Finding Father Christmas and Engaging Father Christmas...Review

About the book: 
By beloved author Robin Jones Gunn, two timeless, heartwarming Christmas novellas bound together for the first time in an omnibus edition. 

In Finding Father Christmas, Miranda Carson's search for her father leads her unexpectedly to London with only a few feeble clues as to who he might be. Immediately welcomed into a family that doesn't recognize her, and whom she's quickly coming to love, she faces a terrible decision. Should she reveal her true identity and destroy their idyllic image of her father? Or should she carry the truth home with her to San Francisco and remain alone in this world? Whatever choice she makes during this London Christmas will forever change the future for both herself and the family she can't bear to leave.

In Engaging Father Christmas, Miranda Carson can't wait to return to England for Christmas and to be with her boyfriend, Ian. She has spent a lifetime yearning for a place to call home, and she's sure Carlton Heath will be it, especially when a hinted-at engagement ring slips into the conversation. But Miranda's high hopes for a jolly Christmas with the small circle of people she has come to love are toppled when Ian's father is hospitalized and the matriarch of the Whitcombe family withholds her blessing from Miranda. Questions run rampant in Miranda's mind about whether she really belongs in this cheery corner of the world. Then, when her true identity threatens all her relationships in unanticipated ways, Miranda is certain all is lost. And yet . . . maybe Father Christmas has special gifts in store for her after all.

FINDING FATHER CHRISTMAS

Miranda Carson grew up with her nomadic actress mother and only one clue to her father's identity: a photograph with the name and location of the photography studio on the back of it.

As an adult, she takes a spontaneous trip to England to try and locate any information she can about her father. She ends up in a picturesque English village, complete with Charles Dickens and Father Christmas, on Christmas Eve. The photography studio is long gone, but in it's stead she finds herself welcomed into the home and lives of some delightful people. As Miranda opens her heart to the love shown her, she finds the answers she was seeking and these change her life forever.

Predictable and light, it's nevertheless a charming little story. Perfect for a cozy afternoon in front of the fire.

ENGAGING FATHER CHRISTMAS

A charming sequel to Finding Father Christmas.

Miranda Carson returns to England and her newly found family and boyfriend. However, the happy Christmas reunion she expected does not unfold as she anticipated. Illness and family secrets threaten Miranda's new life. As she hopes for her dreams to come true, Miranda and others learn about love and acceptance and what it means to be a family. The Whitcombe and MacGregor families are just as charming here. We also get better acquainted, especially with Ian, Julia and Mark.

Both stories, are light and somewhat predictable. They're also delightful. Perfect for curling up by a fire with a cup of cocoa.

I loved these sweet stories just as much the second time reading them as I did the first time years ago. They're being released in one book in preparation for the third story Kissing Father Christmas. It was great to revisit Miranda and Ian and their story. Finding Father Christmas has also been made into a Hallmark movie and will be shown on November 13 on the Hallmark Channel. Makes me wish I had cable or satellite access!

Read 10/16

* * * *
4/5 Stars

Thanks to Netgalley for the opportunity to reread these stories. You can learn more about Robin Jones Gunn on her website and find her on Facebook and Twitter.

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