What do you think?
Rate this book
We Three Kings #1
Child of Joy
Where Christmas once brought joy and happiness for the King family, in recent years, it has been overshadowed by sorrow. As they endeavor to carry on their father’s legacy, the King triplets meet people who impact their lives in ways they never expected.
Since his father tragically passed away four years ago, Hunter King has done his best to step into his shoes. That has included being a support for his triplet siblings, Hayden and Heather, and their mom. Christmas is the hardest time of year for the family since it was their dad’s favorite holiday, and he always threw himself into the festivities, both for his family and for people around them, especially those in need.
As Christmas nears once again, Hunter comes across a single mom and her young daughter, who are tenants in a rundown building that has been earmarked for demolition. Hunter feels responsible for their situation since he had bought the building specifically to tear down, so he and his family try to do what they can to help them.
Carissa Jenkins is near rock bottom and desperate to find a new place for her and her daughter, Rachel, to live. When she finds herself with the attention of Hunter King, owner of the building and uber-rich businessman, she isn’t sure what to think. However, her circumstances mean that she has no choice but to accept the help that the King family offers.
As she and Hunter are drawn into each other’s lives, they discover a shared grief. Though Carissa isn’t convinced that she and Rachel are anything but a charity for the Christmas season for the King family, she finds herself falling for the man. Carissa struggles with her feelings because she feels indebted to Hunter and his family after everything they’ve done for her and Rachel and thinks a relationship would be unequal.
Christmas brings healing and a renewed joy for both families. Will it also bring an unexpected chance at love as they discover that not every gift is wrapped beneath the Christmas tree?
Stay tuned for Heather and Hayden’s stories in the next couple of months!
Since his father tragically passed away four years ago, Hunter King has done his best to step into his shoes. That has included being a support for his triplet siblings, Hayden and Heather, and their mom. Christmas is the hardest time of year for the family since it was their dad’s favorite holiday, and he always threw himself into the festivities, both for his family and for people around them, especially those in need.
As Christmas nears once again, Hunter comes across a single mom and her young daughter, who are tenants in a rundown building that has been earmarked for demolition. Hunter feels responsible for their situation since he had bought the building specifically to tear down, so he and his family try to do what they can to help them.
Carissa Jenkins is near rock bottom and desperate to find a new place for her and her daughter, Rachel, to live. When she finds herself with the attention of Hunter King, owner of the building and uber-rich businessman, she isn’t sure what to think. However, her circumstances mean that she has no choice but to accept the help that the King family offers.
As she and Hunter are drawn into each other’s lives, they discover a shared grief. Though Carissa isn’t convinced that she and Rachel are anything but a charity for the Christmas season for the King family, she finds herself falling for the man. Carissa struggles with her feelings because she feels indebted to Hunter and his family after everything they’ve done for her and Rachel and thinks a relationship would be unequal.
Christmas brings healing and a renewed joy for both families. Will it also bring an unexpected chance at love as they discover that not every gift is wrapped beneath the Christmas tree?
Stay tuned for Heather and Hayden’s stories in the next couple of months!
251 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 19, 2021
347 people are currently reading
169 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 69 reviews
December 13, 2021
Such a beautiful, sweet Christmas story! If you're looking for a heartwarming book to get you in the Christmas spirit, you won't go wrong with Child of Joy. :)
September 18, 2022
Over joyed
I recommend this book and story. You must read it. It starts out with a young mother and her daughter. The mom works at a diner . They lived in a old broken down building. With no heat, and the stove broken. It was discouraging. One evening after Carissa and Rachel hurried home in cold. There was a knock at the door there stood the guy that ran the building and a man whom was the person whom had bought the building and was going to have it torn down. He had given notice that after December 31st they had to be moved out. What was carissa and Rachel going to do. Well read this book and find out what happens.
I recommend this book and story. You must read it. It starts out with a young mother and her daughter. The mom works at a diner . They lived in a old broken down building. With no heat, and the stove broken. It was discouraging. One evening after Carissa and Rachel hurried home in cold. There was a knock at the door there stood the guy that ran the building and a man whom was the person whom had bought the building and was going to have it torn down. He had given notice that after December 31st they had to be moved out. What was carissa and Rachel going to do. Well read this book and find out what happens.
November 20, 2023
📚THE STORY📚
Carissa is a single mother just doing her best to keep her and her eight year old daughter Rachel afloat through a cold winter. Her car has bit the dust, her apartment is about to be torn down, and she sometimes doesn't have enough to eat. Worst of all, she lost her parents in a bad traffic accident a few years prior - so she's facing a difficult holiday season alone.
