...Bookfanatic

Now if you've seen 'It's a Wonderful Life' than you know what the ending for that sentence is and if you haven't...seriously what are you waiting for? ok, if you haven't figured it out already this is absolutely my favorite holiday movie and this book is not that movie but...

Eli Easton's "Angels Sing" is set in 'Bedford Falls' and features Jamie Bailey (George Bailey) Mai Bailey (I know we want to say Mary Bailey here, but I'm going with Zuzu Bailey and if you've seen the movie, I think you'll agree with me on this), Uncle Billy (well this was a no brainer Uncle Billy Bailey...now say that one 3 times really fast), Stanton Potter (ok, I got nothing on this one), Amelia Potter (Mr. Potter...otherwise known as 'the bad person). So yes, this story shares some similarities with the  classic 1946 holiday movie. But it's also very much it's own story.

While there are similarities in terms of character names and the story's setting there are also numerous differences the biggest one being no angels and by this I'm not talking about adorable little kiddles...I'm talking 'NO Angels' as in no Clarence trying to earn his wings, no Savings & Loans, no Bert & Ernie (that's right folks even the creators of Sesame Street were inspired by this classic movie), no seeing what life would have been like if you'd never been born for anyone... because...no angels. While the the plot in the movie and this story are similar in that they are very holiday themed and there is a happy ending...come on now, it's a Christmas story you can't tell me you didn't expect a happy ending, what happens in the story is very different from the 1946 movie which obviously inspired this book and as far as I'm concerned what better inspiration could one have. 

I know there are a lot of wonderful holiday stories out there but 'It's a Wonderful Life' is for me at the top of that list. So to have an author that I like as much as Ms Easton pay tribute to my favorite holiday movie with a story as sweet this one just makes me happy.

While there were some very snow melting moments between Jamie and Stanton, what really won me over on this one was just the magic of the season that was instilled in the story and the fact that the author paid tribute to but didn't try to emulate a holiday classic that I'm sure is near and dear to more than just my heart.

I'm fairly certain that I'll be adding this one to my holiday traditions the only question for me is...will there be an audio version because if there is... sign me up please, Clarence!

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An ARC of "Angels Sing" was graciously provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.