Inheritance of Brokenness

Missing at Christmas

Written by Deena Alexander

Published by Love Inspired Suspense   Harlequin

Release Date: 10.28.25

Genre: Christian Mystery & Suspense

4 Stars!

There is a particular heaviness woven through these pages… the kind that makes the heart pause, breathe slower, and whisper a quiet prayer for the places in us that still ache. The story stirred thoughts I didn’t expect, especially about what it means to grow up with a parent whose choices carve wounds too deep for words. That is holy ground only the Lord can step into; only His love reaches the places a parent was meant to protect and didn’t.

As the danger unfolded, the emotional current underneath it all felt real… steady… human. The search, the fear, the fragile hope — it all carried the weight of lives shaped by pain and longing. One line stayed with me: “God, please, watch over them until I get there. Help me get them somewhere safe.” It felt like the kind of prayer that rises from sheer desperation, the kind that knows God hears even when the night feels tight around the edges.

Christmas settles over the story like winter light… not showy, not sentimental, but quiet. A reminder that the Lord draws close to broken stories and weary hearts. As I read, there were moments that made my heart return again to Scripture, grateful for the clarity and hope the Lord gives. Stories like this always remind me to keep my eyes on what God has revealed so tenderly in His Word, especially when themes of loss, longing, and eternity rise to the surface.

What lingered with me most was the ache of generational hurt and the gentle truth that healing is never rushed; it is walked, held, and shaped by the One who redeems every scar surrendered to Him. This story made me think about the quiet places where God still restores, still protects, still speaks light into the dark.

Perfect for readers who hold tightly to hope, who understand the weight of complicated family history, and who look for stories that stir thought, prayer, and a deeper leaning into the Lord’s steady presence.

I received a digital ARC of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. I am not required to write a positive review nor paid to do so. This is my honest and unbiased review. My thoughts and opinions expressed in this book review are my own. My review focuses on writing and story’s content, ensuring transparency and reliability.