Tag Archives: Holiday

Lord Grantwell’s Christmas Wish by Diane Gaston – Dual Review

Posted on by
13

Lord Grantwell’s Christmas Wish by Diane Gaston – Dual Review

 

Amazon / B&N / Kobo / Google Play / Apple / BAM / Book Depository

 

Description:
He wished to never see her again

Now he wishes she’ll stay…

Lord Grantwell hasn’t seen Lillian Pearson since she betrayed him years ago. So when she arrives on his doorstep looking for sanctuary, he’s not inclined to offer it! But when the two orphaned children in his care ask if she can stay for Christmas, how can he refuse? Grant and Lillian discover an intense attraction still simmers between them, and Grant starts to wonder if he has done her a grave injustice…

 

Barb’s Review:  Lord Grantwell’s Christmas Wish by Diane Gaston is a stand-alone historical novel.  We meet our hero, Lord Grantwell (Grant) from the start, as he watches the snow build up outside his mansion. With the death of his brother, Grant is now the Viscount, and just recently been saddled with two young children (William and Anna) that belonged to his brother’s wife from a previous marriage.   Grant is in the process of getting a governess for the children, and is surprised when he is told that someone just arrived to ask about the position.

Grant is shocked to see Lillian Pearson, our heroine, who arrives to ask for help; he tries to send her away, as he feels she betrayed him years before.  But with the weather so bad, and his need for a governess, Grant agrees that she can stay until Christmas.  He learns from Lillian that she is on the run, being falsely accused of killing her husband, and if they find her, they will take her back to hang her.

Lillian takes over the care of William and Anna, and slowly they begin to trust her, and become very close.  Grant watches how well she is with the children, an also feels the old attraction for her; but he has not forgotten her betrayal, even though she insists she is innocent.

I loved the children, and how Lillian was so great with them.  With Christmas coming closer, the planning to make presents, decorate, food for the holiday was fun to watch, with the entire staff also taking part.  Most of all, we watch and see how Grant also begins to help Lillian and children, which was very sweet and well done.  Grant and Lillian finally succumb to their relationship from the old days, and despite his anger of the past, he knows he still has feelings for her. Will Grant allow himself to have Lillian stay and forgive her?

What follows is a heartwarming and fun story that becomes suspenseful as we reach the final ¼ of the book.  Lillian will find herself in a bad situation when she is discovered, and her life on the line.  Will Grant allow them to take Lillian away or find out what is the real truth. It was very exciting and tense.

Lord Grantwell’s Christmas Wish was a wonderful sweet story, with two precious kids, and a couple that were destined to be together. I really enjoyed this story, as it kept me glued to the book.   I suggest you read Lord Grantwell’s Christmas Wish, which was very well written by Diane Gaston.


Vickie’s Review: Lord Grantwell’s Christmas Wish begins with Lord John Grantwell, known as Grant to his friends, pondering the fact that he was now Viscount Grantwell.  The title had been inherited by his brother, but he and his wife had been killed in an accident.  Unbeknownst to Grant, his sister-in-law had two children (from a previous relationship) whom he had known nothing about.  The children had been stashed away with their grandfather and upon his death, the children were brought to Grant.  He had no idea how to raise children and had turned their care over to one of the maids.

Grant’s butler enters the room to tell him that someone is here about the governess position for the children, and he tells him to show her in.  However, Grant was not in the least prepared to face the woman who waltzed into his study.  It was a person with whom he had had a passionate relationship with long ago only to have her betray him……Lillian Pearson. 

When Lillian tells Grant that she needs his help and a place to stay, his first inclination is to tell her no.  With the snowstorm raging outside, he thinks better of it and has her take care of the children until he can hire a proper governess and the roads become passable.  Lillian is immediately taken with the children, as they are with her.

It doesn’t take long for Grant and Lillian to realize that the children have only truly ever had each other, and they were desperate for a family to love them and who doesn’t hide them from visitors.  It also doesn’t take them long to realize that the feelings they once held for each other have never really gone away.

