Leah is determined to make this Christmas the best ever for her foster son. Even if it means working with her grinchy new neighbor...
Leah has been waiting months for the call saying she’s been selected as a foster mother. But from the moment she meets her troubled foster son, he wants nothing to do with her. For some reason, he’d rather spend time with Leah’s grumpy new neighbor, Austin. Leah would prefer to keep her distance from the man, but if spending time with him is the price she has to pay to connect with her son, she’ll do it. And maybe she’ll try to convince Austin that Christmas is worth celebrating while she’s at it.
For Austin, Hope Springs is just a stopping point as he rehabilitates his leg and prepares to redeploy overseas. He has no desire to get to know anyone while he’s here—least of all the woman next door, who seems to have made it her personal mission to smother him with Christmas cheer. When she somehow manages to rope him into helping her make the holiday special for her foster son, Austin can’t deny that spending time with her is healing the broken parts inside of him.
But when he receives news that shatters his world all over again, will he push her away? Or embrace the gift God has given them this Christmas—each other?
I have three great loves: Jesus, my family, and books. And chocolate (okay, four great loves). I write fast-paced, emotional Christian fiction that weaves real-life problems, real-life people, and real-life faith. My characters may (okay, will) experience some heartache along the way, but I promise I'll always give them a happy ending.
Not Until Christmas Morning was another book that I absolutely loved by this author! These characters felt so real to me and I could feel their various struggles as I read their story.
Jackson, Leah’s foster child, had so much fear and anger in him. I felt compassion for him, even as I felt sad for Leah as she continually tried to reach out to him. Austin was determined and strong, yet struggled with PTSD and the idea that because some very bad things had happened, belief in God was silly.
The attraction between Austin and Leah was beautifully written and I enjoyed reading as they started out working together for Jackson’s benefit and then grew into much more. This book really pulled on my heartstrings. It is part of a series, yet can easily be read as a stand alone novel.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
Loved this book! Each time a new book arrives in this series I stop whatever I am currently reading to pick up the newest. Val Bodden never disappoints. Stories are also well written and powerful. Heartwarming story that is a light read during the busy holiday season. Val brings her stories to life with her descriptions of the scene and surroundings.
This was a wonderful story about turning to God and accepting his will even if it isn't what we want or think we need. There was no foul language or sex; just a wonderful story about redemption, healing and the power of love.
Austin had lost his best friend and his leg in an attack while serving in Afghanistan. He was angry with God and determined to heal and be redeployed so he could protect his brother, who was still serving in Afghanistan. He had no time for distractions. He had decided to take a "vacation" in Hope Springs. His family had lived there and had been happy.
Leah lived next door to the house that Austin was renting. She was a small business owner who was in a good place in her life. She wanted to do something worthwhile and good so she decided to become a foster parent to any older child. She had dreams of eventually adopting this child who would love her from the beginning. When Jackson was placed in her home, he was an angry, sullen twelve year old boy who didn't believe in love. He had found his mother dead from a drug overdose when he was six years old and had been moved through many foster homes since then.
Austin and Leah began to spend some time together and Jackson connected with Austin. They each helped provide something for each other that helped in healing and demonstrated true love.
I was given an arc copy of this book and thoroughly enjoyed reading such a wonderful story and I willingly offer my honest review.
This was a beautiful and inspirational story! After going through a rough year, the messages in these pages touched my heart and I have been blessed with the reminder to "Let go, and let God". I could feel the healing in my own soul as I read the beautifully crafted words.
The story is truly inspiring as it reminds us that God provides us with everything we need, and hears our prayers. He may not answer the way we expect or want, or in the time we want, but he always answers. Our suffering teaches us to depend on Him to help us through it, and at times He takes us down roads of pain and beauty to bring us back to Him.
Austin, Leah, and Jackson stumble their way through difficult circumstances, but Leah never gives up, though she is hurt time and again. Her outlook on life, her strong faith, and openness to everything that happens is the true blessing of this book. She is the rock that Austin and Jackson cling to as they learn love, trust, and belief in themselves and others. Together they weather fears, disappointment, anger, frustration, confusion, frustration, but also stand together in hope, compassion, strength, trust, and love. This story is a must read.
Thank you, Valerie for writing such a wonderful story and lesson.
I received this book as an ARC. All thoughts and opinions are mine.
Ever been mad at God? Ever feel like all hope is gone? What starts out as a heart wrenching storyline transcends to a heartwarming tale.
Austin lost his faith when he lost his leg and friends in Afghanistan.
Jackson found his mother dead from an overdose when he was six. Now the young 12 year old who only has seen loss, disapproval and anguish, acts out.
Leah, who has a heart wanting love, even if she refuses to admit that, needs Austin and Jackson as much as they need her.
While turning the pages, it was was so rewarding to see how God takes bad situations, turns them around and uses them for good. Seeing how He touched each life and gave the strength needed to move forward was amazing. But don’t be fooled. Healing usually is a journey, seldom is it an instant miracle. And so it is with Leah, Austin and Jackson.
