Books & Spoons Review: FINDING CHRISTMAS by Jeannie Moon

Small town Holly Point wasn’t big enough to hold the dreams of golden girl Maggie Benson. So when she left at eighteen, she flew right through college and into the adrenaline-pumping life of a navy fighter pilot. But without warning, a devastating crash destroys the career she loves and sends her back to her overly protective family to heal. Maggie can’t imagine how she can reconnect with the woman she was until the hot local high school basketball coach steps up to show her the way.

Former NBA star Will Fitzgerald knows how an injury can derail more than a career. Still, he’s happy with his life as a teacher and coach at Holly Point High School, until his quiet life is upended by the beautiful, brilliant, and hurting Maggie. Blindsided by the intense attraction, Will wonders if pursuing the woman of his dreams will answer the question of what’s been missing in his life.

Can Maggie trust enough again to let Will past her wounds, inside and out, so that they can both find the Christmas magic they’ve been searching for?

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I enjoyed the Christmas in New York series last year, and I am delighted to see continues in it, this time around.
This story got deep and emotional for me from the start. The struggles, both physical and mental, Maggie has had, while recovering from the fire and its consequences, are devastating. She is so tough, strong, and humble. Yet the author doesn't shy away to show her moments of utter despair, with the change her life had to face. How she gets stronger, in all the possible ways, as the story continues, is beautiful to read. Maggie's tale is a love letter to all the veterans, injured in the war. Her struggle is real, the pain unimaginable, and her bravery to admit all the lows and highs while recovering, well, I was in tears. For anyone having to face a life altering physical problems, it is so easy to relate to the effort both Maggie and Will had to go through in their lives. 
Not all in the town take Maggie back with open arms. There's a couple of scenes that were so realistic, and true, in the pure raw way some people wound others with their words, that I needed to take deep breaths.
The way Maggie and Will connect, was magic. The support they have for each other, adoration, admiration, passion, love, care, and consideration, it left me speechless. It is adorable, the battle to learn to trust the new feelings, is raw. And the will to fight for, what they have, and the possibilities for the relationship, is amazing. 
Needless to say, this story touched me more than many others, over the past year. The fact that I'm still in tears, just writing this review, should tell you how deep it went. It is amazing story of survival, the love and support of friends and family, and finding a new purpose, the strength to trust again, after it seems life has kicked you into the curve. If you are going to read just one book over the holidays, consider this being it. 
~ Five Spoons! 

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