Christmas at the Cove (Templeton Cove Stories, #4)

by Rachel Brimble

Scott Walker doesn't have time for a relationship. The sexy mechanic has career ambitions, not to mention a mother and three sisters to take care of. The last thing he needs is Carrie Jameson, the beauty he never forgot, arriving in Templeton Cove over the holidays with some unexpected news. Scott still finds Carrie irresistible, and he's not one to shirk responsibility. Scott's issues with his own dad make the prospect of parenthood a minefield. But if he and Carrie can overcome their fears, this Christmas could bring them the best gift of all.

• ISBN10: 0373608810
• ISBN13: 9780373608812
• Publish Date: 4 November 2014 (first published 1 January 2014)
• Publish Status: Out of Stock
• Imprint: Harlequin Special Releases
• Edition: Large type / large print edition
• Format: Paperback (US Mass Market)
• Pages: 384
• Language: English

Reviews

[Lynn]

The idea of this story is full of promise, but didn't quite live up to my expectations.

Carrie Jameson and Scott Walker had a week long affair resulting in a pregnancy. Carrie is now seeking out the father on behalf of her young child. She hopes he'll want access, to cement a relationship with his daughter. However she's secretly wishes to rekindle the brief affair and turn it into something more. In the time since meeting Carrie, Scott has been focused on building his business and supporting his mother and sisters. He has ambition and no desire to hook-up with a woman to tie him down.

I would have preferred more verbal dialogue and interaction between the protagonists instead of knowing their inner thoughts after every scene. I wanted to feel the sparks of attraction, to validate their relationship...to understand how intense their previous time together was, to justify why they'd to want to try again. This constant internal analysis made the plot go around in circles, making me skip pages to keep my interest and the story flowing.

The reactions of the characters were way over the top dramatic too. I could almost envisage some of them appearing on a Jerry Springer show! Far too much time spent on Scott's family issues and his apparent burden of responsibility. Although when he gets confirmation of paternity, his reaction is touching, emotional and mature.

I really struggled to like Carrie. She constantly tries to manipulate Scott into doing what she wants, using her daughter as bait. She is rather selfish putting her own needs before her daughter's with regards to Scott.

If you like plenty of drama and angst, then this is a Christmas story for you. For me personally, I prefer something more heart-warming, even though there is a message of hope throughout.

3 stars

***arc generously received in exchange for an honest review***

[Cocktails and Books]

This is a classic romance story where two lovers come together, part quickly, and pine for each other while they are apart. As an additional twist there is a child conceived that is hidden from the father. This is the first book that I have read by this author.

I couldn’t wait to dive into this novel, but I was quickly disappointed. The author made it seem like some otherworldly force made Carrie Jameson and Scott Walker come together. The entire premise behind the one night stand was shallow and difficult to believe. Later it’s revealed that because of their magnetic attraction they actually were together for longer than one night. It’s hard to believe that they never came up for air and actually talked to each other during that time. Even if Scott was a player and heartless Carrie should have had some sense of what kind of person he was. I just never bought into the idea that they were a couple.

The book has very little dialogue between the characters. There was so much information about the internal dialogue in each character’s head that it was just overkill. Added to that it just seemed like it was the same thing said in a different way. It literally went on for pages. Before, during, and after every interaction the author shares what each character is thinking. I would have been fine with a hint or some foreshadowing. I was quickly tired of how often Carrie spoke of her fears about Scott. I was sick of reading about Scott’s responsibilities and his fears. The author also went into great detail about Scott’s parents. I found all of the characters to be overly dramatic and unrealistic. I identified with none of them, and I didn’t care about their HEAs. I just wanted it to be over.

A good book gone wrong.

Reviewed by Michelle for Cocktails and Books