“You don’t always get that happy ending in life. Maybe that’s why I like to read a good romance. Everyone should have a happy ending somewhere, and if you can’t get it in real life, you ought to at least be able to find it in a book.”
“I think you deserve a happy ending in real life,” he said.
The Road to Christmas is a heartwarming tale about families, chance encounters, and the spirit of Christmas.
Michelle and Max are not planning on a happy holiday. Their marriage is in shambles and the D word has entered their vocabulary. But now their youngest daughter, Julia, wants everyone to come to her new house in Idaho for Christmas, and she’s got the guest room all ready for Mom and Dad. Oh, joy.
Their other daughters, Audrey and Shyla, are driving up from California and hoping to meet a sexy rancher for Audrey along the way. What they don’t plan on is getting stranded on a ranch when the car breaks down.
The ones with the shortest drive are Grandma and Grandpa–also known as Hazel and Warren. It’s still a bit of a trek, and Hazel doesn’t like the idea of driving all that way in snow, but Warren knows they’ll have no problem. They have a reliable car–and snow tires and chains if they need them. They’ll be fine.
Surprises lie in store for all three sets of intrepid travelers as they set out on three very different adventures, all leading to one memorable family Christmas.
I always love a Sheila Roberts book. They are sweet, heart warming, and have the best families. The Road to Christmas is no different. This is a charming book that will put you in the holiday spirit and have you laughing at the antics that only family can do.
This book has not just one sweet romance, but focuses on three women in a tight family and their relationship highs and lows leading up to one christmas celebration. Hazel and Warren, the grandparents of the family, are in their 70s and dealing with aging and health problems. I loved watching their sweet and steady relationship throughout the story that also highlighted the stress that happens in a relationship as a couple ages and their dynamics change.
Michelle and Max have been the fairytale perfect couple since they met in their early twenties. Three children and over 25 years together and they are done. They are going to have one last Christmas with their family and then separate in the new year. I was rooting for Michelle and Max the whole time and really loved how Sheila explored a married relationship and the work that needs to happen to care and nurture a long-term relationship – and she shows the effects of what happens if that relationship isn’t cared for.
And finally, we meet the lovely eldest daughter of Michelle and Max: Audrey. She’s the smart sister who’s used to taking care of everyone. She’s the planner, the fixer and the know-it-all. And men are scared off by her. Her adorable relationship with a sexy cowboy thrilled me, especially because Audrey, having been burnt by men before, made it so darn hard on the besotted Russ.
This is a road-trip romance with different family members making the trek from different parts of the states to meet up at the baby of the family’s house – Julia, in her new house in Idaho. Julia, Audrey and middle sister Shyla are a sweet trio whose misadventures and antics through the story made me laugh. Family is at the heart of this book and the family bonds here are so strong but aren’t perfect by any means. I think that’s why I enjoyed them so much: they aren’t a storybook family. Rather they fight, and argue and make bad decisions, but end up together anyway because family means something more than pride.
While I loved this story from top to bottom, I especially loved the focus on food. Food, after all, makes a holiday for me. I was starving after all of the descriptions of cookies and cakes and delicious savory suppers. There are two delightful recipes at the back of the book that I am looking forward to trying this holiday season.
The Road to Christmas is a delightful holiday read that will remind you that sometimes the journey helps you remember not to take the destination for granted.
