If You Had a Chance To Do It All Again…
Beth and Andrew Farmer, childhood sweethearts from a small town, have been married a number of years. Beth is a golden girl with a big heart, who is beloved by everyone she meets. Shortly after their marriage, Andrew drags Beth away from her beloved hometown to New York City. He wanted to pursue his dreams, and has hit it big. However his achievement has come at the expense of Beth, and much of what she loves, without Andrew even noticing.
Then on Christmas Eve, Andrew is back late from yet another business trip. Beth has reached the limit from her husband, and in frustration, runs out into the snow and traffic. Andrew decides to give chase, and is stunned to witness, at 11:58 p.m., a taxi hit Beth–and subsequently, she passes away.
A shell-shocked Andrew encounters an angel who offers him the chance to relive the past three days. There is one catch, at the end of the three days, exactly at 11:58 p.m. on Christmas Eve, Beth will once again be fatally hit by a taxi. He is told that her fate cannot be changed.
The story that follows is one of Andrew’s attempt to make the three days perfect for Beth. All the while, Andrew is heart-broken, knowing what awaits them the last two minutes of Christmas Eve. Andrew also spends the time pleading with God, and the many angels that cross his path, for more time with Beth–in fact, for her life to be spared. He is told countless times that Beth’s future has already been set. One tiny seed of hope is given to Andrew. He must give Beth the Christmas gift she really wants, the one she will love, but he has no idea what that is.
Andrew sets out on an odyssey that opens his eyes to some shocking surprises, as well as, a journey of self-discovery. Re-doing the last three days is supposed to be about giving Beth the best days of her life. While trying to do that, Andrew finds he must face painful emotions he has pushed down since childhood, and the unhappy revelation that he may need to forgive the person who has hurt him the most.
This story draws the reader in right away, and the characters are engaging. It is easy to feel the gamut of emotions on both Beth’s and Andrew’s part. Before the tale ends, you will be griping the book with white knuckles wondering if Beth will truly have to meet death late on Christmas Eve. Or will there be some way to change her destiny? Will Andrew figure out the “perfect” gift for Beth in three short days? If he does find it, will it be enough to change history, and save Beth?
This story is really enchanting, and once I started reading it, I did not want to put it down. I love tales set at Christmas time, and this one does that perfectly. That is not to say this is just a book to read during the Christmas season. This story could be read, and enjoyed, during any time of the year. I highly recommend this 5-star book. Despite the apparent tragic ending, you will close this volume with a smile.
The publisher has provided me with a complimentary copy of this book through The Thomas Nelson Publishing BookLook Bloggers Program for the purpose of review. I have not been compensated in any other manner. All opinions expressed are my own, and I was not required, or influenced, to give anything but an honest appraisal. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.
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