A Christmas in the Alps

Author: Melody Carlson
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Release Date: September 7, 2021

Get ready for a magical mountain holiday

After a time of heartache and loss, Simone Winthrop discovers a tantalizing letter from her French great-grandmother, which seems to suggest that Simone is heir to a family treasure. Ever practical, Simone assumes the claim is baseless, but her best friend encourages her to find out for sure. Despite her deep-rooted fear of flying, she boards a jet to travel to Paris at Christmastime to uncover the truth.

During the long flight, Simone meets the charming Kyle Larsson, who's on his way to France to become an apprentice clockmaker. Though they abruptly part ways, an unexpected rendezvous in the French Alps at Simone's family's clock factory may lead to the discovery of the family treasure . . . and so much more.

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Reviewer: Connie Porter Saunders

What better way to start the holiday season than an armchair trip to the French Alps? Melody Carlson's newest book  is an enjoyable novella that sends Simone Winthrop on a trip to find the treasure that her late great-grandmother mentioned in a note.  Along the way, she discovers so much much more: relatives that she's never met, a new friendship that may turn into something deeper, and a "Christmas treasure that would last forever!"

Reading Melody Carlson's annual Christmas book has become a tradition for me, and A Christmas in the Alps certainly doesn't disappoint. Simone, Kyle, and Tante Estelle are especially memorable characters,  there is a light mystery surrounding the treasure, and I especially enjoyed the description of the Christmas decorations around Paris and the French countryside. There's also a spiritual reminder that earthly possessions aren't our true treasures!

A Christmas in the Alps is a fast, enjoyable Christmas read and I recommend it to all who enjoy clean romance stories centered around the holidays. Four stars for this well-written novella!

This book was provided courtesy of Revell through Interviews & Reviews.

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Reviewer: Jane Mouttet

Melody Carlson has the ability to create memorable characters who seem like real people. Simone and Kyle are people you wouldn’t mind having as friends. In some ways their relationship seems unreal, and yet it does seem to occur naturally - God controls everything that happens to us. Circumstances like those of Simone and Kyle could easily be orchestrated by God. 

I was able to anticipate some of the outcomes of the plot, but not until I had worked my way through a large portion of the story. I love it when authors drop clues along the way to give readers an inkling of what is to come. 

A Christmas in the Alps is a light read - great for a lazy afternoon when you want to curl up by the fire. I look forward to reading more from Melody Carlson in the future. 

A Christmas in the Alps is an adult novella but it is appropriate for a K-12 Christian school library. I think high school students might enjoy the story. 

This book was provided courtesy of Revell through Interviews & Reviews. This is my honest review.

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Reviewer: Gee Dixon

A Christmas in the Alps was a very heartwarming, and heartfelt story.  It is an easy read 1-2 days. 

Simone cared for her great-grandma, Simone Sophia. In the mix of clearing out the home to sell it, a friend, Andrea, finds a letter addressed to Simone. There’s a treasure, which leads her to Paris. 

Simone meets a nice man on her flight to Paris. She is very intrigued. He gets off in Iceland. He is an apprentice clockmaker.

The story continues and you will see why this is a heartfelt story.

I received this book courtesy of Baker Publishing Group through Interviews and Reviews. 

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Reviewer: Monica Huyser

Simone Winthrop was busy cleaning out her grandmother's house with the help of her best friend, Andrea. Together they discovered a lost letter to Simone from her French Great Grandmother that suggests that Simone is heir to a "treasure." Despite Simone's fear of flying, Andrea manages to encourage her to fly to France and discovering whether there is any truth to the letter. 

A Christmas in the Alps was an enjoyable read for me. I liked that this short novella held both a mystery and romance. I enjoyed each of the characters too. Simone seems real but fun and likeable. Kyle also seems like a great guy. There was humor at times and I enjoyed their chemistry. I also thought it was fun to have the book set in France at Christmas time. A Christmas in the Alps was just a sweet read with a mystery that took a bit to unravel in the short book.

There isn't a lot of spiritual content to this book but it is a good clean read with a happy ending. I thoroughly enjoyed A Christmas in the Alps and had a hard time putting it down until the mystery had been unraveled and the happy ending was reached. One reason I like a Christmas novella is for the "feel good" factor and I thought this one had it in spades.

I received this book courtesy of Baker Publishing Group, Revell Division, through Interviews & Reviews. All opinions in this review are my own.

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Reviewer: Linda Klager

Simone Winthrop has been a caregiver for many years.  She and her friend were cleaning out the attic when her friend found an envelope addressed to Simone.  It was from her French grandmother and her last wish was for Simone to travel to France and find the treasure.  No more explanation was given as to what the treasure might be.

Simone was not the type of person to just pack up her belongings and take chances.  She had a fear of flying.  Her best friend needed to really convince Simone to go during Christmas.

Simone met a kind man named Kyle Larsson on the airplane and he helped her overcome her flying fear.  Also, Simone's best friend packed chocolates that had a mild sedative inside to calm Simone's nerves.

Simone falls in love with the French Alps.  I would like to take a trip as she did.  It would be such a magical time to go and see the beautiful area.  The author did a great job describing the scenery and the feel of the area.

I liked this novella because Simone learned a lot about her ancestors' lives and she was like a rose as it blooms.  The mystery behind the letter was solved and Simone found true love.

This book was provided courtesy of Revell through Interviews & Reviews.

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