As those who are chasing Lillian make themselves known, Grant finds himself wondering if he had it wrong all along and Lillian was telling the truth about never having betrayed him.  He also finds himself wondering what he has wished for is right in front of him.

Lord Grantwell’s Christmas Wish is a wonderfully written story.  The characters are well written and the worldbuilding pulls you in immediately.  Lillian and Grant’s chemistry is palpable from their first encounter, which, for me, is rare these days.  Their backstory is told in a way that isn’t repetitive and gives you just enough so that it adds to their chemistry instead of detracting from it.  The secondary characters are also written well, however, I wish that I had more information about the children’s background.  For me, there is no greater praise than when you can “see” the snow and “smell” the fire in the hearth while you’re reading.  This story does just that.  If you’re a fan of the genre, and even if you’re not, this one will pull you in from the first words.  Well done, Diane Gaston!  Very, very well done!

 

Copy supplied for Review

Share

A Lot Like Christmas by Jennifer Snow – a Review

Posted on by
13

A Lot Like Christmas by Jennifer Snow – a Review

 

Amazon / B&N  / Kobo / Google Play / Apple / BAM / Book Depository

 

Description:
This Christmas season, love comes where you least expect it. 

For Jessica Connolly, there is no better place than her coastal hometown of Blue Moon Bay. She has a wonderful family, supportive best friends, and a successful bakery on Main Street. Unfortunately, every time she designs one of her ex-boyfriends’ wedding cakes, she’s reminded just how unlucky she is with love…and that she’s a good luck charm for men to find their happily ever after. With someone else. The minute they break up.  So she’s decided to be done with love.

Dr. Mitch Jameson is more comfortable traveling the world with Doctors Without Borders than staying in one place. He just needs to survive the holidays in his small hometown before he can leave again. The beautiful, intriguing bakery owner with an aversion to dating might be just who he needs to occupy his restless heart.

From sipping hot chocolates at the local festival of lights to early morning dessert deliveries, Jessica and Mitch rediscover the spirit of the holidays. But when the 25 days of Christmas are over, will their romance be over, too?

 Each book in the Blue Moon Bay series is STANDALONE: 
* A Lot Like Love
* A Lot Like Christmas

 

 

Review:

A Lot Like Christmas by Jennifer Snow is the 2nd book in her Blue Moon Bay series. A Christmas story in September! But if you read it, you could easily swap it for any season. I can see me picking this book up again and again, it has fun, it has humour and it has heartbreak (like any good romance) and it has a couple of intimate moments (might want to read those at home) ? 

* A Lot Like Christmas  is sweet small-town romance with a happy ending. However, the story includes elements  that might not be suitable for all readers. Depression, anxiety, and symptoms of PTSD appear in the novel, and a child’s illness and death are relayed through a character’s backstory. Readers who may be sensitive to these elements, please take note.*

Poor Jessica, I felt so sorry for her! Couldn’t imagine how she must have felt to design a cake for a man she could have married! It feels like a curse, she meets the man of her dreams…. It doesn’t work out…. He then meets and marries someone else! That happens a few times!! I’d call it a curse! So although she doesn’t begrudge them, it’s enough to make Jessica swear off love. 

Mitch isn’t looking for long term, he’s not looking to stay long at all! Being a doctor is all he’s wanted to do, fulfilling his dream of being a Doctor without borders has been exhausting but rewarding. Coming home before jetting to another place that needs him, Mitch needs a little quiet time then he’s gone, back to saving the world…..

When Mitch and Jessica meet, sparks of interest between both the couple is evident. And when Mitch tells her it’s only for a few weeks, Jessica assures him that’s fine with her. Both fight their feelings for one another, but I hope the feeling Jessica was invested a lot more than Mitch, yes they both were having fun, but I truly believed Mitch would walk away!! 

