M. Michelle Derosier

As doorman at The Grande Pearl, Joe doesn't fraternize with the pre-war building's residents or their guests. But then comes Josie, the outgoing grandniece of one of the residents. Josie insists on helping Joe decorate for the upcoming party to benefit young leukemia patients and their families in Christmas at The Grande Pearl by author M. Michelle Derosier.

I was missing Christmas when I picked up this ChristFic novelette, and the story didn't disappoint me. It's a smart and delightful interracial romance with good backstories to add substance, and I liked not being able to predict everything the characters would say next. The story's sharp and witty seniors especially are a wonderful bonus in that regard!

Now, the emotional development concerning one character's longstanding family issues could have used a few more beats to sink in, so as not to feel rushed. Also, the characters' words or thoughts read like information/narration directed toward the reader a couple of times, and a late speech from Joe is a little backward and anticlimactic, like, You still don't know Josie well enough to know you don't have to make comments like that to her?

The book has errors in punctuation and letter case here and there, along with some repetitive use of "response" and "responded." Also, in quite a few jarring places, the dialogue tags are cut off from the preceding dialogue as separate sentences. The characters' words and the dialogue tags that follow should all flow together.

Nevertheless, this is an enjoyable and uplifting Christmas tale with likable folks—well worth a quick read.… (meer)