Review: Christmas at the Lake by Anita Hughes

 

It’s the season for love, new dreams, and second chances.

On Christmas Eve, just hours before their wedding, Rebecca Huntley is left at the altar by Ben Cole, her college sweetheart and fellow co-founder of the hugely successful dating app, Dealbreakers.

Rebecca is shocked but a small part of her isn’t surprised. Dealbreakers matches potential couples by the things they hated, instead of what they had in common. Lately, she and Ben seem to have less and less in common. He craves the trappings of success, while Rebecca enjoys simple things.

Rebecca decides to go on their honeymoon to the cozy Christmas Cove Inn in the charming small town of Christmas Cove on the shores of Lake Tahoe. There, Rebecca runs into an old college friend, Zach Mason, who had always had a crush on Rebecca. Through a misunderstanding, Zach believes Rebecca is married to Ben, and Rebecca believes Zach is in a relationship with a sophisticated older woman, when really, he is a waiter at the hotel.

As Christmas week unfolds, will the two learn the truth about each other and then be open for a second chance at love? Or will they begin the new year with broken hearts? People are complicated. Everyone has positive attributes as well as faults – but none are deal breakers when you’re really in love.

 

My Review:

A beautifully written story.

This book is much more than just a Christmas story or a romance.  It’s about starting over after life takes an unexpected turn.  When Rebecca’s fiancé, Ben, breaks up with her on their wedding day, she decides to take the honeymoon on her own.  She always wanted to see Christmas Cove, in its full glory, at Christmas time.  She could also use some time to think and reevaluate her life.  What Rebecca didn’t expect was to be reunited with an old college friend, Zach, who was filming a movie.  They resume their friendship and even a small romance.  Rebecca also makes a few more friends while there.  Rebecca soon realizes the life she was living wasn’t what was best for her.  It was always about what was best for Ben.  

This book is so good.  I have read other books by this author and always look forward to when she has something new coming out.  This book ranked just as good as the rest.  A beautiful setting, great plot and characters that feel so real.  This book also had a great message about trying to do more for yourself, to keep yourself happy, and not always sacrificing your own happiness in order to please everyone else.    

 

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for this ARC in exchange for an honest review. 

 

 

Review: Promise Me Please, Cowboy (The 85th Copper Mountain Rodeo Book 4) by C.J. Carmichael

 

Marietta has a way of bringing people together…

Cowboy Chet Hardwick is in Marietta, Montana, to compete in the 85th Copper Mountain Rodeo. Chet’s not there to make any waves, he needs to focus on the rodeo, avoid his deadbeat father, and return home. But when the beautiful owner at his bed-and-breakfast needs assistance, Chet can’t resist stepping in to help.

After a life-altering accident, Amy Arden left her Wall Street job and impulsively bought Bramble House B&B. While she learns the ropes, she’s also determined to uncover a secret from her late mother’s past—Amy’s birth father. The staff aren’t happy with Amy’s new ideas and quit, leaving Amy struggling to keep the fully booked inn operating. She finds an unexpected ally in one of her guests, a handsome, lone wolf cowboy, who is surprisingly easy to talk to. But just as their friendship heats up, ghosts from both their pasts arrive at Bramble House.

Amy knows Chet is the man she wants, but as Chet receives news that will take him far from Marietta, will he find his way back to her?

 

My Review:

Rodeo excitement, love and family.

I loved Amy and Chet’s story.  It is so much more than just a romance.  It is about life, family and starting over.  I enjoyed the rodeo scenes and Amy’s journey from New York City to Montana to run a B&B, which she knew nothing about.  I enjoyed seeing Amy make new friends and learning how to run a successful business.  Chet is an amazing hero in the story.  He is kindhearted and likes to help people even though he didn’t have the best upbringing.  Together, they bring so much to each other’s life.  I really enjoyed the back stories for these characters as well.  I recommend this book to anyone who loves cowboys, small town life and a good family drama. 

Review: Marry Me Please, Cowboy (The 85th Copper Mountain Rodeo, #3) by Sinclair Jayne

 

She has her eye on the prize. He has his eyes on her.

Former soldier, now rodeo cowboy, Huck Jones doesn’t believe in love or marriage. Still, a promise is a promise, and he’s prepared to honor his fallen team leader’s wish to walk his sister down the aisle in Marietta, Montana. When the groom bolts moments before the ceremony, Huck offers himself as her alternative groom.

Barrel racer Willow McBride hates the cowboy code, and the soldier code is even more annoying. She’s pregnant, not helpless, so when her late brother’s sexy friend offers himself as a sacrificial husband, the answer is a resounding no. She wants love not duty. Plus, the 85th Copper Mountain Rodeo is looking to be her last as a competitor, and she intends to win.

Huck may no longer be a soldier, but he still believes no man—or woman—should be left behind. He’ll need to woo the beautiful, stubbornly independent cowgirl and change her mind. Failure is never an option.

 

My Review:

Huck is my kind of hero.

I couldn’t get enough of this book.  Huck is the ultimate romance hero.  He is a tough guy, former soldier turned cowboy.  But he also has a soft side and wanted to do what was right.  That included fulfilling the wishes of his team leader who died in combat.  He was to walk Jace’s sister down the aisle when she got married.  But things didn’t go as planned and from what Huck could see, Willow’s fiancé wasn’t worthy of marrying.  But he stood firm to his promise. 

Willow just wanted to give her baby a stable home, and that meant marrying her baby’s father even if they weren’t in love.  But as the story unfolds, we see Jake for his true colors.  He was self-centered and a control freak.  I love how this book played out and how Willow and Huck finally ended up together.  I thoroughly enjoyed this book and highly recommend it.