There is a part in the book I was totally going to hit the guy with a cake!! And then scream at Jessica to not let him get away!! 

I’ve not read the previous book, and it’s not necessary either, but I’ve added it to my (never ending) TBR (To Be Read) list. It’s written really well, and it captures the charm of the little town of Blue Moon Bay (which if I could I’d love to climb into the pages and explore the coastline) characters come to life as you witness Jessica’s love of Christmas and family. Shake your head at Mitch’s decisions not to have ties, and then cry into your tissue as secrets, and decisions will pull this couple apart!! 

So is it just a Christmas romance? Is it just Mitch wasting time until his next adventure calls? Or will Jessica be able to prove that you can have just as much adventure in a small town as you can anywhere else? Or will she have to bake a fourth cake? 

Reviewed by Julie

Copy provided by Publisher

 

 

Share

The Christmas Wish by Sharon Sala – a Review

Posted on by
11

The Christmas Wish by Sharon Sala – a Review

Amazon / B&N / Kobo / Google Play / Apple / BAM / Book Depository

 

Description:
It’s been years since Wade Montgomery stepped foot in Blessings, Georgia, but the Blessings Christmas spirit is just like he remembers it. The whole town has come together to help his uncle after a disaster nearly destroyed the family business. Being back in Blessings reminds Wade of everything he’s been missing, especially when he runs into his old flame, Birdie Knox.

Bridgette “Birdie” Knox isn’t so eager to jump into the holiday season. Every year, she’s reminded of the secrets that tore her family apart. But with Wade Montgomery back in town, Birdie is starting to believe in Christmas magic. There’s no guarantee Wade will stick around, but if Birdie had her wish, she’d never have to say goodbye to him again.

 

Review:

The Christmas Wish by Sharon Sala is the 12th book in her sweet fun Blessings, Georgia series; though this is her first holiday romance taking place in Blessings.  As I have said in previous reviews of this series, I always enjoy coming back to Blessings, Georgia and the fabulous townsfolk we get to spend time with. Once again, Sharon Sala gives us another wonderful feel-good romance, with a holiday feel.  

We meet our hero, Wade Montgomery, who has returned to Blessings to help manage his Uncle’s feed store.  Wade has always had a crush on Bridgette Knox (Birdie – our heroine) since he was a kid, and now being in Blessings for 6 months, he decides to approach her why she ignores him.  Birdie, is the bookkeeper, for the feed store, and well-liked by everyone. When Wade tells her his feelings, he is surprised that she feels the same way as him, and a sweet wonderful romance begins.

This is the first time in this series that Sala has made this about the Christmas season, which shows second chances and miracles in our wonderful Blessings.  Though Wade and Birdie were fantastic lead characters, which was beautiful to watch them fall deeper in love, there are a number of other characters who play a part in this book.

A young man, returns to Blessings, 10 years later, when he discovers his father was accused of stealing expensive jewelry, and sent to prison.  Duff, the young man, who did not know why his father was sent to prison, realizes that he was the one responsible.  He was 6 years old, and loved to play as a pirate, with treasure; unbeknownst to everyone, he buried the treasure playing a game, and totally forgot. Though he is only 16 years old, he leaves his mother and brother to go to Blessings.  This was a fun and heartwarming story, as he tells the lawyer and police about the treasure, and together they will right a terrible wrong.   Very well done.

One family falls apart, when the husband steals from his workplace to pay off gambling debts, and his family leaves him.  We get to see Elliot (older man who always helps) come to the rescue, paying off the debts, giving him a new job and eventually bringing his family back.

What follows is wonderful heartwarming & emotional story, with a great couple, wonderful characters that we keep meeting in all our visits to Blessings.  I love returning to Blessings, which is a wonderful community who takes care of their own. We should all be blessed with living in Blessings.  I will add that I thought the constant going back and forth between the characters was a bit much, and a little confusing.  But overall, still a wonderful story.  I loved Wade and Birdie, who were so great together and very sweet and sexy.

