Two days before Christmas, ornery Elliot Ebberts is tasked with school drop-off even though distracted by an important real estate transaction. In the holiday carpool chaos his extravagant, lucky coat goes missing. Panicked, he searches for his coat, tracing its path as it passes through the hands of good people in dire situations. Meanwhile, his plan to WOW his wife Libby with an ostentatious gift reveals Elliot’s shallowness to the world and mortifies his entire family. Is it too late for him to rediscover the meaning of Christmas, to remember who he is without all the trappings of the job that defines him? Can Libby and their children ever forgive him? Better than the ghosts of Christmas in Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol, the story portrays how the main character must remember who he is and where he came from. Beautifully written, this gripping novella is a magical reminder of the importance of caring for others despite how things may seem. Each recipient of the coat had an intriguing background, and the remarkable effect it had on their lives is unforgettable. I love this story, and I am adding it to my holiday repertoire. -- Susan Sewell for Readers' Favorite A charming story ... the seasonal reference reinforces the themes of understanding, secrets revealed, and redemption through love and hope. Shoop's message is familiar but beautifully expressed. A short, delightful tale. - Carolyn Davis, US Review of Books The Christmas Coat by Kathleen Shoop delivers on so many levels, from the narrative to the pitch-perfect realistic dialogue throughout and the message of being generous in the end. In my mind, The Christmas Coat comes across as a modern retelling of A Christmas Carol. Emotions ran wild within this reader, from laughter to empathy to sadness to feeling hopeful for new beginnings. There was not a feeling that was left unexplored. -- Erin Nicole Cochran for Readers' Favorite The Christmas Coat is a wonderful story to read and share with others at Christmas time. It captures the season's true meaning in its exploration of materialism versus the genuine connections we make with the people around us. -- KC Finn for Readers' Favorite I was continually amused as the coat went from owner to owner, benefiting each person who temporarily owned it. Calamities, such as losing his phone and having his driver's license taken away, befall protagonist Elliot Ebberts along the way. Despite what at first may seem like farfetched situations, Shoop's skillful storytelling makes each one believable. --Joe Wisinski for Readers' Favorite Two storylines encompass the contrast generated by polar-opposite events and the closely intertwined characters and their lives. Everything is part of an intricate web of connections and happenstances, ready to be untangled. Christmas time distinguishes itself with a special kind of electricity that fills everything and everyone, something you can't find on any other holiday. If you are looking to enhance this magical feeling, this book is definitely a great choice. --Paula García Lasa for Readers' Favorite