Review: The Christmas Cat

The Christmas Cat
By Melody Carlson
Revell, 2014


Summary

"He felt his face flushing as Cara opened the door. Wearing a garnet-colored knit dress and with her dark hair pinned up, she looked even prettier than he remembered. Suddenly he wished he'd thought to bring a hostess gift. Like a cat."

After years abroad, Garrison Brown finds himself at the home of his beloved grandmother who has just passed away. He must sort out her belongings, including six cats who need new homes. While he hopes to dispense with the task quickly--especially since he is severely allergic to cats--his grandmother's instructions don't allow for speed. She has left some challenging requirements for the future homes of her furry friends.

Can he match the cats with the perfect new owners? And is it possible that he might meet his own match along the way?


My thoughts

Sometimes I think that the Christmas season would be incomplete without a sweet novella by Melody Carlson - and she does this so well!

"Garrison Brown had been known to cross the street in order to avoid contact with a common house cat."

These opening words hint at quirky characters, humor, and a path that definitely won't run smoothly. The Christmas Cat is a light, charming, feel-good type of story and I thoroughly enjoyed it.

Garrison, having served for nine years with a humanitarian organization in Uganda, is at a crossroads in his life when the responsibility of finding homes for his deceased grandmother's six cats is thrust upon him. I grew to like Garrison because of his commitment to carrying out her wishes and enjoyed the way one special Maine Coon kitty named Harry slowly broke down his defenses. It was delightful to see the way each cat's distinctive personality was brought out.

Some romance is present, but it isn't the story's strong suit. The neighbors that Garrison meets are endearing - especially Ruby, his grandmother's neighbor and best friend, and Vincent. I loved seeing how cats could affect so many "needy" people in a positive way - people who needed the affection and companionship of a feline in their lives. There's not much spiritual depth, but one theme that stood out to me was that rather than giving up on your dreams, give God time to work.

I'm a cat lover, so I obviously loved this story - but I believe it is one that any pet lover would enjoy. Recommended.

Melody Carlson

Melody Carlson is the award-winning author of over two hundred books with sales of more than five million. She is the author of several Christmas books from Revell, including the bestselling The Christmas Bus, The Christmas Dog, and Christmas at Harrington's, which is being considered for a TV movie. She is also the author of many teen books, including Just Another Girl, Anything but Normal, Double Take, the Life at Kingston High series, and the Diary of a Teenage Girl series. She is the winner of a Romantic Times Career Achievement Award in the inspirational market for her many books, including the Diary of a Teenage Girl series and Finding Alice. Melody and her husband live in Oregon.

Meet Melody online at melodycarlson.com and Facebook.

Thank you to Revell for providing a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.