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Christmas Hope #5
The Christmas Secret
When a struggling young single mother saves the life of an elderly woman, she sets into motion a series of events that will test her strength, loyalty, and determination, all the while setting her on the path to finding true love.
Christine Eisley is the mother of seven-year-old Zach and five-year-old Haley. Her ex-husband provides little, if any, child support and makes life difficult for Christine by using the children as pawns. She works long hours as a waitress to make ends meet, but her job is in jeopardy because she’s often late to work due to the unreliable teenaged sitters she’s forced to use. When Christine saves the life of a woman who works in Wilson’s department store, the owner of Wilson’s wants to find her, to thank her, but Christine has disappeared, losing another job once again. He sets his grandson, Jason, to the task of finding the mysterious “Christy.” Jason, an accountant by trade who has lost his job to downsizing, thinks he is “above” working at Wilson’s. Soon, he discovers that this new task gives him more than he bargains for.
The Christmas Secret is a novel for anyone who wants to see how love is a gift that keeps giving back; that hope is a treasure that never runs dry, and that faith is a miracle that is reborn with each new day.
Christine Eisley is the mother of seven-year-old Zach and five-year-old Haley. Her ex-husband provides little, if any, child support and makes life difficult for Christine by using the children as pawns. She works long hours as a waitress to make ends meet, but her job is in jeopardy because she’s often late to work due to the unreliable teenaged sitters she’s forced to use. When Christine saves the life of a woman who works in Wilson’s department store, the owner of Wilson’s wants to find her, to thank her, but Christine has disappeared, losing another job once again. He sets his grandson, Jason, to the task of finding the mysterious “Christy.” Jason, an accountant by trade who has lost his job to downsizing, thinks he is “above” working at Wilson’s. Soon, he discovers that this new task gives him more than he bargains for.
The Christmas Secret is a novel for anyone who wants to see how love is a gift that keeps giving back; that hope is a treasure that never runs dry, and that faith is a miracle that is reborn with each new day.
291 pages, Hardcover
First published September 19, 2009
95 people are currently reading
3339 people want to read
About the author
Donna VanLiere
78 books1,336 followersDonna is a New York Times and USA Today best-selling author. She's an in-demand conference speaker and gifted teacher and has 14 published books including four that have been adapted into movies.
Donna is the recipient of multiple industry awards including a Retailer's Choice Award for Fiction, a Dove Award, a Silver Angel Award, two Audie Awards for best inspirational fiction, a nominee for a Gold Medallion Book of the Year and is an inductee in the Ohio Foundation of Independent Colleges Hall of Excellence joining such luminaries as Coretta Scott King, Hugh Downs, Dr. Norman Vincent Peale and Senator John Glenn.
Learn more about Donna by visiting www.DonnaVanLiere.com and stay up-to-date and in-touch by subscribing to her free Friendship List.
Donna is the recipient of multiple industry awards including a Retailer's Choice Award for Fiction, a Dove Award, a Silver Angel Award, two Audie Awards for best inspirational fiction, a nominee for a Gold Medallion Book of the Year and is an inductee in the Ohio Foundation of Independent Colleges Hall of Excellence joining such luminaries as Coretta Scott King, Hugh Downs, Dr. Norman Vincent Peale and Senator John Glenn.
Learn more about Donna by visiting www.DonnaVanLiere.com and stay up-to-date and in-touch by subscribing to her free Friendship List.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 526 reviews
December 28, 2023
A moving and uplifting Christmas story.🎄✨
The Christmas Secret is part 5 of Christmas Hope series. It can be read as a standalone but you'll find references to names and places from other books. Every year, I would read one of VanLiere's Christmas stories and my VanLiere stash is running low. I hope that there'll be a new book before I run out!
This one focuses on Christine, a struggling single mom of two. Her ex-husband is not only absent but also hasn't been supporting them financially. Her life takes a new turn when she meets Jason, the grandson of Wilson's Department Store owner.
A little down and depressing story at first but there's hope and love in the end.💞
The Christmas Secret is part 5 of Christmas Hope series. It can be read as a standalone but you'll find references to names and places from other books. Every year, I would read one of VanLiere's Christmas stories and my VanLiere stash is running low. I hope that there'll be a new book before I run out!
