Christmas Angels by Nancy Naigle

Christmas Angels
by Nancy Naigle
Published October 15th 2019 by St. Martin's Griffin

Growing up, Liz Westmoreland dreamed of taking over her grandparents inn located in the small mountain town of Angels Creek only for it to be sold before she ever got the chance. While browsing the internet, she stumbles upon a listing for what looks to be the picturesque inn and it’s set to go to auction. Liz places a bid, and by a miracle, wins the auction. But when she gets there she finds the property in significant disrepair.

When Matt Hardy narrowly lost the inn and property that butted his land, he just hoped it wasn't another city slicker coming to make matters worse after the previous owners gutted the place for an art gallery. But the minute he recognized the sweet, freckle-faced girl from his childhood and heard her plans to reopen the inn, he jumps at the chance to help his childhood crush restore a place where he made so many fond memories.

While working on repairs, Liz and Matt discover her grandmother’s collection of angels in one of the cabins. When the angels start mysteriously showing up all over the inn, she begins to look at them as reassurance—that restoring the inn is what she's meant to do. But when an accident leaves Liz feeling like she made a mistake, will Matt—and the residents of Angels Creek—be able to show Liz that she's found a home? And possibly true love as well?

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Review

5 Stars

Talk about a book that should be made into a movie or even a show. Christmas Angels could be the next Virgin River, but in a limited series form. Thank goodness for an active imagination, because I was able to picture this entire book like it was a movie as I read. Nancy Naigle is gifted with words and Christmas Angels is full of beautiful, developed descriptions that make it all come to life. While I've had this book on my shelf for a while, it won't be one that I read and never visit again, that's for sure. This is one of the best Christmas-y reads I've had the pleasure of reading in quite a while. A slow burn romance with a ton of small town heart.

Liz is one of those characters that feels real. She isn't an over the top Scrooge and she isn't Mrs. Claus, she's just normal with a big heart and fond Christmas memories. The story initially doesn't feel like a holiday read, Liz is going after a dream and it'll take months to happen, but the time it has to move towards the season makes for a great slow burn. Matt is the perfect kind of hero, too. He's all southern charm, family-oriented, and, of course, a bit burned by love. These two fit from the instant you see them on a page together, but the real joy in this book is watching them work on Liz' dream and stumbling along the way to one another. Plus, the secondary characters in this book and all the little side plots are just excellent. It's a longer Christmas read, but it's worth it.