Review: Christmas at the Ranch by Anita Hughes

Filled with Christmas cheer, and the magic that can only be found in Jackson Hole, Wyoming under the shadow of the Tetons, Anita Hughes's Christmas at the Ranch is a love story that is sure to enchant, and warm your heart like a cup of hot apple cider.

It’s days before Christmas and Samantha Morgan is in her Brooklyn apartment when her editor, Charlie, shows up. Her publisher Arthur Wentworth is throwing a Christmas party and wants Samantha to be the guest of honor. Samantha tries to come up with an excuse to miss it. She writes a series of books featuring a female James Bond-type heroine named Sloane Parker and Charlie is the only person who knows that Samantha is the opposite of Sloane, though the marketing team has built up an entire social media presence for her claiming that she is just as adventurous. In reality, Samantha rarely leaves her neighborhood and does her research online. She is afraid of almost everything and is only happy when she’s sitting in her apartment and writing.

Samantha reluctantly agrees to go. But instead of taking her to Arthur’s house in Connecticut, the driver goes to the airport. On the phone, Charlie admits that the party is at Arthur’s new ranch in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. For a person who hates even walking around the block when it snows, this is her worst nightmare.

But when a handsome stranger sits next to her on the plane, things begin to look up. She feels comfortable enough to spill all her secrets to him, including all of her fears and the truth about her fake Instagram account. However, when she shows up at the house, it turns out that this man, Drew, is Arthur’s son. Now Samantha is worried that Drew will tell his father about her lies.

Over the course of Christmas week, Samantha grows closer to Drew. But when his fiancée, Beatrix (who recently gave him an ultimatum about settling down), shows up, things get more complicated. As Samantha’s fears of bison and giant icicles subside, and her feelings for Drew grow deeper, new fears develop…

Will she leave this Christmas adventure broken-hearted? Or will true love prevail?

 

My Review:

Beautifully written.

This is an amazing story about friendships, secrets, letting go of the past and facing your fears.  And, finding love when you least expect it.  

I enjoyed this book right from the start.  Samantha is a popular author, but very few people know about her anxiety issues.  It’s so bad, she almost turns down the chance to spend Christmas week at her publisher’s luxurious ranch in Jackson Hole, Wyoming.  The trip was life changing as she learns to face her fears and makes new friends and even falls in love.  She becomes a better version of herself.  This book is also filled with a lot of wisdom and great advice.

 

Thank you St Martin's Press, St Martin's Griffin and NetGalley for the ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

 

Review: How Snowball Stole Christmas (Paperback) by Kristen McKanagh

 
Most cats have nine lives, but Snowball is one of the very few with two jobs. Officially, she’s the Weber Haus inn’s greeter. Unofficially, she’s the town matchmaker. Her track record is the cat’s pajamas—until she meets her owner’s grinchy brother, Peter Diemer. Peter hopes to move the family bookstore to a busy location downtown—but someone else has outbid him for the last storefront.
 
Christmas is the ideal season for Lara Wolfe to fulfill her dream of expanding her home business into a real shop. Too bad someone is posting negative comments on the town forum. What kind of Grinch objects to a toy store?
 
Snowball is sure these two are a perfect match. They already have so much in common—books are a kind of toy, right? Now all they need to add to the mix is love, and Snowball has just the shenanigans up her furry sleeve to deliver a sweet romance in time to make the season merry and bright . . .
 

My Review:

A great addition to the Snowball series.

If you have read any of the previous Snowball books and loved them as much as I do, you definitely need to read this book.  In this book, Snowball is playing matchmaker for Peter and Lara.  She has her little paws full with these two, especially with the secret Peter is keeping from Lara.  Lara is a previous guest at Weber Haus and just moved to town and bought the townhouse next to Peter.  She also just opened a toy store at Weber Haus Shops; the last remaining spot that Peter wanted for his book store. Neither Peter or Lara planned to get involved romantically, but with Snowball, anything can happen when she sets out to bring two people together. 

