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Hope for the Holidays
Hope Lyon’s husband ran through all their money and split Portland, Oregon, forcing Hope to sell her beloved Pie in the Sky bakery and move with her two children back to charming Hope Valley, her hometown. She has been working as a waitress and pinching pennies to get their lives on track; however, when her children win KPRL’s Spirit of Christmas vacation contest, Hope worries about the extra expenses she will incur on such a trip and turns it down.
Steve Waldren, the handsome KPRL sports anchor, is now of an age where he can’t afford to have a gap on his resume. His confidence is already shaky, ever since his fiancée dumped him, claiming Steve would never reach his potential. When Steve’s boss dubs Steve to be Giveaway Santa, he’s forced to accept. Steve, as Santa, readily travels to Hope Valley to award the prize. But when Hope refuses it, he’s at a loss. His boss threatens to fire him if he doesn’t convince Hope to take it, and Steve does all he can to change her mind. But Hope can be stubborn, life can be a challenge, and Hope’s children can be unpredictable. Not to mention, the truth isn’t always what it seems.
Will Hope and Steve find their happily ever after? It might take a holiday miracle.
Steve Waldren, the handsome KPRL sports anchor, is now of an age where he can’t afford to have a gap on his resume. His confidence is already shaky, ever since his fiancée dumped him, claiming Steve would never reach his potential. When Steve’s boss dubs Steve to be Giveaway Santa, he’s forced to accept. Steve, as Santa, readily travels to Hope Valley to award the prize. But when Hope refuses it, he’s at a loss. His boss threatens to fire him if he doesn’t convince Hope to take it, and Steve does all he can to change her mind. But Hope can be stubborn, life can be a challenge, and Hope’s children can be unpredictable. Not to mention, the truth isn’t always what it seems.
Will Hope and Steve find their happily ever after? It might take a holiday miracle.
304 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 14, 2023
12 people are currently reading
132 people want to read
About the author
Daryl Wood Gerber
45 books2,483 followersAgatha Award-winning and nationally bestselling author Daryl Wood Gerber writes the Aroma Wellness Mysteries, Literary Dining Mysteries, Fairy Garden Mysteries, Cookbook Nook Mysteries, and French Bistro Mysteries. As Avery Aames, she pens the popular Cheese Shop Mysteries.
In addition, Daryl also writes suspense including the stand-alone novel, THE SON'S SECRET, the Aspen Adams novels of suspense, and two more stand-alone titles, DAY OF SECRETS and GIRL ON THE RUN.
She has recently delved into the realm of romance with her first Christmas romance, HOPE FOR THE HOLIDAYS.
Fun tidbit: as an actress, Daryl appeared in “Murder, She Wrote.” She loves to cook, and she has a frisky Goldendoodle named Sparky who keeps her in line!
Visit Daryl at www.darylwoodgerber.com.
In addition, Daryl also writes suspense including the stand-alone novel, THE SON'S SECRET, the Aspen Adams novels of suspense, and two more stand-alone titles, DAY OF SECRETS and GIRL ON THE RUN.
She has recently delved into the realm of romance with her first Christmas romance, HOPE FOR THE HOLIDAYS.
Fun tidbit: as an actress, Daryl appeared in “Murder, She Wrote.” She loves to cook, and she has a frisky Goldendoodle named Sparky who keeps her in line!
Visit Daryl at www.darylwoodgerber.com.
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
June 13, 2024
I enjoy Daryl Wood Gerber's cozy mysteries and suspense novels. Hope for the Holidays is her latest romantic novel, which aren't my typical reads. Generally, I thought it worked out well and there were some incredibly good dialog scenes, but it was also too on the nose / cheesy for me in many places where I thought... this is too intentional and silly. But that's the point of them, so I can understand why and how it makes other readers quite happy! 3 stars not because it's not good, but because it's not a good match for me and I see that it would be for lots of others, so I want to be fair!
