Jensen, “Miracle Creek Christmas” (Reviewed by Michelle Magnusson)

Amazon.com: Miracle Creek Christmas (Proper Romance Contemporary)  (9781629727875): Krista Jensen: BooksReview

Title: Miracle Creek Christmas
Author: Krista Jensen
Publisher: Shadow Mountain
Genre: Romance, Contemporary
Year Published: 2020
Number of Pages: 364
Binding: Paperback
ISBN13: 978-1-62972-787-5
Price: $15.99

Reviewed by Michelle Magnusson for the Association for Mormon Letter

With a newborn and an insomniac six-year-old during a pandemic, there’s not a lot of romance at our house right now. Miracle Creek Christmas was a fun, contemporary romance read just as the fall leaves started to turn, ushering in the hope of a holiday season closer to normal.

Hope is a major theme in Miracle Creek. Mark is a former firefighter who experienced extensive burns while rescuing children during a massive fire that took the life of his friend. He’s still healing, physically and emotionally. His family has deep roots in Miracle Creek which ground him. At the same time, being a scarred hero in a small town is a little suffocating as he determines his new normal.

Riley’s nomadic childhood and emotionally distant parents left her feeling unmoored and unfulfilled. A talented artist unsure how to move forward after a Hollywood public romance ends embarrassingly, she takes a position as Miracle Creek’s new art teacher. Drawn to the area after reading about a particular artist in a magazine, she adapts to the rhythms of rural life and attracts some attention from the town’s single male residents.

The two set up a deal: he will help remodel her historic home, and she will help him with a Christmas art project with special meaning for the town. As their friendship deepens, Mark is reluctant to allow his wounds to show and Riley isn’t sure she’s ready to make a commitment to Mark or Miracle Creek.

The story weaves together engaging dialogue, experiences that hurt and heal, and a tapestry of supporting characters that lend humor and depth. I appreciated that the storyline had the realistic ebbs and flows that naturally occur as two people work through their pasts to form a future, rather than just contrived plot twists sometimes used to generate drama. General Christian themes bring a gentle light to the story.

Krista Jensen makes the setting come alive with her clear affection for the Pacific Northwest. Unfortunately, even Leavenworth, Washington—the Baravian-style Christmas village visited in the story—had to cancel the annual Christmas Lighting Festival due to COVID-19. Miracle is as close as you’ll get this year.

For those curious about the level of romance portrayed, the novel includes a few passionate kisses and very mild innuendo. Even the most conservative of book clubs will be able to enjoy the themes of healing and hope presented in the warm glow of Miracle Creek Christmas.