The Christmas Stranger
- Judith D Collins
- 2 days ago
- 6 min read
Narrator: Richard Paul Evans
ISBN: 9781668014905
Publisher: Gallery Books
Publication Date: 11/04/2025
Format: Other
My Rating: 5 Stars (ARC)
From the #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Christmas classic The Christmas Box and the #1 Netflix movie The Noel Diary comes a powerful and thought-provoking holiday story about love, loss, and the mysterious workings of heaven.
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?
My Review
It is simply not Christmas without a captivating and magical holiday novel from the master storyteller, Richard Paul Evans. His latest offering, THE CHRISTMAS STRANGER, is not just a book; it’s a heartfelt gift that promises to wrap readers in warmth, love, and nostalgia, evoking the charm of a Hallmark movie. Readers will savor this memorable, moving journey.
About....
Set in Salt Lake City, UT, near Christmas, we meet Paul Wanlass, a man who has been profoundly shattered by the tragic loss of his family during a Christmas Eve accident three years earlier.
Gloom and sorrow have enveloped his life, leaving him to believe that existence has lost all meaning. Retreating to a secluded cabin deep in the woods with his faithful dog, Paul lives in isolation, having closed the doors to the retail stores he once cherished after losing his beloved wife and son.
Everything changes when a mysterious stranger named Gabriel appears on his doorstep, a figure who seems to embody both hope and uncertainty. As Paul grapples with his despair, he challenges this enigmatic visitor to provide him with a reason to live—just as he stands on the precipice of ending it all.
Gabriel not only accepts this challenge but ignites a series of seemingly unrelated events that weave new threads into the fabric of Paul’s existence. He encounters a kindred spirit in a fellow widow from the pharmacy (also a victim of a robbery gone wrong), her spirited young daughter, and a young boy burdened with the weight of bullying and a troubled home life. Paul can relate, growing up in the foster system.
As these new connections blossom, Paul embarks on a quest to unravel the stranger's true identity and the significance of these uncanny occurrences. Through this journey, he seeks to rediscover meaning and hope during a season that once filled him with joy.
My reflections...
With the author's winning signature style—brimming with beautifully poignant quotes at the start of each chapter and intimate diary-like entries—THE CHRISTMAS STRANGER promises to capture your heart in its gentle embrace. Paul’s journey, steeped in emotional resonance, comes alive through intricately crafted characters who evoke empathy and connection.
At the center of this touching narrative is a grief-stricken man who, having lost his way in the shadows of sorrow, discovers an unexpected source of healing through a mysterious visitor. This enchanting novel delves deep into themes of redemption and the bonds we forge as our chosen family.
Readers will savor this soul-searching tale, woven with high stakes, suspense, mystery, humor, and a vibrant dose of snappy dialogue. Set against a holiday backdrop fraught with painful memories, it also beautifully illustrates the potential for creating new, joyful experiences.
The story serves as a profound exploration of grief, loss, love, hope, and the unforeseen second chances that often arise from the connections we cultivate. With a spiritual twist that addresses themes of fate, redemption, and guiding angels, the narrative tenderly reminds us that even in our darkest moments, a glimmer of light can always break through.
As the story unfolds, Paul embarks on a transformative journey, gradually learning to navigate his tumultuous emotions, allowing hope and love to reignite his passion for life while reaching out to others in need of kindness.
Emotional undercurrents run deep throughout the tale, and I was particularly mesmerized by the unexpected ways in which the characters’ lives intertwine, leaving readers in suspense yet filling their hearts with warmth. Rich with elements of mystery and romance, the story radiates compassion, enlightenment, and understanding.
Readers will also find depth in the author's insightful note that reveals the inspiration behind the story, enhancing the experience with even greater poignancy. As the various plot lines converge and culminate on Christmas Day, the characters uncover a newfound significance in the holiday, leading to a heartwarming and uplifting resolution.
THE CHRISTMAS STRANGER is not just an ideal holiday gift; it is a perfect choice for book clubs, inviting rich discussions after each turn of the page. It has swiftly become my cherished Christmas read!
Richard Paul Evans, affectionately known as the King of Christmas fiction, has graced us with an abundance of holiday tales that resonate deeply with heartwarming and inspirational narratives, infused with timeless wisdom and charm. Many of his captivating novels have been transformed into heartwarming television adaptations, further spreading his enduring messages.
Within his pages, readers encounter themes of parental love, the profound importance of family, homelessness, abuse, tragedy, and the quest for hope and healing in the wake of grief. These messages have moved millions and continue to be the guiding light behind his beloved Christmas stories.
I eagerly anticipate each year’s annual Christmas offering, whether it is part of a beloved series or a standalone treasure—a true gift that I give to myself.
Recs...
For devoted fans of Evans and those who revel in the works of Mitch Albom, Catherine Ryan Hyde, Fredrik Backman, Nicholas Sparks, Elizabeth Berg, and other authors who capture stories of the heart—especially during the enchanting Christmas season—this book is a must-read.
Many thanks to Gallery Books and NetGalley for providing a gifted advanced reading copy in exchange for my honest thoughts. I also highly recommend the audiobook narrated by the author, which is always a delight.
@JudithDCollins | #JDCMustReadBooks
My Rating: 5 Stars +
My favorite Christmas Holiday Book
Pub Date: Nov 04, 2025
Praise
“The most popular holiday tale since Tiny Tim.”
—Newsweek
“[The] master of the holiday tearjerker… Fans of Evans’ work will be both moved by and invested in this semiautobiographical tale.”
—Booklist
"Evans is a remarkably relentless optimist whose moving, hopeful, and easy-to-absorb essays will greatly appeal to and inspire a wide range of readers."
― Shelf Awareness
"Evans extols gratitude, humility, and love....Succinct musings meant to inspire."
― Kirkus Review
About the Author
Richard Paul Evans is the #1 New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling author of more than forty novels. There are currently more than thirty-five million copies of his books in print worldwide, translated into more than twenty-four languages. Richard is the recipient of numerous awards, including two first-place Storytelling World Awards, the Romantic Times Best Women’s Novel of the Year Award, and five Religion Communicators Council’s Wilbur Awards. Seven of Richard’s books have been produced as television movies. His first feature film, The Noel Diary, starring Justin Hartley (This Is Us) and acclaimed film director Charles Shyer (Private Benjamin, Father of the Bride), premiered in 2022. In 2011, Richard began writing Michael Vey, a #1 New York Times bestselling young adult series which has won more than a dozen awards.
Richard is the founder of The Christmas Box International, an organization devoted to maintaining emergency children’s shelters and providing services and resources for abused, neglected, or homeless children and young adults. To date, more than 125,000 youths have been helped by the charity. For his humanitarian work, Richard has received the Washington Times Humanitarian of the Century Award and the Volunteers of America National Empathy Award. Richard lives in Salt Lake City, Utah, with his wife, Keri, and their five children and two grandchildren. You can learn more about Richard on his website RichardPaulEvans.com.