December 7, 2023
I have read and enjoyed many of Daryl Wood Gerber's cozy mysteries, but this is the first romance that I have read. I loved this story of betrayal, new beginnings, loss and more. Hope Lyons was living a lie, and when her husband, who had run through all their money and had debts sky high, came into her pie shop and told her it was over, she wasn't sure what she would do. Selling her store, trying to pay off his debts and finally filing for bankruptcy, she knew she had to do whatever she could to keep her kids safe. She bought a VW camper and headed home to Hope Valley. She got a job in the local cafe, parked the camper each night in the trailer park and tried her best for her children. When they win an all expense paid trip to Disneyland, things do not go as planned. She can't accept the trip, she can't miss work nor does she have money for extras. Steve Waldren is "The Voice" working in Portland, Oregon and is sent to Hope Valley to get the prize winners to sign a release. He is told if he is not successful, he will lose his job. Will Hope and Steve come to terms?
Hope for the Holidays is a romance with lots of angst. This book brings attention to the working poor, the disenfranchised, and single mothers who are abandoned by their spouses and disappear. It is set at Christmas and I enjoyed the festive activities that were going on, things that didn't cost a lot of money, and how the whole town came together to enjoy the holidays. The characters were wonderful. They were well developed and so realistic. We have Steve's parents and disable brother, who steals the show, Hope's boss Gabe and her co-worker Zerena and of course, Hope's kids. My only niggle was how perfect Melody and Todd were. They were living in a small VW Camper, eating the same food over and over and wearing clothes that didn't fit well and they were angels. There was finally a point where Melody snaps and makes a bad decision, but otherwise they were a bit too good to be true. Having said that, they were likable kids and I felt bad for them. I like a book that has some meat to it, and this one does. Not only highlighting the items above, but Melody is diabetic, so we see how she lives with this disease as well as the dangers. We see a bit of the paparazzi element, bullying in the workplace and the desire to climb the ladder sacrificing family along the way. This was all put together with a wonderful story, festive activities, heartbreaking at times, but uplifting with a happily ever after for more than one couple. I will definitely look for more of Daryl Wood Gerbers romance stories in the future..
Hope for the Holidays is a romance with lots of angst. This book brings attention to the working poor, the disenfranchised, and single mothers who are abandoned by their spouses and disappear. It is set at Christmas and I enjoyed the festive activities that were going on, things that didn't cost a lot of money, and how the whole town came together to enjoy the holidays. The characters were wonderful. They were well developed and so realistic. We have Steve's parents and disable brother, who steals the show, Hope's boss Gabe and her co-worker Zerena and of course, Hope's kids. My only niggle was how perfect Melody and Todd were. They were living in a small VW Camper, eating the same food over and over and wearing clothes that didn't fit well and they were angels. There was finally a point where Melody snaps and makes a bad decision, but otherwise they were a bit too good to be true. Having said that, they were likable kids and I felt bad for them. I like a book that has some meat to it, and this one does. Not only highlighting the items above, but Melody is diabetic, so we see how she lives with this disease as well as the dangers. We see a bit of the paparazzi element, bullying in the workplace and the desire to climb the ladder sacrificing family along the way. This was all put together with a wonderful story, festive activities, heartbreaking at times, but uplifting with a happily ever after for more than one couple. I will definitely look for more of Daryl Wood Gerbers romance stories in the future..
November 6, 2023
This was a heartwarming story about overcoming the past and creating a new future. It also reminds us that there are families out there that need just a little help in getting by in this world.
Hope and her children have been dealt a raw hand when her husband/kid's father decides he has had enough and takes off, leaving Hope holding everything. Hope is in a tough spot; she has to create a new life for them, pay all of his debts, and give up her dreams to forge ahead. I admire Hope for everything she deals with in this book. She is not perfect and makes some mistakes, but what person and parent doesn't?
