For a novella, this was a well rounded book. I didn't feel shortchanged and the story was fleshed out so well. From the very beginning of Sabrina and Jake's story which begins 10 years before, I really felt clued in to the depth of their relationship and exactly what was sacrificed by both of them when Jake left.
Fast forward 10 years later, her daughter, Charlie (who I loved) is ten years old and Jake comes back to town and face to face with his daughter....that he did not know he had. I ate this book up. Nom nom nom. I LOVED Jake and I loved the moments Jake has with his daughter, getting to know her. Jake was meant to be a father. Jake and Bree (Sabrina) were so sweet and I appreciated that there were no stupid back and forth games between them. It was such a lovely story of the two of them rediscovering each other. I loved the setting of the small town, Holly Point and her family home.
Thanks to Ms. Moon, I also discovered a new publisher, Tule Publishing. New publisher means new authors! Guess what? There's a series that this book is a part of and they are set in NY also. Some in NYC (which... I LOVE LOVE LOVE New York City and I'm sucker for any book set in the city.)
•The recommended reading order is below but they can stand alone. Ms. Moon's book contains a prologue and Ms. Blount's contains an epilogue. These actually went live Monday night and I've already bought the other 3 (99 cents for a VERY limited time). My plan is to read them soon and share my thoughts about them with you.
Christmas in New York series
Book 1: This Christmas by Jeannie Moon
Book 2: All I Want for Christmas by Jennifer Gracen
Book 3: A Light in the Window by Jolyse Barnett
Book 4: Goodness and Light by Patty Blount
Purchase This Christmas:
❃ Goodreads // Amazon ❃
All I Want for Christmas by Jennifer Gracen
Cassandra Baines almost has it all: a flourishing career as one of the youngest English Lit assistant professors at NYU, an apartment in a city she adores, and a close circle of lifelong girlfriends that are like sisters. The only thing she doesn’t have is someone special to share it with. She’s been married to her work since Sean McKinnon broke her heart seven years ago.
Musician and bar owner Sean McKinnon keeps busy – too busy for a love life. He blew it with Cassie all those years ago, and no one has held a candle to her since.
But then one fateful night, of all the people in New York City, Cassandra walks into his bar, and he’s drawn to her as strongly as ever. She wants nothing to do with him, but he’s not going to give up so easily.
Can a bit of New York Christmas magic help two people take a second chance on true love?
❃ Goodreads // Amazon ❃
A Light in The Window by Jolyse Barnett
Adirondack girl-in-transition Jade Engel comes home to recharge after ending a career she never truly wanted, but soon realizes she’s in danger of also being swept off her feet by the boy-next-door, her former best friend, Ben Stephens. If only he’d stop kissing her every time she falls into his arms.
Everything local celebrity Ben Stephens ever wanted is in Starling. Then Jade comes home after an eternity away and sends his simple world into a tailspin. He’s determined to pursue her—the one girl who got away. But when their friends-with-benefits arrangement blows up in their faces, will they have the courage to put their pasts to rest in order to forge a future together?
❃ Goodreads // Amazon ❃
Goodness and Light by Patty Blount
Thirteen years ago, two teens met on the ramp to Ground Zero, on a cold and snowy day, strangers bonding in a moment of grief. The boy pressed a crystal snowflake ornament into the girl’s hand and disappeared into the crowd, unaware that his simple act of kindness saved her from the guilt that threatened to consume her.
Since losing her mom, Elena Larsen hasn’t set foot in New York City -- until now. Agreeing to help her sister prepare for her baby’s birth seems like a good way to spend Christmas and Elena vows not to let the monstrous guilt that weighs on her heart ruin everything. But those plans go awry when she meets Lucas Adair, a man whose own grief and guilt just might rival her own.
When Elena discovers Lucas is the boy who gave her that crystal snowflake all those years ago, she can’t accept it as the sign Lucas believes it to be. For her, it means only one thing --- even beyond the grave, her mother can never forgive Elena for breaking her heart.
For Lucas, New York is hallowed ground that he can never leave. He spends his days working in the Financial District and his evenings volunteering and it’s almost enough to help him forget what he did. Lucas knows better than to make plans with a woman who will soon be leaving, yet can’t help himself. There’s something about Elena that pulls him in. He doesn’t put much faith in signs but even he starts to believe Elena is his absolution. Now, he only has to convince her.