Sunday, December 7, 2014

Mistletoe on Main Street (Briar Creek #1) by Olivia Miles


Briar Creek's quaint shop windows, cozy homes nestled in snow, and neighborly residents are what Christmas dreams are made of--for everyone except Grace Madison. She left her hometown years ago to pursue a writing career. But when her father's death leaves his bookstore empty, Grace must return to face why she fled Vermont in the first place: Luke Hastings, who still heats her up like a shot of smoky whiskey on a cold winter's night.

Grace is back, and Luke is worried. How much has she changed as a bestselling author in the big city? What memories will she stir up? And was the choice he made five years ago the biggest mistake of his life?

Now, with their past, present, and future rocking around the Christmas tree, it's time for Grace and Luke to face the music . . . and the mistletoe.

Type: Contemporary Romance
Heat: 2.5 out of 5--limited
Rating: 4 out of 5

Amazon | All Romance | Book Depository | BAM | Goodreads

Mistletoe on Main Street...wasn't at all what I was expecting. And that's not a bad thing. I thought I'd find a light hearted flirty Christmas romance. What I got instead was a story of heart ache and loss, hope and rebuilding and finding your spot in life. Both where you are and who you're with. It was an emotional journey as Grace comes home for Christmas to find her family all at ends as they face their first Christmas without her father and is brought face to face with the only man she's ever loved.


Okay so the quick of it is that years ago a bit of stubbornness on both their parts ripped Luke and Grace apart and she fled to NYC to spread her wings and escape the hurt. And ever since she's pretty much avoided everything to do with her home town. But a family loss brings her home for Christmas to face all of the relationships--with friends, family and past loves-- she's neglected or avoided for so long. Including Luke who still lights her on fire and who is dealing with his wife's death and guilt surrounding her.

Whew. Okay so this was not an easy happily ever after for Grace and Luke. For most of the book they're actually at odds with each other. Still dealing with the massive hurts they've caused one another and trying to keep their distances. But that blasted attraction is there and just won't let up and slowly things start to mend between them though ghosts from the past still ride them hard. It was difficult watching two people who really were perfect for each other miss the mark over and over again. Not being able to push past guilt and hurt over a number of things and find a second chance.

More than the romance, though, this one was about family. The healing of both Luke and Grace's families which had been so tight at one point. Finding the spirit of Christmas again and finding peace with moving on in life after losing people who matter the most. Not forgetting their losses but remembering the good times and love instead of the heartache and loss. Miles really nailed some of the reactions and emotions you go though with a loss like that--husband, friend, father--and trying to survive the holiday season. It hit home for me no question about that and had me teary eyed more than once.

While Mistletoe on Main Street wasn't nearly as light hearted as I was expecting--though there were some fun moments as well-- it was a wonderful read and one that had me falling for this small family as they came back together and healed their hurts. There were nice teasers for each of the sister's stories and I'm really looking forward to seeing how they'll play out.

Have you read Miles?
Do you like your Christmas reads more flirty and light or are heavy hitters your style?
Any second chance at romance stories you just adore?

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More Miles on herding cats
Guest Post--the best things about Christmas
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