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katkinney's review against another edition
4.0
A collection of novellas, some standalones, others from the author’s existing series. I especially enjoyed Fern Michaels’ tale of Kevin, who is returning home to Texas after several tours of military service to help out at his family’s Christmas tree farm, and Kate, who is relocating to a town outside of Austin with her young daughter. They meet, and some funny scenes occur between Christmas tree deliveries, gingerbread house making, and Christmas tree lightings. This was a great, holiday-filled tale. The last novella also had lots of neat Puerto Rican Christmas traditions!
courtneyjofry's review against another edition
3.0
This book was meh! It was cute I suppose. A hallmark channel movie in written form if you will. It’s comprised of 4 short stories filled with Christmas themes and romance. They are cheesy and predictable, but feel good. The first story: A Christmas Homecoming, I found the characters extremely annoying! The daughter was completely unrealistic and distracted from the main characters. In An Unexpected Gift- the characters were likable, and the plot was cute. The ending was sort of a whirlwind, which took away from things in my opinion, but I liked the overall tale. Christmas In Blue Hallow was my favorite of the 4. The main characters were so cute, and their relationship felt natural and realistic. Their problems seemed probable. The conclusion was well written. Lastly, Holiday Home Run was mediocre. The main character, Julia, was totally off putting, which made it hard for me to care about how it ended up, but the story moved swiftly, and had a realistic ending which I appreciate.
Overall a cute, easy, holiday time read if you want to feel warm and fuzzy without much substance.
Overall a cute, easy, holiday time read if you want to feel warm and fuzzy without much substance.
treetx's review against another edition
5.0
Four great books! I loved every one of them! They are very well written and such great romances. Lots of laughs and really puts you in the Christmas spirit. Loved them.
dilettee's review against another edition
2.0
The first story in the book was okay which is the only reason I gave it 2 stars, but after that it was all down hill! The story lines were too predictable and cheesy and I did not feel like I cared about the characters at all. They really did nothing to put me in the Christmas spirit either.
ssejig's review against another edition
3.0
Christmas Homecoming Fern Michaels
Kevin Matthews is grateful to be back home in Texas after his time in the Air Force. He's trying to figure out his next move but his interest in the town's new surgeon, Kate Stafford, may make the decision easier.
This story was a little hard to follow in places but I suspect that regular readers of the series would have no problem.
An Unexpected Gift Kate Pearce
A nice story about an older couple. Bella is helping to plan her son's wedding and Billy is happy to help her get things done. And maybe they might find their own HEA.
I think having read other books in the series would have made this book more understandable but it was a very cute story.
Christmas in Blue Hollow Falls Donna Kauffman
Chef Hudson Walker has just finished working a wedding when he sees Moira Brogan being harassed in a bar. He steps in to help even though she's got it handled. They then start to spend a little more time together even though she's a planner to the nth degree while he tends to be a little more free form.
I was so looking forward to this story and... I just didn't feel it. After reading about Moira in the previous book, I was hoping for a little more of her story. But I did appreciate the story of her previous romantic fling not turning into an HEA.
Holiday Homerun Priscilla Oliveras
Julia Fernandez is sick of hearing about baseball. She just wants to pursue her dreams of a being an event planner in Chicago rather than taking over the family business in Puerto Rico. So why is she getting so distracted by the VIP for her event, former pro baseball player Ben Thomas.
This was a little too sweet for me but I think regular readers will enjoy.
Kevin Matthews is grateful to be back home in Texas after his time in the Air Force. He's trying to figure out his next move but his interest in the town's new surgeon, Kate Stafford, may make the decision easier.
This story was a little hard to follow in places but I suspect that regular readers of the series would have no problem.
An Unexpected Gift Kate Pearce
A nice story about an older couple. Bella is helping to plan her son's wedding and Billy is happy to help her get things done. And maybe they might find their own HEA.
I think having read other books in the series would have made this book more understandable but it was a very cute story.
Christmas in Blue Hollow Falls Donna Kauffman
Chef Hudson Walker has just finished working a wedding when he sees Moira Brogan being harassed in a bar. He steps in to help even though she's got it handled. They then start to spend a little more time together even though she's a planner to the nth degree while he tends to be a little more free form.
