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The Christmas Cat by Melody Carlson Review

Hello Everyone :)


As we grow closer and closer to Christmas, I've really been in the mood to read sweet, holiday stories. I've discovered so many great ones in the last few weeks, and I've been pleasantly surprised with just how many of them I've ended up rating four or five stars.


Today I'd like to share a review with you all of one I wasn't really expecting too much from, but that ended up pleasantly surprising me.


The Christmas Cat by Melody Carlson:



Source: Christmas Present From My Hubby

Publisher: Fleming H. Revell Company

Publication Date: September 9th, 2014

Genre: Christian Fiction/Contemporary Fiction


Synopsis:

After years abroad, Garrison Brown returns home to Vancouver to build a new life. When his beloved grandmother passes away a few weeks before Christmas, Garrison goes to her house to sort out her belongings, including six cats who need new homes. While Garrison hopes to dispense with the task quickly, his grandmother's instructions don't allow for speed. She has left Garrison with some challenging requirements for the future homes of her furry friends--plus a sizeable monetary gift for the new owners. Garrison's job is to match the cats with the right owners without disclosing the surprise gift. Along the way, he may just meet someone who can make him stay. 
Humorous and heartwarming, this latest Christmas story from bestselling author Melody Carlson is the perfect gift for pet lovers and anyone in whose heart Christmas holds a special place.


(synopsis from goodreads)


My Review:

I first tried picking this story up last Christmas, but ended up putting it back down. I'd found it slow moving, and couldn't really get into the first few chapters of the story. This year though, I wanted to give it another fair chance, and the fact that it's a Christmas story about cats definitely had me intrigued, as those are without a doubt two of my favorite things. Plus I've really enjoyed most of the Melody Carlson books I've read in the past. I'm now so glad I took another chance on this sweet holiday story as I ended up loving it, and considering it a new favorite.

Garrison Brown has returned home from living abroad doing mission work for several years, and soon thereafter, finds out his beloved grandmother has passed away. She's left an odd Aristocats like clause in her will-she wants all six of her beloved cats to find the perfect new home, and she'll even sweeten the deal for each owner who proves themselves worthy of one of her feline friends. As Garrison is not a cat person-in fact he's actually allergic to the creatures-he's not thrilled to have this odd job thrown upon his shoulders. However,  he'll soon come to appreciate just how much these cats meant to his grandmother, and the importance of carrying out her final wishes.

I've always loved when novels touch on how important animals as companions can be, and Melody Carlson does a lovely job of portraying this in The Christmas Cat. Through Garrison struggling to find each of the six cats a new home, he comes to realize how lonely his grandmother had been without him close, and how the cats came to fill a void in her heart, and give her something to look forward to on a daily basis. On his quest to find the cats new homes he'll meet many different people, all who are struggling in some way or another, and all who will learn that a cat's love and attention may be just what they needed this holiday season.

Every single time I pick up a Melody Carlson novel I know I'm in for a sweet, lovely story that will leave me with a big smile on my face, and will have the importance of faith and Jesus blended into the story so beautifully that it never feels inauthentic or out of place. I adored The Christmas Cat, and can honestly say that it's one of my favorite novels that Melody Carlson has ever written. It reads exactly like a Hallmark movie, and was the perfect choice for a holiday read. I highly recommend it this Christmas season, especially if you're a cat person like myself.

Final Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐


Thanks so much for reading guys! Have a great rest of your day!


This is not a sponsored post. All thoughts and opinions are my own. The photo does not belong to me, and all rights to the respective owners. 

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