“An Informal Christmas” ~ Book Review

Nov 21, 2016 by Rachel

Welcome back to Rachel’s Back Talk! I’m so glad you could join me again. Today I am reviewing Heather Gray’s book, An Informal Christmas.

 

As is my custom, if I could ask Heather one question about An Informal Christmas it would be — “Was it difficult writing about an emotional subject?” And if you want to know why I asked that question, I guess you’ll just have to read the book to find out!

 

And without further ado, onto Rachel’s Back Talk!

                                                                

From the Back Cover:

Rylie Durham is used to dealing with all sorts of people and situations in her role as a Child Life Specialist at a local hospital. Why, then, does Zach York bring out the worst in her? After all, he’s there to donate toys to the children she loves.
Could it be that she sees a kindred spirit in him? Rylie knows a thing or two about hiding a bruised heart from the world… and the danger inherent in blaming God for the hurt.

With December’s approach, Rylie enlists Zach’s help for a special undertaking — a Christmas formal for one of the pediatric units. As they work together on the project, she hopes to show him that, even when it’s painful, love is worth the risk…

 

Rachel’s Back Talk:

5 – award winning covers

            

I’m an addict for Christmas books – especially ones that are new and have a different twist! Heather Gray’s novella was definitely one at that! I absolutely loved reading An Informal Christmas, and especially enjoyed the tie-in to Thanksgiving as well.

Rylie has a very difficult job — one that I’m not sure I could handle. She deals with sick and sometimes dying children on a daily basis, and Heather really portrayed Rylie’s character in a believable light. I loved watching Rylie grow throughout the story in many different areas of her life, including the strengthening of her faith in Jesus.

And then you put Rylie together with Zach and the two seem like an unlikely, yet unstoppable duo. I loved the banter between the two of them and eventually, the love that they found with each other. Both Rylie and Zach needed to other person to help them be a better person.

I love what Zach said about Christmas at the end of the book: “Christmas is a celebration of life and relationship with Jesus.” What a great reminder as we enter this Christmas season!

 

More books by Heather I will read next:

An Informal Arrangement

An Informal Introduction

An Informal Date