Talk about tugging at the heart, this book does it. And while it makes for a touching story to read at Christmas, being full of hope and love, this book certainly isn’t designated ‘only for Christmas’. This is a book that will touch your heart anytime of the year.
My heart broke for Jackson (the foster kid with a really tough childhood) and Austin. (Not as much for Leah, as I felt she was a little too 'poor-me-I-was-jilted-once'.) I have a huge soft spot for wounded soldiers (in fact I also write about them) due to my own service. I often explore the struggle for faith when you've seen and experienced terrible things, and I found Austin with his anger and journey back to God to be very believable and touching. Leah was a little on the naive side especially with her expectations that Jackson would accept her as 'mom' without any hesitation. And I think the author portrayed this broken pre-teen quite realistically. Note that there are some long-ish passages that some may find a little preachy (I liked them), but they are always done with the intention of moving the story along and facilitating the eventual transformation.
This is such an inspirational story of forgiveness, trust and belief. Trust that God has forgiven us and has a plan for each of us. It's a reminder that He is in control and knows what is best for each of us. We just have to trust and believe in His Word. Valerie Bodden has such a talent for grabbing and holding your interest from the first chapter to the last. She isn't afraid to tackle the tough situations every day life throws at us. Her ability to use her stories to share God's word is uplifting. I couldn't put this book down. I received this copy free from the author and am under no obligation to leave a review. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and am freely sharing my opinion.
This was the first book I’ve read by this author and it’ll be the first of many. I think the most succinct way to summarize my reaction to this book is balance. There was balance and rapport. It drew me in and ended up being very satisfying.
I appreciate that part of Austin’s heartbreak & brokenness is about a child, and I appreciated how the foster situation was portrayed. I mean, was it a bit Hallmarkish at times? Sure. But that’s just all the more appropriate because it’s a Christmas book!
I really liked it. Valerie Bodden is sure to be one of my go to authors for Christian romance. Complexities without being too much. Hope without straying into dreamscape.
Leah and Austin both have hurts that keep them from really pursuing the future they so desperately want. She has the kindest heart and I loved how much she gave to her foster son. He is quite grumpy and thinks he doesn't want to change - well doesn't think he has the right to be happy. Jackson really brought these two together but not without angst and bumps in the road. I was so encouraged by their faith and desiring to please the Lord. The ending was so sweet and the epilogue was just the icing on the cake!!! So hoping Chad gets his own book.
I LOVED this book!! I was a little irritated with Leah at first, but grew to like to her. I felt like she was very naive to think that taking in a foster child would be a piece of cake, and the child would come in with no lingering problems from being in foster care. She wasn't realistic her thinking at all!! She finally figured things out, but it took longer than I thought it should have. Still, I loved the book, and she did figure things out, and grew in her knowledge of herself and how she needed to relate to God. My favorite quote in the book was: "Faith isn't faith if it only believes in God when He answers our prayers in the way we want Him to. Faith is faith when we believe 'even if.'"
I received a complimentary copy of this book, was not required to review, and the opinion expressed is totally my own.
A sweet novel about two people that are disappointed in God. Do these two find their way back? The one thing that stayed with me long after I read this book was the idea of an "Even if" kind of faith Austin's friend had. "Believing in God- EVEN IF". Even if He doesn't answer your prayers, even if it seems that he isn't listening, can you still believe that God has a plan and it may be better than what you are praying for? After seeing it put that way, I am really trying to have that kind of faith.
Thoroughly enjoyed this book. I don't like reading books that are in the middle of a series because they tend to feel disjointed and awkward, but I didn't notice that in this case. The characters were well developed and believable, each dealing with their own unique issued coming together in a collision that they were able to untangle better together. The timing seemed off, but that's what happens in books. People always fall in love, break up, work out all of their problems fall back in love and love happily ever after in three weeks. Makes real life a little too, well, real. And makes a case for unrealistic of in real life.
I loved this story! 🥹👏🏾 Slow burn, forced proximity, and come to faith tropes?!! YEP, I WAS ALL IN! I felt for Jackson while reading. He had such a troubled childhood, so I understood why he was the way that he was. I thought that Leah and Austin expressed a great example of God’s patience. There was so much emotional depth to this story and I could not put it down! And although this was a seasonal read, it didn’t feel like it most of the time. I like how the author didn’t throw it in your face that it was Christmas so much. I enjoyed this book and I’m loving this series! ❤️
Loved it! A beautiful story of love, hardship, determination and dedication to God's will. Adding teenage Jackson to the story made it even more real and delightful. Was Jackson always delightful - certainly not, but he was very typical of a disturbed and hurt teen, and sometimes more mature than Leah and Austin. Overall, another read that makes us realize that none of us are perfect people, but with God we can work all things out.
Leah very quickly becomes a foster mother to a troubled boy named Jackson. She has such a hard time bonding with him, let alone getting him to speak more than two or three words to her. Until a new neighbor enters the picture - a hurting, broken man named Austin, who is just trying to redeploy to Afghanistan after injury. Somehow Austin is able to bond with Jackson & that brings all three of them together. This is hands down my favorite Christmas book I read this Christmas season!! I loved this one so much!
