Published by Recorded Books
Released on October 17, 2017
Length: 14 hours 2 minutes
Format: Audiobook
Source: Publisher
The Delight
Just over the last few year’s I’ve come to enjoy Catherine Anderson’s writing. Her style and tone work so well with my ideal of a holiday romance. Adding in the easy-listen voice of Susan Bennett and I had a successful book listen on my hands.
Review
The Christmas Room is a standalone modern western romance story that gave me a whopping two romances and a very in depth story for the price of one. It was literally the blending of two families that started out hostile, but love and understanding and some rather hilarious events brought them together. Both families had been broken and weakened by loss and their encounter through Cam and Kirsten’s romance was just the catalyst they needed.
Old growly bear, Sam Conacher lost his wife and then lost his mind, turning bitter and mean and holding tightly to his only child. Maddie McLendon lost her husband and now cautiously is optimistic for healing with her son and her grandson here on a new place in Montana. Cam and Kirsten just want to survive the fallout if her dad finds out they’re together while Cam’s son, Caleb, just wants to fit in and find a friend here in their new home.
This was a gently-paced, but never boring story of family and not just a romance. I loved watching all these unique and sometimes quirky people help one another after lots of hostilities and fireworks that sometimes had me laughing. The incident with the portajohn has me snickering each time I imagine it. I loved seeing Cam and Kirsten’s romance, but the one that grabbed me was the surprise December one percolating in the background until later in the book.
Each situation, scene, and the overall hopeful holiday spirit in ranch country was so well done. And as I said, Susan Bennett was a fantastic fit for the story. Her adult male voices were gruff and froggy, but this worked because The Christmas Room is western in flavor and Sam was something of an irreverent Scrooge. She had a nice sense of comedic or dramatic timing depending on which was called for.
All in all, my holiday reading was not complete without the addition of this gentle, touching story. I know I will come back to it and want more of the author’s work and recommend it to others.
My thanks to Recorded Books for the opportunity to listen to this book in exchange for an honest review.
Challenges
New Release #204
Audio #72
COYER #15
Recommendations
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This sounds like a perfect holiday listen. I will have to keep this one in mind for next year’s holiday reading list.
Yes, for sure, Carole. It’s got some funny moments, but is mostly heartwarming and full of family.
Catherine Anderson is a brilliant storyteller. Hugs…RO
I’m coming to believe you’re so right, dear lady. 🙂
I’ve seen this around Sophia Rose I think I’ll put it on my 2018 xmas wish list. Happy New Year
Worth it! I loved both romances, but the older couple stole my heart as did the teen doing what he could for family. This is fun and touching at the same time. 🙂
Oh good! Glad I got you interested in trying it, Geybie. It’s got some great things going for it.
I’m so glad to see you enjoyed it as well! I really liked that all generations of both families were involved and finding their own healing. It was so nicely done.
Yes, I think I was most taken about the idea of having the whole multi-gen family involved in the story.
That sounds so good.
They were quite the characters and got me laughing a few times. I sure had a good time with this one.
“Standalone modern western romance” — interesting! I don’t think I’ve ever read a *modern* western romance. I’m glad this book was another hit for you! I’d not heard of Catherine Anderson before (whoops). :O Great review!
Happy New Year, Sophia. =)
Alyssa @ The Eater of Books!
Heh heh, glad to introduce you to both a standalone western contemporary and to Catherine Anderson. 🙂