Helen Rolfe

This was the first book I have read in this series, but it held up well given this.

A couple of brothers take over the local pub in a small community approaching Christmas, which causes a few ripples in the local community, especially for the co-owner of the local bakery who had previously had a no-commitments brief holiday relationship.

Compared to many romance books this is quite a slow burner, especially as both people are dealing with some baggage. This book is more about the community and events going on, and this as much a character in the books as any person.

This is an enjoyable book and I would be happy to read the other books in the series.… (más)

Christmas at the Little Knitting Box by Helen Rolfe is the first book in the New York Ever After series. I found Christmas at the Little Knitting Box to be a satisfactory story. It has your standard romance scenario with two people who are drawn to each other, but there is something standing in their way. In this case, Dylan owns the building where Cleo has her knitting shop. Dylan needs to sell the building to pay expenses while he gets his new business off the ground. The two are attracted to each other. Cleo is hesitant to become involved because he has children and Dylan’s ex-wife still seems to be in the picture. There was chemistry between Cleo and Dylan in the beginning, but, as the book progressed, it seemed to dissipate. Cleo focuses on her issues and Dylan on his. The two took their time to work on their individual issues before diving into a romance. I had trouble liking Cleo. Her mother died when she was a child. When her father remarried after a few years, Cleo resented her new stepmother. It is natural for a kid to resent a new stepparent, but it is not natural to dislike the person over ten years later. I liked Cleo’s grandfather. He is a sweet man who is getting a second chance at romance. I enjoyed the descriptions of the yarn Cleo sold in her shop. I cannot imagine someone using expensive vicuna yarn for a pair of socks ($300 for one ounce 28 grams). There are some details that are dubious. There were British terms used throughout the story (flat and nappies are two examples). I understood Cleo using them, but they would not be normal for the other characters. I tried to get into the story, but I could not. Christmas at the Little Knitting Box is nice story, but it is forgetful.… (más)

Christmas at the Little Knitting Box by Helen Rolfe is the first book in the New York Ever After series. I found Christmas at the Little Knitting Box to be a satisfactory story. It has your standard romance scenario with two people who are drawn to each other, but there is something standing in their way. In this case, Dylan owns the building where Cleo has her knitting shop. Dylan needs to sell the building to pay expenses while he gets his new business off the ground. The two are attracted to each other. Cleo is hesitant to become involved because he has children and Dylan’s ex-wife still seems to be in the picture. There was chemistry between Cleo and Dylan in the beginning, but, as the book progressed, it seemed to dissipate. Cleo focuses on her issues and Dylan on his. The two took their time to work on their individual issues before diving into a romance. I had trouble liking Cleo. Her mother died when she was a child. When her father remarried after a few years, Cleo resented her new stepmother. It is natural for a kid to resent a new stepparent, but it is not natural to dislike the person over ten years later. I liked Cleo’s grandfather. He is a sweet man who is getting a second chance at romance. I enjoyed the descriptions of the yarn Cleo sold in her shop. I cannot imagine someone using expensive vicuna yarn for a pair of socks ($300 for one ounce 28 grams). There are some details that are dubious. There were British terms used throughout the story (flat and nappies are two examples). I understood Cleo using them, but they would not be normal for the other characters. I tried to get into the story, but I could not. Christmas at the Little Knitting Box is nice story, but it is forgetful.… (más)

This is the story of Hazel and her brother, and of Abigail and her father. Hazel and her brother own and run a horse stable and give riding lessons. New in town, Abigail’s father arranges to board her horse at the stable. A couple of years ago, a terrible incident involving a young boy has emotionally scarred Hazel. A couple of years ago, a terrible accident has emotionally and physically scarred Abigail. As the story evolves, both Hazel and Abigail, with the help of their family and friends, overcome these tragedies, putting the past behind them. It’s a lovely and sweet story, illustrating the difficulty in adapting and accepting what can’t be changed, but showing that you don’t have to let the past control your future. For regular readers, a trip to Heritage Cove is like visiting old friends, and a happy vacation that is as close as the pages in the book.… (más)