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4.13 AVERAGE
4.13 AVERAGE
Sweet holiday romance with enough heat to warm your heart. Emory came to Granite Falls for a new start after her husband's death, cooking for the guests at her aunt's B&B. Weighed down with grief and guilt, an injured dog wiggles its way into her heart.
Dougal came along as Emory attempted to rescue the dog and helped her. He is immediately smitten with the beautiful woman with the sad eyes. However, Dougal is anything but a smooth-talking cowboy and is completely tongue-tied around her. The only thing he can do is put his feelings into letters and poetry and leave them anonymously in her mailbox.
I enjoyed watching Dougal and Emory's relationship develop. The sparks of attraction are there from the beginning, but Emory tries to ignore them. Mistakes of the past haunt her and make her unwilling to risk her heart again. I liked how Dougal spent time helping Emory and Ruth, allowing him to spend time with her. Many sweet scenes with Dougal and his triplet nieces and nephew (the "critters") show him in a wonderful light. But Emory is afraid to trust her feelings beyond giving in to their attraction. It takes patience on Dougal's part and some straightforward advice from Ruth to break through the fears holding her back. The ending was sweet, and I enjoyed seeing the changes in both characters.
A little bit of a mystery ran through the book, too. The black sheep son of the B&B's former owner returns to town, claiming he's dying and looking to make amends. But something about Lucas feels off to Emory, and Dougal remembers the past too well to trust him. There was a not-surprising twist at the end.
Dougal came along as Emory attempted to rescue the dog and helped her. He is immediately smitten with the beautiful woman with the sad eyes. However, Dougal is anything but a smooth-talking cowboy and is completely tongue-tied around her. The only thing he can do is put his feelings into letters and poetry and leave them anonymously in her mailbox.
I enjoyed watching Dougal and Emory's relationship develop. The sparks of attraction are there from the beginning, but Emory tries to ignore them. Mistakes of the past haunt her and make her unwilling to risk her heart again. I liked how Dougal spent time helping Emory and Ruth, allowing him to spend time with her. Many sweet scenes with Dougal and his triplet nieces and nephew (the "critters") show him in a wonderful light. But Emory is afraid to trust her feelings beyond giving in to their attraction. It takes patience on Dougal's part and some straightforward advice from Ruth to break through the fears holding her back. The ending was sweet, and I enjoyed seeing the changes in both characters.
A little bit of a mystery ran through the book, too. The black sheep son of the B&B's former owner returns to town, claiming he's dying and looking to make amends. But something about Lucas feels off to Emory, and Dougal remembers the past too well to trust him. There was a not-surprising twist at the end.
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
What a delightful and heartwarming read! The story of Emory and Dougal begins when Emory discovers an injured dog in a bush and decides to care for him. Dougal, drawn to Emory’s kindness and gentle spirit, stays close as they navigate the recovery together. As their bond grows, they begin to appreciate one another in a new light, recognizing how their strengths and personalities beautifully complement each other.
This book is a quick, satisfying read that never feels rushed. Its sweet, tender storytelling makes it perfect for readers who enjoy cozy, heartfelt romances filled with genuine connection.