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Home for Christmas
Savannah Wentworth, a Seattle socialite, has sold everything she owns to balance the accounts of her family's historic business, including her ancestral home. She finds herself at a crossroads with Christmas just around the corner.
Austin Douglass, a self-made technology mogul, is getting ready to offer an IPO for his company that is gaining worldwide attention. He needs to attract investors, and the old-monied Seattle families are interested. Growing up on a wheat farm in Eastern Washington has little prepared him for the rigors of entertaining the Seattle elite. Through his P.R. person, he meets someone who is.
Savannah is a traditionalist, Austin is a minimalist. They are polar opposites. She is losing her family estate, he is gaining one. As the holidays brighten up the city and snow falls in the mountains around them; as the time-honored Christmas traditions are celebrated; can these two find a path that will lead them ... Home for Christmas?
Austin Douglass, a self-made technology mogul, is getting ready to offer an IPO for his company that is gaining worldwide attention. He needs to attract investors, and the old-monied Seattle families are interested. Growing up on a wheat farm in Eastern Washington has little prepared him for the rigors of entertaining the Seattle elite. Through his P.R. person, he meets someone who is.
Savannah is a traditionalist, Austin is a minimalist. They are polar opposites. She is losing her family estate, he is gaining one. As the holidays brighten up the city and snow falls in the mountains around them; as the time-honored Christmas traditions are celebrated; can these two find a path that will lead them ... Home for Christmas?
366 pages, Paperback
First published October 7, 2013
71 people are currently reading
550 people want to read
About the author
Stephanie Wilson
6 books4 followersSTEPHANIE WILSON, a native of the Pacific Northwest, has produced nationally syndicated television programs for CBS affiliates. She has written and produced a television series that won a national Angel Award. In addition, she has written news copy for a local CBS affiliate and directed marketing programs for successful humanitarian organizations.
Stephanie earned her degree from Seattle Pacific University in history and in communications.
Home for Christmas is Stephanie's third book following, "Whispers of the Heart," and "Our Schell Family: A Genealogy Notebook, which won an award from the national Germans From Russia Historical Society.
Stephanie enjoys many hobbies. She loves to play tennis, ski, walk the beautiful streets and trails of her neighborhood and the northwest, garden, knit and spin fibers, quilt, research genealogy, cook and play the piano. She is actively involved in church, humanitarian, community and other volunteer work. She is kept quite busy with an active teenager. She also writes frequently for her own blog as well as for Good Living Magazine.
Stephanie lives with her husband and son in Seattle, Washington.
Stephanie earned her degree from Seattle Pacific University in history and in communications.
Home for Christmas is Stephanie's third book following, "Whispers of the Heart," and "Our Schell Family: A Genealogy Notebook, which won an award from the national Germans From Russia Historical Society.
Stephanie enjoys many hobbies. She loves to play tennis, ski, walk the beautiful streets and trails of her neighborhood and the northwest, garden, knit and spin fibers, quilt, research genealogy, cook and play the piano. She is actively involved in church, humanitarian, community and other volunteer work. She is kept quite busy with an active teenager. She also writes frequently for her own blog as well as for Good Living Magazine.
Stephanie lives with her husband and son in Seattle, Washington.
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
December 13, 2019
A beautiful love story.
I was looking for some light reading this afternoon when I came across this poignant love story. Full of the realities life brings us, I laughed, I cried, I smiled, I frowned. Mostly though I discovered a new author for my list! Thank you Stephanie! Just what I needed.
I was looking for some light reading this afternoon when I came across this poignant love story. Full of the realities life brings us, I laughed, I cried, I smiled, I frowned. Mostly though I discovered a new author for my list! Thank you Stephanie! Just what I needed.
July 22, 2016
I really enjoyed this book. Great Christmas read!!
November 15, 2019
Wondfull Love Story
I am 82 yrs old, live in Gig Harbor, Washington, and avoid reading love stories! However your book caught my eye because it's story is based locally. What a beautiful love story you wove and without the filth most writers seem to think readers want. Thank you so much for being a wonderful daughter of our God.
I am 82 yrs old, live in Gig Harbor, Washington, and avoid reading love stories! However your book caught my eye because it's story is based locally. What a beautiful love story you wove and without the filth most writers seem to think readers want. Thank you so much for being a wonderful daughter of our God.
December 5, 2019
A truly beautiful book. Wonderfully written love story at Christmas to include a life with God. A bit like real life where conclusions are dangerous, and assumptions need not be made
Loved the detail. Felt the love in Christmas time and falling in love. God is the reason for this season. In this book he's used as a supporting character but a real backbone.
