What do you think?
A Safe Place for Christmas
Can giving this baby a holiday refuge
help heal his reluctant heart?
Taking in a mother and child is the last thing Luke Morgan expects this Christmas as he struggles to keep his tree farm afloat. But when Shayla Coggins and her baby boy are stranded during a snowstorm, he can’t turn them away. Even as Shayla’s little boy draws them together, her dangerous secret comes home…and makes falling in love riskier than ever.
From Love Uplifting stories of faith, forgiveness and hope.
help heal his reluctant heart?
Taking in a mother and child is the last thing Luke Morgan expects this Christmas as he struggles to keep his tree farm afloat. But when Shayla Coggins and her baby boy are stranded during a snowstorm, he can’t turn them away. Even as Shayla’s little boy draws them together, her dangerous secret comes home…and makes falling in love riskier than ever.
From Love Uplifting stories of faith, forgiveness and hope.
226 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 28, 2021
About the author
Lisa Carter
50 books251 followersWriter. Book Lover. Avid Gardener. World Traveler.
Lisa Carter is the Publishers Weekly bestselling and award-winning author of more than thirty books. She writes the contemporary Truelove Matchmaker romance series with Love Inspired. She also writes romantic suspense—best described as “Sweet Tea with a Slice of Murder.” When not hard at work on her next fictional adventure, she enjoys reading and spending time with her family. A native North Carolinian, she has strong opinions on barbecue and ACC basketball. www.lisacarterauthor.com
Follow Lisa on BookBub for the latest book news at https://bit.ly/3G2iWGv.
Join her newsletter mailing list for book happenings at https://rb.gy/2ilkh7.
Lisa Carter is the Publishers Weekly bestselling and award-winning author of more than thirty books. She writes the contemporary Truelove Matchmaker romance series with Love Inspired. She also writes romantic suspense—best described as “Sweet Tea with a Slice of Murder.” When not hard at work on her next fictional adventure, she enjoys reading and spending time with her family. A native North Carolinian, she has strong opinions on barbecue and ACC basketball. www.lisacarterauthor.com
Follow Lisa on BookBub for the latest book news at https://bit.ly/3G2iWGv.
Join her newsletter mailing list for book happenings at https://rb.gy/2ilkh7.
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
September 24, 2021
There's something special about a Truelove Christmas -- that would be the town that lives by the motto "Where true love awaits." And it's outfitted with a posse of matchmaking honorary grannies who take that slogan very seriously. Which is why Luke Morgan is quaking in his boots when they set their sights on him and the stranded young mother he's providing a haven for.
Shayla isn't exactly a stranger -- they knew each other in high school but circumstances kept them from developing more than a casual acquaintance. Shayla was the girl from the wrong side of the tracks, struggling to survive a roughshod upbringing and, while Luke was raised in a nurturing family, tragedy struck his life in his senior year and he's been scrabbling to keep up every since.
So...not the perfecting time for romance....
Until Lisa Carter works her storytelling magic and creates a heartwarming, holiday-infused, unforgettable Christmas story. There's angst and laughter and the delightful hesitancy of new love. Even a spot of danger as the author brings some of her suspense talent to the plot. And the cutest baby boy ever!!!! As well as a town full of the kind of folks you want in your life. Truelove is a community full of hope and faith and the belief that everyone deserves a happily ever after.
Shayla isn't exactly a stranger -- they knew each other in high school but circumstances kept them from developing more than a casual acquaintance. Shayla was the girl from the wrong side of the tracks, struggling to survive a roughshod upbringing and, while Luke was raised in a nurturing family, tragedy struck his life in his senior year and he's been scrabbling to keep up every since.
So...not the perfecting time for romance....
Until Lisa Carter works her storytelling magic and creates a heartwarming, holiday-infused, unforgettable Christmas story. There's angst and laughter and the delightful hesitancy of new love. Even a spot of danger as the author brings some of her suspense talent to the plot. And the cutest baby boy ever!!!! As well as a town full of the kind of folks you want in your life. Truelove is a community full of hope and faith and the belief that everyone deserves a happily ever after.
January 19, 2022
A beautiful story about friendship, love and family, high recommended
June 5, 2026
I love Lisa Carter characters, but I really don't care for her writing or the stories, to be honest. For example, this one. Luckily, it has a child so young Carter can't destroy him/drive me crazy, so there's that. But the plot of this is so ridiculous...
Shayla grew up in TrueLove with her deadbeat dad and two troublemaker brothers (all of which are in prison at the start of this book). She left town, met a rich boy who liked her, but alas, he's also a moneychanger for drug gangs. He treats her like property he's not willing to part with, and is abusive to her, getting her pregnant... but he doesn't have any interest in the baby.
