Having a Christmas or holiday theme in a modern fictional title often feels like a calculated cash grab, with authors and publishers eagerly trying to capture the hearts of the Hallmark-Xmas audience. While I hold a deep affection for the holiday, it was hard to overlook that many of these books tend to be campy, clichéd, and occasionally poorly crafted. However, there's one author who stands out from the crowd—Richard Paul Evans, an author I’ve admired ever since I read The Christmas Box trilogy years ago.
His latest holiday romance, CHRISTMAS IN BETHEL, published by Gallery Books, centers around a character named Leigh Beth Stilton, a woman with a complicated relationship with the holidays. Having grown up in an unstable environment, escaped an abusive marriage, and faced daily trauma as an EMT, Leigh finds it difficult to muster any enthusiasm for Christmas cheer. She believes she’s unworthy of love, and in a moment of despair on a wintry evening, she contemplates ending her life—until she discovers a book titled Bethel. The author, J.D. Harper, is unfamiliar to her, but his poignant words resonate deeply, making her feel seen and understood in ways she never thought possible. This newfound connection ignites a flicker of hope within her, prompting her to delve into every novel Harper has penned. When she learns he’s hosting a book signing in town, she seizes the chance to meet the man whose work has profoundly affected her life.
While the cover art is beautiful, it unfortunately bears little relevance to the plot, which, regrettably, takes on a flavor reminiscent of a sappy, made-for-Hallmark movie. At the outset, I was captivated by the novel, particularly the premise featuring a female protagonist burdened by a dark past—not for any wrongdoing, but rather a series of unfortunate events. Her life-saving encounter with “Bethel” makes for an intriguing beginning. Yet, by the time I reached the second chapter, the narrative quickly fell into familiar, clichéd territory, leaving me scratching my head as to why Evans’ storytelling felt somewhat off.
The dialogue felt rushed and unrealistic—flagging the campy tone I’ve previously mentioned. Leigh, the protagonist, often made choices that left me questioning her judgment. For instance, she abruptly abandoned her life to embark on a spontaneous trip with an author she barely knows—a decision that feels implausible outside the realm of fiction.
I either enjoy or outright love Richard Paul Evans’ books, but CHRISTMAS IN BETHEL stands out as his least impressive effort. While I thought Leigh was a likable character, I struggled to connect with her on a deeper level. The love interest, portrayed as the enigmatic J.D. Harper—trust me, read the book to understand the nuance—seemed more of a jerk than a romantic figure. The so-called twist in the plot was far too predictable and marked by a series of uninspired coincidences. Traditionally, Evans weaves a spiritual or insightful message into his stories, but CHRISTMAS IN BETHEL lacks this depth. Instead, it's a Thanksgiving story with a brief nod to Christmas in the final chapters. Overall, I found myself quite disappointed with CHRISTMAS IN BETHEL. ╌★★½✰✰
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