Sharon Sala writes another delightful story in this wonderful small town, and great couples that we care about with each and every book.  Blessings, Georgia always gives the vibe of a perfect place you would love to live in.  If you enjoy a pure romance, wonderful characters, great couples, and a small-town atmosphere, then you should be reading this series. The Christmas Wish was a wonderful read, written so very well by Sharon Sala.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

 

 

Share

It Started With a Dog by Julia London – a Review

Posted on by
12

It Started With a Dog by Julia London – a Review

 

Amazon / B&N / Kobo / Google Play / Apple / BAM / Book Depository

 

Description:
All Harper Thompson wants for Christmas is the huge promotion she’s worked so hard for–which she should get, as long as her launch of the hip new coffeehouse, Deja Brew, goes according to plan. Jonah Rogers is trying to save his family’s coffee shop, Lucky Star, from going out of business, which will be tough with the brand-new Deja Brew opening across the street.

When Jonah and Harper meet for the first time after accidentally swapping phones, their chemistry is as electric as a strand of Christmas lights. He’s a tall, handsome, compassionate hunk of engineer, and she’s an entrepreneur whose zest for life is very sexy. They love all the same things, like scary movies, greasy food–and most of all, dogs. It’s a match made in heaven…until Jonah finds out that Harper’s the one about to put him out of business.

Only one coffee shop likely can survive, and a competition of one-upmanship ensues in a battle of the brews. The paws really come out when the local rescue shelter has a fundraiser where local businesses foster dogs, and patrons vote with their dollars for their favorite pup. Harper takes in an adorable old bulldog on behalf of Deja Brew, while Jonah fosters a perky three-legged dachshund for Lucky Star. As the excitement builds for who will be crowned King Mutt and king of the coffee hill, Harper and Jonah must decide if their connection was all steam or if they are the perfect blend.

 

 

 

Review:  

It Started with a Dog by Julia London is the 2nd book in her fun and charming Lucky Dog series.  We meet our heroine, Harper Thompson, and our hero, Jonah Rogers as they shared a cab together, with each   traveling during the holidays.   Jonah notices when he is on a plane for business close to Christmas that he has a different phone.  He then realizes that when in the cab, things fell, and the other women (Harper) picked up the wrong phone.   They begin to text each other, but Jonah will not be back until after the holidays, and they each have to deal with using the others phone.  This leads to them sending hilarious texts received from others, and it was a laugh a minute watching them begin to bond. Both are determined to meet each other after the holiday, but most important, Harper loved the dog on Jonah’s phone screensaver.

Harper is in Austin, TX, launching a new coffeehouse, Deja Brew, and determined to make it the best one yet, as she is hoping for a promotion, but her boss and his new assistant make things difficult for her, which causes her to worry about the promotion.

Jonas is an engineer, who has taken a leave of absence to help his sick father run the Lucky Star coffee shop.  When Harper and Jonas finally meet, neither knows that the new Deja Brew (which Harper is handling) is competition for the old fashion Lucky Star, which could put Jonas’s family out of business.

In a short time, their relationship heats up, as they have amazing chemistry together, not to mention that Harper loves Jonas’s big dog, Truck, who is wild and adorable.  Even when they learn about their competitive coffee shops, both Harper and Jonas continue their relationship, as they are falling hard for each other. Harper gives Jonas tips about fixing up the old coffee house with some of her contacts, she also gets to meet his family, who are a fun group, and she has a homey feeling when around them. But she is still determined to make Deja Brew a great place, with high class and amazing features.  The competition between coffee houses will include a dog contest ‘King Mutt’.

What follows is a heartwarming fun romantic romp, with a great couple, wonderful characters, and I absolutely loved the dogs.  London has a way to bring wonderful romances and add fantastic dogs.  I loved Jonah and Harper, as they were very steamy together.  Jonah’s family and Harper’s friend Olive were lots of fun.  Most of all I loved the dogs, who were adorable; Truck (Jonas dog), Bob, a grumpy bulldog (that Harper will adopt), and three legged Lulu (part of Lucky star). 