This one focuses on Christine, a struggling single mom of two. Her ex-husband is not only absent but also hasn't been supporting them financially. Her life takes a new turn when she meets Jason, the grandson of Wilson's Department Store owner.
A little down and depressing story at first but there's hope and love in the end.💞
December 14, 2024
Every year at Christmas I read several books in Donna Van Liere’s Christmas novella series. They’re nice short reads and I always enjoy the characters. In the CHRISTMAS SECRET, Christy is struggling to make ends meet as a single mother. When she helps a woman suffering from a medical event one morning, she crosses paths with someone who will change her life. Jason is an accountant who is reluctantly working in his grandfather’s store for the holidays, and not liking the life lessons the older man is trying to teach him. He’s been tasked with finding Christy. This was a nice read. 4/5 stars.
November 26, 2018
As you all know by now, I'm a soulless lunatic. So my love of all things Christmas is peculiar and a bit strange. What can I say I'm a weirdo.
Christmas novels and movies are always sugary sweet. The Christmas Secret is almost too sweet. The town is filled with all the nicest and most generous people ever. I had to put the book down for a few days because I was afraid I would go into diabetic shock.
The Christmas Secret is about single mom Christine Eisley who is struggling to raise her two kids alone after losing her job and getting evicted. I felt so awful for Christine because I knew countless women are living this in real life. Christine in her desperation sends a plea up to God for help. Her prayers are answered through the people of the town pulling together to help her. She also finds love.
If you love feel good Christmas novels read this book. Donna VanLiere is one of the Queens of Christmas.
Christmas novels and movies are always sugary sweet. The Christmas Secret is almost too sweet. The town is filled with all the nicest and most generous people ever. I had to put the book down for a few days because I was afraid I would go into diabetic shock.
The Christmas Secret is about single mom Christine Eisley who is struggling to raise her two kids alone after losing her job and getting evicted. I felt so awful for Christine because I knew countless women are living this in real life. Christine in her desperation sends a plea up to God for help. Her prayers are answered through the people of the town pulling together to help her. She also finds love.
If you love feel good Christmas novels read this book. Donna VanLiere is one of the Queens of Christmas.
December 16, 2022
We dance round in a ring and suppose,
But the secret sits in the middle and knows ~ Robert Frost
I may have been a bit late to the party on this series, BUT reading a number of them back to back feels like one continuous story as characters from previous books are recurring in the newer ones. There are secrets being kept in the town of Grandon, and it's not just the presents under the trees. Our focus is on divorced mother Christine and her recent string of disasters. She puts a note under her tree to God asking for help. That is all she wants for Christmas. As He often does, her request is about to be answered in abundant ways. You will enjoy the many ways the residents of this town support and encourage each other as you read this installment in the Christmas Hope series. Each book works as a standalone, but they are even more beautiful read in order.
But the secret sits in the middle and knows ~ Robert Frost
I may have been a bit late to the party on this series, BUT reading a number of them back to back feels like one continuous story as characters from previous books are recurring in the newer ones. There are secrets being kept in the town of Grandon, and it's not just the presents under the trees. Our focus is on divorced mother Christine and her recent string of disasters. She puts a note under her tree to God asking for help. That is all she wants for Christmas. As He often does, her request is about to be answered in abundant ways. You will enjoy the many ways the residents of this town support and encourage each other as you read this installment in the Christmas Hope series. Each book works as a standalone, but they are even more beautiful read in order.
August 11, 2019
A heart-warming story.
December 30, 2015
Loved this one! Christmas miracles, the promise of love and the hope of something better. Perfect for the holidays!
December 11, 2015
I loved this author's recent novel, The Good Dream, so I thought I'd try one of her shorter novels. Maybe it would have been better as a rapid reading experience where I could skim, skim, skim, but I listened to it. Ugh. Ugh. So much bickering, griping, squabbling. I didn't care for the transparent plot either.
But ....the worst thing? I didn't like Jason at all. I had no wish to see him turn over a new leaf, become more humane, soak up the true Christmas spirit. The author did an excellent job portraying this supposed "hero" as a first class icksickle. Why would I even want to change my opinion of him? If you knock children over and don't stop to help them (and you're a grown man at age 24, formerly a football player) you'll do it till you're 94.