Steve is doing what he has done since college: sports commentary. He loves it and the statistics. But his life isn't perfect either when his fiancee drops him, and his career is fleeting based on station management. It takes meeting Hope and experiencing Hope Valley for him to realize what is important in life.
An unsung character in this book is Lincoln, Steve's brother. He is on the spectrum but is full of life and his rituals. I love the relationship he has with his brother. Of course, Lincoln doesn't realize when certain things shouldn't be said, but I love that naivety about him. Perhaps, if we were all like this a little bit, things would run smoother in this world.
There is a little bit of suspense in the book, but I won't spoil that for you. There is definitely romance, and not just between Hope and Steve, but other characters.
This was a great book to escape into, and we give it 5 paws up.
Hope and her children have been dealt a raw hand when her husband/kid's father decides he has had enough and takes off, leaving Hope holding everything. Hope is in a tough spot; she has to create a new life for them, pay all of his debts, and give up her dreams to forge ahead. I admire Hope for everything she deals with in this book. She is not perfect and makes some mistakes, but what person and parent doesn't?
Steve is doing what he has done since college: sports commentary. He loves it and the statistics. But his life isn't perfect either when his fiancee drops him, and his career is fleeting based on station management. It takes meeting Hope and experiencing Hope Valley for him to realize what is important in life.
An unsung character in this book is Lincoln, Steve's brother. He is on the spectrum but is full of life and his rituals. I love the relationship he has with his brother. Of course, Lincoln doesn't realize when certain things shouldn't be said, but I love that naivety about him. Perhaps, if we were all like this a little bit, things would run smoother in this world.
There is a little bit of suspense in the book, but I won't spoil that for you. There is definitely romance, and not just between Hope and Steve, but other characters.
This was a great book to escape into, and we give it 5 paws up.
December 16, 2023
Dollycas's Thoughts
Hope Lyons's had been living her dream of serving pie at her Pie in the Sky bakery. That all changed when her husband left her with a mountain of debt and two children to raise on her own. Selling the bakery took care of the debt and she moved back to her hometown of Hope Valley where she found a job as a waitress. Hope has been skrimping by to provide the basic necessities and trying to save to give her children a happy holiday while still hoping that someday she will have her own bakery again.
Steve Waldren is KPRL's sports anchor with a true broadcaster voice. He has had the job since college and it's comfortable. Then his fiancée dumps him because he is never going to reach his potential and she needs someone with more drive. His boss has decided that Steve is going to be Giveaway Santa, and he can't refuse. If he does, he could lose his job. So he puts on the Santa suit, and goes on air, and announces a huge holiday prize.
Hope's children enter KPRL's contest and win. Santa/Steve comes to Hope Valley to award the prize, but Hope refuses and he doesn't know why. His boss has vowed to terminate his employment if Steve can't get Hope to accept the prize. He will probably need a little help and a lot of Christmas magic to make that happen.
_____
I love the characters the author has created in this story. Hope's husband was a total jerk and the way he blew up their lives was heartbreaking but the strength she had to persevere and do whatever she had to do for her kids was fantastic. She is stubborn and a protective mama bear and she did have some missteps but she's human. Steve is also a flawed individual but he loves his job and his family. He really dodged a bullet when his fiancée left him. He met Hope at the exact right time.
While the main characters are great, the supporting cast is full of standouts. None more so than Steve's brother Lincoln. He is autistic and loves his brother Steve so much. His life has the necessary patterns but he comes alive when he is with his brother. He voices his opinions and ideas freely and usually at the perfect time. His parents are wonderful too. They support both their sons and have such open hearts. They carry the spirit of Christmas year-round. Gabe Greeley owns the cafe, he has "the soul of a saint and the full-bellied laughter of a happy man" and he gives Hope a much-needed job. He and the other waitress Zerena, whom Hope knew from high school, truly had her back and treated her like family. Brie Bryant, a reporter at KPRL comes to Hope Valley with Steve to document everything and for moral support but she gets more than she could have imagined. All of these characters have depth and feel true to life.
