One Imperfect Christmas
by
Myra Johnson (Goodreads Author)
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 mar...more
Paperback, 280 pages
Published
September 1st 2009
by Abingdon Press
(first published June 1st 2009)
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This is a difficult book to review because, technically, I would say it was a well-written novel with realistic characters and an original storyline, and I do weary of the same old recycled generic plots. However, did I enjoy reading it--no--and it took me forever to force my way through it. I am giving it a relatively high rating because I recognize that it was a well-written book that I just didn't enjoy, although you might love it and I might enjoy some other book written by this author. I fo...more
"One Imperfect Christmas" is Christian general fiction that spanned about a year of time. Natalie was her own worst enemy. I didn't like her attitude of "life is all about me! Why can't everyone else see that?!" She didn't care about what other people were going through. However, I could always understand where she and the other characters were coming from even if I would have reacted differently. I think I was willing to put up with Natalie's self-pitying guilt because she could see that she wa...more
Natalie, the main character, is devastated by the fact that her mother has to be placed in a nursing home after a massive stroke. She is overwhelmed by guilt by not being with her mom when it happened. (Natalie gave her mom a lame excuse because she didn't want to help her mom take down Christmas decorations on that particular day.) This guilt leads to the destruction of her family relationships - she works too many hours, she ends up never going to see her mom, etc., etc. The books takes you th...more
I actually like the very beginning, but as the story progresses I start to like the main character, Natalie, less and less. While at first she seems to be handling her mother’s stroke in a normal way, not necessarily the right way, but in a way many people can see resorting to themselves, her depression starts to cross a line. Natalie even manages to forget about her own daughter in her self-serving slump, and her ever-loving, separated husband never calls her out on it (until close to the end o...more
"Natalie Pearce faces the most difficult Christmas of her life. Her mother remains in a nursing home after suffering a massive stroke and her marriage is on the verge of dissolving. Her husband Daniel wonders if this Christmas spells the loss of everything he holds dear."
I read this story in about a day, because, with aging parents, the content was very relatable to me. I found the situation believable, the characters believable (and not always lovable), and the conclusion true to life.
It would...more
I read this story in about a day, because, with aging parents, the content was very relatable to me. I found the situation believable, the characters believable (and not always lovable), and the conclusion true to life.
It would...more
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. Jun...more
"One Imperfect Christmas" by Myra Johnson is a book that goes beyond simply entertaining the reader. For me, it made me think and, more importantly, feel. Belinda, the matriarch of the family, has suffered a massive stroke and needs longterm care. Myra Johnson has skillfully weaved a tale that examines the effects of this tragic stroke on the various family members. In addition, she conveys to us the thoughts and wishes of the stroke victim Belinda.
Anyone who has ever cared for a sick loved one...more
Anyone who has ever cared for a sick loved one...more
This is a book of incredible heartache. Masterfully, author Myra Johnson, takes the reader through the sadness, heartbreak, and frustration of a family during the devastating illness of a loved one. Particularly touching was the point of view of the grandmother and the love of her husband for her.
The story bogged down a bit in the middle with the repetitive thoughts of Natalie and Daniel's failing marriage. After a while, I just wanted them to get things figured out. The subplot of the teenage d...more
The story bogged down a bit in the middle with the repetitive thoughts of Natalie and Daniel's failing marriage. After a while, I just wanted them to get things figured out. The subplot of the teenage d...more
This is not your normal Christmas Story. What should have been a happy family celebration ends up with the possibility of tearing a family apart. This is a story about personal forgiveness and family "Love". We have all been forgiven by accepting God's Grace, but this book shows how hard it is to forgive yourself! I did enjoy this book and would recommend it, and found it to be a good and quick read.
Product Description
Graphic designer Natalie Pearce faces the most difficult Christmas of her life...more
Product Description
Graphic designer Natalie Pearce faces the most difficult Christmas of her life...more
One Imperfect Christmas is a book that will grab your heart and not let go. Natalie Pearce loves Christmas. She believes that Christmas is a holiday that should be celebrated all year long. She has a wonderful life, full of friends, traditions, hobbies and the love of a close knit family. But when tragedy strikes the family, Natalie gets mad -- at herself, her family and God. Her anger with herself and her refusal to accept lifes dealings nearly cost her the family and her job. However, a trip t...more
There's a little bit of Natalie Pearce in everyone. A mother, daughter, wife, and employee, she is important to a lot of people. She has a loving family. She makes one mistake (declining to help her mother) and the next thing she knows she gets a call that her mother has had a stroke. Natalie goes into a tailspin, blaming herself for the incident. Her husband, Daniel and daughter Lissa bear most of the brunt of Natalie's unhappiness until Daniel finally has enough and asks her to move out. Lissa...more
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Myra Johnson's debut book is nothing but fantastic!! One Imperfect Christmas is a love story of sorts about individuals and family. Natalie is one hard-driven work horse trying to make her way into the graphic design world. Daniel is an ambitious basketball coach with a strong desire for the top teams. Lissa is a young, beautiful teenage girl facing all the pulls of teenage life. Natalie's parents, Bram and Belinda, are the picture of a perfect marriage. After a traumatizing event, will anything...more
Dec 09, 2011
Jackie
rated it
1 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
pahlease
Recommended to Jackie by:
It was a Free ebook
Natalie Pearce is a middle aged woman who is headed for a mid-life crisis when her mother suffers a stroke . She feels responsible and blames herself for not being there (boohoo) but the guilt almost costs her marriage. I have no sympathy for her.