Hunter is one of three triplets raised by a wealthy local businessman. After the patriarch of their family died a few years ago, he took over the family business. Now it's Christmastime, and keeping his father's legacy of charity and hospitality alive is a heavy task.
When Hunter visits a property his family owns, he meets Carissa, one of the last tenants in the rundown building. Feeling responsible, he steps in to support the struggling family, only to discover that the joy of spending time with Carissa and her daughter is priceless.
Hunter cares about Carissa, likes her as a person, and just wants to make things easier for her. But Carissa is carrying a lot of anxiety and shame, and while she's grateful for the help during the holidays, she worries about being a burden on a stranger. Can their blossoming love withstand the stresses of poverty, or will their class differences be too much?
💕THE ROMANCE💕
Hunter and Carissa don't spend a lot of time flirting or goofing around. They're both adults navigating a challenging situation. Their quality time together is usually just relaxing and enjoying a quiet moment or needing to address some kind of external situation. It's a practical romance, one filled with connection through caretaking and shared values.
It feels in many ways like a historical romance in the way it centers on star crossed lovers from vastly different economic backgrounds. But in this modern take, the characters do their best to approaching the issue maturely and communicate pretty well. Inner dialogue is reasoned and thoughtful and everyone is honest with themselves and each other.
It also has elements of a billionaire romance - Hunter swoops in and solves Carissa's problems with a casual, delightful indulgence. But because this story is a bit more up front about the realities of crushing poverty, it has added emotional complexity to it. The conflict of the romance centers around this delicate issue, which requires it to be more grounded and less playful. (For the record, I really liked this about it.)
And Hunter is also really struggling, searching for something, which he finds in Carissa and Rachel. Seeing the way he lights up around her and starts to find his purpose again makes the romance feel balanced and satisfying. These two are great for each other, and their romance takes itself seriously.
🎄CHRISTMAS🎄
Oh man, this book sparkles with Christmas. It's a letter to Santa that gets the whole thing really going. The cold snowy setting is ever present, with plenty of snow, cold, crackling fires, coats and boots. The families go to a Christmas village, trim trees, wrap presents, and decorate cookies.
Christmas isn't just a fun backdrop for the romance - it's part of the emotional arc. The fact that the holidays can be a tough time for people who are struggling - with grief, pain, poverty - means we can see exactly how Hunter and Carissa show up for and complete each other.
✝️FAITH ELEMENTS✝️
Characters pray and attend church. Hunter's dad, a man of faith, has left a legacy of Christian values such as hospitality, welcome, non-judgment, and inclusion. Hunter clearly feels called to be a responsible steward of his wealth and focuses on people over profit.
All adults in the story rejoice over children and believe in helping families thrive. Giving freely and lifting others up are central themes.
📝MY THOUGHTS📝
If you couldn't already tell from the rest of this review, I really liked this. It was incredibly grounded in the thematic and theological work it was doing. It's more serious about topics like wealth and poverty than many other romances. This is a story about adults facing adult problems, which makes the happy ever after even more satisfying.
The side characters were excellent. Rachel was delightful as a sweet, blunt, precocious kid. I appreciated the way everyone made space for Hunter's brother's chronic pain. I loved the reveal that I won't spoil here but just gives more depth to everything. The Christmas setting was perfect. Loved it!
Carissa is a single mother just doing her best to keep her and her eight year old daughter Rachel afloat through a cold winter. Her car has bit the dust, her apartment is about to be torn down, and she sometimes doesn't have enough to eat. Worst of all, she lost her parents in a bad traffic accident a few years prior - so she's facing a difficult holiday season alone.
Hunter is one of three triplets raised by a wealthy local businessman. After the patriarch of their family died a few years ago, he took over the family business. Now it's Christmastime, and keeping his father's legacy of charity and hospitality alive is a heavy task.
When Hunter visits a property his family owns, he meets Carissa, one of the last tenants in the rundown building. Feeling responsible, he steps in to support the struggling family, only to discover that the joy of spending time with Carissa and her daughter is priceless.
Hunter cares about Carissa, likes her as a person, and just wants to make things easier for her. But Carissa is carrying a lot of anxiety and shame, and while she's grateful for the help during the holidays, she worries about being a burden on a stranger. Can their blossoming love withstand the stresses of poverty, or will their class differences be too much?
💕THE ROMANCE💕
Hunter and Carissa don't spend a lot of time flirting or goofing around. They're both adults navigating a challenging situation. Their quality time together is usually just relaxing and enjoying a quiet moment or needing to address some kind of external situation. It's a practical romance, one filled with connection through caretaking and shared values.
