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Moody Blue #1

Blue Christmas

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Sometimes the best Christmas presents aren't found under the tree . . .

Working late on Christmas Eve, college senior Hannah Brooks is in the midst of a full-blown pity party. When a last-minute customer brimming with holiday spirit invites her to a candlelight service and a late-night family dinner, Hannah reluctantly accepts. She has no idea this kindhearted woman is the mother of Jason McKenzie - leader singer of Out of the Blue, the hottest band in the country - and Hannah's childhood idol. The evening ends with an innocent kiss (sans mistletoe) as Hannah is swept away by Jason's unpretentious manner.

Over the holidays Hannah and Jason's relationship grows, but when turmoil and tragedy strike at the very heart of his famous band, their newfound love is put to the test in the glare of the paparazzi spotlight. Throughout her rollercoaster of experiences with Jason and his friends, Hannah comes face to face with her own beliefs. Who knew she could learn more about prayer and faith by hanging out with a bunch of rock stars than she ever learned in church?

The author first wrote Blue Christmas as a gift for her then-teenage daughter in honor of her affection for a wildly popular band in the late 90s. The short story grew into a full-length novel, eventually surfacing on one of the band's fan fiction websites where it became quite a phenomenon. More than 80,000 readers stopped by to read the story, with over 1000 of them sending personal emails to the author who still enjoys reading them today. Though the story's details have been changed, its band and all characters now fictional, the story line remains the same. Author Diane Moody has dedicated Blue Christmas to her now-grown daughter, Hannah Moody.

335 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 26, 2011

1235 people are currently reading
1043 people want to read

About the author

Diane Moody

35 books219 followers
Born in Texas and raised in Oklahoma, Diane Hale Moody is a graduate of Oklahoma State University. She lives with her husband Ken in the rolling hills just outside of Nashville. They are the proud parents of two grown and extraordinary children, Hannah and Ben.

Just after moving to Tennessee in 1999, Diane felt the tug of a long-neglected passion to write again. Since then, she's written a column for her local newspaper, feature articles for various magazines and curriculum, and several novels with a dozen more stories eagerly vying for her attention.

When she's not reading or writing, Diane enjoys an eclectic taste in music and movies, great coffee, the company of good friends, and the adoration of a peculiar little pooch named Darby.

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5 stars
809 (40%)
4 stars
652 (32%)
3 stars
377 (18%)
2 stars
127 (6%)
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42 (2%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 219 reviews
Profile Image for Sarah.
Author 46 books458 followers
January 27, 2021
There are some books I used to like, but I now really don't. I will keep my original rating and reviews on most of them while adding what I don't like about them. God has been growing me and changing me a lot.

This book has a lot of crude humor. I'm sad to say it didn't bother me for a time, but now it does. The moral choices of some of the characters who claim to be Christian also don't line up with their faith.

2015

This book has a few things in it that would normally hate in books, but I so enjoy this book. It is a light Christmas story that I keep coming back.

2012
I loved this sweet Christmas story. It was much better than I expected it to be. It is the story of a girl who finds herself in the company of a band that she loved as a teen. Full of memorable characters, strong faith, and (of course) romance.

The only things that I didn't love about this book were that there were a couple of mild curse words in this book, some rough language, and a few times where the guys took off their shirts. However, none of it was really embarrassing and some of it only added to making the characters feel more real.

I loved the characters most of all. Jason and each of the other band members were different and believable. Hannah was a sweet heroine with real emotions that made me love her all the more. I also love the message of faith that was woven into the story.

2013
I so enjoyed this story yet again. It is so sweet and memorable.
Profile Image for Roberta.
1,009 reviews13 followers
December 20, 2017
A teen-age girl's dream come true - a wildly popular boy-bander falls head over heels for her - in a chaste sort of way. This story was compulsively readable and totally unbelieveable.
Profile Image for Katie (hiding in the pages).
3,503 reviews328 followers
November 24, 2012
Hannah Brooks is a college student working at a grocery store in Chapel Hill, NC. When a kind lady invites her to her home for Christmas Eve, Hannah is hesitant, but accepts and her whole world turns upside down. Little does she know, this woman is Jason MacKenzie's mom--a member of one of the hottest boy bands around!

