Publisher Description:
“In this standalone holiday novella, return to the charming Cornish village readers fell in love with in The Secrets of Paper and Ink.”
“Women’s counselor Joy Beckman has always been a friend and helper to all. That’s why she’s given up everything to be with her parents as her mother suffers through Alzheimer’s. Joy may not have a thriving career or a love life at the moment, but she’s doing what she does best—taking care of others. And even though it’s difficult, she knows it’s where she is supposed to be.
But life throws a curveball when she has to leave her parents temporarily to travel to Cornwall, England, for the Christmas-time wedding of her best friend. While there, Joy helps Sophia tackle her last-minute to-do list, and in the process, finally meets a man who turns her head—and her heart. The only problem? He lives in snowy London, and her life is with her parents back in sunny Florida.
She tries to resist Oliver Lincoln’s charms, but it’s harder than it should be. With her heart torn in two, Joy is forced to choose between a life she knows she’s meant for and the one she didn’t see coming.”
“The sumptuous sea-swept shores of Cornwall provide a unique and alluring canvas for Harrel’s Like a Winter Snow. Readers wishing for an arm-chair vacation for the holidays will find themselves happily accompanied by Joy and Oliver to a beguiling British setting. Borrowing the enchanting village from her reader favorite The Secrets of Paper and Ink, Harrel’s foray into Christmas romance is bolstered by a strong and empathetic look at love, faith, restoration and the promise of love where we least expect it. I hope to revisit Port Willis for many reading adventures to come.” —Rachel McMillan, author The Three Quarter Time series
“A romantic Christmas story set in beautiful seaside England? Yes, please! Lindsay Harrel’s Like a Winter Snow is the perfect mix of depth and charm. Joy and Oliver are so likable and relatable—and together, they’re just plain adorable. Plus, I can’t help but love that they’re a little older than your average hero and heroine. From the Christmasy atmosphere to moments both swoony and poignant, I loved this story…and I know readers will, too!” —Melissa Tagg, Carol Award-winning author of Now & Then & Always and the Walker Family series
“Like a Winter Snow offers all the depth of emotion Lindsay’s readers have come to expect from her books—wrapped up with a wonderful Christmas bow! A beautiful story of learning to let go of the uncontrollable and opening your heart to love. I highly recommend!” —Liz Johnson, bestselling author of The Red Door Inn
My Review:
This novella is a sigh-worthy romance that’s just right for the Christmas season, yet it’s not “sappy sweet” at all. We met several of these characters in Lindsay Harrel’s “The Secret of Paper and Ink” and in this book we return to Port Willis in Cornwall for Sophia’s Christmas wedding.
This story, however, focuses on Joy Beckman, Sophia’s best friend. The author does a great job of helping the reader relate to Joy and her struggle of trying to make the best decisions of how to take care of her aging parents, even to the point of giving up her career and her future plans. There’s much to admire about Joy, and her determination to help her parents and be the best friend possible to Sophia. Oliver Lincoln is a great guy, too, and it’s obvious to all that Sophia and Oliver would be the perfect match. I think I felt all of Joy’s emotions in this story: love, joy, heartache, worry, concern, and happiness. Even though this is a shorter story, the pacing of this storyline is great and when the reader reaches the ending, it seems just right. This is an encouraging story that’s filled with faith and love.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher. All opinions are my own.
I saw this advertised and loved the premise. Glad to hear it is as good as it sounds.