Review: The Christmas Village by Annie Rains

 

The Christmas Village (Somerset Lake #2) by Annie Rains

Publication Date: October 12th 2021 by Forever

Pages: 339

Source: Publisher

Rating: ★★★★

Links: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo | Goodreads

My Thoughts:

Lucy Hannigan’s got hands full between handling patients as a nurse practitioner/midwife, and the upkeep on her childhood home, a mansion size Victorian house located in the historical part of town called The Village. In order to help makes ends meet Lucy decided to rent out the garage apartment but doesn’t count on her ex-fiancé applying for tenancy. Miles, her first and only love broke her heart ten years ago and she’s never really gotten over it. Lucy’s not sure having him so close would be a good idea.

Deputy Miles Bruno has never gotten over Lucy either, but he ended things and now he’s pretty sure their awkward friendship is the most he can hope for. However, when Miles finds himself in need of a place to rent and Lucy in need of a renter the two find it impossible to avoid each other.

With unexpected house bills pilling up on Lucy, Miles offers to help win the “Merriest Lawn Contest” for the cash prize and soon they’re spending time over Thanksgiving leftovers, hot cocoa, and Christmas decorating. It’s hard to ignore the attraction that never really went away between them. Neither of them felt that special spark with anyone else, and I was eager for these two to work it out, especially after finding out the reason Miles ended it. Both Lucy and Miles were good people who deserved their HEA!

The Christmas Village was full of things to love: a sweet second chance romance, supportive female friends, a cat rescue, and a French bulldog. All set in a charming small town. What more could you want from a holiday read?!

4 Stars

Book Description:

Lucy Hannigan has inherited her mother's bulldog, Bella, and her childhood home, the only pink house on Gingerbread Lane. With the holidays coming up, the pressure is on to decorate the house for the annual lights competition and maintain her parent's winning streak. But Lucy already has her hands full as a midwife and a new landlord-to her ex-fiance.

When Miles Bruno is suddenly asked to move out of his rental home, he's grateful to Lucy for taking him on as a tenant. But their broken-off engagement doesn't make it easy to live next door. Sparks still fly between them, and he'd give anything to get back in Lucy's good graces. But to do that will take much more than just tree trimming and house decorating and contest winning. Will one wildly grand romantic gesture on Christmas Eve finally soften her heart?

Giveaway & Review: The Summer Cottage by Annie Rains

 

The Summer Cottage (Somerset Lake #1) by Annie Rains

Publication Date: May 25th 2021 by Berkley Books

Pages: 449

Source: Publisher

Rating: ★★★★

Links: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo | Goodreads

My Thoughts:

Trisha Langley was looking for a fresh start for her and her young son, Petey, after her ex-husband was imprisoned for embezzling funds from clients. Doesn’t matter that she didn’t know, Trisha still got the side-eye from some and her son was being bullied in school because of it. The ad for a live-in property manager on Somerset Lake couldn’t have come at a better time. No one knows her at Somerset Lake and she immediately bonds with Vi Fletcher, the owner.  The cottages may be rundown, but they’re right on the gorgeous lake and Trisha looks forward to the work of sprucing up the cottages.

Somerset Lake holds a lot of bittersweet memories for Jake Fletcher. The family’s rental cottages have fallen into disrepair and his grandmother’s health makes it hard to handle on her own. Jake is sent by his family to convince Vi to sell the cottages and come live with them in Florida. However, when he arrives, he finds a new property manager. She’s beautiful, but he can tell there’s more to her story than she’s letting on.

Somerset Lake sounded magical, a perfect Summer getaway to me! I even loved the sound of the rundown cottages as they got a bit of fixing up. I love a place with character and charm, and the Somerset Cottages were brimming with both!

I was so happy that Trisha’s past wasn’t a long-held secret between Jake and her throughout the story. Instead, Trisha shares as Jake and her bond and become close, as two friends would. The attraction between them was immediate, but both Trisha and Jake were cautious and took it slow. I loved how sweet Jake was with Petey, taking him under his wing.

The Summer Cottage was a low drama, sweet romance set in a picturesque small lake town. We’re introduced to an interesting cast of secondary characters, setting up the series for future installments. I can’t wait for Lucy’s second chance romance, The Christmas Village!

4 Stars

Forever has generously offered up a Paperback Copy of The Summer Cottage to one reader. The giveaway is open to US and CA residents only. Fill in the rafflecopter for a chance to win. Good luck!

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Review: Sunshine on Silver Lake by Annie Rains

Sunshine on Silver Lake (Sweetwater Springs #5) by Annie Rains

Publication Date: July 21st 2020 by Forever

Pages: 432 (including novella)

Source: Publisher

Rating: ★★★★

Links: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo | Goodreads

About the book:

Welcome back to Sweetwater Springs, North Carolina for a heartwarming second-chance romance between a quirky café owner and a handsome park ranger.
With summer just around the corner, Emma St. James is eagerly planning a 5K run at Sweetwater Springs National Park. But first she needs the help of one charming, rugged, and handsome park ranger. Her brief high school romance with Jack Hershey may have ended in heartbreak, but Emma can't deny that he still gives her butterflies. So when Jack responds to her request with an all-too-tempting plea to pretend to be his girlfriend for the summer, how can she say no?

