Coming Home For Christmas (Haven Point,#10)

 

 

 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Hearts are lighter and wishes burn a little brighter at Christmas… 

Elizabeth was trapped in a tangle of postpartum depression and grief after the death of her beloved parents and she couldn’t quite see the way back to her husband and their two beautiful kids…until a car accident stole away her memories and changed her life. 

And when she finally remembered the sound of little Cassie’s laugh, the baby powder smell of Bridger, or the feel of her husband’s hand in hers, Elizabeth worried that they’d moved on without her. That she’d missed too much. That perhaps she wasn’t the right mother for her kids or wife for Luke, no matter how much she loved them. 

But now, seven years later, Luke finds her in a nearby town and brings Elizabeth back home to the family she loves, just in time for Christmas. And being reunited with Luke and her children is better than anything Elizabeth could have imagined. 

As they all trim the tree and bake cookies, making new holiday memories, Elizabeth and Luke are drawn ever closer. Can the hurt of the past seven years be healed over the course of one Christmas season and bring the Hamiltons the gift of a new beginning? 

 

 🌷

A story that will break your heart but will also stay with you. 

When I came across Coming Home For Christmas at the library, I didn’t know what to expect, especially since I haven’t read anything by the author. It was the cover, the title and the synopsis that caught my attention. From the moment I read the synopsis, I wondered what Elizabeth’s reason was for leaving her family and staying away for so many years. I had a feeling that Coming for Christmas was going to be an emotional story. However, I still wasn’t prepared for how emotional it would be. Of the holiday books that I have read this year, this was the most emotional one. Despite that, it was also a heartwarming story about family, love, forgiveness and second chances. 

Coming Home For Christmas reminded me of the Hallmark Christmas movies I love watching. The minute that I started reading this story, I knew that I would have trouble putting it down, and I did. I needed to find out how Elizabeth’s story would end. I adored the way her relationship with her husband, Luke, and her children evolved through the story. Every chapter had me hoping that they would be able to become family again. It made me wish that all the characters were real, so that I could give them a big hug. 

I could keep talking about this story. I loved everything about this story: the plot, the characters, and the setting. I know that this book will stay with me for years to come. I’ll probably end up re-reading it at some point. Most of all, I love the family aspect in this story; it was heartbreaking at times, but also heartwarming. This story, that’s the true meaning of Christmas, at least for me. 

I look forward to exploring her other works!

A Curse Carved In Bone(Saga Of Unfated,#2)

 

 

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

4.5★ 

The secret of her divine heritage revealed, Freya finds herself on a path that will see thousands of lives lost to the magic in her blood. Desperate to avoid this dark fate, she risks an alliance with Skaland’s greatest enemy to seek answers from the seer who foretold her future—the same seer who sent Bjorn to kill her. 

While Freya still seethes with rage over Bjorn’s betrayal, the blood oaths that bind her demand that she keep him close as she hunts for a way to avert the looming war. Her magic draws her to the front lines of an old enmity, embroiling her with Nordeland’s Unfated—children of the gods who serve the king she was raised to fear. The same king who, unlike Bjorn, is now willing to fight at her back. For despite the desire that burns hot between Bjorn and Freya, his growing distrust of her chosen path threatens to drag them further apart. 

As war approaches, gods and mortals must choose their weapons. Yet the fiercest battle will be the one Freya wages within herself. With the magic of two goddesses burning in her veins, she must weave the threads of destiny to decide her own fate: Will she be the shield that protects her people or the curse that destroys them? 

 

 🌷

 
Last year, I read A Fate Inked In Blood, the first book in the series, in my book club. It was my first book by Danielle L. Jensen , and I fell in love with the story. I had been looking forward to A Curse Carved In Bone  ever since, and even though I loved the first book, I loved the second book more. What I loved about the book was the setting and the characters, especially Freya and Bjorn. Both had outstanding character development, but Freya's was especially remarkable. I loved how strong and determined she was. However, I do think that she was stubborn at times. One of the reasons I couldn’t stop reading was that I wanted to see what would happen to her next, and I was rooting for her to win.

 
I liked that A Curse Carved In Bone was written from both Freya and Bjorn’s perspectives. I always wondered what he was thinking and feeling. Even though Freya wasn’t happy with him, I understood why he lied to her. I hoped that Freya would put anger behind her and forgive him. I rooted for the two of them from the beginning of the book. I loved the fight scenes in this book; the way they were described, I saw it happening right in front of my eyes, as if I were watching it. It was incredible! It was one of the best fight scenes that I have read. I loved the world-building. This is the series that got me back into fantasy, and that’s what I love about it. 

