Review: the Twelve Dates of Christmas by Jenny Bayliss

The Twelve Dates of Christmas

by Jenny Bayliss 

Publisher: GP Putnam's Sons

Pages: 320

Format: eARC

Buy the Book: Amazon

Goodreads:  'Tis the season for finding romance in this hilarious and uplifting holiday read

When it comes to relationships, thirty-four-year-old Kate Turner is ready to say "Bah, humbug." The sleepy town of Blexford, England, isn't exactly brimming with prospects, and anyway, Kate's found fulfillment in her career as a designer, and in her delicious side job baking for her old friend Matt's neighborhood café. But then her best friend signs her up for a dating agency that promises to help singles find love before the holidays. Twenty-three days until Christmas. Twelve dates with twelve different men. The odds must finally be in her favor . . . right?

Yet with each new date more disastrous than the one before--and the whole town keeping tabs on her misadventures--Kate must remind herself that sometimes love, like mistletoe, shows up where it's least expected. And maybe, just maybe, it's been right under her nose all along. . . . 

Kritters Thoughts:  Kate Turner is back in her small hometown in England and there is an extreme lack of eligible men coming into her life, so she signs up for the perfect rotation of dates, twelve of them leading up to Christmas.  

As in every romance book, the journey is really the reason for the book.  The reader knows where the book will probably end up, happily ever after is a good reason to read romance!  I liked Kate and Matt's story, even though I have read my fair share of romance and especially ones with holiday themes, this one felt unique and I wouldn't mind seeing it be turned into a Hallmark or Lifetime movie for next holiday season.  

My favorite thing about this book was all the ups and downs of the dates.  I couldn't wait to read the activity and the character that Kate would meet next and see where each one went.  I want to sign up a single friend for this and see how twelve dates during the holiday season go!

I hope to read more from this author both in and out of the holiday season!

Rating: absolutely loved it and want a sequel

Ebook 2020 Challenge: 109 out of 100

Disclosure of Material Connection:  I received one copy of this book free of charge from Netgalley.  I was not required to write a positive review in exchange for receipt of the book; rather, the opinions expressed in this review are my own.

Review: The Perfect Love Song by Patti Callahan Henry

The Perfect Love Song

by Patti Callahan Henry

Publisher: Thomas Nelson

Pages: 240

Format: eARC

Buy the Book: Amazon

Goodreads:  Can one song change the course of a life?

Brothers Jimmy and Jack Sullivan live a nomadic life doing what they love: touring with their band, The Unknown Souls. But Jack’s recent engagement to Kara has everyone looking forward to a Christmas destination wedding in Ireland.

Unlike his brother, Jimmy never expected to fall in love. But he feels a sense of peace and happiness whenever he’s around Kara’s best friend, Charlotte—which has him wondering what he’s missing. Over Thanksgiving, Jimmy and Charlotte write a song while sitting together on the back porch. When the band sings it at a Christmas concert the next night, Jimmy insists it’s the perfect love song—but a manager for another famous duo is adamant that it’s the perfect Christmas song. Before Jimmy knows what’s happening, he’s on tour with the hottest country band around and suddenly everyone knows his name.

But fame isn’t all it’s cracked up to be, and Jimmy finds himself far away from those he loves—especially Charlotte. Only a Christmas miracle—or two—will be able to lead Jimmy back to Ireland, to his brother, and to love.

Kritters Thoughts:  Two brothers are the heart of a band, but after one writes a story to express his love for his girlfriend he is discovered and starts making decisions that are out of his character and are putting his priorities out of alignment.  

All around this book was just an ok read for me.  The characters were fine and the plot was ok, but nothing stood out and made me want to send this book to all the readers in my circle.  With a cast of characters, I had to take some notes to keep everyone straight as to who was in love with whom and some main quantifiers about each.  With a short and sweet holiday book, this felt distracting and took away from my reading experience.  

