Review: Home for the Holidays by Sara Richardson

 

Title: Home for the Holidays

Author: Sara Richardson

Published: September 2020, Forever

Format: ARC E-copy, 320 pages

Source: Netgalley via Publisher

Summary: 

Sara Richardson writes unputdownable, unforgettable stories from the heart” in this emotional holiday novel, where three sisters have one last Christmas to confront their pasts before their lives change forever (Jill Shalvis, New York Times bestselling author).

The
Buchanan sisters all share special childhood memories of their Aunt
Sassy’s beloved Juniper Inn. There, they frolicked in the snow, baked
sugar cookies, and celebrated the town’s annual Christmas extravaganza.
They haven’t been back to Colorado in nearly fifteen years, but when
their aunt invites them for one last Christmas, they can’t say no…

With
her ex-husband whisking her children away for the holiday, Dahlia
decides it’s time to do something for herself. Juniper Springs is just
as beautiful as she remembers, but it’s also full of surprises —
including the town’s handsome doctor, who makes her feel like herself
again for the first time in years.

To the outside world, baker
Magnolia has the ideal marriage. Only the pain and sorrow of infertility
have strained her relationship with her husband, perhaps beyond repair.
But a holiday miracle is about to change her life.

After a
whirlwind romance, youngest sister Rose is about to be married, but as
the wedding draws near, she’s unsettled by her fiancé’s expectations
that she become a society wife. Spending Christmas with her family could
be a necessary reality check — or the beginning of a brand-new happily
ever after.

Thanks to the strength of their sisterhood, some
mistletoe, and the love of their Aunt Sassy, the Buchanan sisters will
discover what it is they truly want this Christmas.

My thoughts: This is the first book I’ve read by Sara Richardson and if all her books are as good as this one, it certainly won’t be the last. I thoroughly enjoyed this holiday book and while I typically don’t break out the holiday reads until a bit later in the year, this year has been so out of whack that I am just going with the flow and reading what calls to me and this one was just what I needed. 

I love books that explore sister relationships. Having two sisters myself, I always feel such a pull to these books and I think Sara Richardson does such a good job exploring these bonds. These sisters are all at a crossroads in their lives and when they come together at Juniper Springs for Christmas, they finally reveal the secrets they have been keeping from each other. I could relate to each of these sisters in some way, but more so to Magnolia as I have been where she is and could feel her pain and frustration completely. 

This book tugged at my heartstrings so many times, but it is also such a heartwarming book, too. I loved the Christmas theme and it definitely has me looking forward to the holidays, whatever they may look like this year. It may not look like years past, but we will make do with what we can and that is all that matters. 

I highly recommend adding this to your reading list…whether it be now when it comes out or later in the holiday season. It’s definitely a great read and one that will certainly get you in the holiday mood!