It feels in many ways like a historical romance in the way it centers on star crossed lovers from vastly different economic backgrounds. But in this modern take, the characters do their best to approaching the issue maturely and communicate pretty well. Inner dialogue is reasoned and thoughtful and everyone is honest with themselves and each other.
It also has elements of a billionaire romance - Hunter swoops in and solves Carissa's problems with a casual, delightful indulgence. But because this story is a bit more up front about the realities of crushing poverty, it has added emotional complexity to it. The conflict of the romance centers around this delicate issue, which requires it to be more grounded and less playful. (For the record, I really liked this about it.)
And Hunter is also really struggling, searching for something, which he finds in Carissa and Rachel. Seeing the way he lights up around her and starts to find his purpose again makes the romance feel balanced and satisfying. These two are great for each other, and their romance takes itself seriously.
🎄CHRISTMAS🎄
Oh man, this book sparkles with Christmas. It's a letter to Santa that gets the whole thing really going. The cold snowy setting is ever present, with plenty of snow, cold, crackling fires, coats and boots. The families go to a Christmas village, trim trees, wrap presents, and decorate cookies.
Christmas isn't just a fun backdrop for the romance - it's part of the emotional arc. The fact that the holidays can be a tough time for people who are struggling - with grief, pain, poverty - means we can see exactly how Hunter and Carissa show up for and complete each other.
✝️FAITH ELEMENTS✝️
Characters pray and attend church. Hunter's dad, a man of faith, has left a legacy of Christian values such as hospitality, welcome, non-judgment, and inclusion. Hunter clearly feels called to be a responsible steward of his wealth and focuses on people over profit.
All adults in the story rejoice over children and believe in helping families thrive. Giving freely and lifting others up are central themes.
📝MY THOUGHTS📝
If you couldn't already tell from the rest of this review, I really liked this. It was incredibly grounded in the thematic and theological work it was doing. It's more serious about topics like wealth and poverty than many other romances. This is a story about adults facing adult problems, which makes the happy ever after even more satisfying.
The side characters were excellent. Rachel was delightful as a sweet, blunt, precocious kid. I appreciated the way everyone made space for Hunter's brother's chronic pain. I loved the reveal that I won't spoil here but just gives more depth to everything. The Christmas setting was perfect. Loved it!
October 24, 2021
Joy
The Christmas season is rapidly approaching, as I was engulfed in lives so different from anything I could ever imagine, I was transported to cold snowy sidewalks, a tenement building with little to no heat and a total lack of security. A child who is loved beyond measure and families intertwined by shared loss.
As always when starting a new series I wonder how I could possibly care about new people, and once again I was pleasantly surprised, as I fell in love with the King family and Carissa and Joy.
The Christmas season is rapidly approaching, as I was engulfed in lives so different from anything I could ever imagine, I was transported to cold snowy sidewalks, a tenement building with little to no heat and a total lack of security. A child who is loved beyond measure and families intertwined by shared loss.
As always when starting a new series I wonder how I could possibly care about new people, and once again I was pleasantly surprised, as I fell in love with the King family and Carissa and Joy.
January 26, 2022
Sweetly Heartwarming
A great Christmas story that builds slowly to it’s expected climax of extra gooeyness, Child of Joy’s focus on little Rachel as a catalyst allows you to forget that this is a romance right up until the end. While not revolutionary, this first book in Kimberly Rae Jordan’s We Three Kings series gives off that classic family Christmas movie vibe that fills your heart with a desire to pass out hot chocolate and hugs. Child of Joy could merry almost anyone’s Christmas and then have enough sweetness left over to happy their New Year, so Scrooges beware!
A great Christmas story that builds slowly to it’s expected climax of extra gooeyness, Child of Joy’s focus on little Rachel as a catalyst allows you to forget that this is a romance right up until the end. While not revolutionary, this first book in Kimberly Rae Jordan’s We Three Kings series gives off that classic family Christmas movie vibe that fills your heart with a desire to pass out hot chocolate and hugs. Child of Joy could merry almost anyone’s Christmas and then have enough sweetness left over to happy their New Year, so Scrooges beware!
March 9, 2023
Answer to a bad situation
A young woman a d her 8 year daughter were facing homeless in December if she could not find a place to live close to her daughters school and her work. She had very little money but made sure her daughter would have enough to eat before she ate. The apparent were they were living was very cold. Finally the landlord came and offered her heaters and a new stove. She and her cute daughter were invited to a Christmas party and family became attracted to no of them. Please read this interesting story for the rest of the excitement.
