Carol Ross (1)

First off, I enjoyed this story however I do not find it to be a book for most of the readers that follow me and therefore I recommend don't it to. There is nothing outright wrong with the book just working/set in a bar and I know that many of my followers are younger.

But! I did love the main characters, Fiona and Simon, the humor that was scattered throughout the story, and the romance or resistance against having a romance was sweet.

Luke, okay, well, I loved him! He was just such a sweet side character! I loved how he was in so much of "Montana Match" along with the main characters. And his loyalty was just so sweet.

And, I am now going to (hopefully) find the other books in this series because I have been missing out!

18

Content: A few mentions of a character cussing, words replaced as cussing in text, and a sexually suggestive jab at a friend.

I voluntarily received and reviewed a complimentary e/copy of this book which I received from the author/publisher. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.… (más)

3.5 stars rounded up to 4. I enjoyed these books, all interrelated. Although I'm a fan of romance novels, several of the tropes used were too similar, making very fast happily ever afters, so many of them all at once, a bit hard to chew. My favorite would have been the very first one, Ms. Curtis's story well written and well edited. The others were also well written, but might have benefited from a sharper pen. Minor issues, and yet noticeable.

Light hearted seasonal fluff, and I really did enjoy them overall.… (más)

I think this one is my favorite romance that I read this year! I absolutely fell in love with Lucas. All the characters were really well written but Lucas, I just really adored him. The story line in this book really had me on an emotional roller coaster. More than once I was telling my RL guy what was going on. He kept asking me, who? Haha. Eventually he did figure out I was ranting, crying or laughing about the characters in this book. He took a look at it after I was done so I know I can expect to open a package with more books by this author. This book is part of The Seasons of Alaska series. I haven't read any of the other books in the series. While I am definitely looking forward to reading the others, it is not necessary to read them all or in any certain order that I could tell. I live in Alaska so I am excited about this series. This was a "clean" romance so it would be okay for those who prefer no sex, no adult language. There are mature themes, such as alcohol and drug abuse as well as child abuse. They are handled in a positive way, in my opinion. I mention them so if you are thinking of it for a teen, you are aware. I think it would make for some interesting conversations. I loved how the author took so much negativity and turned it into hope. The story drew me in from the first page and kept me reading until the last page. It is a terrific story to relax with. I am not a sporty type person but found the sports theme interesting.
Thank you to the author who sent me a signed copy of this book for my enjoyment, (I believe I entered a giveaway). She did not request a review. I do not know the author. After reading the book I chose to write a review because I enjoyed it so much.… (más)

I received a complimentary copy of "The Secret Santa Project" direct from author Carol Ross in exchange for an honest review. I did not receive compensation for my opinions or thoughts shared herein.

Whilst Ross pulled us back into Rankins, giving us the feast of being with this beloved family and watching as Hazel and Cricket worked through their issues, it felt like such a wonderful holiday reunion for us as readers. The irony of course, is how misconstrued the circumstances fast became from both their perspectives - as their relationship has a more solid foundation of misunderstandings and missed opportunities than most! I thought for sure Cricket was going to 'catch on' a bit quicker than he seemed to be and of course, there was Iris in the background with almost a playful smirk of understanding on her face once Hazel confided in her! I felt that was a the 'ah ha' moment for Iris - where she might have felt a bit left in the dark but once Hazel provided the light so to speak, everything just clicked together for Iris. I felt she had the best seat in the family to better understand the dramas surrounding Cricket and Hazel because she took the time to pull the information out of Hazel, whom for her own part, is just as reserved and stubbornly private as Cricket at times! (though perhaps not as reserved and private as Abby O' Brien! (ie. from "Chesapeake Shores")

Once you disappear into this story, you don't want to exit until you've found the very last page! For me, what was most endearing is how all of the James' siblings and parents were integral into the storyline!! Especially of course how Mrs James had a very special part in the story and how wisdom and love helped ease a lot of tensions and confusions by the time we had to find a way to say goodbye to this lovely family once again! The entire series is wonderfully built round trust, family, friendship and goodwill. The James' are a large family who sincerely care about each other but they also look out for others in their community. The situation with Cricket's past and his brother were a wonderful addition to the backstory of the romance between Cricket and Hazel because it showcased why he's struggled with his emotions, his feelings for Hazel and his place within the James' family.

For Cricket, he always felt he had found his family early-on in his childhood, when his path first crossed with the James' family and that was wayy before Hazel was even around. (as she's one of the youngest) His story was such a sweet one to read because he had a lot of issues in sorting out where he stood within the framework of the family but also what he was able to allow himself to feel as well. Cricket wasn't the kind of guy who liked to put himself above others or to allow himself the grace of feeling something that in turn would effectively seem selfish in his own eyes. In many respects, Cricket had as much to work through as his brother Lee, who happily is restored to his life in this installment in the series. Lee and Cricket didn't have the best upbringing but what they did have were each other and a willingness to rise through their adversities. They each took different routes towards that end but overall, their two brothers who tried to fix their own lives in the best ways they each knew how and that is what made their story heartwarming.

There were a few instances where I felt Ross was contemplating the next stories for Seasons of Alaska as who could miss that flirty play Lee was making towards Ashley? And, how interesting it would be if Lee (Cricket's reformed brother) and Ashley (who has a difficult relationship with most of the James' siblings!) would become a couple? There were other small gestures and hints towards future stories but this particular storyline perked my interest because it would be built off what was given foundation in The Secret Santa Project. I look forward to seeing where we take things from here because the best bit for me reading the Seasons of Alaska series is the longevity of the series and the interweaving continuity which continues through each novel.

// This is a quotation of my full review originally shared via jorielovesastory.com… (más)