Although she seems hardworking she lacks the ability to make good decisions and doesn't think about anyone but herself and she ends up putting her daughter and husband through hell . Her guilt ridden conscience would get the best of her had she persist...more
Although she seems hardworking she lacks the ability to make good decisions and doesn't think about anyone but herself and she ends up putting her daughter and husband through hell . Her guilt ridden conscience would get the best of her had she persist...more
What a beautiful story of faith, love and the power of forgiveness.
Natalie Pearce is pretty content with her life. She and Daniel are happily married and have a wonderful daughter, Lissa. One morning her mom calls to ask for help taking down the Christmas decorations. Natalie is expecting Daniel's parents later that day and just doesn't feel like helping her mom. Using her impending company as an excuse she tells her mom she can't possibly help her, and after getting her mom to promise she would...more
Natalie Pearce is pretty content with her life. She and Daniel are happily married and have a wonderful daughter, Lissa. One morning her mom calls to ask for help taking down the Christmas decorations. Natalie is expecting Daniel's parents later that day and just doesn't feel like helping her mom. Using her impending company as an excuse she tells her mom she can't possibly help her, and after getting her mom to promise she would...more
This was a really good book. Kind of sad and very heartfelt.This story takes place over the span of a year from one Christmas to to another as the whole family strives for the perfect Christmas.
Natalie's Mother promised everyone a "Perfect 50th Christmas" but after her stroke takes over her body and her health, is this even possible? Natalie struggles to keep her life together but gives up on her marriage. Now she has something to focus on - The perfect Christmas for her parents, for her Mother....more
Natalie's Mother promised everyone a "Perfect 50th Christmas" but after her stroke takes over her body and her health, is this even possible? Natalie struggles to keep her life together but gives up on her marriage. Now she has something to focus on - The perfect Christmas for her parents, for her Mother....more
One Imperfect Christmas by Myra Johnson is a poignant look at how tragedy can shatter a family. Natalie Pearce loves her life, and although she may complain about her messy husband or her teenage daughter's attitude, she's happy working part time as a graphic designer and painting in her spare time. Three weeks after Christmas, she receives a phone call that brings her entire world to a shuddering crash; her mother has suffered a severe stroke and will most likely never recover. What brings Nata...more
3.5 or 3.75 stars. I'm glad to have read this, though I made the mistake of starting to read this book last night in bed; I intended to read just a few pages before sleep and ended up reading the whole thing. I didn't know anything about this book before reading it, except that it was recommended on Amazon and had a Christmas angle. I wasn't expecting the religious focus of the book, which increased more in the middle/end of the story, but of course it fit. Most of the story/characters were very...more
This is Myra's firt book, but she came out with a bang. If you want to read a book with a little of everything then this is it.
You have a Christmas story that has a little of everything. A workalolic, a basketball coach, a teenager, a mom that had a terrible stroke, and with God's help it all came together.
This book had a lot of sadness, but some good things also with a family that is very close and really love Christmas, the time of year we celebrate the BIRTH OF JESUS CHRIST. What a wonderfu...more
You have a Christmas story that has a little of everything. A workalolic, a basketball coach, a teenager, a mom that had a terrible stroke, and with God's help it all came together.
This book had a lot of sadness, but some good things also with a family that is very close and really love Christmas, the time of year we celebrate the BIRTH OF JESUS CHRIST. What a wonderfu...more
Myra Johnson’s One Imperfect Christmas rings with truth—not every Christmas is a picture-perfect celebration. Sometimes life deals a blow that brings even strong Christians to their knees. Natalie Pearce turned down her mother’s request to help put away her Christmas decorations. When her mother suffers an incapacitating stroke, Natalie is ripped apart with guilt and spirals into depression, driving a wedge that rips her family apart. Natalie and Daniel’s marriage looks doomed to failure, even a...more
I read this on the Nook and it had 223 pages. This novel has a good storyline. The book is well written for the most part. Especially for a debut novel. But the author started to drag down the story by not letting the main character Natalie move on. We only needed so much of Natalie's selfishness and consistent conflict to get the point.
Natalie Pearce faces the most difficult Christmas of her life. Her mother remains in a nursing home after suffering a massive stroke and her marriage is on the...more
Natalie Pearce faces the most difficult Christmas of her life. Her mother remains in a nursing home after suffering a massive stroke and her marriage is on the...more
The main characters spend most of this book indulging in selfish, stupid behavior, especially the female "lead" character who nearly destroys her life through her egocentric wallowing in guilt.
I know people behave like this in reality, but they are downright toxic to be around. I can not imagine any reason why I would care to read a novel—especially a moralistic, preachy novel—which spends nearly its entire length dwelling on this behavior.