The author has wrapped her characters in a heartwarming holiday tale that could definitely find a home on the Hallmark channel. Sadly, there are many women today facing what Hope did in this book. Her struggle was real and she tried to face each day with a smile on her face and doing the best for her kids. Steve didn't realize he was struggling too until he came home to Hope Valley and met Hope Lyons. It was a joy to watch their lives evolve and twist together. But theirs wasn't the only romance within this story. Love was in the air this holiday season in Hope Valley along with some other good works.
Hope for the Holidays is a sweet, moving, uplifting holiday story sure to ignite your holiday spirit. For me, it was a Perfect Escape!
Hope Lyons's had been living her dream of serving pie at her Pie in the Sky bakery. That all changed when her husband left her with a mountain of debt and two children to raise on her own. Selling the bakery took care of the debt and she moved back to her hometown of Hope Valley where she found a job as a waitress. Hope has been skrimping by to provide the basic necessities and trying to save to give her children a happy holiday while still hoping that someday she will have her own bakery again.
Steve Waldren is KPRL's sports anchor with a true broadcaster voice. He has had the job since college and it's comfortable. Then his fiancée dumps him because he is never going to reach his potential and she needs someone with more drive. His boss has decided that Steve is going to be Giveaway Santa, and he can't refuse. If he does, he could lose his job. So he puts on the Santa suit, and goes on air, and announces a huge holiday prize.
Hope's children enter KPRL's contest and win. Santa/Steve comes to Hope Valley to award the prize, but Hope refuses and he doesn't know why. His boss has vowed to terminate his employment if Steve can't get Hope to accept the prize. He will probably need a little help and a lot of Christmas magic to make that happen.
_____
I love the characters the author has created in this story. Hope's husband was a total jerk and the way he blew up their lives was heartbreaking but the strength she had to persevere and do whatever she had to do for her kids was fantastic. She is stubborn and a protective mama bear and she did have some missteps but she's human. Steve is also a flawed individual but he loves his job and his family. He really dodged a bullet when his fiancée left him. He met Hope at the exact right time.
While the main characters are great, the supporting cast is full of standouts. None more so than Steve's brother Lincoln. He is autistic and loves his brother Steve so much. His life has the necessary patterns but he comes alive when he is with his brother. He voices his opinions and ideas freely and usually at the perfect time. His parents are wonderful too. They support both their sons and have such open hearts. They carry the spirit of Christmas year-round. Gabe Greeley owns the cafe, he has "the soul of a saint and the full-bellied laughter of a happy man" and he gives Hope a much-needed job. He and the other waitress Zerena, whom Hope knew from high school, truly had her back and treated her like family. Brie Bryant, a reporter at KPRL comes to Hope Valley with Steve to document everything and for moral support but she gets more than she could have imagined. All of these characters have depth and feel true to life.
The author has wrapped her characters in a heartwarming holiday tale that could definitely find a home on the Hallmark channel. Sadly, there are many women today facing what Hope did in this book. Her struggle was real and she tried to face each day with a smile on her face and doing the best for her kids. Steve didn't realize he was struggling too until he came home to Hope Valley and met Hope Lyons. It was a joy to watch their lives evolve and twist together. But theirs wasn't the only romance within this story. Love was in the air this holiday season in Hope Valley along with some other good works.
Hope for the Holidays is a sweet, moving, uplifting holiday story sure to ignite your holiday spirit. For me, it was a Perfect Escape!
October 4, 2024
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy from . This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.Hope for the Holidays by Daryl Wood Gerber gives two people a chance at happiness around the season of being jolly.
Can Steve change Hope's mind and give her kids the best holiday ever?
Hope Lyons
Hope Lyons returned to her small hometown to raise her kids, as it was her only choice since she couldn't afford anything in Portland. She has been doing fine by herself for the last year and trying to save money by being frugal to keep everything working fine. Hope is a great mother, and I feel sorry for what her ex did to her. He is a pathetic excuse for a man, and this family deserves better than that.
