My Review: 4 stars out of 5 for Christmas in Switzerland: A Fabrian Books Feel-Good Novella (Lakeside series Book 4)

Do you remember the last really nice wedding you went to? Not necessarily the most posh or the one with most trendy, edgy theme. No, I’m talking about the one where there were so many stories about how the couple (who everyone likes) met, their families, the funny things that happened to them. Some of the speeches mention beloved family and friends who would have loved to see this special day. Then you eat a little too much, dance a little too long, and drink…well, probably more than a little too much. When you finally have to leave, you take away the warm feeling that these two special people—who are clearly meant for each other—are embarking on a long wonderful life together.

Melinda Huber is the feel-good pen name of psychological suspense writer Linda Huber – she’s hiding in plain sight!
Linda grew up in Glasgow, Scotland, but went to work in Switzerland for a year aged twenty-two, and has lived there ever since. Her day jobs have included working as a physiotherapist in hospitals and schools for handicapped children, and teaching English in a medieval castle.
Her writing career began in the nineties, and since then she’s had seven psychological suspense novels published, plus a collection of feel-good short stories.
Her latest project is the series of Lakeside Hotel novellas, set on the banks of Lake Constance and just minutes from her home in north-east Switzerland. She really appreciates having the views enjoyed by her characters right on her own doorstep!
Visit her blog at: http://www.lindahuber.net

That’s the feeling I get from reading Melinda Huber’s wonderful Lakeside series. Stacy and Rico are like the young couple everyone is rooting for at that special family wedding. They don’t meet-cute and then little forest animals are making Stacey’s wedding gown a day later. In fact, their romance blossoms slowly, with all the usual communication issues dialed up to 9 because Stacy is British (and engaged) and Rico is Swiss (and heading back to school).

By the time they reach Christmas in Switzerland, the fourth book in the series, readers will feel like Rico and Stacy are family members. We know all the obstacles—life-threatening, relationship-testing, or just laugh-out-loud—that will make up those wedding stories. These are three-dimensional characters with both flaws and virtues who keep working toward success despite the boulders the fates put in their path.

The setting is magic, a wonderful Lakeside Hotel in Switzerland that’s been in Rico’s family but which has suffered from neglect and tragic loss. Although Rico and Stacy have made progress, their first Christmas managing the hotel is full of challenges that test their resources and their relationship. Rico, still mourning the loss of his mother, isn’t ready to see his father move toward a new relationship. One of their guests, Carol, is looking forward to a short holiday in Switzerland before flying out to meet her family in Australia for Christmas. But when disaster strikes, the already stretched resources of the hotel must be extended further to help her. Tension builds between Rico and Stacy as they try to make holiday memories for their guests but have little leftover for themselves.

I particularly loved the description of Swiss Christmas traditions, especially treat-bearing Samiclaus and his black-clad sidekick Schmützli, and (supposedly) their donkey but “…you’d be amazed at how often the donkey is ‘sick’ on the 6th of December!”

Christmas in Switzerland is just what it says on the tin, “a feel-good novella”. It’s a perfect holiday read, and lucky you! You have time to read the earlier books and still find a cozy spot near the tree to curl up with Christmas in Switzerland. Schöni Wiehnachte!

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