It Started with a Dog was so very well written by Julia London.  This was a fun cute story, with a fantastic group of characters and adorable dogs. What happens in the competition? You need to read the book to find out.  I really enjoyed reading It Started With a Dog, and suggest you read this book.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

 

 

Share

Just Home for the Holidays by Deborah Cooke-a review

Posted on by
11

Just Home for the Holidays (Flatiron Five 6) by Deborah Cooke-a review

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / B&N / KOBO / Chapters Indigo / Google Play

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date December 10, 2020

Chloe Richardson is on track…
Running the finances at Flatiron Five Fitness West is a dream job and it’s steadily making her goal of financial independence come true. She lives to work, and likes her schedules just fine. Returning to New York for Christmas should be routine, but her mom starts matchmaking—and Chloe needs a plus-one fast. When Hunter volunteers, Chloe decides he’s the perfect choice—she’ll never get emotionally involved with a guy who refuses to make plans and she knows Hunter is all about variety. It doesn’t hurt that he’s hot, or that he kisses like he invented it—but when Chloe discovers that Hunter hates Christmas, she knows she has to fix that. When she realizes that she’s falling fast for the Hunter no one else sees, can she convince him to give them a chance?

Hunter Tate lives in the moment…
He’s learned the hard way that tomorrow might never come and is determined to make every day count. The problem is Christmas—he needs a major distraction to keep his memories at bay. A fake date to a fancy charity event with his hot co-worker, Chloe, is definitely out of the ordinary for him, but Hunter loves a challenge. What could be a better one than breaking every one of Chloe’s rules? It’s all fun until Chloe decides to help Hunter put the past behind him—she gets to him and demands more, but can Chloe’s love convince Hunter to commit to the future?

•••••

REVIEW:JUST HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS is the sixth instalment in Deborah Cooke’s contemporary, adult FLATIRON FIVE FITNESS erotic, romance series focusing on a group of friend who own and work for Flatiron Five Fitness- an exclusive fitness club. This is twenty-nine year old, financial consultant Chloe Richardson, and Hunter Tate’s story line. JUST HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information is revealed where necessary.

Told from dual third person perspectives (Chloe and Hunter) JUST HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS follows the fake relationship between twenty-nine year old, financial consultant Chloe Richardson, and fitness instructor Hunter Tate. Chloe Richardson had returned to New York for the holidays but more specifically at the request of her mother to attend the annual charity ball. With a work related stop at Flatiron Five, the head quarters of the company for which she worked, Chloe let it slip that she needed a plus-one for the annual charity ball, a plus-one to convince her matchmaking mother to back off and leave her ‘love life ‘ alone. Enter F5 fitness instructor Hunter Tate, a man who doesn’t do relationships but was willing to step in for as Chloe’s love interest. What ensues is the building romance and relationship between Hunter and Chloe, and the fall-out as Hunter’s secrets keep our hero from taking a chance on something more.

The relationship between Chloe and Hunter begins as a fake relationship, one in which Chloe has a long list of ‘don’ts’ for our story line hero. As the days before the annual charity ball get closer, Hunter is determined to break all of Chloe’s rules but refuses to reveal anything about his past, and the heart break that continues to take hold of his heart. The $ex scenes are intimate and passionate without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.

There is a large ensemble cast of secondary and supporting characters including Tyler McKay and Shannon, Kyle Stuyvesant, Theo Tremblay, Damon and Haley, Cassie and Reid, media person Sonia as well as Chloes’ sister Amanda, their mother, and Chloe’s ex-boyfriend Josh.

JUST HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS is a story of secrets and heart break; family and friendships; romance and love. The premise is inviting and imaginative; the romance is spicy ; the characters are strong willed, spirited and flirty.