I love the camaraderie the guys in the band have and the relationship they all share with Jason's parents. I love how accepting they are of Hannah and how they try to protect her from all the craziness. It took me back to my teen years--and that was a lot of fun. :) There is mention of how religious they are, but it isn't preachy.

Content: some language; kissing; one scene of violence, but not too descriptive.
Profile Image for Melody Cox.
1,502 reviews180 followers
July 31, 2013
I adored this book. This is one of the best books I have read and I enjoyed it immensely. I could not put it down and finished it in one sitting. The characters were dynamite. Loved them all and wished I could have been there with them. Thank you Diane Moody.

I wish there was a sequel to this story or perhaps about the other band members.
Profile Image for Paula Bothwell.
1,622 reviews44 followers
November 9, 2018
Blue Christmas (Moody Blue #1) - PG
Violence: none
Language: fewer than 5 swears
Sex: no sex, a few kisses

This is definitely not my speed. It's fan fiction and appears to be based on a group that I know nothing about. I don't mind the rock star/pleb romance, but the rest was very confusing because I could not bring myself to care about them. Hard pass.
Profile Image for Liz.
2,356 reviews46 followers
December 10, 2017
The edition that I read had a different cover and that was what hooked me in. I liked the idea of the story but this book was just too long for the plot.
Profile Image for Mac Rizzuto.
199 reviews4 followers
December 27, 2020
I needed a Christmas book and looked in my kindle archive and found this. I “dusted” it off and without expecting much, opened it up.
It could have easily been 4 stars (as it was a fun and simple read), but with the lack of loyalty to friendships/relationship, I had to go to 3
First Hannah and her best friend. Hannah ignored texts and phone calls as she had her week long romance with her teen band crush. And even in person....leaving her to go to the hospital without explaining anything, and leaving her at the store to go with Laura. Then demanding that she not go with her when she escaped. All the while Kylie was the only one who apologized—multiple times. Not once did selfish Hannah apologize. The whole things was strange...and if I had a best friend like Hannah...I would seriously question our friendship.
Then as soon as Jason’s ex-fiancé comes back into the picture, the whole group seemingly accepts her and turns their back on Hannah...:not ever mentioning their position being difficult. And never even confronting Jason for going from girl to girl-even as far as when one of the dads asks where Hannah is, they tell him to stop asking questions. What?! So strange. Such horrible writing.
The plot is entirely believable (bahahahaha. I mean. Just kidding. Not at all). My advice? Find a better Christmas read. Unless you want to read another book where the boys have the final say and the women do whatever they are told. Actually. After reviewing it, I have to go to 2 stars.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Hannah.
157 reviews13 followers
December 18, 2020
1.5-2 stars. I picked it up because I felt like a cheesy Christmas book since I ran out of terrible cheesy Christmas movies (and the main characters name was Hannah. I realize that is a lame reason, but whatever). And well... I had quite a few issues with this book. I was ready to suspend some disbelief, of course, but this was on another level. The connection between pretty much every character was so instant it was impossible to suspend any disbelief. There were also several moments where there was a paragraph or more spent just describing a character’s physical attributes and some backstory/character development, so there’s that. On top of the lazy writing, there were some moments that didn’t jive to well with the era of Me Too and also a flagrant and unnecessary racist comment that was presented as “bad” but left almost entirely unchecked by “good” characters. After looking into it, I saw the book was written in the late nineties, which doesn’t excuse it, but explains how it would get past an editor. I read on, anyway. Mainly out of curiosity (ugh) and for sake of learning things about writing. Despite all of my issues, It’s not entirely unreadable. The plot moves fairly quickly, even if it is incredible (in the negative connotation). Anywho, not sure why I got all ranty. Maybe I’m just bitter that this is the only Christmas book I read this season. Maybe I can squeeze in a halfway decent one before the Epiphany. Haha.
Profile Image for Sarita.
1,508 reviews655 followers
December 31, 2015
Part 1 of the book I enjoyed, especially the unexpected twist with one of the band members. I enjoyed the interaction between Hannah and Jason and the rest of the band members.

