THE WHITE CHRISTMAS INN
By: Colleen Wright
Published: October 23, 2018
Publisher: Howard Books
Fiction
If you are someone who counts down to Christmas by watching Hallmark Christmas movies, then curl up with this book! I always like to read a heartwarming story set during Christmas over the holidays. I was thrilled to have this one arrive and the cover is gorgeous. It was the perfect setting to get me in the mood for Christmas and the right amount of romance and happiness to give me a break from some of my heavier reads.
This idyllic inn settled in the mountains of Vermont is the perfect setting for a wedding at Christmas. Hannah and her family have been coming here for years and the owners are like family to her. Hannah’s couldn’t imagine a more perfect location for her wedding to Trevor and having it happen over Christmas seemed perfect. Unfortunately, the worst snowstorm of the season is also arriving for Christmas. When Trevor doesn’t make it she assumes it’s because of the weather until he tells her he isn’t planning to come at all.
Molly, a children’s author with serious writer’s block, has arrived at the cabin hoping for a quiet getaway to focus on writing her next book. Due to the snow storm, several new guests have arrived to stay at the inn including a handsome widower, Marcus, and his two young daughters. She was really hoping for a quiet getaway and now with wedding guests and two kids, she can’t imagine how she will get anything written.
Jeanne and Tim, the inn owners, have been struggling to keep the inn open and have finally decided to close after the holidays. When they realize the wedding is canceled they wonder how they will even make it financially through the weekend without all the wedding guests that had planned to stay. Their marriage also seems to be falling apart and Jeanne isn’t sure there is anything to look forward to in the coming year.
Wright paints a picture of a gorgeous country inn with snow falling, a roaring fireplace, and cozy quilts covering the beds. When each guest is greeted with warm, homemade brownies, you can almost taste them while reading. As she introduces the reader to the characters she takes great care to give the reader a bit of background and what brought them to the inn over the holiday. Each chapter then shares the happenings at the inn from their perspective including their own struggles and emotions as well as what is happening with other guests.
While there is a canceled wedding, there is still a romance or two brewing. A mysterious guest arrives during the snowstorm that makes everyone wonder if he is more of a Grinch than Santa Claus, but he could just be the one to save the inn from its financial downfall.
There are many more characters to get to know and enjoy. All of them have arrived at the inn unexpectedly and their stories and connections to each other will remind you of the goodness in others. From the descriptions of the snowstorm, to the sleigh ride to the neighbors for food, to the descriptions of food including cinnamon rolls, pie, and homemade cornbread all seem to make you feel like you are one of the guests while reading along.
This book will leave you feeling warm, cozy and hopeful. Sometimes we all need to read a book with a happy ending and this one supplies you with several. I wouldn’t be surprised if this story ended up on the Hallmark channel next Christmas season.
Colleen Wright was raised in snowy towns in Michigan, where she loved curling up by the fire with a good book at Christmas. She now lives and works in Brooklyn. This is her first novel.
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Thanks to the publisher for sending a copy of this book for the purpose of this review. This review is my honest opinion. If you choose to purchase a book through the above link, I may receive a small commission without you having to pay a cent more for your purchase.
Posted Under Book Review, Christmas, Colleen Wright, contemporary fiction, fiction
Need questions for our book club regarding the white Christmas inn after we have read it.
Letitia thanks for stopping by. It doesn’t look like the author or publisher has come up with any questions. Hopefully, your book club will be able to have a nice discussion without questions. There are a lot of characters and a fun storyline.