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kdurham2's review
3.0
Check out the full review at Kritters Ramblings
A book in the middle of a series, but this is one of those series where you can dip in and out and each book centers around a different character in the same town. The main characters in this book are Celeste who is from a family that has lived in Pine Gulch for a long time and there is some drama in her past, but she is trying to live a life after the past. Flynn Delaney has come back to this small town where he summered as a kid to clean up his grandmother's home and he always has positive memories from this town and with a child who has just survived a tragedy this small town may have some healing properties for them.
A book in the middle of a series, but this is one of those series where you can dip in and out and each book centers around a different character in the same town. The main characters in this book are Celeste who is from a family that has lived in Pine Gulch for a long time and there is some drama in her past, but she is trying to live a life after the past. Flynn Delaney has come back to this small town where he summered as a kid to clean up his grandmother's home and he always has positive memories from this town and with a child who has just survived a tragedy this small town may have some healing properties for them.
meuyi's review
dark
emotional
hopeful
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
loverofromance's review
4.0
bookwyrm_lark's review
4.0
3.5 stars. A Cold Creek Christmas Story is a sweet, heartwarming romance that follows last year’s The Christmas Ranch. It’s a very quick read, but charming and warm.
Shy librarian and children’s book writer Celeste Nichols never expected her Christmas story about a reindeer named Sparkle to become a national bestseller, let alone be offered a movie contract, and she’s not really comfortable with the fame. Celeste is happiest living a quiet life — although she loves her job as a children’s librarian, reading and sharing crafts with the children. She’s not expecting her teenage crush, Flynn Delany, to show up in her library with his traumatized daughter in tow, but her heart goes out to the little girl, who turns out to be quite a Sparkle fan.
Flynn is just here to clean out his grandmother’s house in Pine Gulch, but he can’t deny the attraction that Celeste holds for his daughter — and for him. The child of a movie star and the ex-husband of another, he has a deep aversion to Hollywood and to anything to do with acting or movies, especially after what his daughter has been through. (No, I’m not going to tell you what it was.) Olivia is still healing, and as it turns out, Celeste has more in common with Olivia than Flynn knows. The growing bond between Celeste and Olivia is really sweet, and the attraction between Celeste and Flynn is palpable. Of course there’s conflict eventually, but it works out pretty easily (as these things go.)
There’s plenty of Christmassy spirit throughout, thanks to the Christmas Ranch that Celeste’s family puts on each year. And there’s a special feel-good Christmas moment toward the end. In short, if what you want this season is a sweet Christmas romance, A Cold Creek Christmas Story is a good bet.
Review originally published on The Bookwyrm's Hoard.
FTC disclosure: I received a review copy from the publisher through NetGalley. All opinions are entirely my own.
Shy librarian and children’s book writer Celeste Nichols never expected her Christmas story about a reindeer named Sparkle to become a national bestseller, let alone be offered a movie contract, and she’s not really comfortable with the fame. Celeste is happiest living a quiet life — although she loves her job as a children’s librarian, reading and sharing crafts with the children. She’s not expecting her teenage crush, Flynn Delany, to show up in her library with his traumatized daughter in tow, but her heart goes out to the little girl, who turns out to be quite a Sparkle fan.
Flynn is just here to clean out his grandmother’s house in Pine Gulch, but he can’t deny the attraction that Celeste holds for his daughter — and for him. The child of a movie star and the ex-husband of another, he has a deep aversion to Hollywood and to anything to do with acting or movies, especially after what his daughter has been through. (No, I’m not going to tell you what it was.) Olivia is still healing, and as it turns out, Celeste has more in common with Olivia than Flynn knows. The growing bond between Celeste and Olivia is really sweet, and the attraction between Celeste and Flynn is palpable. Of course there’s conflict eventually, but it works out pretty easily (as these things go.)
