COMFORT & JOY

Author: Kristin Hannah ISBN: 0345483677 11/2005 CONTEMP/FAIRY TALE Publisher: BALLANTINE

Newly divorced, Joy Candellaro is presented with a serendipitous opportunity to leave her past behind. Arriving in the small town of Rain Valley, Joy glimpses the possibility of a new life in the faces of widower Daniel 0'Shea and his son, Bobby. But dramatic events force Joy to make a painful choice. In a world of impossible dreams and unexpected chances, can she summon enough faith to hold on to her newfound happiness? A modern-day fairy tale, Comfort & Joy tells the story of a woman caught between two lives, and finding a joyous resolution one momentous, emotional Christmas Eve.

RRAH's THOUGHTS AND PONDERINGS:

COMFORT & JOY is one of the most surprising books I've read in a long while. The back cover copy gives the reader no real idea what they are getting into with this unusual novella, but it is well worth the journey.

Kristin Hannah was my favorite romance novelist back when she wrote pure romance, and this story captures the special magic that was such a joy to read in her romance novels. Joy Candellaro, a thirty-something high school librarian in Bakersfield, California, is facing her first Christmas season alone. She has gone through a very tough year that started during the holidays the previous year, but it is obvious that she's never quite fit in. Her marriage fell apart, she doesn't seem to have many friends, her most important relationship is with a sister who did something truly awful to her, and she has file cabinets full of vacation and business ideas that she has never pursued. One day, just as the end of year school holidays commence, Joy's sister shows up at her house unexpectedly and Joy snaps. She can't stand her current life anymore, so she heads for the airport. To say anything more would spoil the surprises that you have in store.

This novella has some great secondary characters, and raises very interesting questions. You will find yourself wondering how you would react under similar circumstances. Hannah's fertile mind has struck gold again. Enjoy!

Heather Hiestand