Episode 190: An Inconvenient Christmas Review — Holiday Drama, Faith & Family in Sara R. Turnquist’s Convenient Risk Series

About This Episide

 Visit Sara R. Turnquist: saraturnquist.com

Welcome to Our Christmas Book Club Episode

It is the most wonderful time of the year — and that means one thing at LiteraryScape.

It is time for our annual Christmas book discussion!

In Episode 190, Melissa and Tiffany settle in to review An Inconvenient Christmas by Sara R. Turnquist.

This is Book 2 in the Convenient Risk series. It is a holiday novella set on the American frontier.

And it packs a whole lot of story into roughly 100 pages.

What Is An Inconvenient Christmas About?

Brandon and Amanda are ready for their happily ever after.

They have built a happy home. They have a little girl named Louise — called Lucy later in the series — and a son named Samuel.

Christmas is supposed to be peaceful. A time to enjoy their little family.

Then a letter arrives. And everything changes.

Unexpected guests follow just a day or two later. With them comes tension, old wounds, and family drama that threatens to tear the holiday — and the household — apart.

The hosts were careful not to reveal who sent the letter. That mystery is part of what keeps you turning pages.

“It does not really tell you what is going to tear them apart — and that is what keeps you hooked.”

Christmas Family Drama That Feels Real

One of the things that makes this novella stand out is how relatable the conflict feels.

A disrespectful visitor puts a serious strain on Brandon and Amanda’s home.

Brandon wants to stand up for his family. Amanda holds him back. Not because she does not care — but because she does not want things to escalate.

The hosts had a lot of thoughts on this dynamic.

“Brandon should have put that person in their place. But I also understood why she held him back — you are really angry right now, and you are going to say something you regret.”

It is the kind of tension that many families know. Especially around the holidays.

Sara R. Turnquist captures it honestly. And she does it without making anyone a simple villain.

Brandon Grows as a Husband and Father

This book is not just about the drama. It is about growth.

Through the conflict, Brandon learns what it means to be a better father to Samuel. And a better husband to Amanda.

By the end of the story, he has changed. The trials of Christmas pushed him to step up in ways he had not before.

“This book really strengthened their relationship. He grew in his role as a father — and as a husband too.”

Faith Woven Naturally Into the Story

By Book 2, Brandon and Amanda are on the same page when it comes to their faith.

In Book 1, Amanda had walked away from God. Life had been too hard. She felt forgotten.

But she came back. And now the couple lives out their faith together — especially in how they handle conflict.

The hosts gave the inspirational level a mocha-to-latte rating. The faith elements feel genuine. They are part of the story, not added on top of it.

LiteraryScape Ratings for An Inconvenient Christmas

• Mystery: Espresso — the identity of the letter sender is the big question. We are not telling!
• Suspense: Espresso — tense moments from the very first pages
• Drama: Triple Lot — family dynamics bring serious heat
• Romance: Espresso — sweet moments, nothing over the top
• Inspirational: Mocha-to-Latte — faith lived out naturally and beautifully
• Overall Lasso Rating: 3 Lassos — hooked and hogtied all the way through!

At around 100 pages, this reads quickly. But it does not feel short.

Sara R. Turnquist fits a full, satisfying story into a novella. The depth surprised both hosts.

Is An Inconvenient Christmas Right for You?

If you enjoy Christian historical fiction, this novella is a great fit.

It is the perfect cozy Christmas read. It has heart, tension, and an honest look at faith under pressure.

It is also a great read if you are navigating difficult family relationships during the holidays. The story might just give you a little perspective.

“There is no perfect family. This book might give you some help in how to handle those tricky family relationships.”

An Inconvenient Christmas is Book 2 in the Convenient Risk series. Book 1, A Convenient Risk, is available on Kindle for free — a great place to start the series.

Explore all of Sara R. Turnquist’s books at saraturnquist.com.