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Comfort & Joy
Alternative cover edition of ASIN B000FCKGMA
Joy Candellaro once loved Christmas more than any other time of the year. Now, as the holiday approaches, she is at a crossroads in her life; recently divorced and alone, she can’t summon the old enthusiasm for celebrating. So without telling anyone, she buys a ticket and boards a plane bound for the beautiful Pacific Northwest. When an unexpected detour takes her deep into the woods of the Olympic rainforest, Joy makes a bold decision to leave her ordinary life behind--to just walk away--and thus begins an adventure unlike any she could have imagined.
In the small town of Rain Valley, six-year-old Bobby O’Shea is facing his first Christmas without a mother. Unable to handle the loss, Bobby has closed himself off from the world, talking only to his invisible best friend. His father Daniel is beside himself, desperate to help his son cope. Yet when the little boy meets Joy, these two unlikely souls form a deep and powerful bond. In helping Bobby and Daniel heal, Joy finds herself again.
But not everything is as it seems in quiet Rain Valley, and in an instant, Joy’s world is ripped apart, and her heart is broken. On a magical Christmas Eve, a night of impossible dreams and unexpected chances, Joy must find the courage to believe in a love--and a family--that can’t possibly exist, and go in search of what she wants . . . and the new life only she can find.
Joy Candellaro once loved Christmas more than any other time of the year. Now, as the holiday approaches, she is at a crossroads in her life; recently divorced and alone, she can’t summon the old enthusiasm for celebrating. So without telling anyone, she buys a ticket and boards a plane bound for the beautiful Pacific Northwest. When an unexpected detour takes her deep into the woods of the Olympic rainforest, Joy makes a bold decision to leave her ordinary life behind--to just walk away--and thus begins an adventure unlike any she could have imagined.
In the small town of Rain Valley, six-year-old Bobby O’Shea is facing his first Christmas without a mother. Unable to handle the loss, Bobby has closed himself off from the world, talking only to his invisible best friend. His father Daniel is beside himself, desperate to help his son cope. Yet when the little boy meets Joy, these two unlikely souls form a deep and powerful bond. In helping Bobby and Daniel heal, Joy finds herself again.
But not everything is as it seems in quiet Rain Valley, and in an instant, Joy’s world is ripped apart, and her heart is broken. On a magical Christmas Eve, a night of impossible dreams and unexpected chances, Joy must find the courage to believe in a love--and a family--that can’t possibly exist, and go in search of what she wants . . . and the new life only she can find.
272 pages, ebook
First published November 1, 2005
7,163 people are currently reading
37.4k people want to read
About the author
Kristin Hannah
135books269kfollowersKristin Hannah is the award-winning and bestselling author of more than 20 novels including the international blockbuster, The Nightingale, which was named ŷ Best Historical fiction novel for 2015 and won the coveted People's Choice award for best fiction in the same year. It was named a Best Book of the Year by Amazon, iTunes, Buzzfeed, the Wall Street Journal, Paste, and The Week. In 2018,
The Great Alone became an instant New York Times #1 bestseller and was named the Best Historical Novel of the Year by ŷ.
The Four Winds was published in February of 2021 and immediately hit #1 on the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, USA Today, and Indie bookstore's bestseller lists. Additionally, it was selected as a book club pick by the both Today Show and The Book Of the Month club, which named it the best book of 2021.
Firefly Lane, her beloved novel about two best friends, was the #1 Netflix series around the world, in the week it came out. The popular tv show stars Katherine Heigl and Sarah Chalke and Season Two is currently set to conclude the series on April 27, 2023.
Her new novel, The Women, about a young woman coming of age during the turbulent 1960's in America, who joins the Army Nurse Corps and serves in Vietnam will be published February 6th, 2024.
A former attorney, Kristin lives in the Pacific Northwest.
The Great Alone became an instant New York Times #1 bestseller and was named the Best Historical Novel of the Year by ŷ.
The Four Winds was published in February of 2021 and immediately hit #1 on the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, USA Today, and Indie bookstore's bestseller lists. Additionally, it was selected as a book club pick by the both Today Show and The Book Of the Month club, which named it the best book of 2021.
Firefly Lane, her beloved novel about two best friends, was the #1 Netflix series around the world, in the week it came out. The popular tv show stars Katherine Heigl and Sarah Chalke and Season Two is currently set to conclude the series on April 27, 2023.
Her new novel, The Women, about a young woman coming of age during the turbulent 1960's in America, who joins the Army Nurse Corps and serves in Vietnam will be published February 6th, 2024.
A former attorney, Kristin lives in the Pacific Northwest.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 6,624 reviews
December 16, 2024
2.5 - this was� fine? i think everyone forgets that 1. this was written in 2005 2. that it’s a fable and 3. you can’t compare it to her usual masterpiece novels. but for a quick holiday read, i enjoyed it
January 16, 2011
I know several Kristin Hannah fans. They tell me how good she is at writing about relationships. Perhaps, but I didn't find out reading Comfort & Joy because it definitely didn't pass my 50 page rule. There were so many implausible things that happened in the first few chapters, I knew I wouldn't find any joy in reading the rest of the book.
