The blurb:
Escape to the idyllic small town of Pinewood Hills in this enchanting romance, about falling in
love under the mistletoe with a sprinkle of Christmas magic…
For Lila Evans, Christmas is the toughest time of year––a heartbreaking reminder of losing her father, and just how lonely she is… This year, she’s organized a blissful getaway with her closest friends: just the remedy for the December blues.
The countryside resort of Fireside Cabins, tucked away in the snowy Tennessee hills, seems like this year’s perfect setting to get into the festive spirit. But it’s far from a winter wonderland––the crumbling cottage is falling apart, and the owner, a widow named Eleanor Finely, confesses that the cabins are on the brink of closure. Lila and her friends should pack their bags right there and then, but Lila can’t bear to leave the tearful elderly woman. She clearly has no one, and Lila, more than anyone, knows how that feels.
In search of holiday cheer, the women find a local coffee shop. But the rugged, surly owner Theo Perry has an apparent aversion to Christmas, seeming downright angry when Lila asks for a peppermint latte. No one in the area knows who he is––but it’s clear he’s running from something.
Yet there’s more to this small town than Theo’s frosty reception. As much as his coldness infuriates her, Lila can’t deny that on the rare occasions when he does smile, it feels like coming home. Plus, the cabins are just calling for some festive sparkle.
And, unexpectedly, Pinewood Hills could hold a new beginning for Lila… But can she save Fireside Cabins in time for Christmas? With a dusting of festive magic, spiced apple cider and sugarplum pie, could this be the first holiday she doesn’t spend alone?
My Opinion:
*Book provided by the publisher on NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*
Jenny Hale has done it again and she is definitely the queen of Christmas books!
In this story we follow Lila Evans, who has lost her family very early and Christmas is never an easy time. She has her three best friends and the go away the Pinewood Hills for some Christmas magic.
The start isn’t easy though, because the coffeeshop owner Theo is rude and doesn’t even have almond milk. Their cabin is not what it looked like and things start to break and on top oft hat one of her friends has to leave again soon.
Eleanor Finley ist he owner oft he cabins and Lila soon warms up to her. Eleanor is all alone and Lila knows exactly how that feels. She wants to help her and bring some Christmas cheer tot he village. It isn’t easy, especially after her other friends leave as well and then there is Theo, mysterious Theo. Nobody knows, who he really is and seemed to have built up a wall around himself.
Lila somehow feels a connection to him and doesn’t give up, she wants to get to know him better and find out what is behind it all. Their chemistry is electric and at one point even he can’t deny that anymore. He is running away though and doens’t make it easy for Lila.
The whole storyline is full of magic with a wonderful variety of characters. I was routing for Lila and Theo from the start, despite the fact that we didn’t know a lot about him. I absolutely adored their scenes and moments and I think Jenny Hale captured their connection beautifully. The book is full of ups and downs and I just couldn’t put it down, I was absolutely hooked.
The setting is amazing, especially after Lila takes the initiative to include some Christmas magic in the village. Jenny Hale just has a gift of creating stunning settings and including so many wonderful details.
The story has it all: passion, love, festive cheer, friendship, family, a beautiful place and so much more. The book also life and all the struggles that can occur.
It’s the perfect Christmas book and I was really sad when it ended, I really wanted to stay with the characters.
Little Rex warmed my heart as well ;).
AMAZING!!!
Rating:
Jenny Hale on Twitter: @jhaleauthor
Website: https://www.itsjennyhale.com
