❝She wished she would have other funny moments, other laughs, more happiness. Christmas should be like this.❞
After her beloved grandfather passed away a couple of years ago, Holly McAdams left aside her dream of studying design in order to be with her grandmother, who still hasn't retrieved her smile and bright personality.
After deciding last minute to spend the upcoming Christmas holidays in their freshly refurnished chalet in Leiper's Fork, just a few hours drive from Nashville, the two women find out that their last guest hasn't left the chalet yet, due to the heavy snowing.
Joseph Barnes is a calm and well-manner man, has a solid career in New York as well and a fianceรฉ, so why is he here, away from home during the time of the year when people usually strive to go back to stay with their families?
And why Holly had to fall hard for him almost instantly and have her daydream crashed by reality when she finds out about Katherine, Joe's soon-to-be wife?
To add insult to injure, Holly will end up helping Joe organizing the final details for his Christmas wedding and it doesn't help either that her almost estranged best friend Rhett Burton, who's now a famous country singer, came back to Leiper's Fork for the holidays and is set to confuse her feelings even more...
๐๐My Thoughts
I'll start off with the aspect I liked the most and that was the beautiful and moving relationship Holly shares with her grandmother. She put her life on hold to be with her and to help her cope with the hole her grandfather's death left.
There as been hiccups here and there and that's why Holly hopes spending Christmas at the chalet will bring both some peace.
The story goes from wishing things could go back as they were in the past and the hope that the future will bring new emotions and adventures.
It's not a bad story, I actually enjoyed it but the only hint of it being a Christmas novel was give by the gifts exchange scene of Christmas morning (I'll admit it, that was touching)...
I still don't know how I feel about the ending because the entire book was about Holly trying her best to suppress her growing feelings for Joe while knowing he was off-limits.
Joe's fianceรฉ, Kathrine, is a busy attorney and I liked that this hasn't been used as an excuse for him to look for someone else.
I also liked how Rhett's story has been developed: the best friend who comes back home and suddenly confesses his love to Holly could seem a bit of clichรจ and already seen but, believe me, there are quite a few grey shades in here as well.
Overall I like the plot and some characters, but I would probably recommend it as a winter story, not a Christmas one.
Christmas Rating: 2/5
My vote: 7/10
Ph: goodreads.com
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