Goodreads says, "Ghost of Christmas Past Nolan Callahan intends to spend this holiday haunting like every other—get in, get out, return to his otherwise aimless existence as a ghost awaiting the afterlife. But when he’s faced with Harriet York, the sweetest assignment he’s ever had, he suddenly finds himself wishing for a future.Harriet York has no idea why she’s being haunted. She’s a good person—or, at least, she tries to be. A people pleaser to her core, she always does what’s expected of her. But as she and Nolan begin to examine her past, they discover there are threads that bind them together— and realize there might be more to moving on than expected.
With the deadline of Christmas Eve fast approaching, will they find the key to their futures in each other’s pasts? Or will they stay firmly in the present, indulging in their unexpected, spirited connection?"
I am a huge fan of Charles Dickens's A Christmas Carol, so I like this modern spin on the classic and imagining what it would be like if the Ghost of Christmas Past were charming and good-looking. Once I got past the paranormal romance aspect of the novel, and admittedly, it did take me a while, I started to enjoy it a bit more. If that isn't your thing or something you will easily accept, be forewarned. However, you can always count on Borison to give you a feel-good holiday romance, and fans of her romances know there will be some steamy scenes, too. Overall, Good Spirits is a delightful holiday read!
Goodreads says, "This Christmas, the Balfour family will have more secrets to unwrap than presents… Becky is stranded at the airport, so when she bumps into her brother’s best friend, Will, and he suggests they drive home together, Becky reluctantly agrees. For the first time, Becky is dreading Christmas, and only Will knows why. Can she trust him to keep her secret?
Her twin sister, Rosie, married Declan after a whirlwind romance, and now the cracks are starting to appear. Rosie and Declan have agreed to hide their problems from her family, but Rosie’s insecurities are growing. Will this Christmas bring them closer or drive them apart?
Hayley can’t wait for her first Balfour family Christmas with Jamie. The Balfour Christmas traditions sound wonderful, but she’s worried about her place in this close-knit family. Will there be room for her too? And how will they react to the secret she and Jamie have been keeping?
Despite everyone’s best intentions, all the chaos and confusion could derail their normally happy holidays. Can they tell each other the truth in time to enjoy a perfect family Christmas?
Becky is on her way home to a traditional family Christmas, but plans are thwarted when she is stuck at the airport. Thankfully, she runs into Will, her brother's best friend, and they agree to drive home together. This pleases both families as they have always imagined Will and Becky would end up together. However, Becky is hiding a secret as to why she is dreading this family Christmas more than any other year. Then there's her twin sister, Rosie. She is newly married to Declan, and it was a whirlwind romance and quick marriage. But maybe things aren't so great between them? Going home for the holidays will make this complicated for the two as they work through their issues. Lastly, the older brother, Jamie, is heading home, too, along with his girlfriend, Hayley. Hayley is excited for a family holiday, as it is very different than the holidays she grew up with, so this will be an adjustment. She can't help but worry if they won't like her and how she will deal with such a boisterous family. On top of it, each sibling is holding onto a secret this holiday season, which complicates matters further. Sarah Morgan's A Merry Little Lie is a delightful family drama about a family with complicated relationships coming home together to celebrate and finally be honest with themselves, and one another.
I can always rely on Morgan's holiday novels to portray a complex family that you can't help but cheer for. Her representations of family dynamics are spot on and often hilarious, as she includes extended family members like grandparents in A Merry Little Lie. At times, it reminded me of The Family Stone, and I eagerly anticipated how each family member would confront their personal struggles. My only issue with this novel is the number of points of view; there were many, with each chapter switching to a different character, which became overwhelming. Nonetheless, it's a charming holiday novel for fans of who enjoy family-centered stories. This one is certainly filled to the brim with drama!
Are you a fan of B.K. Borison or Sarah Morgan? Have you read either novel? Let me know your thoughts in the comments below.