About the whole plane crash thing... Joy describes in great detail what's happening during the crash--the horrible sounds, being thrashed about in the cabin and hitting her head, the smoke, etc. After she gets out of the burning plane, she is completely dazed and confused not to mention banged up, bleeding, and soaking wet. This is in the wilderness, mind you, and she just walks away from it. Literally. In the chaos of all the fire fighting and rescuing, she decides to get up and go on her way--even though she must be in shock and has no idea where she is or how to reach civilization. I don't know about you, but if I ever survive a plane crash, I'm going to take advantage of an ambulance ride into town. Not only does Joy make it out of the wreckage alive, she emerges with her camera around her neck. No purse and only one shoe doesn't stop her from forging on. When she just happens to come to The Comfort Inn, the proprietor's son checks her in without her putting down any sort of deposit...and lo and behold, there's a bag headed for charity in her room's closet that has clothes just her size.
I do not find it impossible to suspend disbelief, but this was just too much for me.
About the whole plane crash thing... Joy describes in great detail what's happening during the crash--the horrible sounds, being thrashed about in the cabin and hitting her head, the smoke, etc. After she gets out of the burning plane, she is completely dazed and confused not to mention banged up, bleeding, and soaking wet. This is in the wilderness, mind you, and she just walks away from it. Literally. In the chaos of all the fire fighting and rescuing, she decides to get up and go on her way--even though she must be in shock and has no idea where she is or how to reach civilization. I don't know about you, but if I ever survive a plane crash, I'm going to take advantage of an ambulance ride into town. Not only does Joy make it out of the wreckage alive, she emerges with her camera around her neck. No purse and only one shoe doesn't stop her from forging on. When she just happens to come to The Comfort Inn, the proprietor's son checks her in without her putting down any sort of deposit...and lo and behold, there's a bag headed for charity in her room's closet that has clothes just her size.
I do not find it impossible to suspend disbelief, but this was just too much for me.
June 21, 2018
Kristin Hannah is an excellent writer. This is the perfect example that excellent writing does not always make for an excellent book.
The below review does have minor spoilers that take place in the first chapter of the book.
I spent the entire first three-quarters of this book hung up totally on the fact that Joy walked away from a plane crash, emergency personnel and help in general simply because she was "looking for an adventure" and that "the forest was beckoning her". She is literally in the PNW wilderness, in dense forest and she just walks.thefuck.away.
Fast forward a bit to her stay at the lodge, and Joy spends a good deal of her time comparing the slight estrangement between Bobby and his Dad to her and her sister. Her sister. Who slept with her husband. While they were still married. Who is now having his BABY and getting MARRIED TO HIM (literally only three months after the divorce was finalized). Do I need to explain how this is 100% not the same thing?
Then we get to the magnificent "twist" at the end of the book. I'll give Hannah that I definitely did not see this coming, but it was weird, disjointed, made no sense and threw the whole book into further question for me.
I picked this up because it's June, it's hot as all get out in Texas and a Christmas love story appealed to me. This is not a love story, there's literally no romance in this at all. I kept waiting for it but it never happened (which I understood why after the "twist") despite the fact that it seems advertised as such.
Hannah has a great writing style, and many of her books have great reviews. This one however, is not worth the time it took to read it.
The below review does have minor spoilers that take place in the first chapter of the book.
I spent the entire first three-quarters of this book hung up totally on the fact that Joy walked away from a plane crash, emergency personnel and help in general simply because she was "looking for an adventure" and that "the forest was beckoning her". She is literally in the PNW wilderness, in dense forest and she just walks.thefuck.away.
Fast forward a bit to her stay at the lodge, and Joy spends a good deal of her time comparing the slight estrangement between Bobby and his Dad to her and her sister. Her sister. Who slept with her husband. While they were still married. Who is now having his BABY and getting MARRIED TO HIM (literally only three months after the divorce was finalized). Do I need to explain how this is 100% not the same thing?
Then we get to the magnificent "twist" at the end of the book. I'll give Hannah that I definitely did not see this coming, but it was weird, disjointed, made no sense and threw the whole book into further question for me.
I picked this up because it's June, it's hot as all get out in Texas and a Christmas love story appealed to me. This is not a love story, there's literally no romance in this at all. I kept waiting for it but it never happened (which I understood why after the "twist") despite the fact that it seems advertised as such.
Hannah has a great writing style, and many of her books have great reviews. This one however, is not worth the time it took to read it.
December 9, 2024
I liked this more than I thought I would! Deep, sort of whimsical, & “feel good� without being super cheesy! I think if you liked Layla by Colleen Hoover, you’ll like this one! ❤️
December 19, 2011
Sappy, simple, and a total waste of both hours it took to read. But I repeated my mantra...I love my book clubbies, I love my book clubbies... and plowed through it. Now onto something with multi-syllabic words.
April 5, 2024
I am a huge Kristin Hannah fan and have loved many of her books: , , , and .
I started reading on a plane ride. Romance is not one of my favorite genres. The beginning of the book reminded me of a Hallmark movie and I almost stopped reading. Then, BAM, there was an action packed scene that kept me highly engaged.
Then it reverted to more of the sappy, potential romance story and again I thought about setting the book aside. Then, BAM, a hairpin turn that I didn't see coming at all.
