Waterbrook provided me with a copy of Two Tickets to the Christmas Ball by Donita K. Paul. It’s a story about two people, Cora Crowder and Simon Derrick, who happen to work for the same company, but don’t really know each other. They become acquainted at a mysterious bookstore, and suddenly, their paths begin crossing, and their lives become linked. Somehow, this all seems to go back to the bookstore, and the eccentric family that runs it, as well as the strange neighborhood the in which the store is located. As a matter of fact, it almost seems that Cora and Simon’s new association has been planned! Thanks to the bookstore, both Cora and Simon have tickets to the Wizards’ Christmas Ball, but will they make it there together?

I thought this book was just OK. Although it’s labeled as contemporary fiction, I really think it falls more into the fantasy genre, which is not my cup of tea. It was also a bit formulaic–from the first chapter, you have a pretty good idea of how the book is going to end, it’s just a matter of seeing how you get there. The character of Sandy, Simon’s younger sister (who has Down’s Syndrome), was my favorite part of the book. She was very well written, and brought innocence and fun to the story. As for all of the magical elements of the story–well, I could have done without that part. It was a little Cinderella-ish, but in a kind of strange way, and that didn’t help me enjoy the book more.