I believe that the villains received better character development than in the first book. I didn’t see that twist coming, and by then, I had to know what would happen next. If it weren’t for classes, I would spend all day reading. There is a part of me that wishes this series had more than two books, because I wanted more of Freya and Bjorn. Now that I have read the Saga Of Unfated series, I am excited to check out her other works. I would highly recommend this for fantasy fans.

The Fake Santa Apology Tour

 

 

 

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I’m Birdie Mae, and let’s skip to the weird part of my story: Short-term relationships with good looking Santas are kind of my thing. And Nicholas Ryan is the good looking Santa I really don’t need in my life. 

They say the spirit of Christmas finds you on holiday vacations, but instead I run into the only person who could get my Christmas lights twisted: freaking Nicholas. A man I haven’t seen in twenty years and who I never wanted to see again. Except now he’s my hot bartender, complete with a silver-fox beard, a twinkle in his eye, and looking a lot like my kryptonite: jingle belling Santa Claus. 

It’s five days until Christmas, I’m stuck in a snowy town straight out of a Hallmark movie, and my ultimate goal? Avoid the Grinch who stole all my Christmases and pretend that our chemistry is simply just the magic of Christmas in the air. 

 

 🌷

 
A cute holiday romcom! 

I just heard about Julie Olivia a few months ago through Instagram, but I haven’t had a chance to read her books yet. My friend’s book club picked The Fake Santa Apology Tour, and I decided to check it out, and I am so glad that I did! I loved the fact that it was a novella; it fit this story perfectly. Even though I have read many holiday-themed books already, The Fake Santa Apology Tour had me eager to pick up even more holiday books. What I loved about The Fake Santa Apology Tour was the humor in the story; some of it had me laughing out loud. It was one of the reasons that I had trouble putting this book down. 

Despite the age gap, I loved the connection between Birdie Mae and Nick. You couldn’t help but wonder what was going to happen between the two of them next. I felt that Birdie Mae was in denial about her feelings for Nick, or at least that is the impression I got while reading. I adored Nick; it was clear how he felt about her. I had so much fun reading this book, although there was a part of me that wanted it to be a full-length novel instead. In general, I’m so glad that I got a chance to read this story, and I'm excited to check out the rest of Julie Olivia’s works.

Good Spirits(Ghosted,#1)

 

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

 4.5★  

 

He’s the Ghost of Christmas Past. She’s not exactly Scrooge.

 
Ghost of Christmas Past Nolan Callahan intends to spend this holiday haunting like every other—get in, get out, return to his otherwise aimless existence as a ghost awaiting the afterlife. But when he’s faced with Harriet York, the sweetest assignment he’s ever had, he suddenly finds himself wishing for a future. 

Harriet York has no idea why she’s being haunted. She’s a good person—or, at least, she tries to be. A people pleaser to her core, she always does what’s expected of her. But as she and Nolan begin to examine her past, they discover there are threads that bind them together— and realize there might be more to moving on than expected. 

With the deadline of Christmas Eve fast approaching, will they find the key to their futures in each other’s pasts? Or will they stay firmly in the present, indulging in their unexpected, spirited connection?

 🌷

 
A magical holiday romance. 

I can see why so many people are talking about this book. It had almost everything I love about holiday stories: friendship, love, and humor. I didn’t know what to expect when I started reading, mainly because Good Spirits was my first book by B.K. Borison, but she has been on my to-be-read list for a while. However, the summary drew me in, and the cover of the book, and I couldn’t help but be curious about what was going to happen with Nolan and Harriet. I was curious about why Harriet was being haunted and what she could have done to get haunted by the ghost. I was curious to see what we would find out about Harriet. 

I loved the connection between Nolan and Harriet. I liked the way that the author took time to develop their relationship. Every time they traveled to the past, I couldn’t help but wonder which memory they would end up visiting next. As they visited more memories, I noticed that this was when the connection between Nolan and Harriet deepened. I couldn’t help but wonder what would happen. Still, I also worried about what would happen when Nolan’s assignment was completed. 

I also enjoyed reading about the side characters in this story, except for a few that I won’t mention, as I don’t want to spoil anything. I liked the way that the author described everything, including the characters’ emotions. I couldn’t put this book down at times, and now that I have read a book by B.K. Borison, I look forward to checking out her others.

Merry Little Kissmas(Evergreen Falls,#2)

 

 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

 4.5★ 

 

Wanted: A fresh shot at love for the holidays. But fake dating my brother’s grumpy best friend? He’s my new client, for Santa’s sake!

