Reviewed by Anne Boling for Readers' Favorite

Miranda was searching for someone; what she would find would change her life forever. Her search lead her to the Tea Cosy in Country Heath. As she looked in the window, she wondered if she had made a mistake traveling from San Francisco to London. She had few clues, a birth certificate, a playbill, and an old photograph. The quaint teashop was warm, inviting and seemed to be drawing her in. The owners Katherine and Andrew were dressed for the annual performance of Dickens play A Christmas Carol. Miranda had not been to a play since she was nine years old, when she had made the decision to shun all plays and had denounced all fables and fairy tales, including the tooth fairy, Easter Bunny and Santa. Her mother was Eve Carson, actress. Miranda’s childhood had been one of moving from one motel to another as her mother took one role after another. She did not mean to neglect Miranda but Eve’s first love always seemed to be the theater. Miranda spent her life trying to remain invisible. She longed for a father, someone who would love her, someone who would accept her. Would she find the acceptance she desperately needed or would she go home keeping her secret to herself?

Finding Father Christmas by Robin Jones Gunn is a delightful Christmas novel. The story is written from Miranda’s point of view. I felt it was an interpretation of Dicken’s A Christmas Carol. MS Gunn is a talented writer; her words drew me into the story. I could almost see the old church with the brilliant stained glass windows and the home of Ellie and Edward. I could almost feel the warmth of the fire and the chill of the snowflakes. I felt I had been transported to the Tea Cosy and Ellie’s home. The characters are well developed. Miranda is deprived and vulnerable and searchest for acceptance, yet not willing to wound others. Ellie, Katherine, Andrew and Doralee are perfect supporting characters. All showed love for Miranda. The end of the plot has a hint of romance in the future. I did not want this book to end. I wanted to see more of Miranda’s life. Did she stay in London? Did she and Ian find love? Finding Father Christmas is the perfect Christmas book. It certainly put me in the right frame of mind for Christmas. I will be recommending Finding Father Christmas to all my friends!