Holiday Review: The Holiday Cottage

Imogen's family life has always been hard. It's been just her and her mother, Tina. But Tina never wanted a child. 

Imogen never had a sense of family. Now she's a workaholic with no friends and no work life balance. Because of a strong desire to fit in, Imogen made up stories about her family to share with co-workers. But in reality, she spends Christmas alone, working. 

After a huge fight with her mother, Imogen messes up for the first time at work. Her boss, thinking that she's close to burn out, makes her take a month long vacation.

Imogen has no idea what she's going to do with her time. But at her last work event, lunch with a client, she's offered a place to stay outside of London.

Imogen's time at the Holiday Cottage change everything. 

My Thoughts: I enjoyed this book - but I do wish the ending was a little longer. Everything tied up so quickly. I confess it took me a little bit to get into the book, especially after that moment with Tina. I wasn't sure where the book was going. I felt so bad for Imogen, especially the moment with Tina and the moments with her co-workers. I would have liked to see them have the tough conversation at the end of the book. I adored Ralph. I loved Sara's girls. There were some sweet moments, some funny moments, and some yikes moments. 

Cover Thoughts: Adorable

Source: My Library

Library Recommendation: A great book for your Hallmark movie watchers!

* This is not a romance, but it does have romance in the book

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: Jingle All The Way

 

Everly works too hard and too long. She has a hard time leaving the office. When her assistant flakes out again - Everly determined to fire her. Unfortunately her assistant is her business partner's niece. He takes his family's side, saying the Everly needs a break.

Jack forces Everly to take the month of December off. He has his niece book her a cruise. Instead of booking a luxury cruise, she books a cruise down the Amazon for revenge. At first, Everly is appalled. There's no internet connection aboard ship. There's no swimming pool. She's the only single person. She doesn't have the right clothing. It's a nightmare.

To make matters worse, she has a nasty reaction to a bug bite - leaving her sick as a dog. Luckily, a crew member is taking good care of her. The more she talks to Asher, the more she realizes how  consumed she has become by work. She didn't even go home for Christmas last year.  Asher makes her rethink her priorities. 

My Thoughts: I really enjoyed this book; it's not your typical setting. I like that it was inspired by the author's travels and the people she met along the way. The trip down the Amazon sounds intriguing. I felt badly for Daisy and all the mishaps that happened to her on the trip. It was sneaky of her assistant, but it turned out to be the right thing. I loved her talks with Asher. I loved the second part of the book on the farm with her family. It sounded sweet. Another heartwarming Christmas story from this author.

Cover Thoughts: Cute - but there is no dog in this book

Source: Highly recommended for your public library's romance collection. It's not Christmas without a romance from Debbie Macomber. 

Holiday Book Review: Finding Christmas

 

Emmie loves Christmas. In her opinion, it's the best time of the year. And she can't wait to spread Christmas Cheer to her boyfriend. It's their first Christmas together. They've agreed to take a mini vacation right before Christmas. Emmie's planned the perfect time.

But things go wrong when Grant can't make the celebration dinner. Emmie was supposed to give him the first clue for the scavenger hunt which will lead him to their vacation spot. Instead, she's forced to drop the gift off at his apartment complex.

The gift tag gets switched with another gift and Grant doesn't show up as expected. Annoyed, she's determined not to let this ruin her vacation. She can't wait for Grant to show up...if he can get away from work.

My Thoughts: I enjoyed this Christmas romance, but I didn't love it. It was a fun read and I loved many moments. However, I had a hard time connecting to Emmie. But I loved Dasher and the woman who owned the inn. I liked Seth. I loved the Christmas moments from the baking to the tree lighting to the wrapping of presents.

Cover Thoughts: Love it. It captures the magic of Christmas

Source: Gifted

Library Recommendation: Grab this one for your Hallmark movie lovers

Holiday Book Review: Recommended For You

 

For Shoshanna, the bookstore is her happy place. She works at Once Upon and it's her own away from home. With the holidays approaching, things have gotten very busy in the indie book store. When she's asked to show a new employee around, she can't help but be disappointed that he's not a reader. How is he going to recommend books to shoppers?

When her boss announces a  competition between all the staff to see who can generate the most sales, Shoshanna knows she's a shoo-in to win. Her reader's advisory skills are off the charts. But she wasn't expecting Jake, the new guy. to give her a run for her money. 

The bonus that comes with winning the competition will help her fix her run down car and solve her transportation problems.  But the more time she spends with Jake, the more she begins to understand him. Maybe she was too quick to judge him...

