Christmas of Joy

Christmas of Joy

  • Downloads：2928
  • Type：Epub+TxT+PDF+Mobi
  • Create Date：2023-01-16 13:21:44
  • Update Date：2025-09-06
  • Status：finish
  • Author：Valerie M. Bodden
  • ISBN：B0BSB229GJ
  • Environment：PC/Android/iPhone/iPad/Kindle
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Summary

A former crush， a Christmas wedding， and a second chance at a first kiss…

Madison has spent her entire life in her big sister’s shadow。 So she’s not exactly thrilled when her sister assigns—not asks—her to be the maid of honor in her Christmas wedding。 Especially when she learns that the best man is the groom’s brother…also known as Madison’s former crush。 The boy who kissed her and then made it clear he would never see her as more than a silly schoolgirl。

Luke never planned to return to River Falls。 After over a decade away， he has to keep one thing in mind: Madison Monroe is dangerous。 Not because she’d ever harm anyone。 But because he enjoys spending time with her way too much。 And she made it clear after they kissed years ago that he would never be her type。

But between planning a party for their siblings， working together at a fundraiser， and taking an impromptu sledding run， neither can deny that their old crush has regained a foothold—and is on the verge of developing into much more。 Should they stamp it out again…or trust that God could use it to bring them a Christmas—and a lifetime—of joy？

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Reviews

Emma ，

Christmas of Joy by Valerie M。 BoddenA River Falls Christmas RomanceA former crush， a Christmas wedding， and a second chance at a first kiss…Madison has spent her entire life in her big sister’s shadow。 So she’s not exactly thrilled when her sister assigns—not asks—her to be the maid of honor in her Christmas wedding。 Especially when she learns that the best man is the groom’s brother…also known as Madison’s former crush。 The boy who kissed her and then made it clear he would never see her as mo Christmas of Joy by Valerie M。 BoddenA River Falls Christmas RomanceA former crush， a Christmas wedding， and a second chance at a first kiss…Madison has spent her entire life in her big sister’s shadow。 So she’s not exactly thrilled when her sister assigns—not asks—her to be the maid of honor in her Christmas wedding。 Especially when she learns that the best man is the groom’s brother…also known as Madison’s former crush。 The boy who kissed her and then made it clear he would never see her as more than a silly schoolgirl。A former crush， a Christmas wedding， and a second chance at a first kiss…Luke never planned to return to River Falls。 After over a decade away， he has to keep one thing in mind: Madison Monroe is dangerous。 Not because she’d ever harm anyone。 But because he enjoys spending time with her way too much。 And she made it clear after they kissed years ago that he would never be her type。But between planning a party for their siblings， working together at a fundraiser， and taking an impromptu sledding run， neither can deny that their old crush has regained a foothold—and is on the verge of developing into much more。 Should they stamp it out again…or trust that God could use it to bring them a Christmas—and a lifetime—of joy？This is Madison Monroe and Luke Foster's story。This is Mel and Brad’s story。“You’ll be my maid of honor， of course。” “I will？” Madison choked around her sip of water， nearly dropping the crystal goblet Mom insisted on using even for a simple family brunch。Melanie tsked。 “Well， you’re the only sister I have。”“I’m honored。” Madison rolled her eyes， but Mel waved off her comment as if it were nothing more substantial than the smoke from the candles in the middle of the table。“There，” Luke murmured with a final torque of the wrench。 “Let’s see what you think of that， Miss Sally。”He pulled his head out from the hood of the 1969 Mustang Boss and moved toward the driver’s seat。 This car had been in sad shape when he’d gotten it。 Sad enough that his partner Mitch had only laughed and shaken his head when he’d seen it。I recommend reading。Christmas of Joy by Valerie M。 Bodden is a 5 star book。I am looking forward to reading more books by Valerie M。 Bodden。I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book。 。。。more

Patty ，

Lovely second chance Christian RomanceMadison and Luke knew each other as children， but never explored a relationship。 With some miscommunication and some insecurity they find their way to each other。 I loved the characters and the path they finally forged to each other。 Part of a series， but stands on its own as well。 Loved it。

