Catching Christmas

I was looking forward to a feel-good Christmas romance, even welcoming some sap and cheesiness. What I got was a sad story with an emotionless romance and flat characters.

The book goes back and forth between Finn's and Sydney's 1st-person points of view, which I still don't really get, but realize might just be Terri Blackstock's style (the other book of hers that I read was like this too). Fortunately, most of the time it was from Finn's POV, because at least him I could stand. His characterization was weak, as the type of person I thought he was supposed to be didn't jive with how he talked and acted in the 2nd half of the book. But Sydney barely had any characterization. She was a weak female stereotype, despite stating once near the show more end that she wasn't the weak type. But she let everyone walk all over her, and everything happened to her. She didn't do much of anything herself.

Callie would have been my favorite character, as a cheerful, friendly woman who believed so strongly in God and Heaven that her only regret about dying some day was that her granddaughter would be alone. Except that she tended to say really mean things about other people, things that were laughed off because she's just an old lady with no filter (fat shaming, for example). On a positive note, I would love to pass on the kind of legacy that Callie strives to, pointing others to the God that I serve even in casual interactions.

I don't read pure romance novels all that often because, though I love a good romance, I prefer subtle, slow builds, and of course in a romance novel, the genre itself tells you that the male and female MCs are going to end up together. I'm okay with that to a point, but that makes it too easy for the author to get lazy. So yes, it's clear that Finn and Sydney are destined to end up together, but at least make it make sense! They barely had any interaction in the first half of the book, and the romance that developed between them made no sense and was flatly written.

Between the cute cover, the promise of a "feel-good Christmas book" and the other Blackstock book I read being pretty good (Smoke Screen), I was excited about this one. Unfortunately, I feel like I wasted some of my limited Christmas reading time on this book. Thankfully, it was short. I wouldn't really recommend this book to others, but if you don't have a problem with the issues I mentioned above and are looking for a Christian romance, you may want to give it a try. show less

Though sad in part, this poignant Christmas tale will leave you with a warm holiday feeling. Miss Cassie is an elderly and extraordinary person. Lately, her health is failing as her body and mind are just wearing out. Her granddaughter Sydney has recently reconnected with her, and is trying her best to take care of her while launching her own career as a new lawyer. This is not working so well. Enter caring cab driver Finn Parish, who becomes Miss Cassie’s driver and lifeline to the world. Take these three characters, mix well, and wait for the reaction. Author Terri Blackstock has written a wonderful tale of love, devotion, caring, witness, and romance and centered it around Christmas. And while it is sad in a way, it is so much more show more uplifting and inspirational in others. Everyone should have a Miss Cassie in his or her life. show less

I’ve read most, if not all of Terri Blackstock’s Christian fiction, but I’ve never read Terri Blackstock like this. Catching Christmas is short, sweet, seasonal, and just plain hilarious. I think I laughed out loud every other page, at least.
Callie is an elderly wheel-chair- bound lady whom Finn, a down-on-his-luck cab driver, is called to drive to the dr. The story takes off from there and is so very captivating I almost finished it in one sitting.
I loved reluctant but good-hearted Finn, inhibition-less Carrie and conflicted Sydney.
What a feel-good Christmas book!
Blackstock details a very merry return to faith, roots, and sensibility, with romance mixed in for good measure.
Highly recommended for this season of joy.
I received a show more complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley and CelebrateLit. I was not required to leave a review and all opinions are solely my own. show less

My book club always picks a Christmas-y book for our December discussion. And since Terri Blackstock is one of our go-to authors, we knew we had to read Catching Christmas. And while this novella is not her typical romantic suspense, Blackstock fans will not be disappointed by the sweet story of second chances. Recommended!

Sydney is an overworked first year attorney facing an impossible case. Finn is a former chef turned cab driver who lives with lots of regrets. The two are brought together by Sydney’s adorable grandmother, Callie Beecher. Callie may be ill and not always in the present, but she does know a lot about love and faith. As Sydney and Finn wrestle over Callie’s care, they learn just what is important in life.

