I received this arc of The X-Mas Club by Lenora Worth in exchange for my honest review. This was a very compelling book. I felt so much empathy for all that the characters had gone through in their recent lives. This was a unique premise - to set up a club of sorts with a select few people that are hand chosen. As the book opens we share in Veronica’s grief that she hasn’t been able to pull herself out of. Her beloved husband and young son were killed by a drunk driver on Christmas Eve several years earlier. Her daughter feels she needs to move on and has spoken harshly to her. She told her she’s gotten engaged and wants her to help plan the wedding, but won’t let her if she doesn’t progress past her grief.Veronica takes her dog Lulu for walks, trying to avoid her former friends, the walkers group. She meets on a couple of occasions, a mysterious man, Cullen Murdock. They talk and both notice a spark between them. Cullen is not sure of his plans. Meeting Veronica has changed what his priorities are. She feels guilty for having an interest in another man since her husband and son aren’t there any longer.Veronica received an invitation to this secret club in error. She found it at her door but it was intended for her now deceased mother in law. She goes to the gathering being held at an old mountain resort, hoping it will help her in her quest to start living again for her daughter. Cullen is the one who is running the meeting and it is his plans they are following. There is another man and 2 women at the meeting. Veronica knows Trudy as she hosted a party that She attended each year. She is a former judge. Each person there is required to share their story, except Cullen. He is not sharing his past with the others. Trudy has just kicked her husband of many years out. He’s had a mistress and been unfaithful for years and she’s finally in a position to take care of the problem. The second woman is much younger. Her name is Bethany. Her husband is a workaholic and may not be home for Christmas. She has found out she’s pregnant but wants to share the news in person. Trudy takes her under her wing to help build up confidence and to plan how to deal with the absent husband. The other guy, Hillman’s wife had passed away from cancer and he let himself get remarried to a gold digger who took some of his money. His children were aghast and refuse to speak to him. He’s lonely and wants to make amends with his family. Veronica reluctantly shared her grief with the others.The group plans to help her clean out her closets and donate the clothes to charity. They helped her part with her husband and son’s things and start to move on. The group also planned to help out an assisted living facility and a children’s home during the month before Christmas. They have expressed an interest in continuing to meet for lunch and to do charity work after the holidays. Cullen has told them he doesn’t want to be alone for Christmas and has admitted to living in the town growing up. Both Hillman and Trudy remember him. Veronica wants him to be honest about his past, his secrets and his plans for the future. She’s falling for him and she’s scared. There is a lot of angst and suspense as to the mystery of Cullen.I really enjoyed meeting all the characters and watching them interact and develop relationships. I was glad also for Veronica and her daughter and fiancé to be able to spend time together too. I found the addition of Lulu to the story wonderful. Each of them grew during the book. They all had tragedy in their past and I was pleased to see them work together to help each other. This is a terrific holiday book that was very touching. I highly recommend this book.
