Book review "Christmas in Winter Hill" by Melody Carlson

I've read Melody Carlson's books on and off since my pre-teen years.  When I saw the opportunity from the publisher, Revell, to read this book I was happy to choose to accept.  Christmas In Winter Hill (Revell), by Melody Carlson, is a light-hearted Christmas-y novella that's perfect to get you in the holiday spirit.  It can easily be read in one sitting on a snowy day with your favorite hot beverage.

Single mom, Krista, moves from Phoenix to small town Winter Hill in the Pacific Northeast with her young daughter Emily when she accepts to job as the town's manager.  To Emily's delight Winter Hill turns into a sort of North Pole celebration from Thanksgiving through the Christmas holiday, even offering a "Christmas house" to be won via contest.  Krista, however is a Christmas baby who grew up in foster care and therefore hates Christmas as she was always forgotten on that day.  How can she help facilitate building the Christmas spirit when she's a grinch?

While it's not the most amazing book I've ever read; I would recommend it if you want something quick and easy to get you in the holiday spirit.  It would make a great Hallmark movie (which I can't get enough of).

A copy of this book was provided to me for review by the publisher in exchange for an honest review. 

Book Review "The Grace Year" by Kim Liggett

Photo credit: Netgalley

When I was growing up I would tell my parents EVERYTHING about the book I was currently reading.  This one was like that for me.  My fiance heard ALL about it. I devoured The Grace Year (St. Martin's Press, Wednesday Books), by Kim Liggett after a book blogger I follow on Goodreads said it was her favorite book of the year IN JUNE and tipped her followers off to the fact is was available on Netgalley (thanks Netgalley!)

The Grace Year is a YA dystopian novel marketed to lovers of The Handmaid's Tale  and The Hunger Games (I know, I know...aren't they ALL!)  And while there is truth to that this novel was so different to me.  In this novel all girls are banished from their community for their 16th year of life so they can release the "magic" they would otherwise hold onto that would tempt men. (*insert eye roll here*)  This 16th year, better known as "The Grace Year" looms as a terrifying unknown as no one is allowed to speak of what happens during The Grace Year.  What's known is that these 16 year olds are branded with their father's crest on the bottom of their foot.  All 16 year old women are escorted to exile where they not only have to survive the elements, but they also have to survive each other (think about how catty high school girls to be and AH...this makes sense), as well as poachers that are hunting them to kill and sell their parts on the black market.  Escape is not an option.  The only options are survival or death.  If they do not return by life or my mutilated body parts their younger siblings will then be taken to the outskirts of the community to serve as "women of the night."

This book is un-put-downable.  I've seen many reviewers saying that it's all about feminism and I vehemently disagree.  While there are undertones of feminism (it is largely a book about how women do or do not work together/support one another) I took SO much more away about how society as a whole treats one another by how these girls interacted.  We can be groomed as a society to act a certain way, but when It really comes down to it we make the choice.  I believe that's what Liggett's message was. 

I read this book four months ago and it still haunts me.  I've been telling everyone I think would remotely enjoy this to put the release date on their calendars since June! (It came out this past Tuesday, October 8th by the way so go get it NOW! And then tell me what you think?)

What story have you read that you got something totally different than everyone else seemed to?  Tell me about it in the comments!

A copy of this book was provided to me for review by Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.