On a book blog, this is weird to say, but I think I would rather see this storyline in movie form rather than book.  I think it could make a sweet Hallmark/Lifetime holiday movie and I probably would really enjoy it!

I could argue that this book isn't as much a Christmas book as the others that I read during this season.  Yes, there was a wedding on Christmas day and a song, but for me this book didn't feel like Christmas.  This is completely a personal opinion, but for me this book didn't give me that holiday vibe like the others I have read.  

Rating: enjoyable, but didn't leave me wanting more

Ebook 2020 Challenge: 126 out of 100

Disclosure of Material Connection:  I received one copy of this book free of charge from Netgalley  I was not required to write a positive review in exchange for receipt of the book; rather, the opinions expressed in this review are my own.

It's Monday, What are you Reading?

It was a great week and weekend of reading, counting down the days til I close the laptop (on work) and get to spend countless hours reading!!

A meme hosted by Kathryn at The Book Date. 

Finished this past week:

The Return by Nicholas Sparks

Savage Road by Chris Hauty

The Winter Berry House by Caroline Flynn

The Silent House by Nell Pattison

Currently Reading:

Rachel to the Rescue by Elinor Lipman

Next on the TBR pile:

The Chanel Sisters by Judithe Little

Review: Vacation by Jane Green

Vacation

by Jane Green

Publisher: Kensington Books

Pages: 325

Format: eARC

Buy the Book: Amazon

Goodreads:  Just when she’d sworn off men for good, Sarah Evans met Eddie. Sarah was a magazine editor, living in Manhattan, and loving her life—except for the heartbreaks. A successful real estate developer, Eddie was a breath of fresh air, a meeting of minds—and bodies. Soon came wedded bliss, baby number one—and the proverbial move to the suburbs . . 

 
You just sit there like a slob while I do all the work. Nine years later, this is increasingly what goes through Sarah’s mind when she looks at Evan, propped in front of the TV with a beer, ignoring their two children. The truth is, she misses her old life. She misses the old Eddie. She can’t help wondering if she’d be happier alone . . .
 
When Eddie’s job sends him to Chicago indefinitely, Sarah shocks him by suggesting a trial separation. But she knows it’s just a precursor to divorce—even if Eddie chooses to think of it as a “vacation.” Yet a lot can change—on both sides—as time goes by. And once Christmas arrives, Sarah and Eddie might re-discover gifts they’d forgotten they had . . .

Kritters Thoughts:  An interesting story that takes place right before the holidays as a couple takes a break from each other to see if a permanent break is best for them and their family or if they can take the "vacation" and remember what they love most about each other.

Sarah and Eddie had the perfect relationship with love and laughter at the center.  With kids and jobs and the crazy of family life, they have grown apart and aren't making the effort to work daily on their marriage and their relationship.  I love how this separation came about and was easy for them to call it temporary and see if it would eventually become permanent.  I appreciated the journey as both characters made changes to potentially be better in the relationship.  

This book isn't a typical holiday book and I wouldn't put it on your must read during the holiday season.  The Christmas holiday is where the book concludes, but doesn't play a large role in the book itself.  It can be read all year round, but it is a nice short and sweet book to read in the middle of those larger heftier reads.  

Rating: definitely a good read, but can't read two in a row

Ebook 2020 Challenge: 125 out of 100

Disclosure of Material Connection:  I received one copy of this book free of charge from Netgalley  I was not required to write a positive review in exchange for receipt of the book; rather, the opinions expressed in this review are my own.

