A Wish for Winter

Four and a Half Stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭒ A Wish for Winter by Viola Shipman is a pleasant and uplifting Christmas book that is perfect for the holiday season. Story Recap: Susan Norcross grew up with her grandparents after losing her parents in a car accident when she was fourteen years old. Her name, Susan is for the little girl in Miracle on 34th Street, the original with a young Natalie Wood. Her Grandparents always play the town’s Santa and Mrs. Clause, and they help her with the bookstore that she owns and manages. She lives in a small town on the coast of Lake Michigan, that is touristy in the summer and cold in the winter. The entire town believes that Susan’s destiny is to meet and marry a man in a Santa Suit, as this is how her mother met her father and her grandmother met her grandfather. But, Susan is almost forty and she hasn’t found a Santa yet. When she meets a man at a 5k race in Chicago, who is wearing a Santa costume, her friends know that the man is destined to be Susan’s match. But, when he fails to meet them at their agreed-upon bar after the race, Susan realizes it wasn’t meant to be. She can’t contact him because she didn’t get his name, and he was in full Santa costume, so she would never even be able to recognize him. But, her friends make it their mission to find the guy in the Santa Suit. Will they find the right Santa? My Thoughts: A Wish for Winter is just the kind of book I enjoy reading during the Christmas holidays. It’s full of hope and kindness, and growth. The story is set in Michigan in a small town on the lake, and the story is certainly a love letter to Michigan as it is much more than just the setting in the story. This is much less of a romance than a story about love, friendships, and family. I love that Susan loves to read and runs a bookstore. She has wonderful grandparents and friends that all contribute to this enjoyable story. Recommendation: I highly recommend A Wish for Winter for anyone who enjoys a holiday story. I received a complimentary copy of this book. The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

From the story to the characters to the setting, this book will get you in the Christmas mood with a heartwarming and entertaining story! Susan Norcross is a bookstore owner in Petoskey, Michigan. Susan is single and in her 40’s. She is looking to uphold the family tradition in finding her husband while he is dressed up as Santa Claus. Her mother and grandmother both found their husbands this way. Susan has suffered immeasurable loss of her parents who died In a car accident from a drunk driver. Therefore, holidays are especially hard. With the help of her friends, will she be able to find the love of her life or will she have to accept the fact her life is on a different path from her mother and grandmother? What will she discover in process? I loved how Viola Shipman included references to movies, songs, authors, books, etc.. a wonderful addition to their Christmas novel. Did you know this book includes a novella called A Sugar Plum Christmas? A heartwarming story that is centered around the Nutcracker Ballet and heirloom Nutcrackers. Perfect for book clubs as it would lead to many great discussions! This would make a great gift as well!