Review – Small Town Christmas Anthology

Publisher: Grand Central
Publish Date: November 1st
How I got this book: NetGalley

 

Three heartwarming holiday stories
to prove that love is the greatest gift of all

Kissing Santa Claus by Jill Shalvis
NASCAR driver Logan Perrish returns to Lucky Harbor, Washington, with love in his heart and a ring in his pocket. But can Sandy Jansen forget the past and give him a second chance? Or will Logan be spending another Christmas alone?

I’ll Be Home for Christmas by Hope Ramsay
After ignoring the advice of Miz Miriam Randall, local matchmaker, Annie Roberts expects another hum drum holiday in Last Chance, South Carolina. But when a stray cat arrives in the arms of Army sergeant Matt Jasper, a calico named Holly just may be the best matchmaker of all.

O Little Town of Bramble by Katie Lane
All Ethan Miller wants for Christmas is to celebrate in Bramble, Texas, with family and friends. But when his childhood neighbor, Samantha Henderson, comes home for the holiday, Ethan realizes that the girl-next-door could be the girl of his dreams.

*Blurb from Goodreads*

 

I’m a big fan of the Lucky Harbor Series by Jill Shalvis, so when I saw this anthology with a Christmas story I was sold! Let me start by just saying that although this ebook has 140 pages, it was more like 90 pages devoted to the actual stories of the anthology. The remainder of the ebook is dedicated to sneak peaks at other works by these authors.

 

I had been hoping that Shalvis would write a story about Logan, the NASCAR driver and Tara’s ex-husband, and I was super happy about and with his story. Logan left Lucky Harbor after a hot affair with the sexy Sandy. But after being without her for the season he knew he wouldn’t be able to let he go once again. But will Logan be too late to win her heart?

I adored this story. I loved Logan and couldn’t wait to see him get his much deserved HEA. One of the things that Logan did to steal my heart was bend-over backward to take care of Sandy. He dressed as Santa for her, filled her collection jars and only wanted to make her every dream come true. I love when a man goes above and beyond to win his leading lady, and Logan was more than happy to do so! I also loved that Sandy wasn’t disillusioned to his lifestyle. Although I did at times think she was a little harsh, I could see where she was coming from. The proposal scene was WONDERFUL and I absolutely loved it!
I give Kissing Santa Clause an A

 

Hope Ramsey’s story was very short, and if there was any story here I would have liked to have more of, this would have been it. Annie is alone for her first Christmas, and looking to break some of her stuffy mother’s traditions. When a former soldier and friend to her high school sweetheart shows up with a cuddly cat and no where to go Annie takes him in. And with Matt and the kitty underfoot, she might find the best Christmas miracle in her own home.

I loved both Annie and Matt, they were both lonely and a little lost in life. They were both looking for the same thing, and wanted nothing more than to be a part of a family. While I felt as if they feel in love way too quickly, I could also see why they were so perfect for each other. The small story line surrounding Matt bringing back a Christmas gift for his best friend’s grandmother was heartbreaking and had me in tears. Very sweet but VERY short story.
I give I’ll Be Home For Christmas a B+

 

Katie Lane visited the town of Bramble during their Christmas time, in which the town was desperately trying to put on the very best live nativity scene. Sam is back from vet school, and wants nothing more than her long time bestie Ethan to notice her as a woman. Little does Sam know, Ethan has been in love with her for as long as he can remember. With the help of a meddling sister, rain storm and pet pig, these two might just find their happily ever after.

While I thought parts of this story were super funny and cute, I didn’t connect to it very well. I was a little disappointed by that, because I absolutely love friends to lovers stories. Only this time I didn’t get a good feel of them being great friends before hand, and they agreed to wait awhile for becoming lovers, so I felt a little let down on all parts. For me, this was the weakest story of the three, and it didn’t hold my attention nearly as well as the others.
I give O Little Town of Bramble a C-

 

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