A young woman a d her 8 year daughter were facing homeless in December if she could not find a place to live close to her daughters school and her work. She had very little money but made sure her daughter would have enough to eat before she ate. The apparent were they were living was very cold. Finally the landlord came and offered her heaters and a new stove. She and her cute daughter were invited to a Christmas party and family became attracted to no of them. Please read this interesting story for the rest of the excitement.
February 17, 2022
The Oldest King: Hunter
Kimberly Rae Jordan certainly has written wholesome, but romantic three novels with the King triplets. When you get to the final book of the three you will have met the two men and the woman who were born on the very. same day. The storyline for each shows how their wealth is used under the teaching of their father whose own parent was a single mom with little money, but great love.
Kimberly Rae Jordan certainly has written wholesome, but romantic three novels with the King triplets. When you get to the final book of the three you will have met the two men and the woman who were born on the very. same day. The storyline for each shows how their wealth is used under the teaching of their father whose own parent was a single mom with little money, but great love.
November 23, 2025
LOVED this heartwarming story! The King family was amazing in the way they interacted with everyone. Rachel has low esteem and is very wary of people while Hunter is a very compassionate and generous man. They met under unusual circumstances and a real life fairytale came to life.
Grab your copy to see how God orchestrated their HEA! I can’t wait for the next in the series!
5 STAR ⭐️ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ WINNER 🥇
Grab your copy to see how God orchestrated their HEA! I can’t wait for the next in the series!
5 STAR ⭐️ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ WINNER 🥇
November 13, 2021
They only get better
Kimberly's books and the characters draw you in from the first few words and you get so involved you can't leave the room. Child of Joy is a story of great loss but an even greater love as Christ loved us even in our darkest when we thought nothing or no-one was there-He was! She weaves a Christmas story of hope, joy and love
Kimberly's books and the characters draw you in from the first few words and you get so involved you can't leave the room. Child of Joy is a story of great loss but an even greater love as Christ loved us even in our darkest when we thought nothing or no-one was there-He was! She weaves a Christmas story of hope, joy and love
December 27, 2021
sweet story
Sweet story with Christmas theme. It was fun getting to know each of the characters as the story unfolded. I appreciate that the language was clean and the relationships chaste. I enjoy reading books by Kimberly Rae Jordan and although I’ve enjoyed many of her other books more, this was a sweet, light Christmas read.
Sweet story with Christmas theme. It was fun getting to know each of the characters as the story unfolded. I appreciate that the language was clean and the relationships chaste. I enjoy reading books by Kimberly Rae Jordan and although I’ve enjoyed many of her other books more, this was a sweet, light Christmas read.
May 6, 2022
Excellent book on families and love . It was a good story like Cinderella.
This book had two very kind hearted people in the story. Each of them was a concerned person for the feelings of others. It was a very believable story. I liked the personalities of the characters in the story, the mom, the sister, the little girl and the man and lady as well.
This book had two very kind hearted people in the story. Each of them was a concerned person for the feelings of others. It was a very believable story. I liked the personalities of the characters in the story, the mom, the sister, the little girl and the man and lady as well.
January 16, 2024
The picture of this single mom and her struggles is written so well. The family she ends up involved with (the Kings) are also written in a way that is so engaging but real. They are a family who is loving and close, but each have their own struggles. This was such a great read especially at Christmas time!
November 17, 2025
Lovely but predictable
Since this book is listed as a Christian Christmas Romance it is exactly what it says. I like the considerate way the hero relates to the heroin. The feelings expressed by both seem realistic. The Christian values are good. It's a warm cozy satisfying read. Predictable but not dull or boring at all.
Since this book is listed as a Christian Christmas Romance it is exactly what it says. I like the considerate way the hero relates to the heroin. The feelings expressed by both seem realistic. The Christian values are good. It's a warm cozy satisfying read. Predictable but not dull or boring at all.
October 24, 2021
I absolutely loved this book—I read it in one sitting. Nothing came easy to our heroine, but she was determined to be a good mother and always put her daughter first. Things were going wrong far more than they were going right. They were about to lose their dilapidated apartment through no fault of their own. Little did this Mama know what was coming her way. Blessings abound with this lovely story of God’s timing and provision. And love.
November 1, 2021
Beautifully felt
This story had me from the first chapter. The King family openness to helping others and a single mom’s determination-to be the best me m for her little girl. To the gift Rachel wanted for her mom at Christmas.
This story had me from the first chapter. The King family openness to helping others and a single mom’s determination-to be the best me m for her little girl. To the gift Rachel wanted for her mom at Christmas.
November 2, 2021
Pure Delight!
