Rating: ★★★★☆ (4/5)
With its mix of family drama, heartwarming moments, and a festive backdrop, One More for Christmas by Sarah Morgan is a charming, feel-good holiday read that will sweep you away into the magic of Christmas—and leave you reflecting on the importance of love, forgiveness, and second chances. This novel, perfect for fans of contemporary women’s fiction with a sprinkling of holiday spirit, touches on themes of reconciliation, the complexity of family relationships, and the healing power of time.
The Plot: A Family’s Christmas Reunion
One More for Christmas introduces readers to the Wilder family, whose complicated dynamics have been strained for years. The story centers around two sisters, Joey and Sarah Wilder, and their strained relationship with their mother, Maggie. Each of the characters is carrying emotional baggage that has kept them from fully connecting with each other.
Joey, the younger sister, is a successful businesswoman living in New York, but she’s been avoiding spending the holidays with her family for years due to the unresolved tension between her and her mother. Sarah, the older sister, is a single mother who feels caught between trying to keep the peace and dealing with the hurt she still carries from her childhood. Then there’s Maggie, the mother, who has spent years maintaining a distance from her daughters and has always been more focused on her career than her family.
When Maggie suffers a health scare, the Wilder family is forced to come together under one roof at the family’s home in the Scottish Highlands for Christmas. The tension is high, but as they navigate the holidays together, they are all given a chance to heal old wounds, confront their pasts, and reconnect with each other in ways they hadn’t anticipated. Along the way, there are revelations, tears, laughs, and ultimately, a reminder that family—no matter how imperfect—deserves another chance.
The Characters: Real, Relatable, and Multi-Dimensional
Sarah Morgan excels at creating characters who feel authentic, with real flaws and strengths that make them easy to empathize with. In One More for Christmas, each of the main characters is carrying emotional baggage that makes them feel grounded and relatable, and the way Morgan slowly unpacks their backstories makes them feel like real people.
Joey is perhaps the most complex character. She’s successful, independent, and a bit of a loner, but her avoidance of her family’s dysfunction speaks to deeper insecurities and fears of rejection. Her emotional journey throughout the book—learning how to open up, confront her past, and forgive—feels earned, and her character growth is one of the most satisfying parts of the story.
Sarah, the older sister, plays the role of peacemaker, but she also carries a quiet sadness from her past that has kept her from truly moving forward in her own life. She’s the kind of character who puts others’ needs ahead of her own, and watching her navigate her own path to healing is both touching and inspiring.
Then there’s Maggie, the mother, who at first appears distant and cold, but as the story progresses, you begin to understand the reasons behind her emotional detachment. Her journey toward vulnerability and reconnecting with her daughters is heartwarming and redemptive.
The dynamics between the characters are one of the book’s strongest points. The complicated relationship between the sisters, along with their individual relationships with their mother, provides a rich emotional landscape that keeps you engaged from start to finish.
The Writing: Warm, Inviting, and Heartfelt
Sarah Morgan’s writing is warm and engaging, drawing readers into the emotional lives of the Wilder family. She does a wonderful job of balancing humor with heartache, creating moments of levity in between the more emotionally charged scenes. The pacing is well-done, allowing for character development and relationship-building to unfold gradually, without feeling rushed.
The setting of the Scottish Highlands provides a stunning backdrop for the story. Morgan’s descriptions of the cozy, snow-covered landscapes, the picturesque village, and the welcoming home where the family gathers for Christmas are beautifully detailed, giving the book a magical, almost cinematic quality. The atmosphere of the holiday season permeates the story, from the festive decorations to the Christmas meals, making the book feel like a warm hug—just the kind of book you’d want to curl up with during winter.
Themes: Family, Forgiveness, and Healing
At its core, One More for Christmas is about the power of family. It explores the complexities of family relationships, particularly those between mothers and daughters, and the emotional wounds that can linger when communication breaks down. The novel beautifully illustrates how, despite years of distance or misunderstandings, there’s always room for healing, forgiveness, and second chances.
One of the most poignant themes in the book is the idea that we are not defined by our past mistakes, but rather by our willingness to change, to grow, and to make amends. Each character must face their own fears and regrets in order to reconnect with those they love. As the Wilder family comes together during the holidays, they learn that it’s never too late to rebuild what was once broken.
The novel also touches on themes of self-acceptance and the importance of acknowledging and embracing one’s flaws. The characters each come to terms with their own imperfections, realizing that it’s through accepting themselves—and each other—that they can begin to heal.
The Christmas Spirit
Of course, one of the main draws of One More for Christmas is its holiday setting. The Christmas atmosphere is woven throughout the narrative, giving the book a festive and cozy vibe. From the snowy landscapes of the Scottish Highlands to the family traditions that bring warmth and joy, the holiday spirit adds an extra layer of magic to the story.
However, One More for Christmas is more than just a Christmas romance or a feel-good holiday story. While it’s definitely a great book to read during the holiday season, its emotional depth and universal themes make it a compelling read any time of year. The holiday backdrop enhances the story’s themes of renewal and reconciliation, reminding readers that Christmas is a time for forgiveness, reflection, and coming together.
The Verdict: A Heartwarming Holiday Read
One More for Christmas is a beautifully written and emotionally resonant novel about family, forgiveness, and the healing power of love. Sarah Morgan’s gift for creating complex, relatable characters and her ability to weave together humor and heart make this a truly engaging read. Whether you’re looking for a cozy Christmas read or a heartwarming story about second chances, this book delivers on both fronts.
While the family drama can feel heavy at times, the resolution is satisfying, and the relationships feel earned. By the end of the novel, you’ll find yourself rooting for the Wilder family and hoping for one more chance at love and happiness for all of them. This is a book that will leave you with a full heart, perfect for those who love holiday stories with depth and emotional resonance.
Have you read One More for Christmas? What did you think of the Wilder family’s journey? Share your thoughts in the comments below!