Christy's stories are wholesome for the soul and spirit, and The Christmas Cactus is her most delightful work yet. Her characters are so obviously drawn from realistic personalities that they truly live on the pages, and their struggles and development is superbly true-to-life. There are many stories, particularly romance stories, that feel canned, stale or simply scripted emotionally, but Christy's work never falls into that category.

The romance in this story is so gentle and real, it almost sneaks up on you as you read! The relationships and personalities are genuine, the story and character development is excellent, and the characters provide superb role models for young adults; the heroine, Katie Jo, is a beautiful picture of true, deep, tender & God-fearing womanhood, and I look forward with much eagerness to share this treasure of a book with my future children.

The plot twist surprised me! I couldn't put the book down, wanting to find out the ending.
Christy created characters so likeable in Katie Jo and Jamie that I wish I knew them in real life.

The Christmas Cactus is one of the sweetest stories I have ever read. Mrs. Martenson has created a story reminiscent of Little Women, Anne of Green Gables, and Little House on the Prairie. In short, I loved it.

What a charming story in the style of Janette Oke’s Love Comes Softly series. This story gripped my attention and wouldn’t let me go! Katie Jo is immediately relatable and I felt for her as she battled to keep her family together. Jamie, the hero, and his gentle ways won my heart. Christy’s best novel yet!

It's been a rough couple of years, right?  In the midst of it all, I got to read The Christmas Cactus.  And it was like being transported.  A strong heroine with a real faith, putting the needs of her siblings ahead of her own desires.  And in doing so, grows stronger and finds hope for real happiness.  Rare and beautiful . . . in a story told so you feel you're there with her. If you'd like a refreshing break, check out The Christmas Cactus.

I loved The Christmas Cactus. Wholeheartedly. Christy Martenson created a world of love and joy, introducing her readers to characters who become friends and crafting a storyline that was beautifully full of family, strength, and perseverance. In addition to all that, it passed the real test of a wonderful story: my own emotion kept leaking out in laughter and tears as I celebrated and mourned and giggled along with Katie Jo.