Holiday Reads TBR Blogmas Day 3

Goodreads Blurb:

Tess Brennan has rebuilt her life in Hope Valley, and is happy with her lot — until her daughters come to visit and tell her that her husband did not, as he told Tess, lose all his money when his business collapsed.

Tess doesn’t care. She has rebuilt her life and the last thing she wants is to invite stress by opening old wounds. Her daughters, however, have other ideas — especially her difficult eldest daughter Amy, who is determined to fight her father and get the money that she sees as rightfully hers.

Just when Tess thinks that things can’t get any worse, she meets and is instantly attracted to Tolly Nelson, the son of her elderly neighbor Grace. He’s the first man she’s met for a long time who sets her pulse racing…but when her problems with her ex-husband escalate, her relationship with Tolly seems doomed.

Christmas is coming, and all Kate wants is a quiet life — but it seems that this is a gift that will cost her dearly!

Goodreads Blurb:

‘Tis the season for finding love… and the perfect book

With just two weeks until Christmas, everything in Clove Lore should be perfect. But the latest holidaymaker to the Borrow a Bookshop is feeling far from festive…

Icelandic ex-bookseller Magnús Sturluson might be surrounded by love stories in the Bookshop, but he’s nursing a sadness that not even fiction can fix.

When Alexandra Robinson finds herself stranded in Clove Lore, she finds a safe place to hide from heartbreak. After all, all that’s waiting for her at home is a cheater boyfriend and the memories of her parents. As Alex finds herself embraced by the quirky village community, she finds her tough exterior thawing – and as she grows closer to Magnús, she finds an equally soft heart under his gruff shell.

It seems that Clove Lore is working its magic once again – until a great flood on Christmas Eve brings devastation in its wake. It’s up to Magnús and Alex to batten down the hatches and help bring the village back together again, while also introducing the locals to the Icelandic tradition of the jólabókaflóð – Yule book flood – where families and friends gather on Christmas Eve to exchange books and read together.

But can Magnús and Alex truly rescue the ruins of the village, and salvage their Christmas spirit? Or is there another complication lurking even closer than they thought?

Goodreads Blurb:

He never thought he’d have a real family Christmas…

For the past eight years, Bill Smith has been unable to set down roots. But he never forgot the magical night he spent with an auburn-haired beauty in Last Stand, Texas. When she finally tracked him down, he was more than happy to donate a kidney to AJ, the son he never knew he had. But now that AJ is better, Bill wants more time with him and his mother. He wants a family.

Annie Burleson can’t help but be grateful to this almost-stranger for saving AJ’s life. Still, she’s a little wary. AJ has already been through so much—what if Bill leaves again? And with Christmas in full swing, it’s difficult to discern which emotions are festive and which are forever.

As Annie and Bill’s lives collide, their mutual love for AJ makes this more than a marriage of convenience. But is it enough to give them the family Christmas they all deserve?

Goodreads Blurb:

A proud single mother.

A paediatrician with a traumatic past.

The boy who unites them.

Mary Jane

Meet Mary Jane, the mother of Albi, who is the love of her life. While Mary is Albi’s proud mother, she knows someone is missing: a strong male role model who is good enough for her…and her son.

Albi

Lately, Albi has noticed that the other kids at school have fathers. Albi has begun to ask about his father…and Mary is not sure what to say. She doesn’t know if Albi is mature enough to understand the truth about him and his mother.

Jeremy

Doctor Jeremy Rowan is a former delivery room doctor. In the opening pages of this story, we see what happened to one of his patients. It’s this opening event that drives Doctor Rowan to help as many children and families as possible.

The Story

One day, something happens to Albi, and when Mary takes him to the hospital, the doctor is struck with sympathy. Albi bears a striking facial resemblance to Doctor Rowan’s patient.

As Doctor Rowan gets to know Mary and Albi, a bond begins to form.

However, things take another turn.

Doctor Rowan’s staff are beginning to think he’s breaching the doctor-patient barrier, concerned that his judgement is clouded.

Doctor Rowan will have to make a decision. How much is he willing to risk for Mary’s and Albi’s well-being, while facing with the disapproval of his colleagues and medical director?

How far will the good doctor go to help the family he has grown so close to?

Goodreads Blurb:

In London, just before Christmas, Clara is smug about her perfect life and relationship…

But the illusion melts faster than a snowman in the rain. Devastated, she flees to the Isle of Skye to lick her wounds.

There, far from festive cheer, she experiences festive drear.

