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3.57 AVERAGE
3.57 AVERAGE
emotional
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This was a sweet Hallmark-style story! I haven't read the first in the series, and I do think it would have helped me remember the overall list of characters if I had, but it wasn't necessary to enjoy the story. Rafe and Amanda are both working through grief and some big losses in their life and are wondering if they can open up their hearts to find love again. The overall relationship arc felt a little rushed, but it was still a sweet story that has me ready for the holidays! I could absolutely see this as a movie one day.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance copy.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance copy.
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
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:
Complicated
This is a beautiful holiday story. I loved returning to the Shelter Inn to revisit the lovely residents and their meddling. In this story, not as much time is spent at the inn as in the previous one; instead, we see everyone out and about at the holiday market.
Amanda has been subconsciously avoiding her new neighbor, Rafe. Her alcoholic father caused a terrible tragedy in his family many years ago, so she tends to keep her distance from certain people. That’s no longer possible after his grandfather moves into the Shelter Inn and seems to be courting her grandmother. What starts as her expressing her concern soon turns into Amanda and Rafe becoming friends. She’s a caregiver through and through and cannot help but step in when Rafe is injured on the job. He’s not used to being idle but can’t say no to Amanda when his son Isaac is enamored with him.
I got all the feels from this story. From Amanda and Rafe’s chemistry, Isaac’s obvious attachment to Amanda, and Rafe’s caution with his young son. Once again this author brought a quaint fictional town to life and had me dreaming of Christmas.
**I received an ARC of this book courtesy of NetGalley and the publisher. All opinions expressed in this review are my own and given freely**
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment
Moderate: Addiction, Alcoholism, Grief
I really enjoyed the first book in this series last year and I found this one to be just as delightful. You can read this on its own but I so enjoyed catching up with the previous characters. Shelter Springs is the sweetest little town and I was once again charmed by the town and its residents. While this is plenty light and sweet there are also some dark moments to add depth as well. The market itself sounded adorable and there was so much holiday cheer and cuteness
A holiday journey of healing and rediscovery! This sweet and sentimental story has a lot going on between the main character stressing over trying to make amends to a town she really owes nothing to, to her elderly grandma finding herself a beau, to a hottie single dad firefighter finding love again ... lots to sink your teeth into! With Thayne, you are always guaranteed a heartwarming setting with characters we can connect with early on. She develops her core cast well and builds a scenic backdrop in our mind of the small town and holiday decor. A smidge slow in parts, but overall a really sweet story that will delight anyone looking to get into the holiday spirit!
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
lighthearted
relaxing
inspiring
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
N/A
I love a good Christmas love story & The December Market is just that! This is RaeAnne Thayne’s second book in the Shelter Spring Series & I hope there will be more. A solid 4.5 star Christmas read.
Thank you NetGalley & Harlequin Trade Publishing|Canary Street Press for an ARC copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
Thank you NetGalley & Harlequin Trade Publishing|Canary Street Press for an ARC copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-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
I'm not typically a romance reader and I definitely make fun of Hallmark movies, but in 2021 I was in a library for a city-wide festival. They had RaeAnne Thayne's Sleigh Bells Ring and I checked it out on a whim. I loved having an easy palate cleanser read and it's become sort of a tradition to read her Christmas book each year. This year I was lucky enough the receive 2024s book as an ARC. It was a little weird reading it outside of the Christmas season and I found myself reading it very critically. As in, "ugh, she barely noticed this guy last week and now she's in love with him", but I told myself to stop and just enjoy it like I did that first book. I did and I loved it. I loved watching Amanda's journey and seeing her fall in love! Would definitely recommend!!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction
Moderate: Alcoholism, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Car accident, Alcohol