Christmas Book Review: The Christmas Escape

 

Christy planned the perfect Christmas vacation for her family and her best friend - but this time, things don't go according to plan. Christy's life is made up of schedules and organized moments. But when Christy notices something is off with her husband, she's determined to fix it.

She asks her best friend to take her daughter on the vacation. Christy and her husband will join Alix as soon as they can.

Alix isn't sure she's the best person for the job. She doesn't know how to parent a child, especially this close to Christmas. Plus she wants to heal the rift between her and Christy. Alix let her own fears about relationships bubble to the surface right before her best friend's wedding. There are some words you can't take back.

Can this Christmas vacation heal both a friendship and a marriage?

My Thoughts: I really enjoyed this story - it made me want to travel to Lapland. Lots of winter moments, hot chocolate drinking, and sleigh rides. Lots of feelings in this one as friendships and relationships are examined. I love the idea of chosen family and how friends do make the best families. I enjoyed Christy learning to let go of schedules and Alix learn to let people in. This would make a great Hallmark Channel movie (or Nexflix - I'm not picky)

Cover Thoughts: Charming

Source: Netgalley Review

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

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: Summer Seekers

 

One summer changes everything for three women.

One woman (Kathleen) has an intruder enter the house. Instead of scaring her, it emboldens her. She's always wanted to take a trip - cruising down Route 66. She decides to go for it. She's not getting any younger. She doesn't connect well with her daughter. But maybe the can kind some common ground. 

One woman (Martha) volunteers to be her driver. She needs to get out of her house for the summer. She understands how to drive but isn't comfortable with it...yet. Plus, she's never been to American before. She might be running away...or she might just find herself. 

One woman, Kathleen's daughter, is raising teenage daughters, but she has no balance in her life. There is no time carved out for herself. Everything revolves around her children and her husband and their needs. Until one day, her anniversary, when she snaps. She packs up her things and drives to her mother's empty house where she takes time to recharge and figure out what she wants out of life. 

My Thoughts: Three females - three different perspectives. I really got sucked into the lives of these women. I hated ending a chapter and moving on to the next woman - but then I hate leaving her story too. Even though the stories were so connected, I always wanted more. I loved the different perspectives and the different ages - each female had her own issues to sort through. And each of them helped each other and supported each other. I loved learning more about each other - and their problems. But also how they grew and solved those problems. There was So much about family and friendship and self-worth. And the ending was great. 

Also I loved the moments with the rock star - especially those moment with the fans. It added humor and lightheartedness to the story.

Cover Thoughts: I love it - especially the car

Source: My Library

Library Recommendation: A fantastic women's fiction story for your collection - highly recommended.

Review: Vineyard at Painted Moon

 

Mackenzie thought she had it all - the perfect job, a happy marriage, and a great family. But someone else's happiness makes her take a long look at her life. Before she know what's happening, she and her husband are getting a divorce.

Her perfect job comes from his family vineyard. She's fired from her job. Her family is his family, but her best friend is still on her side. 

Mackenzie always had plenty of ideas for the vineyard that the matriarch refused to allow. Now, she has a new business partner and they are purchasing a local winery. She'll be able to make all the decisions. Mackenzie's grieving the loss of her marriage, her job, and the family she always wanted. 

She's starting to do things she's never done before - live alone, cook dinner for herself, and not be consumed by work. Will she find a new place for herself?

My Thoughts: I really liked this book. It made me want to drink wine and tour wineries. I like learning about wineries and wine making. But I loved Mackenzie and my heart broke for her. But I admired how she landed on her feet with lots of luck and lots of hard work. I loved Four and Stephanie. I love how they stood by Mackenzie.  And how they were true to themselves - which wasn't easy. The family matriarch, Barbara, was the worst - mean, self absorbed, and cruel. Rhys wasn't too much better. Another great story from Susan Mallery.

Cover Thoughts: Gorgeous

Source: My library

Library Recommendation: A fantastic women's fiction story for your collection - highly recommended. Although I assume that Susan Mallery is an automatic purchase for most libraries. 

Holiday Book Review: One More For Christmas

 

Gayle Mitchell is on top of the world - she has a very successful career and her second book is just about to be released. Many women want to be her and she's happy to show them the way. While she says she as no regrets - her family life has taken a hit because of her career. She hasn't talked with her daughters in five years after a horrific fight.

After she takes a terrible fall, her daughters are called to the hospital. Both of them come, much to her surprise. Gayle is still saying all the wrong things, but she would like a second chance.

Luckily for her, her daughters agree to spend Christmas all together as a family...in Scotland. 

My Thoughts: I loved this women's fiction Christmas novel. I loved the family learn each other's secrets and understanding each other just a little bit more. I liked the different perspectives - from the mother and the daughters. Tab was very cute. I loved the relationship between the sisters. I loved the setting - it made me want to go spend Christmas in Scotland with the reindeer and all that snow! Another winner from Sarah Morgan!

Cover Thoughts: Charming

Source: My Library

Library Recommendation: Grab this Christmas story for your collection - you're patrons will gobble it up.

Holiday Book Review: Stealing Kisses in the Snow

 

Piper's a single mom with a lot on her plate and the holidays just around the corner. She recently is required to work full time at the inn next door, while the owner is recovering from a fall and subsequent surgery. She wants this year to be perfect for her two kids, a cute four year and and a moody teenage boy.

Piper never imagined that Hazel's grandson would appear to help his grandmother in her time of need. Logan isn't used to staying long in one place. Last time he was in town, he urged this grandmother to sell the inn. She refused. 

Now he's staying put until after Christmas and taking orders from Piper. She's not his type at all, but there's something about her that gets under his skin.

