The First Day of Christmas

By: Carolyn Nash

Narrated by: Ilyana Kadushin

Length: 3 hrs and 50 mins

Publisher's summary

To impress her boss, Linda Rogers eagerly volunteers to take in a foster child for the holiday season. She's well-organized in and outside the office; the addition of a child? A simple matter of blocking out the hours in her day planner and laying in a few supplies. Never mind that she's single. Never mind that she's never cared to have a lasting relationship or build a family. Housing seven-year-old Lucy Green for Christmas is simply to boost Linda up the next career step, nothing more. At least, that was the plan. But when Lucy's presence triggers long-hidden memories that challenge the carefully constructed foundation of Linda's life, will the emotions awakened by this little girl's harrowing experiences bring these two injured souls together, or tear them irrevocably apart?

©2012 Carolyn Nash (P)2014 Audible, Inc.

I'm Impressed

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Oh, Yes. This was a book I picked up on a whim, as a trade for another that didn't quite fit. I'm glad I did. The author actually did her research on a subject, foster care,that I don't know much about. You always hear these dramatic, horrible stories about greedy foster parents or out of control, throw-away children. But she made it real, Potential parents who have holes in there lives and children who need a safe place and someone who cares

What did you like best about this story?

There was a lot to like. So informative. And like I said, realistic people. The main character, Linda, is a single, super-organised ambitious person. She keeps everyone at arms length. To impress her boss, she volunteers for a short-term fostering program that he sponsors.The story takes you through the Process. The classes, the security checks, home inspection, etc. The reader, along with everyone in the story, expects her to withdraw. She doesn't even have a pet! She's constantly reminded of the disruption having a child, although a temporary, one would cause to her life.Admirably, she sticks to it. And even grows to anticipate the addition. When she finally meet Lucy, the child, she see alot of herself in her. Withdrawn, shy, damaged. Through the whole process she grows. She has to face some serious demons.

What does Ilyana Kadushin bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

She did a great job representing both adults and children.

Any additional comments?

Sorry to give so much away. But with this story it's not what was said, it's how it was dealt with. The author kept it "real" and informative too. It was touching without being heavy-handed. I will definitely be reading more form her.

What Really Happens Behind Closed Doors?

This book has the potential to be so much more! It actually, reads more like a short story and can appear unrealistic because it takes place over a few months but moves fairly quickly. In the beginning of this book, the main character seems a bit shallow. Please don't let that fool you. If you feel discouraged or lose interest, try to stick with it. It is a book that will cause the reader to take a look at things many of us take for granted and, hopefully, will help us understand why we may want to remember things are not always the way they appear on the surface. I'll just say that it is a good reminder that families are rarely as straight forward as they may seem from the outside. No one really knows what goes on behind closed doors. It is a good book for both young adults and older readers. If you are looking for steamy romance, you'll not find it here. Nor will you find a fast-paced action-packed story. There were times when I could have cheerfully shaken the main character and asked her what time it was when she stopped having good sense but, for the most part it is a book I'd recommend.

great story

Loved how you broken people helped each other heal. Both hard been let down by people they loved and together they learned to forgive.

No Matter How Hard You Push it; it Doesn't Stay Do

Linda runs cold and that's the way she likes it; so when her boss asks for volunteers to foster a child during the holidays. Telling herself it's to impress her boss she volunteers to take a child. The child turns out to be a girl named Lucy who has survived more trauma and pain than anyone should have to know in a lifetime; much less seven years. As Linda grows closer to the child she grows closer to the feelings she was forced to hide as a child. Traumatized herself at age twelve she was forced to deny those feelings by her mother. The trauma of that night has adversely affected both her and her brother since that night. This is the story of a woman who in helping a girl get past the horror of the abuse she's suffered in her short life may just be able to able to get past her own.

Wow!

I wasn’t expecting too much from this short Christmas story, but it was wonderful. Bittersweet, touching, sad & happy. It made me cry. Beautiful story.