Noel Street Book Review

I put this book on reserve a long time ago when I saw it was in the new release section online.  I didn't check until after reading it that it was in a series of books and I luckily read the one before it... but maybe not the first one in the series.  Noel Street (The Noel Collection) by Richard Paul Evans was the third book in this great Christmas series.

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.

Although this book is set in 1975, it makes you feel like it could be happening at anytime.  Elle Sheen is trying to do the best that she can for herself and her young son, Dylan while waitressing in the small town diner.  The worst part is that the more money they need for things the more that she has to work which means that there is less time to spend with her son.  It is hard to get ahead with breaking down car, rent past due and more.  She takes her car into the shop to find out that it needs expensive service that she really can't afford in addition to the other bills but they can't be without a car.  William Smith is a Vietnam veteran who was a prisoner of war and comes to the small town to make a new life.  He is working in the car repair shop when he meets Elle and Dylan.  William fixed Elle's car by himself on his own time but ended up really sick.  William is all by himself and fighting a nasty cold so Elle stayed and helped him through it with tea, soup and medicine.  They become friends and you have to pick up the book to find out how the friendship grows.  I thought that this was a great quick read that I had trouble putting down.  I read most of it in one night and then picked it up and finished most of it the next morning and then put it in my bag to read the last chapter.  I thought it was a great story that had me wanting to know that was going to happen next.  I hope that you check out this book and the rest of the great series for yourself.  It is a heart warming story that really brings the holiday feelings like all the books by this author.