 
As a professional matchmaker, my biggest job this holiday season should be simple: find a date for the sexy single dad hockey player—aka my brother’s best friend—for his team’s fancy Christmas Eve gala.
Sure Rowan’s hot as a crackling fire and spicier than a gingerbread man, but he hasn’t just sworn off romance. The Christmas hater has made a bet that I can’t find him a holidate. 

What’s a matchmaker to do? 

Win, of course. Even if it means fake dating the grinch myself to get him ready for the real thing.
Only…these fake dates at Christmas tree farms and hot cocoa competitions in the snowy small town of Evergreen Falls start to feel a little too real as I get to know the man behind the scowl. Somewhere between kisses under the mistletoe and a snowed-in night in his cabin curled up by the fire (where the stockings aren’t the only thing hung), I realize I’m in over my elf-loving head.
And when Rowan opens up to me at last about his painful past, I’m determined to give my brother’s best friend the holiday he deserves. 

But what if the only gift I want him to unwrap this season is… me? 

 

 🌷

 
I adored this book; it’s one of those stories that will get you in the mood for holidays. The moment that I finished this book; I wanted to pick up another holiday-themed book. From the moment Rowan and Isla met, I felt the tension between the two of them, even if Isla tried to deny it. I understood why she tried to deny it, but at the same time, I was waiting for her to come to her senses, and see what was in front of her. At one point I had trouble putting this book down because I wanted to see what was going to happen between the two of them next. 

I loved Rowan’s daughter, Mia; besides Isla, she was my favorite character. I loved how energetic and positive she was, despite what happened in the past. I also loved the relationship between Isla and Mia, as well as how the two of them bonded. Another reason I hoped that Isla would stop denying her feelings for Rowan. I was rooting for the two of them right from the start. I was also hoping that Isla would be able to change Rowan’s feelings towards Christmas. 

I started reading Merry Little Kissmas for my friend’s book club that I’m in, and I am so glad that I did. Merry Little Kissmas was the first book I read by Lauren Blakley, and I’m eager to explore her other works. When I started reading the book, I didn’t realize it was the second in a series, but based on what I read, it can be read as a standalone. I enjoyed the banter between Rowan and Isla, and there were a few that had me rolling my eyes. I think that the humor made the book even more captivating. I look forward to seeing what the author has in store for us next!

Tough Luck.

 

 

⭐️⭐️⭐️

3.5★  

Thank you to publisher, St Martin's Press for providing with E ARC via Netgalley, in exchange for an honest review.  

After their mother dies, Haidie Richards and her younger brother, Boots, are put to work in an orphanage. Their father left four years earlier to find a gold mine in Colorado Territory, and since then he’s sent only three letters. Still, Haidie is certain that he is alive, has struck gold, and will soon send for them. 

But patience is not one of Haidie’s virtues and soon she and her brother make a break for it. Boots and Haidie, disguised as a boy, embark on a dangerous journey deep into Western territory. Along the way, Haidie learns fast not only how to handle mules, oxen, and greedy men, but also that you are better off in a community. Hers includes a card shark, independent “spinster” sisters, and a very fierce dog. 

Once she arrives in Colorado and finds out the truth about her father, Haidie will need all her new friends for a get-even plot worthy of The Sting.

 

 🌷

 
I love western historical fiction. I think it’s the Western setting that I love. I have read and seen a few Western movies and enjoyed them. When I came across Tough Luck and read the description, I knew I had to check this book out; it sounded just like the types of books I like. I loved the way Sandra Dallas described the travels of Haidie and her brother, Boots; I found myself going on adventures alongside the siblings. I can hardly begin to imagine having to go through what the siblings did, especially at their age. As time passed, I began to wonder if the two of them would ever find their father. I was worried that if they did, it wouldn’t be the reunion that they were hoping for. 

Although I enjoyed the story, I did feel that it was at a slower pace and dragged in some parts. I thought that the chapters shouldn’t have been; if they were, they could have been broken up into more chapters. In general, there was a lot of interesting stuff happening in the story that kept my attention. I also felt that the characters could have had more character development; I didn’t connect to them the way that I usually do when reading. However, the one character I liked and found myself connecting with was Haidie; she was the one character that I loved from the start and was rooting for throughout. I liked the way that all the characters stick with each other through the journey; looking out for one another. 

I could tell the amount of research that Sandra Dallas did for this book. This was my first book by Sandra Dallas and I cannot wait to check out her others. Tough Luck is the book that is worth checking out!

Bourbon And Blizzards At Snow Ranch(Meet Cute,#3)

 

 

 

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thank you to the author,Persis Lassiter for e ARC, in exchange for an honest review. 