Haven’t started the series? Get book one JUST ONE FAKE DATE -FREE- at most ebook retailers
Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / B&N / KOBO / Chapters Indigo / Google Play

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

Share

Mall I Want For Christmas is You by Sarah Robinson-Review Tour

Posted on by
9

Mall I Want For Christmas is You by Sarah Robinson-Review Tour

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / KOBO / Google Play

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date December 14, 2020

From Bah Humbug to Santa Baby, this standalone holiday novella is full of ho, ho, oh no…

Single mom Chrissy Eve is struggling to make ends meet selling pretzels at the Yule Heights Shopping Mall. All this mama wants is a silent night, but when her seven-year-old asks the mall Santa to teach his mom to drive a sleigh, she finds herself in knots over the man in red.

Dash Winters is the last person she needs pulling her reins. She has a son to think about and a “seasonal romance” with someone who gets paid to lie to kids once a year is not going to jolly her holly.

But the more she gets to know the Santa with a six-pack, the more Chrissy realizes she can’t judge a book by its cover… or a Santa by his suit!

••••••

REVIEW:MALL I WANT FOR CHRISTMAS by Sarah Robinson is a contemporary, stand alone story line focusing on twenty- eight year old Dash Winters, and single mother Chrissy Eve.

Told from three third person perspectives (Dash, Chrissy and Rudy) MALL I WANT FOR CHRISTMAS follows Dash Winters, and his part time gig as the local mall Santa. Doing a favour for his mother, Dash agrees to work as the holiday Santa but the first day on the job Dash meets seven year old Rudy Eve who asks Santa to teach his mother to drive. Trying to keep up appearances, Dash jumps between his Santa persona and that of a man trying to woo Rudy’s mother Chrissy, a woman who is sceptical about Dash’s intentions, and is quick to judge Dash based on initial appearance.

MALL I WANT FOR CHRISTMAS is a quick read; a short holiday story where all of the names are Christmas related, and the relationship goes from zero to sixty in the blink of an eye. A cute story with little to no romance mostly focusing on Chrissy Eve’s inability to trust a man who has taken a job as a part time Santa. I was hoping for a little more romance and character development for our leading couple.

Copy supplied by Netgalley

Reviewed by Sandy

Sarah Robinson first started her writing career as a published poet in high school, and then continued in college, winning several poetry awards and being published in multiple local literary journals.

Never expecting to make a career of it, a freelance writing Craigslist job accidentally introduced her to the world of book publishing. Lengthening her writing from poetry to novels, Robinson published her first book through a small press publisher, before moving into self-publishing, and then finally accepting a contract from Penguin Random House two years later. She continues to publish both traditionally and indie with over 18+ novels to her name with publishers like Penguin, Waterhouse Press, Hachette, and more.

In her personal life, Sarah Robinson is happily married to the gentle giant of her dreams and the duo recently welcomed to the world their first baby, Norah Grace. They have a home full of love, snuggly dogs and cats, and are happily living in Arlington, Virginia.

Newsletter | Facebook | Twitter | Amazon | Instagram | PinterestGoogle Plus | Goodreads | Tumblr | Snapchat: @booksbysarahrob

Share

The Christmas Plan (Silver Bell Falls) by Samantha Chase-a review

Posted on by
13

The Christmas Plan (Silver Bell Falls #6) by Samantha Chase-a review

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / B&N / KOBO / Chapters Indigo / Google Play

Release Date: November 17, 2020

If only life was a cheesy holiday movie…
Unfortunately for Aspen Harris, her life doesn’t even come close.

Finding herself unemployed just before the holidays, she has no choice but to move back home and in her parents’ house. And that means leaving behind her best friend Gabriel and all her dreams of someday owning her own chocolate shop. So when Gabe suggests she come to Silver Bell Falls to spend the holidays with his family, it seems like the perfect distraction.

What’s so great about holiday movies?
Don’t people realize that living in an actual Christmas town is anything but magical?

