The Noel Stranger Book Review

I didn't know anything about the book except that I liked the author when I saw this on the new release shelf.  The amazing thing is that it was the second book in the series and I have missed the first in the series (I think).  The Noel Stranger (The Noel Collection) by Richard Paul Evans was still a stand alone book and I had no trouble reading it without reading the first book in the series.

Maggie Walther feels like her world is imploding. Publicly humiliated after her husband, a local councilman, is arrested for bigamy, and her subsequent divorce, she has isolated herself from the world. When her only friend insists that Maggie climb out of her hole, and embrace the season to get her out of her funk, Maggie decides to put up a Christmas tree and heads off to buy one—albeit reluctantly. She is immediately taken by Andrew, the kind, handsome man who owns the Christmas tree lot and delivers her tree. She soon learns that Andrew is single and new to her city and, like her, is also starting his life anew.

As their friendship develops, Maggie slowly begins to trust again—something she never thought possible. Then, just when she thinks she has finally found happiness, she discovers a dark secret from Andrew’s past. Is there more to this stranger’s truth than meets the eye? This powerful new holiday novel from Richard Paul Evans, the “King of Christmas fiction” (The New York Times), explores the true power of the season, redemption, and the freedom that comes from forgiveness.

Maggie is falling apart after her marriage fell apart.  She is upset about all of the people in the town knowing what happened as well as the violation that her husband had another family in another town.  She stops going to work and leaving the house because she is embarrassed and upset.  Her friend takes over all her work and tries to pull her out of her funk by making her come out and get coffee and decorate her house for Christmas.  She goes to the Christmas tree lot and meets Andrew.  Maggie immediately feels a pull for the world and learning more about Andrew after he volunteers to deliver her tree when he sees it won't fit on the small car she is driving.  It was great to watch her finally get back out there and start her life with the help of Andrew but the crazy part of this comes when she learns more about her mysterious man.  Make sure you pick up the book and find out what happens.  I think that you might need some tissues while reading because there is a lot that comes up in the second half of the book when you think that this is just a happy Christmas book.  I should know better then that because this author always pulls on the heart strings and I thought it was the beginning and bringing Maggie back to life but I was wrong.  Pick it up and find out what happens for yourself and I promise you won't be disappointed.