The Mistletoe Secret

One of my annual December traditions is to read whatever happens to be the new Richard Paul Evans' Christmas book. Ever since The Christmas Box, I have loved his stories. One thing I appreciate about them is that they are short which means that I can read and enjoy them in one or two days - a perfect indulgence for this crazy, busy time of year.

This year's offering is The Mistletoe Secret. Alex Bartlett is a lonely man. His wife left him last year during the holidays which leaves him dreading this holiday season even more than usual. His two work friends encourage him to try on-line dating. While he is surfing the net, he decides to search for loneliness and discovers a blog in which a young woman writes letters to the universe about the pain of loneliness. She asks the existential question (which as a fellow blogger I can totally appreciate), "If you blog something and nobody reads it, did you make a sound?" Alex soon finds himself falling in love with this unknown woman who signs her posts LBH. From clues in her posts, he discovers that she lives in Midway, Utah and he sets out on a quest to find her.

While there, he meets a young waitress named Aria and soon finds himself falling for her. Yet, he continues his search for the elusive LBH.

This is such an enjoyable book, easy-to-read, charming, and relaxing, a perfect short treat for yourself during the Christmas season. It might even encourage you to reach out to someone who might be lonely and hurting during the holidays or any time of year.