I had a tough time with this book. I appreciated that it is a low angst read -- however, I found that it lacked substance and chemistry. Which is a surprise given the weighty period this book is set in. With Woodstock and the Vietnam War as a back drop, this book had the potential to make a powerful impact but instead of roaring it whimpered its way through some rather tepid emotional territory. The relationship had odd begins -- there really did not seem to be very much of a connection other than they both happened to be both gay -- both at the same place and at the same time? A couple of letters later -- and its love! I wasn't as drawn in or charmed as I was hoping to be. This was a pleasant enough read for me, but ultimately a fairly average book that left me longing for more ...

The history that is so unbelievable now about the illegality if being gay and the politics of war that’s repeated over the years make an important backdrop for this story.

Gary is a peace loving hippie. Richard, an enlisted man escaping the religious centred family he’s grown up in. Gary saves Richard from believing he’s better off dead, opens him up to the world of Woodstock, freedom, and love.

Their letters bring to life the horrors of war and the hopefulness of living authentically. This is a great book, historically and romantically. The angel plays her magical role, and moves through Gary and Richard’s lives, on to the next couple.

KU

I really enjoyed this lovely Christmas story.

Gary's openness, easy acceptance, and generous heart turns out to be exactly what Richard — shy, unconfident, and raised in a close-minded and love-starved household — needs.

I also love that NR Walker manages to compassionately discuss the complexities of being a soldier and being a cog in a war machine.

A gorgeous 5 star read.

This is sweet with a tiny bit of an insta-love element. Sure they meet and hookup for the first weekend at Woodstock, but it does feel like their relationship gets to develop with all the letters sent back and forth between them while Richard was in Vietnam. I liked how Gary drew Richard out of his sheltered upbringing to show him how much more the world could offer.

The second half of the story is lovely as well. Richard doesn't come back from the war unscarred either physically or mentally, but Gary is committed to being there for him no matter what. I liked these two committing to making a relationship work and being willing to do whatever the other needs.

I do enjoy these sweet little Christmas stories. They're feel good options and are always going to be a relatively quick read. Just plain nice all around.

As expected, this book was really lovely!

I honestly put off reading a bit, as it seemed like it might be a bit heavy, but of course, I had nothing to fear in Walker's capable hands!

The pacing was really great here, and I loved the way this author managed to capture a really fraught time in USA history in a way that felt true to events without loading us down with angst. I also thought the author did a really great job with the setting and really making it *feel* like we were reading a book set during Woodstock/the Vietnam war. The characters were wonderful and I thought the connection between them was really lovely.

I did feel like their relationship moved a smidge quickly, and though I honestly didn't mind too much and felt the author did a good job making it feel believable, it still was a little fast paced to really feel completely authentic. But a *super* minor quibble.

Another book down in the Christmas Angel series, and another author I hadn’t heard of before. I so loved this story, just like the rest so far, as well as the characters. I’m looking forward to the next book in the series.

5 Incredible Stars.🌟

5 Plus Stars
💖Wow 💖This book is fantastic and a incredible story for Richard and Gary. The author his told it well through their time at the festival and letters of war and what happens after. From right at the start til the end I couldn't put the book down. Scenes where fantastic as i may have been holding my breath and tears as they played out. Beautiful love scenes between them made me feel.
Gary and 3 others planing to have fun at a peace an music festival for 3 days at Woodstock.
Richard sitting alone was waiting for his bus with Gary introduced himself. Richard was an Army and soon will be in Vietnam.

Gary and Richard meet at a diner; Gary was on his way to Woodstock and Richard to New York before shipping out to Vietnam. Gary took a chance and invited Richard to accompany him to Woodstock, and Richard took that chance and went. And there Gary, who was a kind and open person, helped Richard see that how he felt was exactly okay. It was a revelation for Richard, who had grown up in a repressive home. A couple of days later, Richard was shipping out to Vietnam.

I loved how their relationship continued and grew over the next years through their letters. Their eventual reunion brought actual tears to my eyes. I loved Kat, Gary's friend, and Gary's parents. They rounded out the family that Gary had made for Richard upon his return.

The angel's involvement is even more subtle than the last two stories, but I love how it's being passed on to others in need.

Very sweet story set during Woodstock and the Vietnam War.

3.5 Stars - Team review with Chelsea!

I’m a huge fan of NR Walker, but this wasn’t my favorite. Don’t fret though, this was still extremely well written and of course, very romantic and smexy!

Though I’ve become a bigger fan of historicals this year, apparently I’m fickle and the time period just didn’t capture me as much. Throw in the horrors of war, terribly awful bigoted parents, and the enjoyment factor for me was decreased.

Unlike Christmas Angel and Summerfield’s Angel, the magical whimsy of said angel has diminished steadily in this series, and I honestly miss the fantastical theme of it all. Don’t listen to me though, and please go read any of the glowing reviews out there singing this book’s praises because Walker really is a fantastic writer. I’m the odd man out here, defective in my lack of Christmas cheer for this story.

Thank you to the author/publisher for a copy in exchange for a honest review

Check out the blog for Chelsea’s thoughts!