Journey Back to Christmas

The book is based on a Hallmark movie of the same name. I enjoyed this one in particular because it’s a little different than some of the typical Hallmark stories. There is time travel and I found it cool how many lives were touched because of the things that Hannah did. She got to see the things that played out years later because of returning a dog to its home, and introducing a friend to a wounded soldier, even the act of reading to Toby. I love that these books also have a bonus chapter or two that serve to give us a little more of the story than the movies do.

When you think of a Hallmark movie, you think of something heartwarming, sweet, and a bit sappy. Apparently, that also applies to Hallmark books as well! I haven’t seen the movie, so I can’t say how true the book is to the movie (ha, it’s funny saying it that way for a change!).

Hanna was quite sweet and positive, even when dealing with the overwhelming grief of her first Christmas as a war widow. But, as she tells her friend, “Nothing ever gets solved by blubbering” – I’m guessing this sort of attitude was very prominent during the war years. Though she works as a nurse at the local hospital, with her husband dead and her hopes of starting a family gone, she feels lost and without a purpose in life. Of course, as the blurb says, events happen that lead to her waking up in 2016. Even having jumped 71 years in the future, Hanna still manages to be upbeat, and in trying to be kind and helpful to the family of the cop who takes her in, ends up spreading even more cheer than she realizes.

“You know what I do when I’m sad?… I try to help somebody else who’s sad.”

As for cons, it’s very predictable, and the characterizations, besides Hanna, are cardboard cutouts. Loving parents, cute niece, suspicious divorced sister – that’s basically what they are. All the conflict, including the “will Hanna ever get home or not?” plot, is quite tame. But honestly, this is a lovely bit of escapist fluff, so it seems disingenuous to judge it too harshly for not pretending to be anything else.

Overall, heartwarming and sweet, with a lovely reminder that acts of kindness can have more far-reaching consequences than you’d think possible. Perfect for curling up with some hot cocoa and gingerbread on a lazy holiday afternoon.

JOURNEY BACK TO. CHRISTMAS by Leigh Duncan
Hanna looking forward to a movie with a friend, maybe laughing out loud. Tribute to those coming home, had her rushing out of the theatre. Telling her friend Dottie, her life " was now what" without Chet.
The highlight everyone was looking forward to, would be tomorrow night with the lights and the Christmas comet. Been 70 years, and people are saying it is a miracle. A snowstorm, and being found by a cop Jake. Still disoriented, nothing looked the same, he invites her to the family home for Christmas. Warmth and love around her, knowing now the answer for her question. A delightfu book, and the movie would be perfect for the holidays. Readers will love this story, and how Hanna found her answer
Given ARC for my voluntary review and my honest opinion.