I was so looking forward to this story and... I just didn't feel it. After reading about Moira in the previous book, I was hoping for a little more of her story. But I did appreciate the story of her previous romantic fling not turning into an HEA.
Holiday Homerun Priscilla Oliveras
Julia Fernandez is sick of hearing about baseball. She just wants to pursue her dreams of a being an event planner in Chicago rather than taking over the family business in Puerto Rico. So why is she getting so distracted by the VIP for her event, former pro baseball player Ben Thomas.
This was a little too sweet for me but I think regular readers will enjoy.
living2travel2's review against another edition
4.0
I really loved this collection of short stories.
bitchburgerbibliophile's review against another edition
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
melchk's review against another edition
3.0
A collection of 4 Christmas stories. The romance was often eye rolling...but then I do Christmas - not romance. Overall very cute.
allingoodtime's review against another edition
4.0
I seriously don’t know how I got lucky enough to get another holiday anthology ARC. I’m sure not complaining though. First, I got to read Santa’s on His Way last month. Now I get to read this one, with some new-to-me authors and some old favorites. On top of that, this book has an amazing cover that really got me into the Christmas spirit. I love it!
A Christmas Homecoming
by Fern Michaels
Believe it or not, I’ve never read a Fern Michaels book. I don’t know if you find that odd, but I sure do. With as many books as she has under her belt and with how many books I read you’d think I would have crossed paths with her writing before now. While this story piqued my interest in her storytelling, I’m not sure exactly how I feel about her writing. It’s hard to tell from such a short story. While I definitely felt the spark between Kate and Kevin, all while things were kept G-rated to boot, there were other issues I had. I know, I know, not everyone is such a stickler for how accurately military matters are presented in such stories. But I am. It was nothing drastically wrong, but enough that it stuck in my craw. I also felt a bit like the author didn’t give nurses the respect they deserve. Again, nothing overt…just enough to annoy me. Overall, this is a really sweet story that really lets the reader fill in the blanks to their own liking. I’ll most likely look into reading more of her work now that I’ve had my introduction. ~3 stars (G)
An Unexpected Gift
by Kate Pearce
I just adore this author and her Morgan Ranch series. Although you don’t have to have read that series to enjoy this short story, I recommend you do because they’re all amazing reads. Other than getting to revisit some of my favorite characters, I enjoyed that this story is about an older couple. When I say older I mean early 50’s. But let’s face it, most contemporary romance deals with the 40 and under crowd. So it was wonderful to read about a patriarch and matriarch of two different families finding their second chance at love and have sexual feelings to go along with that love. ~5 stars (R)
Christmas in Blue Hollow Falls
by Donna Kauffman
Although I haven’t read this author’s Blue Hollow Falls series, obviously this story ties into those books. I didn’t feel lost in the story or like I was missing anything by not having read them yet though. The chemistry between Hudson and Moira is great and I was rooting for them through the whole thing. The beginning scenes in the bar were phenomenal and truly had my stomach in knots and anger welling up inside of me. The dialogue in this one was as mixed bag for me. This story is extremely dialogue heavy. At some times, I found that to be a good thing. At other times, it was a bit overwhelming. All in all, this was a really interesting and solid story. ~3.5 stars (PG)
Holiday Home Run
by Priscilla Oliveras
Now this is a new-to-me author I actually never heard of, and I loved her! I can’t wait to get my hands on more of her work. The chemistry is amazing even while keeping this story totally PG. Even though I could tell some of the more peripheral characters must be in this author’s other books, this was a complete story and I didn’t feel as though I was missing anything by having not yet read the other books. This story has a sprinkle of sports, it dabbles in the holidays, and it highlights some wonderful cultural celebrations. I was duly impressed. ~4 stars (PG)
**I received an ARC of this book courtesy of Net Galley and the publisher. All opinions expressed in this review are my own and given freely**
https://allingoodtimeblog.wordpress.com/2018/10/29/a-season-to-celebrate-book-review/
A Christmas Homecoming
by Fern Michaels