When he's arrested, she takes the opportunity to run, having gotten a crap car in his barn running (rich guys have crap cars in their barns?!?! HOW ABOUT NO?!?!)... not knowing that he stashed all of his drug money INSIDE the seats. (Rich guys can sew cash into car seats?!?!? ARE YOU KIDDING ME???)
So she flees... BACK to her hometown. Um, NO! That's the LAST place she would go, because that's the FIRST place he would look for her, hello...!!!!! But Carter has her go 'home' and become a waitress at the cafe. Until there's a big storm, and a picture with her in the background doing clean-up hits the newsstands, and NOW - NOW she's worried that her ex-boyfriend will come looking for her in her hometown, now that she's in a paper he likely doesn't even read.
Carter's stories SUCK.
So Shayla flees - AGAIN - this time to a city with a women's shelter, where she has the baby. But now her ex-boyfriend is out of jail on a oh-so-VERY-convenient technicality (...Carter...!..), and so she RUNS. Again. Trying to flee the state, this time, except the route she takes goes RIGHT thru TrueLove (AGAIN)... where her/his car oh-so-VERY-conveniently breaks down.
(((((((((((((((((( SIGH. ))))))))))))))))))))
Have I mentioned Carter's stories really blow?
Luke is sweet. He knew Shayla in school, knew of her at the diner. He likes her, but he's got a failing tree farm (which of COURSE is saved by a rich dude who sweeps into town and just *happens* to be a national wholesaler. He wants Shayla to be a singer in Nashville (but OF COURSE a big-time consultant for the music industry there just *happens* to blow into town and love her church solo and signs her on, long-distance).
Have I *MENTIONED* that the story really is ridiculous?
I... better stop here. Cuz... wOw.
Shayla grew up in TrueLove with her deadbeat dad and two troublemaker brothers (all of which are in prison at the start of this book). She left town, met a rich boy who liked her, but alas, he's also a moneychanger for drug gangs. He treats her like property he's not willing to part with, and is abusive to her, getting her pregnant... but he doesn't have any interest in the baby.
When he's arrested, she takes the opportunity to run, having gotten a crap car in his barn running (rich guys have crap cars in their barns?!?! HOW ABOUT NO?!?!)... not knowing that he stashed all of his drug money INSIDE the seats. (Rich guys can sew cash into car seats?!?!? ARE YOU KIDDING ME???)
So she flees... BACK to her hometown. Um, NO! That's the LAST place she would go, because that's the FIRST place he would look for her, hello...!!!!! But Carter has her go 'home' and become a waitress at the cafe. Until there's a big storm, and a picture with her in the background doing clean-up hits the newsstands, and NOW - NOW she's worried that her ex-boyfriend will come looking for her in her hometown, now that she's in a paper he likely doesn't even read.
Carter's stories SUCK.
So Shayla flees - AGAIN - this time to a city with a women's shelter, where she has the baby. But now her ex-boyfriend is out of jail on a oh-so-VERY-convenient technicality (...Carter...!..), and so she RUNS. Again. Trying to flee the state, this time, except the route she takes goes RIGHT thru TrueLove (AGAIN)... where her/his car oh-so-VERY-conveniently breaks down.
(((((((((((((((((( SIGH. ))))))))))))))))))))
Have I mentioned Carter's stories really blow?
Luke is sweet. He knew Shayla in school, knew of her at the diner. He likes her, but he's got a failing tree farm (which of COURSE is saved by a rich dude who sweeps into town and just *happens* to be a national wholesaler. He wants Shayla to be a singer in Nashville (but OF COURSE a big-time consultant for the music industry there just *happens* to blow into town and love her church solo and signs her on, long-distance).
Have I *MENTIONED* that the story really is ridiculous?
I... better stop here. Cuz... wOw.
October 30, 2021
I really like Love Inspired books. Mainly this because they are not complicated or exceptionally intense. They are generally sweet stories with HEA.
However in this story, Lisa Carter presents a heroine that has suffered so much, made so many bad decisions that she owns up to, and has had to face so many different obstacles and heartache, that for once I cried throughout the book. These characters here seem very real and so full of faith and fortitude that the reader just wishes to meet them in real life.
I hope we continue to receive more stories from Truelove.
However in this story, Lisa Carter presents a heroine that has suffered so much, made so many bad decisions that she owns up to, and has had to face so many different obstacles and heartache, that for once I cried throughout the book. These characters here seem very real and so full of faith and fortitude that the reader just wishes to meet them in real life.
