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jbarr5's review
4.0
The Secret Santa Wishing Well by Nikki Lynn Barrett
Have had this book for a while and finally got to read it and wish I had read it earlier.
It's a great story about a women who works a lot of hours and has 2 children. They babysitter and 2 kids visit the mall at Christmas time and the young son wanders off to talk to Santa's helper.
He encourages him to make a wish and gives him the penny to throw in the well. We find out later in the book what he wishes for. The young boy is so busy with community service projects at his age that the helper nominates him to get the award.
Alternating chapters also follow the helper and his family problems and how he becomes involved with the mother and her children.
Love that it's around the holidays and that they get to spend some quality time together. Love the date night and the ride, precious! Events take a bad turn for them both and you wonder if they will ever get back together when the little boy has run away from visiting his bio dad on Christmas eve.
There's a lot to this book, easy to follow, handful of characters and lots of things they do together and with others.
Hope I can collect the other books in this series. Passionate steamy sex scenes also.
Have had this book for a while and finally got to read it and wish I had read it earlier.
It's a great story about a women who works a lot of hours and has 2 children. They babysitter and 2 kids visit the mall at Christmas time and the young son wanders off to talk to Santa's helper.
He encourages him to make a wish and gives him the penny to throw in the well. We find out later in the book what he wishes for. The young boy is so busy with community service projects at his age that the helper nominates him to get the award.
Alternating chapters also follow the helper and his family problems and how he becomes involved with the mother and her children.
Love that it's around the holidays and that they get to spend some quality time together. Love the date night and the ride, precious! Events take a bad turn for them both and you wonder if they will ever get back together when the little boy has run away from visiting his bio dad on Christmas eve.
There's a lot to this book, easy to follow, handful of characters and lots of things they do together and with others.
Hope I can collect the other books in this series. Passionate steamy sex scenes also.
tsukikomew's review
1.0
This review was posted at Tsuki’s STS on September 23, 2013.
I love Christmas stories. I have a whole folder of them on my IPad for October and November but I thought I'd get started early.
Jacob has lost his Christmas spirit. His sister convinces him to be a Secret Santa and there he meets a young boy making a wish for his mother. Cheyenne is struggling to give Christmas to her two kids but when the two adults meet, sparks fly.
Usually I would have loads and loads to say about a book I DNFd. The problem with it was getting far enough into it to have much to say. My issue was full of formatting and editing issues. For example, there was this:
"What's so funny?" bathroom, carrying a now Desiree squealed and held out her arms when she saw Cheyenne sitting on the couch.
"How were they today?" Cheyenne asked as Robin came out of the freshly cleaned baby.
As you can see, major issue. When I encountered that at 4% into the book, I figured it was a fluke. Then this happened:
It was just like the days when she was a child, baking with her parents. rendition of "White speakers from a nearby store.
Then:
She missed that. An upbeat Christmas" boomed from the
"You sure did."
Then:
"I don't care that it's cold out. yummy!" Ben hugged Santa's helper. letting me make another wish"
This was the last page for me in the book. It had happened more than four times (I chose four of them) by 11% into the book! I couldn't bring myself to get deeply into the story and by that point the characters had not endeared themselves to me. The editing and formatting issues were so big I wasn't able to get invested in them. For me it was a sad reason to put down a book but in 11% I had 20 notes on formatting/editing issues. I have nothing bad to say about the author or the story. I just, unfortunately, could not get over the issues.
DNF
Published by Createspace (the Author)
November 17, 2012
238 Pages
Provided by--NetGalley
I love Christmas stories. I have a whole folder of them on my IPad for October and November but I thought I'd get started early.
Jacob has lost his Christmas spirit. His sister convinces him to be a Secret Santa and there he meets a young boy making a wish for his mother. Cheyenne is struggling to give Christmas to her two kids but when the two adults meet, sparks fly.
Usually I would have loads and loads to say about a book I DNFd. The problem with it was getting far enough into it to have much to say. My issue was full of formatting and editing issues. For example, there was this:
"What's so funny?" bathroom, carrying a now Desiree squealed and held out her arms when she saw Cheyenne sitting on the couch.
"How were they today?" Cheyenne asked as Robin came out of the freshly cleaned baby.
As you can see, major issue. When I encountered that at 4% into the book, I figured it was a fluke. Then this happened:
It was just like the days when she was a child, baking with her parents. rendition of "White speakers from a nearby store.
Then:
She missed that. An upbeat Christmas" boomed from the
"You sure did."
