From the author of the beloved classic, The Christmas Box, comes another inspiring story of the power of love and the wonder of Christ... read full description
reviews
Dec 07, 2007
Kathryn
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(WARNING! THERE IS SOME INFORMATION GIVING WAY WHAT HAPPENS IN THIS BOOK!!!)
Richard Paul Evans came from a loving family. He writes many of the books for them. Evans emphasizes that this book is about how people come into your life for a reason. He wrote Finding Noel in honor of his mother who died in Febuary 2006.
In the mist of the snowy night, Mark Smart feels like his life should come to an end. Just days before, his mother had died and he missed her funeral. His More...
Richard Paul Evans came from a loving family. He writes many of the books for them. Evans emphasizes that this book is about how people come into your life for a reason. He wrote Finding Noel in honor of his mother who died in Febuary 2006.
In the mist of the snowy night, Mark Smart feels like his life should come to an end. Just days before, his mother had died and he missed her funeral. His More...
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Dec 28, 2011
Lindsay (Everyday Is An Adventure)
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Like I mentioned before, I really loved this novel. I picked it up on a whim at the public library as a quick Christmas read and I am so glad that this book fell into my hands.
This story is touching...and encompasses the idea that love and family come in all shapes and forms, and sometimes we need to look beyond our own losses and hardships to find true happiness and love. The main character, Mark, really is a unique perspective to write a novel from - a man who is down and meets the More...
This story is touching...and encompasses the idea that love and family come in all shapes and forms, and sometimes we need to look beyond our own losses and hardships to find true happiness and love. The main character, Mark, really is a unique perspective to write a novel from - a man who is down and meets the More...
Jan 17, 2010
Sarah
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This book was a quick read - a really quick read - which I admit often makes me feel rather shallow. Am I no longer capable of reading longer than a few hours? A few days? Has my attention span become that poor? My free time so small? Although the storyline was slightly cliche and predictable, I enjoyed it. What did I gain? Some quotes... and here they are, for safekeeping:
"When you've finally met the one person you want to spend the rest of your life with, you want the re More...
"When you've finally met the one person you want to spend the rest of your life with, you want the re More...
Jul 06, 2009
Kim
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This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers.
To view it, click here
Jun 28, 2010
Debbie
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I am a sucker for just about any book by Richard Paul Evans, and as my kids will tell you, also for Christmas. The fact that this one is about someone named Noel (although you don't find that out for awhile) just helped draw me to it. Most of Evans books are quick reads and this one was no exception.
Mark Smart has been dealt with one life's blow after another...he loses his scholarship and has to drop out of school, his girlfriend dumps him, his mother dies in an auto accident, and More...
Mark Smart has been dealt with one life's blow after another...he loses his scholarship and has to drop out of school, his girlfriend dumps him, his mother dies in an auto accident, and More...
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Apr 03, 2007
christina
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this book is my favorite. it gives insight to how orphans are given up daily and the tribulations they go through. it is sad to know our society has a lot of state aid that just doesnt cut the screening of foster parents. it was a good read near the holidays and it reaffirms how lucky we should all be for what we have.
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Jan 14, 2012
Karen
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I have never read a Richard Paul Evans book that let me down, and "Finding Noel" is just another example of this author's superb story-telling. I would highly recommend not listening to the final disk of this audio book on the way into work when you need to be upbeat and in an early meeting without tears running down your face. I learned the hard way, so I thought I would share this nugget of wisdom with you. Mr. Evans has a way of making his characters feel like family. I wanted t
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Dec 17, 2010
Jaime
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I picked this up at the library thinking it would be fun to read a couple Christmas stories this week before Christmas. I was pleasantly surprised. This was not a sappy romance or a silly Christmas magic type book. Discovering the hurts and fears of each character was not only intriguing, but it moved me. I found myself really wanting a good ending for each of them, but not assuming there would be one. Even as tears rolled down my face, I felt satisfied and fulfilled at the end, but more
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Apr 10, 2009
Louise
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Evans always manages to elicit a 'peaceful sigh' from me each time I finish one of his novels. 'Finding Noel' is a beautiful story.
From back cover:
"The Christmas Season is supposed to be full of joy, but not for Mark Smart. Life had dealt him one body blow after another: he lost his scholarship and had to drop out of school; his beloved mother had died in a car crash; his girlfriend dumped him; and now, late on a snowy night in November, his car had broken down. Stum More...
