**Complimentary products received in exchange for our honest review. All opinions are ours and ours alone**
Jennifer Scott, the author of The Sister Season, The Accidental Book Club, and Second Chance Friends returned last week with her particular brand of women’s fiction, this time centered on a holiday theme with The Hundred Gifts (NAL Accent; October 27, 2015), again tackling deep and complicated issues of love, loss, family, and friendship.
With the holidays around the corner, empty-nester Bren Epperson realizes that for the first time in decades, she has no large family to cook for, no celebration to create. To fill the void, she starts teaching a holiday cooking class, and it’s a huge success—until Virginia Mash, the old lady who lives in the upstairs apartment above the classroom, bursts into her class complaining about the interruption. Rather than retaliate, Bren suggests that the class shower Virginia with kindness—and give her one hundred gifts. Together, they embark on a plan to lift the old woman’s heart. Along the way, amidst the knitting and the making and the baking, they discover that family extends far beyond blood, the best gifts can’t be bought, and that family celebrations can be reborn and new traditions established.
A touching story that arrives just in time for the end of the year, a time of reflection as we prepare for the new year ahead, The Hundred Gifts captures the true spirit of the holiday season.
What I thought:
I am in awe at Jennifer Scott's knack for writing stories that express truly human connections. Her characters are like you and I and regular everyday folks with regular everyday issues. The Hundred Gifts is both heartwarming and optimistically inspirational, while at the same time a bit sad. Weird combination, I know, but it's true! It's a book that encourages us to find the best in people, especially around the holiday season. It reminds us that giving is always better than receiving and that outward appearances can be deceiving. I loved, loved, loved this book! It is a truly lovely holiday read:)
Disclosure: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.
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