April 10, 2026 – My Sanctuary

Daydreaming At The Boathouse Cafe By Alison Sherlock

Can following your dreams lead to happy-ever-after?

After leaving an unhappy relationship, Hannah Jackson has no confidence in herself or love. The only thing she secretly dreams of is her own bakery. But when her brother Ben, the owner of their family run hotel Maple Tree Lodge, asks her to open a cafe in the renovated boathouse on Dragonfly Lake, Hannah is consumed with self-doubt.

Due to an injury, Ben’s best friend and champion triathlete Alex Grant finds himself suddenly at a crossroads in his life and accepts Ben’s offer to recuperate at Maple Tree Lodge. Nursing a secret, longtime crush for Hannah, Alex is hoping that he can find a new future for himself and that it might somehow include Hannah.

Can Hannah overcome her lack of confidence and make the boathouse cafe a success? And can Alex find himself a new path and finally admit to Hannah how he really feels?

Over a magical summer by the lake, and with the help of a stray puppy, Hannah and Alex discover if all of their dreams really can come true.

When the goal is love
it’s time to break the rules…

When her football coach father has a sudden heart attack, Maddie Lovett finds help from an unlikely source: her high school crush, Tanner Price. Back in town to care for his mother, former star athlete Tanner agrees to step in temporarily. As he leads the team to the state championships, Maddie’s support helps him see her as more than just the coach’s daughter. But when a family crisis occurs, Tanner knows his time in Truelove is limited. With his Christmas departure quickly approaching, can Maddie convince him to stay…for more than just football?

About The Author

My Review

This is a heartfelt and faith-filled holiday story that explores family bonds, second chances, and the quiet courage needed to care for those who are struggling. When Tanner Price returns home for Christmas after months working on the oil rigs, he is confronted with painful family challenges and the heavy responsibility of doing what’s right for a loved one facing a debilitating condition. What could have been an overwhelming season becomes bearable through the support of his tight-knit small-town community.

At the center of that support is Maddie Lovett—a warm, generous woman whose servant-hearted nature brings light into Tanner’s darkest moments. She’s the kind of character readers instantly root for, offering compassion without judgment and reminding Tanner that hope still exists even when circumstances feel bleak.

Though football is woven through the narrative, the story’s heart lies in healing—broken families, hurting individuals, and relationships scarred by time. Lisa Carter delivers a touching reminder that faith, love, and community can restore what feels lost. Tender, uplifting, and inspiring, The Christmas Playbook is a beautiful holiday read about renewal, grace, and finding God’s timing in every season.

My Rating