Heading into the Christmas season, Ingrid Christiansen can’t shake a sense of foreboding as she imagines an empty-nest Christmas, void of her grown children. Not so for her husband, John, who is confident that a surprise Christmas trip to Europe will expunge his wife’s melancholy spirit and bring the laughter and romance back to their marriage. But Ingrid, and God, have other plans.

Before John can spring the surprise, Ingrid agrees to coordinate the annual live nativity at church. John perseveres, believing he can still make the trip happen, until their beloved dog needs expensive emergency surgery. Before John can come to grips with his foiled plan, Ingrid’s estranged sister asks if her son can stay with them while she’s in rehab. In the midst of triple-play chaos, will they be able to heal old wounds and keep their marriage “evergreen”? 

"A perfect Christmas read, or gift, EVERGREEN is a cornucopia of love, hurt, redemption and forgiveness, immersed in small-town spirit and nestled in a story that doesn’t quit."

Ingrid doesn’t know that John has visions of leaving their resort behind to spend Christmas with their daughter in Prague, with a stop in romantic Paris. By the time he tells her, too many unforeseen situations have blocked the way. He doesn’t know that Ingrid would not have gone anyway. With her heart and mind fragmented over her children, her dog, and now her nephew, she wants the comfortable familiarity of her home. But there is more to Ingrid’s disinterest in going abroad. Unlike John, she knows that even the most romantic city in the world can’t warm the chill that has settled on their marriage like a winter frost.

Ingrid’s nephew, 16-year-old Romeo, has grown up with a mother who “launched her two children into a life with live-in boyfriends, eviction notices and welfare.” When Ingrid’s sister asks if Ingrid and John will take care of Romeo temporarily, Ingrid agrees. The boy is quiet and sweet, but broken. John is guarded, not wanting Ingrid to get attached, with no intention of doing so himself. But once again, God has a different plan. The more John and Ingrid spend time with Romeo, the tighter their hearts wrap around the sullen young man. The same holds true for Romeo, who is discovering a new way of life with the Christiansens…until his brother returns from the military, tempting him with false hope and promises. Will the Christiansens have an empty house for Christmas after all?

Award-winning author Susan May Warren is known for her enchanting, character-driven novels, and this one does not disappoint. A perfect Christmas read, or gift, EVERGREEN is a cornucopia of love, hurt, redemption and forgiveness, immersed in small-town spirit and nestled in a story that doesn’t quit. It is a tale of letting go, holding on, and remembering that God is always there to give us hope and a future. And it is a love story for anyone who has ever given their heart to a kid, a dog or a spouse, and experienced the joy and ache inherent in doing so.