If you tell some strange woman -- smaller than you -- to lug your suitcase up the stairs just because your grandfather is her boss (meanwhile you tote a single backpack, taking two steps at a time) you are simply a jerk. A life-time membership.
Let's remember, we can't turn a sow's ear into a silk purse. Not even for Christmas.
I didn't care for how the POV switched from third person to first person. Unsettling.
Didn't finish this one. Got a return from Audible.
But ....the worst thing? I didn't like Jason at all. I had no wish to see him turn over a new leaf, become more humane, soak up the true Christmas spirit. The author did an excellent job portraying this supposed "hero" as a first class icksickle. Why would I even want to change my opinion of him? If you knock children over and don't stop to help them (and you're a grown man at age 24, formerly a football player) you'll do it till you're 94.
If you tell some strange woman -- smaller than you -- to lug your suitcase up the stairs just because your grandfather is her boss (meanwhile you tote a single backpack, taking two steps at a time) you are simply a jerk. A life-time membership.
Let's remember, we can't turn a sow's ear into a silk purse. Not even for Christmas.
I didn't care for how the POV switched from third person to first person. Unsettling.
Didn't finish this one. Got a return from Audible.
December 17, 2021
Christmas 2021 - Nice-ish
This was overall a sweet story about a struggling single mother trying to give her kids a nice Christmas, but it was just too much. Too many characters to keep track of, too many big misunderstandings that could/should have been cleared up quickly, and WAY too many coincidences. I realized later that this was #5 in a series so that may account for the abundance of characters, thrown in for connection to previous installments.
Also, I think it was a mistake to make Jason such a jackass in the beginning, I didn't really buy his transformation to nice, compassionate, romantic guy at the end. Als0 the brief amount of time he spent with Christie didn't justify the life changing decision he made in regards to her - especially considering at the time he made it, neither one even knew the other’s real name, and she had casually neglected to mention that she had two children.
The fact that this is a series also may account for some of the plot threads that were left dangling, or maybe my wandering attention just missed the resolution - I listened to the audiobook and it's always harder to go back and check things. So if you read this and know the answer to either question in the spoiler below, please let me know!
Do you know the answer to these questions?
This was overall a sweet story about a struggling single mother trying to give her kids a nice Christmas, but it was just too much. Too many characters to keep track of, too many big misunderstandings that could/should have been cleared up quickly, and WAY too many coincidences. I realized later that this was #5 in a series so that may account for the abundance of characters, thrown in for connection to previous installments.
Also, I think it was a mistake to make Jason such a jackass in the beginning, I didn't really buy his transformation to nice, compassionate, romantic guy at the end. Als0 the brief amount of time he spent with Christie didn't justify the life changing decision he made in regards to her - especially considering at the time he made it, neither one even knew the other’s real name, and she had casually neglected to mention that she had two children.
The fact that this is a series also may account for some of the plot threads that were left dangling, or maybe my wandering attention just missed the resolution - I listened to the audiobook and it's always harder to go back and check things. So if you read this and know the answer to either question in the spoiler below, please let me know!
Do you know the answer to these questions?
November 24, 2018
Such a sweet Christmas novel! I especially loved Marshall, Miriam and Gloria.
January 6, 2014
Reviewed for THC Reviews
I can always count on Donna VanLiere to give me a heartwarming holiday read, and The Christmas Secret is no exception. I've absolutely fallen in love with the nameless small town where all her Christmas Hope books take place and would love to live there. The residents of the town really bring it to life, creating a warm, inviting atmosphere. They're always ready to lend a helping hand to those in need, and I love how all their lives intertwine into a beautiful, intricate web. Every time I read one of Ms. VanLiere's books, I'm reminded of the It's a Wonderful Life principle that each of our lives touch so many others, we are simply part of a much larger picture and not an island unto ourselves. I also enjoyed the fact that The Christmas Secret is a little more upbeat than some of the earlier books in the series that dealt with heavier topics. This one even has a wonderfully serendipitous little romance, which as a romance lover, I thoroughly appreciated. All in all, I couldn't have asked for a better book to put me in the holiday spirit.
