BOOK REVIEW- THE CHRISTMAS STAR (Christmas Hope) by Donna VanLiere

Thirty-two-year-old Amy Denison volunteers at Glory’s Place, an after school program where she meets seven-year-old Maddie, a precocious young girl who has spent her childhood in foster care. Unbeknownst to Amy, Maddie is a mini-matchmaker, with her eye on just the right man for Amy at Grandon Elementary School, where she is a student. Amy is hesitant – she’s been hurt before, and isn’t sure she’s ready to lose her heart again – but an unexpected surprise makes her reconsider her lonely lifestyle.

As Christmas nears and the town is blanketed in snow and beautiful decorations, Maddie and the charming staff at Glory’s Place help Amy to see that romance can be more than heartache and broken promises.  AMAZON  4 STARS

This was a charming, sweet but also emotional story.  I fell in love with seven-year-old Maddie much like many of the other people in the book.  To me she was the star of the story with the rest of the people satellites around her.  

Amy is one of those people quickly charmed by Maddie.  She can see that life has not been easy of Maddie.  It hasn't killed Maddie's zest for life though.  And she often sees the best in people and often brings out that best in people.  

Gabe works as a custodian at Glory's Place.  He is also one of those people that Maddie helps become more of his real self.  The more tender side of himself that he didn't realize that he had.  

It was fun to watch the relationship between Maddie, Amy and Gabe develop.  There is a surprise twist coming that I didn't see coming but added another level of depth to the story.

Lauren and Travis have their story included as part of the story and it is woven into the people of the community.  A community that has basically "adopted" Lauren.  Lauren has her part to play with Glory's Place too, so it's not a side story at all.  Like I said, it is a part of the story. And as the story goes on you will begin to see the ways that it unexpectedly connects with other main people in the story.

Glory is a woman with a big heart and it even includes her  friend Miriam.  Miriam who often says things that she shouldn't, causing hurt and problems because they come out harsh and thoughtless.  Glory calls her on it every time and that led to some humorous conversations.  They kind of bicker back and forth. Later we do get to see that there is a tender heart underneath all that British  brashness. 

There will be a H.E.A. for Amy and there was also a H.E.A. for Maddie.  It was one I was hoping for although it did come about in a slightly unorthodox way.  

If you are wondering, yes God will also play a part in this story. I didn't see that mentioned in the original book blurb.  But if that is not something that you like, don't let it stop you from enjoying this book.  It was definitely a good story of overcoming difficulties.  

"I voluntarily read an advanced reader copy of this book via Netgalley and this is my honest opinion of it.