Today for Fiction Friday I’m sharing my Christmas book recommendation for The Christmas Catch by Toni Shiloh that’s releasing on September 24.
When two high school sweethearts reunite, will they take another chance at love or let life sideline them at Christmas?
Benched with a career-ending injury, NFL wide receiver Jahleel Walker is forced to return to his hometown of Peachwood Bay, Georgia, during the holidays to heal, despite his rocky relationship with his father. Nothing shocks him more than running into Lucille “Bebe” Gordon.
Bebe Gordon came home to Peachwood Bay three years ago with a divorce certificate and her daughter. When Jahleel returns–for the first time in eight years–all the memories of the past come rushing back. The connection between them is still strong, but Jahleel has no plans to stay in Peachwood Bay, and Bebe won’t risk him leaving her again. As their hometown’s Christmas festivities bring them together, Jahleel must decide if he’s only home for the holidays or if the Christmas spirit that brought them together will last all through the year.
Narelle’s Thoughts:
I enjoyed reading The Christmas Catch, a charming romance novella set in Georgia. Bebe was hurt by her cheating ex-husband and she struggles with his lack of interest in their seven-year-old daughter, Hope. Bebe’s renting her childhood home and her next door neighbours are Jahleel’s parents. Bebe and Jahleel were high school sweethearts who split up when Jahleel left town to go to college and pursue his NFL career aspirations.
The story opens with Jahleel moving back in with his parents to recover from injuries that threaten his NFL playing career. We journey with Bebe and Jahleel as they work through their issues and rediscover their old friendship that could become something more. I loved Hope’s optimistic attitude and her situation pulled on my heart strings. I appreciated how the characters prayed and sought His wisdom. I recommend The Christmas Catch to contemporary romance readers who like second chances and single parent Christmas romance novellas with an adorable seven-year-old and a strong faith element in the story.
Many thanks to Bethany House and NetGalley for the advanced reader copy.