Review: One More for Christmas by Sarah Morgan

One More for Christmas

by Sarah Morgan

Publisher: HQN

Pages: 416

Format: eARC

Buy the Book: Amazon

Goodreads:  For sisters Samantha and Ella Mitchell, Christmas is their most precious time of the year—a time for togetherness, love and celebration. Most of all, it’s about making up for everything their childhood Christmases lacked. But this year, they’ll be buying presents for the most unexpected guest of all—their estranged mother. It’s been five years since they last saw each other. But when their mom calls out of the blue and promises that this Christmas will be different, Samantha and Ella cautiously agree to spend it all together…

Gayle Mitchell is at the top of her career, but her success has come at a price—her relationship with her daughters. She never seemed to say or do the right things. Her tough-love approach was designed to make them stronger, but instead managed to push them away…until a brush with her own mortality forces Gayle to make amends. As the snowflakes fall on their first family celebration in years, the Mitchell women must learn that sometimes facing up to the past is all you need to heal your heart…

Kritters Thoughts:  Two sisters who had a hard childhood both reacted in different ways to the hard times they had, but through it all they found solace in each other.  Samantha is the older sister and from her childhood has put all of her focus into her career as she books dream vacations that create unforgettable holiday experiences.  She doesn't let any one close other than her sister and finds work success to be the true measure of her self worth.  Ella is the younger sister and love and family are the most important thing to her.  She has decided to be a stay at home mom and put her husband and child first and go in the most opposite direction from her childhood.  Their mother has her own story and I don't want to spoil as those details come out in just the right way and illuminate how these girls have become the adults they have and one Christmas season will change everything.

I love that this author allowed each woman the chance to tell their side of the story throughout the book.  To switch between each woman and see from their perspective, the reader gets to see their true intentions and understand why they do the things they do.  A mother daughter and sister love story where these three women can learn to love each other's past and present and the gifts they each bring to the table.  

A sweet story that could happen at any moment in time, but has something extra when it takes place in Scotland during the Christmas season.  This is another one of those stories that I wouldn't mind seeing on the Hallmark or Lifetime channel really soon!  

Rating: absolutely loved it and want a sequel

Ebook 2020 Challenge: 121 out of 100

Disclosure of Material Connection:  I received one copy of this book free of charge from Netgalley  I was not required to write a positive review in exchange for receipt of the book; rather, the opinions expressed in this review are my own.

Review: The Christmas Swap by Melody Carlson

The Christmas Swap

by Melody Carlson

Publisher: Revell

Pages: 176

Format: eARC

Buy the Book: Amazon

Goodreads:  All Emma Daley wants this holiday season is a white Christmas. But the young teacher and struggling musician sure can't find that in sunny Arizona. Luckily, there's someone living in a perfect mountain home in the Colorado Rockies looking to make a vacation trade this year.

Tyler Prescott is an in-demand songwriter and talented musician who put his own singing career on hold to write songs for celebrity acts to perform. When his mother convinces him to do a vacation trade for Christmas, he never imagined one of the houseguests would be so sweet--or so strikingly pretty. Naturally, he decides to stick around, and, to get better acquainted, he poses as the house's caretaker. But when Emma's friend Gillian discovers his true identity and sets her sights on him, things get . . . messy.

Kritters Thoughts:  Emma Daley has spent many holiday seasons with her friend and their family as her parents are doing volunteer work in Africa and put this work ahead of spending the holidays as a family.  This holiday season they will escape the heat of Arizona and she will see her first snow as they house swap and head to Colorado.  

Tyler Prescott is ready to house swap and see some sunshine during this holiday season.  His family heads there as he is delayed, but maybe he will just spend this season under a guise and have a great holiday season with some strangers.

I always get nervous reading books, especially romance books that are light on the pages.  I feel as though the romance can seem rushed and instalove, but that wasn't the case in this one, for me this book progressed so well and with ease that these fears were calmed quickly.  

I love the innocence of Melody Carlson.  As a Christian fiction author she keeps the sexy scenes out of her books and I think that allowed for this love story to bloom slowly but surely because they didn't have to jump into bed!

If you love the holiday Hallmark movies, then this will be a great one to curl up with during the holiday season. 

Rating: definitely a good read, but can't read two in a row

Ebook 2020 Challenge: 105 out of 100

Disclosure of Material Connection:  I received one copy of this book free of charge from Netgalley  I was not required to write a positive review in exchange for receipt of the book; rather, the opinions expressed in this review are my own.

