The Christmas You Found Me by Sarah Morgenthaler

Sarah Morgenthaler is back with a heart-mending contemporary romance featuring a single dad you’ll fall for; a satisfying slow burn love affair; found family you’ll root for; small town holiday magic; and all the quirky animals and snowy rustic scenes your heart desires.

Sienna Naples’s family has taken care of their wild Idaho land for generations and Sienna can’t imagine any other life. But at Christmastime, with her parents gone and her painful marriage finally over, it’s full of memories…and incredibly lonely. Until a tall, handsome stranger and a little girl walk into her life and suddenly the holidays are alive again.

When single father Guy Maple shows up as the result of an ad meant to be a joke, the handsome Montana construction worker isn’t joking. Money is tight this Christmas, and Guy’s four-year-old daughter Emma has stage-five chronic kidney disease. She needs a kidney transplant, but if Guy can’t prove that he can afford Emma’s anti-rejection medications, his daughter isn’t going to stay on the transplant list. Guy’s willing to do anything, including marrying a stranger, to keep her safe. It’s an impulsive marriage of convenience, and Sienna knows this isn’t real, no matter how much she adores Emma, how well Guy fits in to the ranching life—or how much light and laughter is coming into their lives as a result. But the more time she spends with her new family, the more she fears losing the fragile, feisty little girl and the kind, devoted, hard-working, incredibly attractive man who is her husband—but is it only in name?

Ok. I’m going to be completely honest here and say that I was terrified of this book. I read that synopsis and quickly realized that this book was going to be different than the light-hearted rom-coms Sarah has published before. And honestly, if Sarah Morgenthaler had not been the person to write it I might have decided to skip it because I do not do sad and heavy, especially at Christmas. But I love her and her books and have followed her closely since her debut, The Tourist Attraction, which I adored. I knew I had to give this book a try, so I dove right on in this past summer (also out of character for me, as I save my Christmas reads for the last two months of the year). I am so, so glad I did. I’m sitting here now almost 4 months later, wrapped up in my Christmas blanket, and writing this review by the glow of my Christmas lights. As always, my main points are bolded.

1. You read correctly. It has, in fact, been 4 months since I finished this book and it feels like yesterday. I so vividly remember this story and how I felt while reading it, and that’s really saying something! I read a lot of books each year, and very few stick with me in such detail longer than several days. Usually I move on and become fully engrossed in my next read. The details blur and fade, and I feel a sense of fondness but can’t recall character names or many details. Sienna, Guy, and Emma wiggled their ways into my heart, and I still remember my journey with them today. That’s the sign of a truly amazing story and a truly amazing author. 

2. Even though this book has the potential to rip your heart out, there’s so much of Sarah’s trademark humor and sweet moments. The Christmas You Found Me is a true romance, so I’m not spoiling anything by saying it ends with a very happy ever after. Do not be afraid to read this book. The journey of having a sick child is beautifully told and you might need some tissues (maybe don’t read the last 15% in public or at work), but it’s not the heartbreaking kind of cry. It’s the emotions of the characters and watching them navigate and process hard things. I also giggled a lot, swooned, and smiled so much. I panicked and worried and wanted to throw the book in the freezer (IYKYK), but I decided to trust the journey and trust Sarah and I’m so happy I did! I stayed up way too late and thought about it every second I wasn’t reading it. And I loved the ending. So go for it! You have the seal of approval from the person who avoids crying at all costs and is also one of the easiest criers on the planet. This is worth it, and you’ll be ok. You’ll feel everything!

3. The dog is fine. Don’t worry about him. I was stressed, because his old age is discussed so much, so I wanted to put this in here.

4. Sienna has a heart of gold. I would love to be friends with this woman. Her selflessness and courage and willingness to help two total strangers was inspiring to read about. She makes the most impulsive decision ever and it ends up being the best decision of her life. Maybe I need to take more leaps of faith!

5. Guy. Oh my goodness, this man has my heart. What he wouldn’t do for his little girl. He’s the best girl dad I’ve ever read about. He knows the ins and outs of Emma’s health issues and how to keep her as healthy as is possible, considering her rapidly failing kidneys. He works so hard and still has time to care about the people in his life that he loves. I can’t imagine living with the level of stress he’s had to endure, and I love that his trials in life haven’t made him bitter and closed off. He’s got so much love to give and finds joy everywhere he can.

6. Emma, Guy’s four-year-old daughter, is so cute. I usually don’t like reading romances with kids who play a large role in the story, but I fell in love with Emma. Chronic health issues make you grow up quickly, and she’s got this maturity and grasp of things someone her age should never have to understand. Her bond with Sienna’s dog is the cutest thing ever.

7. I love marriage of convenience stories, but this one hit harder for me because of the reason for the marriage. It’s not to gain an inheritance or mend a bad reputation or get meddling matchmaker family members off the characters’ backs. It’s because Emma needs medical insurance so she get life-saving treatment and surgery. Guy and Sienna’s meet-cute that sets everything in motion is so, so cute. lol. And awkward and cringey, but so heartwarming and wonderful. I loved how quickly they grew close, how deeply they felt for one another, and how healthily they worked through challenges together. They leaned on one another when they needed to, opened up when it was hard but right, and quickly formed the most amazing care team for Emma. When Emma is awake, it’s go, go, go. They prepare her bland food, Sienna takes care of her all day while Guy is at work, they take her to doctor appointments, they stress over her together, and they have family dinner before tucking her in. It’s nap times and night times when Guy and Sienna can talk and actually get to know each other. They have some very deep and touching conversations about their individual lives and the new life they’re sharing together. There are some incredibly romantic and swoony moments, although everything fades to black. There’s no on-page spice.

8. The struggles and tough times all felt very real, but not too heavy. Emma’s health plays a critical role throughout the story, but it’s not the focal point. Sienna’s former relationship is also discussed, as is Guy’s. Some other obstacles get in the way, but overall there’s a lot of hope and positivity. Forgiveness, rolling with the punches, resiliency, healing from the past, and being grateful for what you have. I felt uplifted and contemplative. Guy, Sienna, and Emma make the sweetest found family. They really knit themselves together, and I loved that so much.

9. There’s also so much light and fun. There are some really wonderful secondary characters, major Christmas vibes, the cutest old man of a dog, beautiful mountain scenes, sexy pull-ups and nighttime workouts, secret cookies, snow, quirky animals, arts and crafts, a party, and more.

All in all, I loved this. I pushed myself a little out of my comfort zone since I usually avoid books involving chronic health issues (hello, I’m a spoonie and like to escape my own health), but this book did it so right. I would have loved to have someone remind me that this is a romance and it follows the traditional romance formula, but I read this so early that nobody could do that. And I was on pins and needles for most of the book. lol. So I am that friend for you. This is wholeheartedly a romance, and it’s one of the most tender and heartwarming ones I’ve read in a long time. Sarah’s writing is amazing. She really knows how to touch your heart and make you feel. The Christmas You Found Me is going to stick with me for a very long time, I think.