Kristina A. reviewed on 10/21/2016 + 1528 more book reviews

The Christmas Secret by Wanda E. Brunstetter is set in Allentown, Pennsylvania in November of 1880. Elizabeth Canning is getting ready to marry David Stinner on Christmas Eve (which is also Elizabeth's birthday). They will be living in a cabin built by Elizabeth's grandfather and it is very special to Elizabeth. While cleaning out the cabin, Elizabeth finds a journal written by her Aunt Lovina (she grew up in the cabin along with Elizabeth's mother). The first entry dates back to Lovina's sixteenth birthday. Elizabeth starts reading the journal and discovers a startling secret that will ruin her life and affect others. Elizabeth only tells the devastating secret to her friend, Helen. Elizabeth calls off the wedding and quickly leaves town to stay with her grandparents. David does not understand why Elizabeth called off their wedding. David sets out to find Elizabeth and get answers. Will David and Elizabeth be able to overcome the obstacle thrown in their path? You will have to read The Christmas Secret to see if David and Elizabeth make it to the alter on Christmas Eve.

The Christmas Secret is a sweet short story (it is a novella not a full-length book). It is nicely written and easy to read (good flow). It can easily be finished in an hour. I did, though, find it predictable and reminiscent of something I have read previously. Once the secret was revealed I knew what would happen. It is really not a Christmas story. It is set during Christmas, but it is a historical romance novella. It is a nice story, but I just expected more from this author. I give The Christmas Secret 3.5 out of 5 stars. It has nice messages about the power of love, prayer, faith, and forgiveness.

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