Christmas At The Amish Market

Christmas at the Amish Market by Shelley Shepard Gray

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The busy Christmas season at the family store keeps Wesley away from his long-time girlfriend. Liesl and Wesley have been going steady for years, and she expects the young man to finally ask for her hand in marriage. This holiday season has surprising life-changing events waiting for the young couple.

Christmas at the Amish Market is a short and heartwarming story of finding true love during the most magical time of the year. Written in true Hallmark fashion – sweet and clean with a slow-burn romance. I love that the reader gets to see things through the eyes of all four main characters. That made the book really balanced.

Thank you, NetGalley and Shelley Shepard Gray for a free and advanced copy of the novel in the exchange for my honest review.



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A Magical New York Christmas

A Magical New York Christmas: A Novel by Anita Hughes

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Corny Christmas romance. Girl meets boy in New York’s iconic Plaza Hotel. And of course, there is a twist… a subject of false identities, Sabrina assumes that her midnight cute meet is a grand English lord, and Ian takes Sabrina for a wealthy guest of the hotel.

The situation with the assumed identities was just so silly, they could have corrected each other multiple times. The part that annoyed me the most was when Sabrina got mad at Ian for lying about who he was when she was the one who assumed that he was an English royalty. Ian just played along. Nevertheless, Sabrina was the one who knowingly mislead Ian into thinking who she really was… however, I guess without this mishap there would not be a story to read. I did enjoy the dual timeline and Graysons’ story. That was a great touch. And Tara Thompson’s reference was amazing. I love her.



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The Christmas Party

The Christmas Party by Karen Swan

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Ah how much I’ve missed Karen Swan’s novels. I kick myself for taking a large break in our love affair. But I am back and can’t get enough of Mrs. Swan’s Christmas novels.

After the sudden death of their father, three sisters: Ottie and Pip, and Willow come to a very grim reality check. Their beloved castle, just like their late father’s title has come to the end of its glory. Each daughter was left with a part of the estate and their rights to do what they wish with it. Surprisingly, Willow, the prodigal daughter has inherited the castle. But without money for its upkeep, she is forset to do the unthinkable – to sell it. The decision came naturally to Willow, however, the family disagreed with her final choice. As each sister fights their own battle they come to realize a very important lesson: you don’t know what you have until you lose it.

Karen Swan is not an ordinary romance writer. The main reason I love all her novels is the strong storyline. Her books do not carry the tacky love mushy stories. Each book has deeper content, another amusing mystery behind the romance. This novel, as many others’s surprised me by its plot. Instead of one main character – we have three who are fighting their own demons but come together to win the war. I was happy to find that each sister ended up with an equally happy ending. Also, loved the location of the novel and the history behind it.



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Wrapped Up in Christmas Hope

Wrapped Up in Christmas Hope by Janice Lynn

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This is a typical Hallmark Christmas novel. Great story of family, love, hope, and new beginnings.

Morgan’s return to the small town of Pine Hill was not easy. As a widow and a single mom who is trying to make her ends meet she has no room for love in her life. Well, not until a handsome firefighter enters her and Grayson’s life. After weeks and toying around, the couple confesses their feelings and as you’re imagined lived their hallmark happily ever after.

The way the novel was going, I was hoping it would end in a cliffhanger when Andrew would leave the town. This would make a great second part for the novel when he would return and the fight for Morgan’s heart would begin all over again. Ah, the girl could dream. A great happy-go-lucky plot, but it was missing the thrill. Thank you NetGalley and Hallmark Publishing for a free copy of the novel.



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Dreaming of Christmas

Dreaming of Christmas by T.A. Williams

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This year I’ve decided to get back to my Twelve Books of Christmas Challenge and this book was a perfect novel to start my Christmas reading venture

Dreaming of Christmas is your typical Christmas story. Girl reunites with a boy. Girl falls in love with a boy on top of gorgeous Alp mountains and they live happily ever after. Although, what actually caught my attention are the secondary characters. I loved their stories. Meeting after 10 year period, old roommates who turned friends, excited to show how their lives have changed/improved since their college years. However, the short holiday has turned their lives over again.