Brenda Moser ，

This is a well written second chance romance with strong characters in Luke and Madison。 It's a sweet， clean and slow burn romance with them being thrown together at their siblings wedding。 They crushed on each other when they were teens but ended up going their separate ways。 Now years later they find the spark is still there。 Will it flare up or burn out？ Beautiful story。I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book。 All opinions in this review are my own and freely given。 This is a well written second chance romance with strong characters in Luke and Madison。 It's a sweet， clean and slow burn romance with them being thrown together at their siblings wedding。 They crushed on each other when they were teens but ended up going their separate ways。 Now years later they find the spark is still there。 Will it flare up or burn out？ Beautiful story。I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book。 All opinions in this review are my own and freely given。 。。。more

Judith Barillas ，

CHRISTMAS OF JOYI was hooked by this story on the very first page — by Madison。 Initially I saw her as a bit of an underdog， though it turns out she wasn’t at all！ She was honest and authentic - my favorite kind of character。 I enjoyed watching her learn and grow into just being herself， even as she fell in love。 As always， Valerie’s characters are genuine and likable and her stories are very believable。

Sandy ，

Gentle story of two people that knew each other from childhood， how they diverged from parental expectations， and how they help each other thrive despite challenging familial relationships。 Miscommunication from their teen years and their assumptions of each other’s motives continues into the present and needs to be addressed。 Believable characters with hearts of gold populated this story; related to the disrespect Maddie’s parents continued to show towards her and kept watching to see if they c Gentle story of two people that knew each other from childhood， how they diverged from parental expectations， and how they help each other thrive despite challenging familial relationships。 Miscommunication from their teen years and their assumptions of each other’s motives continues into the present and needs to be addressed。 Believable characters with hearts of gold populated this story; related to the disrespect Maddie’s parents continued to show towards her and kept watching to see if they could accept her for who she is。 A joyful Christmas story that caught my interest early and kept it throughout。Received ARC and this is my honest review。 。。。more

Diana ，

Madison has always felt "less than" her sister。 Luke has always had the same kind of feelings about what he wanted to do with his life， and where his life had taken him。 When Madison's sister plans to marry Luke's brother， Madison and Luke are thrown together。 They have leftover feelings from when they were kids but they both fight them as they both take what the other says as negative comments on their life choices。 Can they get past their miscommunications to reach their happily ever after？ I Madison has always felt "less than" her sister。 Luke has always had the same kind of feelings about what he wanted to do with his life， and where his life had taken him。 When Madison's sister plans to marry Luke's brother， Madison and Luke are thrown together。 They have leftover feelings from when they were kids but they both fight them as they both take what the other says as negative comments on their life choices。 Can they get past their miscommunications to reach their happily ever after？ I received a copy of this book for my honest review。 This is a good read with realistic portrayals of how people think。 Highly recommended！ 。。。more

Rhondia Cannon ，

Vulnerability is difficult to navigate。 Luke and Madison are dealing with it in spades， along with unfulfilled expectations and unmet dreams。 Come join them as they join forces to find the Source of all strength in Christmas of Joy。 I always feel uplifted after reading this author’s books。

Becky Collins ，

Madison was just asked to be the maid of honor for her sister Mel and Brad’s wedding。 She was responsible for a huge fund raiser and was really put on the spot so quickly。 Luke was Madison crush from years ago but she thought he had brushed her off。 Luke is also Brad’s brother and he had just moved back to River Falls。 So Madison and Luke would be spending a lot of time together for the wedding。Madison always felt like she was the underdog to her parents so she kept a secret about her attending Madison was just asked to be the maid of honor for her sister Mel and Brad’s wedding。 She was responsible for a huge fund raiser and was really put on the spot so quickly。 Luke was Madison crush from years ago but she thought he had brushed her off。 Luke is also Brad’s brother and he had just moved back to River Falls。 So Madison and Luke would be spending a lot of time together for the wedding。Madison always felt like she was the underdog to her parents so she kept a secret about her attending Vet Tech schooling。 Even though her sister Mel and brother-in-law Brad were both Doctors she loved helping animals。 Luke had his own mechanic shop and there was some misunderstandings about him being a mechanic。Luke carried lots of baggage from his divorce but eventually Madison got him to go back to church and openly talk about everything！ The sermon about how Jesus came about was so well described！ Great story and you absolutely will feel warm and cozy after reading this book。I received this ARC for free from the author， and I am leaving this review voluntarily。 。。。more