The other characters spend too much time trying to manip...more
I know people behave like this in reality, but they are downright toxic to be around. I can not imagine any reason why I would care to read a novel—especially a moralistic, preachy novel—which spends nearly its entire length dwelling on this behavior.
The other characters spend too much time trying to manip...more
This is not the book to read at Christmas time. It is a tearjerker, with a happy ending. Anyone who has had any guilt about putting a family member off for a somewhat selfish reasons will sure connect with this book.
Natalie loves Christmas, but hates taking down all the decorations. When her mom calls asking for help taking her decorations down, Natalie makes excuses to why she can't help. Later, she gets the call that changes the next 11 months of her life. Her mother has a stroke, and she bl...more
Natalie loves Christmas, but hates taking down all the decorations. When her mom calls asking for help taking her decorations down, Natalie makes excuses to why she can't help. Later, she gets the call that changes the next 11 months of her life. Her mother has a stroke, and she bl...more
Didn't I say I was going to take a break from reading Christmas romance? Didn't I? Huh? Huh?
Well, I didn't. As I was perusing my Kindle, I found out I had down-loaded this freebie (One Imperfect Christmas by Myra Johnson), and I couldn't resist.
That'll teach me.
It started out okay....for about 1/2 page. Then it got bad. And worse. And more depressing. And filled with despair. It's about a crumbling marriage. And a woman filled with guilt. And a daughter filled with anger. Everyone's life is goin...more
Well, I didn't. As I was perusing my Kindle, I found out I had down-loaded this freebie (One Imperfect Christmas by Myra Johnson), and I couldn't resist.
That'll teach me.
It started out okay....for about 1/2 page. Then it got bad. And worse. And more depressing. And filled with despair. It's about a crumbling marriage. And a woman filled with guilt. And a daughter filled with anger. Everyone's life is goin...more
Ugh. Natalie (the main character) just disgusted me to no end. She must have missed the number one rule of parenthood and adult life. There is no "One problem at a time....I will handle this other thing later." First, she was obsessed with finding ways to make her mother better. Then, she crawled into a hole (her office....her computer) and basically, shut down the rest of her life and blamed everyone else for the balls she was dropping.
The book had a wonderful ending but it was really hard to g...more
The book had a wonderful ending but it was really hard to g...more
ONE IMPERFECT CHRISTMAS is not a light and fluffy read – but it is not doom and gloom either. I spent most of my time just wanting to slap Natalie, the mental anguish she put herself through and her reasoning just didn’t ring true for me. I just didn’t get how Natalie and Daniel wouldn’t unload their real thoughts to each other – even in anger they held back. However, author Myra Johnson had a very good supporting cast and every other character in the book was likeable and believable and they ma...more
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
click here.
Myra Johnson’s debut novel, One Imperfect Christmas, puts together all that is perfect about Christmas—family, faith, celebration of life and the birth of Christ. It also gives us a glimpse into life’s imperfections—loss, guilt, self-doubt, and the pain of having a loved one suffer in illness.
Natalie Pearce faces the same frustrations many busy women do—the responsibilities of maintaining a home, trying to quell her temper with a husband whose job is top priority, and providing guidance for an...more
Natalie Pearce faces the same frustrations many busy women do—the responsibilities of maintaining a home, trying to quell her temper with a husband whose job is top priority, and providing guidance for an...more
Aug 17, 2009
Myra Johnson
rated it
5 of 5 stars
· (Review from the author)
Shelves:
inspy-women-s-fiction,
authored-by-me
Well of course I'm giving my own book 5 stars!
Only Love Makes a Christmas Perfect . . .
Christmas is the season of miracles, but when blame and
guilt keep people apart, a miracle needs a helping hand.
Natalie Pearce loves Christmas so much she’d gladly make
it a year-round celebration—until her mother suffers a massive
stroke while taking down the decorations. Natalie’s guilt over
not being there to help her mom soon builds a wall that sepa-
rates her from the rest of her family, including her hu...more
Only Love Makes a Christmas Perfect . . .
Christmas is the season of miracles, but when blame and
guilt keep people apart, a miracle needs a helping hand.
Natalie Pearce loves Christmas so much she’d gladly make
it a year-round celebration—until her mother suffers a massive
stroke while taking down the decorations. Natalie’s guilt over
not being there to help her mom soon builds a wall that sepa-
rates her from the rest of her family, including her hu...more
What starts as the sound of a perfect little Christmas novel to get you in the mood for the holidays, quickly turns into a roller coaster ride of emotion and anguish. I thoroughly enjoyed the way Johnson developed the characters and divulged into feelings of what could easily happen to anyone in life. I do not read inspirational titles often, but I was satisfied with the perfect mixture of a good novel with Godly tendencies.
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Myra Johnson’s roots go deep into Texas soil, but after surviving five Oklahoma winters, she now enjoys the milder climate of the Carolinas. Empty-nesters, Myra and her husband share their home with two loveable (and very spoiled) dogs. Her debut novel, One Imperfect Christmas, was a September 2009 release from Abingdon Press. She also writes for Heartsong Presents. Her November 2009 release, Autu...more
More about Myra Johnson...
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