This book was a little more involved than the previous ones.  Not only was Snowball matchmaking Peter and Lara, she is dealing with another romance that is happening all on its own.  One that Snowball does not approve of.  And, it seems everything else Snowball does is going wrong lately. This has her feeling sad.  Over all, I loved this book. I just can’t get enough of Snowball and these fun characters.  You can read this book as a stand-alone, but I would recommend reading the series in order so you get to know the characters better. 

 

Thank you to Kensington Books and NetGalley for the ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.  

 

Review: Swipe Right for Marriage (Misguided Masala Matchmaker #2) by Sinclair Jayne Sawhney

Who needs a husband?

Corporate attorney Shanti Kapoor is not falling into the arranged marriage trap her family has set. Too bad her skillful dodge is thwarted by her younger sister, who accidentally sets Shanti back in the sights of her law school nemesis and fiercest competitor, Rakesh Singh. She and Rakesh have a history she’d rather forget, but now she owes him a favor that Rake’s definitely collecting on. Worse, playing the part of Rakesh’s bride at Charlotte’s Festival of India dredges up emotions Shanti thought she’d forever buried.

Rakesh has goals far beyond the DA’s office in Charlotte and a strategy for every move he makes. He only hesitated once to chase something he desired—Shanti Kapoor. Not this time. Rakesh knows he’s got one shot, so when fate plays into his hands, he shamelessly seizes advantage.

Shanti and Rake are at the top of their game. Their chemistry is explosive and someone’s going to get hurt. But all's fair in love and war—and with these two, it’s always been both.

 

My Review: 

An amazing second-chance romance. 

Ten years ago, Shanti and Rakesh had a short-lived fling before they went to college.  They never spoke again afterwards.  When they are finally reunited, the attraction is still there.  But they both have high demanding careers and a relationship really isn’t in the picture.  There is just one thing they need to learn; you can’t deny your destiny. 

This beautifully written love story was more than I could have ever imagined.  I loved the reunion story, but I also love this big Indian American family.  This book is filled with romance, emotional scenes, funny scenes and many serious ones as well.  All around, this is a wonderful story and great addition to the Misguided Masala Matchmaker series.  

 

Review: Dearly Departed (Love Me Dead #3) by Heather Novak

 

Who would you betray to save a life?

Medium Eliza Robinson will do anything for her daughter, including working on a confidential investigation at the Supernatural Human Accountability Partnership agency with her ex—the person who killed her fiancé, Ben. She’s desperate to find out the truth about Ben’s past and what really happened the night he died, and she won’t let anyone stand in her way. Her daughter’s life depends on it.

Paris Evans knows Eliza will never forgive her role in Ben’s death, but has vowed to protect Eliza and her daughter at all costs. She can’t let anyone learn the truth about what happened that night, or who Ben really was. Not when so many lives—including her twin’s—hang in the balance.

As the investigation heats up, it reignites the fire between Eliza and Paris. These two powerful psychics—one who can communicate with the dead via letters and the other who has prophetic dreams—will risk everything to protect their loved ones and discover the traitor…even as Paris’s visions warn there may be no happy ending to their mission.

 

My Review:

An amazing addition to the Love Me Dead series.

It’s one thing to work at the same company as a former lover.  But when Eliza and Paris find themselves forced to work together on an investigation at SHAP (Supernatural Human Accountability Partnership agency), Eliza was not happy.  She still blames Paris for the death of her fiance, her daughter’s father.  If it weren’t for having a daughter, Daisy, who is a witch, Eliza would leave the company all together.  But she needs her job for the all the help they provide for Daisy.  Eliza and Paris always knew their job was risky, but they didn’t know how risky when they find themselves in the middle of a very dangerous situation.  They have to rely on each other, and a few friends, if they want to make it out alive.  In this process, Eliza and Paris find themselves falling in love again.  Will love be enough to make up for all the secrets Paris has kept from Eliza?

This book is filled with a lot of passion, excitement, secrets and magical moments.  It is now my favorite book of the series.  I had a hard time putting this book down.  I also enjoyed catching up with the characters in the previous books and the ending is more than I could have ever asked for.  It was perfect.