Advent Reads Day 14: The Christmas Shoes by Donna VanLiere

Welcome to Advent Reads!

This is an event I have had on my blog for several years running now.  Each evening I feature a different holiday themed book. Think of it as your Book Advent Calendar! I post a variety of holiday books including romance, children's, middle-grade, mystery, paranormal, and I try to find some that are other holiday celebrations than Christmas too. I hope you will stop by each evening to see what new book I have for you!

 

 

 

Synopsis: "Sometimes, the things that can change your life will cross your path in one instant-and then, in a fleeting moment, they're gone. But if you open your eyes, and watch carefully, you will believe.... Robert is a successful attorney who has everything in life-and nothing at all. Focused on professional achievement and material rewards, Robert is on the brink of losing his marriage. He has lost sight of his wife, Kate, their two daughters, and ultimately himself. Eight year old Nathan has Synopsis: "Sometimes, the things that can change your life will cross your path in one instant-and then, in a fleeting moment, they're gone. But if you open your eyes, and watch carefully, you will believe.... Robert is a successful attorney who has everything in life-and nothing at all. Focused on professional achievement and material rewards, Robert is on the brink of losing his marriage. He has lost sight of his wife, Kate, their two daughters, and ultimately himself. Eight year old Nathan has a beloved mother, Maggie, whom he is losing to cancer. But Nathan and his family are building a simple yet full life, and struggling to hold onto every moment they have together. A chance meeting on Christmas Even brings Robert and Nathan together-he is shopping for a family he hardly knows and Nathan is shopping for a mother he is soon to lose. In this one encounter, their lives are forever altered as Robert learns an important lesson: sometimes the smallest things can make all the difference. The Christmas Shoes is a universal story of the deeper meaning of serendipity, a tale of our shared humanity, and of how a power greater than ourselves can shape, and even save, our lives." My Review: So I have loved the Christmas song The Christmas Shoes for as long as I can remember and it always makes me tear up. When I found out there was a book, I knew I had to read it. I prepared properly with a box of tissues, which thank goodness I had them ready! This is a very emotional and bittersweet holiday book. It has its heartbreaking moments but also moments of hope and uplifting holiday warmth. It follows the song and fills out the story with characters you can relate to and a message that is perfect for the holiday season. I highly recommend but goodness do not forget the tissues because there will be tears and full on sobbing!   My Rating: Yup, I was a blubbering mess throughout this book but it was so worth it. It complimented the song beautifully and just filled in the extra bits. I give this one a rating of Four Paws and a Stump Wag! You must read it but get your tissues ready!