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theavidreaderandbibliophile's review against another edition
4.0
Christmas from the Heart by Sheila Roberts is a pleasing Christmas story that will leave you with a happy feeling. Christmas from the Heart is a story with realistic character and a sweet small town. Olivia is a warm character who misses her recently deceased mother. She has taken over running the non-profit her mother started, and it is her sole focus. Olivia is thoughtful, caring, a hard worker, generous and persistent which are all traits needed in her line of work. She loves her father and is worried about him since he has retreated from life since the death of his wife. Guy Hightower is a hardworking man who is smart and caring. He is trying to save Hightower Enterprises, but he keeps butting up against his older brother’s. Christmas from the Heart has Sheila Roberts engaging writing which drew me right in. I like the humor sprinkled throughout the story and the lovely town of Pine River. I wish I lived in such a warm, helpful community. I like how they help each other out. There was more going on in Christmas from the Heart, but you will have to find out the rest for yourself. I enjoyed reading Sheila Roberts latest Christmas story and look forward to her next book. Christmas from the Heart is a charming Christmas tale with a caring community, a needy non-profit, tempting treats, a benign beau, frightful fruitcake and happy holiday happenings.
beastreader's review against another edition
4.0
Christmas from the Heart is a heartwarming read that gave me Debbie Macomber vibes. Perfect for the holidays. This book is just like a Hallmark movie. So grab a copy of this book as you are in for a real holiday treat.
Olivia is a doll. She really has a kind heart and everyone loves her. She is not a "leech" as Guy so called her when she asked for the annual monetary donation. Guy was kind of like Ebenezor Scrooge in the beginning. However, by the end of the book; Guy turned out to be a nice guy. Not to say that Guy did not pay for it with all of the fruitcakes that he had to eat and judge. As guy would say "I don't like fruitcakes but I would purchase this cake. One of the cakes Guy is referring to is a chocolate one. It just so happens that the recipe is included in the back of this book.
Olivia is a doll. She really has a kind heart and everyone loves her. She is not a "leech" as Guy so called her when she asked for the annual monetary donation. Guy was kind of like Ebenezor Scrooge in the beginning. However, by the end of the book; Guy turned out to be a nice guy. Not to say that Guy did not pay for it with all of the fruitcakes that he had to eat and judge. As guy would say "I don't like fruitcakes but I would purchase this cake. One of the cakes Guy is referring to is a chocolate one. It just so happens that the recipe is included in the back of this book.
mathaly's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
kdurham2's review against another edition
5.0
Check out the full review at Kritters Ramblings
I may have said this already this season, but if you are a fan of those Hallmark Christmas movies, then this book is right up your alley. With a little bit of cheesiness and just the right amount of romance, this book is just right for the holiday season.
Olivia Berg has been running a charity for awhile, but it is so close to her heart because her mother who recently passed away also ran this charity in this small town in Washington state. They have relied on the same donors for years to be able to make Christmas joyful for all of their residents, especially those who are living on shoe string budgets. One big corporate donor has decided not to donate this year and with that they will be missing funding and won't be able to do everything they wish, so Olivia has to get creative. At the same time she ends up rescuing a man stranded on the side of the road and he could possibly have some deep pockets to help fill the gap for this organization, and of course drama ensues . . .
I may have said this already this season, but if you are a fan of those Hallmark Christmas movies, then this book is right up your alley. With a little bit of cheesiness and just the right amount of romance, this book is just right for the holiday season.
Olivia Berg has been running a charity for awhile, but it is so close to her heart because her mother who recently passed away also ran this charity in this small town in Washington state. They have relied on the same donors for years to be able to make Christmas joyful for all of their residents, especially those who are living on shoe string budgets. One big corporate donor has decided not to donate this year and with that they will be missing funding and won't be able to do everything they wish, so Olivia has to get creative. At the same time she ends up rescuing a man stranded on the side of the road and he could possibly have some deep pockets to help fill the gap for this organization, and of course drama ensues . . .
z_brarian's review against another edition
5.0
Another holiday heart warmer
Love Sheila’s books and this one didn’t let me down. I hope we get to see more of Livi and Guy.