Loved the detail. Felt the love in Christmas time and falling in love. God is the reason for this season. In this book he's used as a supporting character but a real backbone.
November 12, 2019
Love Christmas stories
I love Christmas stories and stories taking place in the Northwest, so this story was perfect. Made me feel like I was right there in the cold and snow instead of in Africa with 85* weather!!
I love Christmas stories and stories taking place in the Northwest, so this story was perfect. Made me feel like I was right there in the cold and snow instead of in Africa with 85* weather!!
November 19, 2019
Good Read
Amazing,good reading.I had a hard time putting this book down.A really enjoyable experience,romance and laughter.The characters are so interesting and make you want to keep on reading.Next book please.
Amazing,good reading.I had a hard time putting this book down.A really enjoyable experience,romance and laughter.The characters are so interesting and make you want to keep on reading.Next book please.
January 12, 2015
This review was originally posted to Jen in Bookland
3.5 stars
Home for Christmas was a fun holiday read. It has all that Christmas magic that I love so much. Nothing like the holidays to get two people to come together and fall in love. Love it.
Savannah is a little down on her luck. She has had to sell of most of her family's belongings and her family's business and now she has about a month before she needs to decide what she is going to do. She does not have a lot of money left, she has to move out of the family's house that she loves so much, and she has to decide on one of two not so exciting job offers. She is really in a bind and she doesn't have many people she can count on. She doesn't have any family, but does have an awesome best friend.
Austin is the owner of a tech company he built and unbeknownst to Savannah when they first meet, the buyer of her family home. He has never really had a strong connection to anyone or anyplace. He grew up on a farm in Eastern Washington, but it wasn't a warm fuzzy home he lived in. He has never really gotten close to anyone since.
Savannah is so sad to lose the house. She is very attached to her family's possessions and she hates that she is losing all of them. When Austin needs someone to make her childhood house into a home again in very little time, Savannah is offered the job. She loves doing things like this and she is from old money like the investors Austin is trying to woo. She knows what they will be looking for in an investment. She is cautious, but happy to have one last Christmas in her old home, one last time decorating and hosting parties in her old house. Since she is so attached to the house she gets a little annoyed with Austin at times since he doesn't really care about the house like she does. He wasn't even planning on living there, just using it to host parties and such to try and get investors. They can rub each other the wrong way at times, but they still are attracted to each other. Neither of them really wants a relationship, but this is Christmastime so they cannot help it!
There are some misconceptions on both sides that hinder the magic from bringing them together as quickly as it could. Savannah inadvertently hurts Austin, but then does nothing to fix the situation. She would just need to explain that this is not really the way it is and they could be living happily ever after. On Savannah's part she is kind of stupid and listens to the mean girls who obviously are jealous of her and just making stuff up. I don't know why she never talked to Austin about the things she thought she knew, but in the end it all works out.
The one thing that kind of annoyed me in this book? All the references to places in Seattle that were not really needed. They read kind of like product placement, but to show that the author really does know the city. I just don't like when places and references are thrown in just to show the book is really set wherever it is. It is fine if the characters go places or reference things to set the location, but it has to feel like it fits into the story, not that it is like a product placement in a movie. So that brought my rating down a bit. It wasn't terrible, but it did bug me a little bit. Overall though it was a good read.
3.5 stars
Home for Christmas was a fun holiday read. It has all that Christmas magic that I love so much. Nothing like the holidays to get two people to come together and fall in love. Love it.
Savannah is a little down on her luck. She has had to sell of most of her family's belongings and her family's business and now she has about a month before she needs to decide what she is going to do. She does not have a lot of money left, she has to move out of the family's house that she loves so much, and she has to decide on one of two not so exciting job offers. She is really in a bind and she doesn't have many people she can count on. She doesn't have any family, but does have an awesome best friend.
Austin is the owner of a tech company he built and unbeknownst to Savannah when they first meet, the buyer of her family home. He has never really had a strong connection to anyone or anyplace. He grew up on a farm in Eastern Washington, but it wasn't a warm fuzzy home he lived in. He has never really gotten close to anyone since.