From back cover:
"The Christmas Season is supposed to be full of joy, but not for Mark Smart. Life had dealt him one body blow after another: he lost his scholarship and had to drop out of school; his beloved mother had died in a car crash; his girlfriend dumped him; and now, late on a snowy night in November, his car had broken down. Stum More...
Dec 23, 2008
Katie
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Another amazing story. The major message I got was that God brings certain people into our lives for a reason, often when we most need a friend. And in true friendship both parties are richly blessed. I was also reminded that important things in life like love are worth taking risks and fighting for and working at and waiting for. I especially liked this quote from a mother to a daughter related to heaven but also to life on earth:
"I know that your heart is breaking right now, b More...
"I know that your heart is breaking right now, b More...
Feb 19, 2008
Beth
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Technically this isn't LDS fiction, but it follows the same basic rules: somewhat decent storytelling (admittedly tending toward dramatic plotlines … or is it just that my life is boring?) but squeaky-clean and fun to read. And basically impossible to put down.
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Nov 02, 2011
Mommywest
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Mark's life is a disaster, and after he misses his beloved mother's funeral, he wonders if he should just give up and end it all. Then he meets Macy, a young lady who's had a difficult life herself. As Mark and Macy get to know each other, they also find themselves on a journey to healing and forgiveness. As she searches for the sister she was separated from so long ago, Mark must find a way to connect with the only parent he has left.
I actually read this book before "The Chris More...
I actually read this book before "The Chris More...
Dec 14, 2011
Jinky
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Fresh from finishing Mr. Evans' current book Lost December, I found that book to be better than this one. But unlike Lost December, the signature intro letter and dedication in Finding Noel left me shedding a tear before reaching chapter one! Mr. Evans dedicated this book to his late mother. Use mother in a sentiment and I'm bawling! As in turns out though, I found this read to be a bit disjointed. Still, a wonderful story of "how people come into our lives for a reason".
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Dec 11, 2008
Adele
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Finding Noel is a wonderful book for those who think that mirecals dont happen all the time. this book shows that they dp. Macy is looking for her little sister that she cant even remmber well. Mark was going to kill himself after his mothers death but meeting Macy changed everything for him. He found life and meaning with her and is helping Macy find her lost sister. THey were seperated when they were younger and have nevr seen each other since. But macy wants to find Noel and tell her how much
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Dec 10, 2009
Natalie
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This is the second book by Richard Paul Evens I've read for our book club. Like "The Sunflower" I've found a book I would probably not have read on my own (I'm not sure why, but I never think to pick up one of his books, maybe I'll learn after two successes like this, who knows). This was a sweet and touching book. It had a lot of true things to say about relationships, especially parent child relationships. It was a very quick read (I finished it in an afternoon), and it made me cry s
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Dec 04, 2007
Brynne
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I was so excited to read a yummy christmas story...and while I finished it...its was AWFUL! Poorly written, lacking any real sense of imagination, shallow, yuck! Dont bother!!
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Dec 24, 2011
Anna
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2.5 stars....not really what I expected, not that most books are, but this book was strangely disappointing. Every Christmas, I try to read a nice Christmas read and although this book had a lot of great life lessons to be expressed, I felt strangely disappointed after I finished.
"And in the end all any of us are looking for is home."
That was a great way to end the novel, with the statement above. The novel is about Mark and Macy. Both have gone through some hard More...
"And in the end all any of us are looking for is home."
That was a great way to end the novel, with the statement above. The novel is about Mark and Macy. Both have gone through some hard More...
Nov 28, 2007
Anne
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This book is a nice story with a few hard times and even tragedy. What I liked about it was that those things were overcome, and life went on.
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Dec 21, 2011
Shara (Calico Reaction)
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It's a good book. If you're a fan of Evans, you'll want to pick it up. If you want to read a romance written by a man, I'm not sure this is the first Evans book to go to, but off the top of my head, I'm not sure which is the best one either. Perhaps The Sunflower or The Last Promise. If you're in the mood for a really heart-warming Christmas tale, I wouldn't start with this book either, but rather the classic, The Christmas Box. Trust me, it'll work its magic on you too.[return][return]For a ful
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Dec 16, 2009
Sarah
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Another great story from Evans. I have never been disappointed by his books. Cute story about finding out the truth about your parents.