The author continues her tradition of alternating first and third person POVs. In this book, the first person narrator is Christine, a struggling single mother of two young children. As the story opens, Christine loses her job as a waitress due to circumstances outside her control. She's been late to work several times due to unreliable babysitters and is given one last warning. The next day, her car is trapped in her driveway by the car of a older woman who has had a heart attack at the wheel. Fortunately, Christine is able to save the woman's life, but her heroic effort is lost on her boss. Luckily, she manages to find employment at another restaurant, but her life has otherwise become one huge instance of the old adage “when it rains, it pours.” She's constantly threatened by an ex-husband who isn't paying child support, but who dares to call social services on her. She's being evicted for not keeping up with her rent, and then, all the Christmas gifts she buys for her children are stolen from her car, not to mention, the car breaks down. Poor Christine just can't seem to catch a break, but in spite of being desperately in need herself, she generously takes time to talk with and monetarily help another woman who is a regular customer at the restaurant.
The primary third person narrator is Jason, who is the grandson of Marshall Wilson, owner of the iconic Wilson's department store that has become the centerpiece of the town in these books. While in between jobs, Marshall invites Jason to come work for him in his store. In Jason's mind, it isn't the ideal job, but having nothing better to do while waiting for his headhunter to call, he agrees. Jason is a young accounting major who has a slightly overinflated sense of self-importance. He comes from the city and doesn't really pay much attention to the people around him. I love the lesson his grandfather teaches him with his repeated quizzes that business is not just about the numbers but the people. By the time Jason is finally able to answer the questions correctly, I think he's learned his lesson well. Marshall also encourages Jason to volunteer at Glory's Place, a program that assists single mothers and their children. I think Jason was a bit surprised to find how good he is with the kids. The thing I liked most about Jason though, was the gentle way he flirted with Christine every time he came into the restaurant. Initially, she gives him the cold shoulder, because she thinks he's there playing spy for her ex-husband. In spite of her stand-offish-ness, Jason never gives up on trying to get her to go out with him, until slowly but surely these two start to fall for one another even though neither knows the other's real name. Through all of his experiences with the store, the kids, and Christine, Jason gradually comes to realize that he wants more out of life than what he's been pursuing up to that point. He wants a forever kind of love like his grandparents shared.
A few of the secondary characters get their own POV scenes. Marshall is struggling with a life-changing decision. Gloria ( The Christmas Promise ) returns along with her best friend, Miriam. The two of them become a support system for Christine. Patricia Addison ( The Christmas Hope ) is the social worker who looks into the allegations of child neglect brought by Christine's ex-husband. Many other characters from past novels in the series have briefer supporting roles, or at the very least, are seen in the background. I've always loved how Donna VanLiere can pull together multiple story lines into one big whole. There are certain subplots that the reader is kept in the dark about throughout the entire book, but when all is said and done, they all converge into a perfect ending that could easily be tied up with a bow. I think it's this cohesive sense of oneness that makes this little town feel so warm and close-knit. The Christmas Secret was another great read in this already wonderful series. I'll certainly be looking forward to continuing with the series and eventually re-reading it for many Christmases to come.
I can always count on Donna VanLiere to give me a heartwarming holiday read, and The Christmas Secret is no exception. I've absolutely fallen in love with the nameless small town where all her Christmas Hope books take place and would love to live there. The residents of the town really bring it to life, creating a warm, inviting atmosphere. They're always ready to lend a helping hand to those in need, and I love how all their lives intertwine into a beautiful, intricate web. Every time I read one of Ms. VanLiere's books, I'm reminded of the It's a Wonderful Life principle that each of our lives touch so many others, we are simply part of a much larger picture and not an island unto ourselves. I also enjoyed the fact that The Christmas Secret is a little more upbeat than some of the earlier books in the series that dealt with heavier topics. This one even has a wonderfully serendipitous little romance, which as a romance lover, I thoroughly appreciated. All in all, I couldn't have asked for a better book to put me in the holiday spirit.
