A review by sophiarose1816
Christmas At The Shelter Inn by RaeAnne Thayne

emotional hopeful reflective relaxing slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

 

The Christmas feel-good vibes are high and tucking into a comfy smalltown sweet holiday romance is responsible.  Rae Anne Thayne is a superstar of holiday books, but wouldn’t you know it, I’d never dipped my toe into the waters yet.  Christmas at the Shelter Inn was a fine way to acquire a taste for the author’s charming, with just the right sugar romances. 

 

The set-up is one I enjoy.  Natalie Shepherd (don’t you just how her name even as a holiday-esque connection—inn-shepherd-natal?)… anyway, our heroine has been away from her home town and kept nomading away by her own issues with abandonment, but a sister’s bedrest pregnancy causes a predicament and she has to heed the call of family need.  She is there to run the retirement housing and look after her cute nieces.  But, soon, she’s drawn back into reluctant feelings for her brother’s bestie. 

 

Meanwhile, small town doctor and all around good guy Griff is eating his heart out about the return of Natalie and stressing over a long-held guilt-ridden secret.  Even beyond his struggles, Natalie gives him an uphill battle toward love.  But, as we all know, its holiday romance magic time and with festivities, snowy town setting, cute nieces and Griffin’s gran, and sweets, this pair don’t stand a chance.  I appreciated how the author gave emotional depth to the romance with the need to deal with the past and grief and reconnect as older people and with family. 

 

In summary, I adored Christmas at the Shelter Inn and it left me satisfied, but wishing I hadn’t waited to so long to experience the author’s books.  Do yourself a Santa solid and snatch this one up with your comfy throw, a hot cocoa, and curl up in your reading nook for some holiday cheer.