Part 2 changed the book for me. I got really irritated by Hannah's emotions and how she dealt with some things. I just wanted to smack her over the head and tell her to stop whining and be strong and go on.

Also didn't enjoy the slang words like "women" being used way too much in the book.
33 reviews
December 29, 2017
Predictable fantasy

Corny but cute. Cliche but well-written. One piece was missing for me. Where was Hannah's family in all of this? They went on a ski trip, but didn't call on Christmas. They didn't call when their daughter's face was plastered in the tabloids. And home wasn't her first place to run to. There was no reason to assume she had a poor relationship with them, so I think they should have had more than just a mention in the beginning.
2 reviews2 followers
December 28, 2012
I never dreamed I would like this as much as I did! Very sweet and love how faith is woven into the story is such a gentle way.
Profile Image for Beverly.
320 reviews23 followers
September 15, 2017
Have you ever heard of Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events? Things start out fine, but then get worse and worse. Well, this story is a bit like that with events that begin very well, but then there are surprise twists and turns that seem to get worse and worse. But the best part about this book is that it is the Christian version and so much more upbeat, with a terrific ending. You will not be disappointed.

Hannah was alone this Christmas. Her family was off enjoying a Colorado ski trip where she should be, but since she was assistant manager at the local grocery store, and the manager had just had a family emergency, she was next in line to supervise. On this Christmas Eve, she was feeling a bit sorry for herself when a kind, motherly customer she saw in the store regularly invited to attend Christmas Eve services with her. She wouldn't take no for an answer either. That was the beginning of an incredible journey for Hannah.

Jason McKenzie is a star. His rock band, Out of the Blue, was a teen favorite. But living on the road was exhausting and from time to time he'd come home for a respite. He showed up on Christmas Eve and was immediately enchanted with Hannah.

One of the things I like most about this story, besides the fact that it's a Christmas story, is the humor infused in the tale. There's a laugh around every corner. It's good clean humor and makes this story just perfect.

Second, this story means more when you read the history behind the writing of this tale. I love reading where authors get their ideas. This one has a wee bit of truth and a bunch of fun fabrication. And this is one of those books that doesn't lose its appeal when you read it the second time or third time. That's my kind of book!
Profile Image for Addie.
897 reviews
December 6, 2025
This book felt very YA. It was supposedly written in the 90's, but had some updates to give it a more modern vibe... but the two didn't meld well. The lingo and (some) clothing of the late 80's/early 90's mixed with modern cell phones & actual social interactions was so off. No one says "trouser socks" any more. I don't recall using that term myself in those eras either, so reading this book felt like a mixed-up mash of weirdness between how my grandmother would speak to how my own daughter would act.

Most of the (long, drawn-out) book was spent with the characters bagging on each other like an extended roast, and made it boring. I didn't like how the main character Hannah never turned to her family for support or guidance, despite her talking about how she wasn't spending the holidays with them. I didn't like how she treated her best friend; and that the best friend ended up apologizing to HER instead of the other way around. And I didn't like how her heartthrob treated her when another girl came into the picture. The lack of emotional intelligence was quite apparrent. I hoped it would get better by the end of the book, so I kept reading. But it only got worse. Whatever this book was, it just didn't hold up to typical stories. Ultimately, reviewers either love or hate this book and there doesn't seem to be an inbetween: I landed in the hate side.
Profile Image for Robin.
Author 3 books29 followers
December 17, 2018
When I realized this book was orginally a fanfic that had been altered to its current form, I wasn't sure how I'd like it. I know about fanfics through my daughters who enjoy reading them on Quotev, but I've never indulged in them myself. I did like that the author created hers for her daughter because that is something I can totally relate to. The backstory surrounding the creation of this novel was pretty cool!
Having said that, I found myself enjoying the story. The characters were individuals with relatable problems they needed to overcome. The setting was nothing super special which actually added an aspect of reality to the tale for me. The fact that these characters lived their faith while still working in a secular field was interesting. The fears associated with that sort of circumstance are definitely real.
My favorite characters were once again side-characters. I just enjoyed how these supporting characters did their jobs so well. As the chapters move on, you kinda get the feeling that you are part of the family, too, and that's something I understand well and can relate to in real life. Mrs. Moody has written a pleasant, clean novel that I think any young adult who reads contemporary romance would enjoy.
343 reviews2 followers
November 16, 2020
Exciting read

