REVIEW: Christmas in Icicle Falls by Sheila Roberts

In Christmas in Icicle Falls (Life in Icicle Falls #11) by Sheila Roberts, Muriel Sterling still gets a thrill every time a book she’s written gets published. And her newest release is all about the holidays, its traditions, and the little things that can bring more joy to those around you. But it might be time to take her own advice, when Muriel’s good friend Arnie, a man who has had a crush on her since high school, seems to have finally grabbed the attention of a woman other than her. What’s that old adage: You don’t know what you’ve got till it’s gone? Yeah, that sums up Muriel’s life at the moment. With book signings to attend, holiday shopping to do, and festive events to attend, you would think she’d have enough to focus on. But somehow Arnie is the only thing on her bewildered mind.

‘For the first time in all the years she’d known him, she grabbed Arnie Amundsen and kissed him. And Arnie kissed her right back. Who knew Arnie could kiss like that?’

Aside from her writing, the other thing Muriel is known for is her killer Christmas parties. But when she realizes that the gorgeous tree she ordered is actually more of a Charlie Brown tree, she sets out to spruce it up as best she can. The result has a ripple effect in town as her friends take to heart the lesson of the “Ugly Tree”. They each intend to improve their attitudes and do something special, starting with Olivia Claussen and the unexpected arrival of her new daughter-in-law. When she tries to look past the uncouth behavior and language, she ends up finding a warm heart inside the young woman who grew up tough. Another local, single mom Sienna Moreno, struggles to remain nice to her less-than-pleasant neighbor Mr Cratchett while raising her special needs son. The sudden appearance of a handsome man in her life only adds to the confusion, but ultimately may bring her joy as they approach the new year.

‘Why take a chance on a man again and wind up disappointed? No, she was beyond simple disappointment already. Tim Richmond had the potential to break her heart into more pieces than any other man she’d known.’

Lighthearted humor and swiftly changing emotions shook things up in Sheila Roberts’ Christmas in Icicle Falls, where no one in town was immune to the unexpected–or to the ever abundant holiday cheer.

“I bet most of us have people in our lives who are a lot like Ugly Tree, maybe not so lovable sometimes,” Muriel said. “It can be hard to see anything good in them. But, really, don’t you think there’s something good in all of us?”

I must admit that reading this year’s Christmas book by Sheila Roberts is bittersweet. It was an absolutely lovely story as always, however, it’s the final book in the Life in Icicle Falls series. *sniffle* But she sent us fans off in the best way possible with a few loose ends getting wrapped up nicely and of course giving us that wonderful sense of community and family I’ve come to expect. This particular story showed us the different types of families that exists in Icicle Falls, with people making the most of what they had in their lives during the holidays and sharing that love with those around them.

While we got to spend time with almost literally everyone in Icicle Falls you could think of, Muriel, Sienna and Olivia were the main focus. And, boy, what a time of it those three ladies had. From Muriel’s jealousy over longtime friend Arnie possibly finding love, to Sienna’s problems with her crabby neighbor Mr. Cratchett, to Olivia’s woes about her rough around the edges new daughter-in-law, there was a lot to sort through. I loved that each woman went through a myriad of real emotions, some of it not so flattering. Watching their progression as they found their way had me alternately laughing and close to tears. But the idea of Muriel’s “ugly tree”, I thought, was a pretty cool one and I liked seeing each woman’s take on it, working out how they would try to change the “ugly trees” in their own lives.

Small town holiday stories don’t get much sweeter or as touching as Christmas in Icicle Falls. Sheila Roberts definitely delivered a book worthy of the beautiful town it was set in and the entertaining characters she’s created along the way.
 

Book Info:

Publication: Expected publication: October 31st 2017 | MIRA | Life in Icicle Falls #11

Join USA TODAY bestselling author Sheila Roberts this Christmas as she returns for the final installment in her treasured Icicle Falls series

When Muriel Sterling released her new book, A Guide to Happy Holidays, she felt like the queen of Christmas. She’s thrilled when the new tree she ordered online arrives and is eager to show it off—until she gets it out of the box and realizes it’s a mangy dud. But rather than give up on the ugly tree, Muriel decides to make a project out of it. As she pretties up her tree, she realizes there’s a lesson to be learned: everything and everyone has potential. Maybe even her old friend Arnie, who’s loved her for years. Except, she’s not the only one seeing Arnie’s potential…

Meanwhile, Muriel’s ugly-tree project has also inspired her friends. Sienna Moreno is trying to bring out the best in the grouchy man next door, who hates noise, hates kids and hates his new neighbors. And while Olivia Claussen would love to send her obnoxious new daughter-in-law packing, she’s adjusting her attitude and trying to discover what her son sees in the girl. If these women can learn to see the beauty in the “ugly trees” in their lives, perhaps this might turn out to be the happiest holiday yet.