Dreaming of Christmas is a feel-good holiday read that will fill your heart with joy, hope, love, and holiday spirit. Thank you, NetGalley, Canelo Escape Publisher, and T.A.Williams for a free copy of the novel.



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The Christmas Lights

The Christmas Lights by Karen Swan

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I like Karen Swan’s writing style. most of her books have dual storylines that are always connected. The prologues are always intriguing and pull the reader into the story from page one.

This year our main characters are Signy and Bo. Besides coming from different eras and backgrounds, the two have one thing in common – they both have experienced a trauma that has made a big effect on their lives. An incident has changed Signy’s life when she was fourteen years old. But an awful event shaped the young girl into a wise woman who in the end, overcame her sorrow and found the way to move on with her life. And when Bo’s brother passed away in her arms, she found her escape in constant running mode from the typical daily life. However, everything has changed when wise and old Signy entered Bo’s life.

I love everything about this book, location, characters, and storylines. It covers infidelity, physical and emotional abuse, murder. This is not the typical happy go lucky kind of novel, but that’s what I love about Karen Swan’s writing.

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Christmas in Vermont

Christmas in Vermont by Anita Hughes

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Anita Hughes’ books are becoming a part of my Twelve Books of Christmas Tradition.

This year, I’ve spent a wonderful time in a beautiful little town in Vermont. My travelers were college sweethearts Emma and Fletcher. The story of the two goes back 11 years. One fateful evening, before the graduation, the couple makes a chain of unfortunate mistakes that leads to the sudden break-up.

Fast forward to the present tense, the two meet in a winter wonderland – Vermont. Fletcher, who is spending a romantic holiday in the countryside with his daughter and new fiance, runs into his ex-girlfriend Emma. What he does not know, is the fact that Emma has followed him to snowy Vermont for a reason, and the reason is – to rekindle the old flame.

I love Anita Hughes’s novels. And this one was a perfect little story, however, I was disappointed with the characters, especially Bronwyn, Lola, and Megan. Lola did not sound like a 10-year-old at all, Megan was a spoiled brat from page one and Bronwyn was just blah, I could not find anything interesting about her. The plot is very predictable, I guess I was expecting a little challenge there. Nevertheless, this is a sweet novel to cuddle up with during chilly winter evenings.

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A Noel Killing

A Noël Killing by M.L. Longworth

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

It was a pleasure to reconnect with Antoine Verlaque and Marine Bonnet again, and the best part of all was to spend a wonderful Christmas time with then in spectacular Aix-en-Provence.

And all was fun and games with joyful Christmas carols and delicious dinner and wine… until a local businessman dropped dead in the middle of Christmas festivities in a local church. Verlaque, who hates Christmas, was absolutely excited to shift his attention to a new case. And what a case… it involved secrets, mafia, and shady business owners… all fun ingredients for a juicy and thrilling Christmas mystery.

I’m loving Antoine and Marine relationship. Not a fan of many characters that are involved in the novel, but it worked well for this storyline. This is a perfect book to cuddle up with during cold winter evenings.

Thank you Penguin Books for a free copy of the novel and M. L. Longworth for a marvelous Christmas mystery.

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The Secret Santa

The Secret Santa by Trish Harnetiaux

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is not a typical Christmas read, nevertheless, it is a pageturner!

The story is told from four main characters’ in an uneven sequence.

It’s the most wonderful time of the year, and the king and queen of Aspen’s real estate, Henry and Claudine are prepared for their annual company Christmas party. This year, a famous pop star and potential client/buyer joins their holiday celebration. Calhoun’s annual Christmas party is famous around town for its very unique “Secret Santa” game. As guests enjoy themselves in a cozy little mention, they are slowly being trapped in the house by an unpredictable snowfall. And it’s all fun and games until a very specific object makes an appearance at the party. An item, that besides disturbing the mellow little party can also ruin the lives of its hosts.