My Thoughts: I didn't realize this was the second book in this series. They can be read as a stand-alone, but there are hints to the previous book. I really enjoyed this book. I felt bad for Piper as she had so much going on with her work and her family. She rarely had a moment for herself. I wish we could have had more interaction between her and her friends. I loved the moments between her daughter Lily and Logan. They were really sweet. The moments between Logan and Ethan were equally charming - but in a very different way. Add in baggage from the past and a meddling former mother-in-law and there are enough obstacles to hinder any romance. But of course it is a romance, so everything turns out perfectly. 

Cover Thoughts: Sweet - although I wish Logan was taller and you could see his tattoos

Source: Gifted

Library Recommendation: A sweet holiday romance for your readers looking for something they might find on the Hallmark channel.

Christmas Book Review: Coming Home for Christmas

* Book 10 in the Haven Point series *

Luke's known Elizabeth's location for the past few months, but he hasn't been ready to track her down. When rumor comes that the new DA is going to file murder charges against him right before Christmas, he doesn't have a choice.

He travels to Oregon to bring her back with him to clear up the charges. He's not interested in hearing her explanation as to the past seven years or why she looks so different or why she has physical limitations now.

But once he hears her story, his heart thaws. She's been through hell too. Only she didn't have their two kids to help her along. Part of the plan involves the kids. As they come to know their mother, not everything is sunshine and roses. There's still hurt feelings and lots of anger.

But the more time she spends with her family, the more they all become attached. Could they have a second chance at happiness?

My Thoughts: I really enjoyed this Christmas romance. I liked learning about the past and how one moment in time changed everything. I loved seeing the kids at Christmas time. I enjoyed reading about this family coming back together, their holiday traditions, and all the fun they had together. A great addition to this charming series. So looking forward to the next book.

Cover Thoughts: Dreamy

Source: My library

Library Recommendation: This is a great series for your romance collection - perfect for those who love Debbie Macomber's Cedar Cove series. 

Holiday Book Review: Christmas Sisters

Suzanne can't wait to have her three daughters home for Christmas. Not everyone could make it home to Scotland last year and she wants everything to be perfect. But she doesn't realize that each of them is having their own personal crisis.

Hannah doesn't want to come home, but she knows she can't escape her family two years in a row. She has a secret she's not ready to share yet, but she knows it will change everything.

Beth's ready to go back to work and move beyond being a stay at home parent. A new opportunity came her way and she's ready to take it. Her husband's response causes a huge rift between the two of them.

Posy loves being in Scotland, but she isn't interested in taking over the café from Suzanne. She wants to travel the world and climb everything. She just doesn't know how to tell her mom.

When the three sisters find themselves together in one place, they start talking and start figuring things out.

My Thoughts: I'm a sucker for Sarah Morgan books, especially her Christmas stories. I loved the Scotland setting - with the cold and the snow and the small town charm. It made me want to travel there. I loved the story of the three sisters and how they started to talk again. I liked learning more about their past tragedy and how that shaped their present. I loved seeing what their future held for them. A delightful Christmas story with love, laughter, and lots of heart.

Cover Thoughts: Amazing
Source: BEA book 2018 (Signed - I was so happy to finally meet Sarah Morgan)
Library Recommendation: Sarah Morgan should be an auto-purchase for your romance collection.

Review: One Summer in Paris

For their 25th wedding anniversary, Grace made reservations for a trip to Paris. But her husband surprises her when he asks her for a divorce instead. Grace's devastated, but decides to take the time in Paris for herself.

While walking near Notre Dame, Grace has her bag stolen. Everything, including her passport, is in there. Luckily, a young girl chases down the thief and recovers her items.

Grace can't begin to thank Audrey enough. Audrey's a teen from London who needed a break from her family. She traveled to Paris with no money, unable to speak the language, and a job lined up.

Once they meet, everything changes for both of them. Their opposite ways rub off on each other as they become fast friends. They support each other and teach other. Together, they're having one wonderful summer in Paris.

My Thoughts: I really liked this book. I felt terrible for Grace and her husband betrayal. I loved that she went to Paris anyways. This book made me want to visit Paris myself and stroll down the streets, drink hot chocolate in cafes, wander through the museums, and eat chocolate croissants. I loved the friendship between Audrey and Grace and how they both needed someone. I loved that they taught each other new things. I loved Audrey's romance, the moments in the bookstore, and Grace's grandmother. I know the ending seems realistic, but I wasn't a huge fan. 

Cover Thoughts: Perfect
Source: My Library
Library Recommendation: Sarah Morgan's books always circulate at my library. Grab this one for your travel book readers, your romance readers, and your summer book readers.

Review: Cliff House

One summer in Cape Sanctuary changes everything for two sisters and the aunt who raised them. Bea must deal with her ex-husband returning to town after a near death experience and wanting to get back together. She has no interest in returning to their old life. A stranger turns Daisy's life upside down and convinces her to share her story with him - and all her secrets. Stella's past comes to town and helps heal her in a way she never expected. This family find comfort in themselves, understanding in their lives, and love.

My Thoughts: I'm a big fan of the author's Haven Point novels. I really enjoyed this stand alone novel. I loved the two sisters and the aunt; they had a great relationship. But my heart broke for each of them at how they came to be together. I loved that Stella opened her home to other children and the impact she had on so many lives. I love the fact that all three of them worked for her foundation. There was lots of tugging at the heartstrings in this read, but it made my heart happy.

Cover Thoughts: Charming - I wouldn't mind waking up to that view every morning
Source: My Library
Library Recommendation: Grab this one for your public library's romance/women's fiction collection.