Review: Home for the Holidays by Sara Richardson

Home for the Holidays

by Sara Richardson

Publisher: Forever

Pages: 320

Format: ARC

Buy the Book: Amazon

Goodreads:  The Buchanan sisters all share special childhood memories of their Aunt Sassy’s beloved Juniper Inn. There, they frolicked in the snow, baked sugar cookies, and celebrated the town’s annual Christmas extravaganza. They haven’t been back to Colorado in nearly fifteen years, but when their aunt invites them for one last Christmas, they can’t say no . . .

With her ex-husband whisking her children away for the holiday, Dahlia decides it’s time to do something for herself. Juniper Springs is just as beautiful as she remembers, but it’s also full of surprises — including the town’s handsome doctor, who makes her feel like herself again for the first time in years.

To the outside world, baker Magnolia has the ideal marriage. Only the pain and sorrow of infertility have strained her relationship with her husband, perhaps beyond repair. But a holiday miracle is about to change her life.

After a whirlwind romance, youngest sister Rose is about to be married, but as the wedding draws near, she’s unsettled by her fiancé’s expectations that she become a society wife. Spending Christmas with her family could be a necessary reality check — or the beginning of a brand-new happily ever after.

Thanks to the strength of their sisterhood, some mistletoe, and the love of their Aunt Sassy, the Buchanan sisters will discover what it is they truly want this Christmas.

Kritters Thoughts:  Three sisters who have completely different lives have been living them separately until their aunt calls them back to a small town in Colorado to celebrate "one last Christmas" at an inn where they all have great memories, so they all drop what they are doing and go.  

Dahlia is the oldest and after completing a divorce that doesn't seem so equal as she still does a lot for her kids and her ex, dropping it all to go to her aunt's home is necessary for her.  Magnolia owns a bakery and her and her husband have been battling infertility to the point where there is a large strain on their marriage, so an escape from life is perfect timing.  Rose is the baby of the sisters and she is close to saying I Do in a large Charleston society wedding and her mother in law has become the center of her world and she is questioning it all.  

With each sister getting the chance to narrate the story from their perspective, I loved this book as the sisters are rehabbing this inn that has meant so much to each of them and in this remote town in Colorado they are each able to get away from it all and take a breath and decide what each of them wants next in their lives.  I felt as though each sisters had an equal amount of drama and things going on in their lives, but nothing felt over the top.  

This is one of those holiday books that with the setting, the time and the characters it felt deep into the perfect Christmas holiday season and I want to pass this book along to all readers who love a good Christmas book that is easy to read even in the busiest of seasons. 

Rating: absolutely loved it and want a sequel

Disclosure of Material Connection:  I received one copy of this book free of charge from Forever Publishing  I was not required to write a positive review in exchange for receipt of the book; rather, the opinions expressed in this review are my own.

Review: Aunt Ivy's Cottage by Kristin Harper

Aunt Ivy's Cottage

by Kristin Harper

Publisher: Bookouture

Pages: 294

Format: eARC

Buy the Book: Amazon

Goodreads:  Up in the attic, with views across the sparkling bay, she opens the lid of the carved trunk. Carefully moving aside the delicate linen wedding dress once worn by her great-aunt, she unpacks all the smaller boxes inside until she finds the leather-bound diary. She knows this will change everything…

All Zoey’s happiest childhood memories are of her great-aunt Ivy’s rickety cottage on Dune Island, being spoiled with cranberry ice cream and watching the tides change from the rooftop. Now, heartbroken from a recent breakup, Zoey can see her elderly aunt’s spark is fading, and decides to move to the island so they can care for each other.

When she arrives to find her cousin, Mark, sitting at the solid oak kitchen table, she knows why Aunt Ivy hasn’t been herself. Because Mark—next in line to inherit the house—is pushing Ivy to move into a nursing home.

