jack Anderson immediately knew something was wrong with his grandfather after reading the ad for the Christmas contest. Maybe it was time to take a break from work and pay him a visit. Somebody has to talk some sense into him! Only, when he gets there, he realizes Grandpa’s plan is already in full swing.

The clock is ticking but can Jack stop it in time, or will his family home be lost to him forever?

Genres: Christmas, Romance, Contemporary, Fiction, Short Stories, Holiday, Novella

45 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 30, 2021

About the author

If you love going on adventures of the mind and heart, then you’re in good company.

I’m Theresa Sederholt, and my passion lies in writing stories that connect to those who have withstood dramatic, personal experiences. I want to bring awareness and understanding by dealing with subject matter that is intimidating to navigate, and I do this across multiple genres.

On the flip side, I also like to whip up a steamy romance sprinkled with suspense that keeps you guessing until the end. Who doesn’t want happiness with a twist?

When I’m not writing, I’m cooking with my amazing husband or spoiling my dogs. These days, you can also find me exploring the beauty of the Arizona desert.

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If you would like to contact me, feel free to email me at: ttnewyork007@gmail.com

Reviews

[Kristina · Rating 1 out of 5]

This was really more of an idea than an actual story. This should not have been released to the world as is, it needs way more work, a lot of editing, and the author needs more writing practice. I suggest writing in active language, it’s easier to read and gives better momentum to the story. In this 40ish paged piece we get the basic set up and then jump immediately into an epilogue with the couple getting married. The story itself is only the initial meet cute bringing the two together. Why didn’t the author actually write the story she was hoping to tell rather than omitting most of it? My advice to the author, take this thing out of circulation and rewrite it to build a full story. Then get a proof reader and editor to work this over and make it readable. Not a bad initial idea but it’s seriously not ready for publishing or public consumption. It’s not even on KU so hopefully no one pays any money for this, they will be very disappointed.
This is my seventh and final read in my Christmas books with a vintage red tuck on the cover. I snuck this one in one day under the wire, and frankly, I wish I’d never seen it. 😂. The red truck did make an appearance in this one, but it was as closed door as all the others. No sexy times, but also no story, so it balances. Gah!

[Lisa (Two Bookish Brits) · Rating 4 out of 5]

cute

Aww what a cute quick read.

Donald Willows only has 6 months left to live. So he set his mind to giving his house away but not in the usual way, he sets up a contest, puts it in the paper and the chosen winner wins the house.

Holly Kirby is just getting by, she dreams of bigger and better things than just making jingle jangles, she’s the best at it but she wants more. When she sees the contest in the paper her mind can’t help but wonder off and think of all the wonderful things she could do with it and so she enters.

Jack Anderson has no idea his grandpa is sick so when his work friend brings the paper and he sees grandpas contest he is thrown and is heading back home.

After many talks and decisions the contest goes ahead but will the house stay in the family or will the contest winner keep it? You’ll have to read and see.

I’m in a Christmas book kick right now and this cute one was a great addition to my list. It’s cute, simple, to the point and a quick read. I enjoyed reading it. I reckon it would have been even more amazing as a full length novel too.

[Shannon · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5*

Cute idea, could have been executed a little better. This is one novella that could have definitely been a little longer, it was lacking in depth, particularly towards the end- it was just a bit rushed. And it's definitely not a Christmas story- it starts at the end of Summer, jumps to around Thanksgiving, and then New Year's.

After finishing, I'm a little confused about the content warning for strong language and violence. I had to go back and make sure it was this book that had those warnings, because I do not recall any violence, unless this novella was so unmemorable that I've forgotten it already!

Fun premise, but sadly didn't live up to expectations.

[Sam Andersen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this short novella! I’ve lost enough people in my life to believe that anything is possible. I can see this dying man coming up with such a plan and God seeing it through. I loved the characters: the hopeful Holly, the mischievous Jeff, Gordon the hopeless romantic, and Jack the man who always wanted a family, but was too broken hearted to search for one.

This is the first book that I’ve ever read from this author, but will definitely being reading more in the future.

[Tricia Adams · Rating 5 out of 5]

So uplifting, especially at Christmas time

This quick storyline packs a punch. But in a good way. I love Don's way of keeping his family name sake going. Not at all what I thought, when I started this story. It really stops and makes you think about your own life and family name sake.

[Melissa · Rating 3 out of 5]

"The Christmas Contest" super sweet - like icing sweet - short story. It has potential to be a full length novel. Honestly, I wish it was a full length novel ... filling in all the gaps between Grandpa Donald's crazy idea and Jack and Holly meeting up and hatching a plan for the house. Nice mind candy.

