The Christmas Table: A Novel (Christmas Hope)

 By Donna VanLiere

buy link - Amazon

A beautiful 5 star read

I love it when I find a new-to-me author that I really enjoy. This was a not a traditional Christmas story. It was more about the time leading up to it in two different times. We alternate between 1972 and 2012. Two different families connected by a table and recipes. Their lives and hope for a miracle. One with cancer and one with a baby on the way. Two women whose lives are about to change. The story had all the emotions, I cried sad tears and happy tears. I love the way the author tied these two stories together and the deeper connection at the end. A beautiful story and wonderful characters. I loved every minute of it.

From Donna VanLiere, the New York Times bestselling author of The Christmas Hope series comes another heartwarming, inspirational story for the holidays, The Christmas Table.

In June 1972, John Creighton determines to build his wife Joan a kitchen table. His largest project to date had been picture frames but he promises to have the table ready for Thanksgiving dinner. Inspired to put something delicious on the table, Joan turns to her mother’s recipes she had given to Joan when she and John married.

In June 2012, Lauren Mabrey discovers she’s pregnant. Gloria, Miriam, and the rest of her friends at Glory’s Place begin to pitch in, helping Lauren prepare their home for the baby. On a visit to the local furniture builder, Lauren finds a table that he bought at a garage sale but has recently refinished. Once home, a drawer is discovered under the table which contains a stack of recipe cards. Growing up in one foster home after another, Lauren never learned to cook and is fascinated as she reads through the cards. Personal notes have been written on each one from the mother to her daughter and time and again Lauren wonders where they lived, when they lived, and in a strange way, she feels connected to this mother and her daughter and wants to make the mother proud.

The story continues to from 1972 to 2012 as Joan battles breast cancer and Lauren learns to cook, preparing for the baby’s arrival. As Christmas nears, can Lauren unlock the mystery of the table, and find the peace she's always longed for?