Mary Knuckles ，

Christmas of Joy is a second chance love story of Luke and Madison。 Their family shared vacations and Christmases when they were young。 Then one summer she noticed Luke was a boy。 She carried a crush for him until he moved to Georgia to work in his uncle's mechanic shop so he could learn the trade。 Luke married Cindy while in Georgia。 The second Christmas that Cindy faked an emergency to have to go into work was when he found out she was cheating on him with her boss。 That is when he started hat Christmas of Joy is a second chance love story of Luke and Madison。 Their family shared vacations and Christmases when they were young。 Then one summer she noticed Luke was a boy。 She carried a crush for him until he moved to Georgia to work in his uncle's mechanic shop so he could learn the trade。 Luke married Cindy while in Georgia。 The second Christmas that Cindy faked an emergency to have to go into work was when he found out she was cheating on him with her boss。 That is when he started hating Christmas。 She served him divorce papers。 When his friend Mitch called asking him to come back home to River Falls， Tennessee to open a mechanic shop together he jumped at the idea。When his brother Brad tells him he is marrying Melanie in five weeks he gets to see Madison again after about a decade。 Luke was the best man and Madison the bridesmaid for this upcoming wedding。 When they have to work together to get their respective jobs done for the wedding they get to spend time together。 With it being Christmas time， Luke is not in the festive mood like others around him。 Madison decides it is her job to make Luke love Christmas again， and it wouldn't hurt if he started to love her too。I received an advanced copy of this book for my review。 I give this book 5🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟！ 。。。more

Ilona ，

A beautifully inspirational story that once I started reading I couldn’t put down until I had read the last page！

Bernadette Cinkoske ，

Christmas of Joy is a Christian， heartwarming， inspirational， second chance romance。 Ms。 Bodden's books are such a delightful way to spend a good part of a day。 I love this story of Madison and Luke。 as they overcome misconceptions and realize some perceptions are not accurate。 Honest， open communication is always better than assumptions。 These are great characters and I enjoyed watching them mature， trust God and reap their HEA！ Christmas of Joy is a Christian， heartwarming， inspirational， second chance romance。 Ms。 Bodden's books are such a delightful way to spend a good part of a day。 I love this story of Madison and Luke。 as they overcome misconceptions and realize some perceptions are not accurate。 Honest， open communication is always better than assumptions。 These are great characters and I enjoyed watching them mature， trust God and reap their HEA！ 。。。more

NJ ，

Madison and Luke had been childhood friends until the day that he kissed her！ Thinking that he had done it as a prank， Madison backed away and stayed away。 Years later they are pushed together as their siblings are engaged and they must work together as maid of honor and best man。 After an inauspicious beginning they finally realize they have never lost the magic that drew them together years ago and fall completely in love。

Adpa ，

The story of Madison and LukeChildhood friends with secret crushes on each other。 As an adult， Madison feels like the family failure as she has changed her mind several times re: a career。 Her older sister and her mother are super organized freely tell Madison what to do or not do。Luke owns and operates a mechanic shop and feels inferior due to what people think of his profession。It is an inspirational， relatable faith-building story。 Love this story！I have received a copy of this book from the The story of Madison and LukeChildhood friends with secret crushes on each other。 As an adult， Madison feels like the family failure as she has changed her mind several times re: a career。 Her older sister and her mother are super organized freely tell Madison what to do or not do。Luke owns and operates a mechanic shop and feels inferior due to what people think of his profession。It is an inspirational， relatable faith-building story。 Love this story！I have received a copy of this book from the author。 This review is my opinion。 。。。more