Love Sheila’s books and this one didn’t let me down. I hope we get to see more of Livi and Guy.
theamyleblanc's review against another edition
2.0
I received a copy of this story from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
2.5 stars
I think I was in the mood for a good holiday read when I picked this up. Unfortunately, it didn't really deliver. There were a lot of issues. First, the story switched points-of-view so many times it was like a ping-pong match. Three paragraphs in a row were sometimes told by three different characters. It was confusing and unnecessary.
Second, the characters weren't all that likable. I found Livi to be pushy and entitled and judgmental. Guy's constant guilt at the beginning wasn't believable at all. I pitied Morris. I didn't care how things worked out, really.
Third, there were stereotypical "this is what a man is" and "this is what a woman is" thoughts and attitudes that I found incredibly outdated and borderline offensive. It would be one thing if the whole atmosphere had been built to support a world view like that but it hadn't been crafted that way. It stuck out wrong and made me feel gross.
Finally, there were formatting errors all over the place! It was difficult to read at times. Do yourself a favor and skip this one.
2.5 stars
I think I was in the mood for a good holiday read when I picked this up. Unfortunately, it didn't really deliver. There were a lot of issues. First, the story switched points-of-view so many times it was like a ping-pong match. Three paragraphs in a row were sometimes told by three different characters. It was confusing and unnecessary.
Second, the characters weren't all that likable. I found Livi to be pushy and entitled and judgmental. Guy's constant guilt at the beginning wasn't believable at all. I pitied Morris. I didn't care how things worked out, really.
Third, there were stereotypical "this is what a man is" and "this is what a woman is" thoughts and attitudes that I found incredibly outdated and borderline offensive. It would be one thing if the whole atmosphere had been built to support a world view like that but it hadn't been crafted that way. It stuck out wrong and made me feel gross.
Finally, there were formatting errors all over the place! It was difficult to read at times. Do yourself a favor and skip this one.
spowers2627's review against another edition
4.0
Christmas from the Heart is a festive holiday romance set in the close-knit community of Pine River.. It begins with Olivia and Guy, who meet through email correspondence and immediately dislike each other because of some misunderstandings. When they later bump into each other Guy knows he cannot reveal his true identity. Through spending time together Olivia and Guy, who she knows as Joe, begin to fall for each other. But the truth has a way of coming forward and the misunderstandings are magnified when Olivia finds out Guy was deceiving her.
I loved the townspeople and community of Pine River.
I loved the townspeople and community of Pine River.
zbrarian's review against another edition
5.0
Another holiday heart warmer
Love Sheila’s books and this one didn’t let me down. I hope we get to see more of Livi and Guy.
Love Sheila’s books and this one didn’t let me down. I hope we get to see more of Livi and Guy.
jeannethinks's review against another edition
3.0
Gus Hightower is more than the CFO of the family business he's trying to keep afloat. He's the one making the rough business decisions, even when it's saying no to a charity. And he doesn't expect that decision to come face to face with him when stranded broken down on the side of the road before Christmas.
Livi Berg has one mission in life, to make Christmas from the Heart flourish and serve the needs of her community. She has put aside all her dreams of travel and finding her happily ever after to focus on the family legacy. When faced with the loss of a major donor she's at her wits end, until she sees the fancy car on the side of the road. Could Santa be answering her wish for not only the charity, but for her as well?
And of course Guy can't tell her who he really is. But that slippery slope of deception never ends well. Maybe he can make a difference and change everything for the better.
Livi Berg has one mission in life, to make Christmas from the Heart flourish and serve the needs of her community. She has put aside all her dreams of travel and finding her happily ever after to focus on the family legacy. When faced with the loss of a major donor she's at her wits end, until she sees the fancy car on the side of the road. Could Santa be answering her wish for not only the charity, but for her as well?
And of course Guy can't tell her who he really is. But that slippery slope of deception never ends well. Maybe he can make a difference and change everything for the better.
bhunsberger's review against another edition
3.0
Cute little holiday read. Olivia runs a Christmas charity and has an uphill battle in securing donations from individuals and corporations. Guy is the CFO of his family business, and has learned that cuts needs to be made when the times get rough. Olivia and Guy have tense emails shared over donation opportunities, and Olivia's stress level is elevated. The next thing you know, Olivia comes across a man on the side of the road next to a broken down car. She picks him up, invites him to stay in her home when local lodging is full, and there is the potential for a little romance to blossom. Realistic? Maybe not, but all in good holiday fun!