 

Savannah Lane had one never go back to Aspen Falls . The Colorado mountain town held too many memories—chief among them Levi McAllister, the boy who promised her forever and then shattered her heart under the Christmas lights. But when her grandmother leaves her half of Snow Ranch, Savannah has no choice but to swap her New York City skyline for snow-capped mountains, stilettos sinking into the drifts, and one wiggly dachshund puppy named Pretzel who refuses to behave. 

Levi never left. He stayed. He built Snow Ranch’s bourbon brand from scratch, pouring every ounce of himself into the family legacy. And now Savannah—the one who ran off without looking back—shows up holding half the ranch in her manicured hands. She’s back in town, back in his life, and back under his skin. 

Then the blizzard hits. 

Snowed in at the ranch with the bourbon warehouse in shambles, Savannah and Levi are forced to team up to keep the brand alive. Days blur into nights of bourbon tastings, barrel-room bickering, and stolen glances that feel far too dangerous. 

She thinks he’s stubborn. He thinks she’s spoiled. Pretzel thinks they’re both ridiculous. 

But in the middle of snowdrifts, small-town gossip, and sparks they can’t ignore, Savannah and Levi will have to decide if love deserves a second chance—or if the past is better left buried under the snow.

 

 🌷

I shouldn’t be surprised, considering that I have read all of Persis’s books and loved every single one of them. Once again, I was captivated not just by the story but by the characters. Persis has a way of creating characters that flow with the story, and you cannot help but fall in love with them. I didn’t want to reach the end because I didn’t want the story to come to an end. Even though it has been a few days since I finished the book, I still cannot get it out of my mind, and I am even telling my friends to check it out once it’s released. I loved the dialogue in this story, along with all the descriptions, which had me visualizing myself in Aspen Falls, along with Savannah and Levi. Persis has one of best dialogue and descriptions in her books. 

Of course, I appreciated that the book included recipes. It put me in the mood for cooking and baking while reading this book. I plan to try out some of the recipes from the book in the future. Bourbon and Blizzards at Snow Ranch gave me a holiday Hallmark movie vibe, and I feel that this would be the perfect movie! If I hadn’t started this book right before Thanksgiving, I probably would have finished it in one day. I adored the story and the relationship between Levi and Savannah, for whom I was rooting from the beginning. I liked the humor between Savannah and Levi which at times had me laughing out loud. 

I like spicy romance books, but I appreciated that this one wasn't. Once in a while, I love reading just a romance story, and Bourbon and Blizzards at Snow Ranch was the holiday romance that I was looking for. I'd like to continue talking about it, but I don't want to reveal too much, so you'll have to check it out for yourself! I'm eager for Persis's next book!

The Big Dink(Smash Point Social Club,#1)

 

 

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

 Thank you to BookSirens for eARC, in exchange for an honest review.

Alecia Monroe is bubbly, competitive, and has a flair for big ideas. Garrett, her charming, sporty office crush, loves three things. Spreadsheets, Pilot Precise V5 pens, and pickleball. So when the cute blond in the office next to his suggests a weekly company pickleball night, Alecia does what any rational woman would do. 

She lies about knowing how to play. 

A few private lessons should be enough to bluff her way through. How hard can it be? But when Calder (grumpy, sarcastic, and infuriatingly hot) steps in as her instructor, she doesn't think this bid is worth it. Until she discovers he's friends with Garrett...and if she wants to land her workplace hearthrob, she might need some insider information. 

But somewhere between the trash talk, late-night rallies, and moments Calder actually lets his guard down, Alecia stops thinking about Garrett and starts noticing the one man she swore she couldn’t stand. 

Right as Garrett starts paying attention… 

 🌷

 
I love sports romance; there is something about those books that I can’t seem to get enough of. What I liked about The Big Dink is that it was different from the other sports romance books that I have read. There aren’t many sports books that you come across that are about pickleball. I have heard of it, but I didn’t know much about it. I felt that I knew more about it after reading the book, which made me want to read more books about this sport. 

There was tension between Alecia and Calder from the moment that the two of them met. Still, based on how the two of them acted around each other, there was also a connection between the two of them. I was eager to find out what was going to happen between the two of them next. I can’t help but wonder what happened with them after that last page. I felt like the story wasn’t complete, and I was hoping maybe there would be more in the next book. I wish the book were slightly longer than it is. I couldn’t get enough of Alecia and Calder’s story, and the humor in the book made it even more interesting to read. 

I loved Alecia’s best friend, Sam, and cannot wait for her story! I would highly recommend this book to any sports romance fans.