I’ve received a few Christmas books to review this season through Net Galley, and “The 13th Day of Christmas” by Jason Wright is one of them. This book, which I would classify as Christian Lit, tells the story of the friendship between Marva, an elderly but still spunky widow, and Charlee, a nine-year-old whose family has fallen on tough times since her dad lost his job. Their special friendship brightens both of their lonely lives, and Miss Marva shares with Charlee the special Christmas tradition of her advent calendar and the twelve days of Christmas – with the thirteenth day being a very special one. In the course of this story both Marva and Charlee develop cancer, and it is their special friendship, along with the true message of Christmas, that helps them to keep going in the face of hardship.

If I say any more I’ll give it all away!

I did enjoy this book and really loved the characters of spunky Miss Marva – with her aprons for any occasion – and Charlee, a little girl who refused to let her situation crush her spirit.

Great Christmas reading – or actually any time of the year!

Thank you, Net Galley and Shadow Mountain Press, for my copy.