Savannah is so sad to lose the house. She is very attached to her family's possessions and she hates that she is losing all of them. When Austin needs someone to make her childhood house into a home again in very little time, Savannah is offered the job. She loves doing things like this and she is from old money like the investors Austin is trying to woo. She knows what they will be looking for in an investment. She is cautious, but happy to have one last Christmas in her old home, one last time decorating and hosting parties in her old house. Since she is so attached to the house she gets a little annoyed with Austin at times since he doesn't really care about the house like she does. He wasn't even planning on living there, just using it to host parties and such to try and get investors. They can rub each other the wrong way at times, but they still are attracted to each other. Neither of them really wants a relationship, but this is Christmastime so they cannot help it!
There are some misconceptions on both sides that hinder the magic from bringing them together as quickly as it could. Savannah inadvertently hurts Austin, but then does nothing to fix the situation. She would just need to explain that this is not really the way it is and they could be living happily ever after. On Savannah's part she is kind of stupid and listens to the mean girls who obviously are jealous of her and just making stuff up. I don't know why she never talked to Austin about the things she thought she knew, but in the end it all works out.
The one thing that kind of annoyed me in this book? All the references to places in Seattle that were not really needed. They read kind of like product placement, but to show that the author really does know the city. I just don't like when places and references are thrown in just to show the book is really set wherever it is. It is fine if the characters go places or reference things to set the location, but it has to feel like it fits into the story, not that it is like a product placement in a movie. So that brought my rating down a bit. It wasn't terrible, but it did bug me a little bit. Overall though it was a good read.
January 9, 2017
Home for Christmas
Poignant book that will enchant any reader, evoke smiles, and make the reader want more! Feel-good story about love, dreams, and family.
Poignant book that will enchant any reader, evoke smiles, and make the reader want more! Feel-good story about love, dreams, and family.
October 29, 2014
I truly enjoyed Home for Christmas by Stephanie Wilson. What's not to love? Romance, Christmas, tradition ... did I mention romance?
The connection between Austin and Savannah drew me in from the beginning and kept me engaged throughout the story. Add to that the warm, homey descriptions of Savannah's decorating, cooking, and general holiday preparations, and I was a goner.
Rather than retell the story, I'll briefly explain why I'm only giving Home for Christmas 4 stars. First, I needed a little more closure regarding all the deception going on behind Savannah's back (and in Elise's case, to her face). Her so-called best friend, Courtney, is one of the most manipulative characters I've had the misfortune to meet. From the get-go, her machinations didn't sit well with me. At one point, I thought, "She's doing this for Savannah's own good." In a way, that was true, but the farther I got in the story, the more I realized it was more about Courtney's PR job and OTHER things (I'm trying to avoid spoilers). The more I read, the more I disliked Courtney, and I never felt she really owned all of her lies and deception. No real remorse--at least not the level I felt her actions called for. The same goes for Robert. What a horse's behind. I also wanted a little follow-up on Elise. I wanted to know Austin sent her packing after telling her in no uncertain terms they'd never be together. (I know, I probably sound harsh, but hey, it's fiction. I'm pretty forgiving in real life, lol.)
There were minor editorial issues, such as words in the wrong place or missing words, and a few incorrect homonyms (peak when it should have been peek, hoop when it should have been whoop).
Overall, this was a sweet, warm read. I'd recommend it to anyone who enjoys a good Christian romance.
The connection between Austin and Savannah drew me in from the beginning and kept me engaged throughout the story. Add to that the warm, homey descriptions of Savannah's decorating, cooking, and general holiday preparations, and I was a goner.
Rather than retell the story, I'll briefly explain why I'm only giving Home for Christmas 4 stars. First, I needed a little more closure regarding all the deception going on behind Savannah's back (and in Elise's case, to her face). Her so-called best friend, Courtney, is one of the most manipulative characters I've had the misfortune to meet. From the get-go, her machinations didn't sit well with me. At one point, I thought, "She's doing this for Savannah's own good." In a way, that was true, but the farther I got in the story, the more I realized it was more about Courtney's PR job and OTHER things (I'm trying to avoid spoilers). The more I read, the more I disliked Courtney, and I never felt she really owned all of her lies and deception. No real remorse--at least not the level I felt her actions called for. The same goes for Robert. What a horse's behind. I also wanted a little follow-up on Elise. I wanted to know Austin sent her packing after telling her in no uncertain terms they'd never be together. (I know, I probably sound harsh, but hey, it's fiction. I'm pretty forgiving in real life, lol.)
There were minor editorial issues, such as words in the wrong place or missing words, and a few incorrect homonyms (peak when it should have been peek, hoop when it should have been whoop).
Overall, this was a sweet, warm read. I'd recommend it to anyone who enjoys a good Christian romance.
