Twelve Days [Paperback]

Teresa Hill (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 10, 2000

The timeless holiday love story from the USA Today bestselling author

Product Details

• Paperback: 368 pages
• Publisher: Signet (October 10, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0451201450
• ISBN-13: 978-0451201454
• Product Dimensions: 6.6 x 4.1 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,939,966 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Unforgettable Family Drama!, December 9, 2000

By 

Beachreader "BeachReader" (Port Townsend, WA) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Twelve Days (Paperback)

Sam and Rachel's marriage has been going downhill for years, neither of them wanting to admit it. Despite the fact that Sam has taken to sleeping in another room, Rachel is stunned when she overhears Sam's phone conversation revealing he is moving out after Christmas.

While their problems are deep, they seemed to come to the surface after the foster child (Will) they were caring for had to be returned to his biological mother. Now neither of them are willing to care that much for a child again. Sam and Rachel have struggled with infertility ever since the death of their premature daughter twelve years previously. They gave their heart to young Will only to have it shattered.

Twelve days before Christmas Rachel's aunt, a social worker, shows up on their doorstep with three young children in tow. It seems they have been abandoned in a local motel by a mother who promised she'd return. Rachel and Sam are still on the list of approved foster homes and despite the fact that neither of them feel they want to risk their heart again, they have no option but to keep the children -- at least through the Holidays.

This is an emotional story, reminiscent of Kristin Hannah's "family dramas." I love it when you have a couple who has had some sort of problem to work through which leads to them almost parting -- or sometimes actually separating/divorcing. The characters of Sam and Rachel as well as that of the three children, Emma, Zach, and Grace are ones that will stay with the reader long after the last page is turned. There were no easy answers for Sam or Rachel here. Their problems are realistically portrayed. If you enjoyed books such as ANGEL FALLS by Kristin Hannah, COAST ROAD by Barbara Delinsky or MOMENTS IN TIME by Mariah Stewart, chances are you will enjoy TWELVE DAYS as well. The book is simply unforgettable and I can assure you it will be going on my keeper shelf for re-reading every Christmas season

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A wonderfully emotional holiday story., November 1, 2000

By 

Robin Bayne "rlbayne" (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Twelve Days (Paperback)

Sam and Rachel have drifted apart, neither understanding at the beginning of the story just how far. When she overhears him on the phone making plans to leave her right after Christmas, she is devestated,and realizes she has only twelve days to change his mind. In Sam and Rachel's tradition, the twelve days before Christmas (not following) are very special, and the magic of caring for unexpected foster children may help revive their love. But they've loved and lost children before, and the three who show up on their doorstep desparately needing a warm Christmas, have the power to tear the couple apart, or put them back together. This is an emotional story and I recommend a box of tissues and a big chunk of time to read uninterrupted.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Beautifully written, heartwarming story, December 25, 2006

By 

Donna K. "bookcrosser" (Long Island, NY) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Twelve Days (Paperback)

Wow! What a powerful story! I've heard depression described as anger turned inward, and the protagonists in this story each harshly and unfairly blamed themselves for the tragedies of their past, resulting in their inability to cope with life in the present. By keeping their feelings pent up inside, mostly in misguided efforts to protect the other, their problems compounded until their love and relationship was on the verge of being destroyed. When three darling abandoned children were placed in their care, Rachel and Sam's life was put into prospective and they were finally able to openly communicate with each other, and in the process find healing.

This is a wonderful story about the miracle of Christmas, and the power of love. I would have liked to read more, perhaps an epilogue, because I can't stop wondering about this family beyond where the book ended!

I'm definitely going to make an effort to seek out more books by this brilliant "new-to-me" author!