The author continues her tradition of alternating first and third person POVs. In this book, the first person narrator is Christine, a struggling single mother of two young children. As the story opens, Christine loses her job as a waitress due to circumstances outside her control. She's been late to work several times due to unreliable babysitters and is given one last warning. The next day, her car is trapped in her driveway by the car of a older woman who has had a heart attack at the wheel. Fortunately, Christine is able to save the woman's life, but her heroic effort is lost on her boss. Luckily, she manages to find employment at another restaurant, but her life has otherwise become one huge instance of the old adage “when it rains, it pours.” She's constantly threatened by an ex-husband who isn't paying child support, but who dares to call social services on her. She's being evicted for not keeping up with her rent, and then, all the Christmas gifts she buys for her children are stolen from her car, not to mention, the car breaks down. Poor Christine just can't seem to catch a break, but in spite of being desperately in need herself, she generously takes time to talk with and monetarily help another woman who is a regular customer at the restaurant.
The primary third person narrator is Jason, who is the grandson of Marshall Wilson, owner of the iconic Wilson's department store that has become the centerpiece of the town in these books. While in between jobs, Marshall invites Jason to come work for him in his store. In Jason's mind, it isn't the ideal job, but having nothing better to do while waiting for his headhunter to call, he agrees. Jason is a young accounting major who has a slightly overinflated sense of self-importance. He comes from the city and doesn't really pay much attention to the people around him. I love the lesson his grandfather teaches him with his repeated quizzes that business is not just about the numbers but the people. By the time Jason is finally able to answer the questions correctly, I think he's learned his lesson well. Marshall also encourages Jason to volunteer at Glory's Place, a program that assists single mothers and their children. I think Jason was a bit surprised to find how good he is with the kids. The thing I liked most about Jason though, was the gentle way he flirted with Christine every time he came into the restaurant. Initially, she gives him the cold shoulder, because she thinks he's there playing spy for her ex-husband. In spite of her stand-offish-ness, Jason never gives up on trying to get her to go out with him, until slowly but surely these two start to fall for one another even though neither knows the other's real name. Through all of his experiences with the store, the kids, and Christine, Jason gradually comes to realize that he wants more out of life than what he's been pursuing up to that point. He wants a forever kind of love like his grandparents shared.
A few of the secondary characters get their own POV scenes. Marshall is struggling with a life-changing decision. Gloria ( The Christmas Promise ) returns along with her best friend, Miriam. The two of them become a support system for Christine. Patricia Addison ( The Christmas Hope ) is the social worker who looks into the allegations of child neglect brought by Christine's ex-husband. Many other characters from past novels in the series have briefer supporting roles, or at the very least, are seen in the background. I've always loved how Donna VanLiere can pull together multiple story lines into one big whole. There are certain subplots that the reader is kept in the dark about throughout the entire book, but when all is said and done, they all converge into a perfect ending that could easily be tied up with a bow. I think it's this cohesive sense of oneness that makes this little town feel so warm and close-knit. The Christmas Secret was another great read in this already wonderful series. I'll certainly be looking forward to continuing with the series and eventually re-reading it for many Christmases to come.
December 28, 2021
I love Donna's novels but this one impressed me the least so far. Despite everything, I found the Christmas spirit, so it's worth reading.
December 1, 2018
The ending was rushed and felt incomplete. At times there were so many characters involved that it was confusing. I read this because of the Hallmark movie. The movie was better. The book was short and sweet but not fulfilling.
December 14, 2022
Christmas holidays has always been the accurate and available moment i get to read and complete almost all of my books stucked in there in my library, this one will be so memorable, at least I'm spending some beautiful moment with my whole family, and I have alots of books to gift my kids.
November 5, 2009
One of my favorite things to do during the holiday season is to curl up with a wonderful, touching and inspiring book. Donna VanLiere has become such a tradition for me, or rather her books have. Each year I eagerly anticipate her newest release, which I gobble up within a couple of days and then I am left downtrodden because I know I have to wait another year for another treasure by her.
Each of Ms. VanLiere's stories are filled with the greatest of struggles, perseverance, warmth, the greatest of goodness and bonds of selfless friendship. Each and every story has yet to fail to warm my heart and put a smile to my face at the acts of kindness and generosity of the characters.
The Christmas Secret is the story of a young single mother, Christine, who is constantly struggling to make money to feed, clothe and take care of her beloved young children. To make matters worse, her ex-husband is a vengeful man who tries, at every corner, to make Christine's life more stressful and worrisome with threats of taking the kids away from her.
