If there were an advent calendar made of books, The Mistletoe Promise by Richard Paul Evans should have been included in it. Don’t be quick to judge it; this romantic story is definitely not tooth-rotting fluff. In spite of the fact that the author uses Cinderella’s clichés, the novel is more realistic and down-to-earth than one might think.
So, what is it really about: love, romance, or forgiveness? It seems like the latter is the most plausible answer. Elise made a terrible mistake that has changed her life, broke her, and left a terrible wound in her soul. Her daughter’s death is her fault and there is nothing Elise could do to change it. If only there was a way to die for Hannah, she would have done it without any hesitation. However, life is life, there are not many options. It is either moving on or sticking in the past. Obviously, the first option is more difficult. Elise does her best not to let despair win her over, immersing herself in work. Her conscience is her merciless judge, it never leaves her alone, it is always there, nagging, taunting, making her regret that she is alive. Elise’s suffering is overwhelming, consuming like a black hole. Who would dare to blame a mother who has punished herself so severely? Who would dare to throw a stone at her? The problem is that some people are unable to let go, her ex-husband uses their daughter death is an excuse to manipulate Elise. Though he failed to fulfill his responsibilities as a father, he pretends to ignore this fact for his benefit. Dan forgets a rule. Do not judge, or you will be judged. He could forgive her for Hannah’s sake, but he doesn’t do that to continue to taunt her. He is the main villain in this winter fairy-tale.
Nicholas seems to be a genuine Prince Charming. Handsome, attractive, and – what is more important – understanding, he doesn’t seem to be real. However, life is a not a dream and Nicholas is not flawless. Just like the rest of us, he has made mistakes that he regrets but can’t change it. He could hide from the world, look for a way out, consuming drugs and alcohol. It would be the easiest path. However, he is strong enough to face consequences of his actions. He lives with that terrible burden, deprived of his family’s love and his own self-respect.
Both Nicholas and Elise have suffered enough, that feast of self-loathing has continued for too long. They have found strengths to forgive themselves and that gives them a new start, a chance of finding true happiness and harmony. The Mistletoe Promise by Richard Paul Evans reminds us that we are not flawless to judge others. To make this world a better place, we have to be kinder to each other. Let’s not forget that there is too much hatred in this world, so there is no need for us to spread it.
