by Jenny Hale
Publisher: Bookouture
Pages: 221
Format: eARC
Buy the Book: Amazon
Goodreads: Escape to the idyllic small town of Pinewood Hills in this enchanting romance, about falling in love under the mistletoe with a sprinkle of Christmas magic…
For Lila Evans, Christmas is the toughest time of year––a heartbreaking reminder of losing her father, and just how lonely she is… This year, she’s organized a blissful getaway with her closest friends: just the remedy for the December blues.
The countryside resort of Fireside Cabins, tucked away in the snowy Tennessee hills, seems like this year’s perfect setting to get into the festive spirit. But it’s far from a winter wonderland––the crumbling cottage is falling apart, and the owner, a widow named Eleanor Finely, confesses that the cabins are on the brink of closure. Lila and her friends should pack their bags right there and then, but Lila can’t bear to leave the tearful elderly woman. She clearly has no one, and Lila, more than anyone, knows how that feels.
In search of holiday cheer, the women find a local coffee shop. But the rugged, surly owner Theo Perry has an apparent aversion to Christmas, seeming downright angry when Lila asks for a peppermint latte. No one in the area knows who he is––but it’s clear he’s running from something.
Yet there’s more to this small town than Theo’s frosty reception. As much as his coldness infuriates her, Lila can’t deny that on the rare occasions when he does smile, it feels like coming home. Plus, the cabins are just calling for some festive sparkle.
And, unexpectedly, Pinewood Hills could hold a new beginning for Lila… But can she save Fireside Cabins in time for Christmas? With a dusting of festive magic, spiced apple cider and sugarplum pie, could this be the first holiday she doesn’t spend alone?
Kritters Thoughts: Lila Evans has always regretted the arrival of the holiday season as it brought feelings that she didn't want to confront. Along with a few of her girlfriends they have created traditions to make this season bearable. This year will be different as the other ladies have other obligations, so they take an early trip to a cabin, but this trip takes many turns and ends up more than she can imagine for Lila at least.
Lila fell in love with the small town that this cabin ended up in and she also fell in like with Theo, the small town coffee shop owner who absolutely had some secrets and things to hide. They have some ups and downs, but with more of a novella length their story went fast and for me I didn't love that completely. I wish the author had more pages to have this love story grow and develop; it felt jarring at moments to hop from zero to in love.
I loved the plot. I loved that yes, Lila was falling in love in this romance book, but she was also trying to make decisions about her future and these cabins may be a part of her future.
If you like to watch Hallmark movies during the holiday season, then this book could be in the running to be made into the next Hallmark holiday movie.
Rating: enjoyable, but didn't leave me wanting more
Ebook 2020 Challenge: 101 out of 100
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one copy of this book free of charge from Bookouture. I was not required to write a positive review in exchange for receipt of the book; rather, the opinions expressed in this review are my own.
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