A Modern Twist On A Classic Christmas Story

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5

A retelling of Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Story, in which Scrooge is a woman contacted by the ghosts of her ex-boyfriends? Sign me up! I’ve enjoyed Dickens’ story over the years, so I couldn’t resist this modern-day retelling of the classic story. At 3 hours and 22 minutes, this audiobook is the perfect length for the busy days of the holidays.

Emma Wallace has been laser-focused on her career for years. While her work has benefited from her commitment to work, her personal relationships have stumbled. Her drive comes from her perceptions of her parents’ relationship, as she was growing up. In order to attain her goals, she’s missed out on relationships and opportunities outside of work. As she’s visited by the ghosts of three ex-boyfrithe ends and faced with the opportunity to make a difference in others’ lives, she must discover who she wants to be for herself and others.

I expected this story to be a bit lighter and more fun than the original. It’s actually just as somber and reflective. I didn’t mind that at all, just mentioning it in case someone’s exceptions are similar to mine. As in the classic, the theme of the story is based on focusing on what matters in life. The story is relatable and the message in this story is as timeless as that in the classic: Make time for what matters and those who matter.

Each time I’ve listened or read A Christmas Carol over the years, I feel like a get something different out of it. I felt the same about this one, and appreciated how realistic and relatable it is, especially for women. Being that the story is told from the POV of a woman struggling with her lack of work-life balance, it addresses the guilt, expectations, and misconceptions faced by women today.

This is Book 3 in the Miracles of Christmas series, but each book in the series is a standalone. It’s actually my first book by this author, and I’m now looking forward to reading more from her. It’s likely I’ll check out the other books in this series.

The author included a Sugar Cookie recipe at the end of the story. If you’re in the Christmas spirit and looking forward to baking, it’d be fun to listen to the audiobook while baking those cookies.

Have you enjoyed this retelling of A Christmas Carol?