Every year, Gabriel Andrews goes home to Silver Bell Falls to help his father run the family Christmas tree lot. When Aspen tells him she has to move to the other side of the country after losing her job, he suggests she come home with him for the holidays. It’s the perfect way to spend as much time together as possible before a whole country separates them.

But this is Silver Bell Falls at Christmas time…between a mother with matchmaking tendencies, tight living quarters and far too much chocolate, it doesn’t take very long for life to start imitating art.

••••••••

REVIEW:THE CHRISTMAS PLAN is the sixth instalment in Samantha Chase’s contemporary, adult SILVER BELL FALLS romance series. This is videographer Gabriel Andrews, and chocolatier Aspen Harris’ story line. THE CHRISTMAS PLAN can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story lines is revealed where necessary. All of the story lines in this series take place around the Christmas holidays.

Told from dual third person perspectives (Gabriel and Aspen) THE CHRISTMAS PLAN follows in the aftermath of chocolatier Aspen Harris quitting her job, just weeks before Christmas, having finally had enough of the sexual harassment from the man in charge. With her best friend Gabriel Andrews heading home to Silver Bell Falls to help with his family Christmas tree farm, Aspen jumps at the chance to spend the holidays in a ‘real-life’ Hallmark™ movie but Gabriel is reluctant knowing not everything is as it seems especially when it comes to his well-intentioned but meddling family. Having never spent the Christmas holidays in a wonderland of snow, Aspen is drawn to the small town and its’ people, who have taken to Aspen, and her chocolate fancies. What ensues is the building romance between Gabriel and Aspen, and the potential fall-out as Aspen’s time in Silver Bell Falls comes to a close.

Aspen Harris’ welcome to Silver Bell Falls is punctuated with orders and requests for her delectable chocolates, and with it an idea is about to form as Aspen considers a different path for her future, a path in which Gabriel struggles to understand or accept. Gabriel wants his best friend Aspen Harris to remain to Atlanta but there is currently no work or opportunity for Aspen to follow. While Gabriel insists that his ‘best friend’ should remain in Atlanta, an new opportunity reveals in Silver Bell Falls.

The relationship between Gabe and Aspen is a best friends to lovers romance, a romance in which Gabriel battles between head and heart fearing the loss of his best friend should their romance go sour. Forever reminding Aspen that she is his best friend, Gabriel continues to break a little bit of Aspen’s heart with every reminder. All of the $ex scenes are implied.

There is a large ensemble cast of colorful, meddling and familiar secondary and supporting characters including most of the previous story line couples, as well as Gabriel’s parents Mr. and Mrs. Andrews.

THE CHRISTMAS PLAN is a sweet, charming and chocolatey story of love and romance, friendships and relationships, family and fun. The premise is delightful and captivating; the characters are energetic and lively.

Reading Order and previous reviews
Christmas in Silver Bell Falls
Christmas on Point
A Very Married Christmas
A Christmas Rescue
Christmas Inn Love

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

FOLLOW: Goodreads / Twitter / Website / Facebook

Samantha ChaseNew York Times and USA Today Bestseller/contemporary romance writer Samantha Chase released her debut novel, Jordan’s Return, in November 2011. Although she waited until she was in her 40’s to publish for the first time, writing has been a lifelong passion. Her motivation to take that step was her students: teaching creative writing to elementary age students all the way up through high school and encouraging those students to follow their writing dreams gave Samantha the confidence to take that step as well.

 

When she’s not working on a new story, she spends her time reading contemporary romances, playing way too many games of Scrabble or Solitaire on Facebook and spending time with her husband of 25 years and their two sons in NorthCarolina.

