By Joanna Davidson Politano

Christmas books already? Sorry, not sorry! I read them in August and September so I can tell you what you’ll want to read in December! This sweet novella will release September 29th. While it’s part of a series, you can easily read it as a stand-alone – though I HIGHLY recommend you read book 1, The Life She Forgot. It’s currently vying for my #1 favorite book of 2026!

Rosalyn Snow may live a privileged life with her strict uncle, but her heart is on the streets where her father lives, poverty stricken and homeless. With more questions than answers, she sneaks out to search for him, only to find his coat on another man. Where is her father? And why has he abandoned her?
Simon Balfour is a man of mystery. He carries himself like a gentleman, yet he lives on the streets. He’s honest and caring, yet on the run from the law. He sees the world with an artist’s eye, but won’t stand for hypocrisy. When a wealthy young woman demands answers about his coat, he doesn’t dare reveal his past. But her curiosity and kindness grows on him. Answering her desperate questions may give her closure, but will those answers seal his own fate?

Pros: This was one of those books where I thought it was going with a cute little cliche… and then 6 pages later, I realized it had turned that cliche on its head… time and time again! Joanna Davidson Politano is a master at writing deep stories with unexpected themes. Each book is full of different twists and turns, and when you reach the end, you realize that you’ve just read something profound.
I really liked the rather surprising lesson on charity in this book as well as the different examples of fathers. This may be a quickly-read Christmas novella, but this is no mass-produced Hallmark Christmas movie or cheap Wal-Mart ornament. There is care and craftsmanship on every page.

Cons: 1st person present tense, I can tolerate. 3rd person present tense does not work with my brain. Fortunately, those POV chapters were brief, but they still existed😵‍💫

The Bottom Line: A well-crafted Christmas novella that may surprise you!