A Simply Enchanted Life

The Christmas Note by Donna VanLiere

My rating: 3 of 5 stars



This was my first book to read by Donna VanLiere. I have always heard good things about "The Christmas Shoes" so I chose to get this book when it was offered for a free review. I had high hopes but simply couldn't get into it.

This book is written in journal format yet the voice and writing completely betray the feeling of reading a journal. When the chapter opener sets up for a journal you expect first-person, past tensed writing. Instead, for example, one character explains where she works to her journal in a manner that was completely odd. I was several chapters in before I knew for sure if the main character's husband was dead or merely injured.

Aside from all of that, I must go back to the voice in which the book was written in. As it is supposed to be a note or journal, the voice simply doesn't fit that. It was two writing styles interwoven into one style and the character's lives were completely boring for most of the book.

Having said that, the ending was good but predictable. It's not the worst book I've ever read but not the best. I was actually a little disappointed and surprised given that I've heard such wonderful things about her other books. Perhaps I will read the other books and see for myself.



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Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255