GRR Reviews Because It's Christmas (Bayview Heights) by Kathryn Shay

Because It's Christmas is a reimagining of It's a Wonderful Life, and it's definitely a tear-jerker, when a woman's caught between family and love.

Bayview Heights High School principal Seth Taylor is a hero, having helped dozens of students for the years he's been here. He regrets the few students that he was not able to help... Including the little brother Kevin of Lacey Cartwright. Kevin was eventually expelled for striking a teacher, and went on a life of crime, and is currently in prison. Lacey's grandpa, a former ace reporter, quit his job to raise the kids when their parents died. And when grandpa had a heart attack, Lacey quit her California job and moved back to Bayview as a local reporter. Grandpa never forgave Seth, believing Seth railroaded Kevin. Lacey wasn't sure what's the truth but went along with Grandpa in being critical of Seth. When her editorials focused on only the negative, Seth challenged her to come to the school and cover some positive stuff about the school. That lead her to realize Seth is actually a good person and fell for him. But Lacey's grandpa is determined to destroy Seth when Kevin died in prison, having been involved with the gangs. Grandpa's PI dug up the one big mistake in Seth's life... And Lacey has but one card to play to save Seth...

The darkest hour was so sad I can feel my throat close up and tears well up in my eyes. It was a tale of the star-crossed lovers. However, due to the somewhat lame ending, I can't give this a full score. And you'll have to read the book to find out why.

Category: Contemporary

Primary Plot: Can a reporter fall for the principal that may have railroaded her brother into a life of crime?

Tropes: reporter, enemies to lovers, family secrets

Overall Rating:  4/5