Book Review: A Cross-Country Christmas by Courtney Walsh

A Cross-Country Christmas. Courtney Walsh (2021). 242 pages. Genre: Christmas, Romance, Christian Fiction.

First Line of the Prologue:  "Texts from Spencer to Lauren: December 1st, 8:32 am. 'I know you hate talking on the phone so I'm trying your favorite mode of communication... I figured out a way for you to get home for Christmas... Since you promised you would - Call me!'"

Summary: Lauren promised her brother she would come home for Christmas this year.  She is not a fan of Christmas, but Spencer's wife is having a baby and Lauren promised she'd be there.  Home is in Chicago, which is a long way from California.  Besides not being a fan of Christmas, Lauren is not a fan of flying.  

Spencer's best friend from high school, Will Sinclair, is also heading from California to Chicago for Christmas.  Spencer has arranged for Lauren to ride with Will.  The problem is Lauren has no desire to ride with Will.  You see, Lauren had a crush on Will for many years and he broke her heart.  But her fear of flying is stronger than her dislike of Will, so she accepts the ride.  

My thoughts:  Courtney Walsh has created some realistic, relatable, likeable characters in Will and Lauren.  

Lauren has a difficult past.  Not only with Will, but with her parents.  She has created a wall around herself for protection.  She is afraid of being hurt again, although she might not readily admit that.  She has a successful career as a set designer for TV shows and pours herself into that.  She has a best friend and a brother who loves her, what more does she need.  She is also convinced that people can't change.  She is organized and independent.  I could relate to her on many levels.

Will also had a difficult past, but it was of his own making.  He has a great family and was blessed with a stable upbringing.  But, somewhere along the way, he began making bad choices.  Because of those choices, he lost something he loved.  Now, he lives his life trying to make up for his past.  Unfortunately, Lauren remembers the bad choices and doesn't know that he's trying to live differently.  As they ride together, she is closed off and cold.  She doesn't want to let him in, but she begins to wonder if maybe he has changed.  

I loved the way this story was told.  It was realistic, fun and humorous.  But Will and Lauren also deal with some heavy issues.  They both change and grow throughout the story.  The romance is gradual and sweet.  The road trip was an interesting plot and allowed me to see the sights with them as they drove.

Some of the themes are second chances, love, believing the best about someone, friendship, family, the consequences of bad choices, and forgiveness. 

I wasn't ready to leave Will and Lauren and especially Will's family.  So you can imagine how excited I was when I learned there is a sequel coming out in November!  I really enjoyed this one and highly recommend it.

Quotes:

"Lauren's heart raced like a dog in a house with an Amazon Prime truck pulling up outside."

"He hadn't seen her in a lot of years, but in that time, she had not only grown up, she had also apparently planted a grudge against him.  He wasn't exactly sure why, but decided to put it in the 'not my problem' thought box."

"She was probably one of those women who was insulted when a man tried to hold the door open for her.  It was impossible to know how to act these days.  He'd been taught to be a gentleman, but now that was insulting."

"She was a caffeine addict, and she really didn't care."