With the cousins clashing over what’s best for Ivy, Zoey is surprised when the local carpenter who’s working on Ivy’s cottage takes her side. As he offers Zoey comfort, the two grow close. Together, they make a discovery in the attic that links the family to the mysterious and reclusive local lighthouse keeper, and throws doubt on Mark’s claim…

Now Zoey has a heartbreaking choice to make. The discovery could keep Ivy in the house she’s loved her whole life… but can Zoey trust that the carpenter really has Ivy’s best interests at heart? And will dredging up an old secret destroy the peace and happiness of Ivy’s final years—and tear this family apart for good?

Kritters Thoughts:  What a great book to read at any time of the year.  Zoey is living with her great aunt as she is recovering from losing her sister and Zoey is trying to decide what she wants to do next as she lost her job and isn't sure what she really wants to do.  She is also dealing with her cousin who will eventually inherit the home that her and her great aunt live in and he is ready to inherit it and make it into something else.  

Zoey was such an amazing character to follow.  She felt so real, honest and true and I barely put the book down because I wanted to know where this was going to go and fast!  I loved that Zoey was dealing with all of life's struggles - love, professional life, fear of the future - the book had more than her pining for the right man to come along and fix things.  I also appreciated her relationship with her great aunt, I have a special relationship with mine and it is something I hold very close and am often very thankful for.  

A little bit of romance, a great deal of heart made for a wonderful book.  I have read both of Kristin Harper's books that she has written so far and I am holding out for many more to come!  

Rating: absolutely loved it and want a sequel

Ebook 2020 Challenge: 118 out of 100

Disclosure of Material Connection:  I received one copy of this book free of charge from Bookouture.  I was not required to write a positive review in exchange for receipt of the book; rather, the opinions expressed in this review are my own.

It's Monday, What are you Reading?

Just happy for a great reading week!

A meme hosted by Kathryn at The Book Date. 

Finished this past week:

Christmas in Winter Hill by Melody Carlson

The Perfect Love Song by Patti Callahan Henry

Confessions of a Curious Bookseller by Elizabeth Green

The Mystery of Mrs. Christie by Marie Benedict

Currently Reading:

The Watchmaker of Dachau by Carly Schabowski

Next on the TBR pile:

The Silent House by Nell Pattison

Review: Starry Night by Debbie Macomber

Starry Night

by Debby Macomber

Publisher: Ballantine

Pages: 256

Format: eARC

Buy the Book: Amazon

Goodreads:  Carrie Slayton, a big-city society-page columnist, longs to write more serious news stories. So her editor hands her a challenge: She can cover any topic she wants, but only if she first scores the paper an interview with Finn Dalton, the notoriously reclusive author.

Living in the remote Alaskan wilderness, Finn has written a mega bestselling memoir about surviving in the wild. But he stubbornly declines to speak to anyone in the press, and no one even knows exactly where he lives.

Digging deep into Finn’s past, Carrie develops a theory on his whereabouts. It is the holidays, but her career is at stake, so she forsakes her family celebrations and flies out to snowy Alaska. When she finally finds Finn, she discovers a man both more charismatic and more stubborn than she even expected. And soon she is torn between pursuing the story of a lifetime and following her heart.

Kritters Thoughts: Carrie Slayton is a journalist, but right now she is stuck in the society pages and wants for more.  With a challenge from her boss to find and get a story from a recluse author, Carrie heads to Alaska to complete the mission.  Not only does she find this author, she may have found love . . .   

Of the holiday reads that I finished this season, this was one I didn't really enjoy.  Even with the amount of pages in this one, it felt as though the story was rushed and these two spent two minutes together and then were instantly in love and this for me was offputting and really affected my reading of the whole book.  

The overall plot I enjoyed, but the distracting love story frustrated me throughout the read.  I loved seeing a female in pursuit of the next level in her career and wish that the author had spent a bit more time developing and allowing for the love story to grow nice and slowly!  Not sure I can suggest this one to add to your holiday TBR.