Hope tries her best to keep a smile on her face and keep it cheery for her kids. Her work at the cafe brings her joy again. The cafe is her stepping stone to a better life—at least a better life than it is right now and until Steve shows up. I like how she evolved from the beginning to where she ended since it's great to see that in these books.
Steve Waldren
Steve Waldren is a great guy, but he has been stuck in a loop for years and not even realizing it until something changes that has him trying to convince Hope Lyons to accept the prize that her kids win. I, at first, liked Steve until he just wasn't likable, but then that all changed throughout the book, and I loved seeing that change.
Steve is a sports anchor for television and is excellent at his job. It doesn't help that he lives only two hours away from his family so that he can see his younger brother whenever he can. Steve tries his best to see his family and manage his career, but maybe there is more to life than just what he has been doing since he graduated from college to go straight to where he has been. Steve's relationship with his family is excellent, and I especially like how he treats his brother Lincoln.
The Romance
Steve Waldren and Hope Lyons saw each other regularly when Hope ran her pie shop in Portland until she couldn't anymore when she moved back home. Then by chance, they met again in their small town at the cafe there and after that Steve fell in love at first even if he didn't realize it. Hope might have had a crush on him in high school and might still have had one now. These two honestly are cute, and I loved their interactions together, even if some of them got a little heated. I think they have something that could keep them going for a while, especially if they communicate with each other, including the kids and possibly Steve's brother.
Five Stars
Hope for the Holidays by Daryl Wood Gerber is a great romance story set around Christmastime, and I loved every minute of it. I'm giving five stars to Hope for the Holidays by Daryl Wood Gerber and recommending it. Being invited into the citizens' lives of Hope Valley was such a treat, and I adored their whole spirit of bringing Christmas to life in this community. A lot of good happens around Christmastime after a bit, or a lot, of heartache for some people when they give it time.
Thank you for dropping by! I hope you enjoyed this review of Hope for the Holidays by Daryl Wood Gerber.
Until the next time,
Happy Reading!
This review was originally posted on Baroness' Book Trove
Can Steve change Hope's mind and give her kids the best holiday ever?
Hope Lyons
Hope Lyons returned to her small hometown to raise her kids, as it was her only choice since she couldn't afford anything in Portland. She has been doing fine by herself for the last year and trying to save money by being frugal to keep everything working fine. Hope is a great mother, and I feel sorry for what her ex did to her. He is a pathetic excuse for a man, and this family deserves better than that.
Hope tries her best to keep a smile on her face and keep it cheery for her kids. Her work at the cafe brings her joy again. The cafe is her stepping stone to a better life—at least a better life than it is right now and until Steve shows up. I like how she evolved from the beginning to where she ended since it's great to see that in these books.
Steve Waldren
Steve Waldren is a great guy, but he has been stuck in a loop for years and not even realizing it until something changes that has him trying to convince Hope Lyons to accept the prize that her kids win. I, at first, liked Steve until he just wasn't likable, but then that all changed throughout the book, and I loved seeing that change.
Steve is a sports anchor for television and is excellent at his job. It doesn't help that he lives only two hours away from his family so that he can see his younger brother whenever he can. Steve tries his best to see his family and manage his career, but maybe there is more to life than just what he has been doing since he graduated from college to go straight to where he has been. Steve's relationship with his family is excellent, and I especially like how he treats his brother Lincoln.
The Romance
Steve Waldren and Hope Lyons saw each other regularly when Hope ran her pie shop in Portland until she couldn't anymore when she moved back home. Then by chance, they met again in their small town at the cafe there and after that Steve fell in love at first even if he didn't realize it. Hope might have had a crush on him in high school and might still have had one now. These two honestly are cute, and I loved their interactions together, even if some of them got a little heated. I think they have something that could keep them going for a while, especially if they communicate with each other, including the kids and possibly Steve's brother.
