Yet again, Toni Shiloh has produced a near-perfect Christian romance with The Christmas Catch.

Teacher Lucille “Bebe” Gordon is the solo mom of seven-year-old Hope. She’s happy with her life, and her main regret is that her ex-husband refuses to have anything to do with their daughter.

Her peaceful world is rocked when wide receiver Jahleel Walker, the boy next door who was her childhood best friend and high school boyfriend, returns home to recover from a football injury. They haven’t seen each other in twelve years, but sparks soon fly.

The Christmas Catch was originally published in 2017 as A Sidelined Christmas. The author’s note at the end makes it clear there have been some changes–I get the impression this version has more of a Christmas flavour.

The writing was excellent. There were some great lines, and I loved the voice. If I “hear” the character’s voices when I read, I usually hear them in a Kiwi accent. Yes, even when I know the book is set in the USA. But something about Toni Shiloh’s writing ha me hearing the characters in a Southern accent that sounded a lot like Georgia.

But the best part was this was a Christian romance with the emphasis on Christian. Bebe is making every effort to live out her Christian faith, particularly when it comes to her daughter. Jay has a few challenges, not least his father (the pastor of the only Protestant church in their small town), and there’s no question his faith is important to him.

Overall, The Christmas Catch is yet another fun Christian romance from Toni Shiloh. Recommended for fans of small-town Christian romance and sports romance.

Thanks to Bethany House and NetGalley for providing a free ebook for review.

About Toni Shiloh

Toni Shiloh is a wife, mom, and Christian fiction writer. Once she understood the powerful saving grace of the love of Christ, she was moved to honor her Savior.

She writes soulfully romantic novels to bring Him glory and to learn more about His goodness.

Before pursuing her dream as a writer, Toni served in the United States Air Force. It was there she met her husband. After countless moves, they ended up in Virginia, where they are raising their two boys.

When she’s not typing in imagination land, Toni enjoys reading, playing video games, ​making jewelry, and spending time with ​her family.

Find Toni Shiloh online at:

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About The Christmas Catch

Sidelined with a career-ending injury, NFL wide receiver Jahleel Walker is forced to return to his hometown of Peachwood Bay, Georgia, to heal, despite his rocky relationship with his father. Nothing shocks him more than running into his high-school sweetheart, Lucille “Bebe” Gordon.

Bebe Gordon came home to Peachwood Bay three years ago with a divorce certificate and her daughter, Hope. When Jahleel returns–for the first time in eight years–all the memories of the past come rushing back.

The connection between them is still strong, but Jahleel has no plans to stay in Peachwood Bay, and Bebe can’t risk him leaving her again. Will Jahleel and Bebe take a chance on love or let life sideline them at Christmas?

Find The Christmas Catch online at:

Amazon | Goodreads

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