Rating: enjoyable, but didn't leave me wanting more

Ebook 2020 Challenge: 122 out of 100

Disclosure of Material Connection:  I received one copy of this book free of charge from Netgalley.  I was not required to write a positive review in exchange for receipt of the book; rather, the opinions expressed in this review are my own.

Review: Christmas Bells by Jennifer Chiaverini

Christmas Bells

by Jennifer Chiaverini

Publisher: Dutton

Pages: 336

Format: book

Buy the Book: Amazon

Goodreads:  I heard the bells on Christmas Day / Their old familiar carols play / And wild and sweet / The words repeat / Of peace on earth, good-will to men!

 
In 1860, the Henry Wadsworth Longfellow family celebrated Christmas at Craigie House, their home in Cambridge, Massachusetts. The publication of Longfellow’s classic Revolutionary War poem, “Paul Revere’s Ride,” was less than a month hence, and the country’s grave political unrest weighed heavily on his mind. Yet with his beloved wife, Fanny, and their five adored children at his side, the delights of the season prevailed.

In present-day Boston, a dedicated teacher in the Watertown public school system is stunned by somber holiday tidings. Sophia’s music program has been sacrificed to budget cuts, and she worries not only about her impending unemployment but also about the consequences to her underprivileged students. At the church where she volunteers as music director, Sophia tries to forget her cares as she leads the children’s choir in rehearsal for a Christmas Eve concert. Inspired to honor a local artist, Sophia has chosen a carol set to a poem by Longfellow, moved by the glorious words he penned one Christmas Day long ago, even as he suffered great loss.

Christmas Bells chronicles the events of 1863, when the peace and contentment of Longfellow’s family circle was suddenly, tragically broken, cutting even deeper than the privations of wartime. Through the pain of profound loss and hardship, Longfellow’s patriotism never failed, nor did the power of his language. “Christmas Bells,” the poem he wrote that holiday, lives on, spoken as verse and sung as a hymn. 

Kritters Thoughts:  Two storylines contained in this sweet book.  One storyline goes back to 1860 and follows Henry Wadsworth Longfellow as you see his life that inspired his "Christmas Bells" poem that has outlived him.  The other storyline follows multiple people as they are preparing for a children's Christmas performance at a Catholic church and each chapter focuses on a character involved in one way or another with the performance and what they are dealing with during the holiday season.

I absolutely adored this book.  I did tend to enjoy the present storylines as it jumped from character to character more than the historical, but I appreciated the historical to give me some knowledge behind the poem and the author and his family.  I had never read anything about Henry Wadsworth Longfellow and didn't know of the tragedy that befell him and his family, so to read his story and get context on how his art was created was interesting.  

Kids and adults each get the chance to share their stories during the present storylines.  There were moments where the past and the present mirrored with war going on in each storyline and the toll that it can take on the entire family.  I appreciated that the author was able to weave these stories in and out and they fit well together.  

I would recommend this read especially during the holiday season and even suggest it to a reader who doesn't tend to read historical fiction - with it mingled within a great story, it was a nice balance.  

Rating: absolutely loved it and want a sequel

Review: Home for Christmas by Holly Chamberlin

Home For Christmas

by Holly Chamberlin 

Publisher: Kensington

Pages: 256

Format: eARC

Buy the Book: Amazon

Goodreads:  In a charming Maine seaside town, a single mother longs to create a memorable Christmas for her two daughters--and receives a chance to make her own wishes come true . . .

At first glance, Nell King's cozy home in Yorktide seems a step down from the impeccably decorated Boston house she shared with her husband. But in the six years since he abruptly left to marry another woman, Nell and her almost-grown daughters have found real happiness here. Now, faced with what may be their last Christmas together, Nell feels anxious. She gave up her own ambitions when she married. With the daily obligations of motherhood coming to an end, what role is left for her to fill?

