Holly and Nick Hate Christmas by Betsy St. Amant

 

"Why my soul are you downcast?  Why so disturbed within me?  Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my savior and my God."  Psalm 42:5

The Christmas Advent season is one of:  joy, hope, peace, excitement, and anticipation for many people.  For me, it is my favorite time of the year - and I can not wait for that Christmas music and Christmas movies (classics and new ones on Hallmark and Great American Family).  I do realize, however, that there are others that even if they celebrate it they are going through the motions as they are hiding pain, or grief.  Then there are others, like Holly and Nick in our book, who are self-proclaimed Grinches for a myiad of reasons.  In this heartfelt rom-com St. Amant brings these two individuls who proclaim to hate Christmas together, in a place that seems to be taken directly out of a Hallmark Christmas movie.

Holly, a Christmas baby, grows up the middle of five children, and as an adult is still struggling to find her place in the midst of siblings and in-laws.  She feels overlooked by her parents, especially her mother; and having a Christmas birthday only adds to that feeling.  (As many of you with birthdays close to Christmas can relate to the Birthday being forgotten or celebrated as part of Christmas).  Things become worse for the soon to be 30 year old as she loses her job just days before Christmas.  Feeling lost and broke, she allows her older brother to convince her to join him and his wife at the family farm for what he promises to be a quiet Christmas.  The promise of free food and a date with her brother's handsome friend seals the deal. 

Nick can not believe his luck!  Trying to start a non-profit for at risk boys, he has previously approached Ryan's parents for support.  They have an idea that can make his dreams come true sooner rather than later.  Also, hating Christmas for his own private reasons of parents who were more concerned about image than the actual love of family; Nick believes he can escape the holidays with a good friend, work on his non-profit, and have a date with his friend's sister.  

Well, what could go wrong.  In typical rom-com fashion everything that could go wrong does!  Ryan and Holly's other siblings show up, Holly over hears a private discussion between the friends and thinks that Nick is only going out with her for her brother (and as readers all know it is always deeper and more complex than it looks at the beginning).  Holly decides to detract from her feelings of hurt and worthlessness and become the Christian fairy just to get back at Nick.  What follows is a delightfully funny and warm tale woven together as only Betsy St. Amant toghether as she brings these two not only together takes them down a healing journey as they discover the true meaning of Christmas.  With delightful secondary characters (that all readers from a big family can relate to) Holly and Nick Hate Christmas forces readers as to come to terms with their own selfishness as the characters grow and change.  I know for me, I had to realize that I always want to make Christmas about me and have a mental checklist of what I think it should be (and other special ocassions).  This book helped me to realize that God has just called me to love my husband, children, and family deeply and to honor Him in all and that is where true joy comes from.

Fans of Christian fiction, Chrismas fiction, rom-coms will delight in this heartwarming Christmas tale of two young people finding the true meaning of Christmas and a lifetime of love and family along the way.  If you love Denise Hunter, Becky Wade, and Toni Shiloh you will love Betsy St. Amant (if you have not already read her books).  Cozy up with some yummy Christmas cookies, some warm apple cider, and that perfect Christmas candle (Bright Christmas morning from Bath and Body Works is a good one) and drift away on a funny yet inspirationl Christmas journey.  Simba enthusiastically gives this book four paws.  

I want to thank NetGalley and the publisher for this advanced readers copy to read and review.  This book will be available for purchase on 09/16/2025.  Happy Reading!!



Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

The Christmas Keepsake By: Annie Rains

Received copy from Netgalley and Forever (Grand Central Publishing) to read for an honest review "Precious memories, how they linger How they ever flood my soul"  (Precious Memories Lyrics @Emibaapril Music Inc.   Songwriters Dp/Johnnie Robert Wright) As a first time mother, amd lover of all things Christmas, I was so excited to pick out that all important baby's first Christmas ornament.  It had to be the best,  so of course, off to the local Hallmark store we went.  I will always remember that little train with a bear that says baby's first Christmas.  And of course, it came as part of a set for the next couple of years (Which we proudly collected).  Twenty-five years qnd four kids later, we still make the annual trip to the store for that perfect keepsake ornament.  We have collected Disney princesses, Harry Potter, Superheroes, Charlie Brown, and many more.  All showing likes or what was important that year.  But for this mama's...
Read more

"Sometimes you Stay" by Liz Johnson: A Red Door Inn Romance

Psalm 32:7. "You are my hiding place, you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance. " A small child growing up with trauma (physical, psychological, emotional abuse or neglect) is so hard for us to process.  For the child, there are scars they will carry throughout life.  Many times those cars will be picked over and bleed a bit more til they scab over again.  Many times we question and ask where God was in the midst of all this and why did He allow this to happen?  The people who are supposed to love and protect this innocent child, are the ones hurting him causing great pain.  I am no theologian and I do not understand the why, and I sincerely believe we won't understand it this side of heaven.  As a victim of childhood trauma, I can tell you that looking back, I see God's hand and protection throughout my childhood.  These painful experiences have made me who I am today, and God has used them to help me reach out to chi...
Read more

Getting Started

Growing up as an only child,  with older parents,  made for a very lonely childhood.  Books became my best friend.   My parents were always afraid to let me be play outside, and there were not many kids My age to look forward to.   Weekly, or sometimes bi-weekly trips, to the local library became the highlight of my days.   I would come home with stacks of books that would allow me to escape into a world filled with possibilities.  From the Babysitters Club, to Ramona and Beezus,  Mary Lenox in the Secret Garden, and Fern in Charlotte's web, I would lose myself for hours in a world where I felt safe and confident.   These characters became some of my closest "friends" and helped me to escape from a lonely and isolated childhood.   I was a fast reader and devoured so many books, I couldn't begin to name them all.   As an adult, I still love to read and find myself identifying with characters in my novels...
Read more