December 17, 2014
Christmas magic wrapped in hope, faith and joy are deftly delivered by Ms. Wilson in Home for Christmas.
Savannah Wentworth and Austin Douglass couldn’t be any less alike. He’s a farm boy who has done well and on the verge of launching his IPO. She’s from money and wealth and through unfortunate circumstances, lost it all. She’s sold family home, wrapped up the estate, and ready to begin another life when her friend, Courtney, brings Austin and Savannah together.
He must have an established, well decorated, and carefully designed home to host numerous holiday parties. Courtney, Austin’s PR person, pushes Savannah into being the skilled person this austere bachelor needs to host his parties, decorate his house and whose house did he purchase but the Wentworth ancestral family home.
Savannah wraps herself in the trappings of the season knowing it is only temporary and only a façade it isn’t her house, but his, but something magical happens and she’s truly Home for Christmas.
Ms. Wilson paints a beautiful picture of Christmas in the Northwest. Her characters are charming and believable and the story is interwoven with other subplots that keep the reader hoping it will all turn out well for Austin and Savannah. Bring tissues – you’ll need them.
Savannah Wentworth and Austin Douglass couldn’t be any less alike. He’s a farm boy who has done well and on the verge of launching his IPO. She’s from money and wealth and through unfortunate circumstances, lost it all. She’s sold family home, wrapped up the estate, and ready to begin another life when her friend, Courtney, brings Austin and Savannah together.
He must have an established, well decorated, and carefully designed home to host numerous holiday parties. Courtney, Austin’s PR person, pushes Savannah into being the skilled person this austere bachelor needs to host his parties, decorate his house and whose house did he purchase but the Wentworth ancestral family home.
Savannah wraps herself in the trappings of the season knowing it is only temporary and only a façade it isn’t her house, but his, but something magical happens and she’s truly Home for Christmas.
Ms. Wilson paints a beautiful picture of Christmas in the Northwest. Her characters are charming and believable and the story is interwoven with other subplots that keep the reader hoping it will all turn out well for Austin and Savannah. Bring tissues – you’ll need them.
December 22, 2015
I'm not sure if I was in the perfect mood for this book or what, but it really hit a chord with me. No there is no deep twisting plot, but it was just a great feel good Christmas, boy meets girl story. The Ebook version I read did had a handful typos in it (missing letter or words) but if you can get past that, this may be the holiday story for you. I'm wondering why this author hasn't put out more Christmas stories.
January 22, 2017
Enjoyable feel good read
This was an enjoyable feel good read. The characters were likable, but I would have loved to learn more about the male character. There were things hinted at, but never revealed. The same for the female character, but a bit more is revealed for her. The writing was pacing were decent. Overall a solid story and I would check out other books from this author.
This was an enjoyable feel good read. The characters were likable, but I would have loved to learn more about the male character. There were things hinted at, but never revealed. The same for the female character, but a bit more is revealed for her. The writing was pacing were decent. Overall a solid story and I would check out other books from this author.
December 14, 2016
Heartwarming and addictive
This treat is a delight by the morsel or by the feast. It's easy to pick up and read just minutes at a time or splurge and read for hours.
Stephanie captures the warmth of Christmas in this sweet love story.
This treat is a delight by the morsel or by the feast. It's easy to pick up and read just minutes at a time or splurge and read for hours.
Stephanie captures the warmth of Christmas in this sweet love story.
December 7, 2016
Very sweet
This was a sweet story that had faith, love, friendships, misunderstanding and make-ups; everything you need for a clean, fun romance.
I received this book free from one of the book subscription emails.
This was a sweet story that had faith, love, friendships, misunderstanding and make-ups; everything you need for a clean, fun romance.
I received this book free from one of the book subscription emails.
November 14, 2013
Great story. Progressed well and had a lovely ending. Only issue was the number of errors I encountered while reading. I got the free Kindle version.
November 22, 2014
Christmas, family, love, what more could you want in a book. This was an amazing story about all of it and more.
December 5, 2014
Enjoyed this book immensely. Such a clean nice well written Christmas read.
December 13, 2014
Cute
I found myself skimming all the descriptions of the church and the decorations etc, (i did skim a lot) but it was a cute story and clean. Very enjoyable
I found myself skimming all the descriptions of the church and the decorations etc, (i did skim a lot) but it was a cute story and clean. Very enjoyable
November 21, 2015
3.5 stars. The best part was the beautiful descriptions of the home and decorations
December 11, 2016
Cute Christmas read
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews