Susan F. (scoutmomskf) -
I enjoyed this two-for-one Christmas romance. Camryn returned to her hometown to care for her terminally ill mother, take care of her younger sisters, and run the family business. After her mother's death, she stayed so the girls could finish school. Once they've graduated, she intends to return to Chicago. For now, she's doing her best to give her sisters the best holiday possible.
Jake is back in Wishing Tree, running the family resort. He's busy and not dating, but his recently widowed mother wants grandchildren. Helen is a force of nature and launches Project Jake's Bride. She interviews candidates and initiates background checks. Camryn is horrified to find herself on that list. I loved how she went to Jake and told him what was going on.
I enjoyed watching Jake and Camryn's relationship develop. They joined forces to stop Helen's plans and instead discovered an intense attraction and unexpected friendship. Rescuing a tiny chihuahua draws them closer together, with Camryn's sisters lobbying to keep the dog. They give in to the sparks, but Jake realizes he no longer wants a casual relationship even though Camryn still intends to return to Chicago. I hurt for Jake as Camryn allowed her fears to keep her heart closed. It takes advice from an unexpected source to help her see she is already where she belongs. Jake also had some baggage to deal with before he saw the depth of his feelings. I liked the ending, the scene at the ball, and the sweet scene in the kitchen.
The secondary story of Dylan and River was also lovely. Dylan is a local cabinet maker with a big secret. As Jake's best friend, he also gets caught up in Helen's matchmaking plans. She brings back the town's Snow King and Queen for this year's Christmas festival and rigs it so Dylan is selected as Snow King. He's not enthusiastic about it until he meets River, his Snow Queen.
River recently moved to town to be closer to her sister. She has a computer security business that is perfect for her. She is shy and socially awkward, but since moving to Wishing Tree, she has tried to get out more. I liked her growing friendship with Camryn and some of the other women. They encourage her to enter her name to be this year's Snow Queen - a prospect that terrifies and intrigues her.
I loved watching their relationship develop. Dylan is smitten from the beginning and makes his interest clear. River is wary, having been burned in the past. She has some serious trust issues. Dylan helps River through their various public appearances, and she quickly grows very comfortable with him. But even though he knows River's trust issues, Dylan makes some boneheaded mistakes that come back to bite him. He redeemed himself very well at the end.
Jake is back in Wishing Tree, running the family resort. He's busy and not dating, but his recently widowed mother wants grandchildren. Helen is a force of nature and launches Project Jake's Bride. She interviews candidates and initiates background checks. Camryn is horrified to find herself on that list. I loved how she went to Jake and told him what was going on.
I enjoyed watching Jake and Camryn's relationship develop. They joined forces to stop Helen's plans and instead discovered an intense attraction and unexpected friendship. Rescuing a tiny chihuahua draws them closer together, with Camryn's sisters lobbying to keep the dog. They give in to the sparks, but Jake realizes he no longer wants a casual relationship even though Camryn still intends to return to Chicago. I hurt for Jake as Camryn allowed her fears to keep her heart closed. It takes advice from an unexpected source to help her see she is already where she belongs. Jake also had some baggage to deal with before he saw the depth of his feelings. I liked the ending, the scene at the ball, and the sweet scene in the kitchen.
The secondary story of Dylan and River was also lovely. Dylan is a local cabinet maker with a big secret. As Jake's best friend, he also gets caught up in Helen's matchmaking plans. She brings back the town's Snow King and Queen for this year's Christmas festival and rigs it so Dylan is selected as Snow King. He's not enthusiastic about it until he meets River, his Snow Queen.
River recently moved to town to be closer to her sister. She has a computer security business that is perfect for her. She is shy and socially awkward, but since moving to Wishing Tree, she has tried to get out more. I liked her growing friendship with Camryn and some of the other women. They encourage her to enter her name to be this year's Snow Queen - a prospect that terrifies and intrigues her.
I loved watching their relationship develop. Dylan is smitten from the beginning and makes his interest clear. River is wary, having been burned in the past. She has some serious trust issues. Dylan helps River through their various public appearances, and she quickly grows very comfortable with him. But even though he knows River's trust issues, Dylan makes some boneheaded mistakes that come back to bite him. He redeemed himself very well at the end.