My Thoughts: I really liked this book about two Jewish teens working in an indie bookstore over the holidays. I loved the banter between Shoshanna and Jake. And how they took time to warm up to each other but did become friends. Of course I loved the mentions of books and the reader's advisory scenes. I felt bad for Shoshanna as she struggled with doing the right thing (which rarely happened) with her friends and her family. I loved all the moms in this story. A heartwarming read that soothed my bookish soul.

Cover Thoughts: Adorable

Source: My library

Library Recommendation: A fun romance story with books! Highly Recommended for your school and public library collections. 

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.

Holiday Book Review: Christmas on Mistletoe Lane

 

Kaitlyn needs a change of scenery after the situation at her job. Her grandmother died, leaving her the family inn - a place where Kaitlyn spent many happy summers. She packs up her entire life and moves - where she discovers a slight hiccup. 

She only owns half the inn. Mitch, a former military man, owns the other half. Kaitlyn remembers her grandmother talking about Mitch over the years. The will stipulates that they must work together for a month before they can sell it.

Kaitlyn's dumbfounded. She can't afford to lose the inn, but Mitch isn't interesting in staying in town. He's avoiding something from his past. But when his new job gets delayed, he has all the time in the world to help get the inn up and running.

Could this new adventure be the start of a new partnership?

My Thoughts: The start of a series (now with 6 books), is charming and sweet. News travels fast in this small town. I really enjoyed getting to know the town. I loved how Mitch and Kaitlyn worked together to make the inn beautiful again. I loved the rooms decorated for famous literary couples. I enjoyed getting to know the past troubles of Mitch and Kaitlyn - and how they came to move past the hurt and the trauma. I loved the couples that stayed at the inn and getting to know them. This book reminded me so much of a Hallmark movie - it was delightful. I'm looking forward to reading more in this series.

Cover Thoughts:  Charming

Source: My library

Library Recommendation: A great Christmas romance for your public library's collection. 

Holiday Book Review: Season of Wonder

* Book 9 in the Haven Point series *

Dani and her two daughters moved to Haven Point to start over. Dani has a job in the local veterinary clinic and an opportunity of a lifetime. But because of her past, she's closed herself off from friendships and most importantly love.

When her daughter commits an act of vandalism, everything changes. The deputy sheriff helps her older daughter  make things right. The more time he spends with the family, the more everyone warms up to him.

Could he be the key to her heart?

My Thoughts: I really enjoyed this book, I adore this series. I love the small town charm and seeing old favorite characters.  I loved Silver and Mia. I felt badly for Silver and her friendship troubles. I admired her strength.  I loved Dani and how she held everything together for her girls. I loved her determination and her strength too. Ruben was sweet. And his family was so welcoming. I loved the shared Christmas moments. Another great addition to the series.

Cover  Thoughts: Amazing, I'd love to live there
Source: My Library
Library Recommendation: Grab this series for your library if you don't have it already.

Holiday Book Review: Christmas Camp

Finding the Christmas Spirit in Christmas Camp. 

I reviewed this one for Fresh Fiction. Check it out.

Isn't the cover amazing?

This book is from the writer of the Netflix movie A Christmas Prince 

Holiday Book Review: Hot Winter Nights

* Book 6 in the Heartbreaker Bay series *

Molly's been the office manager for Hunt Investigations, but she wants to handle her own investigations. Archer believes she isn't ready, but she's not giving up. When neighbors bring her a case involving bad Santa, she's reluctant to say no.

Archer places Lucas on the case with her - unbeknownst to her. Lucas is still recovering from a gunshot wound. He's barely been cleared by the doctor for returning to work.

The more time he spends with Molly, the more he has to remind himself that as Joe's sister, she's off limits. But she's gotten under his skin. And he can't help admire her inner strength and determination.

My Thoughts: I really love Jill Shalvis for so many reasons. It's become a requirement to have a Christmas romance from her every year. I adore this series for the group of friends and how we learn more about everyone. I loved learning more about Molly. I loved Molly's inner strength and how she refused to back down. I love her big heart and how she wanted to help everyone. I loved that she took care of herself but also pushed her limits. I loved the banter between her and Lucas. I loved Lucas's family and the contrast between his family and hers. Another great novel from Jill Shalvis.

Cover Thoughts: I adore the background
Source: My Library
Library Recommendation: Jill Shalvis is an auto buy author.