Rediscovering Christmas by Mindy Obenhaus: Book Review

Welcome to the Blog Tour for Rediscovering Christmas by Mindy Obenhaus, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

Rediscovering Christmas by Mindy Obenhaus
Series: Hope Crossing – Book 6
Published by: Love Inspired
Publication Date: November 26, 2024
Genre: Christian Contemporary Romance

She feels she’s lost everything…
Will love give her hope?
|

When a wildfire destroys her home, widowed schoolteacher Tori Stallings finds herself unexpectedly living with her mother- and brother-in-law—and struggling with her faith. With everything Tori owns consumed by the blaze, Micah vows to help his late brother’s wife and son rebuild their lives. The two of them have always been friends, but living under the same roof has their friendship turning into something more. Can love bloom amid tragic loss and shaken beliefs, and give them a fresh start for Christmas?

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Tori Stallings is raising her six-year-old son, Aiden, after losing both her husband and her mother. As a third-grade teacher in her hometown of Hope Crossing, Texas, she’s hanging by a thread. When a wildfire destroys her childhood home, Tori loses what little faith she had left and questions God. Forced to move into her mother-in-law’s home, where her brother-in-law, Micah Stallings, also lives, she struggles to ignore the growing pull she feels toward him. Both Tori and Micah wrestle with the idea of starting a relationship—Tori, because Micah is her brother-in-law, and Micah, because he feels he can never live up to his brother’s memory.

This book deeply explores our struggles as humans: believing, questioning, and even being angry at God. It portrays the hardships of enduring tragedy after tragedy, especially for people like Tori, whose one last sliver of hope lies in her son, Aiden. This connection drew me into the story, and I found myself reading it in just a couple of days because I couldn’t put it down.

Tori’s real-life struggles made her relatable, while Micah served as the strong, steady backbone for the two. One important detail is that Tori and Micah had been best friends for many years. And with Micah’s brother looming over both of them it’s difficult for either of them to move forward.

The secondary characters were also well-written, particularly Tori’s mother-in-law, Peggy, and her boyfriend, Hank. Peggy was supportive without being overbearing, providing Tori with a safe space to lean on when she needed it.

The story held my attention from beginning to end. I could feel the tension Tori experienced whenever someone brought God into the conversation, despite her not being ready to hear it. That constant external push felt frustrating but realistic. I could feel her anxiety, fear, and emotional detachment throughout the book.

I’d recommend this book to any romance lover, especially those who enjoy tropes like second-chance romance, friends-to-romance, widow/widower, and single-parent/guardian stories. Rediscovering Christmas delivers all the holiday feels!

Rating: 4.5 out of 5.

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the author.
All opinions are my own.


The Cowgirl's Redemption A Christmas Bargain Loving the Rancher's Children Her Christmas Healing Hidden Secrets Between Them


Mindy Obenhaus

Best-selling author Mindy Obenhaus is passionate about touching readers with Biblical truths in an entertaining, and sometimes adventurous, manner. She lives on a ranch in Texas with her husband, two sassy pups, countless cattle, deer and the occasional coyote, mountain lion or snake. When she’s not writing, she enjoys spending time with her grandchildren, cooking and watching heartwarming romance movies.


Connect with Mindy visiting mindyobenhaus.com to follow her on social media or subscribe to email newsletter updates.


(1) winner will receive a signed copy of Rediscovering Christmas and a $25 Amazon gift card!

Rediscovering Christmas JustRead Giveaway

Be sure to check out each stop on the tour for more chances to win. Full tour schedule linked below. Giveaway began at midnight November 25, 2024 and lasts through 11:59 PM EST on December 2, 2024. Winner will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

Giveaway is subject to the policies found here.

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  1. susandyer1962 Avatar

    I love Mindy’s stories and can’t wait to read this one! Excellent review Carla!📚📚💜💜

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Carla Bruns Avatar

      Thank you! I think you’ll love this one if you enjoy Mindy’s other books.

      Like

  2. Bridgette Friedman Avatar
    Bridgette Friedman

    I just added this to my holiday reading list. Sounds like a wonderful story to get drawn into.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Carla Bruns Avatar

      It’s a wonderful read!

      Like

  3. Bridgette Friedman Avatar
    Bridgette Friedman

    I just added this to my holiday reading list. Sounds like a wonderful story to get drawn into.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Carla Bruns Avatar

      I think you’ll enjoy it very much!

      Like

  4. Cindy Davis Avatar

    I enjoyed this one as well!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Carla Bruns Avatar

      I enjoy it when I hear others enjoyed a book as much as I did.

      Liked by 1 person

  5. Deb Nance at Readerbuzz Avatar

    It’s wonderful to read a Christmas story at this time of the year…or anytime, really!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Carla Bruns Avatar

      I agree with reading them any time!

      Like

  6. Nancy P Avatar

    looks fantastic

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Carla Bruns Avatar

      It really is! I hope you read it!

      Like

  7. Mindy Obenhaus Avatar
    Mindy Obenhaus

    I’m so glad you enjoyed the story. Thank you.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Carla Bruns Avatar

      It is wonderful!

      Like

  8. @justreadtours Avatar

    such a thoughtful review, Carla! Thanks for being on the tour :)

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Carla Bruns Avatar

      Thank you! I thoroughly enjoyed the book and an happy to be part of the tour.

      Like

  9. alysapa8f4ab53d8 Avatar
    alysapa8f4ab53d8

    sounds fabulous jcp

    Like

    1. Carla Bruns Avatar

      It really is!

      Like

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Welcome to Carla’s Book Crush where I share my favorite clean, Christian reads. I review everything from Amish and historical romance to suspense, contemporary fiction, nonfiction, and the occasional devotional. If it has heart, hope, and a message that points back to Christ, it’s probably on my shelf. I also love chatting with authors and featuring interviews that give you a peek behind the pages. Whether you’re looking for a new release, a cozy weekend read, or just something uplifting and well-written, you’re in the right place. Clean stories. Encouraging faith. Books worth reading.