Coming Home for Christmas

Coming Home for Christmas was an endearing love story that grabbed my attention instantly. In the first chapter the author begins to introduce you to Allie, the main character, and her family. I could relate to Allie immediately and knew exactly how she was feeling knowing she was moving back home, in with her mom, and to her childhood room. As the story unfolds, Allie gets a job managing Ashford estate, an early twentieth century manor that is for sale. The descriptions of the house, grounds, and characters where picture perfect. Even though the story took place around the Christmas season, Christmas was the underlying event, but Allie's story definitely is the main attraction in this book. The author quickly introduces the reader to the other main characters: the staff that has been with the estate for years, Mrs. Pippa Marley, the grandmother; the two brothers, Kip and Robert, and their sister and her children. I loved reading this book because I couldn't wait to learn more about the Marley family members to find out the history behind their relationships. Many times I found myself talking to the book and the characters trying to figure them out. I loved the relationship that developed between Allie and Mrs. Pippa Marley. Pippa, the matriarch of the family, had a way with words and truly made Allie rethink her actions or thoughts just when Allie thought she had sorted things out. The love story kept you guessing. (I don't want to give too much information, because I don't want to ruin it for anyone!) I enjoyed it because I constantly thought I had it figured out and then some event would happen, and I'd have to reevaluate my thinking. What was great about Coming Home for Christmas was that it was not an explicit love story. Instead, the author gave you just enough information for you to use your imagination and enjoy a tasteful love story. I loved the happily ever after ending, and felt perfectly content when I finished the book. What a great read! Once I finished, I actually reread it! The book is like an old friend: you love your time together and you never want it to end!!! Fantastic! So grab a cup of coffee, curl up with a blanket, and be prepared to read through the night, because you will not want to put it down!

Best ever. You won’t be disappointed!! This would be wonderful to read during Christmas time!! It’s a romance that won’t disappoint!!

I started this book, and could not put it down. It was well written, nicely paced, and the perfect diversion on a cold winter night. I really enjoyed the characters. I found them to be well developed, and human in every sort of way. I enjoyed the love story, it had just the right amount of conflict, and a very satisfying resolution. I appreciate that this was a clean read, though it was not religious in nature. All in all I really enjoyed this book, and will seek out this author again.

This is wonderful story. Allie takes a job as a manager of a large mansion that is up for sale. The family still resides there sometimes. Pippa, the grandmother, all the time. The wealthy family is dysfunctional. Robert, the one selling the house, doesn't come around. Kip, good looking and charming, is flighty. Sloane, the sister, has two children and is going through a divorce. All great characters. Pippa, especially. It's a good story that's hard to put down. I loved reading it. But when I got to the epilogue, I was blown away. The epilogue is so beautiful that parts of it took my breath away, and parts gave me tears. Beautifully done.

I rarely write book reviews but Coming Home For Christmas surprised me as I couldn't put it down! I fell in love with most of the characters immediately, though Pippa took a few chapters to grow on me. Even though I didn't really like Kip as well as the others, he eventually came around as well. The story was well-written, and the plot had a few turns that kept me interested...don't get me wrong, there's no big twists or unpredictable outcomes, but that's one of the reasons I enjoyed it so much. A lot of Christmas spirit and a light read for the season. The story was beautiful and the ending left me in tears. I highly recommend this book and Jenny Hale's other books: "A Christmas To Remember" and "Love Me For Me" but I have to say that this one was my favorite. In fact, I now consider this my favorite Christmas book ever. It's now Spring and I still find myself thinking about it and wondering if it's too soon to read it again. If you're looking for something sweet, give Coming Home For Christmas a chance!

