Christmas Eve At Friday Harbour: Number 1 in series (Friday Harbor, #1)

by Lisa Kleypas

When Mark Nolan is given custody of Holly, his young orphaned niece, he moves back to Rainshadow vineyard, the Nolan family business, to provide a secure life for her. Although he does his best to take care of her, the trauma of losing her parents has made her increasingly withdrawn. And when Mark stumbles upon a letter Holly has written to Santa asking for a new mum, he is determined to kiss goodbye to his bachelor lifestyle and marry a woman who will be the 'right kind' of mother for her.

Then one afternoon Mark and Holly wander into an intriguing shop called the Magic Mirror and meet the free-spirited and unconventional owner, Maggie Flynn. There is an instant attraction between Mark and Maggie, but having suffered a tragic heartbreak of her own, Maggie has vowed never to risk loving again. She offers to help Mark fulfil Holly's Christmas wish and introduces him to a warm, attractive, traditional woman - just what Mark had been looking for, until he fell under Maggie's spell . . .

• ISBN10: 0749953837
• ISBN13: 9780749953836
• Publish Date: 4 November 2010 (first published 26 October 2010)
• Publish Status: Active
• Publish Country: GB
• Publisher: Little, Brown Book Group
• Imprint: Piatkus Books
• Format: Paperback (B-Format (198x129 mm))
• Pages: 224
• Language: English

Reviews

[booksandcats]

I am quite torn about this book. On one hand I really liked Mark and Maggie, I loved how both of them were with Holly, I liked how they kind of grew as a family and I thought most of the book was really sweeet and charming.

My big problem is that Mark was in a relathionship for most of the storyline. Whilst pursuing Maggie. And she is aware of it. And it changes absolutely nothing. Now I kind of am okey with him having a relationship in the beginning, then meeting her and realizing that, even if there is absolutely nothing wrong with his girlfriend (because, really she was awesome until Mark needed a reason to break up with her for the plot), that the feelings are just not there. Perfectly reasonable and I like to see that realistic aspect in books, that sometimes the feelings are just not what they should be. But... for like 3/4th of the story? He needs that long for that realization? After basically going on dates with Maggie and spending holidays with her? That's just not it and if I were in her shoes, that would be a dealbreaker for me.

Also, Maggie is sooo grievstriken, but we don't see that in her everyday life. She never thinks about her husband, unless it is to motivate her not to give in to Mark.

So... 3.5 Stars from me, but honestly, it is a very nice book, it just has some tropes I can't stand. If you have no problems with those, you should absolutely love this one, the subtle magic and the chemistry between Mark and Maggie is really cute and the growing family thing is adorable!

[nitzan_schwarz]

This was absolutely adorable. Holly was so cute, Maggie was sweet and intuitive, Mark serious and broody in the best of ways, and best of all... no angst! :D