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books_and_more_books_byt's review
5.0
Her Mountainside Haven is the fifth book in the Gallant Lakes series. This was a new-to-me author, so I read the book as a stand-alone and I do not feel like I missed anything. Although it was fine as a stand-alone, I really enjoyed it and look forward to reading the previous books. The series is set in the small quaint town of Gallant Lake, New York, which is a tourist town. The characters are charming and so easy to connect with.
Matt Danzer purchased the closed-ski resort after seeing pictures online. He needed a place for his brother to heal after his ski accident away from the media. He plans to remodel the resort and then sell it. He thought it would be easy, but the pictures did not show all the work needed to be done. The biggest surprise was his neighbor who did not want anyone on her property.
Jillian “Jillie” Coleman was a famous horror book author and suffered from agoraphobia. She has discovered over the years ways to live her life as full as possible and still avoid panic attacks. She lives in the small town of Gallant Lakes in isolation with only a small closed-up ski resort as a neighbor. Out on a walk one day, Jillie encounters a stranger and learns that he has purchased the ski resort and plans on re-opening it to the public. Jillie does not want the resort opening but knows the town and businesses need the money the tourists would bring.
This was a charming book to read and it was so easy to fall in love with the small town and residents. Jillie and Matt had opposite lifestyles and in order to have a future together, they had to compromise.
I received an ARC from NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving a review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Matt Danzer purchased the closed-ski resort after seeing pictures online. He needed a place for his brother to heal after his ski accident away from the media. He plans to remodel the resort and then sell it. He thought it would be easy, but the pictures did not show all the work needed to be done. The biggest surprise was his neighbor who did not want anyone on her property.
Jillian “Jillie” Coleman was a famous horror book author and suffered from agoraphobia. She has discovered over the years ways to live her life as full as possible and still avoid panic attacks. She lives in the small town of Gallant Lakes in isolation with only a small closed-up ski resort as a neighbor. Out on a walk one day, Jillie encounters a stranger and learns that he has purchased the ski resort and plans on re-opening it to the public. Jillie does not want the resort opening but knows the town and businesses need the money the tourists would bring.
This was a charming book to read and it was so easy to fall in love with the small town and residents. Jillie and Matt had opposite lifestyles and in order to have a future together, they had to compromise.
I received an ARC from NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving a review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
scoutmomskf's review
4.0
Good book. Jillie is a reclusive author of a popular series of horror novels. Due to her anxiety, panic attacks, and agoraphobia, she spends little time outside of her comfortable mountain home. She has a few close friends in town who know about her issues and help Jillie cope when she visits them. As a general rule, Privacy is her middle name, so she isn't happy when she learns that the abandoned ski resort next to her property has been sold.
Matt is the manager of his younger brother's ski career. While Bryce heals from a ski injury, Matt plans to renovate and flip the abandoned ski resort. He started his business as a way to make money and stay busy while Bryce trains. His plans hit a roadblock when the only access to the property runs through his reclusive neighbor's property.
The first meeting between Matt and Jillie got their relationship off to a rocky start. Matt went exploring his new property (still in his suit!) and ended up on the wrong side of the property line. He was treed by a very protective Sophie and threatened with bear spray by a very wary Jillie. There are some tense encounters between them as Matt makes his plea for access to the road until he receives some advice from her friends. I liked the meeting he set up and how he was willing to work out a compromise that suited them both.
I enjoyed the development of the relationship between Matt and Jillie. It begins slowly, with the exchange of texts regarding the road, during which Jillie becomes accustomed to the intrusions. A few encounters make Jillie realize that she feels safe with Matt, which hasn't happened for a very long time. I liked watching them get to know each other, especially as Jillie opens up about her mental health issues. I appreciated Matt's desire to understand. There is a beautiful scene when he takes Jillie on a date and has to handle one of her attacks. At the same time, Matt freaks out a bit at his growing feelings for her. They don't fit in with his future plans, but he can't imagine that future without her.
I liked seeing the changes in Jillie, also. Her issues with anxiety and panic attacks are still there, but she becomes more willing to step a little outside her comfort zone. She's honest with Matt about her fears and how they affect her life. When his need to travel runs up against her inability to leave home, harsh words erupt between them. I ached for them both as each one faced the possibility that love wasn't enough. I liked the self-examination that motivated them each to make changes. The ending was fantastic. Matt's actions showed that he finally understood her, and Jillie found the strength to take some chances. I'm looking forward to future books and seeing how their relationship progresses.
I haven't read the earlier books in the series, but this worked easily as a stand-alone. It did whet my appetite to go back and read the previous books, as I am intrigued by the hints dropped about the other couples' romances.
#netgalley
Matt is the manager of his younger brother's ski career. While Bryce heals from a ski injury, Matt plans to renovate and flip the abandoned ski resort. He started his business as a way to make money and stay busy while Bryce trains. His plans hit a roadblock when the only access to the property runs through his reclusive neighbor's property.
The first meeting between Matt and Jillie got their relationship off to a rocky start. Matt went exploring his new property (still in his suit!) and ended up on the wrong side of the property line. He was treed by a very protective Sophie and threatened with bear spray by a very wary Jillie. There are some tense encounters between them as Matt makes his plea for access to the road until he receives some advice from her friends. I liked the meeting he set up and how he was willing to work out a compromise that suited them both.
I enjoyed the development of the relationship between Matt and Jillie. It begins slowly, with the exchange of texts regarding the road, during which Jillie becomes accustomed to the intrusions. A few encounters make Jillie realize that she feels safe with Matt, which hasn't happened for a very long time. I liked watching them get to know each other, especially as Jillie opens up about her mental health issues. I appreciated Matt's desire to understand. There is a beautiful scene when he takes Jillie on a date and has to handle one of her attacks. At the same time, Matt freaks out a bit at his growing feelings for her. They don't fit in with his future plans, but he can't imagine that future without her.
