Review: Oh, Christmas Night by Jane Porter

Brilliant, but overworked California accountant, Rachel Mills, inherits an old bookstore in Marietta, Montana, just as she’s been passed over for a huge promotion. The smart thing to do would be to buckle down and keep on working. But for the first time in her life, she goes with impulsive and books a flight to Montana to inspect the bookstore, and hopefully have her first white Christmas ever.

Texan lawyer and entrepreneur, Atticus Bowen, has found the perfect location for his next restaurant—the two-story, turn-of-the-century brick building on Marietta’s Main Street. All he has to do is convince the new owner to sell Paradise Books to him. After all, used bookstores aren’t practical or viable businesses, and he’s making Rachel Mills a very generous offer. But instead of jumping on his offer, Rachel decides she’s going to open the bookstore doors for December and ‘explore her options.’

The last thing Rachel expected was to fall in love with the old bookstore, or charming Marietta. She never expected sparks to fly with handsome, arrogant Atticus Bowen, either. Smart, practical Rachel realizes she just might be falling in love with the sexy, opinionated Texan lawyer — something that could prove to be neither smart, nor practical….or the best decision of her life.

My Review:

A charming Christmas romance. 

I was drawn into this book from the start.  I really liked Rachel and wanted the best for her after she got passed over for a promotion at her job.  Then, Rachel gets a package from her godmother, Lesley, informing her that she is giving her a book store in Marietta, Montana, the town her Rachel’s mother and grandparents used to live.  After arriving in Marietta, Rachel finds herself loving the book store, but it was just more work than she expected. 

I wasn’t sure what to think of Atticus, as he wanted to turn the book store into a restaurant, but he quickly changed my mind about him.  When Atticus and Rachel started to fall for each other, I couldn’t help but cheer them on.  But they had a lot to overcome if they were to get their happily ever after.  First off, Atticus lived in Texas and Rachel in California.  Rachel was a planner and when Atticus said he wanted to settle down with a wife and family, Rachel got scared and hopped on the next plane back to California.  Rachel’s goals didn’t include a husband or children.  Was it fate or Christmas magic that helped Rachel realize her goals were outdated and changing them could bring her more happiness?  She got the next flight back to Marietta just in time to spend Christmas with Atticus and Lesley. 

While reading this book, I could easily visualize Paradise Books and the scent of old books.  Rachel and Atticus were some great characters and I enjoyed learning how they changed each other’s life for the better.  The setting of Montana at Christmas time made me want to be there.  I liked the small town feel and the residents who were more than willing to help Rachel get her store up and running again.   I would recommend this book to anyone looking for a sweet Christmas story with the feel of a Hallmark channel movie.