Books & Spoons Review for ONE LAST GIFT by Nancy Stopper

 ONE LAST GIFT BY NANCY STOPPER

They can’t forget their shared history, but when they see each other again after ten years, can they put the past behind them?
​Will the Christmas spirit help Jack and Casey find their way back to each other?

A poignant and touching story about life, love, family, losses, and forgiveness during Christmas time in Oak Grove. Even though this is a book five in the series, it is a standalone novel, only loosely connected to the first four books in the series. 
Jack and Casey were young and in love ten years ago until the loss of their baby draws them apart. A successful businessman, Jack has avoided his hometown ever since he left to look for a new beginning, without the hole in his heart the sorrow of losing his child had created. He asked for Casey to go with him, but Casey could not think about leaving her Oak Grove, the town she loved. 
Ten years of life and living without seeing Casey has been okay for Jack until his father's heart attack forces him to come home and face his past. 
There is a lot of story and churning emotions fit into the novella. Jack is a good man, he has created a new business and work-filled life away from home. He is successful, responsible, and capable, providing jobs and making a livelihood. He sees his past mistakes and is willing to work on the issues, the hurt, and the healing that is required.
Casey is a lovely young woman, who has done her best to overcome the past, the pain, and the loss. She has a new focus in life, she has her place in the town, she is making a good living, with a job she loves, she has her son and she is willing to fight the world to keep him safe and happy. 
I love how the author, with each story, is willing to dig deep, go to those places in mind and heart that the characters rather would hide, and out the aching feels and fears they hide buried inside. Jack and Casey have to have the tough and difficult conversations with each other. There have to be the airing of the wounds of their hearts for them to heal, and they have to be willing to do the challenging thing, forgiving and learning to move on, to make compromises and sacrifices, to put each other, and the family, first when building up the future. 
A tender and warm story, a tale of big emotions and passion for life, with Christmassy feels and scenery, the magic of the time for peace and love in the air
~ Four Spoons with a teaspoon on the side

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