A wonderful story with all the emotions, anger, fear, hate, forgiveness, and more. It draws you in from the first words to the last words. It's well written, a pure joy to read, characters you'll love and feel like you're part of their lives. When you let God in and let Him take control of your circumstances, it's truly amazing what happens. A touching story that will move you to tears. Highly recommend and a must read! I received an advance copy of this book from the author to leave my review.
This is a very interesting, inspiring and educational book. Austin and Leah each have their problems to face. The use of God is so prominent in this story that it makes you evaluate your own life. I just couldn't put the book down. Fantastic Book!
This was so good. A single girl, Leah with a servants heart decided she wants to be a foster Mom to Jackson. And a war torn soldier, Austin who moves next door to wait out his time while trying to past his fitness to be redeployed. I read this book in a 24 hour period. Stopping and starting while being filled with hope and inspiration. I laughed and cried. I highly recommend 'Not Until Christmas Morning' to everyone.
It's a great book. If course it had the traditional boy meets girl and they do in love but there was more than that. It really shared the gospel but not in a preachy way. It acknowledged the truth of a broken world and times that life stinks, but showed how God can still be trusted in it all. Dealt with real life issues and didn't gloss over them or give pat/cliche answers.
I actually really enjoyed this christian romance. It was a nice sweet change of pace from my normal "steamy" type romances. It was such a perfect cozy christmas romance that I read in less than a week. I really enjoyed this book. It was lovely.
Austin, lost his leg in the war and was felling broken. Leah had been hurt in the past and then Jackson was the foster child that felt no one wanted him until Rachel. This is a faith based story, because only God can heal and free them from their deep scars. Emotional story, but Valerie wrote it beautifully and shows us that we can also be set free and loved.
Though it was in the Hope Springs series, they can be read in any order, and I didn't feel like I missed anything at all. It was grittier than I expected in a Christmas romance, but it wasn't too bad – though the memories of the war did get a little more graphic than I appreciated.
I loved the very real, flawed characters and how even all the secondary characters were unique and 3D. The quality of writing was excellent! It just drew me in from the first page!
Though the romance was faster than I usually like, it still felt realistic because of where the characters were in their personal lives.
The parenting of a foster child was amazing! I'm not sure that that relationship would also have progressed so far in the month that the romance did – at the same time, at least – but it also felt right.
I was super impressed with the quality of editing and formatting, too. I only noticed two things, and as a proofreader myself, that is really good.
The only two things I didn't like were: 1) the very Calvinistic/deterministic doctrine blatantly taught all throughout the novel. At least it was consistent. 2) Leah not hesitating to date a guy who was unbelieving. At least that would be a concern of mine. It didn't seem to matter to her.
I will definitely be reading this again in winters to come!
Favorite quotes: “'It's raining peaches.' It had been one of their mother's favorite sayings when they were growing up, and after she'd died, Chad had taken it over as if he'd inherited it the same way he'd inherited her curly hair.” (p. 8)
“He said it with certainty, as if it were the most logical thing in the world. Even though some part of him knew it was the exact opposite.” (p. 11)
“It didn't make sense that his heart felt lighter after being here for only a few hours. But it did. Only a sliver, maybe. But a sliver was a start.” (p. 38)
“She smiled at him, and he tried to convince himself it didn't warm him. That was just the fire that one of the guys now had roaring in the fireplace. Nothing else.” (p. 60)
“She was so used to feeling certain about everything, used to making snap decisions and not thinking twice about them. But now, she was questioning everything, second guessing herself at every turn. Was this what parenting was going to be like? For the rest of her life?” (p. 62) Yep! Welcome to motherhood.
“But how could he [cook]? After what Tanner had said the last time he cooked? If this is the last meal I ever eat, I'll die happy. What was he supposed to do with the fact that it had been the last meal Tanner ever ate?” (p. 93)
“And he'd already cheated death. The least he could do was avoid making things easier on himself than they should be.” (p. 105)
“He may not know how to act around Leah right now. But boys and video games? That he did know.” (p. 108)
“They didn't see him as someone broken. As far as they knew, he was whole and intact. And knowing there were people who thought that gave him hope that maybe he could be again. Someday.” (p. 111)
“Though Austin had to admit that he did like spending the day with Leah—and if hanging Christmas lights was the price he had to pay to do it, he'd gladly pay again. Nice job following through with that whole not getting distracted thing.” (p. 120)
“But he didn't care. Seeing both of them smiling at the same time made it so worth it.” (p. 123)
“Being sick for Thanksgiving hadn't been part of the plan. But at least she had people she could rely on to take care of things. People like Austin.” (p. 158)
“'It's not that simple.' … 'Seems pretty easy to me. Call and tell him he's being an idiot.'” (p. 235)
(I received a copy for free from the author in a giveaway. I was not compensated for this review. All opinions are my own, as was the decision to write this review.)