My Thoughts: I really loved this book - it's a little bit different from the author's other books. It's a women's fiction instead of romance. It had to the same humor, the same strong family bonds, and the same lovable flawed main characters who go through hell.Rachel sees a sext sent to her husband. When she asks if he's having an affair, he denies it. She takes him at his word, but lately, she's wondering if her marriage is stale. How did she get into the rut being a stay a home mom?
Jenny's marriage fell apart in flames, but she's still friends with her ex-husband and his new wife. She moves to the suburbs and opens her own bridal shop. Jenny moves into a house with a grumpy landlord, who just might be the one thing she needs right now.
Two sisters couldn't be more different, but they're there for each other when the going gets tough.
Final Thoughts: I devoured this book, loving the sisters' story. They've both brave independent women who find themselves. Right up my alley. Don't miss this one, add it to your TBR list now!
Other posts for BEA 15 will include, Books, Bags, and Author Moments. So be sure to check those out.
James used to play Santa Claus with a happy heart, but it's been a year since he lost his wife and his Christmas Spirit. His daughter planned a surprise for him. James and his two children will be spending Christmas in Icicle Falls. At first, James can't bear the idea of it, but soon he warms up to the idea. It doesn't hurt that the woman who runs the inn knows what he's been going through. He enjoyed spending time with her and hopes that she likes him too.The inn brings out the Christmas spirit for all the families staying there, especially for the kids. Two adorable kids have big wishes this year. One man's going to propose to his girlfriend and has everything planned perfectly - if only she would arrive. Could it be the best Christmas for everyone at the Inn?
Brenna has loved Tyler O'Neil since they were kids. They've always been best friends and nothing more. Now that he's back full time at the family resort, she's not sure if she can handle her feelings. It's torture being around him.My Thoughts: I loved this trilogy - the setting was perfect and more than anything I wanted to be on that mountain in the resort. The characters were great - and I love seeing favorite characters from the previous two books. I really liked Jess, but felt horrible for her and what she's been going through with her toxic mother and rough time at school. I cried a little, I laughed, I devoured this book. A fantastic ending to the trilogy and great Christmas story!
Tyler's main focus these days is on his daughter Jess. He just got her back after all these years. He's trying to fill the hole in her life, but he's afraid he's going to get everything wrong. He's lucky that his daughter adores his best friend and that Brenna's there to help him through the tough times. What would he do without her?
Will this Christmas change their relationship forever?
Two brothers, abandoned as boys learn there's more to life than a career.My Thoughts: I hated the brother's history of family life - so sad and heartbreaking - but I loved meeting them as kind and caring adults. I loved watching both of them change as they fell in love and wanted more for their lives. I loved Maggie's persistence. I enjoyed her family and their banter together. I loved Deanna's son - he was smart and sweet. I loved the interactions between him and the adults in his life. Ruby was fun and sassy. The two brothers were so similar. I'm glad they found happiness in life. I'm so looking forward to reading more about this family.
Ryan owns a bar in Boston, one night a woman comes in looking for help. With some pushing from an old friend, Ryan reluctantly helps out. Maggie comes from a large family and when she learns he doesn't have a family she invites him for the holidays. Ryan doesn't know how to explain about his past, so he simply declines. But there's something about Maggie that gets under his skin.
Sean responds to a fire, where he meets a young boy who apartment was burned in the fire. Deanna's a single mother, struggling to raise her son and keep a roof over her head. When the apartment building burns down, she loses everything. She moves in with a friend, hoping to get back on her feet soon. Sean goes what he can to help out.
Presley returns home after two years - sober and with a toddler. She's opening a yoga and massage retreat center. More than anything, she hopes to put her past behind her.My Thoughts: I love this series. I really like how Presley turned her life around. I loved the moments between her and her son - they were so cute and full of love. I liked her relationship with Arron - even though they had some tense moments. I didn't really like Cheyenne's storyline - it was sad and I wasn't a fan of her choice. Because Presley wasn't part of the main group, there were snippets, but I missed hearing more about the others. So looking forward Eve's story.
The one person from her past she can't seem to escape is Aaron. He's still in town, although he's supposed to be moving soon. Unfortunately for Presley, he's still interested in her. Luckily, he's also still in the dark about their son.
