Take Me Home for Christmas

Starred review from October 15, 2013

Left penniless when her high-living, abusive husband, Skip, drowns off the coast of Brazil in an attempt to fake his own death after cheating everyone who invested with him, Sophia DeBussi struggles to keep things together for her teenage daughter and get her life back on track. But her wild, careless high school ways have not been forgotten, and paired with the suspicion that Sophia was part of Skip's plan and is hiding money, few in town are willing to cut her any slack. Then a sympathetic friend convinces thriller author Ted Dixon, who has every reason to hate Sophia, to hire her as his housekeeper--a reluctant decision that changes both their lives. VERDICT Although filled with plenty of fall and winter holiday atmosphere, this story has a lot more going for it. Affecting, painful, sometimes funny, but ultimately satisfying, this engrossing tale of love and forgiveness takes on real problems (e.g., abuse, alcoholism, bullying, mob violence) and gives its characters the strength and compassion to come through with flying colors. Real people--with all their virtues and vices--live in Whiskey Creek, and Ted and Sophia will be two more you'll be glad to have met. Novak (Home to Whiskey Creek) lives in Rocklin, CA.

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