All I Want for Christmas (Entangled Flirts)

by Ros Clarke

[Cocktails and Books]

I wasn't sure what to expect with this quick one. An office christmas party, drinking, karoke and a kiss. Things could go many directions. What I wasn't expecting was to find myself on the verge of sobbing at a Christmas story!

This is a story that pulls at your heartstrings. You've got a young woman who has made the decision to be the primary caregiver to her mother with Alzheimer. While it's still in it's beginning stages, we're given a glimpse of what Anna will be dealing with as the disease progresses. It's all consuming and it breaks your heart to see the wonderful relationship Anna and her mother have and know that it will soon be something much different. To add to Anna's grief, there's the knowledge that the disease is hereditary so if her mom has it, there's a good chance she'll have it. She chooses to be by herself, almost like she doesn't want to inflict the disease on whomever may choose to spend their life with her.

Hugh is a man that you love instantly and can see why Anna would be attracted to him. Even after being rejected by Anna three times, he still pursues her. When he finds out about her mother's Alzheimer's and the possibility that Anna may have it, he doesn't run as far away as possible. Instead, he researches and understands and then plans his course of action.

This was a wonderful story. Any book, no matter what length, that can make me cry is always a winner in my book. But this was exceptionally written and gives everyone a little hope that love can conquer anything.