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Jan 08, 2009
Maren
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This is embarrassing to have liked a Richard Paul Evans book, especially after telling my sis a month ago how much I disliked the Christmas Box and never intended to read any of his novels again. And here I'm giving it 5 stars! I loved the symbolism throughout the book, the development of the characters lives and how it carried you along, and the epilogue. "This season I learned perspective, for Joseph the carpenter and Stuart the auto mechanic both raised someone else's son." (thi
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Mar 31, 2009
Heather
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I loved this book. I could not put it down, I started it last night and finished it this evening. It has a bittersweet feel to it as you read through the stories of the characters and find the deeper meaning behind their actions. As with all his other novels, Richard Paul Evans draws me into the story quickly and I find myself reading the book until it is finished. I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a sweet love story. While it has a Christmas feel to it referencing the holiday a li
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Jan 18, 2010
Wayne
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I enjoyed this read quite a bit. I was surprised how much I liked the book. It made me happy and sad just like a good Christmas Read should produce. All in all I felt emotionally manipulated but it was done in a nice way.
I enjoyed the setting in Utah, since I have spent many years there in the past. I was able to recognize many of the geographic references and that was fun. I thought the plot complications were great but the complications were too easily overcome and I thought the au More...
I enjoyed the setting in Utah, since I have spent many years there in the past. I was able to recognize many of the geographic references and that was fun. I thought the plot complications were great but the complications were too easily overcome and I thought the au More...
Jul 18, 2010
Carole
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Richard Paul Evans always has a good story to tell and once again, I was not disappointed. In ways, the romantic involvement between his two main characters Mark Smart and Macy Wood is quite similar to the lovers in Nicholas Sparks' latest novel "Dear John": A boy and girl from different walks of life meet, fall in love and experience ups and downs ... Mark, a downtrodden college student meets Macy, a waitress in a local coffee shop after his car breaks down one night before a suicide
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Dec 14, 2009
Deborah
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I would actually give this book 3 1\2 stars!! The difference between the three and four is 3 is "liked it" and 4 is "really liked it." Well, I am somewhere between there if that is possible.
What I like about most of this authors books(the two I have read) is that you stop reading it and you feel more when it comes to life. You look at things differently and you come away with an appreciation you didn't know you needed.
However, I found that most of t More...
What I like about most of this authors books(the two I have read) is that you stop reading it and you feel more when it comes to life. You look at things differently and you come away with an appreciation you didn't know you needed.
However, I found that most of t More...
Feb 03, 2010
Jody
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Another wonderfully touching Richard Paul Evans story that left me wishing I had more books of his on hand. The message driven home in Finding Noel is that no matter how small, your actions can have a great impact on the world. We meet Mark Smart as he is struggling through the low point of his life, and discover that a simple act of kindness can change a life immeasurably, when he encounters a woman named Macy on that fateful night. By providing that simple act of kindness, Macy sets off a chai
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Jan 16, 2010
Richard
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The second time I’ve read this book. It still elicits a lump in my throat when I read it. Two girls are separated as young children. Bad things can happen to a person and they can become refined and better for it. We can become instruments in God’s hands to help change someone else’s life, (and ours.) Evans’ easy writing style leads us along. Caring and Love can bring about miracles. Some quotes from the book which I liked and don't give away anything about the story.
I believ More...
I believ More...
Feb 05, 2010
Debby
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Mark Smart is miserable. Having lost his scholarship, and having to work as a custodian, he's recently found out his Mom was killed in a car accident in AL, and his car has just broken down in a snow storm in Salt Lake. A chance encounter that night leads him to Macy Wood, who's had plenty of problems in her young life, including being separated from her sister Noel. Mark and Macy embark on a quest to find Noel, among other things.
Typical RP Evans - not LDS but inspirational - rea More...
Typical RP Evans - not LDS but inspirational - rea More...
Dec 19, 2008
Mary
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Melodramatic drivel ... really.
I was aware that Evans wrote tear-jerkers, but this was over the top. I wanted a nice Christmas story, and one about a woman searching for her sister who was adopted into a different family seemed appropriate, especially given that Evans normally writes a happy ending. Unfortunately in order to get to that happy ending I had to read through so many deaths and separations and hardships that I was too depressed to appreciate the ending.
Skip it.
I was aware that Evans wrote tear-jerkers, but this was over the top. I wanted a nice Christmas story, and one about a woman searching for her sister who was adopted into a different family seemed appropriate, especially given that Evans normally writes a happy ending. Unfortunately in order to get to that happy ending I had to read through so many deaths and separations and hardships that I was too depressed to appreciate the ending.
Skip it.