Five Stars
Hope for the Holidays by Daryl Wood Gerber is a great romance story set around Christmastime, and I loved every minute of it. I'm giving five stars to Hope for the Holidays by Daryl Wood Gerber and recommending it. Being invited into the citizens' lives of Hope Valley was such a treat, and I adored their whole spirit of bringing Christmas to life in this community. A lot of good happens around Christmastime after a bit, or a lot, of heartache for some people when they give it time.
Thank you for dropping by! I hope you enjoyed this review of Hope for the Holidays by Daryl Wood Gerber.
Until the next time,
Happy Reading!
This review was originally posted on Baroness' Book Trove
December 30, 2023
What a heart warming Christmas story of hope, joy, struggle, forgiveness and changes of heart. There are many surprises in the lives of nearly every key character. The story captures your heart and attention, drawing you in for a wonderful story through the very last page. If you want to curl up with a delightful story of family love, Christmas tenderness, and a mother’s unwavering love for her children, this is the book for you.
December 19, 2023
Hope's husband spends through all of their money then leaves her and the kids high and dry. Hope returns to her childhood hometown Hope Valley to start over. Can she make it???
December 24, 2023
A good book to read for Christmas. Lots of sadness and hope.
January 8, 2024
Book mail
Enjoyable and well written
Puts one through a variety of emotions.
Enjoyable and well written
Puts one through a variety of emotions.
March 3, 2024
I enjoyed this new genre from Daryl and it will probably be on my regular Christmas reading list going forward. Having said that though, there were things about the storyline that bugged me and I wish she would have put in something of an explanation for-- But as I said, in spite of these things, I enjoyed the overall story and will read it again. I found Hope's frustrations, confusion, and waffling back and forth to be quite believable. It was uplifting to see her continually live up to her name and hope for something better . . . but also to see her working to make it happen. Daryl also wove in a nice character growth/development for Steve as we saw him realize what he had become and who he wanted to be.
January 9, 2026
I liked and didn't like this book. I enjoyed the plot and the setting but felt the characters were two dimensional. I wish Hope was more honest with her kids about their deadbeat dad and that there was some comeuppance for him. And the whole acceptance of the Disney trip back and forth irked me. Luckily I've never been in Hope's situation but I just couldn't grasp why she would turn down the trip because she couldn't afford to buy her kids souvenirs if they went, not even considering telling them that I'd they went there would be no "extras" and denying them the trip of a lifetime.
January 8, 2024
Good story line and characters!
February 19, 2024
I couldn't put this book down. It is not your typical romance story. Highly recommend
August 12, 2024
Feel-good Christmas romance, family story which is very pleasant and easy to read. Also a nice small community story. I really enjoyed it.
October 12, 2024
All the Christmas season feels! I enjoyed the story. It had enough differences to stand out as very enjoyable romance cozy and could definitely end up as a movie😊.
November 14, 2023
Hope Lyons is trying to raise her two kids the best way she possibly can. She has moved back to her hometown and works at the cafe.
Christmas is coming and all Hope really wants are her kids to be happy.
Steve Waldren the KPRL sports anchor has been sent to Hope Valley to award a prize to Hope’s kids.
Will Hope accept the prize? How will Hope’s children react to the news they won?
Can Hope find happiness around the Christmas holidays?
A sweet holiday story about two people trying to find their happiness while dealing with challenges in their own lives.
I received an ARC prior to publication and decided to voluntarily review it.
Christmas is coming and all Hope really wants are her kids to be happy.
Steve Waldren the KPRL sports anchor has been sent to Hope Valley to award a prize to Hope’s kids.
Will Hope accept the prize? How will Hope’s children react to the news they won?
Can Hope find happiness around the Christmas holidays?
A sweet holiday story about two people trying to find their happiness while dealing with challenges in their own lives.
I received an ARC prior to publication and decided to voluntarily review it.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews