The Christmas Wish

August 30, 2021
Problems are resolved as quickly as they’re introduced in Sala’s flimsy, Christmas-themed 12th Blessings, Georgia, romance (after Somebody to Love). Feed and seed sore manager Wade Montgomery and his bookkeeper, Bridgette “Birdie” Knox, have secretly pined for each other for years but fear their relationship would be inappropriate given their working relationship. It’s a concern that dissipates shockingly quickly: they confront their issues, confess their feelings, kiss, and make love for the first time all in the prologue. From there, Sala cycles through the similarly easily solved issues of Blessings’ other residents. Duffy Martin returns home 10 years after his father was incarcerated for a crime he didn’t commit and is relieved by the warm reception of the understanding and forgiving townsfolk. And Josh King struggles with guilt over prioritizing his gambling addiction over his family, but thanks to the kindness of his former employer and new boss, he’s given a second chance. There are happy endings and Christmas miracles all around, but getting to them is such smooth sailing that they feel unearned and saccharine. The lack of focus and shallow character development make it difficult to connect with any of the one-dimensional cast. This is one to skip. Agent: Meredith Bernstein, Meredith Bernstein Literary.

October 15, 2021

Sala's 12th "Blessings, Georgia" novel (after Somebody To Love) is a Christmas romance set in the series' small Georgia town called Blessings. Wade Montgomery has returned to Blessings to help his uncle run the feed store after an accident, and is surprised to run into his crush Birdie Knox, who happens to work for his uncle as a bookkeeper. After a misunderstanding is sorted out, Wade and Birdie become inseparable as Christmas approaches; in Blessing, Christmas is a time for miracles. Everyone in town is gearing up for the annual holiday parade, and Birdie finds herself the star of the feed store's float. When Birdie runs into a young man she used to babysit, she discovers he's back in town to clear his father's name of a theft charge that sent him to prison 10 years before. As usual, everyone in Blessing gets involved in the plot, with some excitement and a helping of heavenly biscuits thrown in. VERDICT Libraries owning the other "Blessings, Georgia" books will need to buy copies; and fans of Debbie Macomber, Diana Palmer, and Robyn Carr might enjoy picking up this interconnected series by Sala.

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