As a longtime fan of Brenda Jackson, I eagerly leapt at the chance to read One Christmas Wish. This is the fifth book in the Catalina Cove series, but it works well as a standalone. The story mentioned the couples from the previous books and provided updates on their lives.
Visiting Catalina Cove, a vibrant coastal Louisiana town steeped in French Creole and southern history, was a delightful experience. A small town ran by a wealthy business owner, who offered low interest business loans to entice former residents to return and help to revitalize the business district. Most of the residents who accepted the offer found love. Vaughn Miller and Sierra Crane are the latest pair to find love in this magical town. However, before they can seize their chance at a happily ever after, they would need to let go of the pain associated with their pasts.
Vaughn Miller is a total hottie with alpha tendencies. One could clearly see why all the single ladies had their eyes on him. However, he was not willing to give love a second chance, but all that changed when he met the beautiful Sierra Crane. The one woman who made him feel things he never thought possible. If only she would give him a chance to prove that love can be wonderful the second time around.
Sierra is not looking for an intimate relationship. Events from her previous marriage left her with a bitter taste. Her focus lies in the raising of her goddaughter and operating her soup and sandwich restaurant. So, giving her heart to a man, even one who made her feel things she never felt before, was not on her agenda.
One Christmas Wish delivered a heartwarming and cozy holiday romance. The story features a slow burn romance and also gave a peek into the next couple's story. Getting to know the Vaughn and Sierra proved a delightful experience. They made a wonderful couple. Vaughn’s patience and love shined throughout the story. No matter how many roadblocks Sierra erected, he patiently tore them down, one by one. However, she sure did not make it easy for him. Especially near the end, when she didn’t trust him to have her back and almost lost all she held dear.
One Christmas Wish hit the spot and left me craving another visit to Catalina Cove.