The many twists kept me reading but overall it was an okay book for me. Primarily due to the romance genre.
I started reading on a plane ride. Romance is not one of my favorite genres. The beginning of the book reminded me of a Hallmark movie and I almost stopped reading. Then, BAM, there was an action packed scene that kept me highly engaged.
Then it reverted to more of the sappy, potential romance story and again I thought about setting the book aside. Then, BAM, a hairpin turn that I didn't see coming at all.
The many twists kept me reading but overall it was an okay book for me. Primarily due to the romance genre.
December 13, 2020
A super quick easy Christmas story that reminds me of a Hallmark movie. Exactly what I was looking for.
January 8, 2018
This cannot be written by the same author who penned The Nightingale. I mentally uttered this to myself throughout the entire book. It was implausible in every way. And the plot twist? Just no. That’s really all I have to say at this time other than this was gifted to me by my sweet friend, Lisa. I think she was surprised by this story as much as I was. It was nothing close to what I expected it to be.
October 3, 2020
If I find this enjoyable, why only two stars? Well, the book starts off with a fantastic premise that should interest most readers. Joy's sister slept with her ex-husband, whoops, and then Sis invites Joy to her wedding. Feeling pretty terrible (as you can imagine) Joy decides to 'run away' and has quite the experience that readers should enjoy reading about. I know I did. Yes, it requires a slight suspension of belief, but it was still fun to read. Then, bam! There's a pretty big surprise at the end, but don't worry, it gets better. I was rather satisfied with it overall.
But what made me drop the rating to a 2 was the fact that Joy just forgave her sister. Bam, just like that, let's sweep it all under the rug. That will let Sis and ex-hubby think that what they did to her really was no big deal, and it makes light of adultery. There are some things that should never be done, and when Joy forgave them, she was just this... doormat. Whoop dee doo. I was terribly disappointed in that after seeing her character develop so nicely before.
But what made me drop the rating to a 2 was the fact that Joy just forgave her sister. Bam, just like that, let's sweep it all under the rug. That will let Sis and ex-hubby think that what they did to her really was no big deal, and it makes light of adultery. There are some things that should never be done, and when Joy forgave them, she was just this... doormat. Whoop dee doo. I was terribly disappointed in that after seeing her character develop so nicely before.
March 18, 2021
The wait list for this book at my library seems to be inversely related to the reviews here on ŷ. Sure it is much shorter than your regular KH book and is not historical fiction, but that does not mean it is missing that KH magic. This is a fairy tale -- actually a fable as noted on the cover. And it is a holiday title. Does it have that holiday magic? I definitely say it does. The first part goes on a bit long, but then you hit part two and "Bang." Stuff starts really happening. For me it is not quite up to the storytelling we have seen from Richard Paul Evans, but is most certainly a book I would recommend for holiday reading, even consider it as a gift. A PG read (infidelity witnessed early on).
January 2, 2025
Who doesn’t love a little fable around Christmas time?
This one has librarian Joy broken from her divorce needing an escape at the holidays.
Her way is to take an impromptu plane ride to Hope which ends in a crash in a forest.
As she navigates her way out, we find her in a young boy’s life and his father.
During her stay at their place, she finds how much she is helping to connect their lives as the young boy works through the loss of his mother and his attempt to find closeness with his father.
But something isn’t quite right here.
If you pay close attention, you will probably get it.
It isn’t so much the mystery of what is happening with Joy or the boy, Bobby, or the father Daniel, or even Joy and her sister.
(And the story with her sister is a doozy.)
Still, I think we want magic to happen, and some how we find it through these pages.
A delightful quick read.
This one has librarian Joy broken from her divorce needing an escape at the holidays.
Her way is to take an impromptu plane ride to Hope which ends in a crash in a forest.
As she navigates her way out, we find her in a young boy’s life and his father.
During her stay at their place, she finds how much she is helping to connect their lives as the young boy works through the loss of his mother and his attempt to find closeness with his father.
But something isn’t quite right here.
If you pay close attention, you will probably get it.
It isn’t so much the mystery of what is happening with Joy or the boy, Bobby, or the father Daniel, or even Joy and her sister.
(And the story with her sister is a doozy.)
Still, I think we want magic to happen, and some how we find it through these pages.
A delightful quick read.
December 2, 2024
Definitely a “trust the process� kind of book. I was real annoyed with it for a bit but it got a little better and the ending was sweet. But� overall not a book I’d say anyone needs to run and read. And definitely not her best work.
December 7, 2017
I just love reading books for the holiday, some how it makes them more magical that way. This was my first Christmas read for December and I have to say that I really loved it. I really do enjoy Kristin Hannah's writing a lot. The first book I read by her was Winter Garden. Also a very enjoyable read. I especially liked the characters in this book. They are very well written, they are both relatable and believable. I feel like I knew them all personally and I loved that.
There is such a great plot twist in this one, and it was one that I did not expect at all. Be prepared though and keep some tissues on hand because this one is a tear jerker. This is one of those books that you don't want to end, and when it did, it felt like a part of my life was over. I just wanted to go back and read it all again.
