Comfort & Joy

A Fable

By: Kristin Hannah

Narrated by: Sandra Burr

Length: 6 hrs and 6 mins

Publisher's summary

New York Times bestselling author Kristin Hannah is beloved by readers around the world for her unique blend of powerful emotion and exquisite storytelling. In Comfort & Joy, she offers a modern-day fairy tale - the story of a woman who gets a miraculous chance at happiness.

Joy Candellaro once loved Christmas more than any other time of the year. Now, as the holiday approaches, she is at a crossroads in her life; recently divorced and alone, she can’t summon the old enthusiasm for celebrating. So without telling anyone, she buys a ticket and boards a plane bound for the beautiful Pacific Northwest. When an unexpected detour takes her deep into the woods of the Olympic rainforest, Joy makes a bold decision to leave her ordinary life behind - to just walk away - and thus begins an adventure unlike any she could have imagined.

In the small town of Rain Valley, six-year-old Bobby O’Shea is facing his first Christmas without a mother. Unable to handle the loss, Bobby has closed himself off from the world, talking only to his invisible best friend. His father Daniel is beside himself, desperate to help his son cope. Yet when the little boy meets Joy, these two unlikely souls form a deep and powerful bond. In helping Bobby and Daniel heal, Joy finds herself again.

But not everything is as it seems in quiet Rain Valley, and in an instant, Joy’s world is ripped apart, and her heart is broken. On a magical Christmas Eve, a night of impossible dreams and unexpected chances, Joy must find the courage to believe in a love - and a family - that can’t possibly exist, and go in search of what she wants...and the new life only she can find.

©2005 Kristin Hannah. (P)2005 Brilliance Audio, all rights reserved.

Critic reviews

“A heartwarming holiday tale [that] resonates with poignancy and deep emotion.” (Romantic Times)

Believe in Magic!

I am a big Kristin Hannah fan and downloaded this without even reading the synopsis. I wasn’t sure what to expect with this book, but I was very pleasantly surprised! It turned out to be a lovely story about hope, forgiveness, and believing without seeing. A very heartfelt story about the magic of Christmas! I thought the narrator was great, but the only thing I thought was odd was the voice of Stacey. She sounded like an old lady, but she was the younger of the 2 sisters!

Forgiveness and healing

I love this story and how it depicts forgiveness, healing and love. Kristin Hannah doesn’t disappoint.

narration was a real disappointment.

I read this book first and then listened to it because it really left me hanging with so many unanswered questions. however, this is probably the worst narration I have ever heard. some of the character voices made me laugh!

Lovely Story About Personal Growth and Forgiveness

I loved this book. I have read and loved all of Kristen's books (except one) and though this was a departure from Kristen's usual writings, I found her story to be touching, warm and hopeful. If people are looking for a lighter book about new beginnings this is the perfect book for them. I would definitely recommend it..

Sweet story with a nice twist!

I was quite taken with this story and recommend it as a light, nice Christmas story. Worth the credit!

Cute, predictable holiday read

Fun and sweet, although predictable and maybe basic. I can’t believe she forgave her sister though is all I’m going to say.

sweet and heartwarming

engaging and sweet story about a woman starting anew. Joy taverns into the woods and discovers what love is

Incredible performance

I needed this story! Another engaging, moving book from the author. Well produced and performed by the reader. Thanks!

quite a twist.

At first I didn't want to finish, because of how it started, but it has a wonderful ending.

Super sweet

This book just brought me joy. I listened to the entire thing in 2 days, and it was a perfect story for the holidays.