When Nathan Wyler’s adored wife Emily dies tragically in a car accident in December his entire world collapses around him. He immerses himself in work, doing everything he can to escape the grief and ends up neglecting his young son, Stefan, in the process - alienating himself from everybody he loves. Things are made worse still by Emily’s father, Xavier, who blames his son-in-law for the death of his brilliant young daughter.
As the years pass, Stefan is denied contact with his grandparents and starved of his father’s affections. As a result he becomes increasingly close to Kate, a substitute teacher at his school. An understanding and gentle woman, Kate is quick to identify the impact of Nathan’s selfish actions on his young son. As her bond with the Stefan flourishes, she visits Nathan at work in an attempt to make him aware of the emotional strain he’s been inflicting on the innocent boy. Preparing herself for a tempestuous encounter with Nathan, Kate is shocked to instead find a vulnerable, grief-stricken figure desperate to be saved, and a potent mutual attraction becomes clear to them both.
Nathan finds solace in the calming influence of this mysterious young woman, and, with her help, begins to reconcile his relationship with Stefan. Unbeknownst to him, Kate even brokers a successful meeting with Emily’s father and the two settle their differences over Christmas dinner. All may not be as it seems with Kate though, as Nathan slowly begins to piece together the feeling of familiarity he had experienced when they first met. As her good deeds continue and Christmas draws closer, the Wyler family begin to realise that she may not be who she claims to be. But who else could this ethereal samaritan be, and why does she seem so familiar to Nathan?
About The Author:
Nashin Sadeer was born in England and as a child moved with his mother to Paris. He was educated there until the age of seventeen, when he moved back to Epsom, Surrey where he would learn to speak English. Sadeer’s interests include film, martial arts and reading.
My Review:
Nathans beloved wife Emily died six years ago, and he has struggled ever since. He has even neglected showing affection, and sharing his time with their son Stefan. The little boy is now nine, and dealing with the lack of both parents.
Enter a substitute teacher named Kate, she takes the time, actually many times, to reach Nathan. He is not mean, just lost in his grief, and pouring his life into his work.
There are so many feelings in this story. You want to shake Nathan, he is giving up so much of the time he could spend with his child. Some of the things the author spoke of were not common. He had a seven year old child taking care of a seriously ill woman. He hires someone to pick up nine year old Stfan, and they don't show up for an hour or more?
The premise of the story is one of a miracle. I don't want to give the ending away, but you definitely will be surprised...I sure was.
Will Nathan begin to count his blessings, or will the ghost of Christmas's have to pay a visit??
I received this book through NetGalley, and the Publisher Troubador Publishing, and was not required to give a positive review.
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