This is a story of one young mother's deep and unyielding love for her children. A mother who would do anything to care for them. Christine's big break seems to come when she is hired by Betty who is the owner of a bakery/restaurant. It is here that Christine meets many new friends and learns the true meaning of faith, bonding and what it is like to belong. Not to mention this is also the place she comes in contact with an obnoxious and overbearing, but very handsome man, who she feels a strange sort of connection with.
The Christmas Secret is full of delightful twists and turns and a few surprises along the way. I have to say that I adored all of the characters and felt a very special adoration for Gloria, one of the most generous and caring woman you will ever meet. Throughout the entire story, I was brought to tears, laughter, warmth and every motion in-between. Ms. VanLiere has such a mind-blowing talent to bring her readers into the story, make them care deeply for the characters and make the characters and actions remain with the reader long after the final word is read.
I actually discovered Donna VanLiere a few years ago and have felt truly blessed by her work ever since. As I had stated previously, hers is one of the new releases that I eagerly anticipate each year and I have yet to be disappointed. For me, the holiday season isn't off to an official start until I have read a novel by this wonderful author.
I highly recommend The Christmas Secret for anyone looking for an excellent and engrossing story. A story that will remain with you for a very long time and turn you into a huge fan of Ms. VanLiere.
Each of Ms. VanLiere's stories are filled with the greatest of struggles, perseverance, warmth, the greatest of goodness and bonds of selfless friendship. Each and every story has yet to fail to warm my heart and put a smile to my face at the acts of kindness and generosity of the characters.
The Christmas Secret is the story of a young single mother, Christine, who is constantly struggling to make money to feed, clothe and take care of her beloved young children. To make matters worse, her ex-husband is a vengeful man who tries, at every corner, to make Christine's life more stressful and worrisome with threats of taking the kids away from her.
This is a story of one young mother's deep and unyielding love for her children. A mother who would do anything to care for them. Christine's big break seems to come when she is hired by Betty who is the owner of a bakery/restaurant. It is here that Christine meets many new friends and learns the true meaning of faith, bonding and what it is like to belong. Not to mention this is also the place she comes in contact with an obnoxious and overbearing, but very handsome man, who she feels a strange sort of connection with.
The Christmas Secret is full of delightful twists and turns and a few surprises along the way. I have to say that I adored all of the characters and felt a very special adoration for Gloria, one of the most generous and caring woman you will ever meet. Throughout the entire story, I was brought to tears, laughter, warmth and every motion in-between. Ms. VanLiere has such a mind-blowing talent to bring her readers into the story, make them care deeply for the characters and make the characters and actions remain with the reader long after the final word is read.
I actually discovered Donna VanLiere a few years ago and have felt truly blessed by her work ever since. As I had stated previously, hers is one of the new releases that I eagerly anticipate each year and I have yet to be disappointed. For me, the holiday season isn't off to an official start until I have read a novel by this wonderful author.
I highly recommend The Christmas Secret for anyone looking for an excellent and engrossing story. A story that will remain with you for a very long time and turn you into a huge fan of Ms. VanLiere.
December 19, 2017
What a great story. Great to have new characters experience love during the Christmas season. Love to see friendship develop more with old characters and the addition of children were so adorable. Also liked the appearance of old characters from time to time. Think I even cried once.
January 2, 2010
During the holiday season, I enjoy reading a feel-good Christmas story. This season, The Christmas Secret was a perfect fit for me. Christine has been cynical for most of her life. She stopped believing in the miracles of Christmas a long time ago. Struggling to make ends meet, Christmas is now one more thing that will set her back and something she just can't afford. Christine wants to see and feel the beauty of Christmas once again, but unfortunately life and unexpected events have harden her.
I'm always waiting it seems—waiting for the right time, the right job, for the light to turn green, waiting on a call, waiting for my past to catch up with me, and for my future to begin.
I got to the point in my life where I was so tired of waiting and wanted to know that my life was not just leading anywhere but somewhere. I wanted that childhood sense of wonderment back. The crazy how, when, and why of life finally caught up with me and I realized that there was no Oz, fairy-tale king, or Scrooge waking up from a dream moment that was going to whisk me away from reality, and that's when I wanted Christmas again. (p.6)
Once again Christine is running late for work when she crosses path with a stranger. Little does she know that this interaction will lead her to a new beginning.