There’s plenty of Christmassy spirit throughout, thanks to the Christmas Ranch that Celeste’s family puts on each year. And there’s a special feel-good Christmas moment toward the end. In short, if what you want this season is a sweet Christmas romance, A Cold Creek Christmas Story is a good bet.
Review originally published on The Bookwyrm's Hoard.
FTC disclosure: I received a review copy from the publisher through NetGalley. All opinions are entirely my own.
jens_1000lives's review
4.0
So very cute. Sad and deals with some intense issues. Trigger warning for mental health, murder/suicide and harm against a child. But for the most part it was great!
ellstar's review
3.0
Cute, fuzzy feels to end the year on. Cheers to all the small town librarians out there!
literaryfeline's review
4.0
Originally posted to my blog at http://www.literaryfeline.com/2015/12/bookish-thoughts-cold-creek-christmas.html
A Cold Creek Christmas Story by RaeAnne Thayne
Harlequin, 2015
Romance; 240 pgs
For some reason, my attraction to Christmas-themed novels has increased tenfold this year. I find myself hunting high and low for them. Maybe it's the happy ending I am after or the sentimental message that often accompanies such novels. That feeling of peace and good will toward men (and women) that seems to be lost in recent weeks what with all the bombings and killing and other crime. Whatever it is, I was eager to dive into A Cold Creek Christmas Story by RaeAnne Thayne as a result. It proved to be the perfect starting point. I just worry the other novels I have to follow won't live up to it.
A Cold Creek Christmas Story isn't all snowy evenings cuddling by the fireplace (I don't think they did that once in the novel). This novel actually tackles some pretty heavy issues considering. I think that is what I liked I about it most. RaeAnne Thayne did not shy away from real life issues just because this is a Chirstmas romance.
Our hero, Flynn Delaney, only wants what is best for his young daughter, Olivia. She is still struggling with her mother's death and her own injuries, both physical and psychological. Taking his daughter back to the town where he spent part of his childhood, Flynn hopes she will find some peace, and maybe he will see some of her old self resurface. What he doesn't count on is the effect the local librarian Celeste Nicols has on not only his daughter, but on him as well.
Celeste is not very comfortable with her new celebrity status as a published children's author. If she had her way, she'd go on living a quiet life, helping her family out at the Christmas Ranch and working at the local library. When Flynn and his daughter walk into her life, she suddenly realizes something has been missing.
In true romance novel fashion, you can imagine what will happen at the end--which is exactly what I was hoping for. What I most liked about this novel, however, was the depth of characterization, the realistic portrayal of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, and just how much I would come to love the characters. Celeste is no stranger to childhood trauma, having lost her own parents at a young age. She's blamed herself for her father's death in particular all her life. She understands what Olivia is going through. Olivia is such a sweet girl, having gone through what no child should ever have to experience.
I enjoyed seeing Flynn and Celeste's relationship grow over the course of the novel. Neither are particularly looking for love, and they both know it isn't meant to last given Flynn is returning to California after Christmas. Flynn was very conscientious of his daughter and her welfare the entire time, which made me like him even more. And who wouldn't love a librarian? Celeste is such a well meaning character, thoughtful and generous, while also being realistic.
I thoroughly enjoyed A Cold Creek Christmas Story, and spending time with the Nichols' family. If only I was so lucky to have a family like that to spend the holidays with! I might even be willing to put up with the cold and snow. I definitely plan to read more by RaeAnne Thayne soon (In fact, I have another of her novels waiting in the wings!)
Note: I discovered only after reading the novel that it is the 14th book in the Cowboy Creek series, but pay that no mind if you want to read this one and haven't read any other books in the series. It stands well on its own.
Source: E-copy provided by publisher via NetGalley for an honest review.