"It's a dangerous business...going out of your door. You step into the road, and if you don't keep your feet, there's no knowing where you might be swept off to." --J.R.R. Tolkien
There is such a great plot twist in this one, and it was one that I did not expect at all. Be prepared though and keep some tissues on hand because this one is a tear jerker. This is one of those books that you don't want to end, and when it did, it felt like a part of my life was over. I just wanted to go back and read it all again.
"It's a dangerous business...going out of your door. You step into the road, and if you don't keep your feet, there's no knowing where you might be swept off to." --J.R.R. Tolkien
October 5, 2021
I have read many Kristin Hannah books before, but this was my first Christmas book by her. I instantly fell in love with this story and it was hard to put it down. No matter what time of the year it is a good Christmas book will definitely put you in the Christmas spirit. What stopped me from giving this book a 5, some parts were a bit put off, and or rushed.
Joy Candellaro is a high school librarian. Joy used to love Christmas more than any other time of the year. But now as the holiday approaches, Joy finds herself at loose ends. Joy is recently divorced from her husband Thom, and estranged from her sister Stacey which makes celebrating Christmas the more difficult. Without telling anyone Joy decides to board a plane and goes somewhere she can find a second chance at happiness. But as Joy and the other passengers are up in the air something terrible happens to the plane.
When Joy reaches her new destination she meets 8 year old Bobby and his widowed father Daniel. Bobby and Daniel are facing their first Christmas without their mom and wife. Bobby is making it more difficult for Daniel because he has imaginary friends and closes himself off from the real world. When Joy meets Bobby they form an instant bond, but Daniel doesn't know what to make of Joy. When Joy shows up she's a complete stranger, but she just wants to find happiness and leave her past behind in this new town.
My heart aches for Joy for all the pain and hurt she has endured, she seems like such a sweet person who wants nothing but happiness.
Joy Candellaro is a high school librarian. Joy used to love Christmas more than any other time of the year. But now as the holiday approaches, Joy finds herself at loose ends. Joy is recently divorced from her husband Thom, and estranged from her sister Stacey which makes celebrating Christmas the more difficult. Without telling anyone Joy decides to board a plane and goes somewhere she can find a second chance at happiness. But as Joy and the other passengers are up in the air something terrible happens to the plane.
When Joy reaches her new destination she meets 8 year old Bobby and his widowed father Daniel. Bobby and Daniel are facing their first Christmas without their mom and wife. Bobby is making it more difficult for Daniel because he has imaginary friends and closes himself off from the real world. When Joy meets Bobby they form an instant bond, but Daniel doesn't know what to make of Joy. When Joy shows up she's a complete stranger, but she just wants to find happiness and leave her past behind in this new town.
My heart aches for Joy for all the pain and hurt she has endured, she seems like such a sweet person who wants nothing but happiness.
December 4, 2020
Krisitin Hannah is an incredible writer but this book was terrible. I am usually good at suspending disbelief but this was ridiculous... in the first thirty pages, we have a broken marriage, husband sleeping with wife's sister, then wife gets invited to their wedding, then heroine embarks on an adventure (did I mention her name is Joy?) to a town called Hope only to get in a plane crash and subsequent explosion. After the explosion, she comes to and walks away (with her camera no doubt) from the paramedics into the woods.. in the middle of the night... while bleeding everywhere and with her head about to split open. Somehow, she finds a road but does not want to be a burden so jumps into snowbanks every time a car drives by. She is able to find a restaurant and go in, nobody questions her injuries then she finds a quaint inn run by a handsome father (now widow) and his son. This all happens in about 30 pages...
Do not waste your time on this one 0.5/5
Do not waste your time on this one 0.5/5
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 27, 2022
Przed Wami jedna z tych powieści kojących, ciepłych i magicznych w najpiękniejszym tego słowa znaczeniu z fabularnym zwrotem, który rzuci czytelników na kolana.
Takich powieści potrzeba czytelników w chwilach największego kryzysu. Takich powieści potrzeba wtedy, gdy wydaje się, że nigdy już nie będzie dobrze. Takich powieści potrzeba, gdy trudny rok ma się ku końcowi i potrzebujemy sił, by ufać, że dotrwamy do ostatnich dni grudnia. Kristin Hannah daje nam taką opowieść � opowieść, w której magia nie pojawia się znienacka, ale jest, trwa, ukryta między stronami, otulająca nieświadomego czytelnika. Warto więc zaznaczyć, by od „Wyśnionego szczęścia� realizmu nie oczekiwać, bo realizmu i rzeczywistości to mamy już dość na co dzień. Po powieści Kristin Hannah natomiast możemy spodziewać się emocji dobrych i kojących. I co najważniejsze � historii tak wzruszającej, że na koniec będziemy czytać przez lejące się potoki łez. I są to dobre łzy, łzy ciepłego wzruszenia, które serwują tak potrzebne oczyszczenie.
Na koniec dodam, że chociaż motyw Bożego Narodzenia prowadzi tę powieść, to nie jest to powieść stricte świąteczna. To Kristin Hannah, która wykorzystuje tak popularny motyw na swój własny, nieoczywisty sposób. Sprawia, że po zakończonej lekturze czujemy się pocieszeni i pewni, że wszystko będzie dobrze. I o to właśnie chodzi w takich książkach jak „Wyśnione szczęście�. Jeśli więc szukacie ukojenia, utulenia, pocieszenia � to jest lektura dla Was.
