The Christmas Stranger by Richard Paul Evans @richardpaulevansauthor @simon.audio @simonaudio.bsky.social #TheChristmasStranger

the setup…
Paul Wanlass is a Salt Lake City computer repairman who works from home and is pretty much a recluse. It’s been three years since he lost his wife and son in a car accident on Christmas Eve. He’s still consumed with grief and has decided to end his life as the holiday season approaches. Just as he’s partway into the process, a stranger knocks on his door and enters his home, claiming he’s there to get his computer. But he’s there for a completely different purpose. The next morning, Paul has only a vague recollection of the previous evening. When the man later reappears and asks him to not go forward with his plan, Paul challenges him to provide a reason not to. Soon a series of events begin to awaken something in Paul.

the heart of the story…
I knew as soon as the stranger appeared he was someone special and Paul’s life would take a turn. I just wasn’t sure what it would look like and was immediately drawn in as the events began to unfold. The acts of kindness, big and small, touched my heart and never let go. Paul gets swept up in them, slowly giving him a reason to get up everyday.

the narration…
Evans narrates his own story and I loved everything about his performance. It’s always something more when the author does the storytelling.

the bottom line…
This was just lovely. Even though I knew the framework of where this might lead, the execution was flawless. It’s what I look for in a Christmas story and will probably listen to this every year going forward. The spirit of the season is in every element of this gorgeous story.

Book Info

• Release Date: November 4, 2025
• Narrator: Richard Paul Evans
• Audio Length: 5 hours, 50 minutes
• Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio

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(Thanks to Simon & Schuster Audio and Libro.fm for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.)