"Uplifting holiday tale"
Since her daughter Heather, a Harvard student, is unable
to visit her, widow schoolteacher Emily Springer decides
to cross the country to see her in Boston although she is
concerned over costs. She arranges over the internet to
swap houses with Harvard history professor Charles
Brewster who hates the Yuletide holidays. To Charles' bah
humbug chagrin Leavenworth, Washington including Emily's
home comes out of a Christmas catalogue. Meanwhile, Emily's friend Faith Kerrigan travels to
Leavenworth to spend time with her while Charles' brother
Ray travels from New York to Boston to spend time with
him. Adding to the mix-up is that Emily's daughter is in
Florida. As the two couples (Emily and Ray, and Charles
and Faith) fall in love, each learns the real meaning of
the holiday that miracles occur when love is present. This is an uplifting holiday tale that uses coincidences
to make the point that miracles exist when love blossoms.
Fans will appreciate the differences between each member
of the lead quartet as each looks at Christmas from a
diverse perspective. Though some readers might feel there
is too much sappy fluff (it is a holiday tale), readers
who enjoy a warm inspirational tale will appreciate this
fine Happy Holidays interlude. Harriet Klausner
Reviewed by Harriet Klausner
Posted November 15, 2004
SummaryTrading houses.
Trading towns. Trading Christmas.
Emily Springer widowed mother of one, decides to leave her
hometown of Leavenworth, Washington, to spend Christmas
with her daughter in Boston.
Charles Brewster, history professor, seasoned curmudgeon
and resident of Boston, wants to avoid Christmas
altogether.
Through an Internet site, they arrange to swap houses for
the holiday. So Emily goes to Boston--and discovers that
her daughter has gone to Florida. And Charles arrives in
Leavenworth to discover a town that looks like Santa's
village, full of Christmas trees, Christmas music and
elves.
Meanwhile, Emily's friend Faith Kerrigan travels to
Leavenworth to visit her--and finds Charles the
grouch. . .whose brother, Ray, shows up at Charles's place,
to find Emily living there.
Through all the mix-ups and misunderstandings, amid the
chaos and confusion, romance begins to emerge in unexpected
ways. Because when Christmas comes, so does love. . .
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