Christmas On Nutcracker Court by Judy Duarte

Christmas On Nutcracker Court Reviews

• 
  Susan

  Good book. I liked the main characters of Carly and Max. Carly is a single mom who is doing her best to provide for her two sons, but she just can't seem to catch a break. When she has another confrontation with Max over her boys and his dog she's not sure what to do. I love the way that she stands up to Max when she thinks her boys are in danger. I also like the way that she's able to make amends when she needs to. Max has taken a leave of absence from his job in order to work on his book. It isn't going very well right now and he hasn't been able to figure out why. I like the way that he works out a trade with Carly where she helps him by reading the book, and he helps her with her sons. This gives them a chance to get to know each other and see where their friendship might go. Both of them also are struggling to find their Christmas spirit. There is also a pretty good cast of secondary characters, all of whom are having their own holiday challenges. Carlos and Rosa are over committed on the volunteering front, not taking the time to enjoy the season. Susan is a widow who would like to marry again, but doesn't seem to have the social skills to make the best of herself. Lynette grew up poor and with low self esteem, but married well. Now she's a widow too, but still thinks poorly of herself and worries about material things. They are joined by Maggie, a woman who is house-sitting for a friend. Maggie sees the best in people and is able to make people see what the holiday season should be about.
• 
  Elise Stone

  What else would I be reading this week but a heartwarming Christmas story? I won this book from the author by commenting on a blog post and couldn't wait to start it. I've previously read "Mulberry Park" the first novel set in the fictional town of Fairbrook, and loved it.
  
  Judy Duarte writes wonderful Christian romances. Or maybe they're women's fiction with strong romantic elements. Regardless of what genre you classify them in, they're stories of families and love and faith. They're books that, like "It's a Wonderful Life", are filled with hokey good things. And, just like I watch "It's a Wonderful Life" at least once every Christmas, I love reading stories by Judy Duarte.
  
  In this book, we follow the stories of a number of characters. There's Carly, a single mom with two boys and serious financial trouble. Josh is troubled by the problems of growing up and having to take care of his younger brother, Mikey. He'd rather hang out with his friends. There's Lynette, who tries to play matchmaker for Carly, but finds herself attracted to the very man she's picked out for Carly. Grant isn't particularly interested in a relationship, but agrees to the date with Carly. Susan is just looking for any man so she won't be alone. She has her eye on Grant as well, but Max, the other bachelor in the neighborhood, would also work for her. Max, whose wife left him, has taken a year's leave of absence from his job as a probation officer to write a novel. He writes nights and sleeps days and is seen as a bit odd since when he does come out of his house during the day, it's usually in his bathrobe. And there's Maggie, the cousin who has shown up to watch Helen's house while she's away on a cruise, and touches the lives of all of the characters by her gentle suggestions.
  
  We follow these people through their ups and downs and learn to care about them as they care about and for one another. It's a story of Christmas wishes and the power of prayer. And the perfect read for the week before Christmas.
• 
  Ashley

  I think I went into this book with too high of expectations. Expectations that went down really fast as soon as I started reading.
  
  All the characters except Carly and her sons were unlikable until the very end of the story and even then their past thoughts and actions were still hard to make me like them for the changes they were trying to make.
  
  Not to mention it was never really explained who Maggie was even if there was hinting at it. I would have liked more of an explanation on her and how she knew some of the things she did.
• 
  Chloe (Always Booked)

  I was really pleasantly surprised by this book! It's about Carly and her sons. She is a single mom and is barely getting by. Her boys come across a dog and eventually their owner, Max Tolliver. He is a writer who works nights and sleeps days and is kind of a loner. However, throughout the story he befriends Carly and her boys.
  There's also the Diamond Lills- a group of women who get together to play poker every week. They befriend Carly and try to set her up with Grant, a neighbor to one of the members- Helen. Helen is out of town and her "cousin" Maggie is housesitting for her. However, Maggie is somewhat strange and seems to be able to know things that there is no way she could know. She also can talk to animals.
  In the end, Carly and Max end up together but it is a VERY slow progressing romance- very realistic. Lynette and Grant are together and Susan is okay with it. All ends happy and well when Max saves Christmas for Carly and her boys.
  My complaints-- the Diamond Lills voices were much older than Carly's so I thought they were late middle aged people, but then I guess they're all about Carly's age? I also don't think the author did the best with Maggie. She was mysterious and not actually Helen's cousin-- but who was she? She was supposed to be some sort of angel I believe, but I just thought the ending in regards to her character fell flat.
  Overall, I think I will reread this book at some point. I definitely enjoyed the first read!
• 
  Marianne Stehr

