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How a 13-year-old girl saved a small town’s Christmas

Season’s Greetings!

I’ll be blunt.. I adored this book.
The characters, the storyline, all of it was the sweet kind of Christmas read I needed—and that’s saying something.

I don’t generally have any luck enjoying Christmas stories, they’re just so.. Disney. The too sweet romance, the predictability, the happily ever after—it’s not my thing. But this book? It was beautiful, funny, and full of holiday spirit.
If you’re looking for a quick read to fit in between the holiday preparations be sure to check this out, you won’t regret it.

Happy Reading!

(Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. Any purchases made through my links may earn me a small commission at no cost to you.) 

The Girl Who Ruined Christmas by Cindy Callaghan

Publication date: October 12, 2021
Pages: 154
Genre: Middle Grade, Juvenile Fiction, Christmas Story
Standalone

Four and a Half Stars!

Brady and her family find themselves in Harper Hollow Falls just as the local tree farm reveals some exciting news..
The Whitehouse has chosen one of their Christmas trees to display this year. Brady, fascinated, joins the entire town in gathering to celebrate this incredible news—but disaster strikes.

While taking a selfie of herself, the tree, and the sleigh that carried it to town, the phone’s flash accidentally sets off the horses.. sending them into a blind panic that ends with one very damaged Christmas tree and a now openly hostile community.

Found guilty and sentenced to working at that same tree farm, Brady soon discovers that her accident has done more damage than could have ever imagined. Now determined to save Christmas, Brady finds help in some less than friendly teens, but will their efforts be enough? Or will she forever be known as ‘The Girl Who Ruined Christmas.’

I loved this and considering that I don’t typically like Christmas stories but.. This one was worth it.

The characters are by far the best part of this book.
Yes, the storyline is sweet, but it’s Brady and her determination to save the town of Harper Hollow Falls that really makes this book special.

Brady’s only in Harper Hollow Falls because of a business deal of her father’s.. but that quickly changes when an innocent mistake costs the town their prized Christmas tree. Her punishment has her working for the man who owned the tree farm it came from, the same tree farm her father is in town to buy out.

“I can’t seem to get in the Christmas spirit, which is weird because it’s literally everywhere.”

Brady never meant to destroy the holidays for this sweet, Christmas loving town, but she takes her punishment seriously.
At first the townspeople treat her with open hostility and she soon finds out why.. The Christmas tree for the White House was the landowner’s last chance to save his property and now it was all over. But Brady isn’t willing to let things end like that and sets off to find a way to save the farm, Christmas, and the town she’s grown to love.

Brady’s such a great kid—she’s kind, resilient, forgiving, and driven—how could you not get caught up in rooting for her?
The author did a beautiful job creating a whole host of unique and interesting characters that entertain, draw you in, and become real to you.. They’re what fills this book with heart and soul.

“Mr. Schneider, take it from somebody who knows what it’s like to have the whole world hate her, you have nothing to be ashamed of. Your family has been a part of the magic of Christmas for thousands of people for forty-two years. . . that’s a lot to be proud of.”

The storyline is very straightforward. Basically, what you read in the synopsis is what you get. But that in no way lessens the reading experience.

Looking for some Christmas spirit?
You’ll find it here.

I not only recommend but encourage you to give this book a chance.

Thank you for checking out my review today, I hope you enjoyed it!
My hope and prayers that you and yours have a safe and beautiful week ahead.

What makes the holidays special to you?

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