Then:
"I don't care that it's cold out. yummy!" Ben hugged Santa's helper. letting me make another wish"
This was the last page for me in the book. It had happened more than four times (I chose four of them) by 11% into the book! I couldn't bring myself to get deeply into the story and by that point the characters had not endeared themselves to me. The editing and formatting issues were so big I wasn't able to get invested in them. For me it was a sad reason to put down a book but in 11% I had 20 notes on formatting/editing issues. I have nothing bad to say about the author or the story. I just, unfortunately, could not get over the issues.
DNF
Published by Createspace (the Author)
November 17, 2012
238 Pages
Provided by--NetGalley
waotto's review
5.0
Really enjoyed this story. I become very overwhelmed at the holidays. It is very easy to miss the simple things. This story helps remind you of what is really important.
naelany's review
3.0
the story is cute and sweet, and it's definitely a Christmas feel-good kind of story with a pinch of drama. Ben is the easiest character to love (and by that I don't mean the other characters aren't. Just that Ben is super-sweet and makes you want to hug him).
There were a few times that I got pulled out of the story as a reader, I will admit, but not so badly it made me want to give up on it.
Like Cheyenne and Jacob, I've become jaded over the years when it comes to Christmas, which is strangely enough why I enjoy reading stories like this because they remind me what Christmas used to be like: magical. For that reason alone, I'd reread this (and for Ben. I'd reread for Ben. And Desiree).
There were a few times that I got pulled out of the story as a reader, I will admit, but not so badly it made me want to give up on it.
Like Cheyenne and Jacob, I've become jaded over the years when it comes to Christmas, which is strangely enough why I enjoy reading stories like this because they remind me what Christmas used to be like: magical. For that reason alone, I'd reread this (and for Ben. I'd reread for Ben. And Desiree).
becsa's review
4.0
Jacob Winston is going to pretend to be Santa over at the mall for Christmas, partly to appease his sister Ada who is very ill in the hospital. She thinks it may make a little happier during this difficult time.
When Ben Jensen sees Santa he knows exactly what he wants to wish for at Santa's Wishing Well and it's not for himself. Right away he bonds with Santa and when the next day his mom, Cheyenne takes him and his sister, Desiree, back to see Santa he knows he has found a very special Santa.
As Jacob and Cheyenne begin to get to know each other it is clear they both have feelings for each other. But as a single mom Cheyenne has more than just herself to think about and with her ex Eric showing up drunk at her house only wanting to see Ben she is very hesitant to get involved.
Jacob also has a lot on his plate with his sister's illness and his moodiness and secretiveness is holding Cheyenne back.
Will the two be able to figure everything out in time for a merry Christmas or will this Christmas be a little lonelier?
This book is a great Christmas story about the power of a wish! I absolutely loved Ben and the amazing character he was with the goodness in his heart, in spite of some of the things that went on around him. Cheyenne was an amazing mom to him and allowed his generous spirit to flourish and she helped him the best she could. I love that he made a wish for her and not for himself.
I can't imagine the struggles that Cheyenne faces with Eric and how he can not acknowledge Desiree. Cheyenne is doing an amazing job as a single mother but she deserves so much more. Jacob is so good for her but his moodiness scares Cheyenne with everything in her past with Eric. I was super sad about everything between Jacob and Cheyenne's dad and I'm glad they worked things through.
Jacob is such a good guy and I definitely felt bad at what he went through with his sister. He had his work cut out with him in dealing with Eric but I am so glad that he supported Cheyenne with everything!
I'm loving the relationship between Robin and Cheyenne and hope we get to see her story next!
When Ben Jensen sees Santa he knows exactly what he wants to wish for at Santa's Wishing Well and it's not for himself. Right away he bonds with Santa and when the next day his mom, Cheyenne takes him and his sister, Desiree, back to see Santa he knows he has found a very special Santa.
As Jacob and Cheyenne begin to get to know each other it is clear they both have feelings for each other. But as a single mom Cheyenne has more than just herself to think about and with her ex Eric showing up drunk at her house only wanting to see Ben she is very hesitant to get involved.
Jacob also has a lot on his plate with his sister's illness and his moodiness and secretiveness is holding Cheyenne back.
Will the two be able to figure everything out in time for a merry Christmas or will this Christmas be a little lonelier?
This book is a great Christmas story about the power of a wish! I absolutely loved Ben and the amazing character he was with the goodness in his heart, in spite of some of the things that went on around him. Cheyenne was an amazing mom to him and allowed his generous spirit to flourish and she helped him the best she could. I love that he made a wish for her and not for himself.
I can't imagine the struggles that Cheyenne faces with Eric and how he can not acknowledge Desiree. Cheyenne is doing an amazing job as a single mother but she deserves so much more. Jacob is so good for her but his moodiness scares Cheyenne with everything in her past with Eric. I was super sad about everything between Jacob and Cheyenne's dad and I'm glad they worked things through.