Karen ，

I thoroughly enjoyed this sweet romance， and loved the slow burn between the main characters， Luke and Madison。 There were times that each of them said the wrong thing， and it resulted in miscommunication and hurt feelings， but I was glad that they didn’t give up on one another。 I loved that they both wanted to grow in their faith， and were not afraid to share that with one another。 The ending had all the warm and fuzzy feelings， as well as a bit of inspiration， that I look for in a romance， and I thoroughly enjoyed this sweet romance， and loved the slow burn between the main characters， Luke and Madison。 There were times that each of them said the wrong thing， and it resulted in miscommunication and hurt feelings， but I was glad that they didn’t give up on one another。 I loved that they both wanted to grow in their faith， and were not afraid to share that with one another。 The ending had all the warm and fuzzy feelings， as well as a bit of inspiration， that I look for in a romance， and I continue to enjoy Ms。 Bodden’s talent and skill as a writer。 I received a copy of this book from the author， and have given my voluntary and honest opinion。 。。。more

Korkoi ，

Making Assumptions Never End Well - This was a delightfully clean romance filled with lots drama， misunderstandings and heartwarming moments。 The storyline was engaging and the characters interesting， which had me glued to the pages， right from the beginning。 This is an enjoyable second chance page turner， that you will be very happy to indulge yourself in。 Take a chance on this book and you will definitely not be disappointed。I received an advanced copy of this book and I am voluntarily leaving Making Assumptions Never End Well - This was a delightfully clean romance filled with lots drama， misunderstandings and heartwarming moments。 The storyline was engaging and the characters interesting， which had me glued to the pages， right from the beginning。 This is an enjoyable second chance page turner， that you will be very happy to indulge yourself in。 Take a chance on this book and you will definitely not be disappointed。I received an advanced copy of this book and I am voluntarily leaving a review。 。。。more

Stox4story ，

Self Doubt and Betrayal Keep Madison and Luke Second Guessing 。。。This book shows real people with real problems making real choices， be they good or bed。Both Madison and Luke are insecure and always on their guard， but for very different reasons。Open mouth， insert foot。 That seems to be all Madison knows how to do around Luke。 Ahhh， but Luke thinks she’s a snob and an uppity’ premadonna， while Madison actually feels out of her league。 Her mother and sister always are putting her down。 She never Self Doubt and Betrayal Keep Madison and Luke Second Guessing 。。。This book shows real people with real problems making real choices， be they good or bed。Both Madison and Luke are insecure and always on their guard， but for very different reasons。Open mouth， insert foot。 That seems to be all Madison knows how to do around Luke。 Ahhh， but Luke thinks she’s a snob and an uppity’ premadonna， while Madison actually feels out of her league。 Her mother and sister always are putting her down。 She never can live up to what they think she should be。 And Madison doesn’t know how to say NO to them。 She’s tired of being the family joke but what will she do about it ？As for Luke， he has his own set of issues。 Yes， he’s attracted to Madison but a past betrayal has made him leery of women， especially Madison。 He’s convinced she thinks since he’s a mechanic that he’s beneath her。 His ex did a real number on him。Truth be known， they both are attracted to each other but do their best to live in denial， taking one step forward and two backwards。🤔 OBSERVATIONS✒︎ Love how Luke steps up setting the record straight with Madison’s family。 I just wish they had been made to see how harmful they were to Madison and how they had a LOT to do with her inferior complex。✒︎ Mel， the sister， needs to be put in her place…。 Poor little rich girl …just like her mama… control freak， wants everyone to kiss her feet。✒︎ Madison needs to learn how to say NO to mama and ‘sissy’ … and she needs to be as free with her condemning mouth with her mother and her sister as she is with Luke。I received an advance copy of this book and freely leave my personal thoughts and opinions。 。。。more

Evelyn Foreman ，

This book is a heart capturer， soul stealer， spirit inspired story as the author pens each scenario， keeping the reader hoping for yet wondering the outcome。 Madison had been in love with Luke pretty much as long as she could remember， but after that stolen kiss at Christmas as teens， each went their separate ways。 When their paths crossed years later， the spark was still there but life’s experiences had taught them to not fan the flame。 But did God have a different plan？ And could they let go o This book is a heart capturer， soul stealer， spirit inspired story as the author pens each scenario， keeping the reader hoping for yet wondering the outcome。 Madison had been in love with Luke pretty much as long as she could remember， but after that stolen kiss at Christmas as teens， each went their separate ways。 When their paths crossed years later， the spark was still there but life’s experiences had taught them to not fan the flame。 But did God have a different plan？ And could they let go of the past to move forward？ Excellent， inspiring read！ 。。。more