Hannah has been a fan of the boy band since she was a teen. Fate steps in when she meets Laura, mom to Jason, one of the band members. And then meets Jason. They become inseparable during the holidays, until another band member is shot by yet another band member's deranged girlfriend. Jason's ex shows up and Hannah finds herself in the outside looking in. To further humiliate her, during a press conference where the band thanks their fans for their support the press, totally ignoring the announcement that there would be no questions, immediately begin throwing questions at the group. And showing pictures of Hannah and Jason. The tabloids, doing what they always do which is print without facts, in other words, spewing lies, humiliate Hannah and start stalking her. Just once I wish these liars would think about the lies they spewing and the hurt and humiliation they were causing. Of course it doesn't help when the public accepts this crap. Maybe if we were less accepting of the sensationalism, a lot of people would lead happier lives.
It is a great story that had me in tears several times
52 reviews
January 15, 2018
Diane Moody writes beautiful stories!

This is not my first Diane Moody book and it certainly will not be my last! If you are tired of purchasing books and being turned off by the graphic sex scenes, this is the author for you. Her books are so interesting without all the smut added. Blue Christmas is about a young college student working in a grocery store on Christmas Eve. Laura, the mother of one of the members of a famous chart topper rock band! Laura realizes that the young lady checking her out, does not have anyone to spend Christmas with. Laura, immediately invites Hanna to her home, which turns out to be a masterpiece! , Unexpectedly, Laura's son comes home for Christmas along with the rest of his band . They all end up spending their Christmas together! Believe me, that is just the beginning of the story. There are all kinds of things that happen, but I am not going to spoil it for you! If you haven't read the book, you will just lhave to curl up for the pure pleasure of reading a good, fast paced book!! Hope that you enjoy !!!

Profile Image for Ali.
322 reviews
December 28, 2024
I didn’t realise this was a religious book - if I had I wouldn’t have even started it. I don’t do religion and I hate preachy books.

If it didn’t have God crap all through it, and was even remotely realistic, it may have gotten a better rating from me. Although maybe not as she should never have gotten back together with him. He treated her like shit by dumping her without explanation or even trying to talk to her to actually break up and then just expected her to get back together with him when he felt like giving her the time of day again. Nope.

And that whole part of the storyline made no sense - he broke up with his ex two years ago because he knew she wasn’t ‘the one’, so why the hell would he dump the woman he had just declared he was in love with to get back together with a woman he broke up with two years ago?! Nope.

And who declares they’re in love with someone after like three days anyway? Actually none of it was remotely realistic and was extremely annoying. Once I start a book I have to finish it though, so that’s done, thankfully.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Helen.
327 reviews5 followers
November 3, 2019
E-Reader. Romance / Fiction

Hannah Brooks is living in Chapel Hill, N.C., in her senioe year @ UNC.

While holiday break, she to part time job @ Alexander's Grocery.

When owner of the store had family member who died.  Now shes full time until comes he home.

On Christmas Eve a customer asked to come her church for the Christmas Eve Church Service.  Laura & Frank (husband) Hannah yes & enjoyed the whole Service.

When she went to their very house.  Laura loved Christmas time!

Then front door opened, yelling Mom and Dad I'm home now!

Hannah recognized his voice, Jason Mc Kenzie, the singer of Out of the Blue.

There too characters in this very good to list.

I but hope you will read this very good very good to the end.

And I hope you will your this book ad as I did l



Profile Image for Heather.
273 reviews2 followers
December 6, 2017
Instalove isn’t my favorite

This read like fanfic to me - not a “real” novel. Others have loved it, and I don’t blame them, it isn’t terrible. However, I like a book where I can fall in love alongside the characters, but they are in love almost instantly, and I felt like 80% of the book was spent NOT with the main characters. So, I was quite bored and ended up just skimming the last half. It was pretty trite, with nothing unexpected. I won’t be reading any more from this author.

