An excellent sweet romance...with a lot of preachiness wrapped around it (the only good people have "accepted the Lord Jesus as their Savior", and the decent people are at least moderate Christians. Everyone else has no morals, just convenience). There's also a weird side story about a scam that tries to draw in the hero, but he refuses - and then it gets revealed without his intervention, despite his walking off with a crucial paper. I very much enjoyed both the simple romance and the detailed description of a pleasant family Christmas. I think I'll try some more by her, but not in quick succession - I think the preachiness would become unpleasant in excess. ( )

Alan Monteith has volunteered to take urgently needed medicine to a patient of his doctor friend, on Christmas Eve in what turns out to be a blizzard. On his journey he becomes stranded at the Devereux family home, and manages to complete his task with the help of Lance Devereux. Alan's friend Demeter Cass had hoped Alan would join her at a house party. The Devereux family had expected Harold Warner, a love interest of Daryl Devereux, to join them for the holiday but at the last minute he chooses a different invitation, the cad! Alan becomes The Substitute Guest. Fortunately both Alan and Daryl are realizing that they have picked Unsuitable Partners when they meet each other. . . and if you've read Grace Livingston Hill the rest of the story follows in a satisfying, if predictable, way.

Grace Livingston Hill is one of my guilty pleasures. While she and I are not in the same place regarding theology, I enjoy the simple romances, the sweet heroines and the upstanding heros. I also enjoy the period details and homey food descriptions. This book it wasn't one of my favorites though - just a bit too much melodrama. ( )

He was a man of his word - even if it meant risking his life. But he never realized how empty his life was until he met a small, close-knit family on Christmas and was invited to learn more about his Savior, Jesus Christ.

I'm of a different (Christian) religion than the author, but I love the overall story anyway. Boy meets girl, both change for the better, and they fall in love. ( )

When I read the description I thought it would be a nice story to read on this hot sunday. I had no idea who Grace Livingston Hill was till I was through with the book. She wrote over 100 books and was considered pioneer of Christian romance. So I know their are a lot more of her work for me to read. It told how she was born 1865 died 1947. I just thought it was a story written about 1920s setting.

This was a nice Christmas story. It had heroics, faith, selfishness, greed and good examples to live by. I read it in one setting. I look forward to reading more books by Grace.

The characters were a wide range from high society, to farmers. Too spoiled young ladies, to kind ladies. Too drunks to hard workers. I was really rooting for Alan.

Alan has no family left. He was going to spend his Christmas vacation at a party he was invited too. He wanted to see more of Demeter Cass and see if she was the one for him. Before Alan could leave he needed to get some work done. Alan is a lawyer.

While dropping the paper to his Doctor friend he hears about a desperate lady in the mountain needing a certain medication by 6:00p.m. on Christmas eve. He promised his friend that he would take the medicine to her. It was not far out of his way.

Well the snow storm turned out to be a blizzard. Alan had other problems get in his way. His car broke down on the mountain but close to a farm house. When Alan made his way inside and asked for use of the phone and directions to where he needed to go. Alan found the only way up there now was a three mile walk in the heavy snow even if his car would start again.

When the Devereaux family realized how important it was to get the medicine up the mountain they worked together to help make it possible. Lance would go with him. They helped Alan get into warmer clothing, fed him, got ropes, flashights, shovels and candle lanterns to help them to get up and than back down again.

Through that hike Alan and Lance got close. Lance made it possible for Alan to keep his word. Alan and Lance were offered to stay the night before going back down the mountain. Lance needed to get back home and Alan would not have him go alone after all his help.

The Devereaux took Alan in and made him feel like he belonged and shared their Christmas and faith with him.
It felt good to read this story. Their are so many people who go out of their way to help each other and we mostly hear about the ones who are causing problems than solving them. It left me with a smile as I enjoyed this story. I want to be like the Devereaux family helping and sharing.

I was given this ebook and asked in return to write a honest review of it by Netgalley when done.
09/01/2013 PUB Barbour Publishing, Inc. 256 pages original title The Substitute Guest (GLH, #20) ( )