Sometimes the best gifts aren’t under the tree.
Everyone has a story to tell. And for Mallory Blue, her grandmother Nan’s community theater and annual Christmas play has been a beloved tradition for as long as she can remember. But this year is different. With Nan losing her memories to dementia, Mallory has taken on more than she can handle—including directing this year’s show.
Two things are keeping Mallory A journal that tells the story behind each handmade ornament on Nan’s tree. And Hollis, who volunteers to play Santa to spend time with Mallory and prove he’s no longer the rebellious boy she knew growing up.
As Mallory reads through Nan’s entries, she realizes there’s so much she never knew about her grandmother. And when Mallory has big decisions to make in both her personal and professional life, it’s Nan’s wise advice and Hollis’s steadfast support that will hold the key to this year’s holiday magic.
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What a beautiful story!
The Christmas Keepsake impacted me deeply. I finished the story last night and can’t seem get it out of my head. This story is what I love about holiday stories, and the type of stories that you can read year-round. I have a feeling that The Christmas Keepsake will be the book that I will be returning to in the future. I adored this book from beginning to end. If I didn't have to study, I'd spend all day reading this remarkable story. The Christmas Keepsake is not just a love story, but it’s a story about family, friendships, grief, healing, and hope.
I’ve been reading Annie Rains books since 2017 and loved the ones I have read. However, I have to say that Christmas Keepsake is my favorite; the one book that you won’t be able to put down, no matter how hard you try. I recommended this book to my friends who I know would love it. I loved Mallory from the start. I know it couldn’t be easy to see someone you love, not remembering you, and trying to put up a front and work simultaneously. I connected with Mallory more than with the other characters. I had a great-grandmother who had dementia, and I remember the heartbreak I felt when she no longer remembered me. She might not have seen it, but Mallory was strong, and I loved that she didn’t give up.
One of the things that I love about this book is that as a reader, you find yourself connecting to most of the characters in the story, including the minor characters. I read The Finders Keepers Library last year, and I loved Savannah's story, but I loved Mallory's story more, and I can't help but wonder about the next one. I loved reading Nan’s journal and how each homemade ornament went with different parts of her story. I cried several times while reading Nan’s journal entries, feeling as if I was there with Nan, feeling all those emotions that she was feeling. It was as if I traveled back in time. Of course, I couldn’t help but love Hollis. I like the way that he was helping others, especially Mallory. I found myself rooting for the two of them from the start. The Christmas Keepsake already makes me want more holiday stories. A must-read.
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