REVIEW: One More for Christmas by Sarah Morgan

In One More for Christmas by Sarah Morgan, For years it’s been sisters Samantha and Ella Mitchell banding together and making their way through a life that should be filled with moments of togetherness with their mother Gayle. Instead, it’s been five long years since they’ve even spoken to her. Now as the Christmas season is finally upon them, Ella and Samantha get the surprise of a lifetime: their mom wants them all to spend the holiday together. After a childhood filled with practical gifts and none of the festive decorations they craved, the sisters are reluctant to give in. But people can change, right? So maybe it’s time to see if they can put their painful, unfulfilling past behind them.

“I’ve turned into my mother, and I didn’t even see it happening. I might need that whiskey after all.”

A clumsy accident and bump on the head is what it takes for workaholic Gayle Mitchell to finally break the silence between herself and her daughters. She doesn’t really believe in looking backwards or rehashing the past. Something that Samantha and Ella will surely want to do. Gayle would prefer to proceed full steam ahead and figure out a new way to be in each other’s lives. A trip to Scotland was not what she anticipated. But maybe being on neutral ground as Gayle tags along on Samantha’s work trip is just what they all need. As she learns who her daughters are now as thriving adults, she begins to scrutinize her decisions as a parent. And with the help of the McIntyres, their lovely hosts in Kinleven, Gayle might just learn a thing or two about herself in the process.

‘There was a wall between them. It was up to Gayle to dismantle it, brick by brick, and make sure, somehow, that their relationship wasn’t caught in the rubble.’

What could be more magical than Christmas in the Scottish Highlands? How about two families trying to find their way through massive upheavals and learning it’s never too late in life to change, reconcile–or for a couple of lucky souls–to fall in love.

‘The McIntyres of Kinleven were obviously a close family. What would they make of the fragmented, dysfunctional group who were their guests?’

I adore Sarah Morgan’s writing anytime, but her Christmas books are one of the highlights of my holiday reading every year. This season she took us to the gorgeous Highlands for a story about the Mitchells and the McIntyres, two families who were just barely holding it together. It proved to be a tangled up, emotional storyline that had me falling for the cast and the beautiful locale. It was also one of those poignant novels that will make you think about the relationships in your own life–family, friends and coworkers alike–and will have you wondering how you can improve them. How you can show those you care for how much they are appreciated.

There were several POVs to follow but Morgan made it easy to discern who was who in any given passage. I have to admit I wasn’t thrilled with the Mitchell matriarch, Gayle, at first. She seemed so cold and uncaring! There was a mighty good reason for her avoidance of emotions and why Gayle believed in the practical, not in fantasy like Christmas. (Her words/feelings…not mine! lol) It was the lack of communication between her and her two daughters, Samantha and Ella, that made everything so tense–and why they didn’t understand their mom at all. It was sad, what they all missed out on for so many years. But watching Gayle, Ella and Samantha work things out was utterly heartwarming.

The McIntyres of Kinleven were a different bunch than the Mitchells but still had their own problems to sort out. Without giving too much away, the close-knit family suffered a big loss and were having trouble moving on, both personally and financially. That’s where Samantha and her family came into the picture to “test out” having vacationers in their Highland home. Brodie, Kirstie and their mum Mary were SO wonderful. I think readers will like them right away. Especially Brodie’s geek-chic appeal and Mary’s warmth.

One More for Christmas was a deeply emotional story that paired up the complexities of families with the wonder and joy of Christmas–and even some reindeer sightings! Sarah Morgan’s perfect touch at realistic dialogue and likable characters made this a treasure of a story.

Book Info:

Publication: Published October 6th 2020 | by HQN |

From the USA TODAY bestselling author of The Christmas Sisters comes this sparkling tale of Christmas redemption. Brimming with Sarah Morgan’s trademark festive cheer, you won’t want to miss it!

For sisters Samantha and Ella Mitchell, Christmas is their most precious time of the year—a time for togetherness, love and celebration. Most of all, it’s about making up for everything their childhood Christmases lacked. But this year, they’ll be buying presents for the most unexpected guest of all—their estranged mother. It’s been five years since they last saw each other. But when their mom calls out of the blue and promises that this Christmas will be different, Samantha and Ella cautiously agree to spend it all together…

Gayle Mitchell is at the top of her career, but her success has come at a price—her relationship with her daughters. She never seemed to say or do the right things. Her tough-love approach was designed to make them stronger, but instead managed to push them away…until a brush with her own mortality forces Gayle to make amends. As the snowflakes fall on their first family celebration in years, the Mitchell women must learn that sometimes facing up to the past is all you need to heal your heart…