Child of Joy (book)

Child of Joy is a 2021 novel written by Canadian Christian author Kimberly Rae Jordan.

The novel is the first of three novels, under the series title We Three Kings, featuring the Minneapolis-based King triplets (Hunter, Hayden, and Heather), heirs of their father's multi-million dollar company and their Christmastime interactions with struggling families far below their social and financial status. Child of Joy centers around Hunter, the oldest of the triplets, who is now CEO of the company.

Plot

The novel is set four years after the triplets' father, Greg, died in a multi-fatality car accident; the accident also left Hayden with severe physical injuries and emotional ones (as he witnessed his father's death). The family had put aside many Christmastime traditions, notably one of inviting people to Christmas dinner who otherwise might not have any enjoyment during the season.

Carissa Jenkins and her daughter, Rachel, have had misfortune over the years. Rachel's father legally surrendered his parental rights at birth and his parents did not acknowledge a grandchild. Carissa's parents, on the other hand, were supportive and helped Carissa into nursing school -- until their death in what she later discovered was the same car accident that took Hunter's father. But after their deaths, Carissa had to sell all the family possessions to pay for their funeral expenses and the house was foreclosed. This left her unable to complete nursing school, forcing her to take dead-end jobs to feed herself and Rachel. But the last year was worse than others: Carissa lost one of her part-time jobs, her car no longer ran (forcing her to walk or take public transportation in the bitter Minnesota winter), and finally her apartment complex was being demolished after the end of the year. Notwithstanding all of the above, she was still able to care for Rachel (who is an advanced student, one grade ahead of others her age), they had a small Christmas tree with ornaments, and they still had (though shaky) a faith in God.

Hunter -- the new owner of the building -- checks on the few remaining tenants in the complex; he senses that Carissa and Rachel are struggling. Accompanied by Heather, they make temporary repairs to the apartment so that Carissa and Rachel can have food and warmth. Heather also agrees to send Rachel's letter to Santa.

Though the Kings were very charitable in meeting the needs of their city, this would be the first time that Hunter and Heather would really see first-hand the effects of poverty on others, especially after Heather reads Rachel's letter. In it, Rachel asks for books (she loves reading) and boots (hers are too small) and, for her mother, a husband (and, if Santa can't provide one, a new laptop). They decide they will be Santa for the family (though they can't -- they think -- do anything about getting Carissa a husband), and invite them to the company's annual Christmas party (and later to their home for Christmas dinner -- thus bringing back the family tradition). Though reluctant, Carissa agrees, hoping if nothing else to give Rachel a memorable Christmas; it allows them to meet Eliza (the triplets' mother) along with George and Essie (the married couple who are the family's driver/handyman and cook/housekeeper) and Hayden.

Over the ensuing days Hunter continues to assist Carissa with her needs, even offering an apartment at a nearby complex owned by the company at the same rent she was paying (but much nicer). Both Hunter and Carissa start to feel attraction to the other, but both share concern that a relationship would never work given they come from opposite ends of the economic spectrum. The situation takes a turn for the worse when Carissa comes down with an infection requiring hospitalization; the Kings take Rachel in until Carissa is discharged and then take her in until she fully recovers, also allowing her to stay with them through Christmas Day. (It also gives Heather -- who admittedly loves to shop -- the chance to buy more Christmas presents for them.)