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.
(5 stars)
I received a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
She’s a fixer… He’s about as broken as they come… Can they learn to turn to God for healing and hope this Christmas?
Leah has always been a fixer. That’s why she decided to foster a troubled teen. And it’s why she’s determined to give him the perfect Christmas. It might also be why she feels compelled to reach out to her grinchy, reclusive neighbor Austin. But she’ll have to be careful that reaching out doesn’t turn into something more—she’s been hurt by crossing the line from friendship to romance once, and she’s not willing to let it happen again.
After losing his leg, his friend, and his faith in Afghanistan, Austin figures he’s about as broken as they come. For Austin, Hope Springs is simply a stopping point—a place to rehabilitate his leg, get over the burden of his PTSD, and get back into shape to redeploy. He has no desire to get to know anyone while he’s here, least of all the meddlesome—if sweet—woman next door. But when she calls on him to help her make Christmas special for her foster son, something compels him to relent. Soon, his heart belongs to both of them.
But what if Austin is too broken for even Leah to fix? Can the two of them learn to turn to God for hope and healing—and maybe even a chance at love—this Christmas?
Not Until Christmas Morning is a heartwarming Christian romance filled with faith, love, and the reminder to trust God “even if.”
While the books in the Hope Springs series are linked, each features a complete romance about a different couple and can be read in any order.
Hope Springs Series
Not Until Forever
Not Until This Moment
Not Until You
Not Until Us
Not Until Christmas Morning
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Valerie Bodden has three great loves: Jesus, her family, and books. And chocolate (okay, four great loves). She is living out her happily ever after with her high-school-sweetheart-turned-husband and their four children. Her life wouldn’t make a terribly exciting book, as it has a happy beginning and middle, and someday when she goes to her heavenly home, it will have a happy end.
She was born and raised in Wisconsin, and aside from a short stint in Minnesota while her husband trained for the pastoral ministry, has lived there her entire life, in spite of an aversion to all things cold and snowy (except Christmas—a snowy Christmas is good). She periodically tries to coax her snow-loving husband and children to pack up and move to a warmer climate with her but so far has had no luck. So she tolerates the snow for them. That’s some kind of love, if you ask her.
Valerie writes emotion-filled Christian fiction that weaves real-life problems, real-life people, and real-life faith. Her characters may (okay, will) experience some heartache along the way, but true to her tendencies as a hopeless romantic, she will always give them a happy ending.
In addition to writing Christian fiction, she has written more than 250 children’s nonfiction books and also helps other authors perfect their stories with her editorial services. When she’s not wielding a pen or keyboard (can you wield a keyboard?), she enjoys time with her family, managing the church library, gardening, and, of course, reading.
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Britt Reads Fiction 