Takich powieści potrzeba czytelników w chwilach największego kryzysu. Takich powieści potrzeba wtedy, gdy wydaje się, że nigdy już nie będzie dobrze. Takich powieści potrzeba, gdy trudny rok ma się ku końcowi i potrzebujemy sił, by ufać, że dotrwamy do ostatnich dni grudnia. Kristin Hannah daje nam taką opowieść � opowieść, w której magia nie pojawia się znienacka, ale jest, trwa, ukryta między stronami, otulająca nieświadomego czytelnika. Warto więc zaznaczyć, by od „Wyśnionego szczęścia� realizmu nie oczekiwać, bo realizmu i rzeczywistości to mamy już dość na co dzień. Po powieści Kristin Hannah natomiast możemy spodziewać się emocji dobrych i kojących. I co najważniejsze � historii tak wzruszającej, że na koniec będziemy czytać przez lejące się potoki łez. I są to dobre łzy, łzy ciepłego wzruszenia, które serwują tak potrzebne oczyszczenie.
Na koniec dodam, że chociaż motyw Bożego Narodzenia prowadzi tę powieść, to nie jest to powieść stricte świąteczna. To Kristin Hannah, która wykorzystuje tak popularny motyw na swój własny, nieoczywisty sposób. Sprawia, że po zakończonej lekturze czujemy się pocieszeni i pewni, że wszystko będzie dobrze. I o to właśnie chodzi w takich książkach jak „Wyśnione szczęście�. Jeśli więc szukacie ukojenia, utulenia, pocieszenia � to jest lektura dla Was.
December 12, 2020
Oh boy! Buckle up, because this book is a TRIP! Comfort & Joy by Kristin Hannah is a very…unusual Christmas story. Joy has been divorced for 3 months and is still grieving. The tough part is that she lost her sister as well as her husband. No, she didn’t die. Her sister slept with her husband. And now she is pregnant and inviting Joy to the wedding. YEP. YOU HEARD ME RIGHT. But let’s continue on. Joy makes an impulse decision to jump on an airplane and go anywhere. Well, not the greatest decision because the plane crashes. YEP. She and a few passengers get out but then the plane explodes which sends her running into the forest. She arrives at a cabin that is owned by a man named Daniel and his son, Bobby. Daniel and Bobby’s mother have been divorced for a while but after her death, Daniel has to be a single parent. The three of them sharing in the magic of Christmas brings about healing for all of them.
So there is a lot to unpack here. Yes, Joy’s sister sleeps with Joy’s husband, gets pregnant, and invites Joy to their wedding. WHAT WAS SHE THINKING?? Who in their right mind would even consider accepting this invitation. I know Christmas is all about forgiveness but this is just ridiculous!! I would have slapped her sister clear across the face, but that is just me I guess–but forgiveness would definitely not be on the menu. Now, let’s tackle this plane scene. The plane crashes. Not like a bumpy landing but actually crashes, and even blows up after she gets out of the plane. And what does Joy do? She doesn’t want to be “rescued� so she just WALKS away. She is bleeding and has one shoe and treks through the forest. Lady, just take the damn ambulance. Now, I know those of you who have read the book will argue “but it makes sense later on!� Just…no. It doesn’t make sense. It is just bad. It wasn’t suspenseful, just a massive eye-roll fest.
Don’t get me wrong. Not everything is horrible. Bobby is precious and I can see why Joy becomes friends with him so quickly. (Yes, Joy has some boundary issues.) But he is precious and I do love how he and his father get reacquainted. So I can see the affair happening. I can see the random trip happening and even befriending a family caught in the midst of grief. But the plane crash really just killed the whole story for me. I couldn’t take anyone or anything seriously. So overall, this book gets 2 stars.
So there is a lot to unpack here. Yes, Joy’s sister sleeps with Joy’s husband, gets pregnant, and invites Joy to their wedding. WHAT WAS SHE THINKING?? Who in their right mind would even consider accepting this invitation. I know Christmas is all about forgiveness but this is just ridiculous!! I would have slapped her sister clear across the face, but that is just me I guess–but forgiveness would definitely not be on the menu. Now, let’s tackle this plane scene. The plane crashes. Not like a bumpy landing but actually crashes, and even blows up after she gets out of the plane. And what does Joy do? She doesn’t want to be “rescued� so she just WALKS away. She is bleeding and has one shoe and treks through the forest. Lady, just take the damn ambulance. Now, I know those of you who have read the book will argue “but it makes sense later on!� Just…no. It doesn’t make sense. It is just bad. It wasn’t suspenseful, just a massive eye-roll fest.
Don’t get me wrong. Not everything is horrible. Bobby is precious and I can see why Joy becomes friends with him so quickly. (Yes, Joy has some boundary issues.) But he is precious and I do love how he and his father get reacquainted. So I can see the affair happening. I can see the random trip happening and even befriending a family caught in the midst of grief. But the plane crash really just killed the whole story for me. I couldn’t take anyone or anything seriously. So overall, this book gets 2 stars.
December 13, 2022
’It’s a dangerous business . . . going out of your door. You step into the Road, and if you don’t keep your feet, there’s no knowing where you might be swept off to.�
� J. R. R. Tolkien
A Christmas story filled with a decidedly different kind of charm that is about two sisters, and a now ex-husband, and a last minute decision that changes the course of the life of Joy Faith Candellaro.
’There they are, naked and sweating, and rolling, in my bed.
Like an idiot, I stand there, staring at them…Then I see her face, and a bad moment rounds the bend into horrific. It is my sister.�
She can’t bear to be in this place, this home that is filled now with so many unhappy memories. Their divorce was finalized months ago, and she’s trying to find a way to be happy, she even buys a Christmas tree, and makes plans to buy her own gift, something to lift her spirits. And then her sister shows up, with two bits of news, one via a wedding invitation and the second with the news that she and her now ex-husband are expecting a child. His child.
Joy drives away after hearing this news, just needing to get away from her sister, this town, and ends up at the airport where she sees where the next flight is bound for Hope, Canada, and buys a ticket - the last seat. She just wants to leave ’h�, and doesn’t really care about the destination.
There, she ends up at what is apparently the last place with a room available, owned by a father and his young son, but the son is the one to show her to her room, and the father isn’t even aware until later, and isn’t particularly happy to have to deal with more than he is already dealing with.
There’s a twist that follows, and a bond that forms with the young son, and more twists after that. Sprinkled with a bit of magical realism, this was a heartwarming, fairy tale-ish read.
December 18, 2020
Oh my. I can honestly say that I have never watched a Hallmark movie. I get the gist of them from the previews, thank you very much. Insta-love in charming small towns blanketed in snow around Christmas as two people who have been hurt find magic in the season and each other. I know lots of people find this cozy and heartwarming. I find it eye roll inducing.
A friend read Comfort & Joy and immediately mailed it to me. She warned me it was cheesy but the amount of cliches that Kristin Hannah fit into this slim novel was impressive. Well, I couldn’t say no after hearing that.
Joy Candellaro is recently divorced (her husband cheated on her with her sister) and doesn’t feel up to celebrating the holiday season. She’s always dreamed of traveling but found an excuse not to go while she was married. After learning her sister is marrying her ex-husband (and is pregnant with his baby), Joy drives herself to the airport and spontaneously buys a ticket to a town called Hope.
Unfortunately, a plane crash puts that destination out of the realm of possibility.
(Reader, this is like, only the first 30 pages!)
Joy walks away from the plane crash (!!!) into the rainforest of the Pacific Northwest and finds an inn where a little boy named Bobby is reeling from the recent loss of his mother and getting to know his absent father, with only an imaginary friend to help him cope.
...Do I even need to continue with this book summary? I doubt it would be spoiler-y because there are so many obvious cliches remaining. I guarantee you could take a wild guess at where this is headed and you’d be at least half-right. But go big: think dramatic!
Could this be an endearing Christmas story that will give you all the warm and fuzzy feelings? Sure. For me, it’s everything I imagine a Hallmark movie to be and I rolled my eyes a bunch.
The three stars is because I was honestly impressed with the amount of cliches that the author managed to fit into this book. It's going to be the gift that keeps on giving because I'm mailing it out to another friend just in time for Christmas. Seriously, you have to read it to believe it. *face palm*
For more reviews, visit
A friend read Comfort & Joy and immediately mailed it to me. She warned me it was cheesy but the amount of cliches that Kristin Hannah fit into this slim novel was impressive. Well, I couldn’t say no after hearing that.
Joy Candellaro is recently divorced (her husband cheated on her with her sister) and doesn’t feel up to celebrating the holiday season. She’s always dreamed of traveling but found an excuse not to go while she was married. After learning her sister is marrying her ex-husband (and is pregnant with his baby), Joy drives herself to the airport and spontaneously buys a ticket to a town called Hope.
Unfortunately, a plane crash puts that destination out of the realm of possibility.
(Reader, this is like, only the first 30 pages!)
Joy walks away from the plane crash (!!!) into the rainforest of the Pacific Northwest and finds an inn where a little boy named Bobby is reeling from the recent loss of his mother and getting to know his absent father, with only an imaginary friend to help him cope.
...Do I even need to continue with this book summary? I doubt it would be spoiler-y because there are so many obvious cliches remaining. I guarantee you could take a wild guess at where this is headed and you’d be at least half-right. But go big: think dramatic!
Could this be an endearing Christmas story that will give you all the warm and fuzzy feelings? Sure. For me, it’s everything I imagine a Hallmark movie to be and I rolled my eyes a bunch.
The three stars is because I was honestly impressed with the amount of cliches that the author managed to fit into this book. It's going to be the gift that keeps on giving because I'm mailing it out to another friend just in time for Christmas. Seriously, you have to read it to believe it. *face palm*
For more reviews, visit
March 9, 2025
not what I I expected
I expected a Hallmark Channel romance, and I expected to be rolling my eyes a lot. I did kind of get that Hallmark romance, but it took several zigs and zags to get there. So I did a lot less rolling of my eyes than I thought I would.
I expected a Hallmark Channel romance, and I expected to be rolling my eyes a lot. I did kind of get that Hallmark romance, but it took several zigs and zags to get there. So I did a lot less rolling of my eyes than I thought I would.