Twenty-one-year-old Molly worries about sacrificing her independence the way her mother did. Should she stay in Maine with her dependable boyfriend, or move to the city and prove herself? Felicity, meanwhile, is torn between loyalty to Nell and wanting to spend time with her glamorous stepmother. Nell is eager to make this holiday picture-perfect. But there's a complication--and an opportunity . . .

Nell's first love, now a successful novelist, is in town for a book signing. As the two rekindle their friendship, Nell confronts the choices she once made in the name of stability. And as the days unfold with revelations and unexpected gifts, this Christmas promises to herald a bright new beginning.

Kritters Thoughts:  Another series where I hopped in the middle as this is book seven in a series.  After researching I knew I could hop in as each book centers around a different character in this small town in Maine.  Nell King moved to Yorktide in a transitional time in her life as her husband had left to pursue a relationship with a different woman and she wanted a new home for her and her girls.  Now her girls are older and are on the cusp of leaving home and Nell is seeing this Christmas as one of the last and must make it more than perfect if it is the final one.  

I am not a parent, so the empty nest syndrome isn't something I will experience, but while reading this book it made me think of my parents and the feelings they felt as my sister prepared to leave the house and then as we had spouses and had to juggle having more than one commitment around the holidays.  I think this book would be a great read for someone who is cherishing a holiday season that could look like the last of the current normal and a new normal is on the horizon.    

I loved that while Nell is a mom and she finds that to be a part priority for her life, she was also seeing the other side of an empty home with the flourishing of a old/new relationship and maybe the positive of a new season brewing.  

This was a great book and another one where at the end, I wanted to dive further into the series and read more from this small town and possibly see Nell through a different lens and another person's story.  

Rating: absolutely loved it and want a sequel

Ebook 2020 Challenge: 120 out of 100

Disclosure of Material Connection:  I received one copy of this book free of charge from Netgalley.  I was not required to write a positive review in exchange for receipt of the book; rather, the opinions expressed in this review are my own.

Review: Miracle Creek Christmas by Krista Lynne Jensen

Miracle Creek Christmas

by Krista Lynne Jensen

Publisher: Shadow Mountain

Pages: 368

Format: book

Buy the Book: Amazon

Goodreads:  When Riley Madigan moves to the sleepy mountain town of Miracle Creek, she hopes her new job as a high school art teacher will help her mend her recently broken heart. A little peace and quiet would be a gift this Christmas season. The last thing on her mind is love.

Former firefighter Mark Rivers has spent the last year recovering from burns sustained during a rescue operation. He’s been trying to piece his life back together but still struggles both emotionally and psychologically. When he meets Riley, he finally sees something that might bring some light back into his life.

When Mark asks Riley to work on a special nativity project, he finds himself falling for her quirky, unaffected ways. Riley doesn’t seem bothered by his scars, but is her affection for him real, or is this just another act of charity? One thing’s for certain, in a small town that views Mark as a fragile hero, it’s hard to pursue a relationship without everyone in his business. And although Riley has sincere feelings for Mark, is she ready to risk her heart?

Kritters Thoughts:  Riley Madigan has moved to this small town to escape some things and she just wants a quiet year to push her reset button.  Mark Rivers lives in this small town and is the local hero after a tragic accident that he is still physically and emotionally healing from.  They both have reasons to retreat, but maybe they will find something in each other!

I loved this book for one big reason and that was there were secrets that each character was keeping from the other, but the reader knows all and early on.  The hype for the reader is wondering when the characters will reveal their secrets to each other and how.  As a reader, I don't tend to enjoy being kept in the dark, so I loved that I was an informed reader and could instead anticipate the discoveries.  

I may say this a few times this holiday season, but this book could be a Hallmark or Lifetime movie and I would love it!  This was the right amount of holiday spirit with a dash of love and heart and it was the perfect recipe for a holiday weekend of reading!

Rating: absolutely loved it and want a sequel

Disclosure of Material Connection:  I received one copy of this book free of charge from Shadow Mountain.  I was not required to write a positive review in exchange for receipt of the book; rather, the opinions expressed in this review are my own.