Can Presley really start over with him still in her life?
Honor thought her friendship with Brogan meant more than friendship. She thought he could be a perfect life partner. Unfortunately, her best friend thought the same thing. One night, at a bar, they confess that they've just happened to fall in love and they're getting married.My Thoughts: I love the small town of Blue Heron and the Holland Family. I felt bad for Honor and the betrayals from both her best friends. I felt so bad for Tom - who just wanted to have a relationship with Charlie. I loved watching that relationship go through it's ups and downs. I love how Honor and Tom slowly started to become friends and then something more. I loved Mr Holland finally figuring out his path in life and how it added to the story. I can't wait to read more about this family and the town. This book made me cry - hard at the end, but there were also happy tears. I laughed, I cried, and my heart filled with happiness - a perfect book.
Honor's devastated - having lost both her best friends. She tries to do what she always does by throwing herself in her work. But her father decided that it's high time for her to have an assistant or two. Now she's stuck working normal hours and trying to figure out what to do with her life.
She ends up with a blind date for a man who needs a green card to stay in the US to be close to his (almost) stepson. Could she settle for less than love and a happily ever after?
For most of her life, Faith Holland defined herself by her relationship. After being left at the altar, she fled to San Francisco. With a few years behind her, she's ready to come back home - at least for an extended visit.My Thoughts: I loved this book, though I felt bad for Faith. I love how she came back and how she faced the town. I felt bad for Faith because of her family guilt. I like Faith's quirky family and how they interact with each other. I loved her banter with Levi. I really liked Levi - from his past to his being a veteran to his taking care of his sister. I love how he tries to take care of everyone around him. A fantastic novel about coming home again and finding yourself, being true to yourself, and finding happiness. As soon as I finished this book, I passed it along to my mother.
As soon as she gets there, people start talking about her in tones of sympathy and pity. Faith never wanted that. She tries to hang out with her family the most while remodeling the barn on the family vineyard for wedding functions.
Before long, she realizes that she needs her own place so she rents an apartment. Unfortunately, her nemesis the best man at her wedding lives right across the hall. She's not sure she's ready to play nice with the police chief Levi Cooper. But there's something about him that gets under her skin.
Kayla Green hates Christmas - so when a work opportunity comes up, she jumps at the chance to work over the holidays. She heads for snowy Vermont to help out a new client.My Thoughts: I Loved this book - and not just for the perfect Vermont setting. (Although it did make me immediately want to book a stay on a snowy mountainside.) I loved the O'Neil family - even though they fight and banter with each other, they're all about love. I liked watching Kayla figure out the snow and realize that she's not always right. I loved the moments where Jackson showed Kalya the resort and all the beauty the mountain had to offer. A wonderful romance that's fill of warmth, love, and family. I can't wait to read more about this family!
Kayla's the best in the business and right now Jackson needs the best. He needs her to convince his grandfather how to market the resort. His grandfather used to run the resort, but things changed. Jackson was called home to help out and while he's added some great features, they don't matter if people aren't staying there. If word about the resort doesn't get out soon, there might not be a resort anymore.
The moment Kayla arrives, shes knows she's in trouble. The resort's perfect, but Christmas hits her in the face wherever she goes. The idea of dodging the holidays seems to be fast diminishing. Her workaholic ways might not be what this resort needs. For the first time ever, she might fail at her job unless some Christmas magic inspires her.
Darcy dreads the holidays - since her divorce things have gotten a little weird. She never told her family the reason for the divorce. lifelong family friends, the two families celebrate together. So when a friend invites her to join her family, Darcy jumps at the chance. It doesn't hurt that India's brother will be there.My Thoughts: I loved this story, it's the perfect tale for starting over and hope. I felt sad for Darcy for not feeling that she could share her troubles with her family, but I'm glad she was brave enough to find a solution. I loved Logan and his love for Charlie. I loved the ski resort and how everyone came together to pitch in. The two kids from the city had a sad, but touching story. I love how the families tried to create a magic Christmas for them. A sweet, wonderful romance perfect for the season.
