Lexie hopes to make their first Christmas in their new home extra special for her six-year-old son Brock. She hopes her widowed mother will visit for Christmas, but she is too wrapped up in missing her deceased husband to make the effort. A fall in a parking lot abruptly curtails Lexie’s plans in getting ready for Christmas. Now in a medical boot, she must depend on others to drive her around and to do the things she can’t. Her curmudgeonly neighbor reluctantly comes to her rescue, but mostly because of the dreams he is having about his deceased wife, Carol. Or maybe, Carol’s ghostly form is really making nighttime visits. Regardless, she is determined to get Stanley to rejoin the human race, and stop his mourning. Brock calls Stanley “Grandpa” and all is going well, if a bit forced, until Stanley commits the greatest Christmas faux pas ever. Lexie finds some comfort and shared interests in the form of a new neighbor who has moved in the neighborhood with his two daughters. But while the two families are getting to know each other, no one is around for Stanley. Well, Carol is, sort of. This delightful story is filled to brim with Christmas magic. It will take some magic for the two people in Lexie’s life to put grief behind them, and look forward to the future. Romance may be in the future for Lexie, but friendship is, too. This story reminds us that to have a friend, you first must be a friend. Well written with likable characters, this tale is wonderful at any time, not just at Christmas. ( )

A Little Christmas Spirit by Sheila Connolly is a heartwarming Christmas tale. I was drawn into the story from the very beginning. This is a cute holiday tale that will put a smile on your face. The book is well-written with realistic dialogue and characters. Stanley Mann is still mourning the loss of his wife, Carol. He has become something of a hermit and curmudgeon. Then his deceased wife, Carol makes an appearance. She is tired of Stanley moping about the house and has come to give him a big nudge. Lexie and her son, Brock have moved in next door. They are new to town and could use a father/grandfather figure in their lives. Stanley begins by doing little things and then he starts spending more time in their company until he says the wrong thing. It looks like he will end up spending Christmas alone despite Carol’s best efforts. Is there a way to get them all back together again? Stanley may seem gruff but there is a softie in there somewhere. We get to know more about Stanley and Carol’s life together through the reminisces. We get to see the special life the couple had together as Stanley travels down memory lane. Lexie is a teacher raising her son on her own. She is grieving the loss of her father. Lexie wishes her mother would visit her, but her mother is grieving as well. Lexie would like to find a man to be a part of her and Brock’s life, but she wants to make sure that he is nothing like her ex-boyfriend. Brock was your typical little boy. He really took a shine to Stanley and helped bring the man out of his shell. Brock’s behavior could be an example to adults especially his ability to forgive. There is a cute Westie in the story too. I have a feeling Carol helped the dog find Stanley. A Little Christmas Spirit is just what I needed to put me in the mood for the holidays. I knew I could count on Sheila Connolly to provide a touching Christmas tale. A Little Christmas Spirit is a tender holiday story with a cute canine, a bubbly boy, a calamitous matchmaking attempt, a grouchy grandpa, an inconvenient injury, and a tenderhearted teacher. ( )

Gee wiz, I need more tissue. I've cried several times & I'm not a pretty crier. This take on A Christmas Carol is darn good and touching. Being haunted by his late wife is the best thing that ever happened to Stanley. As with Ebenezer he changes and becomes an even better man. I understood him from page one and on the last page cried for the umteenth time. I've given it a rare 5 stars. Do your self a Christmas favor and read this book.

I am voluntarily posting an honest review after reading an advance reader copy of this story..

#SheliaRoberts #ALittleChristmasSpirit #Netgalley #HarlequinBooks #MIRA ( )

A Little Christmas Spirit by Sheila Roberts is a 2021 Mira Books publication.

This is everything a holiday story should be!

Stanley lost his beloved wife, Carol, in a car accident three years ago.

Never much of a people person to begin wife, Stanley retreats from life entirely after Carol’s death.

When his in-laws make overtures at Thanksgiving, he declines the invitation, preferring to have frozen pizza and pumpkin ice cream at home, all alone, in front of the television.

But then he receives an unexpected visitor…

Carol!

Carol begins popping in periodically, encouraging Stanley to start living his life again. Naturally, he’s resisting. But his new neighbors, Lexie, a single mom, and her young son, Brock, draw him into their lives, and he suddenly becomes ‘Grandpa Stanley’.

But his curmudgeonly ways are a hard habit to break, and he struggles with socializing, making it hard for people to move past his regular faux pas- which are either horrifying or laugh out loud funny.

It looks like Stanley may have made an unforgivable mistake… and despite Carol’s best efforts, he may end up spending Christmas alone, after all.

I’m on a Holiday roll this year, so far, which is a vast improvement from last season’s disappointing offerings. I read this book in one sitting!

Stanley and I might have a few things in common- if it wasn't for my family, I’d probably be a hermit, too.

His trips down memory lane were lovely and bittersweet and of course he stole my heart, despite his crankiness.

I also loved Brock, who is a fine example for the adults when it comes to the ability to forgive.

Lexie is a lovely character who definitely deserved her own happily ever after.

Overall, if you love Christmas stories with the right balance of heartwarming holiday inspirations with a healthy dose of humor and emotion, this will make a great choice.

This is the kind of book I was looking for last year, and never could find. Such a lovely story, with a sweet, touching conclusion that is sure to help you shake off the bah humbugs.

4 stars ( )

This book definitely, helps me get into the Christmas spirit. I loved meeting everyone. Although, the main characters of the story are Lexie, her son Brock and their neighbor, Stanley.

Oh, the power of a child. Brock was the first to break down Stanley's walls. When he called Stanley, Grandpa Stanley, my heart melted and I got a smile on my face. The interactions between Stanley and Brock were the highlights of this story. Lexie says Stanley was Scrooge is a correct representation of Stanley. Yet, any reader who had lost a spouse can relate to Stanley.

While, Christmas is still three months away, I am now in the mood to want to hang Christmas lights and make cookies. A Little Christmas Spirit is one to put on your holiday reading "nice" list. ( )