One Imperfect Christmas

By: Myra Johnson

Narrated by: Amy Rubinate

Length: 7 hrs and 53 mins

Publisher's summary

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 one Christmas away from hitting rock bottom.

Junior-high basketball coach Daniel Pearce is at his wit’s end. Nothing he’s done has been able to break through the wall Natalie has erected between them. And their daughter Lissa’s adolescent rebellion isn’t helping matters. As Daniel’s hope reaches its lowest ebb, he wonders if this Christmas will spell the end of his marriage and the loss of everything he holds dear.

©2009 Myra Johnson (P)2015 Audible, Inc.

Must Read. My Favorite Audible Book Thus Far

The true meaning of Christmas shines through disaster, heart break, love, emotions, family, forgiveness, life and even death. you will laugh, smile, feel, think, and even tear up. Highly recommend.

Good story, but ..

I enjoyed this story, but I almost quit it early on.
The narrator is the reason. Half the time I thought it was a computer reading it. The rest of the time the whiny tone combined with the nasal quality of her voice was hard to listen to. I decided to concentrate on the story and did my best to ignore the voice delivering it.
I'm glad I listened to the story all the way through, but I probably won't listen to it again.

EEEK!!

I so very much enjoyed the storyline a bit too religious for my liking but I guess that my fault as this is in the genre of religious,,,oops.

I almost turned it off after the 3 chapter because the narrator was so SO HORRIBLE!!
It was the whining sound to her voice, it grated on me the entire book. I get enough from my kids I definitely don’t want it during my ‘me time’.
I would recommend the book NOT the audio book though to spare my friends from the disaster that is the narrator.

Great Narration

Overall this audio was great but the Narrator is truly what kept the story alive for me. The main character Natalie was really annoying in her immaturity and self pity but maybe thats more true to real life than the typical story. The moments, hardships and people’s reactions were more realistic than the typical novel but the whole time I’m thinking... would y’all just be open and honest?! Lol. Maybe thats the marks of a real life story.

God's Blessings

Loved this story, very moving, soul touching, heartfelt memories, Complete showing of God's grace, mercy and faith. Would recommend that anyone looking for an awesome book, this is it! God Bless, Happy Birthday Jesus and Merry Christmas to all! 🙏🙌💖💘

More depressing than I want in a Christmas story

I almost gave up on this book multiple times. The main female character just annoyed me so much for most of the story with her false sense of guilt and self pity. I felt really bad for her husband, trying to help and deal with everything as the family struggled with the health issues of her mom. Yes, being the sucker I am I did cry at the end, and it had a good redemptive message of forgiveness, but most of the story was so depressing and just not fun to listen to. Not the uplifting kind of story I want to listen to at Christmas. I'm glad it was an Audible plus catalog book and I didn't spend a credit on it.

Too many emotions

Be prepared for laughter, frustration, and tears. It's a rollercoaster of emotions and an honest view of personal and Spiritual relationships. Wait for it...the ending is worth it.

Well written

An excellent story of faith, but, being an emotional person, I cried throughout even as I couldn’t stop listening.

Story had potential but missed the mark

This story of a loving family’s deep grief after the matriarch suffered a severe stroke really had potential to inform, encourage others who may have experienced a similar challenge as a family. Instead, it was a frustrating story of a self centered main character, Natalie, who basically made a nightmare for everyone around her, as though her grief and pain were worse. Her feelings of guilt surrounding her mother’s stroke seemed overplayed. Having worked in rehab for many years and seen many variations on families responding to loss and challenges, I wish the author had gotten more input for accuracy, that she could have woven into the story to uplift and educate the listener. Instead, it felt like a broken record of “poor Natalie” and her path of relational destruction. Although this is a faith based story, there was not much faith used to support the story or bring healing. Huge missed opportunity by the author. And the emphasis on her mom’s ability—or inability to paint the star at Christmas? It was just so overplayed in view of the mother’s significant physical deficits.
The narrator was ok—but some of the time her voicing felt very clipped. However she had a tough story to communicate.
Cannot really recommend this audible.

Great thought provoking story

I loved this book. it makes you stop and think about life and what/who you hold valuable.