Like the previous novels in the Christmas Hope series, The Christmas Secret leaves the reader feeling encouraged and hopeful about life, without being too "preachy". People and events come into our lives for a purpose. What we may view as an inconvenience, may be just the thing that leads us to where we want to be.
I'm always waiting it seems—waiting for the right time, the right job, for the light to turn green, waiting on a call, waiting for my past to catch up with me, and for my future to begin.
I got to the point in my life where I was so tired of waiting and wanted to know that my life was not just leading anywhere but somewhere. I wanted that childhood sense of wonderment back. The crazy how, when, and why of life finally caught up with me and I realized that there was no Oz, fairy-tale king, or Scrooge waking up from a dream moment that was going to whisk me away from reality, and that's when I wanted Christmas again. (p.6)
Once again Christine is running late for work when she crosses path with a stranger. Little does she know that this interaction will lead her to a new beginning.
Like the previous novels in the Christmas Hope series, The Christmas Secret leaves the reader feeling encouraged and hopeful about life, without being too "preachy". People and events come into our lives for a purpose. What we may view as an inconvenience, may be just the thing that leads us to where we want to be.
November 29, 2009
I love all of Donna VanLiere's books, they are so heart felt and leave you either crying happy tears or your eyes misting for happiness at the end. All these books are christian based novels.
I've read all her books except for one and that is "Finding Grace" but I plan to get it because her novels are wonderful. Her other books are as follows:
Finding Grace
The Angels of Morgan Hill
The christmas Shoes - (my favorite)
The christmas Promise
The christmas Blessing
The Christmas Hope
The Christmas Secret
Enjoy and Happy Readings
I've read all her books except for one and that is "Finding Grace" but I plan to get it because her novels are wonderful. Her other books are as follows:
Finding Grace
The Angels of Morgan Hill
The christmas Shoes - (my favorite)
The christmas Promise
The christmas Blessing
The Christmas Hope
The Christmas Secret
Enjoy and Happy Readings
November 16, 2015
Donna VanLiere does again. Another great story. 4 stars
December 21, 2012
I loved this book! Wonderful Christmas story!
December 15, 2023
This one hit a little close to home. Having been a single mom for several years, with an ex who wouldn’t pay child support, and would take me to court to get custody of the kids, I could relate to Christine in a real way.
I love all of the ‘angels’ that were brought into her life to help her along. And also enjoyed Jason changing into a better man. That being said, I thought there was quite a jump from him being who he was in the beginning, to all of a sudden working with kids and loving it. Something was missing for me in the
character development there.
All in all a wonderful, uplifting read, that I needed after a tornado touched down 2 streets away devastating our community. Highly recommend!🥰
I love all of the ‘angels’ that were brought into her life to help her along. And also enjoyed Jason changing into a better man. That being said, I thought there was quite a jump from him being who he was in the beginning, to all of a sudden working with kids and loving it. Something was missing for me in the
character development there.
All in all a wonderful, uplifting read, that I needed after a tornado touched down 2 streets away devastating our community. Highly recommend!🥰
November 22, 2022
Book - 4 stars
A great story with a lot of interweaving of plot and characters. Even a few surprises which is always a nice touch. The single negative is that some of the dialogue is really snarky, occasionally rude.
Narration by the author Donna Vanliere - 2.5 stars
I think this would have been more enjoyable if Vanliere had toned down the angry, frustrated emotions and voices of the characters somewhat. A little of that goes a long way. It tended to grate on this listener to have so much of what seemed to almost border on shouting on the audio.
Overall - 3.5 stars
A great story with a lot of interweaving of plot and characters. Even a few surprises which is always a nice touch. The single negative is that some of the dialogue is really snarky, occasionally rude.
Narration by the author Donna Vanliere - 2.5 stars
I think this would have been more enjoyable if Vanliere had toned down the angry, frustrated emotions and voices of the characters somewhat. A little of that goes a long way. It tended to grate on this listener to have so much of what seemed to almost border on shouting on the audio.
Overall - 3.5 stars
December 27, 2025
A beautiful story.
December 29, 2019
Loved the movie! Enjoyed the book too!
October 27, 2019
I loved this book! From its first page to its last. It was true to life, real, and good. Nothing was stilted. The story just flowed.