Logan's a single dad who wants more time with his son. He wants to make whatever time he gets with Charlie perfect. Now that Charlie no longer lives in the same town, Logan's life feel boring. So he takes a huge risk and purchases a ski resort. It's the perfect place for Christmas and new beginnings.
Noelle loves Christmas so much that she opened her own Christmas store in Fool's Gold. Everyone around her seems to be finding their perfect matches. While Noelle's happy for her friends, she wouldn't mind finding her own happily ever after.
Gabriel's on leave from the military when he agrees to Christmas with his brother and his fiancee. But that was before he knew his parents would be there. He doesn't get along with his father. He's dreading Christmas, but after meeting Noelle, things might be looking up.
At a family wedding, Grace makes up the perfect boyfriend to create her sister and everyone from feeling sorry for her. She wants it to be clear that she's moved on from Andrew- her ex-fiance now dating her sister. Her new boyfriend is perfect - and conveniently perfectly busy. She shares just enough details to keep her family off her back.My Thoughts: A charming romantic novel that's full of humor. I loved Grace - from her teaching history to her accident prone ways. She's funny, strong, and family oriented. I like her passion for history - including re-enactments. I enjoyed Callahan and finding out about this family history. I felt horrible for Grace for having to deal with Andrew after he broke off their wedding. I liked Margaret and her snarky ways. Another winner from Kristan Higgins.
But in making up this new boyfriend, she might be missing out on the boy next door. Ever since she met Callahan O'Shea, there's been trouble from her or her dog. He's starting to become a friend, but Grace is starting to realize that she wouldn't mind something more. Too bad that pesky fake boyfriend's in the way.
After two years of staying away from Chesapeake Shores after her mother remarried, it's the only place Jenny turns to after her recent heartbreak.My Thoughts: I love the O'Brien series - they're a family full of love, loyalty, and meddling. I loved the Nashville angle of this addition to the series. I loved watching Jenny learn to open her heart and to find herself again. I loved the O'Brien family work their magic on her and slowly become part of her life. A sweet heart-warming tale that's perfect for the holiday season.
A country superstar broke her heart when the news of him cheating on her broke. Now the song writer's back home nursing her heartbreak and helping her friend Bree. Bree (once friend, now cousin) is putting on a play and Jenny's busy writing holidays songs for it.
Jenny's always longed to be part of the O'Brien clan - but since that dream came true, she's felt like an outsider in the family. When Caleb arrives in town to win her back, she wonders if she can trust him or her new family with her fragile heart.
Addy broke the rules one time and snuck out to a party her sophomore year to celebrate with the graduating seniors at an abandoned mine. It cost her dearly.My Thoughts: I adore this series - I love the small town charm and the group of high school friends that still meet for coffee. Each novel focuses on a different member of the group, but I love hearing about the whole group. Even though the subject matter was tough, I devoured this book. My heart broke for Addy - for what she went through as a teen and for what she's going through now. I can't believe she didn't confide in anyone - choosing to hide her feelings and run from the town as soon as possible. I loved her relationship with her grandmother. I loved watching her relationship progress with Noah.
Flirting with a group of guys turned deadly. That was the night the town mourned one of their golden boys. Addy knows how he died because she was there, but she never shared exactly what happened that night.
She's never been home since graduating high school - even to see her grandmother. Now her grandmother's health is failing her and for the first time, she's returned home. She's cautious about returning.
Turns out she's right to be cautious; she's abducted at night and throne into the mine. Battered and bruised, Addy's warned not to mention what happened all those years ago. What the men don't know is that Addy has no desire to share her account of that terrible night. Now her new bruises have people asking all sorts of questions - especially from the man who rescued her. Addy doesn't want to talk, but maybe Noah is someone she can finally trust.
Tess finds lost treasures and restores them to their owners. She's a workaholic who loves her job - which doesn't leave her much time for a social life.
She's stunned to learn that she has a grandfather, nevermind that he just took a nasty fall and is currently in a coma. Her mother never told her the identity of her father. Tess has been named in her grandfather's will. Even though he's still alive, his fall set wheels into motion.
Now Tess travels to Bella Vista, the apple orchard she stands to inherit half of upon his demise. There she comes to know her half sister Isabel. Both girls are shocked to learn the truth about their past, but both are happy to find each other.
