4.5
Taken at Christmas
ByPublisher Description
Keeping a little girl safe
means trusting no one…
When ex-deputy Mia Galloway is assaulted and threatened at her town’s Christmas parade, she’s convinced her adopted daughter is also in danger. Mia is rescued just in time by investigator Hayden McGrath, her late husband’s best friend, who vows to protect Mia and Ruthie. And the stakes only get higher when Ruthie’s birth mother is found murdered. Someone desperately wants this child, and they’ll stop at nothing to get her. With time running out, uncovering the truth is Hayden and Mia’s only hope of saving an innocent child…
From Love Inspired Suspense: Courage. Danger. Faith.
Trinity Investigative Team
Book 1: Taken at Christmas
Book 2: Protecting the Orphan
means trusting no one…
When ex-deputy Mia Galloway is assaulted and threatened at her town’s Christmas parade, she’s convinced her adopted daughter is also in danger. Mia is rescued just in time by investigator Hayden McGrath, her late husband’s best friend, who vows to protect Mia and Ruthie. And the stakes only get higher when Ruthie’s birth mother is found murdered. Someone desperately wants this child, and they’ll stop at nothing to get her. With time running out, uncovering the truth is Hayden and Mia’s only hope of saving an innocent child…
From Love Inspired Suspense: Courage. Danger. Faith.
Trinity Investigative Team
Book 1: Taken at Christmas
Book 2: Protecting the Orphan
Download the free Fable app
Stay organized
Keep track of what you’re reading, what you’ve finished, and what’s next.
Build a better TBR
Swipe, skip, and save with our smart list-building tool
Rate and review
Share your take with other readers with half stars, emojis, and tags
Curate your feed
Meet readers like you in the Fable For You feed, designed to build bookish communitiesStay organized
Keep track of what you’re reading, what you’ve finished, and what’s next.Build a better TBR
Swipe, skip, and save with our smart list-building toolRate and review
Share your take with other readers with half stars, emojis, and tagsCurate your feed
Meet readers like you in the Fable For You feed, designed to build bookish communities5 Reviews
4.5
Melmo2610
Created 3 months agoShare
Report
“I never miss a new story from Jodie! She is one of my very favorite Love Inspired suspense authors and her stories always check all the boxes for me. This one had me pulled in very quickly, the mystery and the danger of this one were completely intriguing to me. I stayed up way late reading this one! (Starting it at midnight may not have been my smartest idea but I regret nothing!)”
alissa
Created 3 months agoShare
Report
Cole 🌌
Created 3 months agoShare
Report
DevotedToHope
Created 4 months agoShare
Report
“This book gripped me from the first page, not just with suspense but with raw, messy emotion. Taken at Christmas is a perfect blend of thriller and heart, wrapped up in the kind of tense, thrilling, Christmas chaos that leaves you breathless. The thing is, Mia Galloway isn’t just dealing with someone wanting to harm her daughter, Ruthie—she’s fighting a silent battle inside her own head. The panic attacks she struggles with, lingering long after her husband's death, add a dimension to this story that’s rarely seen in thrillers. It’s not just about the danger outside—it’s about the fight to keep going, to keep functioning, even when your own mind feels like an enemy.
Mia’s not your typical damsel in distress. Sure, she’s tough—ex-soldier, former deputy—but it’s the way she tries to hold herself together despite the panic that truly shows her strength. And then there’s Hayden, her late husband’s best friend, who’s been a constant in Mia and Ruthie’s life. He’s steady, reliable—but there’s something else there, something more that neither of them is willing to admit, not yet. Their chemistry is just the right mix of tension and tenderness, especially as they navigate the emotional rubble of their shared past. It’s a tricky dance, balancing grief and new feelings, but Hayden is the rock Mia needs in the chaos of it all.
I loved how Bailey doesn’t shy away from the psychological weight Mia carries. The panic attacks weren’t just a plot device—they were part of who Mia was, influencing her decisions, her relationships, and ultimately her ability to protect Ruthie. Watching her push through those moments of fear was inspiring. And Hayden’s role in all of this? He protects them and he becomes Mia’s safe space, even when the world outside is trying to tear everything apart.
This story is about courage in the face of fear, faith in the middle of doubt, and healing in the midst of heartbreak. It’s about choosing to keep fighting for the things that matter, even when you don’t know how you’ll make it through. Jodie Bailey has a knack for crafting characters you can't help but invest in, and with Taken at Christmas, she introduces a heroine who instantly earns your support.
If you’re into stories that dig deep into the psychological and emotional side of suspense, Taken at Christmas will take you on a ride. It is a Christmas suspense story— a journey of strength, redemption, and the kind of love that holds on when everything else is falling apart. Grab your copy—you won’t be disappointed.
I received a digital ARC of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. I am not required to write a positive review in any way or for any reason. My honest and unbiased opinions expressed in this book review are my own. My review focuses on the writing style, the pacing, and the story’s content, ensuring transparency and reliability.”
Jo | Ruth Reads
Created 4 months agoShare
Report
“This story had me at the edge of my seat with the suspense but also falling in love with the romance! The perfect balance!
When Mia is attacked and it seems that Ruthie , her daughter, is also in trouble Hayden has to step in and keep them safe. Hayden is Ruthies godfather, and Mia's late husband best friend. When Keith was murdered years prior Hayden stepped it up making himself a large part of their life. But now, someone is after Mia and Ruthie, and if he's honest with himself they ARE his life. But both Mia and Hayden are still full of grief and guilt over the loss of Keith. And now Ruthie is being targeted as well and its hard to juggle all that is going on. How can you heal , at the same time you are fighting for your life?! Add in feelings for each other that they don't want to acknowledge they have and it's a confusing time. But most important of all is to find out who is targeting them. So they can not only be safe, but finally slow down and plan for a future. Maybe together?!
Sweet, sweet story. I think this is the first book I've read by Jodie, but it won't be my last, I thoroughly enjoyed it!
Rated: 4.5 stars, rounded up to 5!
I received a complimentary copy. The review reflects my own opinion.”
About Jodie Bailey
Jodie Bailey is a New York Times, USA Today and Publishers Weekly Best-selling author who writes “soul-stirring suspense” filled with love, faith and intrigue. Her novel, Crossfire, was an RT Reviewers' Choice Award winner that was commended for addressing "the stigma associated with mental health services and the military." She is a mom and Army wife who believes dark chocolate cures all ills. She lives in North Carolina with her husband and a lab-husky mix.
Other books by Jodie Bailey
Start a Book Club
Start a public or private book club with this book on the Fable app today!FAQ
Do I have to buy the ebook to participate in a book club?
Why can’t I buy the ebook on the app?
How is Fable’s reader different from Kindle?
Do you sell physical books too?
Are book clubs free to join on Fable?
How do I start a book club with this book on Fable?
Similar Books
Save to a list
0
/30
0
/100
Private List