The Best Christmas Ever by Sarah Morgan Book Review: A Heartwarming Christmas Story

The Best Christmas Ever is a heartwarming holiday tale of unexpected friendship, romance, family, second chances and Christmas magic.

Acknowledgments:

Thank you to Harlequin Audio and Netgalley for the ARC of this audiobook. The thoughts and opinions expressed here are my own.

Summary:

Reclusive author Mabel Miller plans to spend another quiet Christmas alone with her cats, but a massive snowstorm changes everything when two cars crash outside her isolated cottage, leaving her unexpectedly sheltering a family with two children and two colleagues with a complicated history. As her unwanted guests slowly break through her carefully guarded privacy, Mabel finds herself baking cookies, making cocoa and opening up her library—and the secrets hidden within it. With Christmas bringing unexpected friendship and forcing Mabel to confront the past she has worked so hard to hide, she may finally find the courage to rewrite her story and discover a little holiday magic of her own.

My Thoughts:

Christmas wouldn’t be the same without a new Christmas book from Sarah Morgan, and The Best Christmas Ever is a wonderful addition to the season’s reading. This beautiful story of unexpected strangers becoming fast friends and changing the life of their reclusive host was a delight to read, and I thoroughly enjoyed it.

Morgan does a wonderful job of establishing the remote setting as a massive snowstorm bears down on New England. You can’t help but feel for Mabel Miller, a highly respected author who lives alone with her many cats. Since losing her husband and becoming estranged from her daughter, Mabel has struggled with the pain of the past and is dreading yet another lonely Christmas. The last thing she wants is a house full of strangers, but when the snowstorm sends two cars crashing into the wall surrounding her cottage, she suddenly finds herself with unexpected company.

A family with two young children and a pair of co-workers, Izzy and Jason, soon join Mabel to wait out the storm. Over the course of a couple of days, we’re treated to plenty of festive activities, delicious food and heartwarming moments as everyone tries to make the best of an unexpected situation. I also really enjoyed the romance that develops between Izzy and Jason as they navigate their complicated history. It was a joy to watch these strangers bring Christmas cheer back into Mabel’s life and give her a reason to consider making amends with her daughter. I particularly loved the emphasis on the importance of books and the intriguing secret Mabel has been keeping.

The Narration:

I listened to the audiobook, narrated by Dara Rosenberg, whose performances I’ve really come to enjoy. She does a wonderful job of bringing the characters to life, capturing the enthusiasm, warmth and emotion that make this story so engaging.

Final Thoughts:

The Best Christmas Ever is a heartwarming Christmas read filled with friendship, romance, family, second chances and the magic of unexpected connections. Sarah Morgan has once again delivered a story that reminds us that it’s never too late to open our hearts, make amends and discover a little Christmas happiness. A lovely choice for anyone looking to get into the festive spirit!