Tess stays at Bella Vista, letting the place warm her heart. She's heartbroken to discover that financial woes make it likely that the bank will take possession of it - and soon. Their banker and the manager of her grandfather's will, Dominic, does everything in his power to stop that from happening, but it might not be enough.
Now that Tess has found herself a family and her heart has loosened, she refuses to let go. She digs in trying to find something that will change the fate of Bella Vista.
Maggie never picks the right guys. Her first serious boyfriend dumped her in front of the whole town when he brought home another woman. Her second massive crush was on a man who came into her diner. She told everyone about him...only to find out that he was a priest.
It certainly made things interesting around town. She's half mortified and half non-nonchalant over it. It could have happened to anyone. As the year passes, she has a few horrific first dates. She envies the life of her twin - her happiness in marriage and her child. Maggie just wants what Christy has. Her mother's nagging doesn't help either.
Then Maggie's rescued by a loner. Malone doesn't talk much. He gets straight to the point. He's gruff, but he has a softer side. Maggie finds herself drawn to him. Could he be Mr. Right?
Avry's the last Healer in the realm - a realm that's on the brink of war. She knows she's going to be needed when the time comes, but she also has personal missions - one that includes finding her sister again.
Avry and Kerrick split up on different quests. Kerrick reunited with Prince Ryne to determine how to fight King Tohon. Avry runs into trouble and her plans change. Instead of heading away from danger, she goes directly toward the woman who wants her dead. She hides in the army camp, under disguise, and begins to train the soldiers to move silently in the woods.
The army leaders do not believing the truth about King Tohon and his horrible soldiers. Avry wants to help out the realm as best she can without revealing her true identity. Her past can't remain a secret forever, and when it comes out, everything will change. Can the two sides come together to fight against King Tohon?
The Sterling family's owned Sweet Dreams Chocolate Company ever since Samantha's great grandmother Rose dreamed about the very first recipe. Now, it's struggling and it's just about to be foreclosed upon.
Samantha can't believe this is happening. The bank can't help them delay their payments any longer. They're calling in the entire loan. She can't help but think it's her stepfather Waldo's fault as he took over her inheritance when he married her mother. His decision making proved to be troublesome to say the least.
He just died, letting the company fall back into Samantha's hands, where she believes it should have been all along. As the older sister, Samantha's always swooped in to save the day. She's not sure she has it in her this time.
With the help of her mother and her two sisters, they come up with a brilliant plan. They're going to host a chocolate festival in Icicle Falls for Valentine's Day. Obstacles are in the way, but Samantha's confident they can overcome them. She's not about to let anyone, including the sexy bank manager Blake, deter her from saving her family business.
Cass couldn't wait to host her daughter's wedding, until she realizes the role her ex-husband will play in it. As an absent father for most of her children's lives, she's shocked that her daughter wants her father to walk her down the aisle. Cass couldn't be happier for her daughter, but Danille's turning into bridezilla. How can she deal with her ex-husband and his trophy wife during the wedding without ruining the special day?
Charlene thought she was done forever with her ex-husband. She's shocked when he turns up, ready to prove himself to her all over again. At first she resists him, but soon he's wearing down her defenses. Could he want to reconcile?
Ella and her husband just finalized their divorce. However, they're stuck living together until they sell the house. It's not an easy situation and Ella tries hard to keep from yelling all the time at Jake. Is there anything fueling that anger?
Between the three women, life in Icicle falls surely isn't dull this holiday season.
High school teacher Laura Reed notices that one of students has been skipping class. She's almost positive that something serious is happening in Misty's life. When she tries to connect with the teen, Misty bolts.
Misty's trying to find a solution to a very bad bullying situation. When she attempts to get a doctor's note for school, he forces her to share her thoughts with an adult. He threatens to tell her parents if she doesn't. Misty's parents are going through a divorce. Her mother's in her world world of deny and heartache and her father's never home.
Misty shares a small portion on the truth with Miss Reed. It's enough to make Miss Reed even more concerned. Misty doesn't reveal the name of her bully. Miss Reed contacts Dr J.C. Fullerton once Misty admits that he's forcing her to say something. Together the two of them vow to make things right for Misty again. Can they stop the bullying before it destroys her?
