AUTHOR: Melody Carlson
DATE: 2016
PUBLISHER: Revell
STARS: *****
Five women from different walks of life have become close friends through their book club--enjoying one another's company even more than they enjoy the books. So when the leader of the book club unexpectedly passes away on the cusp of the Christmas season, the four remaining friends are stunned. They relied on Abby for inspiration and motivation. She was the glue that held them together, and they're sure that without her the group can't continue.
When the group gathers "one last time" to open a bag Abby's husband gives them, they find Abby had made each of them an angel ornament for Christmas, crafted especially for each woman and accompanied by a sweet and personal note. Inspired by their beloved friend, together Cassidy, Louisa, Grace, and Belinda decide to commit themselves to becoming Christmas Angels to others in need. Each woman will use her life situation and talents to reach out and help others in her own unique way--little knowing that her own life and her relationships will be changed forever.
Abby Wentworth appears only briefly in this story, but her influence carries the tale. She isn’t just the glue that holds the little band of friends together, she is the hub, the center to which each woman clings. So when Abby is taken suddenly, the women left behind are lost, unsure of their friendships and their own value.
I loved The Christmas Angel Project. The women of the group are so diverse and their grief so strong, it appears as though they can’t possibly continue the book club. How the angels made by their beloved friend affects each life, and how the choices made thereafter bring even more change, kept me eagerly reading.
Melody Carlson has a gift of creating real people, so realistic I feel I would recognize any of these women if I could meet them on the street. They are totally appealing with their flaws and insecurities, and their growth renewed my sense of wonder.
The Christmas Angel Project is a charming tale of faith and renewal, and it earns five stars. Highly recommended.
Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc.