A Quilt for Christmas: A Christmas Novella

Written by Melody Carlson

Narrated by Stephanie Cozart

Cuddle up with this cozy story of giving and forgiving—with a little bit of romance

Christmas should be celebrated with family, but for Vera Swanson, that’s not an option this year. Widowed and recently relocated, she is lonely in her condo-forone—until little Fiona Albright knocks on her door needing help.

With her mother seriously ill and her father out of town, Fiona enlists Vera’s aid, and when she finds out her new neighbor is a quilter, she has a special request—a Christmas quilt for Mama.

Vera will have to get a ragtag group of women together to fulfill the request.

Between free-spirited artist Tasha, chatty empty nester Beverly, retired therapist Eleanor, and herself, Vera has hopes that Christmas for the Albright family will be merry after all. And she may even find herself a new family of friends along the way.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Recorded Books, Inc.
• Release date: Sep 6, 2022
• ISBN: 9781705074633

Melody Carlson

Melody Carlson has written more than 200 books for teens, women, and children. Before publishing, Melody traveled around the world, volunteered in teen ministry, taught preschool, raised two sons, and worked briefly in interior design and later in international adoption. "I think real-life experiences inspire the best fiction," she says. Her wide variety of books seems to prove this theory.

Reviews for A Quilt for Christmas

[DAN · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

The Characters, Gods kindness shown through His people. Never give up on the ones who seem so hopeless.

[Eilene Clapp Johnson · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Clean, charming and simple Christmas book. Shows the gift of service

[polarmath · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I really enjoyed this heartwarming story. Fiona is determined to get her mom a quilt for Christmas and soon enlists the help of her neighbor to make it happen. Vera is new to the neighborhood but soon finds herself enlisting the help of others to make Fiona’s wish come true. I really enjoyed reading how the neighbors and friends came together to make it all happen.

[Sharon Hunter · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Just what I was looking for as we approached the Christmas season!
The blending of personalities along with helping and healing storylines.

[robbyefaye · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Years ago, I happened upon one of Melody Carlson's Christmas tales in a bookstore. It has now become a Christmas tradition for me to read her latest book each holiday season.You will undoubtedly be enchanted and enraptured by the events that Fiona, a charming, delightful and precocious young girl who lives near Vera, a newly widowed neighbor, sets in motion.Eleanor, a new friend to Vera, was someone I struggled mightily to like or even feel empathy for. Although we have all experienced tumultuous, trying and occasionally sad or heartbreaking times, this does not give us license to treat everyone who crosses our path unkindly. When she urged the other quilters in her group to use her large home rather than Vera's modest apartment of her own volition, I found it even more difficult to understand her caustic, demeaning attitude. Though I never really warmed up to her, thankfully, as the novella goes on, she starts to show a few redeeming qualities.The narrative is essentially one of friendship, kindness, hope and optimism. Vera's life has drastically changed when the story opens, and you will be devastated by Fiona's situation. But as time goes on, the knowledge of a Divine plan becomes awe-inspiring.Your holiday spirit will be filled with all the warm fuzzies after reading A Quilt for Christmas. It is so very sweet and endearing. I received a copy of this book from NetGalley. All opinions are my own, and I am voluntarily leaving this review.

[nadinec.keels · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Having read a few of this author's other novellas, I expected easy Christmas reading here. After the opening trouble for some of the characters, I admittedly started to think perhaps the rest of the story might be too easy.Nevertheless, it turns out that a nice amount of substance is packed into this tale, including meaningful backstories for the characters along with the emotional struggles they face. The thread of simple romance woven in isn't the kind that wows me, but I like how its presence plays into the overall dynamic of the story. I'm not sure all of the dialogue fits the characters' ages, as I don't really hear people from my generation and younger using words like "smitten" and "sissy" in serious everyday conversation, but that isn't the biggest deal.The various moving parts along the characters' collective journey come together in such a touching way, I found myself blinking away a couple of tears a couple of times. Quite a fitting read for fans of warm and uplifting holiday tales with faith sprinkled in.Revell provided me with a complimentary copy of this book for an honest review.

[lifeofliterature · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I look forward to these fun Christmas novellas by Melody Carlson every year because they always put me in the Christmas spirit! Charming and cozy, this novella is the perfect read by a fireplace with your favorite hot beverage. Vera is such a dear soul and I really liked reading about her generous spirit. I also loved dear little Fiona. I was encouraged by many of the spiritual truths in this novella as the characters themselves grow in their faith. Friendships and community abound as the ladies come together for Fiona and you cannot help but smile at the wonderful ending to the story. I really liked reading this novella, so full of heart, and am already eagerly anticipating the next one!I received a complimentary copy of this book from Revell Publishing. Opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

[ecataldi-1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

A quilt for Christmas is a small present to yourself just in time for the holidays. It's a quick read about charity, friendship, and forgiveness and it will get readers in the holiday spirit. When Vera Swanson located to a small condo hours away from her big family home she thought she was going to get to spend more time with her daughter and grandchildren and less time missing her husband. Instead - he daughter's family relocates almost as soon as she's moved in and she's left stranded in a town where she knows no one. When a small girl pounds on her door and asks for help because her mom is sick her world is turned upside down. She discovers that her next door neighbors are down on their luck and she is smitten with their children, especially 4 year old Fiona. When Fiona discovers that Fiona can quilt she wants to make a quilt for her mom by Christmas. Unfortunately there isn't much time and it's not a job Vera can do alone. She places fliers around town asking for people to help with her quilt project and soon she and three strange women, find themselves thrown together and forming friendships. Fun, light, and joyful. A quick read and one I will revisit again.

[harley0326 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This is the perfect book to read anytime of the year. It has wonderful characters that you can relate to. I adored Vera and how she helped her neighbor out. Just when she thought she would be spending Christmas alone, God opens a door where new friendships develop. There is a very special relationship between Vera and the sweet little neighbor girl named Fiona. I think she stole the show in this story with her zest for life and how important it was that her mom have a quilt for Christmas. We meet a few other characters that round out the story that brings joy to some that have been lonely and sad for a long time. The author illustrates the importance of reaching out to others and listening when they need someone to comfort them. It is a great story about giving and making new memories for Christmas. I received a copy of this book from The Librarything Early Reader Program. The review is my own opinion.

[kris_anderson-1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

A delightful, heartwarming story. I started reading and just kept going (I might have gotten testy when people interrupted me). I enjoy Melody Carlson's writing. I was drawn right into the story. The story had steady pacing. The characters were realistic and relatable. I enjoyed getting to know the people in the book. I was sorry to see the story end. I will share my full review soon.

[aardvark2_1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

While I have difficulty believing that this story would actually occur in real life, I found it a pleasant feel-good book for Christmas. The characters are very (overly?) trusting and bond in record time, and the wealthy woman’s rapid conversion from “Grinch” to sweet was hard to believe. Still, not a bad story for a little Christmas cheer.

[fcplcataloger · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

'Vera Swanson used to love Christmas.' This was before she became a widow living in a city where everyone was a stranger. Christmas was now a day to be dreaded until a knock on the door offers her a reason to love Christmas again. A scared little girl and her suddenly ill mother quickly give Vera a new purpose for her life!Four-year-old Fiona Albright is absolutely adorable so it's no surprise that Vera agrees to help her and her family and that she also finds it difficult to refuse Fiona's request to make a quilt for her mother. Vera finds help for this Herculean task in the form of three complete strangers who are her complete opposites and soon realizes that God had stitched them together in love.It's become a tradition for me to read Melody Carlson's annual Christmas offering and this novella certainly didn't disappoint. It's a heartwarming story that gave me all of the feels of the holiday season, as I visualized the beautiful decorations, imagined the tantalizing aromas, and experienced the joy that comes from friendship and love. A Quilt for Christmas is a lovely gift for readers!I received a review copy courtesy of Revell through Interviews & Reviews for my honest opinion.

[alekee_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

A quick paced heartwarming read, and the catalyst is a four year old delightful little girl.As a quilter I was cringing when a few weeks before Christmas a little girl requests a neighbor to make a queen size quilt for her mother, but this is a project that is about to change many lives, for the better, and we are there as this gift unfolds!The spirit of Christmas and the magic is works in peoples lives, and maybe lasting and wonderful deeds!Get ready to have the tissues handy!I received this book through Net Galley and the Publisher Revell, and was not required to give a positive review.

[veragodley · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

My thoughts: There is so much packed in the 184 pages of this little Christmas novella. A lonely widowed lady, a precocious 4 year old, an artsy-trendy young divorcee, some other older ladies, a young musician, and a family with many needs.What a hodge-podge of personalities and life events mixed and shaken together to bring some magic into the lives of those who need a spark of goodness to brighten their days.I was bemused because the lonely widowed lady that got the story going is named "Vera." Whoa! Well this Vera that is reading the book has a good read ahead with "book-Vera" at the helm.Little Fiona wins hearts of all as she joyfully weaves herself into the patchwork that is the makeup of individuals in the quilting group. She welds them together with her smiles and joy but she also has a knack for getting to the point of needs in their own lives that need to be stitched in a nicer way. Again the author, Melody Carlson, has neatly quilted together a story that is sure to bring joy to readers at Christmas.DISCLOSURE: I won an ARC from the Early Reviewers group on LibraryThing.com. I was not required to leave a review, but reviews are appreciated. Opinions are mine, alone.

[thornton37814 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This heartwarming novella relates the story of the widowed Vera Swanson who moves to Oregon to be near her daughter. About the time she moves, her daughter's husband transfers away. Now Vera must find her way in a new place on her own. The opportunity comes when a near five-year-old girl (Fiona) in the condo across the hall comes to Vera for help. Vera determines the woman needs medical help and gets her to the hospital, although the woman talks of no insurance. She learns two older siblings are at school and that the husband is working in California. The family moved to Oregon from Arizona, but lack of employment necessitated the husband's living away during the week. Fiona sees the quilt on Vera's bed and wants one for her mother for Christmas. Vera knows she cannot do it on her own. Fiona and her siblings suggest placing flyers with tear-off phone numbers at the market, the flower shop, and church they attend. When she arrives at the flower shop, Tasha, a lover of color, wants to learn to quilt. At the market, she meets Eleanor who used to sew and seeks a new hobby. After leaving the flyer at the church, Beverly responds. Her grandmother used to run the church's quilting circle, and Beverly always wanted to learn to quilt from her grandmother, but she died, and her death brought the demise of the circle. This women's circle brings some form of healing or happiness to each woman and to the lives each touches. This would make a great Hallmark Christmas movie. While Carlson is a Christian writer, the novel does not preach and mentions faith in appropriate and natural contexts. I received an advance reader's copy through LibraryThing's Early Reviewer program in exchange for an honest review.

