One Perfect Day: A Novel (Paperback)

~ (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Two mothers. Two children. One tragedy. One miracle. Snelling, whose novels have sold more than two million copies, is sure to grab readers from the start of this holiday melodrama. Nora Peterson wants to create the perfect Christmas for what may be the last year her twins are home before leaving for college. Her husband's long business trip threatens her plans, but her world is about to turn upside down from far worse. As she faces tragedy, emergency room nurse Jenna Montgomery faces a miracle: her dying daughter, Heather, is getting a new heart. Snelling moves from one mother's viewpoint to the other's with ease, keeping readers riveted to Nora's emotional and spiritual healing and Jenna's understanding of her daughter's new life, as well as her own. Subplots—Nora's relationship with her daughter, Christi, and Jenna's surprise romance—add layers to this spiritually challenging and emotionally taut story. Fans of Christian women's fiction will enjoy this winning novel. (Oct. 22)
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Review

Snelling's captivating tale will immediately draw readers in. The grief process is accurately portrayed, and readers will be enthralled by the raw emotion of Jenna's and Nora's accounts. (Romantic Times Book Reviews )

"The emotional takeaway of [The Way of Women] is reminiscent of Karen Kingsbury at her best. The characters' issues are neither surface nor easily solved. A challenging, fulfilling read." (Romantic Times )

"Snelling writes about the foibles of human nature with keen insight and sweet honesty." (National Church Library Association )

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Product Details

• Paperback: 320 pages
• Publisher: FaithWords (October 22, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0446582107
• ISBN-13: 978-0446582100
• Product Dimensions: 7.9 x 5.2 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (21 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #189,236 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Review, October 12, 2008

By	Cheryl K (CO) - See all my reviews

Nora Peterson, her husband Gordon and her twin children, Charlie and Christi were just like any other family. They had their arguments but they all loved each other. Nora, Charlie and Christi were preparing for Christmas. Gordon was stranded momentary due to weather. He was heading home from a business trip. The day was December 23. A day that Nora and her family will never forget. As the turn of events that take place this fatal day will change the lives of two families forever.

Jenna Montgomery and her daughter, Heather both knew how precious living every day to the fullest was. You see, Heather has heart problems and has been on the donors list for a while now. A miracle happens and Heather receives a new heart for Christmas.

I felt for both families as they struggled in different ways to get on with their lives.
Lauraine Snelling has one of my favorite Christian authors. She brings a grace and fluidity to her stories. It has been a while since I have read one of her books. I have to say that after reading One Perfect Day I will be starting back up again with her books. She is a master storyteller. Mrs. Snelling's books can be read and enjoyed by anyone. Just because she writes Christian books does not mean that she gets preachy in them. They do teach a lesson but they are lessons that we all can benefit from remembering and using in our everyday lives.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars If Christian, inspirational prose is your cup of tea..., December 17, 2008

By	RebeccasReads.com "Rebecca's Reads" (Austin, Texas) - See all my reviews

Reviewed by Jeneke Lesak for RebeccasReads (12/08)


Lauraine Snelling's novel "One Perfect Day" details how the lives of two families collide under tragic circumstances, but with a hopeful outcome. It is written from the mothers' points of view, both hoping for the "perfect Christmas". However, when one mother's son is in a near fatal car crash, she and her husband must make the difficult decision to take him off the ventilator and donate his organs. His heart is given to the daughter of the other protagonist, allowing her a chance for a new life.

Snelling uses this story as a platform to express her Christian beliefs. The book is targeted for audiences of all ages. If Christian inspirational prose is your cup of tea, then this is the book for you.

Snelling's central message is that God is always here for us in times of need. When we are in such times of desperation, like the loss of a child, it is easy to turn your back on God, but he is still there. The world will keep turning even when tragedy strikes, and even though a period of grief is expected, it is important to keep looking forward and live the life that God gave us. Snelling is certainly successful in carrying out her message. However, this message becomes slightly repetitive, as it is presented so often throughout the book. Perhaps, Snelling feels that the situations of her characters deem the right to introduce this message in every new person that comes along. In doing so, the characters appear slightly one-dimensional. The writing, at times, is repetitive and too detailed with so many minor events of daily life included that they seem like filler.

While this novel has an appealing storyline, I only give it three stars, because of the redundancy. Sometimes, less is more, and I think, had Snelling held back a little more, the message of the story would still ring strong and true. I was drawn to finishing the story and discover what would happen in the lives of the characters. I did come away with a sense of hope, and I believe this is what Snelling wants to achieve in her readers

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Two stories in one, October 15, 2008

By	ruthjoec "ruthjoec" (Kenner LA) - See all my reviews

This book is the story of two mothers. One lost her son right before Christmas. The other one's daughter received his heart in a transplant. The chapters alternate, one tells Nora's story, the next, Jenna's. Not unsurprisingly Nora, who lost her son, finds herself distant from God. She is furious at him and drowning in her sorrow. Jenna praises Him for the new life in her daughter.

I guess sorrow is a stronger emotion than joy. If felt Nora's pain much more than I shared Jenna's joy, but I loved the book.