Reviewed by Chris

TITLE:  Menorahs and Mistletoe

SERIES:  Dreamspinner Advent Calendar 2015 — Sleigh Ride

AUTHOR:  Jess Roth

PUBLISHER:  Dreamspinner Press

BLURB:  

If nothing else, Hanukkah this year will be interesting. Single dad Martin’s six-year-old daughter, Sara, is determined to get him a new “friend.” Martin isn’t even sure he wants to step back into the pool, much less go out with the mall elf they met while shopping for gifts. But he’s starting to get to know the cute receptionist at work, Tim, and thinking maybe the whole dating thing isn’t such a terrible idea. Too bad things are never that simple.

REVIEW:  

In a season that is almost all about Christmas, sometimes it is easy to forget that there are other celebrations of faith and family going on. For Martin and his young daughter Sara, the holidays are more about Hanukkah than men in red suits or babes in mangers. But that doesn’t mean that presents are in short supply, or that thoughts of family are far from Martin’s mind. Especially when his daughter and a cute mall elf conspire to give him something extra special this Hanukkah.

I always make sure to pick up a few Hanukkah stories every year amongst the barrage of Christmas themed books. I enjoy the look into traditions that are both similar and yet so different from my own. I was lucky to find this one in the advent list this year.

This story was highly enjoyable. I loved how the relationship between Tim and Martin progressed, and even though I knew what was going on, it didn’t make Martin’s fumbling attempts at dating less enjoyable to read. The age difference is something I like, so that was good.

I found the addition of Sara very well done. Well written children are something I have come to appreciate. I might not get them, but I will admit a certain fondness for them in fictional form. Plus, dinosaurs are awesome.

Overall this was a cute and enjoyable addition to the advent event.

RATING:

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