I hope we continue to receive more stories from Truelove.
December 5, 2021
Shayla Coggins and her infant son, Jeremiah, are stranded in the mountains of North Carolina. They have to get away from her abusive ex, Wall Phillips , who has just been released from prison on a technicality. Luke Morgan, the “Christmas tree farmer,” comes along and rescues Shayla and son.
Lisa Carter writes a story with good plot, good characters, and a lot of heart. I love a book where I can laugh out loud, swipe a tear, and sigh with contentment!
Lisa Carter writes a story with good plot, good characters, and a lot of heart. I love a book where I can laugh out loud, swipe a tear, and sigh with contentment!
April 24, 2026
Dreams Do Come True
Awe-inspiring! Lisa has written a story that pulls you in and doesn't let go!! She makes her characters come alive and you become part of the story. Luke and Shayla take you on an emotional journey that neither expected. God's plans are bigger and better than we can ever imagine. I highly recommend this magical book. It will leave you with a smile.
5 STAR⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ WINNER🏆
Awe-inspiring! Lisa has written a story that pulls you in and doesn't let go!! She makes her characters come alive and you become part of the story. Luke and Shayla take you on an emotional journey that neither expected. God's plans are bigger and better than we can ever imagine. I highly recommend this magical book. It will leave you with a smile.
5 STAR⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ WINNER🏆
October 19, 2021
I really enjoyed this second chance for the heroine, romance. I bought this at a local store and I voluntarily choose to review this clean story. I've given it a 5* rating. This story kept pulling me in and I had some late nights finishing it. I thought the ending was great with its feel good finish. I'll keep a lookout for this author now.
October 22, 2021
A sweet romantic story. I liked Luke Morgan, a tree farmer, and the citizens of the small town the book was set in. I dream of visiting the Blue Ridge Mountains some day. Shayla was a great character but I thought the plot line with the former boyfriend could have been more believable. But overall a nice holiday read.
October 28, 2025
It took them long enough to come to their senses.
Sweet story of high school friends being reunited. Shayla and Luke just needed time to get reacquainted and having sweet baby Jeremiah around made everyone fall in love with him.
Sweet story of high school friends being reunited. Shayla and Luke just needed time to get reacquainted and having sweet baby Jeremiah around made everyone fall in love with him.
January 6, 2026
Awesome
Awesome read ! Very enjoyable read , over faith , family and love. Awake call for the people we over look in our lives. And how small acts of kindness can make such a difference in someone’s life.
Awesome read ! Very enjoyable read , over faith , family and love. Awake call for the people we over look in our lives. And how small acts of kindness can make such a difference in someone’s life.
October 9, 2021
Great book
Love this series. It all happens in a town called Truelove. Lisa does a great job bringing Luke and Shayla together. Lisa is a great author.
Love this series. It all happens in a town called Truelove. Lisa does a great job bringing Luke and Shayla together. Lisa is a great author.
November 4, 2021
Thoroughly enjoyed this inspirational romance, sweet and lovely.
November 8, 2021
Just visiting with old and new friends..
November 11, 2021
Shayla & Luke's story takes place on a Christmas tree farm in a town called, "True Love." The Christian aspect was not over done.
November 15, 2021
fantastic book. loved it
December 8, 2021
I love Lisa Carter's books I have read most of her previous books.I really enjoyed this book .I sure will be reading more of her books.This was a hard book to put down.
January 2, 2022
Beautiful story with a cute kid! Great descriptions of the characters and scenes enable you to imagine being there.
January 23, 2022
This book was good, I just do not like it when have suspense in a love inspired book, thats what Love Inspired Suspense books are for.
March 24, 2022
Taking in Shayla Coggins and her son, who are stranded during a snowstorm, is the last thing Luke Morgan expects this Christmas as he struggles to keep his tree farm afloat.
December 18, 2023
A clean feel good Christmas story.
January 1, 2024
I seriously question people who gave this book 5 stars.
November 30, 2025
Great book full of family, community, Christmas and mystery.
May 25, 2026
This is my favorite book in the series.
November 10, 2025
I loved this story! Luke Morgan is busy working to keep his Christmas Tree Farm afloat when a young mother and her baby end up stranded with him during a snowstorm. The last thing either one is looking for is a relationship, but apparently God has other plans.
September 13, 2021
I really enjoyed reading this sweet, clean Christmas story. A young mother on the run after finding out her controlling boyfriend was released early from prison. Luke Morgan picks her and the baby up after her car breaks down and he stays with Luke, his mother and sisters during a snowstorm. I love how the 2 started falling in love and what happens when Shayla is in danger, plus the happy ending.
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews