All I Want for Christmas is You by Lisa Mondello

All I Want for Christmas is You by Lisa Mondello holds a special place in the author's heart. It was her first published novel back in 1998. Today it can be found in Kindle format and where I had the opportunity to read it. The story centers around Lauren Alexander and her young daughter Kristen who only wants a "daddy" for Christmas this year. She only needs to ask Santa and he'll deliver. She just knows it.

Unbeknownst to Kristen, Santa is really Kyle Preston, local real estate developer. When Kristen meets Santa, she gives Santa her letter asking him for her special wish. Touched by her request, he can only tell her that he can't make any promises. I was pleased to see that the dialogue was honest. But as I wondered how "Santa" and Lauren were going to meet, the author fixed that by giving Lauren a dead car battery, leaving her stranding in in the parking lot at the mall, while it is snowing no less!

The scene that follows is actually pretty funny and almost OTT (over the top) but sets up the rest of the story - a sweet story about a single mom who meets a rich and handsome man and falls in love with him. Throw in a Christmas Tree Lighting, sleigh rides and dinner with the family and you have a heartwarming story of faith and hope.

All I Want for Christmas is You is a fairly quick read, only 200 pages and allows the reader a moment to escape from the stresses of the season, even if it's only for a little while.