Happy Monday Bookworms!
I hope everyone is having lovely and wonderful holiday season so far. I am so proud of myself as this year I've almost got all of my Christmas shopping done early AND almost have everything wrapped and under the tree. Who is this person?! Normally I'm the girlie that is out Christmas Eve feverishly grabbing items before the stores close so to be this ahead of the game...I honestly don't know how Christmas Eve is going to look this year! LOL
I am happy to report that I am also staying on top of my holiday reading goals and drinking in some fine holiday reads. I hope you enjoy my thoughts on this Clean Holiday Romance that is the latest release from one of my favorite authors!
About the Book
With the holidays approaching, Sadie Wendell fights the melancholy of experiencing another Christmas alone. She loves caring for injured animals at her wildlife rehab center, but it doesn’t fill the void she still feels years after a bitter divorce. Even taking on a new business partner to stave off money troubles isn’t the distraction she needs. Then her partner’s brother walks into the rescue in the midst of a squirrel catastrophe, turning Sadie’s dismal holiday season upside down.
Hayes Kelley vows to make the best of being laid off from his job, and working alongside Sadie at Furever Friends Rescue while helping his sister recuperate might be an unexpected gift this holiday season. Trouble is, he’s convinced Sadie feels his presence around the property is like finding coal in her stocking.
When a patron proposes a fundraiser for the rehab center, Sadie reluctantly accepts Hayes’ help. Can he convince her that their temporary partnership might be a second chance at love to heal her heartbreak before his time runs out in Port Chance?
This heartwarming Christmas novel revisits the small-town charm of Port Chance, Iowa during the holidays. Dive into its pages to meet the characters who’ll feel like friends and the close-knit community like home.
PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Amazon | Bookbub
My Review
Port Chance is one of my favorite literary places to be, and it felt so good to be back! I felt the warmth and the charm from the first moments of this novel. Who couldn’t fall in love with someone whose passion is to rescue animals? The initial meet-cute between Sadie and Hayes is adorable, and their relationship got better from there.
One thing I craved the entire time I was reading was depth. Sadie is very closed off from the world with all her focus on her rescues, which is valid, but I felt like she was closed off from the audience as well. There are small details about her life and past, but they’re quickly touched upon instead of being explored, and I was left wanting more.
Despite that, I did enjoy the characters as well as the spotlight on animal rescues and the overall holiday vibes. One thing to note was the references to the North Star that are sprinkled throughout the story. When I read these moments, I felt a stirring in my own heart, and it had me thinking about my own life’s trajectory and what my due north is. A powerful spark that I was not expecting, yet it made this story all the more special. An enjoyable holiday story with heart, warmth, and happiness.
Other Books in the Series
About the Author
D.E. Malone writes sweet contemporary romance and is the author of the Hearts in Hendricks series. She also writes for the middle grades under Dawn Malone, and is the author of BINGO SUMMER and THE UPSIDE OF DOWN. Her work has appeared in Highlights for Children, Pockets, and the Chicken Soup for the Soul series. She loves traveling to places off the beaten path which inspire the small-town settings in her stories. When she's not writing, she enjoys reading, hiking, volunteering with shelter dogs, and continuing her never-ending quest for the holy grail of bakeries.
Connect with Dawn by visiting www.demalone.com to follow her on social media or subscribe to her newsletter.
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