I really show more liked Catching Christmas. Filled with laugh out loud scenes and poignant moments, this story is true to life — there are plenty of people in this world struggling to make sense of missed opportunities, life-changing mistakes, and the need to connect with others. Callie is the best of characters. She epitomizes the impact a person of faith can have on those around her. The action takes place in the days leading up to Christmas, and the reader can feel Callie’s urgency to beat the deadline for bringing happiness into her granddaughter’s life. Finn and Sydney are very relatable in their disconnected lives. Catching Christmas is a great reminder of what is really important. A fast-paced read, you’ll finish this book in no time, but be prepared for a bit of sorrow in leaving this wonderful story.

Recommended.

Audience: adults.

(Thanks to Celebrate Lit for a complimentary copy. All opinions expressed are mine alone.) show less

Although the title of Terri Blackstock's latest book is Catching Christmas, do not wait for the holiday to read this wonderful, well written story. I loved Catching Christmas so much, once I picked it up, I could not put it down. I just want to know one thing, where can I get a Finn Parrish? He has to be my favorite book boyfriend this year. He wants to come off like a tough guy, but he is a big softy. I found myself wiping tears away so many times, either laughing till I cried or being moved to tears. I loved Terri's dry humor. Every time Finn was referring to eighty year old “Miss Callie” she got a little older and older. The first time he picked her up in his taxi, she didn't come outside to his horn blowing, so he went to the show more front door. “An old woman sits in a wheelchair, her head tilted forward. Either she's sleeping or she's dead. Great.” “she has to be in her nineties.” Next time “this two-hundred-year-old woman” then “I hate to say no to a woman who's three hundred years old”.

Miss Callie is such a sweet and fun character. At her age, she has no filter, so you never know just what she will say. While waiting in line at the doctors office, she see's a nurse who is quite overweight. Miss Callie asks the young lady standing in line in front of her if her thighs look that big. Not in a quiet voice. This could be a very sad story, but Callie's faith and walk with Jesus is so strong. This author has a way of bringing hope out of the darkness. Her spiritual thread throughout the novel is very inspiring.

Terri has such a way of painting a beautiful word picture. One of my favorite lines Finns says about Sydney, Miss Callie's granddaughter, “She kisses me. It's as if the clouds break on a hurricane day, as if the sun comes out to dry up the floods. It's as if there are four rainbows encircling me, as if it's early Christmas Day.”

I received a copy of this book from Thomas Nelson Publishers through NetGalleys. The opinions expressed in this book are my own. show less

When I first learned Terri Blackstock was releasing a Christmas story (one that’s not a romantic suspense which she’s so well-known for), I was intrigued. And oh boy, are you in for a treat!
Blackstock takes readers through a gamut of emotions—from humor and laughter at Finn’s sarcastic reluctance with his newest customer to lumps in the throat when Sydney speaks to her grandmother’s doctor.

In Catching Christmas, Blackstock managed both a light-hearted story and one with depth. Finn’s reluctant acceptance of Miss Callie soon turns to concern for the older woman, mirroring his journey of apathy toward the older woman’s Jesus to reaching out to Him for help and, eventually, healing of the heart.

This is one Christmas story you show more don’t want to miss!

If this is what Blackstock produces in the contemporary romance genre, I want more! Although, she does need to keep writing those romantic suspense books we all know and love.

Disclosure statement:
I receive complimentary books from publishers, publicists, and/or authors, including NetGalley. I am not required to write positive reviews. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255. show less

Oh, my! How can I do this story justice?

I did not know what I wanted to do with Finn Parish, a cab driver fighting the Uber takeover. The beginning did not disclose this seemingly anti-hero’s character. I wanted to shake him, read him the riot act and scream at him, “Have a little compassion, man!!!”

I sympathized and was also frustrated with Sydney Batson. Seriously, how many women, even single women, juggle with trying to do too much while riddled with guilt? Nonetheless, there are responsibilities that can’t and shouldn’t be dropped!

Then, my goodness, there was the unflappable, thoroughly loveable and genial Miss Callie! How I loved this beautiful woman, grandmother to Sydney. Her wisdom and Godliness resonated throughout show more the entire story.

Catching Christmas is not your typical Terri Blackstock novel. I truly wasn’t sure what to expect as Blackstock’s books are usually in the faith-filled suspense, thriller genre. However, Catching Christmas focuses on the days before, and leading up to Christmas from three very unique perspectives.

I treasure Catching Christmas, a book I will read and relish for years to come and not only during the Christmas season.

I received a copy of the book from Celebrate Lit. However, I was under no obligation to post a review. show less