The Christmas Playbook by Lisa Carter


"Bear one another's burden and so fulfill the love of Christ."  Galatians 6:2 ESV

"For there is nothing as sweet as fellowship as we share each other's lives (Lyrics from Sweet Fellowship, Capella, 1988).   Throughout scripture, we see the importance of fellowship, family, faith and loving others (especially the downtrodden and those who have been cast aside).  We follow the example of our Heavenly Father who loved us when we were deep in sin, He who knew no sin became sin that we might become the righteousness of God (II Corinthians 5:21).  Living in community, and sharing in each other's lives as brothers and sisters, a great picture of the love the Father has for us.  

Faith, family, fellowship, fall, football, and Christmas- what a delightful combination for fans of chrisrian fiction and clean romance.  Truelove, nestled in the beautiful Blueridge mountains, is home to Maggie Lovett, the beloved daughter of the towns high-school coach.  Enter Tanner Price, former high school football quarterback, as he returns home to help his alcoholic mother.  When Maggie's beloved father suffers a heart attack, Tanner is called upon to coach the team for the remainder of the season.  

Maggie, always had a secret crush on Tanner, when as a freshman girl she tutored the high school football star.  Tanner, diagnosed with Dyslexia, and coming from a broken family struggles with feelings of self-doubt and worth.  Much to his surprise, he falls in love with teaching and becoming the champion pf students falling between the cracks in school.

Can Maggie and Tanner move past family drama and addiction and find their way to each other?  With much help from their beloved town anything is possible.   Readers will be drawn into this heartwarming romance and small town life where people come together to help and support their own.  Lisa Carter does an amazing job of handling tough societal issues (addiction, education, learning disabilities, and divorce) with sensitivity, grace, and a bit of humor. 

Readers will relate to Tanner and Maggie, the obstacles and personal growth they experience.  The cast of secondary characters will bring humor, and that sweet sense of love and belonging.   Lisa brings everything together in a beautiful way showing the Providence of God and His sovereignty in all things.

Readers, cozy up with this book with a nice fall candle (mahogany apple from Bath and Body Works is my personal favorite), your favorite fall drink and some fall sweets and you will be swept away to small town life.  You will fall in love with the townspeople of Truelove as they help these two find their way to each other and live a life of true community and fellowship.  You will laugh a little, cry a little, and see a glimpse of what God's heart is for His people to love together in fellowship.
Simba says this sweet romance gets 4 paws.


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