Snow Place Like Home by Lacey Baker

 

On a rare trip home for the holidays, Ella may have finally uncovered the secret to a joy-filled future by getting lost in her past.

Ella Wilson has avoided home and the holidays for nearly a decade. For her, the season is plagued by a jinx that’s brought nothing but painful memories: her mother’s death nearly two decades ago, her fiancé’s abandonment last year, and now the loss of her job as an art curator. But without work to occupy her, home is exactly where Ella has ended up. And somehow, she’s also been roped into planning the town’s Christmas tree auction—side by side with her first love.

Seth Hamil knows that home is where the heart is, and for him, it’s always been the sleepy community of Bellepoint, Pennsylvania . . . and for a while in high school that included Ella Wilson. Since then, he’s been married and widowed and has spent the year throwing himself into his career as a music teacher and trying to keep his wife’s memory alive, starting with the church fundraiser she launched to support local kids. So, despite their history, Seth isn’t about to let his wife’s vision for the event be easily dismissed by Ella’s temporary presence and big-city ideas.

To find a way to work together, the two strike a deal: Ella can incorporate her splashy ideas into the auction if she will allow Seth to show her why Christmas is about more than decorations. Soon both begin to wonder whether fate has brought them together for a fresh start—and if Christmas wishes really can come true.

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About The Author

 Lacey Baker, a Maryland native, lives with her husband, three children, two grandchildren and English Bulldog in what most would call Suburban America--a townhouse development where everybody knows each other and each other's kids. Family cook-outs, reunion vacations, and growing up in church have all inspired Lacey to work towards her dreams and to write about the endurance of family and the quest to find everlasting love. To date she has written in several genres including small town romance, YA paranormal (as Artist Arthur), a cozy mystery series titled Rumors and adult paranormal (as A.C. Arthur).

 

My Review

I could feel the pain of Ella, Christmas had become hard, but was so glad she aquiesced to going home to her aunt.

This is a story that is filled with faith, long friendships, and building new relationships. I loved how this young woman was rather tricked into using her talents, and thus earning some well needed funds for her town.

We are also given a young man, he is still very much hurting from the loss of his wife, and is coping with his teaching and his dog! These two know each other after attending school together, but they never figured to be working together for the good of the town!

I loved how all of this works out, maybe not how you expect, and yes, there are surprises, but this is a sweet Christmas read!

Be ready for some beautiful Christmas decorations, some healing, and some sweet romance!

I received this book through Net Galley and the Publisher Thomas Nelson, and was not required to give a positive review.