As she falls deeper into the doldrums of despair, can a furry friend help? Because she has given up men. And not just for Christmas. 

Goodreads Blurb:

It’s time to get toasty by the fire with a glass of mulled wine and a slice of chocolate yule log sprinkled with a little romance. Welcome to Christmas at the Little Village Bakery.

Snow is falling in Honeybourne and Spencer is bringing home his American fiancée Tori for a traditional English Christmas with all the trimmings. But when his hippie mum and dad meet her high-maintenance parents, sparks of the wrong sort start to fly. Then Spencer bumps into his first love Jasmine and unexpected feelings come flooding back.

Millie is run off her feet with Christmas orders at the Little Village Bakery and new baby Oscar. Thank goodness her cousin Darcie is here to help her. Although she does seem to be rather flirty with Millie’s boyfriend Dylan.

Will Darcie ever find true love of her own? And is marrying Tori a terrible mistake for Spencer if his heart is with someone else?

Goodreads Blurb:

Can you find the Christmas spirit in the wrong place, at the wrong time?

As Riley scores a job on a feature film, she’s eager to prove herself to Damian, the famous director she can’t stop thinking about. When they fly to Queenstown, New Zealand, to film on the snowy mountains in July, she’s ready for any discomfort. What she’s not ready for is a snowstorm that cuts her off from the rest of the crew or an unexpected visitor who seeks shelter in her cabin.

Any other girl would love to cozy up with Jonas, a gorgeous ski instructor carrying bags of party food. Not Riley. She’s desperate to get back to her job, back to Damian. The last thing she’s looking for is a protective Swedish guy telling her what she can and can’t do. But as things start to slip out of her control, Riley is forced to rethink her priorities.

Is she headed down the wrong path? And is it possible she has more in common with the Swedish guy than she thought?

Goodreads Blurb:

Sylvia Moore returns to Dickens during the annual Christmas in July festival, hoping to land the New England location for a new Christmas romance movie. She knows the town will award only one filming permit a year but is confident the deal’s in Santa’s bag.

After all, she’s the hometown girl with the hometown advantage.

But her rival, Chase Ellis, is also in town, and he’s out to grab the Dickens location for a movie, too, working the locals and smooth-talking the town council. This is a familiar snowy path and Sylva ponders whether to confront or avoid him. They’re both staying at Holly Hill Inn, so avoiding him—and his molten chocolate brown eyes—is impossible.

Then Chase proposes a sweet as Christmas candy deal. When that falls through, Sylvia counters with a deal of her own.

Both know their reputations and careers are on the line. Sylvia assures her boss the contract is in her Christmas stocking. Chase knows if he loses, he risks future jobs for his newly formed company. And if that isn’t enough, the competition takes on an unexpected twist when the two sneak kisses that could scorch even the hottest of days during the Christmas in July festival.

Goodreads Blurb:

Avery Dawson is back for the holidays, for the first time in five years. So what has changed in her absence she wonders? As Avery makes her way through the snowy fields and across the icy lanes, towards her semi-rural village to return to the cottage she still calls home.
There’s someone in particular that Avery would love to see again. Only he’ll have to wait until she’s ready to explain, what made her return in the first place. But perhaps they could re-kindle their romance for this season of goodwill, once they do catch-up, who knows.
There’s just one problem with this idea, well, several actually so this year is not turning out to be the merry little Christmas Avery thought it could be. Seeing as the festivities can not only bring out the best in people, but also the worst too. 

Goodreads Blurb:

Sometimes home is where you least expect it…

Cassie Hayward hates Christmas. Especially this year.

No job. Flat broke. And an ex most definitely on the naughty list.

But the unexpected inheritance of a Victorian cottage in the idyllic town of Poppy Creek may be the miracle Cassie needs. Except for one problem: a clause in the will. Cassie must complete a series of festive tasks for each day in December leading up to Christmas. Overseen by the disarmingly handsome, Christmas-loving lawyer, Luke Davis.

Luke is as strong and steady as the bespoke furniture he crafts as a hobby. He has to be. Stepping into his late father’s shoes as the town lawyer comes with a sleigh full of responsibilities. Which means the alluring stranger collecting her inheritance is a distraction he can’t afford.

As the unlikely pair works together to complete the daily tasks, fighting their attraction becomes more futile than putting good ol’ St. Nick on a diet. But when Cassie’s ex reappears with the offer of a lifetime, she’ll have to choose between love and the life she always wanted.

Did any of those catch your eye?

Alex