An astonishing plot, with a phenomenal twist at the end, makes this novel a captivating read. I love everything about it: the location, the secrets, the characters. Big thank you Trish Harnetiaux for a thrilling ride across the pages of her newest novel, and NetGalley and Arrow publisher for a free and advanced copy of the book.

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Christmas at the Chalet

Christmas at the Chalet by Anita Hughes

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

What a charming and heartwarming novel that is taking set in the best place on earth!

If you have to choose the place to fall in love during Christmas time, where would you go? Not sure about you, but you will find me in Switzerland’s most gorgeous ski chalet – St. Moritz. And it looks like me and our main character Felicity are thinking alike because she is on her way to the beautiful winter wonderland. Ok, fine, she is not single, and she is going there for work. But things are not looking good for Felicity in the love department. The owner of New York’s bridal salon, and upcoming designer, Ms. Grant seems to found “the one” years ago. She and Adam have been dating for years and seemed to be on the same page regarding their professional and personal lives. Yeah, you can be on the same page with someone, just make sure you’re reading the right book, am I not correct? Anyway, back to lovely Felicity.

Our lovely and sweet designer was hoping to receive a marriage proposal from her longtime boyfriend over Christmas, but he starts to get cold feet and suggests for the couple to take a break. Wrong thing to say to a gorgeous girl who is heading to Switzerland’s most exclusive resort that is filled with handsome single men. But of course, out girl is loyal. Instead of flirting her days away she keeps getting in most ridiculous accidents, and luckily enough, there is a dark, tall and handsome, and single, doctor who is there to sweep her off her feet.

A lovely and sweet page turner. I could not put it down. This is my second best favorite novel written by Anita Hudges. I definitely recommend this novel to any romance and Christmas lover! A perfect book to curl up with in a comfy chair with a glass of wine or hot cocoa.

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Christmas in London

Christmas in London: A Novel by Anita Hughes

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Do you know why I love Christmas? Hot cocoa, cheery holiday carols, the smell of the Christmas tree, and most importantly – the kindness of people’s hearts.

When Bianca, a famous cooking channel host, gets an allergic reaction to the cinnamon rolls that her producer’s assistant brought over one fatal night, the show is under the risk of failure. But Noah finds a perfect replacement for Bianca, the person who actually baked the cinnamon rolls. Ironic, isn’t it? And is a splurge of the moment, Louisa is whisked off her feet, literally, and hours later lands in London. The crew has arrived in London for a couple of days to film an annual Christmas Eve Dinner TV special at Claridge’s. Besides the work, the team had plenty of time to play and misbehave, and they do use their time very wisely. And while Louisa and Noah run all around London, bickering and falling in love, Kate, the show’s producer, runs into her old crush and experiencing a little holiday romance of her own.

As the novel goes back and forth between Kate and Louisa, for some reason I find Kate’s story much more likable and entertaining. Not very realistic, but hey, this is Christmas and it’s totally fine to entertain ourselves with a delightful holiday book. Therefore, pour a glass of wine, wrap yourself in a warm cozy blanket and enjoy this sweet and charming Christmas romance.

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A Timeless Christmas

A Timeless Christmas by Alexis Stanton

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Megan Turner, just like me, is in love with the past. She even went as far as to study to become the American History professor at her local university. And during the process of applying for her dream job and collecting all necessary documentation and reference letters, Megan has found a job as a tour guide at the local museum.

Charles Whitley, an innovator and a businessman, is in love with the future. He travels all over Europe, searching for new ways to improve his own steel business. During his last trip to France, Charles purchased an old antique clock, and while trying to repair it he accidentally travels 116 years into the future.

The two young people meet during the magical Christmas time. Charles, who has always seen himself as a workaholic, for the first time takes the break from his work and sees the Christmas for what it really is… a family holiday. The time to spend and enjoy with the loved ones. However, after learning the history of his past, now more than ever Charles want to go back to his own time and succeed his most vicious rival.

A sweet and short novel about time traveling, friendship, love, and Christmas. Lovely evening read. Thank you, NetGalley, Alexis Stanton, and Hallmark Publishing for a free copy of this wonderful story.

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