Charmed is the perfect way to describe how I felt about Bentonsport. The past immersing with the present is always a favorite troupe of mine, and I simply adored the way the author brought this delightful town to life.

The story centers around Thomas Benton, an man that loves his life in Bentonsport 1869, but there is something missing. A late night visitor brings news that Thomas is going to receive a wonderful gift, and he awakes the next morning in a bed not his own, and time not his own. He has been transported to present day Bentonsport and has two weeks to find what he was sent to look for, though he doesn’t know what that something is.

Sarah Peterson also loves her life. Being Bentonsports professional baker, she loves life in this small, quirky town and all its inhabitants, but there is also something missing: someone to love. Thomas and Sarah are absolutely perfect for each other. From their first meeting you can see the sugary sweetness of their adoration for one another that grows into friendship and then into something more.

Throughout the entire story you get to witness Thomas discovering new technologies, and I loved seeing Thomas’s awe and fascination about modern items. Simple things we tend to take for granted are true marvels to him, while other changes in our modern world aren’t things he thinks should’ve been changed. I often agreed with his sentiments on that fact, and do believe that not all changes that have been made have been for the better.

In the beginning Sarah can see that there is something different about this new visitor, but she is so charmed that she pushes her questions aside and gets to know this unique traveler, which leads to a truly magical story.

There are so many wonderful scenes in this novel, but I would have to say that my favorite part was the snowball fight. How it started off with bubbled and ended up in a full-blown snowball fight was so stinking cute!! I could see this easily becoming a Hallmark movie. It’s got that Hallmark-esque charm that we all love, along with some swoon-worthy moments, but also had so much heart and truth to it, a realism despite the fantasy.

I could also go into all the delicious moments that had my mouth salivating, but I’ll let you experience that for yourself. I immensely enjoyed this novel so much, and it is hands down the perfect read to get you into the holiday spirit.

*I have voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book which I received from the author/publisher through JustRead Tours. All views and opinions expressed are completely honest, and my own. ( )