I received this book via the publisher, Forever. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of this review.
A Christmas Bride by Hope Ramsay Series: Chapel of Love #1
Published by Forever on 2016-09-27
Length: 295 pages
Reviewing Paperback Rating:
A charming small-town Christmas romance filled with family, love, and hope from the USA Today bestselling author of the Last Chance series.
Tis the season in Shenandoah Falls and the first time Willow Peterson has been home in years. But she's determined to fulfill the wishes of her recently deceased best friend and restore Eagle Hill Manor to its former glory-all in time to host the perfect holiday wedding. She just has to get the owner of the historic inn to hire her. Unfortunately, that means dealing with Scrooge himself...
After the death of his wife, David Lyndon has a bah-humbug approach to Christmas. But as December counts down and the wedding planning is in full swing, it's harder and harder to stay immune to the charms of Willow, especially when he sees how much joy she brings his eight-year-old daughter. After a simple kiss under the mistletoe turns into something more, David is hoping he can turn the magic of the holiday season into the love of a lifetime.
What a sweet story! A Christmas Bride by Hope Ramsay is the first book in the small town romance series Chapel of Love. It tells the story of coming home again and finding love after loss. Heart-warming and uplifting A Christmas Bride is sure to put a smile on your face.
Willow Peterson left home and never really looked back. After losing her dream job, Willow returns looking to find a purpose to her life now. I instantly understood Willow. She’s driven and full of passion. Losing her best friend a few years prior affected her in ways she didn’t fully admit to herself until she’s home, seeing her friend’s inn and their old stomping grounds. Willow finds herself drawn to her friend’s daughter, seeing a bit of the friend she misses in her. And then there is the inn that is falling apart since Shelly’s death and her husband who has closed himself off to anyone that might give a care for him. Determined to make her friend proud, Willow sets out to do the impossible: resurrect the inn.
David Lyndon is Shelly’s grieving husband. Even two years later, her death is still at the forefront of his mind. When we are first introduced to David, I think he’s a bit of a jerk. Then Ramsay gives us some time from his POV, and my heart just broke for him. He works to keep the status quo. His mother wants him to run for Congress, has groomed him for that since he was a kid. So he’s making a bid for it. That means it’s time to sell the inn and everything that reminds him of Shelly. Losing her around the holidays makes him a bit of a Scrooge (rightfully so). Then Willow shows up and turns his life upside down.
While the book focuses on the budding relationship between David and Willow, it also focuses on the town and those people affected by Shelly in one way or another. I love that about small town settings. This book packs a lot of people into its pages, and yet they all felt real and relatable. I know a Gracie and Poppy, even a Pam Lyndon 😉 While Willow fights for the inn, Poppy and others in the town hatch a matchmaking scheme that is sure to make you laugh.
Overall I really enjoyed A Christmas Bride. Hope Ramsay has created a sweet small town in Shenandoah Falls. All the characters, not just Willow and David, are fully fleshed out. And then there is David’s daughter. She steals the show. If you enjoy holiday romance, this is one for your shelves.
About Hope Ramsay
Hope Ramsay was born in New York and grew up on the North Shore of Long Island, but every summer Momma would pack her off under the care of Aunt Annie to go visiting with relatives in the midlands of South Carolina. Her extended family includes its share of colorful aunts and uncles, as well as cousins by the dozens, who provide the fodder for the characters you’ll find in Last Chance, South Carolina. Hope earned a BA in Political Science from the University of Buffalo, and has had various jobs working as a Congressional aide, a lobbyist, a public relations consultant, and a meeting planner. She’s a two-time finalist in the Golden Heart, and is married to a good ol’ Georgia boy who resembles every single one of her heroes. She has two grown children and a couple of demanding lap cats. She lives in Fairfax, Virginia where you can often find her on the back deck, picking on her thirty-five-year-old Martin guitar.
Giveaway Details:
- Winner will receive book of choice from Book Depository (valued at $25).
- Open internationally
- Runs 7/18 – 7/31 (ends at 11:59PM EST on the 31st)
i haven’t read the book but i have been enjoying your christmas in july feature. here is florida, the sand reminds me of snow, its so soft and white
sherry @ fundinmental
sherry fundin recently posted…Cover Reveal – Never Marry a Shifter by Azaaa Davis @AzaaaDavis