The Christmas Cabin

random retro read

When Carla James flies home for the holidays at her family’s cozy Canadian cabin, she has no idea what—or who—awaits. But after five years serving at her beloved Mexican orphanage, it’s time to work through forgiveness, face her fears, and reclaim Christmas. Up-and-coming chef, Rhys Templeton, still regrets leaving a heartbroken Carla in the past and is desperate to confess his truth and make amends. But her own shocking revelation has the potential to either send him spiraling back to his destructive lifestyle or into Carla’s arms.

However, someone else is privy to Carla’s chilling secret and they’re out there watching. Waiting. Wanting. Time is running out like melting snowflakes. And now, if Carla ever wants to see another Christmas, she needs all the grace and grit she can muster to trust the one who deserted her and the One who promised never to leave.

My Review:

published in 2022

Yay! A heroine with glasses! Myopic girlies unite! And my goodness, but Carla is on a journey. She’s hoping to finally come to grips with the past on her Christmas sojourn home – she just doesn’t anticipate things to pick up where she left them five years ago!

An angsty but oh-so-sweet second chance romance mixed with a light stalkerish vibe makes for a compelling read. Not quite a suspense – there’s not enough elements to really make it one – but it has some of that kind of chilling atmosphere. A captivating holiday escape read if you like a wee bit of edge with your romance.

25 thoughts on “The Christmas Cabin”

  1. Fun about the glasses. I haven’t heard of this author or this book. Sounds intriguing. 2022 isn’t that far away. I’ll have to check this out! Thanks for the review too!

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  2. Great review! I feel like the author fit a lot in for a shorter book. Romance, sisterhood, stalker/suspense vibes, & Christmas! I love that the heroine had glasses to fit every mood and occasion, too! lol

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  3. I’m all in on more Christmas time stories! And yes to see someone with glasses – on the cover no less – is so cool. THE CHRISTMAS CABIN SOUNDS like a perfect book to add to my list of holiday stories. Thanks for the reminder!

    2clowns at arkansas dot net

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  4. When you posted The Christmas Cabin on Saturday of course I had to go look it up. I’ve only read one other of Laura Thomas’s books, going to give this one a try. (It’s on KU so no need to enter me) I’m full on into my Christmas books now, even though I’ve been reading them all year, lol.

    For the fun of it I’ve been tracking my Christmas reads this year. The Christmas Cabin will be book 60, and I have at least 40ish potential Christmas books on my KU list. So many to choose from, and Christmas just 50 days away! Must get shopping and think about decorating and all the things we do!

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    1. I really enjoyed this one, Tracey. And the sequel, Snow Globe Secrets continues the story with Carla’s sister. That one was good as well! I have 1 more gift coming in the mail for gdaughter (we have 5 gkids so can’t wait til the last min.) Stresses me out too bad. Then comes the wrapping. Ugh I try to use as many gift bags as possible! Happy Christmas reading . . . and shopping!

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      1. I have Snow Globe Secrets coming on my TBR. I’m interested to see how Alexis’s story plays out because she was kind of…prickly? standoffish? anti social? in The Christmas Cabin. Eager to dig deep into all that — I mean, I get why she was so protective of Carla but still….

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      2. Diane, I buy for 12 between 3 kids, 2 sons in law, 3 grankids, and their 2 spouses, new great gran and hubs of course. (And a couple other extended family too.) I have finished 4 of the 12, just waiting for ideas from the other 8. Do you let them give you suggestions or do you just buy what you want? As they get older, I can’t seem to come up with ideas on my own. I use gift bags too, but I do enjoy wrapping a few boxes.

        Oh, and our church is doing a toy drive for those affected by the gov shutdown. Two hundred and fifty kids have already signed up! I love buying toys for a good cause!

        Happy Christmas reading and shopping to you too.

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    2. Whoa! You’ve read 60 Christmas books already!?! With 40 more waiting in the wings?! I’m gobsmacked! I’ll be heading out soon to a local craft market to do some serious Christmas shopping. It’s a great store that’s opened year round and only features local and Canadian crafters/aritsans products so you never know what will be available at any given time. It’s always an adventure going there. I hear they’ve started stocking Christmas ornaments so I’m excited to what’s in the collection this year. Happy Reading, Tracey!

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      1. I knew that was going to sound shocking. I was still reading Christmas books in Jan/Feb. Then I read some series on KU and just keep going. So many books use it as a setting/time of year, but anytime I can get the warm fuzzy feels of Christmas I’m up for it.

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    3. Tracey, we let them give suggestions & my DIL will often send me links of things they’d like, which helps a lot. They’re growing up now & they like certain brands, etc, it was easier just buying toys. lol We mostly make it about the kids now bc our family is just so huge. Hubby usually does gift cards for guys. And I exchange gifts w/ daughter in law. The toy drive sounds so special! We had been doing the shoe boxes, but not sure about this year yet.

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      1. Diane, I did the shoebox last year, and numerous other years, but this year my heart is leaning towards those who are working without a paycheck. Here where I live in Va we have a lot of government workers considered essential and required to without pay, so crazy to me. I can only imagine the stress of it.

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      2. Tracey, it is crazy! And so sad & stressful this time of year especially. Every child deserves a good Christmas. I’m not sure what our church is doing yet bc I’ve been listening online (health issues) & they don’t record the announcements online. Hubby goes to the services, but you know how men can be about info & details. He’ll eventually let me know but sometimes it’s like the day before. 🙄 May God bless your toy drive abundantly!

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      3. What a great idea – your church doing a toy drive for families affected by the shutdown. This is going to be a challenging Christmas for many people this year. Food cupboards are in greater need then ever as well this year. Another way we can be the hands and feet of Christ in difficult times.

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      4. Kav, all the parents had to do was sign their kids up so we had an idea how many kids were on the list and their ages, then the congregation would shop for anything they thought might work. There will be a date announced when the parents can come and “shop” picking whatever they want and taking it home. This gives the parents some say and enjoyment about picking gifts out for their children.

        So many needs this year, and you’re right about many needing help with food. another way my church is helping families caught in this government tug-of-war is by passing out grocery store gift cards to anyone with a government ID that needs it this Sunday. They can then purchase what their family may need themselves. Being the hands and feet of Jesus is what it’s all about.

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      5. That’s brilliant, Tracey – that you are inviting the parents to ‘shop’ for the toys. That way they can pick out something that suits their child and they still have the fun of choosing a gift. I love how respectful and understanding that is. And the grocery gift card idea is wonderful too – especially since it lets them purchase food their family can actually use.

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  7. That’s the first thing I thought about too. Wow lady with glasses on the front cover. Don’t see that much or ever that I recall. New author for me as well. Sounds like an interesting read.

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