December 22, 2013
Joy Candellaro is a high school Librarian and use to love the Christmas season. That was until one day when she came home to find her husband in bed with her sister. Seeing as her marriage is falling apart Joy decides it's time to take a holiday. So Joy heads for the airport and hops on a plane that is going to Hope. Joy thinks that having time away from her problems will be the best thing for her.
But tragedy strikes and the plane she is on ends up crashing. The plane crashes in the forest and although the crash site is horrific Joy and the other passengers all survive. Not knowing where she is and not feeling so good Joy start wandering off and eventually comes across a lodge. Living in the lodge is Daniel and his young son Bobby. She soon discovers that Bobby's mother has passed away and that Bobby is very lost and sad without his mother. Quite quickly Joy and Bobby bond together as Joy feels for Bobby having lost his mother. At times Joy can see how upset Bobby is and at times be becomes depressed. Of course being that it is Christmas time makes it evens harder. Both Daniel and Bobby have enjoyed Joy's company but the day comes when she must leave. Joy assures Bobby that she will return one day to visit them but Bobby is not convinced.
I really enjoyed this book and the twist towards the end had me saying to myself as I'm reading NO that can't happen. So needless to say I desperately wanted to finish this book to find out how it would end. This is a nice light Christmas read which would be great to read over the holiday season.
But tragedy strikes and the plane she is on ends up crashing. The plane crashes in the forest and although the crash site is horrific Joy and the other passengers all survive. Not knowing where she is and not feeling so good Joy start wandering off and eventually comes across a lodge. Living in the lodge is Daniel and his young son Bobby. She soon discovers that Bobby's mother has passed away and that Bobby is very lost and sad without his mother. Quite quickly Joy and Bobby bond together as Joy feels for Bobby having lost his mother. At times Joy can see how upset Bobby is and at times be becomes depressed. Of course being that it is Christmas time makes it evens harder. Both Daniel and Bobby have enjoyed Joy's company but the day comes when she must leave. Joy assures Bobby that she will return one day to visit them but Bobby is not convinced.
I really enjoyed this book and the twist towards the end had me saying to myself as I'm reading NO that can't happen. So needless to say I desperately wanted to finish this book to find out how it would end. This is a nice light Christmas read which would be great to read over the holiday season.
October 19, 2019
When I read this last year for the first time, I couldn't believe the gigantic plot twist. To me, it felt like being punched in the stomach. I think that is because I was so invested in the story that when the big plot twist came, I was just thrown.
So I decided to reread this year to see how I'd like this story knowing everything. And it really felt much different and was even more enjoyable!
Here is my initial full review. I think it's a good one!
On the reread: it was fun to realize that I had missed so many little written-in clues all the way through the first half of the book. Interestingly enough, I managed to become so invested that when the big twist came again - like I knew it would - I found myself blindsided. Again. Except this time it was much easier to handle and I really loved it.
Ultimately, I think you have to suspend your disbelief at basically this entire story. The whole thing. If you're willing to do that, this story will go much more smoothly for you. Otherwise you may possibly be one of those readers that are skeptical about things from the very beginning, who never even stop questioning things to enjoy what is going on. When I was able to read without that caution for the second time--then I was able to fully enjoy the story.
Yes, it is hard to believe. Yes, it is predictable. But it is a holiday story and I really didn't mind that at all. Super glad for this reread!
So I decided to reread this year to see how I'd like this story knowing everything. And it really felt much different and was even more enjoyable!
Here is my initial full review. I think it's a good one!
On the reread: it was fun to realize that I had missed so many little written-in clues all the way through the first half of the book. Interestingly enough, I managed to become so invested that when the big twist came again - like I knew it would - I found myself blindsided. Again. Except this time it was much easier to handle and I really loved it.
Ultimately, I think you have to suspend your disbelief at basically this entire story. The whole thing. If you're willing to do that, this story will go much more smoothly for you. Otherwise you may possibly be one of those readers that are skeptical about things from the very beginning, who never even stop questioning things to enjoy what is going on. When I was able to read without that caution for the second time--then I was able to fully enjoy the story.
Yes, it is hard to believe. Yes, it is predictable. But it is a holiday story and I really didn't mind that at all. Super glad for this reread!
January 2, 2010
for book club--bleh.
It was sweet, I'll give it that and the plane crash scene was pretty good. The premise was soooo out there. The connection between Joy and Daniel just weird. I don't know, I read it in a day, skimmed through several sections and felt it was a waste of my time.
It was sweet, I'll give it that and the plane crash scene was pretty good. The premise was soooo out there. The connection between Joy and Daniel just weird. I don't know, I read it in a day, skimmed through several sections and felt it was a waste of my time.
September 5, 2023
Oh how I enjoyed COMFORT & JOY ! I can’t believe I waited so long to read it as it was published in 2005 and I have been a fan of Kristin Hannah for many many years! Another heart tugging, tearful book by one of my favorite authors and I loved every minute of it! I loved the characters and at times even felt sorry for Joy. This is not a gushy romance story, rather it is a moving tale of a woman struggling to get through the most challenging time of her life.