Share

One Charmed Christmas by Sheila Roberts-a review

Posted on by
11

ONE CHARMED CHRISTMAS by Sheila Roberts- a review

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / B&N / KOBO / Chapters Indigo / Google Play

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date September 29, 2020

Catherine Pine is hoping her Christmas is a bit more jolly than last year’s. That one was her first without her husband, and with her kids and their families absent this year, she’s worried. But things change when her good friend invites her on a Christmas cruise to lift her spirits. Suddenly every day is an adventure and she’s making a bunch of new friends, including the lovable Sophie Miles.

It’s like a gift from Santa when Sophie and Catherine meet the charming Dr. Rudy Nichols, a perfect match for hypochondriac Sophie. But he comes with a two-legged lump of coal, his guard-dog daughter. And then there’s chocolatier Trevor March, who’s also interested in the scrumptious Sophie. Can he convince her that chocolate is the perfect cure for what ails her? Who knows what Santa has in store for these holiday travelers? Anything could happen this charmed Christmas!

•••••••••

REVIEW: ONE CHARMED CHRISTMAS by Sheila Roberts is a contemporary, adult story line focusing on several passengers who have embarked on a pre-Christmas holiday boat cruise through Europe ( or more specifically Germany).

Told from third person perspective ONE CHARMED CHRISTMAS follows sisters Sophie and Sierra, Dr. Rudy Nichols and his daughter Athena, brothers Trevor and Kurt March, and friends Catherine and Denise.

Breaking down the passenger agenda and backstory: Sophie Miles is a hypochondriac who reluctantly agreed to the European cruise when her sister Sierra’s husband bailed on his Christmas cruise tickets. Hoping to meet her future husband, Sophie will latch onto Dr. Rudy Nichols, a man several decades older but a man who has eyes for someone else. Meanwhile, Sophie’s sister Sierra struggles with the possible demise of her marriage, and begins to pull away from the other passengers, choosing to remain behind while the others play tourist.

Widower Dr. Rudy Nichols found himself attracted to widow Catherine Pine but Catherine is hiding a secret that will affect all relationships going forward. Catherine’s adult children wanted nothing to do with their mother in the face of her continued grief after the death of their father so Catherine’s friend Denise invited Catherine along for the cruise. Meanwhile, Rudy’s daughter Athena is a little over protective of her father believing him to be naive. Playing guard dog to her father, forty-something Athena makes more enemies than friends, and struggles to leave her father alone.

Chocolatier Trevor March agreed to the cruise when his brother’s girlfriend was unable to attend. Kurt March is chaperoning a history class of students on the holiday cruise but nineteen year old Harriett, one of the students, takes a liking to Kurt’s brother Trevor, and won’t leave him alone. Trying to distance himself from his brother’s class, Trevor finds himself attracted to Sophie Miles, a woman whose penchant for over reacting and believing she is going to die of any number of diseases pushes Sophie to follow Dr. Rudy like a love-sick puppy, in the hopes of marrying a doctor to cure whatever ails her.

In short: Harriett wants Trevor: Trevor wants Sophie: Sophie wants Dr. Rudy: Dr. Rudy wants Catherine: Catherine wants to survive another year: Athena doesn’t want anyone seducing her father: Sierra wants to save her marriage: and Denise is having the time of her life. Got it? Good. It’s like high school all over again !

ONE CHARMED CHRISTMAS follows several intersecting pathways where love will blossom for some but not for others but saying that ONE CHARMED CHRISTMAS has all of the ingredients of a YA (young adult ) novel, and in this I was disappointed with the attitudes and theatrics of most of the storyline’s unlikable characters. There are the jealous rivalries, mean girl comments, pouting and whining, secrets, lies, rejection and love. Poor Dr. Rudy was oblivious to his daughter’s attempts to keep Catherine and Sophie away from her father; and Sophie’s obsessive behavior regarding germs, illness and disease may have been funnier if not for the reality of COVID19 and the numerous deaths reported at sea. ONE CHARMED CHRISTMAS is a well-written story line but missed the mark with annoying and unpleasant characters that detracted from a potentially sweet plot.

Copy supplied by Netgalley

reviewed by Sandy

Share