One Imperfect Christmas »

Graphic designer Natalie Pearce faces the most difficult Christmas of her life. For almost a year, her mother has lain in a nursing home, the victim of a massive stroke, and Natalie blames herself for not being there when it happened. Worse, she’s allowed the monstrous load of guilt to drive a wedge between her and everyone she loves—most of all her husband Daniel. Her marriage is on the verge of dissolving, her prayer life is suffering, and she’s one Christmas away from hitting rock bottom.

Junior-high basketball coach Daniel Pearce is at his wit’s end. Nothing he’s done has been able to break through the wall Natalie has erected between them. And their daughter Lissa’s adolescent rebellion isn’t helping matters. As Daniel’s hope reaches its lowest ebb, he wonders if this Christmas will spell the end of his marriage and the loss of everything he holds dear.

Library Journal

Natalie Pearce has always loved Christmas, but when her mother suffers a stroke while putting away the holiday decorations, Natalie's spirit is affected in more ways than one. She has a meltdown that jeopardizes her marriage; the only way to put her life back together is to make peace with her guilt about not being there to help her mother and to regain her faith that God will see her through the chaos. VERDICT Some stilted prose and a predictable plot in this debut novel are balanced by a heartwarming story that is appropriate for the Christmas season.