Joy has been divorced for three months and she is obviously still struggling. Not only did she lose her husband, she lost her sister who has always been her best friend. Not only that, her sister is pregnant and comes to Joy’s home and invites her to the wedding! WHAT? Of course, Joy loses it and gets in the car and flees! Oh, I forgot to say, her sister is marrying Joy’s ex husband. Yeah, how is that not crazy? Joy winds up at the airport and books a flight on a small charter plane. The plane crashes and somehow Joy walks away from the crash. She walks into the rainforest of the Pacific Northwest and finds an inn where a little boy named Bobby is reeling from the recent loss of his mother. COMFORT & JOY is not what I was expecting at all!
COMFORT & JOY by Kristin Hannah pulled me right in as all of Kristin’s books do. The mystery through out had me flipping the pages like a mad woman at some points. Once I started reading COMFORT & JOY it was very hard to stop. The twists and turns kept me reading through out the afternoon. I love when an author can do that to me! Kristin Hannah does a super job of making you feel the emotions the characters are experiencing, at familiarizing you to the settings and the motivations of the story and just simply making you FEEL. Whether it be sadness, anger, love or disgust you get to crawl into some of the characters lives and see the story through their perspective.
Joy has been divorced for three months and she is obviously still struggling. Not only did she lose her husband, she lost her sister who has always been her best friend. Not only that, her sister is pregnant and comes to Joy’s home and invites her to the wedding! WHAT? Of course, Joy loses it and gets in the car and flees! Oh, I forgot to say, her sister is marrying Joy’s ex husband. Yeah, how is that not crazy? Joy winds up at the airport and books a flight on a small charter plane. The plane crashes and somehow Joy walks away from the crash. She walks into the rainforest of the Pacific Northwest and finds an inn where a little boy named Bobby is reeling from the recent loss of his mother. COMFORT & JOY is not what I was expecting at all!
COMFORT & JOY by Kristin Hannah pulled me right in as all of Kristin’s books do. The mystery through out had me flipping the pages like a mad woman at some points. Once I started reading COMFORT & JOY it was very hard to stop. The twists and turns kept me reading through out the afternoon. I love when an author can do that to me! Kristin Hannah does a super job of making you feel the emotions the characters are experiencing, at familiarizing you to the settings and the motivations of the story and just simply making you FEEL. Whether it be sadness, anger, love or disgust you get to crawl into some of the characters lives and see the story through their perspective.
December 30, 2020
3.5 rounded up to 4
Suspend reality and indulge in this magical Christmas gem of a story!
Comfort & Joy by Kristin Hannah was a touching read with lots of feels and sweet moments. With the underlying themes of healing, forgiveness and family, this story is sure to be relatable to most.
I would categorize this story as a Christmas family drama, not a romance. Though, there is a soft romantic plot included. The opening chapters hooked me and I was instantly attached to the protagonist, Joy. The narrative is light with several truly tender moments and quick with easy dialogue and plot development.
At just over 200 pages, this is the perfect read for a quick, feel good Christmas story.
Thank you for reading my review on ŷ! Follow me on Instagram (@journeyofthepages) for further bookish engagement! I hope to meet you there!
Suspend reality and indulge in this magical Christmas gem of a story!
Comfort & Joy by Kristin Hannah was a touching read with lots of feels and sweet moments. With the underlying themes of healing, forgiveness and family, this story is sure to be relatable to most.
I would categorize this story as a Christmas family drama, not a romance. Though, there is a soft romantic plot included. The opening chapters hooked me and I was instantly attached to the protagonist, Joy. The narrative is light with several truly tender moments and quick with easy dialogue and plot development.
At just over 200 pages, this is the perfect read for a quick, feel good Christmas story.
Thank you for reading my review on ŷ! Follow me on Instagram (@journeyofthepages) for further bookish engagement! I hope to meet you there!
December 12, 2023
I really enjoyed this book. It’s an easy read . I thought it was going to be a corny Hallmark read, but I should know better with Kristin Hannah. The concept of this book is well thought out. Yes, there is an overall concept that you don’t know about until halfway through. It actually shook me. The ending shakes you and you are left with one question as you read the last sentence: HOW? And you’d never think it based on the clever title and cheesy cover.
I really had some issues with the relationship between the sisters, Joy and Stacie. I felt this was NOT necessarily handled well or realistically. There is some cheese to the storyline, for sure, but I found myself genuinely longing for Joy to find what she was searching for.
I really had some issues with the relationship between the sisters, Joy and Stacie. I felt this was NOT necessarily handled well or realistically. There is some cheese to the storyline, for sure, but I found myself genuinely longing for Joy to find what she was searching for.
December 6, 2022
Kristin Hannah needs to be bitch slapped for publishing this book and keeping it in print. The first half is completely bat shit. By comparison, the second half is unreadable because it's painstakingly boring. I can't believe this is real.
October 29, 2020
I picked up a copy of this novella at the grocery store and read it one evening. I connected with Joy and I really enjoyed this fable. Hannah can write anything and make it play in your mind like a movie. I will reread this novella every year.
December 17, 2017
At least it was short.
March 15, 2010
I like fluff as much as the next person, but this crossed over into the "give me a break" category. If good fluff is like a Monday Night Lifetime movie that you get sucked into, this is a weekend repeat movie that you can't believe you're watching.
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