Christmas Romance Review: Holiday Ever After

A major toy company sends the owner's daughter to clean up a mess created the company copied a local toy. The company stole the design and created their own doll. A local woman called them out on social media, causing the company embarrassment. They sent in a fixer.

The daughter of the owner, Clara, arrives in town to fix things. She's clear about helping the town from the start. She isn't throwing a bunch of money at the town trying to make the problem go away; she genuinely cares about helping.

She's hoping that once she solves the problem, she'll earn the promotion her father's been dangling in front of her. She doesn't count on falling for Jack - the creator of the doll and owner of the local hardware store. He hates the Davenport business. 

My Thoughts: I loved this small-town romance; it reads like a Hallmark Christmas movie. And it's adorable; I didn't want to put this book down!  I loved the cast of characters and the holiday celebrations. I love how everything turned out.  I would love this to be the start of a new series. 

Cover Thoughts: Charming

Source: My Library 

Library Recommendation: Highly recommended for your Christmas romance collection for your public library

Holiday Romance: The Ex-Mas Holidays

Maya lost her job, her boyfriend, and her place to live. She's headed back home for the holidays. She's not broken up about losing any of those things - she had drifted apart with her boyfriend. She hates her job as an accountant and she realizes that she loves her hometown. Now she's struggling to figure out what to do; she doesn't want to go back to accounting but her dad is pressuring her greatly. 

Maya returns to an old job as a ski instructor - filling the gap someone vacated. However, it means seeing her ex. The ex that broke her heart when she was younger. Now she's spending more time with him - part of it is wonderful and part of it is tense. They're becoming friends, but they have a lot to work through. 

Plus, Sam has a girlfriend - the same girlfriend he dumped Maya for. Cat isn't interested in being friends with Maya again and she doesn't want Sam talking with her either. Could their break-up have been a mistake?

My Thoughts: I really liked this book - it's perfect for Hallmark movie watchers. There's lots of family and relationship drama. I loved watching Sam and Maya become friends again. Lots of small town charm in this second chance romance (plus my best friend's brother) book. 

Cover Thoughts: Very cute

Source: My Library

Library Recommendation: Highly recommended for your public library 

 

Christmas in July Review: Wrapped with a Beau

Elisha's determined to host the sequel to Sleighbells in her hometown. Fifty years ago, the movie made her town famous. She lives next door to the house that was featured in the film. The woman, a lifelong friend, signed the paperwork for her house to be used again. But she died unexpectedly.

Now Elisha has to convince her heir to sign the paperwork. She might have already told everyone that it's a done deal. But meeting Ves Hollins does NOT go as planned. He wants to sell the house and get out of town as quickly as possible. 

But the holiday season works it's magic on the two of them.

My Thoughts: Small town charm, Hollywood, and Christmas - this book had the trifecta. I really enjoyed this book, but I confess there wasn't much of a conflict. I loved learning about the Hollywood tidbits from the first movie. I do wish there had been a little more about the current movie. I loved the trivia nights. I hated Elisha's ex - what a jerk. But I do like how that worked out. 

Cover Thoughts: Charming

Source: My Library 

Library Recommendation: Recommended for your Hallmark movie watchers 

Review: The Inn at Tansy Falls

 

First in a new series

Nell is on her way to a small Vermont town - sent there by her best friend. Her best friend died, leaving her the responsibility of spreading her ashes in one of her favorite places. Nell isn't keen on leaving London. She's been stuck in her ways for the past few years.

However, once she gets to Tansy Falls, she's thrown into the small town with a list from Megan. Megan has created an itinerary for her - seeing the town and getting to know the people. It doesn't all go according to plan - it's mud season in Vermont. And she's not used to it. Before long, Nell comes to love the town and the people. 

She can't imagine leaving at the end of two weeks. 

My Thoughts: I grew up in Vermont, so I appreciated the setting, the mud season, and the jokes. Nell was a fish out of water a few times, adding to the humor of the story. I loved watching Nell fall in love with the town and with people in it. The town has a fun cast of characters - from the feuding ladies, Nell's new friends, the sweet boy with his cute single father... This book totally makes me want to visit home. I'm looking forward to reading the next book in the series. This book would make a lovely Hallmark movie. 

