Charlene Baumbich

It’s been a long time since I visited the circle-the square town of Partonville. A Christmas audiobook seemed like the perfect way to get reacquainted with old friends/characters. Dearest Dorothy, Merry Everything! by Charlene Ann Baumbich is a book in the similar vein as Jan Karon’s Mitford series. Small town setting, endearing and oftentimes quirky characters, humor, poignancy, and a heartwarming story all point to an enjoyable reading experience. There’s not a lot of drama, and certainly no car chases/shootouts in this Christmas-y book. Just a look at real hometown life and real hometown struggles, doubts, and hopes. Change is hard for anyone, and especially for the populace of Partonville. They are experiencing some growing pains, but I like the direction the author is taking the characters and the story arc. Main character Dorothy is not as big a catalyst in this story, but she is the element that glues the town and the books together. Listening to the audiobook brought a sense of returning home to me.

Dearest Dorothy, Merry Everything! is a sweet, small-town contemporary read that is filled with feel-good! I do recommend you begin with book 1, though. You won’t feel as invested in the doings of Partonville without beginning at the beginning.

Recommended.

Audience: Adults.

(This audiobook was included in my Audible subscription. All opinions expressed are mine alone.)… (meer)

This was my first book that I have ever read in this series and this was the third book in the series, so I felt like I was catching up a bit at first, but not for long. I fell right into this book and got into the characters rather quickly. I enjoyed this book immensely. I felt like I could relate to Sasha and the feelings she has as she deals with her disability, because I am also disabled, so this book was bittersweet for me.

It was also very inspirational for me so it was really hard to put it down. I found myself relating to both Evelyn and Sasha. This is a story of second chances, love, hope, unusual friendships and God’s grace. I would recommend this book to everyone, no matter your religion, it will make you laugh in one chapter and cry in the next. It is a very heartwarming and uplifting story that I don’t think anyone will be able to forget.… (meer)