A Wells Landing Christmas

A Wells Landing Christmas by Amy Lillard is the eighth book in A Wells Landing Romance series. Ivy Weaver lives in Wells Landing, Oklahoma where she has a reputation for wearing jeans, driving a car and kissing at least three boys (shocking). Ivy has been taking care of her grandfather, Yonnie since her mother married and moved out of state two years prior. She has yet to join the church because she does not feel worthy and she would need to confess her sin before the congregation. Ivy has her hands full taking care of Yonnie who has begun to lose his memory and act oddly. Zeb Brenneman broke her heart when he left and moved to Pinecraft. The last thing she expects is to see him back in Wells Landing. Ivy is rushing home after a call from her neighbor about Yonnie when she spots Zeb walking towards his family home. Zeb knows that leaving Ivy was a mistake and he wants to make amends. Zeb wants to prove to Ivy that he is trustworthy and earn her forgiveness along with her love. After Yonnie becomes hurt one day, Ivy visits the local nursing home, Whispering Pines. She meets Ethan Dallas who talks to her about God’s love, forgiveness and grace. Ivy begins to feel that there is hope for herself, her life and her relationship with Zeb. Can Ivy and Zeb find their way back to each other? Is there a chance for a Christmas miracle in Wells Landing? A Wells Landing Christmas is nicely written story about forgiveness, love, hope, and grace. Ivy needs to forgive herself, but she has not been able to do it. She has a secret that keeps her from allowing people to get close. She feels left out of her community and is overwhelmed with caring for her grandfather. It is serendipitous that she visits Whispering Pines and finds someone who can understand her struggle. It is sweet how Ivy takes care of Yonnie. She is patient and understanding with him. She does not want to leave him alone, but Ivy must earn a living to pay their bills. You can feel Ivy’s emotions come through the pages (heartache, sadness, tension, loneliness, love). Her biggest struggle is unable to forgive herself for a sin. Zeb knows he made a mistake leaving and wants to atone plus earn his way back into Ivy’s heart. The path to love is bumpy, but it is rewarding. We all feel unworthy and need to remember that God will forgive us for our sins. All we must do is ask. I find it amusing that the Amish in Wells Landing cannot drive cars, but they are allowed to drive their tractors all over town. It seems a dangerous and loud mode of transportation with limited seating (how can it be safe). We get to see how gossip can harm a person’s reputation (no matter who started it). Gossip is not the truth, but people treat it as such. There are good life lessons in A Wells Landing Christmas. I like how the author handled the subjects of illness in elderly and their care. I wish the author had eliminated the repetition. Personally, I find it annoying when the same details are repeated throughout a book. A Wells Landing Christmas can be read as a standalone. A Wells Landing Christmas is a sweet, heartwarming Christmas story that will touch your heart.