The majority of the connections revealed I didn't see coming! So wrapped up within this book's pages I couldn't even begin to imagine what would happen next as I was so immersed and caught up in the story's unraveling as it took place with each page turned.
If you take this book, beyond story, it's text that should spur us into action. We all are capable of doing more, giving more, thinking less of ourselves and putting another's needs before our own.
"We are all here to help one another move the boulder."
Life wasn't made to be lived independent from one another. In fact, the majority of us aren't fully capable of doing that well. We need each other. We need a stranger's helping hand. We all do.
This book might be fiction; but, it could so easily transcend into being lives lived. Such valuable lessons within its pages. To me, I need more room to sing its praises and so I'll be doing that, in the near future, within a blog post at MomPro.com
For now, I know one tradition I'll be implementing into my family's life is that of writing a letter, as a prayer to God, and placing it under our Christmas tree. Filled with Praises and Thanksgivings; but, also, a Prayer with a Specific Ask for the Year Ahead too.
"Hope is waiting."
The majority of the connections revealed I didn't see coming! So wrapped up within this book's pages I couldn't even begin to imagine what would happen next as I was so immersed and caught up in the story's unraveling as it took place with each page turned.
If you take this book, beyond story, it's text that should spur us into action. We all are capable of doing more, giving more, thinking less of ourselves and putting another's needs before our own.
"We are all here to help one another move the boulder."
Life wasn't made to be lived independent from one another. In fact, the majority of us aren't fully capable of doing that well. We need each other. We need a stranger's helping hand. We all do.
This book might be fiction; but, it could so easily transcend into being lives lived. Such valuable lessons within its pages. To me, I need more room to sing its praises and so I'll be doing that, in the near future, within a blog post at MomPro.com
For now, I know one tradition I'll be implementing into my family's life is that of writing a letter, as a prayer to God, and placing it under our Christmas tree. Filled with Praises and Thanksgivings; but, also, a Prayer with a Specific Ask for the Year Ahead too.
"Hope is waiting."
December 10, 2012
This was just okay. Nothing particularly outstanding about the writing style mechanics or word choices. It was told partly in first person and partly in 3rd which I don't like and find a bit of a cop out. If you can't tell the whole story in 1st person then just use 3rd.
The story was nice and I guess you could call it heartwarming but it really had nothing new to say. It was predictable and overly full of coincidences.
There were some nice moments and it was a pleasant story. If you're looking for some lessons and some pleasant people helping each other. It fits the bill.
The story was nice and I guess you could call it heartwarming but it really had nothing new to say. It was predictable and overly full of coincidences.
There were some nice moments and it was a pleasant story. If you're looking for some lessons and some pleasant people helping each other. It fits the bill.
August 9, 2013
This is a wonderful story about the power of love to change people. What starts out as one disaster after another for Christine, a single mother of two young children who is trying to survive, becomes something more as she goes about her daily life. It is nearly Christmas and the people she meets at her new waitressing job open their hearts to her. A heartfelt tale.
October 19, 2016
This book was #5 in the series and I think this was the best one. It told of real hardships and struggles that people face today and their triumphs to makes their lives better and more rewarding.
April 30, 2020
I finished The Christmas Secret last night. I think Donna VanLiere’s books will always be my favorite holiday reads. They capture the holiday spirit, have the sweetest cast of characters, and there are a few surprises along the way in every story. In this book, Christine is a young struggling mother who saves the life of an elderly woman. She is trying her best to provide for her young children, and she meets quite the group of people along the way. Miriam and Gloria were my favorite characters. It has become a tradition for me to read a book from this series every year. I’m still going to try to squeeze in a few more holiday reads this year.
February 3, 2022
Another Donna VanLiere I couldn’t put down! This is the first in the series I’ve given a 4 vs a 5. It’s hard to pinpoint why, but I think it’s because there was so much build up to an obvious ending (which is fine) but I wanted more, not a just a few epilogue pages. Overall, another heart warming, solid part of the series.
December 5, 2024
Lots of hallmark vibes; very sweet, cute and some funny moments. Only listened to it because it was available on audio and im trying to make myself get in the Christmas spirit. Dont plan on reading the others in this series
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