His Last Christmas Gift by Debra Borchert

A deeply romantic tale of loyalty and unconditional love, His Last Christmas Gift by Debra Borchert is an unpredictable drama that celebrates the power of human connection.

Freshly fired from her design job and still grieving the loss of her husband David, Claire is shocked to discover that her beloved partner had secretly fathered a child in France. Forced to face her fear of motherhood and reckon with the deep secrets she and David had both kept from each other, Claire returns to France to find the truth, come to terms with her memories, and potentially save a young orphan’s life. What she never expects to find, however, is what David left for her to unravel – a jigsaw puzzle of connections, letters, and lifelong commitments on the other side of the world.

Artfully exploring the intricacies of intimacy, and investigating the forgotten traumas of youth that quietly linger into adulthood, the novel is both touching and dramatic, with an enticing number of twists. While tragic loss and suspected betrayal define the beginning of the narrative, vulnerability and self-reflection are the secondary drivers, and the neatly constructed plot is quickly gripping and satisfying throughout.

Some softening of the dialogue could boost overall authenticity, but the character development is multilayered, particularly for Gilbert and Claire, making it impossible not to invest in their serendipitous connection. With universally relevant themes and a dreamy but grounded second-chance storyline, this heartfelt holiday romance is an original and page-turning delight.