Jack would do anything for his sister -- even pretend to give up his bachelor life to care for his nephew. Passing his days with his high school sweetheart guarantees one long, hot summer -- but only because every moment together leaves him wanting a real relationship. He can't imagine spending another season without Emma by his side. Can he convince her to give their love a second chance before the summer draws to a close?

Includes the bonus novella A Fairytale Bride!

My Thoughts:

Emma St. James has just turned thirty, the age she lost her mother to cancer, and it’s brought back the feelings of grief, and fears she might be next. Finding out that her mother wanted to organize a 5K race to benefit a good cause but never got the chance gives Emma a way to honor her memory. Now she just needs to be fit into the busy calendar of their nature park. For that she needs the help of the one man who broke her heart prom night, Jack Hershey. Emma’s in luck though, because Jack needs a favor from her, too. He needs her to be his girlfriend for the Summer. Pretend, of course.  Well, that’s what they tell themselves at first, and you know how the story goes…

Jack did let Emma down prom night, but not because he didn’t care or wasn’t interested. Jack has had his own struggle. One he has control of, but doesn’t like to advertize.

When I figured out Emma’s emotional turmoil was over being the same age as her mother when she died of cancer and was avoiding her medical checkup, I almost stopped reading. My mother died of cancer at the age of forty-two and because of that I’ve had to go in often; for many years I was terrified that I’d have the same fate. So, I was worried it’d be tough reading this, however the author did a wonderful job handling the subject, and while this was a plot point it was presented in a way that didn’t stress me out and didn’t overtake the story. 

Emma’s feelings were so very relatable because I’ve felt exactly like her. I enjoyed how she came to terms with her situation and took control. Fear does nothing, knowledge and a plan of action is empowering and comforting. I just really connected to Emma on a lot of levels. Even got her reactions to her father’s remarriage!

Sunshine on Silver Lake was very much a happy romance, despite dealing with some heavier issues like cancer and alcoholism. I loved seeing Emma and Jack fall for each other instead of longing from afar like they had for years. Jack was such a sweetheart, patient, and kind. He really had no idea Emma still carried a torch for him and got a bit swoony over every chocolate kiss gifted (it’s his thing since Hershey’s his last name) and really who wouldn’t?

This is book five in the series, but it’s not necessary to read the previous books before diving in.

4 Suns

Review: Starting Over at Blueberry Creek by Annie Rains

Starting Over at Blueberry Creek (Sweetwater Springs #4) by Annie Rains

Publication Date: February 25th 2020 by Forever

Pages: 432 (310 without novella)

Source: Publisher

Purchase Links: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo

About the book:

USA Today bestselling author Annie Rains welcomes you back to Sweetwater Springs, North Carolina, with a charming friends-to-lovers story between a sexy fireman and the beautiful woman who mends his heart.

Should they fan the flames or douse this fire before someone gets seriously burned?

Firefighter Luke Marini moved to the small town of Sweetwater Springs with the highest of hopes - new town, new job, and new neighbors who know nothing of his past. And that's just how he wants to keep it. But it's nearly impossible when the gorgeous brunette next door decides to be the neighborhood welcome wagon. She's sugar, spice, and everything nice - but getting close to someone again is playing with fire.

Brenna McConnell put college on hold to raise her little sister. Now that Eve is grown, Brenna is ready to leave Blueberry Creek and finish what she started. Moving on isn't easy, however, when her gruff new neighbor gives Eve a dangerous firefighting job. And yet, even as Brenna is telling him off for putting her sister in harm's way, she can't deny the sizzling chemistry between them. She put her dreams on hold once. Is she willing to make that sacrifice again for a chance at forever?

Includes the bonus novella "Sealed With a Kiss"by Melinda Curtis!

My Thoughts:

With Luke a settling into a new position at the local firehouse in a new town, he’s not looking for love. Even less so with a neighbor, because if things go bad it could be an awkward every day, right? However, Brenna is in his path and soon in his heart.

Brenna isn’t looking for love either since she’s not planning on staying in town.  She’s off to finish her degree after putting her schooling on hold to care for her sister since their parents were killed in a car crash. But her new neighbor Luke proves to be irresistible. However, Brenna’s not entirely happy with Luke when he hires her sister as the new firefighter.  Since losing their parents, Brenna, can’t help the overprotective tendencies she feels. Something her younger sister does not appreciate. There’s some back and forth with Eve and Brenna and I really wanted to shake Eve a few times because she was sooo ungrateful. However, after getting Eve’s side of things, I could understand a little of her behavior, even if it was childish, in my opinion.

Luke and Brenna weren’t looking for love, but isn’t that when you usually find it? Sure, there were some obstacles, but I enjoyed the sweet and gradual, inevitable progression of their romance! The small-town of Sweetwater Springs sounded charming, and the story was filled with a fun cast of secondary characters.

4 Suns