Review: North for Christmas by Christina Dymock

My rating: 5 stars / It was amazing

Synopsis

Have you ever known exactly what you wanted for Christmas? As a child, you may have written a letter to Santa, made a wish upon a star, or locked your dream away in your heart afraid that it might not come true if you so much as whispered it out loud. Even as adults, Christmas wishes carry a magic that can't be explained. In North for Christmas, Ruby Jeavon certainly has her heart set on an engagement. It's the first step in creating the family she's always wanted. But things go slightly off course and instead of flying to Italy with her boyfriend, Ruby heads out of town to work as an elf in Nashville. Even though she's far away from her dream, she's about to discover the magic of a Nashville Christmas through the eyes of North Foxwell, her fellow elf and a Christmas expert. Even though North struggles with his own Christmas ghosts, Ruby manages to bring new light to his life. Can Ruby let go of her dream to find what her heart truly desires? Only time--at the North Pole--will tell.

My Review

This is the perfect book to get you in the Christmas spirit! Ruby and North both approach the work of bringing holiday cheer from different backgrounds, but both have a great character arc as they come to realizations about their current lives and make changes that show that compassion and forgiveness are more important than what they were holding on to. They have great chemistry and even though their friendship has some rocky moments, they are a pleasure to read. North is so charismatic and I loved all his mannerisms that made him stand out. His dark struggle of letting go of past hurts contrasts with his love for Christmas and  serving others. Ruby is a bit lost and lonely but trying her best in a high maintenance relationship with her boyfriend and feeling emotionally estranged from her mother. The time away from her busy life gives her perspective and I loved seeing her humble awakening to the true joy of connecting with those around her as they serve the children and needy.

(Thank you to Cedar Fort Publishing for a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review)