Sometimes the universe sends us exactly who we need…
Three years after losing his family in a Christmas Eve accident, grief-stricken Paul Wanlass hasn’t just given up on Christmas, he’s given up on life. He can’t imagine anything to keep him here—not his work as a computer repairman, not the residents in his Salt Lake City neighborhood, and certainly not the idea of connecting with someone new. When a stranger knocks on his door, claiming to be picking up a laptop, Paul allows him in—but discovers the man has a very different mission in mind.
Paul wakes the next morning unsure if his encounter with the stranger really happened or was just a dream–but when the stranger shows up again, Paul challenges him to give him just one reason to live. The stranger agrees to the challenge but warns Paul not to expect a path he would have guessed or chosen.
As the stranger promised, Paul’s life takes a wild and fateful turn. A robbery connects him with a woman who has also lost the love of her life, and, in a seemingly unrelated incident, Paul rescues a young boy from bullying, only to find the boy needs a different kind of rescue. The twists leave Paul wondering what these people have in common, and why they were brought together. Who—or what—really is this Christmas stranger, and how will Paul find meaning once again?
The Christmas Stranger is a heartfelt Christmas drama about healing from grief, second chances at life, fated encounters, and spiritual mystery! The author is known for emotional, uplifting stories about hope & healing. The prologue and acknowledgments give fascinating insight into how this book came about and how much it may actually be true!
The story follows Paul Wanlass three years after a tragic Christmas Eve accident killed his wife and young son. He’s lost his will to live and any ounce of joy and is ready to end it all when a stranger named Gabriel shows up at his door under the guise of picking up a laptop. It soon becomes clear that Gabriel is here to challenge Paul to keep living, promising to show him a reason.
This book is very much an intimate, character-driven story, and Paul is the emotional core—he begins as a broken man who’s cynical and haunted by guilt over the accident. His journey is one of gradual healing through unexpected (fated) encounters and feels very relatable. By the end, he doesn’t forget what he lost but learns how to let his grief coexist with hope. Gabriel, the stranger, is an ambiguous figure—readers will be wondering if he’s an angel or spiritual guide or just someone who’s been sent to help. The interactions between Paul and Gabriel are a major highlight—Paul is defiant, questioning, and even angered by Gabriel’s words as Gabriel pushes him to jump back into life. There are several wonderful side characters, each grappling with their own real-life pain and suffering—including Collete, a widow who’s a mirror to Paul’s pain, and their shared grief opens the door to a more meaningful connection. Through all of Paul’s interactions, the author creates different second-chance threads that are compelling and have pronounced arcs.
The story is fast-paced and engaging throughout. It begins quite heavy with Paul’s heartbreaking story and a feeling of hopelessness—fortunately it’s soon broken up by humor and small miracles. By the midsection, things feel like they’re coming together for Paul, and his connections deepen while Gabriel’s role becomes more mysterious. The climax is authentic and very emotional—so be sure to have your tissues ready! Readers will be eager to know Gabriel’s true identity, which will keep them hooked right until the end! The ending is hopeful and believable rather than an HEA for any of the characters—and will especially resonate with anyone who’s survived immense grief and been granted a transformative second chance at life!
Overall, The Christmas Stranger is a beautifully written, uplifting read that’s perfect for the holiday season—or for anyone who needs a reminder that healing is possible. If you’re looking for a heartfelt Christmas read to add to your TBR or enjoy second-chance-at-life stories, found family, or books that make you cry and then feel lighter afterwards, this is a great option!
Narrator Performance
The audiobook is narrated by Richard Paul Evans himself, which gives the story a feeling of intimacy and emotional honesty that listeners will feel right away. At the start, he portrays Paul with a subdued, weary voice edged with deep grief, perfectly reflecting where the character begins. As the story unfolds, Evans subtly shifts Paul’s tone to sound a little more open and curious, like someone slowly remembering how to breathe again. The change is very gradual but nicely mirrors Paul’s healing arc without sounding overdone. The performance of the side characters doesn’t carry the sophistication, distinct voices, or acting skills of a seasoned narrator, but Evans’ calm warmth and careful pacing still manage to bring the entire cast to life!
Overall, it’s an engaging audiobook, and the evolving portrayal of Paul is the highlight of the listening experience! Listeners may have the best experience by pairing the physical book with the audiobook or by slightly increasing the listening speed to their preference!
Narrator Performance
The audiobook is narrated by Richard Paul Evans himself, which gives the story a feeling of intimacy and emotional honesty that listeners will feel right away. At the start, he portrays Paul with a subdued, weary voice edged with deep grief, perfectly reflecting where the character begins. As the story unfolds, Evans subtly shifts Paul’s tone to sound a little more open and curious, like someone slowly remembering how to breathe again. The change is very gradual but nicely mirrors Paul’s healing arc without sounding overdone. The performance of the side characters doesn’t carry the sophistication, distinct voices, or acting skills of a seasoned narrator, but Evans’ calm warmth and careful pacing still manage to bring the entire cast to life!
Overall, it’s an engaging audiobook, and the evolving portrayal of Paul is the highlight of the listening experience! Listeners may have the best experience by pairing the physical book with the audiobook or by slightly increasing the listening speed to their preference!
The audiobook is narrated by Richard Paul Evans himself, which gives the story a feeling of intimacy and emotional honesty that listeners will feel right away. At the start, he portrays Paul with a subdued, weary voice edged with deep grief, perfectly reflecting where the character begins. As the story unfolds, Evans subtly shifts Paul’s tone to sound a little more open and curious, like someone slowly remembering how to breathe again. The change is very gradual but nicely mirrors Paul’s healing arc without sounding overdone. The performance of the side characters doesn’t carry the sophistication, distinct voices, or acting skills of a seasoned narrator, but Evans’ calm warmth and careful pacing still manage to bring the entire cast to life!
Overall, it’s an engaging audiobook, and the evolving portrayal of Paul is the highlight of the listening experience! Listeners may have the best experience by pairing the physical book with the audiobook or by slightly increasing the listening speed to their preference!
