The Christmas Note: A Novel
Written by Donna VanLiere
Narrated by Donna VanLiere
4.5/5
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About this audiobook
Donna VanLiere's Christmas books have enthralled millions of readers. Now she delivers another inspirational novel about an unlikely friendship between two women—a friendship that will change each of their lives forever.
The Christmas Note is now a Hallmark TV movie!
Gretchen Daniels has recently moved into a condo with her two children to be closer to her mother, Miriam. As they build a life together in their new community, they notice a mysterious young woman, Melissa McCreary, who lives next door. She has few possessions, little personality, and keeps to herself. One day a local landlord who is looking for Melissa knocks on Gretchen's door for assistance. Melissa's mother has died and in the coming weeks the landlord needs Melissa to empty her mother's apartment. Gretchen reaches out and offers to help Melissa, but the apartment is a gut-wrenching shamble of a home. There is little worth saving except for a few photos and a note that is discovered on the crate beside the bed. It is unfinished, but in the two scribbled lines, Melissa discovers secrets about her family that she never could have imagined. Can two very different women embark on a journey that explores a long-buried need for forgiveness, hope, and redemption?
Donna VanLiere
Donna VanLiere is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author. Her much-loved Christmas Hope series includes The Christmas Shoes and The Christmas Blessing (both of which were adapted into movies for CBS Television), The Christmas Secret, The Christmas Journey, and The Christmas Hope, which was adapted into a film by Lifetime. She is also the author of The Angels of Morgan Hill and Finding Grace. VanLiere is the recipient of a Retailer's Choice Award for Fiction, a Dove Award, a Silver Angel Award, an Audie Award for best inspirational fiction, and a nominee for a Gold Medallion Book of the Year. She is a gifted speaker who makes regular appearances at conferences. She lives in Franklin, Tennessee, with her husband and their children.
More audiobooks from Donna Van Liere
The Christmas Table: A Novel Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5The Good Dream: A Novel Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Finding Grace: A True Story about Losing Your Way in Life...and Finding It Again Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5High Calling: The Courageous Life and Faith of Space Shuttle Columbia Commander Rick Husband Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5
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The Christmas Blessing: A Novel Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Christmas Hope: A Novel Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5The Christmas Shoes: A Novel Based on the #1 Single by NewSong Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Christmas Hope Collection Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Christmas Promise: A Novel Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Christmas Secret: A Novel Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Christmas Journey Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5The Christmas Note: A Novel Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5The Christmas Light: A Novel Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5The Christmas Town Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Christmas Star: A Novel Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5
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Reviews for The Christmas Note
41 ratings4 reviews
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5If it were up to me, I would celebrate Christmas all year long. In a way I do because there is no discrimination in our home of when we play Christmas music and when we don't (never). Now that Halloween has passed and we find ourselves in November, not only am I ready for the holiday songs, movies, decorating and gift planning, I am definitely in the mood for feel-good Christmas stories.This was my first Donna VanLiere book. I have been curious about her books for years and constantly find myself picking them up during the holidays at Costco whenever they pop back up on the shelves again. I wanted to read The Christmas Shoes (her first book) before finishing this one, but I didn't have enough time.I loved the relationship between Gretchen and Melissa in the story. It felt very real to me, especially since I err on the side of being socially awkward sometimes and could sympathize with Melissa's difficulty with befriending her neighbor, Gretchen. The twists and turns were unexpected for me and I enjoyed how everything was intertwined and woven together to make up a wonderful holiday story.I thought it was a very well-written book with all the elements that you long for in a Christmas story - love, lost, forgiveness, redemption, family and friendship. I normally don't like stories that are not very long because I discriminate against them for not having enough details simply because of their length, but this was not the case with The Christmas Note. I think VanLiere has a gift for telling a story and giving you just enough details to engross you into the narrative, yet without dragging it along. It was short, sweet and definitely warmed my heart. The Christmas Note very much put me in the Christmas spirit this season and I have already ordered three more of her books to read. I know I won't be disappointed!
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5An uplifting, tear-inducing story that reinforces your faith in human beings and their innate goodness is all found in this book. The characters are continually growing and creating new impressions as they develop and grow through the difficulties and experiences in the book, and while the importance of God and faith is never downplayed, it also does not become just a testament to Christianity. With two major points of view, and two very different lives that collide in the most providential of ways, the book will have even the most confirmed skeptic questioning the next coincidental happening in their own life. Truly a perfect book for the season, a great continuation of the series of Christmas stories by Donna VanLiere.
**I received a hardcover copy of this book from the author for Book and Trailer Showcase eMagazine reviews. I was not compensated for this review, and all conclusions are my own responsibility. - Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5The Christmas NoteDonna VanLiereThomas NelsonChristian/General FictionOct 25th-20115 StarsThe Christmas Note is a novel about two women different in many ways are drawn together by fate and a simple half written note. Injured while serving overseas Gretchen Daniels husband transferred to a hospital in Germany .With her two small children Gretchen moves into an apartment complex to be closer to her divorced mother at this time. When she meets her next door neighbor Melissa, it seems she is carrying the weight of the world on her shoulders and wants nothing to do with Gretchen and her family. When a man leaves a message for Gretchen to give to Melissa things start getting better between them . The message- Melissa mother has passed away and he wants her apartment emptied and cleaned. With Gretchen helping a note is found that Melissa actually has two siblings and Gretchen entices her to seek them out. As life gets better for the two women, Melissa discovers secrets about her family she never knew which leads to an exciting conclusion.I was thrilled when I seen Donna VanLiere had a new book out as I have everyone of her books. This was such an enjoyable read as with all of her books. Her books just seem to cry outwith love, faith and forgiveness . Here are two women as different as night and day and with a little bit of trust and friendship love abounds not only with compassion but a sweet Christmas miracle. The Christmas Note just like all of her other Christmas books is very touching and uplifting. In fact I sat down and read the book in one evening. I could not put it down If you have not read any of Ms. VanLieres books you are in for a treat especially if you like stories dealing with the Christmas Season.Highly recommended.This complimentary copy was provided by the publisher through Book Sneeze and their blogging program. A positing review was not required and all opinions expressed here are strictly my own.
- Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5This was a nice, uplifting story of friendship and joy through trying times.