It was absolutely clean, with just a few kisses. I honestly would expect adults to have a bit more interest in kissing, but as this was a mom writing for her daughter I got the feeling she wouldn’t want to give her daughter ideas.
Profile Image for Devon.
305 reviews2 followers
December 30, 2018
Should have paid attention to the description... haha

I can't believe I just read a book about a boy band. Honestly, I snagged this book while it was free without paying attention to the description much. Started reading and felt a little juvenile when I realized it was about a boy band (I'm in my 30's). The story was alright... enough that I didn't abandon the book altogether. I'd be lying, though, if I didn't say that many times old BSB and N*sync songs went through my head after finishing a chapter. Haha! I wasn't even into boy bands growing up. Promise! Anyway, easy read... entertaining in a cheesie way. Probably more geared toward a younger crowd.. teens/twenties.
Profile Image for Susan.
406 reviews3 followers
January 9, 2020
I wanted a light-weight Christmas story. A "hallmark" book for reading on the plane, but this book is one even Hallmark would reject as being too predictable and contrived.

Sad, lonely girl, stuck working on Christmas Eve is invited to a stranger's home for dinner. There she meets and falls in love with the stranger's son, who happens to be a gorgeous singer, part of a successful boy band and the girl's heart-throb from her teen years... They fall in love, then an incident occurs and... *Sigh*

I kept reading, hoping that there would be some surprise that would redeem the book, but it only got more cheesy.
84 reviews
December 6, 2018
Great Book!

This was the first book I've read by Diane Moody but it won't be my last. I appreciate a good clean romance and this one fit the bill and included a sweet love story with conflict and misunderstanding we all face from time to time. The reference to faith in God and turning things over to him was an added bonus in the story line. There was a huge variety in the characters and fun to see how their lives intertwined and cared deeply about each other. It certsinly held my interest. Great book!
633 reviews1 follower
January 2, 2019
Not my favorite Christian book. I liked that it wasn’t overly preachy but there were too many eye rolling moments. It’s hard to believe a boy band being so popular that Stevie Wonder would buy flowers for an ill band member. The banter between band members was annoying felt forced which made the characters feel underdeveloped. I did finish it because I wanted to see how it ended which means that it was good enough to overlook the things that annoyed me enough to finish. But I won’t be reading more in this series.
Profile Image for Marcia Richardson.
251 reviews1 follower
December 12, 2021
Good book

This book was a great story about a young woman who is in College and ends up home alone at Christmas time. She works at a grocery store and figures that she will have to work all during Christmas break because her boss has to go to a funeral but he comes back early and gives her the rest of the break off just as a woman who she kind of knows invites her to spend Christmas with her family. She then finds out that her son is a member of one of the most famous pop rock groups and the story continues from there. You should go read it.
147 reviews1 follower
December 21, 2017
Creative

For a strange girl ending up with a famous band, the plot seemed so plausible. Faith is expressed, but it reads more like a secular book. After the 2 got together in the beginning I wondered where the story was going, but they had a crisis, so keep reading. I didn't quite get why he broke up with his first fiancé though, when she was so nice. This is great for it's genre, just not my favorite genre.
Profile Image for Sheila Siler.
197 reviews1 follower
December 22, 2017
Lovely and sweet

This is the second book I've read by Diane Moody (the first was Blue Like Elvis). I almost quit this one because it seemed predictable - but then it took a big turn and I loved it. The characters are well developed and I loved the huge cast of characters. Faith is woven throughout in plain sight but not hokey or obnoxious. I recommend this for readers (probably women) age middle school and up.
639 reviews4 followers
January 1, 2018
What happens when a young woman meets a member of her favorite biyband? The sparks fly between Hannah & Jason when she is invited home for Christmas Eve by his mother. While she is a bit awed by Jason & his family, they make her feel at home and welcome in their home. But things take an unexpected turn...will events out of their control bring them together or tear them apart? A nice story of faith in all circumstances.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 219 reviews

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