Wednesday, January 4, 2023

Book Review: The Santa Letters by Stacy Gooch-Anderson

Heartwarming and filled with the spirit of the season, The Santa Letters by Stacy Gooch-Anderson is sure to become a Christmas classic.

After the sudden death of her husband William, Emma Jensen struggles to find hope in her life. Even knowing she must go on for her children is not enough to bring Emma out of the depths of despair. Instead, she curls up in an old patchwork quilt and cries the nights away.

But after the first Santa letter arrives with promises of gifts and instructions for activities that will teach the family the true meaning and gifts of Christmas, the lives of the Jensens might be forever changed. Will these messages from the man in the red suit help them find that missing hope as they celebrate the Savior's birth?

I have never been so touched by a novel as I was while reading The Santa Letters. I could barely contain my emotions. And it came to me, while I read each Santa letter that this would be an excellent way for churches to share the message of Christmas with their congregations. The lessons the Jensens learn from this anonymous stranger are ones that people need to be reminded of every day of the year: the importance of traditions, laughter, friendship, family, mercy and forgiveness, along with many others are found within its pages.

Gooch-Anderson's mastery of storytelling is evident in the emotions The Santa Letters invokes and the ease with which this novel draws the reader completely into the lives of its characters. The author has also included instructions for how readers can create their own Santa Letters Christmas.

A book you'll never forget, The Santa Letters by Stacy Gooch-Anderson will become a Christmas tradition you'll want to share with your family time and again. An excellent book club or church group selection. I eagerly await Gooch-Anderson's next release.

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Sweetwater Books (July 8, 2008)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 190 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1599551454
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1599551456

This review first appeared at The Book Connection.  I have not been compensated for this review in any way.

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