Noel Street
by Richard Paul Evans
My thoughts:
Elle is a single mom living in Mistletoe, Utah. The year is 1975 and her husband has passed away in the Vietnam War. She struggles financially while trying to raise her son, Dylan.
The people in Mistletoe are kind, but when Elle meets a local mechanic named William, he puzzles her. After a kind gesture, the two connect, and Elle discovers that William is a Vietnam POW who’s still living with demons.
I’m in the minority here. This turns into such a an emotional story, but I couldn’t connect to the characters and it was a bit dramatic for me. The book does touch on some difficult, important topics.
Rating this lower would be wrong because the writing is good and it was neat how the characters connected in the end. The ending was predictable, but it’s beautiful. I just simply didn’t enjoy the story; however, the message of hope, faith, and forgiveness is lovely.
Better luck next year.
3***
Find this book on Amazon and Goodreads:
- Series: The Noel Collection
- Hardcover: 304 pages
- Publisher: Gallery Books (November 5, 2019)
- Language: English
- ISBN-10: 1982129581
- ISBN-13: 978-1982129583
Blurb:
In this new offering from “the king of Christmas fiction” (The New York Times), #1 bestselling author Richard Paul Evans shares a story of heart, loyalty, and hope as he explores the deeper meaning of the holiday season and asks what it truly means to love and forgive.
The year is 1975. Elle Sheen—a single mother who is supporting herself and her six-year-old, African-American son, Dylan, as a waitress at the Noel Street Diner—isn’t sure what to make of William Smith when his appearance creates a stir in the small town of Mistletoe, Utah. As their lives unexpectedly entwine, Elle learns that William, a recently returned Vietnam POW, is not only fighting demons from his past, but may also have the answer to her own secret pain—a revelation that culminates in a remarkable act of love and forgiveness.
Thanks for reading my review! Have you read this book or other books by Richard Paul Evans? Let’s chat!
♥️ Mischenko
ReadRantRock&Roll 
I don’t think I’ve read this author. It’s a shame you didn’t find any connection with the characters. Your next read will be better ☺️
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Thank you, Theresa. I’ve enjoyed a handful of his books. The Christmas Box trilogy was better I think. Hope you get to read some! 😉
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Thanks for your straightforward review, Mischenko💜 Sometimes a book just fails to connect you emotionally. I still might check this out just based on the plot.
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Thanks, Jonetta. I totally agree. I hope you enjoy it if you read it. 😊
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It’s always a disappointment when, for whatever reason, you can’t connect with the characters. Hope your next read is more enjoyable. I do love the cover though 💛
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Thanks, Cathy! ♥️
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I’ve read a bunch of his books in the past, but not recently. Thanks for your honest review!
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Thank you, Janie! How are you? I haven’t seen you and I suppose WP kicked your blog off my following list because I haven’t been getting notifications. Just refollowed you! Hope you’ve been well! ♥️♥️♥️
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Hi Mischenko! Doing well here. Hope all is well with you! I have missed so many posts b/c WP seems to only deliver a chosen few of the blogs I follow so I’m glad we’re back in touch! ♥♥♥
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Me too! Hugs ♥️
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Thanks for the honest review Mischenko. I read his “The Walk” series and enjoyed it very much, but some did not care for it at all. I also have all three of The Christmas Box Trilogy, but have not read them. Perhaps this might be a good year to give them a go.
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Thank you, Carla. My mom enjoyed The Walk series as well. I read The Christmas Box trilogy and enjoyed those. It seems I’m always in between 3 and 4 stars with these. It’s hard not to look forward to reading another every Christmas. Thanks, Carla. ♥️
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I checked out my bookshelf and I have the Noel Diary and Noel Stranger. I must have picked them up at one of the used book sales, because I didn’t even know I had them.
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😂 I love it when that happens!
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Sorry about the disconnection with this one, Mischenko. Perhaps this was considerably before your time. Vietnam was a major divide in our country and some of those boys are still lost to the time.
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It was before my time, but it’s not like I don’t understand the seriousness of it. I had two uncles in Vietnam and my husband’s father too; in fact it’s very possible the cancer one of my uncles developed was due to exposure to chemicals when he was there. I wasn’t feeling the emotion with the characters at all. It happens. But, this book actually inspired my last Music Monday and all because of Vietnam. You might enjoy that. I don’t have the link, but it’s Monday’s post. Thank you ♥️
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Sometimes the characters just don’t do it for you. That’s fair. Lovely cover though 😊
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I agree. Thanks, Nina. 😊
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Sorry it didn’t work out for you… but there’s nothing more painful than reading a book you cannot get into… as Nina said, lovely cover though!
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Thanks, Noriko. It still turned out okay, it just wasn’t as enjoyable as I hoped it would be. ♥️
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Sorry this one didn’t work for you. I’ve seen this author’s books, but haven’t read any. On with the Christmas challenge!
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Thanks, Teri!
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I haven’t read any book by this author. Sometimes we just cannot connect with characters, even though we like them. I hope you next read is more promising.
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I truly like the author. Sounded like tough times for both of the main characters. I’m glad it turned out ok.
Nice review! 📚
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