Jacob is such a good guy and I definitely felt bad at what he went through with his sister. He had his work cut out with him in dealing with Eric but I am so glad that he supported Cheyenne with everything!
I'm loving the relationship between Robin and Cheyenne and hope we get to see her story next!
aefedele's review
1.0
This review was posted at Tsuki’s STS on September 23, 2013.
I love Christmas stories. I have a whole folder of them on my IPad for October and November but I thought I'd get started early.
Jacob has lost his Christmas spirit. His sister convinces him to be a Secret Santa and there he meets a young boy making a wish for his mother. Cheyenne is struggling to give Christmas to her two kids but when the two adults meet, sparks fly.
Usually I would have loads and loads to say about a book I DNFd. The problem with it was getting far enough into it to have much to say. My issue was full of formatting and editing issues. For example, there was this:
"What's so funny?" bathroom, carrying a now Desiree squealed and held out her arms when she saw Cheyenne sitting on the couch.
"How were they today?" Cheyenne asked as Robin came out of the freshly cleaned baby.
As you can see, major issue. When I encountered that at 4% into the book, I figured it was a fluke. Then this happened:
It was just like the days when she was a child, baking with her parents. rendition of "White speakers from a nearby store.
Then:
She missed that. An upbeat Christmas" boomed from the
"You sure did."
Then:
"I don't care that it's cold out. yummy!" Ben hugged Santa's helper. letting me make another wish"
This was the last page for me in the book. It had happened more than four times (I chose four of them) by 11% into the book! I couldn't bring myself to get deeply into the story and by that point the characters had not endeared themselves to me. The editing and formatting issues were so big I wasn't able to get invested in them. For me it was a sad reason to put down a book but in 11% I had 20 notes on formatting/editing issues. I have nothing bad to say about the author or the story. I just, unfortunately, could not get over the issues.
DNF
Published by Createspace (the Author)
November 17, 2012
238 Pages
Provided by--NetGalley
I love Christmas stories. I have a whole folder of them on my IPad for October and November but I thought I'd get started early.
Jacob has lost his Christmas spirit. His sister convinces him to be a Secret Santa and there he meets a young boy making a wish for his mother. Cheyenne is struggling to give Christmas to her two kids but when the two adults meet, sparks fly.
Usually I would have loads and loads to say about a book I DNFd. The problem with it was getting far enough into it to have much to say. My issue was full of formatting and editing issues. For example, there was this:
"What's so funny?" bathroom, carrying a now Desiree squealed and held out her arms when she saw Cheyenne sitting on the couch.
"How were they today?" Cheyenne asked as Robin came out of the freshly cleaned baby.
As you can see, major issue. When I encountered that at 4% into the book, I figured it was a fluke. Then this happened:
It was just like the days when she was a child, baking with her parents. rendition of "White speakers from a nearby store.
Then:
She missed that. An upbeat Christmas" boomed from the
"You sure did."
Then:
"I don't care that it's cold out. yummy!" Ben hugged Santa's helper. letting me make another wish"
This was the last page for me in the book. It had happened more than four times (I chose four of them) by 11% into the book! I couldn't bring myself to get deeply into the story and by that point the characters had not endeared themselves to me. The editing and formatting issues were so big I wasn't able to get invested in them. For me it was a sad reason to put down a book but in 11% I had 20 notes on formatting/editing issues. I have nothing bad to say about the author or the story. I just, unfortunately, could not get over the issues.
DNF
Published by Createspace (the Author)
November 17, 2012
238 Pages
Provided by--NetGalley
wendylu4's review
1.0
I was given an ARC for an honest review of this book.
I am sorry to say that I was unable to finish this book. I began reading it with high hopes. The storyline was one I thought to be very interesting but once I began reading it was clear that I wasn't going to finish it. The writing was not fluid. It felt too forced and not realistic. There was too much time spent with the characters thinking rather than interaction.
The worst part and main reason I did not finish was due to the formatting. It was obvious something happened during formatting because I would be reading when all the sudden a sentence would stop without ending and start a new one and then it would pick up a few sentences away. Therefore this became too confusing to follow. For these reasons I rated it 1 star.
I am sorry to say that I was unable to finish this book. I began reading it with high hopes. The storyline was one I thought to be very interesting but once I began reading it was clear that I wasn't going to finish it. The writing was not fluid. It felt too forced and not realistic. There was too much time spent with the characters thinking rather than interaction.
The worst part and main reason I did not finish was due to the formatting. It was obvious something happened during formatting because I would be reading when all the sudden a sentence would stop without ending and start a new one and then it would pick up a few sentences away. Therefore this became too confusing to follow. For these reasons I rated it 1 star.
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