Review courtesy of Romance Junkies
All three stories in this anthology are written by Jill
Shalvis. Two of the novellas belong to the same series. I am not a fan of
holiday-themed stories or anthologies. However, I cannot pass up anything this author
writes. I adore the humor she weaves into her storylines.
ONE
SNOWY NIGHT
Max Stranton works for an investigation and security
firm. He offers Rory a ride to Lake Tahoe.
Max remembers her from their high school days, especially what she did
to him. Wintry conditions force the two to face their shared past. Will Max and
Rory’s history keep them from being together? Can he forgive her?
Rory Andrews works as a dog groomer. She wants to go home
and visit her family for Christmas. Rory reluctantly accepts a ride from Max, a
former classmate, and his dog. Their road trip in a bad blizzard allows them to
finally air out all their grievances. Will Rory make it to her family before
Christmas? Can she gain Max’s forgiveness for her teenage folly?
Max is a sweetheart. He is a man of few words. I like
Max’s protectiveness towards Rory. He came to her defense with her stepfather. What
I love the most about Max is his thoughtfulness towards others. He willingly
helped strangers in their time of need without expecting compensation. Max even
tried to help Rory get to her family before Christmas morning.
Rory is a survivor. Her teen years were not kind to her,
something I can relate with. I admire Rory’s courage to turn her life around.
She tries to make amends for her past deeds. That takes incredible strength to
do. What I adore the most about Rory is her interaction and behavior with Carl.
She treats the dog as if he belongs to her. It is evident the two are best
friends.
ONE SNOWY NIGHT is book 2.5 in Jill Shalvis’ contemporary
romance series, HEARTBREAKER BAY. I have only read a few books in this series,
something I plan to remedy in the future. Carl, Max’s dog, made the story
entertaining. He reminds me of the Doberman I grew up with. So, I have a soft spot
for that breed of dog.
HOLIDAY
WISHES
Sean O’Riley co-owns a pub in San Francisco, California.
He arranges a weekend getaway for his brother, his future sister-in-law, and
their wedding party. Sean never imagined he would be reunited with Lotti Hartford,
his first love. She even refuses to acknowledge him. Bad weather forces them to
extend their stay at Lotti’s bed and breakfast. Can Sean convince Lotti to give
him another chance? Will he give his brother the wedding he deserves?
Charlotte “Lotti” Hartford runs her family’s bed and
breakfast in Napa Valley, California. She discovers that her latest customers
include Sean O’Riley, the boy who broke her heart. Lotti refuses to soften her
heart to the former bad boy. However, the weather keeps Sean and his party
trapped at her B&B. Can Lotti trust Sean with her heart again? Will she
ruin their second chance? Can Lotti help Sean pull off an impromptu wedding?
Sean is a doll! He is a reformed bad boy, who is tired of
his womanizing ways. I like how Sean wants to right all the wrongs he committed
in his youth. He deeply regrets some of his past actions. What I adore the most
about Sean is his determination to make certain his brother’s wedding is
perfect. It is his way to show Finn his appreciation for all he did for him
after their parents died.
Lotti is a woman who is afraid to let people close. She
has been hurt too many times. I understand Lotti’s reluctance around Sean. He was
responsible for her first heartbreak. He is also the reason for her trust
issues. What I love the most about Lotti is her selflessness. She willingly
donated her unused wedding gown for Sean’s improvised wedding. Lotti even
helped him with it.
HOLIDAY WISHES is book 4.5 in Jill Shalvis’ contemporary
romance series, HEARTBREAKER BAY. This story, along with ONE SNOWY NIGHT, can
stand alone. There is no on-going plot. Characters from prior books do show up
in the story. I love Peaches, Lotti’s pet parrot. He made me laugh!
MISTLETOE
IN PARADISE
James Webber owns and runs his own expedition company. He
also helps at his family’s lumber business. James plans to have a talk with his
father on their yearly holiday vacation in the Caribbean. He never anticipated finding
Hannah on the boat. The two are forced to confront many things on their boat
ride. Can James convince Hannah to give them another try? Or will he let her
slip through his fingers again?
Hannah Banfield works as a health care advocate. She
dreads her family’s joint Christmas yacht vacation in the Caribbean. Hannah has
an ulterior purpose for going this year, a fact that she despises. However, she
never expects to see James Webber on her father’s boat. Can Hannah deliver the
devastating news she has for her stepfather? Who will she ultimately choose?
Jason? Or her job?
James is an adventurous soul. He enjoys traveling and
seeing new places. I like how instinctively James knows when Hannah needs a
friend. Regardless of their troubles, he always listens to her when she needs
to talk. James even defends Hannah against her stepfather. What I adore the
most about James is the deathbed promise he made to his late brother. He is
doing what Jason wanted him to do: live his own life.
Hannah is a driven woman dedicated to her work. She had a
semi-difficult childhood growing up with two clueless and irresponsible
parents. I admire Hannah’s thoughtfulness towards her stepfather. She did not
want to hurt him so close to Christmas. He may not be blood related, but she
still considered him her father. What I admire the most about Hannah is her
reason for falling into her profession. She did not want to see another family
experience what James and his parents did with Jason.
MISTLETOE IN PARADISE is book 5.5 in Jill Shalvis’
contemporary romance series, WILDSTONE. So far, every story in this series can
stand alone. This novella is no exception. The only similarity each one has is
the town Wildstone in California. I am almost caught up on this series. I just
need to buy and read the first three books and the first novella.
HOLIDAY EVER AFTER is a series of warm-hearted and
feel-good holiday stories. I love that Jill Shalvis did not ram Christmas down
my throat. The holiday is more of a setting than the main focus.
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