Waiting for Christmas Lynn Austin

 

Waiting for Christmas by Lynn Austin 
4 Stars 
A great companion story to All My Secrets by Lynn Austin

 “Maybe that’s all God asks of us. Some people are given the opportunity to do grand things in life, but if we just make a difference in the lives of the people God puts in our paths, I think He’s pleased with that.” 

What a sweet Christmas story set in 1901 during the Gilded Age. All My Secrets was a favorite of the year for me this year and we follow Adelaide and Howard from that story. We see them as newlyweds together and they find Jack, a young boy who is missing from his family and says he is not an orphan. We see the journey of Addy and Howard trying to do the right thing and help this young boy and reunite him with his sister and family. Finding this young boy on her doorstep changes their lives completely. 

This novella was filled with the spirit of Christmas. Addy and Howard working together as a newly married couple on something very serious really brings them together in showing their support for one another. We see some details surrounding women's suffrage and her husband's support for her efforts.  Howard really is a hero for Addy who really supports his wife in everything she wants to do.

If you're looking for a novella that really captures the true meaning of Christmas this holiday season, check this one out. It's definitely going to tug at your heart strings and Lynn Austin never disappoints in her storytelling!

Thank you to Tyndale House Publishers for providing a copy to honestly read and review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Goodreads Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/6712104596
Amazon: https://amzn.to/47ef2JI
Baker Book House (Recommended): https://bakerbookhouse.com/products/580038

*Amazon links are affiliate links and a commission may be earned on items purchased from these links.

All My Secrets by Lynn Austin

 

All My Secrets - Lynn Austin - 5 Stars

All My Secrets by Lynn Austin is a multigenerational story of 3 women that explores first loves, grief, high society lifestyle, history, the Christian faith and the essence of what matters most in life. I highly recommend this book as I was fully immersed in the story and characters. 

Set during the Gilded Age in New York, we see the strength of the Stanhope women following the passing of Arthur Stanhope. Left uncertain of their future paths, Junietta, Sylvia, and Adelaide grapple with the ramifications of Arthur's will and the looming uncertainty surrounding their family's estate. As they navigate through the aftermath, family secrets begin to unravel, shedding light on their intertwined history.

I absolutely loved this story. I was very invested in the audiobook narration and learning about Sylvia and Junietta's past. We see the beauty of the Gospel in this story several times as our characters grapple with their past decisions, mistakes made and contemplate future choices. Additionally, there is a central theme of helping the poor and giving to charity, as well as discussions surrounding wealth, the dynamics of marriage, and the choice between marrying for financial security or for love.

Lynn Austin's storytelling is undeniable and I am thankful to have received an advanced reader copy to honestly read and review. I will be purchasing this one for my collection as it's one of my favorite books of 2024! 

Goodreads Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/5727032905
Amazon: https://amzn.to/3UBlx5f
Baker Book House: https://bakerbookhouse.com/products/540744

*Amazon links are affiliate links and a commission may be earned on items purchased from these links.

The Wish Book Christmas by Lynn Austin

 

The Wish Book Christmas - Lynn Austin

4 Stars

Thanks to my friend Oceana for this amazing Christmas book rec! I loved this so much. 4 stars. This book is meant to be read after "If I Were You" and I really need to pick that up soon since it's on my shelf! I loved these characters! We got just enough of the backstory that I really want to learn more about these amazing women and their journeys.


This book is set in 1951 Connecticut where little Bobby Barrett and Harry Dawson are obsessed with the new Sears Christmas Wish Book that arrived and are dying to get every toy in the book from Santa this year. Both of their mothers are single moms who live together with their little boys and they begin to wonder if the boys will truly know what the true meaning of Christmas is - Jesus! They teach them all about the meaning of Christmas using the Wise Men through a school play and it was so beautiful. What a heartwarming story that truly taught us the meaning of Christmas. I listened to this on audio and the narrator did such a great job.

Amazon: https://amzn.to/4d9UK9c
**Amazon links are affiliate links and a commission may be earned on items purchased from these links.