Angels at the Table

A Shirley, Goodness, and Mercy Christmas Story

By: Debbie Macomber

Narrated by: Kimberly Farr

In this joyous and whimsical holiday novel, Debbie Macomber rings in the season with the return of Shirley, Goodness, and Mercy, delivering laughs, love, and a charming dose of angelic intervention.

Shirley, Goodness, and Mercy know that an angel's work is never done, especially during a time as wondrous as New Year's Eve. With an apprentice angel, Will, under their wings, they descend upon Times Square in New York City eager to join in the festivities. And when Will spies two lonely strangers in the crowd, he decides midnight is the perfect time to lend a heavenly helping hand.

Lucie Farrara and Aren Fairchild meet after bumping into each other - seemingly by accident - in Times Square on New Year's Eve. They immediately hit it off and find they have a lot in common: Lucie is a burgeoning chef and Aren is a respected food critic. But just as quickly as they're brought together, another twist of fate tears them apart, leaving Lucie and Aren with no way to reconnect.

A year later, Lucie is the chef of an acclaimed new restaurant and Aren is a successful columnist for a major New York newspaper. For all the time that's passed, the two have not forgotten their one serendipitous evening - and neither have Shirley, Goodness, Mercy, and Will. To reunite the young couple, the angels cook up a brilliant plan: mix true love, a second chance, and a generous sprinkle of mischief to create an unforgettable Christmas miracle.

©2012 Debbie Macomber (P)2012 Random House Audio

Critic reviews

“This delightful mix of romance, humor, hope and happenstance is the perfect recipe for holiday cheer.” (Examiner)

“Rings in Christmas in tried-and-true Macomber style, with romance and a touch of heavenly magic.” (Kirkus Reviews)

“[A] sweetly charming holiday romance.” (Library Journal)

Macomber's angles are at it again!

This is the latest, and best installment, in the Debbie Macomber 'angles' series. It seems like an updated, Christian fun redo of the movie, An Affair To Remember.

The angles--Shirley, Goodness, Mercy, and the newest addition, Will are 'prayer ambassadors' from heaven who push the boundaries of their assignments. This time they cause two lonely people to meet in Times Square on New Years Eve. They have an instant attraction, but problems arise and the angels 'help' causes problems for the new couple.

This story has a fun interest because the two people are a chef, opening a new restaurant, and a food critique for the newspaper. Since I enjoy shows on the cooking channel, this book ties in the food interest, romance, and fun with a Christian message. Good read for this Christmas season!!

Pleasant, but not entertaining enough to finish

What did you like best about Angels at the Table? What did you like least?

Fond of the author as a public figure and businessperson, but this story didn't hold my interest. Also, I felt like the performer was reading to a kindergarten class, so the repetitive bickering of the story became very slow and tiresome. I think I'll postpone finishing it for another day.

If you’ve listened to books by Debbie Macomber before, how does this one compare?

I have listened to one other book section which was far more engaging.

Would you listen to another book narrated by Kimberly Farr?

Probably once more, to see if the experience improved. Can't tell if it was the reader or story that put me off.

Wonderful Listen just in time for Christmas

I loved the storyline well developed and wonderfully read by the narrator! I would recommend this book to family and friends.

Loved this

I loved this book. Such a feel good book so desperately needed at this time of Covid. I can’t keep smiling and I finished the book about an hour ago.

Sweet story

This is the first Debbie Macomber book I've read. Very sweet, and funny, with a happy ending. It scratches that CinderelIa itch of mine! Love the angels!

Simply fun!

Wonderful and entertaining! In our crazy world of wokeness, it was just fun and made me smile!

Good story, didn’t care for the narrator

Predictable story. I didn’t care for the NY accent used for the mother. A retelling of the same story we’ve seen again & again.

Predictable and a bit boring

Is there anything you would change about this book?

The Angels shouldn't have been as stupid as she made them out to be, a little more creativity was called for.

What was the most interesting aspect of this story? The least interesting?

The story line was a good one but the Angels interacting with the humans wasn't thought out well, or maybe just not put into the right sequence.

What three words best describe Kimberly Farr’s performance?

just ok performance

Do you think Angels at the Table needs a follow-up book? Why or why not?

not unless she makes the angels interact in a better way

Any additional comments?

I thought the reader was trying for a NY accent but came across with a jersey accent instead, which didn't fit in. I didn't care for the Angels appearing to be so dumb in the story line, I think they didn't come across as the writer had intended.

So funny and satisfying!

An excellent love story set during the holiday season. What’s not to love? Everything you could want for a cozy, heartwarming read!

Wonderful Christmas story

Is there anything you would change about this book?

No

What other book might you compare Angels at the Table to and why?

This was my first experience of listening to a book.

Did the narration match the pace of the story?

I feel it did.

Any additional comments?

It was a good christmas story. I listened at Christmas.