Child of Joy was a pure delight to read! The characters stole my heart and made me so happy that this is just the first book! Carissa and Hunter’s love story was so beautiful, I can’t wait for Heather and Hayden’s stories!
Child of Joy was a pure delight to read! The characters stole my heart and made me so happy that this is just the first book! Carissa and Hunter’s love story was so beautiful, I can’t wait for Heather and Hayden’s stories!
November 13, 2021
Enjoyable and Heartwarming
I enjoyed reading this story. The storyline portrayed what real love for people looks like no matter what position or status they may be. Showed God's unconditional love for us. Loved It!!
I enjoyed reading this story. The storyline portrayed what real love for people looks like no matter what position or status they may be. Showed God's unconditional love for us. Loved It!!
December 7, 2021
An outstanding love story!
This is the first book of this author that I e read, but she is going on my favorite list and I can’t wait to read the next book in this series! I love her style of writing!!!
This is the first book of this author that I e read, but she is going on my favorite list and I can’t wait to read the next book in this series! I love her style of writing!!!
January 21, 2022
I loved this. Could not put it down. Finished in about 24 hours. I loved the story and loved the differences in the families involved but how they were able to get so close. I loved the connections and especially touched my heart was the king family helping so many people. Loved this book
January 26, 2022
Wonderful story
I liked that all the characters were introduced and had depth to them. I liked the fact that regardless of their financial status, God was important to all of them and His sovereignty in their lives was recognized and appreciated.
I liked that all the characters were introduced and had depth to them. I liked the fact that regardless of their financial status, God was important to all of them and His sovereignty in their lives was recognized and appreciated.
January 28, 2022
Kimberly never disappoints!
I love this book. So heartfelt. I can't wait to read the other Kings story!! This book will have you smile, and bring you to tears. Most of all it will give you hope!!
I love this book. So heartfelt. I can't wait to read the other Kings story!! This book will have you smile, and bring you to tears. Most of all it will give you hope!!
February 13, 2022
Such a heartwarming story!
A single mother and her adorable eight-year-old daughter in dire circumstances. A rich landlord with a heart of gold. Put them together and watch the magic happen as this sweet story unfolds. Heartwarming, for sure. I can't wait to read the next one :-)
A single mother and her adorable eight-year-old daughter in dire circumstances. A rich landlord with a heart of gold. Put them together and watch the magic happen as this sweet story unfolds. Heartwarming, for sure. I can't wait to read the next one :-)
July 1, 2022
Sweet Christmas romance
I loved the interaction between family members. I liked the way the mom pushed her pride out of the way for her daughter's joy, and I loved the joy that oozed from each page. Happy ending d all around!
I loved the interaction between family members. I liked the way the mom pushed her pride out of the way for her daughter's joy, and I loved the joy that oozed from each page. Happy ending d all around!
July 24, 2022
Child of Joy by Kimberly Rae Jordan
A very good book of love and compassion between two unlikely people because of their stations in life. Recommended reading for anyone that enjoys a good clean family reading.
A very good book of love and compassion between two unlikely people because of their stations in life. Recommended reading for anyone that enjoys a good clean family reading.
November 10, 2022
This story brought so many smiles to my spirit. All of the characters were warm and friendly, even Hayden. I can't wait for the next book in the series. I'm sure Hayden's story will be last, but I'm equally sure, it'll be worth the wait.
November 23, 2024
A delightful Christmas read. When Carissa has hit rock bottom a stranger knocks on her door and lives are changed. Hunter steps in to rescue her and her young daughter and they rescue him right back.
November 16, 2025
Easy Read, Enjoyable
A little girls Santa Wish list, A mom who wants only the best but falls on hard times…the single mom struggles are real, but taking care and the love for her daughter are gopher first priority. A very enjoyable story.
A little girls Santa Wish list, A mom who wants only the best but falls on hard times…the single mom struggles are real, but taking care and the love for her daughter are gopher first priority. A very enjoyable story.
November 21, 2025
Finally! A Christmas book I can really get into! I should have known I could rely on Kimberly Rae Jordan to step it up for me. I absolutely loved this and can't wait to read the next two in the series!
October 23, 2021
Wonderful new series
This was such a sweet story. It certainly puts you in the holiday spirit. Anxious to read the rest of the series.
This was such a sweet story. It certainly puts you in the holiday spirit. Anxious to read the rest of the series.
October 25, 2021
Loved it!
This was a beautiful and heartwarming story! I absolutely loved it! I can't wait for the next two books in this little series!
This was a beautiful and heartwarming story! I absolutely loved it! I can't wait for the next two books in this little series!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 69 reviews