Do you need a longer, full length novel to disappear into for a few hours? Would you like a bit of romance too? Then today’s story is for you.
A Christmas by the Sea by Melody Carlson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
3.5 stars
The idea of Christmas by the sea sounded so different and interesting that I picked up the story. I’m glad I did.
I sympathized with Wendy as she tried to figure out how to pay off the debts she owed after her husband died, and give her son a special time at the cottage she inherited. Jackson was such a manly boy. He wanted to help his mom and be the man of the family, but he wasn’t all grown up yet. I liked most of the other characters in the story, though I wished a few of them had been in the story more.
The setting of the small town in Main was charming and made me want to go visit. I would love to walk along the beach and collect sea shells.
While this story is a Christmas story, it starts before Thanksgiving and doesn’t actually go up to Christmas or even Christmas Eve. But it still holds a feeling of Christmas. There is no mention of the real reason for Christmas though. Santa “comes” to turn on the Christmas lights of the town and the large tree, and children go and tell him what they want for Christmas.
There are some mentions of going to church, a few prayers, and some talk about trusting God when life is difficult. There were two kisses. Both were just stated facts with no details which I really appreciated.
Overall, I enjoyed this story and wouldn’t mind reading it again.
Yes, this is another story by Melody Carlson. Have you read it? Have you ever moved and experienced a different sort of Christmas than you were used to?
My family and I moved a lot, while I grew up. One year, we spent Christmas in the countryside, new city (though, same state) and even a motorhome!
Wow, that would be quite different! Thanks for sharing.