The Christmas Joy Ride by Melody Carlson

The Christmas Joy Ride

by Melody Carlson

Miranda did not put adventure on her Christmas list, but thanks to her eighty-five-year-old neighbor Joy, that's exactly what she's getting this year. When Joy tells Miranda that she plans to drive an old RV decked out in Christmas decorations from their Chicago neighborhood to her new retirement digs in Phoenix--in the dead of winter, no less--the much younger Miranda insists that Joy cannot make such a trip by herself. Besides, a crazy trip with Joy would be more interesting than another Christmas home alone. Unemployed and facing foreclosure, Miranda feels she has nothing to lose by packing a bag and heading off to Route 66. But Joy has a hidden agenda for their Christmas joyride--and a hidden problem that could derail the whole venture. No one captures the heartwarming fun of the Christmas season quite like Melody Carlson. Fasten your seat belt, because it's going to be an exciting ride!

Reviewed by readingwithwrin on

4 of 5 stars

Share
"I'm going on a mission, Miranda. I'm going out to spread some Christmas Joy along Route 66. And no one is going to stop me."



It has been a long time since I have read anything by Melody Carlson. She used to be one of my favorite authors and it is safe to say she is still one of my favorite now.

Following Joy and Miranda on this cross-country journey spreading Christmas cheer was an amazing road trip adventure.

With Miranda having recently gotten divorced and dealing with financial troubles she is not feeling very cheerful or Christmassy, which is a huge difference compared to her neighbor and good friend Joy who absolutely loves Christmas and wants to spread it to everyone she can. When Joy ends up deciding to move cross-country to live closer to her children she decides to hold a contest on her Christmas blog giving away her decorations to those in need. Once she chooses the six winners she decides to go deliver and decorate the places with the winners and spread her last little bit of Christmas cheer.

Along the way we meet these six winners and their family's friends, and neighbors and see what Christmas cheer does to people and how it helps everyone feel a little happier even when things aren't so great in their lives.

Throughout this whole story I was smiling and I loved every minute of it. I was even finished this whole story in one day and I haven't done that for a while. Now I just need to go and read Carlson's other Christmas stories.

I received a copy of this book thanks to the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

See more reviews like this on my blog

Last modified on

Reading updates

  • Started reading
  • 20 August, 2015: Finished reading
  • 20 August, 2015: Reviewed