A Grumpy Sunshine Holiday Romance at a B&B with Matchmaking and Christmas Baking
TRIXI'S REVIEW:
The funny thing is that hearing your laugh reminded me that I hadn’t heard my own in a really long time. You helped me find it again. And I will never forget that. ~Daniel to Whitney page 245
This is such a cute book that has a lot of depth to it and not just a fluffy feel-good romance. Though truth be told, it does have a bit of that too!
Liz Johnson is one of those authors that tends to make fiction real for me in the way she writes, from feeling like her characters are some I wished I could meet, to how the story plays out on the pages. I think I loved Whitney and Daniel from the get-go. In spite of the meddling of his Aunt Aretha, and all mishaps and missteps, I loved seeing how Johnson got these two opposite people together. I feel they communicated well and complemented each other in the end. I loved seeing Daniel become more relaxed and saw his hidden humor come through and I loved how he encouraged Whitney and made her feel like her dreams and goals were important. Their interactions were fun to watch and their banter made me laugh more than once.
I have not read the Red Door Inn series, but most certainly will after this! I loved seeing the interplay between all the characters and how they made up a community that helped each other. This story was a hit for me and I hope other readers agree! It’s so hard to review a great book like this without giving anything away. It’s one for Christmas fans and those who are looking for a feel-good story full of faith, love and romance…and of course, admirers of Liz Johnson.
*I received a complimentary copy from Revell and was not obligated to leave a favorable review. All opinions stated here are mine alone. *
REBECCA'S REVIEW:
"The entirety of their interaction had been a bruised nose and an overflowing pie."
Sugar and spice and everything nice aside, Daniel Franklin's Aunt Aretha has romantic intentions up her sleeve during Daniel's holiday stay at the Red Door Inn; securing his future happiness by playing matchmaker . . . not with the whimsical, joyful, full of sunshine pie baker taking up residence in the inn's kitchen, but with someone else. And the catch???? Aretha has dangled culinary school tuition assistance in front of Whitney Garrett's (the before mentioned pie baker) nose, much like the mistletoe hanging in the hallway . . . if Whitney will assist in her scheme.
Can you guess what happens next? Of course you can. The joy is in reading all about it in this delightfully entertaining and romantic holiday story which involves a lot of pie tasting, Christmas lighting, sledding, kissing (under that meddlesome mistletoe) and remembering . . . that we are never alone, for God sent "Ee-man-ee-al" . . . kid talk for Emanuel.
P.S. - Plus, a ridiculous turkey hat thrown in for good measure!
*I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher through Interviews and Reviews. 4.5 stars
BackCover Blurb:
Whitney Garrett is preparing to enter culinary school in the spring, but first she has to sell enough homemade pies at the local Christmas markets to pay her tuition. When her oven breaks, Whitney asks Marie Sloan, proprietor of the Red Door Inn, if she can use the inn's kitchen to keep up with her orders. Marie agrees, with a catch: Whitney has to watch the three Sloan children and cook breakfasts for the Red Door in return.
The inn is busy with holiday guests--including Aretha Franklin Sloan's perpetually single nephew Daniel and Ruby, a businesswoman in town to purchase Aretha's antiques store. Intent on making a Christmas match for the two, Aretha enlists Whitney's help in her schemes. But the deeper Whitney gets, the more she realizes that Ruby is definitely not the right woman for Daniel--and the more she thinks that she just might be his perfect match.
Cuddle up for some warm holiday cheer as New York Times bestselling author Liz Johnson explores the unforeseen consequences of meddling with mistletoe when love is on the line.
Thank you for sharing this on the blog Debra!!
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