Unpacking Christmas, a novella by Beth Vogt, is the concluding installment in the Thatcher Sisters series. Unpacking Christmas, despite being part of a series, can be read on its own. I did, and didn't have any problems with not having read the previous books. However, it did make me want to read the three previous novels.

The story focuses mainly on three sisters’ (Johanna, Jillian, and Payton) parents as they navigate getting older and making the decision to sell their home. Naturally, having grown up there and having created many memories, the daughters are understandably upset.

Vogt writes in a manner that is both authentic and plausible. I could empathize with the daughters after their parents dropped the surprise. It's difficult to imagine your parents becoming older and dealing with the adjustments that entails.

Each daughter had individual and distinct memories related to the house that she treasured. Some were good recollections, and some weren’t.

The Thatcher family is going through a lot of changes, and while everyone is struggling, they still want to celebrate a traditional Christmas. Many sacrifices and painful changes must be made, and they must all cope with it in their own unique ways.

The story was enjoyable to read. It was true-to-life and engrossing, and despite the fact that I had not read the previous novels in the series, it felt like a proper conclusion.

If you are looking for a Christmas story that is both a heart-warming story of love and family and a fairly quick read, Unpacking Christmas fits the bill.

I received this book from Celebrate Lit. However, my review is voluntary, and all opinions are my own. ( )

Concluding the stories of the Thatcher sisters, this book examines what happens when their parents announce they are selling their family home. This book takes twists and turns that make the book memorable. I felt the author conveyed the trials that come with selling a house, and especially at Christmas. While the book transfers from the perspective of the parents to various sisters and their spouses, the transitions occur smoothly. I never really struggled to figure out who was talking.

I felt the story moved along at a reasonable pace, and I enjoyed learning about what the sisters were up to throughout the book. Even though I believe you could read this book without reading the others in the series, I recommend reading them in order. So if Christmas time books appear on your reading bucket list, check out this book for yourself.

I received a complimentary copy of this book, but this in no way influenced my review. All opinions are my own. ( )

Unpacking Christmas by Beth K. Vogt, is an addition to the Thatcher Sisters series. This story follows after the series so it is best to read them in order. The author does a great job of background information so it also makes a nice stand alone Christmas novella.

This is such a nice story of family and the personalities of those who makeup the family. This story focuses on the aging parents who are planning to sell their home and the way their three daughters respond to the news. It was so fun to catch up with Johanna, Jillian and Payton and see how their lives have changed since the last book. The writing is so good, it felt like I was meeting old friends again. It was also very easy to imagine the surroundings and see the Christmas tree in front of the window.

I was so happy with the ending of this story. It is a must read to see how the family and works together for the good of all and how the characters have matured and are making plans to move forward.

I received a complimentary copy of this story, this is my honest review. ( )

MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK

I haven’t read any of the Thatcher Sisters books but I had no problems reading Unpacking Christmas as a stand alone. Beth K. Vogt does such a fantastic job with the characters, I easily fell right into their lives in this book. There are a lot of secrets, surprises, emotions with the sisters, and their parents, but the plot flows so well that it makes this a pretty easy read. And it is such a wonderful and fun story. The sisters were so upset at their parents for selling their family home, without asking them, I might add.

I adore this family and the deep love they have for one another. I enjoyed the fun and fond memories they have as the help pack their parents household things as well as the attic. Author Beth Vogt connects all of the loose ends together and creates a wonderful ending to this sweet story. If you enjoy a good clean contemporary Christian fiction, and especially a Christmas one, this is one you want to read. Unpacking Christmas gets Five Stars from me.

A special thanks to the author/publisher for a copy of this book. I am not required to write a positive review, the opinions here are mine alone. I am disclosing this with my review in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255. ( )

I love Christmas themed books and can read them year round. This is a fast read with familiar characters that I have loved getting to know. If you haven’t read the series I highly recommend reading them. The Thatcher sisters are great characters and each have things going on in their life that they want to share with the family. Being together at Thanksgiving is a joy for them until their parents share their news. After being in their home for years raising their family the parents have decided to sell their home. It is a shock to everyone and this starts the journey of memories for the entire family.

The story is a wonderful look at a family that deals with big changes as the holidays arrive. The three sisters seem to grow closer as they each face different issues going on in their lives. I don’t like change at all. I never accept them well and cause anxiety for me. I like to have things stay the same so this story helped me see that change can be good. The author ties the story up in a bow filled with new beginnings, family and blessings,

I received a copy of this book from Celebrate Lit. The review is my own opinion. ( )