The Christmas Inn

Thank you NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for sending this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.

Riley’s on her way back to her hometown for Christmas, but not for fun.  When she got the call her mom fell and broke her leg, Riley decided to head home to help at the family’s bed and breakfast while her mom recovers.  And where better to drown her sorrows about losing her job than back home with her mom?  Will getting to know their guests and reconnecting with the community and her family help Riley find what she feels is missing in her life, or will it bring more chaos than she’s ready for?

Bestselling author Pamela M. Kelley is back with a holiday adventure to Cape Code in The Christmas Inn.  With novels like The Nantucket Inn and The Bookshop at the Bay, Kelley is a master of the coastal romance novel and delivers her trademark “feel-good read” in this newest release.  This book delivers small town romance, a little mystery, and plenty of family drama along the way. 

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I give The Christmas Inn 4 out of 5 stars.  Instead of solely focusing on Riley as the main character, Kelley delivers an ensemble cast including Riley’s family, friends, and their town.  I appreciate the light mystery woven in through one of the guests’ scavenger hunts courtesy of letters from a dead sister.  I also appreciate the behind-the-scenes glimpses into life running a bed and breakfast from providing food, to getting the rooms ready for guests, to developing marketing and event ideas.  It does read a bit like a Hallmark movie script, but is a perfect light read to get you ready for your upcoming holiday travel.

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If you love Kelley’s other works, you will love this book, too.  With discussions of death and light romance, I would direct this to audiences over 13.  This would be a fantastic girlfriend or sister read along, especially if traveling together for the holidays.  I would love to see this as a book club selection around the holidays, too – between the decorations and foods mentioned throughout the book, it would provide a lot of other ideas for crafts and snacks to go along with the discussion!

I chose this book based on the cover when I saw it on Netgalley – how gorgeous is that snowy scene?  I’m also familiar with Kelley’s other works and the quality of her writing.  I am so excited to have had the opportunity of reading this book before it’s release.  The Christmas Inn released earlier this week on the 24^th.  You can grab your copy today on our Bookshop.org page!

 

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What I’m Reading

• Current print book: The Girls of Mischief Bay, Susan Mallery
• Current audio book: Now is Not the Time to Panic, Kevin Wilson
• Book I’m most looking forward to: A Discovery of Witches, Deborah Harkness