Bonny Rambarran ，

Christmas is her favourite holiday - and he hates itShe had such a crush on him as a teenager！！ And she still does！ But no way is she telling him that！！！ Her job is with a vet — and he thinks she likes him — after all his first wife cheated on him with her boss！ Such a twist of emotions — can they ever let God work through them all 。 。 。 。 ABSOLUTELY LOVED THIS BOOK。 Valerie M。 Bodden writes amazing books！！！ I received a copy of this book from the publisher。 All thoughts and comments are my own。 Christmas is her favourite holiday - and he hates itShe had such a crush on him as a teenager！！ And she still does！ But no way is she telling him that！！！ Her job is with a vet — and he thinks she likes him — after all his first wife cheated on him with her boss！ Such a twist of emotions — can they ever let God work through them all 。 。 。 。 ABSOLUTELY LOVED THIS BOOK。 Valerie M。 Bodden writes amazing books！！！ I received a copy of this book from the publisher。 All thoughts and comments are my own。 。。。more

Teresa ，

This was so good！ I absolutely LOVED it！ Great characters and sorry line！ I loved how they thought they were keeping their relationship a secret but yet everyone knew。 I also liked how Madison found that the way she perceived her sister might have been just that， HER perception。 Great story。 I received an advanced copy of this book and am voluntarily sharing my opinion。

J。 Gilmour ，

I received an advance reader copy of Christmas of Joy from the author。I enjoyed Madison and Luke's story。 Madison and Luke used to be childhood friends。 As they got older， they went their separate ways。Madison wants more purpose in her life， and she takes classes to become a vet tech。 After a divorce， Luke returns to River Falls， Tennessee， to work with his friend at a car mechanic shop。Madison and Luke meet up again and are asked to be in a wedding， and they rekindle their relationship。 They ev I received an advance reader copy of Christmas of Joy from the author。I enjoyed Madison and Luke's story。 Madison and Luke used to be childhood friends。 As they got older， they went their separate ways。Madison wants more purpose in her life， and she takes classes to become a vet tech。 After a divorce， Luke returns to River Falls， Tennessee， to work with his friend at a car mechanic shop。Madison and Luke meet up again and are asked to be in a wedding， and they rekindle their relationship。 They eventually find their Christmas joy。 。。。more

Barbara ，

This is such a feel-good， heartwarming story of second chances， new beginnings， finding one’s own way， and more。 Madison has always had low self esteem and believes her family feels she’ll never amount to anything。 When she’s tasked with being a bride’s maid for her sister， she’s not at all thrilled with the prospect or with having to deal with the best man， Luke， brother to the groom-to-be， and her former crush。 Luke isn’t thrilled to be working closely with Madison。 She’s dangerous。 To his hea This is such a feel-good， heartwarming story of second chances， new beginnings， finding one’s own way， and more。 Madison has always had low self esteem and believes her family feels she’ll never amount to anything。 When she’s tasked with being a bride’s maid for her sister， she’s not at all thrilled with the prospect or with having to deal with the best man， Luke， brother to the groom-to-be， and her former crush。 Luke isn’t thrilled to be working closely with Madison。 She’s dangerous。 To his heart。 The more time they spend together， the more their feelings for each other grow。 Can Luke get over his trust issues and open his heart to Madison？ Can Madison follow her heart， or will she quit like she usually does？ Will her family ever be proud of anything she accomplishes？I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book。 All thoughts and opinions are my own。 。。。more

Ellen ，

captivating story， great characters。

Carol Brandon ，

A delightful Christian romance。 The back and forth angst didn’t carry on; the protagonists dealt with their issues forthrightly。 A good model for relationships！ I loved that the gospel was included， and there was an emphasis on God’s role in bringing Luke and Madison together。 I received a free copy of this book， with no obligation。

