Guarding Her Christmas Secret by Jill Weatherholt
Series: Book 25 of 30: K-9
Publisher: Love Inspired (November 26, 2024)
Review by Gwen Plano
Jill Weatherholt’s new release, Guarding Her Christmas Secret, is a story about second chances. A schoolteacher who has lost her loved ones meets a single man who is the guardian of his brother’s twins. These two eventually work together to plan the town’s Christmas festival, and that interaction opens their hearts to something more. That something drives the story forward.
This gentle-on-the-heart book was just what I needed to read. These days, it is difficult to escape the political rhetoric, and hope can seem elusive. But as I read, the current craziness seemed to fade. I was in another world, one that made sense.
“She bowed her head in thanks. God had provided the answer. He was the God of second chances and new beginnings.”
Guarding Her Christmas Secret, Jill Weatherholt
Weatherholt is an accomplished writer, and that is evident in this story. Within just a few pages, I felt I knew the characters and the small town where the story unfolds. Each character is well-defined, both emotionally and physically. They quickly became people I knew or could know. Because of this familiarity, I easily accompanied them through their ups and downs.
This is a feel-good story about falling in love again. Small miracles abound, as does the underlying trust in the Divine. The story is labeled a romance, but a more profound narrative captured my heart. Weatherholt showed me life as I dreamt it to be when I was much younger—before the tragedies, disappointments, and life-altering situations. It brought me back to a simpler time and to a younger me. Ultimately, this internal journey led me to a place of needed peace, for which I am very grateful.
Most of us have experienced second chances, those junctures in life when hope resurfaced. Guarding Her Christmas Secret reminded me of those events and revealed the ever-present Love.
I give Guarding Her Christmas Secret five very happy fish.
I purchased the Kindle version of Guarding Her Christmas Secret.
The Well Read Fish 
Yay, I have “Guarding Her Christmas Secret” on my TBR. I’m glad to know it’s an enjoyable, “gentle-on-the-heart” story. Thanks for sharing your thoughts, Gwen!
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We need those gentle moments, and reading Guarding Her Christmas Secret offered hope. You’ll love it, Priscilla.
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I hope you enjoy it, Priscilla! Thanks for the Twitter share…that’s how I saw Gwen’s lovely review. xo
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Thank you for your lovely review, Gwen. I’m thrilled to hear you enjoyed reading Cody and Hannah’s story. Writing this book allowed me to escape to a better time and place. I’m happy it provided the same for you. xo
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My pleasure, Jill. I thoroughly enjoyed the story – and the peace that accompanied it.
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“It brought me back to a simpler time and to a younger me.” That should be on the cover. It’s a great selling feature.
Excellent review, Gwen. Thank you.
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Thank you, Staci. Yes, days forgotten came alive again. It was a wonderful read.
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I agree with you, Staci. If I self-publish, I might need to hire Gwen!
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She gives the best endorsements. I should hire her as my publicist!
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Great review, Gwen. I love Christmas stories and that this one brought you to “a place of needed peace.” Thanks for sharing your thoughts.
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Thank you, Kelly. It’s a lovely Christmas story.
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Sounds like a fine seasonal read 🎄🎄🎄
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Thank you. Yes, it drew me into the Christmas spirit.
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Wonderful. I like good Christmas based romances during the season.
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I long for those simpler times. It’s wonderful that we can “travel back” to them through the pages of books. Thanks for you review, Gwen. I think I would enjoy this book.
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Thank you, Joan. I think you’d enjoy this story. I found it a much-needed respite from life’s troubles.
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I also long for those simpler times, Joan. Social media has only added to my longing.
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I enjoyed this book so much. It is uplifting and restores hope and faith, as you point out in your review, Gwen. Thank you for sharing and congrats to Jill!
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Thank you, Jan, for adding your enthusiastic support. It’s a lovely story.
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Thank you so much, Jan! I’m thrilled you enjoyed the book. I appreciate your advance review. Thanks also for giving me a heads up on receiving the Kindle copy early. I’m still scratching my head on that one. I wonder what will actually happen on release day…maybe you’ll get a second copy! xo
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I cannot wait to read this book. It’s almost up on my TBR list!
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You’ll enjoy it, Jacqui. It was a lovely read. And, BTW, like you, my TBR list is very long.
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Thanks, Jacqui! I love your photo! Since I’m no longer on WP, I hadn’t seen it.
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Great review, Gwen 🙂 I loved this one.
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Thank you, Denise. It’s a lovely story.
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Thanks, Denise! I’m happy you enjoyed the story. And thanks also for the heads up on the early release of the book. xo
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I’ve been reading more uplifting books these days, Gwen, and I can’t imagine Jill writing a book that doesn’t do that. A wonderful review for a heartwarming read. Thanks so much for sharing your thoughts.
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Thank you, Diana. I’ve eased over to uplifting books as well. It’s that time of the year.
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Yes! There are a bunch of them circulating and I’m indulging.
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Thank you, Diana! I hope you and your family are doing well. xo
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Simpler times sure sound good to me, Gwen. This seems like a perfect book to distract us from what’s going on the world. Congrats to Jill on the review!
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Sounds great to me too! Thanks so much, Teri!
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I think you’ll love it, Teri. It’s a beautiful, loving escape from the noise.
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Congratulations to Jill on the heartfelt review! Sharing to help spread the word.
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Thanks, Liz! I hope you and your family are doing well. Miss you!
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You’re welcome, Jill. My family and I are doing well, except for having to put our dog to sleep last month.
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Oh, I’m sorry to hear this, Liz. That’s so hard. xo
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Yes, it is. The vet who carried out the procedure was actually crying.
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I’m so sorry, Liz. Losing a four-legged family member is heartbreaking. Hugs…
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It is. Thank you for the hugs.
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Any book that can take me back to a simpler time is one I would happily disappear into. I’ve read other books of Jill’s in this series, and need to catch up with this one. Her work is always heartwarming, with characters you could sit down and have coffee with.
A lovely review, Gwen. Congrats to Jill!
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Thank you so much for your kind words, Mae. I’m trying to play catch up on all of my old blogging buddy’s book. I’ve got The Keeping Place waiting on my Kindle. Daily reading and writing has fallen off my radar since the start of 2024. I hope you’re enjoying retired life! xo
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Thank you, Mae. During this tumultuous time, Jill’s book was a wonderful escape – heartwarming and loving. I think you’ll enjoy it.
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This sounds uplifting and heartwarming!! 💕
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Thank you for your beautiful comment. You are right – the story is both uplifting and heartwarming. 😊
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Sounds like a sweet and moving Christmas read. I’m looking for sometime to keep me occupied throughout the holidays, and “Guarding Her Christmas Secret” looks lovely.💜
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Thank you for visiting today. Jill’s book is perfect for the holidays, and it is just as you described – sweet and moving. ❤️
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What a beautiful review! I just love animals
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Thank you, Helen. It is a beautiful, heartwarming story. ❤️
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Thanks, Gwen. This sounds like a lovely read for hard times. I’ll put it on my list.
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It’s a beautiful read, Olga, especially during these difficult times. 🌞
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HI Gwen, a beautiful review of Jill’s latest book.
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A lovely review! I’m also in full flight from reality in my reading these days:)).
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Thank you so much. It was a delightful and heartwarming story. 🌞
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