Once upon a Christmas carol A Christmas novella

A middle-aged woman finds a new appreciation for the holiday season in the charming latest from Carlson (Welcome to the Honey B&B). Despite being born on Christmas Day, 40-year-old Carol Langstrom has dreaded the holiday ever since she was a girl and her family's yuletide gatherings were marred by her parents' blowouts. Eager for a fresh start, she decides to spend Christmas in the Bahamas, but when a blizzard scrambles those plans and strands her in snowy Michigan, she's forced to take refuge at her estranged aunt's farm. Carol's frustration at missing her vacation quickly evaporates as she bonds with her sweet aunt Maria, who's recently broken her arm and needs help decorating her house and planning the local Christmas Cotillion. It doesn't hurt that Maria's attractive, charming neighbor Victor is on hand to help set up their Christmas tree and cook. As Carol grows closer to her aunt and uncovers more about how her mother's relationship with Maria fractured, she struggles to forgive her mom and embrace the Christmas season. Carlson's gentle humor and quirky, lovable characters have more than enough charm to propel the plot to its feel-good conclusion. Readers won't be able to resist this. (Sept.)