[Shell Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great

A wonderful book about family love and great neighbors it’s great how everyone helped the grandpa in this book it I loved it and it sucked me right in she done it again another amazing book

[Annemarie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Don is dying and he set up a contest to give away his mansion on Nantucket and find a wife for his grandson, Jack. Holly sends in her letter, check and photo hoping to win and have a better life than writing jingles. Jack decides he wants the house and to be by his grandfather's side till the end. Liked the ending!

[Denise · Rating 5 out of 5]

A little Christmas lots of love

Family is everything, and this story takes you on an adventure of the last older generation male in this Nantucket town his idea in his last wish is based on love...read this fast book to see what love of family can make a person do.

[Lu Rose · Rating 5 out of 5]

The grandfather was dying and wanted to make sure that Jack finds a wife so he came up with a contest to give away the house but to find a wife for his grandson and sure enough he does just that!
A small town cozy romance!

[Gladys Mills · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Christmas Contest. I absolutely loved this book. It pulled at my heart. I enjoyed this book immensely! What Donald/Grandpa did to get his grandson to come home and continue the family was tricky but so sweet and romantic. This was a great story!

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Feel-good Story

This is like a Hallmark Christmas movie in short story format. Everything works out perfectly in a perfect town full of love and good cheer. It was a nice little feel-good story, perfect to read during the holidays.

[Meghan Buchman · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute

Extremely short story. Cute enough but rushed. No romance to follow. Just wham bam thank you, Merry Christmas. Can read in under an hour. 30 minutes of you are quick or not distracted. Reminds me of the stories you'd find in women's magazines back in the day.

[Connie Sondelski · Rating 5 out of 5]

Would love to see this as a Christmas movie!

[Chessa Andersen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Super cute short story with a ton of potential for more depth and character development.

[Crystal Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read. Sweet story.

Very quick read. Sweet story. Well written. Great read at Christmas. It is like a Hallmark short story. Will read more from author.

[Pat Christie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ebook

Grants devices a plan to get his grandson a wife. The bait is a house in Nantucket and a contest to own it. She responds and wins!

[Susan Murray · Rating 4 out of 5]

Christmas conntest

Extremely short / quick silly soft story but still enjoyed the read
Will look for other books by this author

[NAOMI · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sweet enjoyable holiday novella. Left me wanting more on the couple. This is my first book from this author, I look forward to reading more from Theresa Sederholt.

[Judy Zimbelman · Rating 3 out of 5]

Match maker

Short story with a cute twist...a contest to win a house. But really the goal was a bride.
Funny how the contestant really filled in all the blanks afterall.

[Suze Prescot · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice story

Despite the title, this is not a Christmas story, and as nice as it is, more at Christmas time would have been better. Very short, it tells the story of a dying man raffling his home in the hope of finding a wife for his grandson. Sweet and pleasant read.

[Barbara Franks · Rating 5 out of 5]

oh grandpa

It’s a beautiful story

Being happy is contagious, thanks Grandpa for being a great example

I love short stories like this

[Paul · Rating 1 out of 5]

Missing something

There was a beginning and end, but no middle! It started great, and had a lot of potential, but the whole middle of the story is missing. It went straight to happily ever after.

[Marilyn Reinders · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really first rate!

I really wanted this story to be much longer because I wanted to know more about all the characters in it

[Kim · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Christmas Contest is a novel written by another Goodreads author, I never would have thought I would read this many books by Goodreads authors, it's my Christmas only reading that has done it. The author's name is Theresa Sederholt and as far as I can tell she wrote a lot of books, but I've read none of them so I can't tell you how I feel about them. But it's Christmas and so I read her Christmas book. It's more of a story than a book, so if you want to give it a try it won't take you long.

The story is told by three people, Donald, the old, rich, dying guy who is holding a contest and whoever wins will get his rather large house. Holly Kirby, the young, not rich, woman who can't believe her eyes when she sees the contest in a magazine or newspaper, I can't remember which. She thinks it's some kind of scam (so do I, but I think just about everything is some kind of scam), but she enters the contest anyway and wins. And Jack Anderson, the old guy's grandson who also can't believe his eyes when he sees the same ad. Maybe he should have entered the contest and that would have been the end of the contest. So one person starts telling the story, Holly starts it, then it jumps to the next person who happens to be the grandson Jack, then it's Donald's turn, and on and on. It's good it clearly says who is talking at the beginning of the next jump in people or I'd be confused at times.

