You know Christmas is just around the corner when Melody Carlson releases her new, annual Christmas novella from Revell Publishers!  “A Christmas by the Sea” is the newest release from the pen of Ms. Carlson and is a sweet little story of new beginnings, seaside reminiscences, the possibility of romance – and of course it all takes place at Christmastime.  

Although I haven’t read all of Melody Carlson’s Christmas stories, “A Christmas by the Sea” is definitely one of my favorites from so far.  Sweet and tender, this book deftly portrays the love of a mother and son who are seeking a fresh start after a devastating loss.

Yes, admittedly, it is reminiscent of a Hallmark movie; but if you are okay with a little cheesiness and predictability, complete with a picture-perfect happy ending and everything resolved in the three-week timespan of the novella, then this is definitely the perfect book for you! After all, you would be hard pressed to find a Christmas book that doesn’t include all these little features…

In the end, “A Christmas by the Sea” is a sweet little novella that will definitely prove a pleasant way to pass a snowy afternoon this December.

I received this book courtesy of Revell Publishing, in participation with a Revell Reads Blog Tour.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own.