Embracing Joy Year-Round: The Twelve Months of Christmas by Sheila Roberts – Book Review @_Sheila_Roberts @_mira_books_

The Twelve Months of Christmas unfolds as a heartwarming journey, where three resilient women navigate life’s challenges, turning them into year-round celebrations of friendship, laughter, and love.

From The Publisher:

Sunny, Arianna and Molly are three women having three very different but equally terrible Christmases. Sunny is a newlywed with two new stepkids who want nothing to do with her; Arianna is newly divorced, living with her mom again and hates sending her daughter off to spend the holiday with her dad; for Molly, nothing is new, but her job at the post office is getting very, very old—with all the customers worrying about getting their holiday packages off in time, she doesn’t have a moment to enjoy the season herself, much less spend time with her daughter and granddaughter.

The whole Christmas season has been a bust. All that work for just one day that went by so fast, and not at all how they’d planned. But Sunny and Arianna have a wild idea: What if they extended Christmas into January? February? Saint Patrick’s Day?

Love and joy and peace on earth, or at least with their families and neighbors–Christmas all year long. What could that look like? As these three determined women chase the perfect holiday through twelve months of cooking disasters, over-the-top festivity, and lots of laughter and tears, they’ll discover perfection is way overrated.

My Thoughts:

“The Twelve Months of Christmas” by Sheila Roberts is a heartwarming tale that transcends the typical holiday story, weaving together the lives of Sunny, Arianna, and Molly during their challenging Christmases. The narrative beautifully unfolds as each woman faces unique struggles, providing readers with relatable, emotional connections to the characters.

The concept of extending Christmas throughout the year is both whimsical and thought-provoking, offering a refreshing perspective on finding joy and connection beyond the holiday season. The camaraderie among the characters as they navigate cooking disasters, festive adventures, and moments of laughter and tears creates a compelling narrative that goes beyond the superficial allure of a perfect holiday.

Personally, I found the book to be more than expected, delving into the complexities of friendship and family support in the face of adversity. The characters’ journeys taught valuable lessons about turning challenging situations into opportunities for growth and positivity.

The development of relationships throughout the story, coupled with the multi-generational activities planned for each month, added depth and richness to the narrative. I loved the romances that develop as the story unfolds. Furthermore, witnessing the bonds strengthen among the characters as they faced life’s ups and downs was particularly engaging.

It’s essential to note that the story includes a character diagnosed with cancer, which may be triggering for some readers. Despite this, the overall message of resilience, love, and support shines through, making “The Twelve Months of Christmas” a truly captivating and emotionally resonant read.

Other Books I’ve Reviewed Written by Sheila Roberts:

The Road To Christmas

One Charmed Christmas