Kris Vanica ，

Christmas of Joy by Valerie Bodden is the latest book  in the River Falls Series。 Every one of Author Bodden's books are inspirational， relatable and leave this reader joyful and fulfilled。 Madison is trying to find her own way。 Luke doesn't trust anyone。 Can the two find what they're looking for？ Acceptance？ Confidence？ Approval？ Or will this be another disappointing year？ What God's help and love all things are possible。 I enjoyed another wonderful， spirit filled story。 Christmas of Joy by Valerie Bodden is the latest book  in the River Falls Series。 Every one of Author Bodden's books are inspirational， relatable and leave this reader joyful and fulfilled。 Madison is trying to find her own way。 Luke doesn't trust anyone。 Can the two find what they're looking for？ Acceptance？ Confidence？ Approval？ Or will this be another disappointing year？ What God's help and love all things are possible。 I enjoyed another wonderful， spirit filled story。 。。。more

Sandra Hartzel ，

I had an ARC for this book， but this is my voluntary and honest opinion。 Madison Monroe is studying to be a Vet Tech and working for the local Vet。 A childhood crush， Luke Foster had recently moved back into town and with his friend owned a vehicle repair shop。 This book is about trusting the other person， and not assuming things about them that may not be true， as well as communication。 I highly recommend reading it。

Kelly ，

Madison and Luke both learned a lot in this story。 True joy comes from Jesus。 He shows us who we are in Him， and that is much more important than what anyone else says about us。 It is when we realize how special we are to the One who made us that we can get rid of insecurities。 Very well done！

Margaret Nelson ，

I enjoyed this latest addition to the River Falls series。 Even though Christmas is just past， I think you’ll enjoy it no matter when you read it。 The characters are great， and the two main ones do some growing and maturing and learning things they need to know to improve their relationship with each other and with God。I received a complimentary copy from the publisher and was not required to write a positive review。 All opinions expressed are my own。

Brenda ，

Good clean read。 Recommend reading。 Good characters and story line。I received an advance ebook and I am voluntarily leaving my review。

Trudy Cordle ，

Loved Madison and Luke's story！！ Madison's had a crush on Luke for years; she really was in love with him， but refuses to call it that， even though she still remembers their first （and only） kiss。 Luke loved Madison， but after he kissed her， he got the feeling that it meant nothing to her， and that he wasn't good enough for her。 Luke left their hometown and married someone else。 Now he's back， and he and Madison have to work together to plan their siblings' party， since his brother is marrying h Loved Madison and Luke's story！！ Madison's had a crush on Luke for years; she really was in love with him， but refuses to call it that， even though she still remembers their first （and only） kiss。 Luke loved Madison， but after he kissed her， he got the feeling that it meant nothing to her， and that he wasn't good enough for her。 Luke left their hometown and married someone else。 Now he's back， and he and Madison have to work together to plan their siblings' party， since his brother is marrying her sister， and Madison is the Maid of Honor while Luke is the best man。 The more time they spend together， the more they feel those old feelings， and the more they fall for each other all over again。 Can they both get past their own insecurities to see that God has brought them together again？？ I love the way they both figure out that they were projecting their own insecurities on the other person， and that God was bringing them together again。I received a complimentary copy of this book， was not required to leave a review， and the opinion expressed is my own。 。。。more

Lisa ，

Do you ever feel like you come home when you read a book？ That is how I feel when I read one of Valerie's books。 Valerie always grabs me from the beginning。 I love being an advanced reader for her。 I always look forward to a sweet story filled with love， adventure and great characters。 This is another must read for your bookshelf if you love good clean Christian fiction。 Do you ever feel like you come home when you read a book？ That is how I feel when I read one of Valerie's books。 Valerie always grabs me from the beginning。 I love being an advanced reader for her。 I always look forward to a sweet story filled with love， adventure and great characters。 This is another must read for your bookshelf if you love good clean Christian fiction。 。。。more

Reference

google book https://www.google.com/search?tbm=bks&q=Christmas of Joy

hathitrust digital library https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/ls?q1=Christmas of Joy&field1=ocr&a=srchls&ft=ft&lmt=ft

The British Library https://bll01.primo.exlibrisgroup.com/discovery/search?query=any,contains,Christmas of Joy&tab=LibraryCatalog&search_scope=Not_BL_Suppress&vid=44BL_INST:BLL01&lang=en&offset=0