Believe it or not, I’ve never read a Fern Michaels book. I don’t know if you find that odd, but I sure do. With as many books as she has under her belt and with how many books I read you’d think I would have crossed paths with her writing before now. While this story piqued my interest in her storytelling, I’m not sure exactly how I feel about her writing. It’s hard to tell from such a short story. While I definitely felt the spark between Kate and Kevin, all while things were kept G-rated to boot, there were other issues I had. I know, I know, not everyone is such a stickler for how accurately military matters are presented in such stories. But I am. It was nothing drastically wrong, but enough that it stuck in my craw. I also felt a bit like the author didn’t give nurses the respect they deserve. Again, nothing overt…just enough to annoy me. Overall, this is a really sweet story that really lets the reader fill in the blanks to their own liking. I’ll most likely look into reading more of her work now that I’ve had my introduction. ~3 stars (G)
An Unexpected Gift
by Kate Pearce
I just adore this author and her Morgan Ranch series. Although you don’t have to have read that series to enjoy this short story, I recommend you do because they’re all amazing reads. Other than getting to revisit some of my favorite characters, I enjoyed that this story is about an older couple. When I say older I mean early 50’s. But let’s face it, most contemporary romance deals with the 40 and under crowd. So it was wonderful to read about a patriarch and matriarch of two different families finding their second chance at love and have sexual feelings to go along with that love. ~5 stars (R)
Christmas in Blue Hollow Falls
by Donna Kauffman
Although I haven’t read this author’s Blue Hollow Falls series, obviously this story ties into those books. I didn’t feel lost in the story or like I was missing anything by not having read them yet though. The chemistry between Hudson and Moira is great and I was rooting for them through the whole thing. The beginning scenes in the bar were phenomenal and truly had my stomach in knots and anger welling up inside of me. The dialogue in this one was as mixed bag for me. This story is extremely dialogue heavy. At some times, I found that to be a good thing. At other times, it was a bit overwhelming. All in all, this was a really interesting and solid story. ~3.5 stars (PG)
Holiday Home Run
by Priscilla Oliveras
Now this is a new-to-me author I actually never heard of, and I loved her! I can’t wait to get my hands on more of her work. The chemistry is amazing even while keeping this story totally PG. Even though I could tell some of the more peripheral characters must be in this author’s other books, this was a complete story and I didn’t feel as though I was missing anything by having not yet read the other books. This story has a sprinkle of sports, it dabbles in the holidays, and it highlights some wonderful cultural celebrations. I was duly impressed. ~4 stars (PG)
**I received an ARC of this book courtesy of Net Galley and the publisher. All opinions expressed in this review are my own and given freely**
https://allingoodtimeblog.wordpress.com/2018/10/29/a-season-to-celebrate-book-review/
peacefulbookwyrm's review against another edition
4.0
I received a free eARC through Netgalley.
This review is only for Donna Kauffman’s CHRISTMAS IN BLUE HOLLOW FALLS.
Moira Brogan is down in the dumps after her brother’s Christmas wedding. She’s happy for her brother and her new sister-in-law, but it’s hard to celebrate when she’s still dealing with a broken heart. Moira wants only to wallow in her misery when she’s accosted at the bar. Aussie chef Hudson Walker has been sent by Moira’s brother, Seth, to keep an eye on her and throws himself into saving her from the boor who cannot accept no for an answer. Although she’s generally more than capable of handling such situations herself, Moira does need help when it escalates out of control.
Hudson makes it known that he’s interested in getting to know Moira better. She cannot deny that she’s attracted to Hudson, but she’s afraid of another broken heart. Is she willing to take that risk again?
This is a feel good Christmas story and a great addition to the Blue Hollow Falls series. Although this novella is part of a series, it can be read as a standalone.
This review is only for Donna Kauffman’s CHRISTMAS IN BLUE HOLLOW FALLS.
Moira Brogan is down in the dumps after her brother’s Christmas wedding. She’s happy for her brother and her new sister-in-law, but it’s hard to celebrate when she’s still dealing with a broken heart. Moira wants only to wallow in her misery when she’s accosted at the bar. Aussie chef Hudson Walker has been sent by Moira’s brother, Seth, to keep an eye on her and throws himself into saving her from the boor who cannot accept no for an answer. Although she’s generally more than capable of handling such situations herself, Moira does need help when it escalates out of control.
Hudson makes it known that he’s interested in getting to know Moira better. She cannot deny that she’s attracted to Hudson, but she’s afraid of another broken heart. Is she willing to take that risk again?
This is a feel good Christmas story and a great addition to the Blue Hollow Falls series. Although this novella is part of a series, it can be read as a standalone.