I liked seeing the changes in Jillie, also. Her issues with anxiety and panic attacks are still there, but she becomes more willing to step a little outside her comfort zone. She's honest with Matt about her fears and how they affect her life. When his need to travel runs up against her inability to leave home, harsh words erupt between them. I ached for them both as each one faced the possibility that love wasn't enough. I liked the self-examination that motivated them each to make changes. The ending was fantastic. Matt's actions showed that he finally understood her, and Jillie found the strength to take some chances. I'm looking forward to future books and seeing how their relationship progresses.
I haven't read the earlier books in the series, but this worked easily as a stand-alone. It did whet my appetite to go back and read the previous books, as I am intrigued by the hints dropped about the other couples' romances.
#netgalley
kristinasshelves's review
4.0
Jillie is an agoraphobic author living in Gallant Lake. Matt is a real estate developer who has just purchased the ski resort that border's Jillie's otherwise secluded property. The two have a stressful first meeting, leaving Matt stuck in a tree while Jillie and her Rottweiler believe him to be a prowler on her property. The two develop a relationship, both learning to cope with their own expectations and realities. This is the fifth installment in the Gallant Lake series, but can be read as a standalone.
Jo McNally is my favorite contemporary romance author and this book did not disappoint! I always enjoy the humor she adds to her stories, without making them fully romantic comedies. Her characters feel realistic and face real issues, as was the case for Jillie and Matt. I loved her handling of agoraphobia and anxiety, as well as the way she incorporated childhood trauma for both of the main characters. Gallant Lake is a charming town and I will continue to read, and I'm sure enjoy, future books in this series!
I received a free ebook of this title as part of the author's review team; all opinions are my own.
Jo McNally is my favorite contemporary romance author and this book did not disappoint! I always enjoy the humor she adds to her stories, without making them fully romantic comedies. Her characters feel realistic and face real issues, as was the case for Jillie and Matt. I loved her handling of agoraphobia and anxiety, as well as the way she incorporated childhood trauma for both of the main characters. Gallant Lake is a charming town and I will continue to read, and I'm sure enjoy, future books in this series!
I received a free ebook of this title as part of the author's review team; all opinions are my own.
colleendelaney's review
3.0
Three stars.
Her Mountainside Haven was an average read. I liked the winter setting without a holiday, I find in January and February I like to read books set in winter without a Christmas or New Years' vibe, and this definitely had that. The heroine, Jillie, lives on a mountain and struggles with severe anxiety and agoraphobia. When hero, Matt, buys the deserted ski resort next door, she feels overwhelmed at the thought of tourists surrounding her.
There was nothing particularly bad about this book, but it didn't grab me. There is a huge cast of side characters, who I believe starred in previous books, but I found checking in with them, since I hadn't read their books, tedious. The sex scene is medium heat, nothing too explicit, but technically an open door.
Trigger warning for off page assault of heroine (in the past) and lots of descriptions of panic attacks.
I received a copy from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.
Her Mountainside Haven was an average read. I liked the winter setting without a holiday, I find in January and February I like to read books set in winter without a Christmas or New Years' vibe, and this definitely had that. The heroine, Jillie, lives on a mountain and struggles with severe anxiety and agoraphobia. When hero, Matt, buys the deserted ski resort next door, she feels overwhelmed at the thought of tourists surrounding her.
There was nothing particularly bad about this book, but it didn't grab me. There is a huge cast of side characters, who I believe starred in previous books, but I found checking in with them, since I hadn't read their books, tedious. The sex scene is medium heat, nothing too explicit, but technically an open door.
Trigger warning for off page assault of heroine (in the past) and lots of descriptions of panic attacks.
I received a copy from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.
annarella's review
4.0
Sweet story that kept me hooked and root for the characters.
I liked the romance, the plot and the fleshed out characters.
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine
I liked the romance, the plot and the fleshed out characters.
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine
pagesandpurls's review
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
chewie_the_mouse's review
emotional
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I don't read a lot of romance. When I do pick one up, I'm looking for something *extra* to really grab my attention. "Her Mountainside Haven" by Jo McNally definitely fit the bill. As the title indicates, the story is set on a beautiful mountainside. The descriptions were wonderful, and I could almost believe I was there, seeing everything in person. Another bonus was that main character Jilly suffers from some fairly severe agoraphobia issues. She has a semi-therapy dog (Sophie) to help her, but she still rarely leaves home. I was interested to read a romance in which one of the parties involved dealt with this type of problem. I also enjoyed the big part Sophie played in the story. As if that wasn't enough, the second major character (Matt) has just purchased an old (and non-operational) ski lodge, which he's trying to fix up and reopen. All of these factors came together and convinced me to celebrate the start of Valentine's month by reading a romance! I'm so glad I did....the story was excellent, and it was interesting to see a relationship develop when one of the parties tends to avoid everyone except a small cadre of close friends. Both characters were well-written and believable, and I felt invested in their slowly evolving relationship. I especially appreciated that neither character played "games" with the other. There were some slight misunderstandings, but these were fairly quickly resolved with actual communication. One note: This book is part of the Gallant Lake series. As I read, I could see certain Jillie-adjacent couples that were likely the main subjects of previous titles. However, I had no trouble figuring out who everyone was, and how they related to Jillie and Matt. Certain little character moments *might* be better appreciated by someone who views them as "revisiting old friends", but I was perfectly comfortable picking up the series with this book. Five out of five slices of spicy Pepper Jack!
Content Warnings
Minor: Sexual assault
One character experienced sexual abuse in the past. This is mentioned, but not in any sort of graphic detail. Could still be a trigger for some, so I'm including it here.
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