Sunday Post #359

 

The Sunday Post is hosted by Kimberly @ Caffeinated reviewer book blog, and is a post to recap my bookish and non-bookish things from the last week. I'm also linking up to The Sunday Salon hosted by Deb Nance @Readerbuzz.

Happy Sunday!

We had a nice time in Mendocino with my sister and her husband. We did a railway bike into the forest, hiking in the redwoods, visited Point Cabrillo Lighthouse and Mendocino Botanical Gardens. We cooked a couple of simple dinners at the house, everyone pitching in and did a bunch of puzzles.

Mendocino Coast

Point Cabrillo Lighthouse

Anemone (above) and Marigolds (below) at the Mendocino Botanical Garden

500 Piece Puzzle: National Parks by Pippi Post

Puzzle 57 of 2026

My sister and I worked all these puzzles below:

500 Piece Puzzle Completed: Bookish Cats by Mudpuppy

Puzzle 58 of 2026

500 Piece Puzzle Completed: Home Hobbies by Happy Piece

Puzzle 59 of 2026

1000 Piece Puzzle Completed: Blossom Bliss by IdeaBazar

Puzzle 60 of 2026

We came home from our vacation on Tuesday and I worked the next day. Spent time doing laundry and sorting everything out. 

Read:

A Waltz to Remember by Mary Balogh-5 Stars

Conspiracy Theory by Phillip Margolin-3.5 Stars

Fifty Fifty by Steve Cavanagh-5 Stars

A Hard Luck Christmas by Brenda Novak-4 Stars

Received:

Wood You Be Mine by Daphne Elliot

Hate and Other Acts of Fiction by Megan Oliver

Swipe Bite by Alexandra Vasti

Thunderbird Ranch by Laura Griffin

The Riddle Maker by Bruce Borgos

Thank you to Berkley and Minotaur Books!

How was your week?

Review: A Hard Luck Christmas by Brenda Novak

 

A Hard Luck Christmas by Brenda Novak

Publication Date: October 27th 2026 by Harlequin Special Edition

Pages: 272

Audio Length: 7hrs 43min

Narrator: Em Eldridge

Source: Publisher 
Rating: ★★★★
Links: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo | Libro.fm | Audible | Goodreads

My Thoughts:

Patience, a single mother, is determined to make the town's Christmas festival a success and bring much-needed business to Hard Luck.

 

Kanon is back in Hard Luck, a place that holds bad memories, to turn the motel he’s inherited part of into a success. Luckily for him, his stepsister is more relieved than upset by Kanon now being a co-owner. She needs help and Kanon is ready to make a go of things, which is how he ends up helping Patience with the Christmas festival.

 

Patience had her own personal issues besides trying to save the town: a manipulative ex-best friend and an overbearing, self-righteous father. Boy, did I want to strangle him at times!

 

I rooted for Patience and Kanon in their efforts to revitalize the town, working together as they fell in love. I also cheered as Patience gained confidence, saw things in a different light, and decided to stand up for herself.

 

A Hard Luck Christmas was a feel-good story about second chances, community, and healing from the past. I enjoyed every minute!

 

I alternated between reading and listening to the audiobook and can recommend either version. I thought Em Eldridge did a wonderful job with all voices, male and female in a range of ages!

4 Stars

Book Description:

Enjoy small town charm, Christmas cheer and a heartfelt second chances/opposites attract romance from New York Times bestselling author Brenda Novak!

Single mom Patience Mather is focused on two things—her daughter and planning a Christmas festival that will contribute to the revitalization of Hard Luck, Nevada. She has no time for complications—or sparks with returned bad boy Kanon Kincaid. He’s back to claim an inheritance of half of a failing motel. He'll fix what’s broken…starting with his own reputation.

As a pastor’s daughter, Patience knows better than to fall for someone who might skip town again, and Kanon believes someone steady and safe is what Patience deserves. But in the glow of twinkling lights and holiday magic, their undeniable connection makes every choice harder. Can Christmas in Hard Luck deliver a second chance…or just heartbreak?

For fans Christmas Sparkle Small-Town Romance Opposites Attract Good Girl/Bad boy