Coming Home for Christmas by Jenny Hale -- I found this book after reading Jenny Hale's Christmas Wishes and Mistletoe Kisses, which I considered to be a delightful book. I expected the same of this book. However, the lead character, Allie is such a mess that I found it to be difficult to like her. In fact, I was tempted several times to just stop reading this book. I did persevere to the end and finally got around to liking Allie in the last few chapters of the book. In my opinion, a better title for this book would be, "Will Allie ever Grow Up?" When all is said and done, the characters in this book are well developed, including Allie which is what makes her so aggravating. Ms. Hale really makes the story live. I think she is a very good writer. However, I hope to find more of her books along the line of Christmas Wishes and Mistletoe Kisses. Now, that is a book I will read over and over. Not this one.

A charming and festive story about the magic of Christmas, family, and love! I really enjoyed the dynamic between Allie and the Marleys, especially how Robert was a stoic and scrooge-like man, but softened by the end of the book. The characters were so lovable. I could just imagine being in the beautifully decorated Ashford mansion surrounded by sparkling snow. It’s a story of hope as well, since Allie was unsettled when she began her job as house manager for the Marleys, but ends up with her dream come true. This book is sure to make you smile.

This book fulfills exactly what I wanted when I bought it... A feel-good light Christmas book. It had a better story than most Christmas books as well. A good one to add to your list to get into a holiday mood. Nothing to do with this book, but the Hallmark movie of this book is horrible. This is coming from someone who normally digests the Hallmark corn. However, they change almost every detail of the story. It's like someone just read the summary, then forgot most of it, then made the movie. Even people's names and occupations that didnt actually affect the story were different...why? Read the book, skip the movie.

Another lovely and feel good story..Allie and Robert..a perfect match.. do not want to put it down when I started reading it..

I liked this book. It is very easy to read and entertaining. Once you start with it you have to finish it quickly. I recommend it for an uncomplicated read.

This is the story of Allie Richfield. She is about to start work as House Manager at the Ashford Estate. The Ashford Estate is for sale after being the Marley family home for many, many years. Her job is to ensure that the day to day running of the house is carried out, but also to ensure that the family celebrate their last Christmas at Ashford, well some of the family. Immediately I loved Allie's character. I loved her independence but also loved her absolute love for her family. Her love for her family, her mum and her sister, overflows into the Marley household, as she uses it to try and inject some warmth into the old house again. At first when we meet Richard there is an instant connection between him and Allie, but this is put on the back burner as he is completely shut off and reserved, feeling like he is very cold in his attitude to his family and the house. We meet the other members of the family as they all return to Ashford one last time. Kip, Robert's brother is an absolute player, he wins Allie's affections straight away with his outright flirty manor. Robert's sister Sloane appears to be a little wary of Allie at first but when the story unfolds you get to learn a little more about Sloane's current family situation. Then there is Robert's grandmother. She is somewhat of a mystery. Robert's description of her makes you think of a frail little old lady who's house has outgrown her. But when you really get to know her you discover her true family spirit and the tragic events which dominate her relationship with Robert. This story is centred around the family coming home for Christmas, but it also so much more than that. The story is predominantly about family, about the relationship we have with our family members but also how blood is thicker than water and that truly family can overcome anything which is beautifully portrayed in the story between Pippa and Robert. I really enjoyed that the focus was also on Christmas as it resonates with the family theme that runs along with it in the story. A really, truly great story which will warm your hearts and show you the true meaning of family at Christmastime. Erin x

I've downloaded about thirty Christmas romance novels, and this was by far the best. The first thing I noticed was that it was very well edited. The characters are all very likeable, and there's a "real" story (as opposed to the usual gorgeous woman meets hot guy and they're off to the bedroom) that keeps you interested until the end. Although I thought the actual ending of the book was slightly unrealistic and a bit over the top (but hey, it's fiction...), I would recommend this as an interesting, fun Christmas read.

I enjoyed this book more then I can describe. I also read Christmas to remember, and could not put it down! I never came across any of your books before, but I will certainly look forward to your new once that come out. I have next on my list to read Love me for Me, and one that is not out yet on order. Thank you! You are my kind of author! As you can see, I am not very good in English language and spelling so I wont write my review, only that I love the book, and characters in it and how it ended! Thank you again! Stephanie Hambalek