[lowelibrary · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

First let me state, that this cute little book reminded me of a Hallmark movie the whole time I was reading it. This is the kind of fluff that I look for in a Christmas movie. Unfortunately, I like a little more substance to my books. The characters are great and well introduced. The expected romance was predictable, but the turn around of the Scrooge-like character was forced and rushed, without much build-up or reasoning. The book blurb talks about Vera as the main character, yet she quickly becomes the catalyst for the introduction of the other characters and then just serves to complement their stories.

[jumbler-2 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This is the first book I've read by this author. I enjoyed this book. The characters are well developed, The four women start a quilt group to make a Christmas quilt for the family next door to Vera. The four women start out as strangers, together to make a quilt. They each have issues but work together to become a close knit group. A very positive look at loss, love, and friendship. Great read!

[delphimo_1 · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

My first Christmas novella of 2022 and a simple story filled with forgiveness and love. A Quilt for Christmas does not delve into the psychological stories of the main characters, just a little when Eleanor Rasmussen relays her story of grief and suffering with the death of her husband and her daughter. But Vera Swanson has also lost her husband and does act so boorish. The other characters show diversity: Beverly Clark, Tasha Ellison, and the Albright family. I realize this is a Christmas story, but the intrusion into the Albright family needs more limitations. Yes, the family needs assistance, but are they ashamed? Love and romance creep into the story, but too quickly and with the wrong individuals. The quilt making process seems a little too trite. Vera takes the finished top part of the quilt and attaches the batting and backing herself. When does the needle work of attaching the back and front occur? A simple but heart-warming story.

[fernemysteryreader · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

A heartwarming novella! The story takes place in the weeks leading up to Christmas but the message of the story rings true at any time of year."Use your voice for kindness, your ears for compassion, your hands for charity, your mind for truth, and your heart for love." ~Author Unknown."Vera Swanson didn't have any Christmas spirit this year so a look around the condo didn't give any indication that holiday traditions of decorating, baking, etc. were in progress and leading up to celebration with family. Then a 4-year old named Fiona Albright urgently knocked on Vera's door one morning and changed everything.Seeing the world through a child's eyes, the twinkle of smiles and the sparkle of laughter, the curiosity of questions and the innocence of spontaneous reactions and comments unveil possibilities, lift shadows of heartache, spark friendship for a diverse group and lead to a meaningful holiday season at Christmas. This uplifting Christmas story exemplifies the gift of giving and inspires one to share the hope and love of Christmas through actions. Even the smallest actions can make the biggest differences to the lives of others and the returns bring the most unexpected surprises of friendship, joy, and love.I was lucky to receive an Advance Reader’s Edition of this title as an Early Reviewer from LibraryThing. The opinions expressed in the review are my own.

[maydacat_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This heartwarming Christmas tale overflows with hope and good cheer. Vera has sold her family home, now too large with the death of her husband, and with her two kids on their own with their own families. She moves to a condo to be near her daughter and grandkids and son-in-law, but mere months later, his job transfer takes that family to another state. Now it’s just weeks tell Christmas, and Vera has no one. She doesn’t know any of her neighbors, or really, anyone. One morning, Fiona, the little girl from across the hall knocks on her door, and tells her her mom is sick and needs help. Vera ends up taking her to the hospital, babysits the youngest girl, and waits for the two older kids to return from school. This family is also new to the neighborhood, and the dad works construction in another city during the week. Needless to say, Vera and this family become acquainted rather quickly. Fiona sees a lovely quilt on Vera’s bed, and she wants Vera to make a similar one for her mom for Christmas. Knowing she’d need help, Vera puts out some posters, asking for quilters to help with a project. Three women reply, none quilters but all want to learn. It’s an eclectic mix, with one being a younger free spirit, one a happy and helpful sort, and one an unhappy, bitter woman. This is a tale of how these women develop a lasting friendship, and heal not only their own grief and loneliness but also help a family in dire need of a helping hand. The characters are quite well developed, and readers will feel their frustration as Vera and the other two women of the group try to deal with the bitterness of the fourth member. Perhaps the best character is young Fiona, who is wise beyond her years, and who is the catalyst that brings about the change in the bitter woman’s outlook. The plot is engrossing, and this short novella could be read in one sitting. It’s such a wonderful story, readers likely will not want to put it down. A bonus chapter which follows the end serves as an epilogue, and ties thing up quite nicely. Melody Carlson has written another lovely Christmas tale of goodwill and friendship, with a touch of romance thrown in. It’s a marvelous tale for Christmas, or really, anytime.