So the story moves on, Holly arrives to see her new home, Jack arrives to stop his Grandfather doing something he thinks is crazy, and Donald sits there to see what happens. Poor Jack, I am not on his side at all. While it does seem more than a little strange to give your home away in a contest, I have no problem with the home going to someone other than Jack. He says himself that he hasn't talked to his grandfather in almost two years. Time just slipped away from him. But now he reads the ad and realizes his grandfather is dying. So the first thing he does is call his old friend Jeff who lives near his grandfather and should know what he is doing. So he calls and asks if Jeff knows about the contest. I like Jeff's answer:

"Well, Jack, here I thought you were worried about his health. Yeah, I know all about his Christmas contest. He actually ran it by me before he did it. I told him it would bring the family out of the woodwork. He didn't think so. Should have bet on that one. So, you want to come to the island to what? - talk him out of it?"

Good for Jeff, that's about what I was thinking. Even Jack says when you put it that way it doesn't sound good. And Jack flies off to see his grandfather. And Holly arrives, and Jeff is already there, and Donald is there watching over the whole thing with about six months to get it all straightened out before he dies. As for the rest, read the book and see what happens. I will say the ending seemed a little strange to me, the real reason for Donald's contest should never have worked, but it did. The story was interesting enough, but I don't think I would read it again. Unless I forget I read it the first time which happens often. I'm moving on to the next Christmas book, I'll soon be through them all.

[Sergio J. · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Christmas Contest" is an absolutely super-sweet story sweet like icing on a sugar cookie, full of cozy charm and heartwarming moments. It’s the kind of feel-good tale that wraps you up like a soft blanket on a snowy evening. Though it’s a short story, it carries the warmth and emotional pull of a full-length Christmas novel. Honestly, I found myself wishing it was one! There’s so much potential here to expand on the characters, the setting, and all the delightful details that make small-town holiday romances so irresistible.

Grandpa Donald’s wild and wonderful idea sets everything in motion, and before long, Jack and Holly are teaming up in the most unexpected and adorable way to save the house. I would have loved to see more of the build-up, the tension, and the sparkle of their connection as they worked together. The story gives just enough to satisfy your sweet tooth, but leaves you craving a second helping.

If you’re looking for a quick, heartwarming dose of Christmas spirit something that will leave you smiling and maybe humming a carol or two The Christmas Contest” is the perfect pick. It’s a delightful piece of mind candy that melts in your heart faster than a snowflake on your tongue.

[Angela Griffin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Two and a half stars for a great premise

I'm always ready for a holiday romance, the characters seem likeable enough, and the foundation of this story has promise. Unfortunately, this novella reads more like a story outline. The most dimensional character is the dying grandfather. There is, quite literally, NO romance between the romantic leads; the reader is simply told in less than a page at the end that a romance occurred. The contest apparently starts in July, so perhaps that's supposed to evoke "Christmas in July"; the reader is told (again, at the end) there was a fabulous Christmas party...and this is the sum total of the holiday aspect! "The Christmas Contest" is a bit of a disappointment.

[Debyi Kucera (Book&BuJo) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Super cute holiday romance novella.

Donald Williams has decided to set up a contest to give his house away before he passes away. Holly Kirby decides to go for it and try to win the house. Knowing it would be expensive to pay the taxes on the house each year, she comes up with a plan in case she wins. Lastly, we have Jack, Donald’s grandson who lives in another state and after hearing about the contest realizes he wants the house and goes to visit his grandfather to see what he can do.

I would love to see a full-length novel picking up where this one leaves off as I loved all of the characters!

[Jan · Rating 3 out of 5]

While this was a fun to read, fast paced story that probably should have received a higher rating than I'm giving it, it also included the kind of raunchy language that I find totally unacceptable. I suppose it is language that lots of people use these days, but should it be? I almost didn't finish the story after the first expletive, but since it was short and had an interesting story line I decided to finish it. Generally it was well written with interesting characterizations so Ms. Sederholt is a competent writer, I just wish she had a little higher standards.

[Debbie Odachowski · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a happy story!

This was a very imaginative story. When a loving grandfather tries to play matchmaker for his grandson. He brings an unknown entity into his plan. I would have liked a longer story as when you start to love these characters it ends. So wish there was more. I have found a wonderful new author for me. Can't wait to see what else she has for me to enjoy reading. Enjoy!