Review: Lighting up Christmas by Sinclair Jayne

 

It’s her first Christmas alone…

Spending her first holiday without her large, loud family allows electrician Riley Flanagan more time to find commercial clients for Flanagan & Sons, the third-generation family business she’s taking over. But when the town council nixes her Christmas-themed light garden, she approaches new-to-town entrepreneur and vintner Zhang Shi, hoping to land him and his not yet open winery as a client. He’s not interested, but Riley never gives up that easily.

It’s his first Christmas celebration…

Zhang Shi bought a mountainside property and planted a vineyard to escape his corporate life in the Bay Area and reconnect with his nature-loving grandfather. Fiercely independent and private, Zhang reluctantly calls Riley to rig an emergency electrical fix shortly before he entertains some colleagues. Zhang’s determined to avoid the town’s Christmas celebrations, but Riley is hard to refuse and impossible to ignore. And as she pulls him closer into the tight-knit community, he’s no longer sure he wants to.

 

My Review:

An amazing, opposites attract holiday romance.

Looking for a place to escape his demanding high-tech job, Zhang Shi purchased a large parcel of land in the mountains of Oregon and started a vineyard.  He was also hoping to eventually lure his grandfather to come live with him.  Zhang really enjoyed the quiet solitude he had created until Riley Flanagan entered his life like a whirlwind and awakens something in him.  Riley is unlike the woman Zhang is attracted to.  She can be loud, outspoken and persistent.  Riley falls for Zhang pretty early on in the story, but it takes Zhang some time to let Riley close to him.  Zhang has built some thick walls around himself.  Riley had her job cut out for her.  As Christmas approaches, Zhang and Riley find themselves spending a lot of time together and eventually falling in love.  But will they have enough in common for their love to last?

I really enjoyed this book. The characters are the kind that really touch your heart.  They have real world issues that need to be worked through.  It was fun to see how they overcame each challenge.  I loved how the author not only told the story, but she also taught me a few lessons too.  Be sure to pour yourself a big glass of wine because you will be craving some while reading this book.