  As a thriller/suspense reader, this is a little out of my genre, however I have read one of Judy Duarte's books before and they are uplifting, spiritual and truly a luxury to read. Something can be learned from her books, the true love of one another, the power of faith and prayer and kindness, which in this day and age is much forgotten. Characters rich with flaws, faith and kindness learn about themselves and each other, the characters are well developed, work together well and devlop complex relationships throughout the book. This is a very fast read, that is truly worth reading. I loved it!!!
• 
  Linda

  I've got to make a list of all the publishers that specialize in Christian literature so I don't pick up something with a commercial sounding title and find out that it's faith based. Again, that's a great genre for those who enjoy it but usually, as in this case it's way too heavy handed for me.
  
  Several of the heroines in this one also seem a little too dense and out of touch with the real world. That doesn't speak well for them even before they get the light or in this case Light turned on for them.
  
  Very simply written so it was a quick read and it's a very pretty cover.
• 
  A Turtles Nest Book Reviews

  A festive Christmas story that shows no matter how hard things are and you feel as no one is hearing your prayers , a little faith and love go along way. It reminds us that Christmas is about forgiveness and giving and helping others, especially those in need.
• 
  Alex

  First things first, that cover is absolutely gorgeous. I just had to say it.
  
  I really liked this book a lot, even without realizing it was the fourth in a series. (It doesn't seem like I missed anything, though, since all the books follow different people.) The characters were great, the setting was beautiful, and the Christmas spirit was leaping off the pages.
  
  However, this ended quite abruptly without wrapping up several storylines. At first I figured I would just read book five and it would be fine, but it appears that this is indeed the last book of the series. So, I'm definitely annoyed that we have no clue what happens to the rest of the ladies in the poker group. Still, this was a sweet enough book that I almost don't care.
• 
  Pam

  Heart-warming Christmas story.
• 
  Jessica

  Much to religious and super unrealistic.
• 
  Michelle

  A fun read for Christmas with a good message.
• 
  Chris

  Reminded me of a Debbie Macomber book......enjoyed this book.
• 
  Nikolina

  Easy read. Love stories. Christian values. Family, friendship, pets, kids, single life, trust,
• 
  Haley Kinser

  So cheesy, but absolutely adorable! Great Christmas read ❤️
• 
  DeeAnne Hutchins

  Very complicated to follow. Jumps between characters in the middle of chapters.
• 
  Amy Norton

  At first there were too many things going on but eventually it got to the point of the story. It's a cute Christmas story.
• 
  Wanda Mcguire

  Great romance novel. Characters are strong and very believable. Well written.
• 
  Nancy H

  This is a wonderful feel-good read that is just right for a time when you need something light, fun, and positive.
• 
  Paula White

  Enjoyable Christmas read
• 
  Scott Drake

  Moderately Interseting cast with overlapping storylines ruined by having some invisible superhero god-thing forced upon them.
• 
  Debbie

  The residents of Fairmont are getting ready for Christmas and some have more holiday spirit than the rest and some have much more to be thankful for than the rest – take single mom and hairstylist Carly Westbrook who is more worried about keeping she and her two sons fed and under roof than Christmas buying. And now she has to worry about eccentric neighbor Max Tolliver who’s dog keeps showing up to get her boys in trouble.
  The Diamond Lils are a group of poker playing girlfriends who are also about to find out what the real meaning of Christmas is all about and the real value of prayer too.
  But there’s also Christmas magic in the air in this town and it seems that answering prayers and keeping the faith is something that these folks are going to see first hand.
  
  Judy Duarte gives us a touch of magic with this delightful holiday story based on faith and prayer and the power of both. Her plot is a simple one of everyday life, of hardships and plenty that is an easy read. She doesn’t just give us larger than life characters but real everyday folks down on their luck and real life worries that most of us go through at one time or another. But what the real magic is, is how she tells her story, the smiles it will bring and sometimes the tears, and at the end how your heart will be lighter for reading it. She also gives us more than just a holiday tale but a life enriching journey that will take us into the depths of despair that doesn’t dim faith but embraces it. It’s also a love story, a family drama, and a contemporary work that will fill you with hope and light no matter what time of the year you read it. And most important it’s timeless and ageless and can be enjoyed by every member of the family, young and old, male and female.
  Thank you Ms. Duarte for an enjoyable trip to your fascinating fictional town and Merry Christmas to you too.