On the Way to Christmas: Three Stories    
                     by Sheila Roberts, Melissa Ferguson, and Amy Clipston*
Published:       October 11, 2022
Publisher:        Thomas Nelson
Series:             No
Pages:              321, Kindle Edition
Genre:             Contemporary Christian Romance
Setting:            United States (Washington state, a train, and North Carolina, Current Day)

My Rating:

(3 3/4 hearts)

A Christmas Do-Over by Sheila Roberts
Darby, a popular “mean” girl in high school, wants to change her ways, and reluctantly returns home to make amends and become a better person. Can she mend the relationships with two of the most important people in her life: her sister Erica, and her childhood best friend, Gregory?

Dashing Through the Snow by Melissa Ferguson
Willow, a home health care worker, has been looking forward to the two-week train on the romantic The Christmas Express with her long-time boyfriend. But when he dumps her at the last minute, she decides to take the trip alone. It’s paid for, so why not? Can a trip across the country with a python-loving elf, the train’s Santa-like owner, and his handsome son, help her regain her self-confidence and mend her broken heart?

A Perfectly Splendid Christmas by Amy Clipston
Kacey, who loves her life in the big city, moves back to her small town to help her sister run her bakery for a while. Once home, she runs into Drew, her former best friend and the guy she’d always hoped would be more. He loves the small-town life, but he also loves Kacey. Can two people with different life goals find a way to be together?

What I liked about the book:
This anthology is a quick read and perfect for the busy Christmas season. Dashing Through the Snow was my favorite story of the three. Its unique setting and the twists and turns in the heroine’s love life keep you guessing who her romantic hero will be.  
 
Why the book isn't five hearts for me:
I couldn’t form a connection with, or empathy for, the heroine in A Christmas Do-Over. Yes, she is trying to change her ways, but as one who had to deal with mean girls growing up, I didn’t feel sorry for Darby. In Dashing Through the Snow, I had the exact opposite problem with Willow, who was just too perfect and over-the-top nice. I wanted to scream “get a backbone” a few times. A Perfectly Splendid Christmas's main characters were likeable but I found the story a bit slow. Despite these small issues, On the Way to Christmas is a nice Christmas read.

*You can find Sheila, Melissa and Amy at their respective websites: sheilasplace.com, melissaferguson.com, amyclipston.com