In a Nutshell Reviews

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A Winter Wish by Emily Stone
Published by Dell on October 15, 2024
Age/Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romance

Goodreads

When an unexpected inheritance forces two total opposites to work together, Lexie must decide if Theo is going to push her out—or pull her in for the kiss of a lifetime—in this heartwarming holiday novel from the author of Always, in December and One Last Gift

When Lexie learns of her father’s death, she doesn’t know how to feel; they’ve barely spoken in the last ten years. And she’s even more confused when she discovers he’s left her half of his holiday travel company, a successful niche business specializing in trips that explore the holiday traditions of cultures all over the world.

Meanwhile, the other half of the company has been left to her father’s handsome but bad-tempered young executive, Theo. And the will stipulates that the two of them must find a way to run the company together for a year before they decide its fate.

Lexie intends to leave once the year is over, even though, as a wanderer herself, she finds the company’s mission more compelling than she first thought. And a work trip to sizzling Spain reveals a chemistry between Lexie and Theo that is impossible to deny.

There may have been some snap judgments made about each other. But mixing business and pleasure isn’t always a good idea.

When Lexie's father died, she was surprised to be included in his will. The inheritance was half his travel company. The catch? She had to run the company along with prickly Theo before she was allowed to sell. The question was: would Lexie and Theo be able to work together for a year? 

Since 2021, I have grown to expect a winter release from Emily Stone. Her books are often quite sad, but ultimately, uplifting. A Winter Wish was a bit different. It dealt with a woman working through her complicated feelings regarding her father's death, but it wasn't as sad as Stone's previous books. 

Her parents divorced, and Lexie's father went to be with his "new" family. Though he attempted to include Lexie, the blended family never really worked out, and the distance between her and her father grew until she no longer had contact with him. Hearing about his death stirred up a lot of feelings. Lexie wanted nothing to do with his company or her half sister, but being forced into his world helped her gain insight into her father and helped her learn a lot about herself as well. 

The travel company Lexie's father started hosted trips to celebrate given holidays. These trips were some of my favorite parts of the book. Yes, there was a Christmas trip, but there were other holiday trips built around local celebrations that were so interesting and tons of fun. 

I didn't just love reading about the trips, it was on these excursions where Theo and Lexie were able to connect with each other. I liked seeing that friendship grow, and Theo was a vital part of Lexie getting to know her father in a different way. It was bittersweet, as she had pushed him away and never really knewn him as an adult, but it was good that she got to learn about who her father became. This allowed Lexie to forgive him, to work through her baggage, and to finally live her life to the fullest. 

Overall, I had a lovely time taking this personal journey with Lexie which was marked by forgiveness, healing, friendship, love, and a few celebrations. 

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A Very Irish Christmas by Debbie Johnson
Published by Storm Publishing on October 30, 2024
Age/Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romance

Goodreads

One part American sugar, two parts Irish spice. Cassie O'Hara is about to discover the recipe for the sweetest Christmas…

When New York-born Cassie O'Hara decides to use the money her sassy Irish nana Nora left in her will to book a month-long stay in a quaint country village, she's expecting a cozy cottage, steak-and-ale pie and plenty of Christmas cheer. Instead, she gets a draughty disaster covered in dust, a temperamental stray dog and two devastatingly handsome men vying for her attention…

There's Charles, the dashing English aristocrat with an enormous manor house and a heart of gold. And Ryan, a curly-haired Irish handyman with a past he won't talk about and an accent that makes her weak at the knees.

When Charles enlists Cassie's event-planning expertise to save his family estate, she finds herself working shoulder to shoulder with Ryan, breathing new life into Bancroft Manor. As village life weaves its spell, Cassie uncovers some intriguing secrets about Nana Nora's past. With her return ticket looming and her heart pulling her in unexpected directions, can Cassie find the love and belonging Nana Nora always wanted for her?

A laugh-out-loud romantic comedy filled with Irish charm, festive flirting and enough Christmas spirit to warm even the coldest of hearts. Perfect for fans of Sophie Kinsella, Catherine Walsh and anyone who believes in the luck of the Irish…

When I first met Cassie, she was still punishing herself by reliving her ill-fated wedding via video. Being jilted at the alter shook Cassie's self confidence which affected all areas of her life. Things only got worse when she lost her beloved Nana Nora who was one of the only people who really believed in and supported Cassie. Dreading another holiday with her nit-picky family, Cassie booked a trip to a charming English village. Though things got off to a rocky start, this trip ended up being exactly what Cassie needed to restore her faith in herself. 

I can always count on Debbie Johnson to craft a story that warms my heart. At first, Cassie's story broke my heart, and that was why I was very excited for her to get out of New York. She needed a change of scenery and space in order to properly collect herself and make a plan for what was next. She was able to accomplish that and more in a place know as Little Ireland. The whole village sounded lovely, but it was the people who made this a welcoming place where Cassie could heal. They quickly embraced her as their own, and it was those friendship and a pair of handsome suitors that helped her move forward. 

Fun and festive and packed with humor and warmth, this tale delighted me. I had a wonderful time with Cassie as explored her heritage, rediscovered herself, and found her people. 

*ARCS PROVIDED BY THE PUBLISHER

What holiday trip would you plan?
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