A Cold Creek Christmas Story by RaeAnne Thayne
Harlequin, 2015
Romance; 240 pgs
For some reason, my attraction to Christmas-themed novels has increased tenfold this year. I find myself hunting high and low for them. Maybe it's the happy ending I am after or the sentimental message that often accompanies such novels. That feeling of peace and good will toward men (and women) that seems to be lost in recent weeks what with all the bombings and killing and other crime. Whatever it is, I was eager to dive into A Cold Creek Christmas Story by RaeAnne Thayne as a result. It proved to be the perfect starting point. I just worry the other novels I have to follow won't live up to it.
A Cold Creek Christmas Story isn't all snowy evenings cuddling by the fireplace (I don't think they did that once in the novel). This novel actually tackles some pretty heavy issues considering. I think that is what I liked I about it most. RaeAnne Thayne did not shy away from real life issues just because this is a Chirstmas romance.
Our hero, Flynn Delaney, only wants what is best for his young daughter, Olivia. She is still struggling with her mother's death and her own injuries, both physical and psychological. Taking his daughter back to the town where he spent part of his childhood, Flynn hopes she will find some peace, and maybe he will see some of her old self resurface. What he doesn't count on is the effect the local librarian Celeste Nicols has on not only his daughter, but on him as well.
Celeste is not very comfortable with her new celebrity status as a published children's author. If she had her way, she'd go on living a quiet life, helping her family out at the Christmas Ranch and working at the local library. When Flynn and his daughter walk into her life, she suddenly realizes something has been missing.
In true romance novel fashion, you can imagine what will happen at the end--which is exactly what I was hoping for. What I most liked about this novel, however, was the depth of characterization, the realistic portrayal of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, and just how much I would come to love the characters. Celeste is no stranger to childhood trauma, having lost her own parents at a young age. She's blamed herself for her father's death in particular all her life. She understands what Olivia is going through. Olivia is such a sweet girl, having gone through what no child should ever have to experience.
I enjoyed seeing Flynn and Celeste's relationship grow over the course of the novel. Neither are particularly looking for love, and they both know it isn't meant to last given Flynn is returning to California after Christmas. Flynn was very conscientious of his daughter and her welfare the entire time, which made me like him even more. And who wouldn't love a librarian? Celeste is such a well meaning character, thoughtful and generous, while also being realistic.
I thoroughly enjoyed A Cold Creek Christmas Story, and spending time with the Nichols' family. If only I was so lucky to have a family like that to spend the holidays with! I might even be willing to put up with the cold and snow. I definitely plan to read more by RaeAnne Thayne soon (In fact, I have another of her novels waiting in the wings!)
Note: I discovered only after reading the novel that it is the 14th book in the Cowboy Creek series, but pay that no mind if you want to read this one and haven't read any other books in the series. It stands well on its own.
Source: E-copy provided by publisher via NetGalley for an honest review.
shell74's review
5.0
Actual Rating: 4.5 Stars
‘He couldn’t let himself develop feelings for this woman, no matter how amazing she was with his child, he reminded himself. He had to focus on his daughter right now. She was the only thing that mattered.’
RaeAnne Thayne has delivered a truly heartfelt romance coupled with the story of a community helping an emotionally and physically scarred beautiful little girl heal. If this book doesn’t get you in the Christmas spirit, nothing will!
Don’t let the fact that this is book fourteen in the series keep you from jumping in and reading about Celeste and Flynn’s romance. This totally works as a standalone title on its own. A Cold Creek Christmas Story was the type of touching, special romance that truly makes me believe in happiness and love.
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‘He couldn’t let himself develop feelings for this woman, no matter how amazing she was with his child, he reminded himself. He had to focus on his daughter right now. She was the only thing that mattered.’
RaeAnne Thayne has delivered a truly heartfelt romance coupled with the story of a community helping an emotionally and physically scarred beautiful little girl heal. If this book doesn’t get you in the Christmas spirit, nothing will!
Don’t let the fact that this is book fourteen in the series keep you from jumping in and reading about Celeste and Flynn’s romance. This totally works as a standalone title on its own. A Cold Creek Christmas Story was the type of touching, special romance that truly makes me believe in happiness and love.
Read More
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