One Imperfect Christmas

by Myra Johnson

Book Overview

Graphic designer Natalie Pearce faces the most difficult Christmas of her life. For almost a year, her mother has lain in a nursing home, the victim of a massive stroke, and Natalie blames herself for not being there when it happened. Worse, she's allowed the monstrous load of guilt to drive a wedge between her and everyone she loves--most of all her husband Daniel. Her marriage is on the verge of dissolving, her prayer life is suffering, and she's...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1426700709
• ISBN13: 9781426700705
• Release Date: October 2012
• Publisher: Abingdon Press
• Length: 280 Pages
• Weight: 0.85 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.9" x 5.5" x 8.4"

Customer Reviews

One Imperfect Christmas gives a perfect ending

Myra Johnson's One Imperfect Christmas rings with truth--not every Christmas is a picture-perfect celebration. Sometimes life deals a blow, bringing even strong Christians to their knees. Natalie Pearce turned down her mother's request to help put away her Christmas decorations. When her mother suffers an incapacitating stroke, Natalie is ripped apart with guilt and spirals into depression, driving a wedge that rips her family apart. If you've gone through a heart-wrenching illness or loss of a loved one, you'll identify with the Pearce family as they struggle through their year of trial. Natalie and Daniel's marriage looks doomed to failure, even as their teenage daughter Lissa schemes to keep her family together. In the end, with God's help, Natalie is able to forgive herself, accept life as it comes and the healing love of family, her very own Christmas miracle.

Thank you, Myra

Myra Johnson's book, One Imperfect Christmas, was one perfect gift for myself. The holidays are just around the corner and it's always difficult for me since I lost my mother. I was immediately drawn to the characters in this book because their happiness and tragedies mirrored some within my own family. I could empathize with Natalie for the guilt she felt because I'll always worry, "Did I call Mom often enough", "Did I spend enough time with her" and "Did she really know how much I loved her?" Ms Johnson takes the reader into the heart of this family, through the good times and the bad, and reminds us how wonderful it is to be loved. I look forward to reading her following books.

Home for the Holidays

Do yourself a favor and go "home" for the holidays ... to experience Christmas like you've never experienced it before! Bravo to Myra Johnson for a debut novel that not only inspires and uplifts, but takes you "home" to the true meaning of Christmas with a tender tale of healing, hope and new beginnings. With compelling prose, characters who feel like family and a plot so achingly real that the journey becomes yours, Ms. Johnson deftly leads the reader to a place where Christmas is more than twinkle lights on a tree or ribboned gifts beneath a pine-scented bough. A place where hearts reconnect with loved ones and the Savior's message of new birth embraces not only the characters you fall in love with, but you as a reader as well. So brew a cup of Christmas tea, put your feet up and keep the tissues handy--the true spirit of Christmas awaits!

Perfect novel for an imperfect reader

Myra Johnson's debut novel, One Imperfect Christmas, touches the heart. Her excellent portrayal of how Natalie deals with the unexpected blows life can deal out, rings with reality and truth. Her struggles to overcome the guilt and rebuild her relationship with God hit home with me. We often think we are so rooted in our faith, but one major incident that produces guilt or fear can so derail us. Ms. Johnson shows the importance of getting back on track with your faith and with God. I loved the deep rich characterization of Myra's writing. It was difficult to put the book down and at the same time reminds us how we must rely on God when life makes those inevitable turns. I'm looking forward to more work from this author.

Heart-wrenching and Real

Myra Johnson's debut novel, One Imperfect Christmas, puts together all that is perfect about Christmas--family, faith, celebration of life and the birth of Christ. It also gives us a glimpse into life's imperfections--loss, guilt, self-doubt, and the pain of having a loved one suffer in illness. Natalie Pearce faces the same frustrations many busy women do--the responsibilities of maintaining a home, trying to quell her temper with a husband whose job is top priority, and providing guidance for an adolescent daughter who can be a handful at times. Add to that a budding career for herself and helping out with her retired parents, and it's easy to see how Natalie falls into the "guilt" trap when her mother has a debilitating stroke. Blaming herself for not being there, Natalie erects a wall around herself, alienating her family and giving her father more worry instead of help in caring for the mom who's confined to a nursing home. One Imperfect Christmas is a family's journey through broken marriage, misunderstood feelings, and the lengths to which a young teen will go to bring her parents together and be the catalyst for healing and peace. Warm and heartfelt, the writing is deeply introspective, and there were times I didn't like Natalie very much, but as we are all vulnerable to life's traumas, she was also relatable. Who among us is always likeable? And even more, who hasn't experienced the need for divine intervention more than a few times in our lives? Myra's debut book is one to ponder, to reflect on our own relationships, and to celebrate the joys of Christmas.