Three years after losing his family in a Christmas Eve accident, grieving Paul Wanless hasn't just given up on Christmas, he's given up on life. He can't imagine anything to keep him here -- not his work as a computer repairman, not the residents in his Salt Lake City neighborhood, and certainly not the idea of connecting with someone new. When a stranger knocks on his door, claiming to be picking up a laptop, Paul allows him in -- but discovers the man has a very different mission in mind. The mysterious stranger's name is Gabriel, and when Paul finds himself opening up to his visitor, Gabriel tells him, "I wouldn't do it, if I were you. It's not what you think." He then departs without another word. Paul brushes the experience aside as some trick of the imagination ... until he crosses paths with a young widow and her bullied son, who've also received a visit from Gabriel. Has Gabriel brought new people into his life for a reason ... but why? And who -- or what -- really is this Christmas stranger?
I know it is not Christmas, but I wanted to read it because it is new. What a sad book with a surprising ending, but very enjoyable!
