The Christmas Token

Hardman Holidays, Book 2

By: Shanna Hatfield

Narrated by: Michael L Canaan

Length: 8 hrs and 12 mins

Publisher's summary

Desperate to escape an unwelcome suitor, Ginny Granger flees to her brother's home in Eastern Oregon for the holiday season. Returning to the community where she spent her childhood years, she plans to relax and enjoy a peaceful visit. Not expecting to encounter the boy she once loved, her exile is proving to be anything but restful.

A talented carpenter, Blake Stratton enjoys a simple existence in the small western town of Hardman. With honest work and good friends, his life is nearly perfect, at least until the day Ginny Granger arrives, setting him on his ear and turning his world upside down. Infuriated by her meddling presence, he's further exasperated to discover she kept a Christmas token he gave her along with his heart the day she left town many years ago.

©2013 Shanna Hatfield (P)2017 Shanna Hatfield

Narrator annoyed me

I enjoyed the first book. the character development & storyline. However, from the start, book 2 was annoying; don't hire a narrator to do British voices who can't do it. Between the weird accent (that WASN'T BRITISH), the annoying toddler voice, and the horrible mother's voice, it took multiple reminders to stay in the book.

Needs different narrator.

The narrator had a terrible woman’s voice as well as child’s voice. His English accent sounds more Australian than English, but was pretty terrible either way.

Cute Storyline, Dreadful Narrator

Cute storyline in Hatfield style, if not a bit tedious with misunderstandings between main characters a bit drawn out. As with some of my favorite stories, "The Christmas Bargain" & the "Baker City Brides" series, the narrator (Michael Canaan) is dreadful - especially horrible with female voices. It's a chore listening to him. I struggle through the complete audiobook versions only because I like the stories so much, but it's so disappointing - would be great listening with a good narrator. Has Shanna Hatfield actually listened to her books read aloud by Canaan & approved them? Sorry.

Nice story… average narration

I really love Shanna Hatfield’s “Hardman Holidays” novels. I read The Christmas Token two times back to back. I was so excited to get them on Audible. The stories are engaging, heartfelt, and have nice twists that the reader might not expect. The narration is difficult. As a reader of the story, Mr. Canaan has a pleasant voice. However he struggles with the female and kid voices. His voice for the hero in this, the 2nd Hardman book, is pleasant and believable. I hope more of Shanna Hatfield’s books become available as audio books but with a more versatile narrator. 4 stars over all because the story is good. 3 stars for narration.

Shanna Hatfield is one of my new, favorite authors!

I loved The Christmas Token, by Shanna Hatfield! A follow-up novel to The Christmas Bargain, both take place in Hardman, Oregon before the turn of the century. This time, it’s Luke Granger’s little sister Jenny who “runs away” to Hardman for Christmas. She’s got lots of growing up to do, a privileged New York attitude, and her old love 💕 right there in Hardman with whom to spar. It’s wonderful fun and enjoyable reading. Novelist Hatfield’s well-developed characters make you feel like you are well-acquainted with each one and you are right there in the room, participating with them in actions and conversations. It’s a hit read that’s hard to put down! I highly recommend it!

Good but....

I love Hatfield romances, but the narration... 🙄. Canaan does an excellent male voice, but his female voice and English accent were difficult to bear at times. This was in 2013, so I’m sure he’s better now.

The Christmas Token (Hardman Holidays, #2)

I disliked Dora Granger in the previous book and that dislike just grew in this book. Dora, who grew up dirt poor and married rich, liked to look down on others. Instead of having sympathy and compassion for those less fortunate, she was just needlessly cruel. She meddled in her daughter's and Blake's relationship and caused them so much pain yet she never did apologize to Blake personally. She was forgiven far too easily for my liking.

I found it mind boggling that Ginny and Blake didn't realize that Dora interfered with their relationship after the Grangers moved. She moved her daughter to the city to put distance between them! That should have been their first clue. Their lack of sense made me disconnect from them and not really care if they ended up together.

What kept me continuing with the story were the secondary characters Erin and Luke. Erin was just adorable and Luke's handling of his spoiled sister really impressed me. I loved that he put his foot down and insisted she earn her keep.

Great Christmas Romance

I truly enjoyed the story. Hated the narration!! It’s the voices — why make all the women sound like simpering idiots — whiney voices for all of them? Really? I enjoy a narrator who changes voices, but if you really think all women sound like that....

Kissy Christmas

This is a very kissy Christmas book. A couple of kisses were bordering on scandalous but otherwise, it's a clean read.
I loved how Ginny's character grew in this story. She starts out as a spoiled, privileged, unmotivated to do anything to support herself, woman.
The frustration of not receiving letters from each other ten years ago (when Ginny moved away) caused much hurt and doubt between Blake and Ginny. It was nice to see them overcome that.

The only thing that bothered me was the narration.
The male narrator does the most annoying female voices and giggles (both male and female) that I've ever heard.

Wonderful !!

What a beautiful story, lovely narration as well. This is my second book from this author and can't wait to listen to the next book in this series.