Cover Thoughts: Cute

Source: Book sent for review

Library Recommendations: Grab this one for your romance collection and hand it out to your Hallmark watchers. 

Review: Summer at the Cape

 

One summer changes the life of two sisters. 

Violet returns home to help her mother and her recently deceased twin's summer project. 

Cami, Violet's older sister, never lived on the Cape. She lived with her father after the divorce. The cape never felt like home to her, she always felt like an outsider. But when her mother calls asking for legal help, Cami drops everything to see what she can do. The Cape seems glorious after her workaholic days where she hasn't taken a vacation in years. 

Now both sisters are learning to trust each other again - and themselves. Could the Cape help heal their grief and mend their hearts - opening them up to the possibility of love?

My Thoughts: I really enjoyed this book. I felt terrible for the family and what they went through with Lily's death. I loved the camping/bed and breakfast moments. I enjoyed the romances - all of them. But more importantly, I enjoyed the sisters finding their way back to each other. Another great read from RaeAnne Thayne 

Cover Thoughts: Charming

Source: My Library

Library Recommendation: Highly recommended for your romance collection - perfect for readers looking for a beach read or those who enjoy Hallmark movies.  

Review: Seashell Harbor

 

Hadley's coming home to spend the summer healing from a heartbreak. She plans to spend time with the grandmother at the family kennel, lounge on the beach, and eat lots of ice cream. But things change. When her parents pick her up, they share that her grandmother fell and broke her hip.

Worse, her high school sweetheart - the one who broke her heart - is back in town. Tony made it to the NFL but an injury sidelined him. Now he's looking to create a restaurant in town. But the space he wants - her grandmother's kennel.

Hadley's not about to let the building go without a fight - especially to him! But fate has a sense of humor and pushing them together. Can they resolve the differences of the past?

My Thoughts: I really enjoyed this second chance romance. I love the small-town setting. I loved the relationship between Hadley and her grandmother - it was sweet. Her grandmother is feisty. And I do enjoy reading about a famous athlete. A great start to a new series. 

Kit's a single mom living at home but trying to move on. It's time she started standing on her own two feet. Not that it hasn't been great having a live in support system, but sooner of later, life has to move on. And she finally ready. Too bad her parents are in agreement.

Kit's husband died while serving his country. But his best friend just left the military and made it home to check in on Kit and Oliver. Alex has been in love with Kit forever, but his best friend beat him to asking out the girl. Now he's trying to settle for helping her become finically independent by renovating an old Victorian house. Mostly he's trying to stay out of her way because he's having a hard time controlling his feelings.

My Thoughts:  I confess I liked this one a little bit more. I loved Oliver - especially together with Alex. I love a military hero. It was fun watching these two fight their obvious chemistry. I loved the home renovations - from the shopping to the work itself. Lots of funny moments and sweet moments in this book. 

I'm looking forward to Book Three - which I assume is Darcy and Nick's story

Library Recommendations: Highly recommended for your library's romance collection - perfect for those looking for a beach read or Hallmark movie lovers. 

** These books were sent for review

Review: Magnolia Sisters

Harper loves working on the family flower farm, but there are updates she would like to create. But there's not much of a budget, so they will have to wait.

When an arrogant man asks to use the farm for his sister's wedding, Harper is in no mood to be polite. It would ruin the crop and cause significant issues for next year. She turns him down flat.

Luke Martin doesn't hear the word No very often. He doesn't want to let his sister down. Luke decides to work at the farm in hopes of changing their mind. But who will break first?

My Thoughts: This is the start of a new series and I'm eager to read them all. This is a retelling of Pride and Prejudice with a dash of White Christmas. I love the setting - the small town charm and the flower farm. I love the tight knit family from the parents to the sisters. And I loved all the talk about pie. I'm quite happy Annie will be her own book too. 

Cover Thoughts: Gorgeous 

Source: Sent for Review

Library Recommendation: Grab this for your Hallmark channel loving readers