Review: Christmas on Main Street – JoAnn Ross, Susan Donovan, LuAnn McLane, Alexis Morgan

‘Tis the season to fall in love in these four small towns.

In “Christmas in Shelter Bay,” New York Times bestselling author JoAnn Ross returns to Shelter Bay, where Kelli has long tried to keep her feelings for her friend Cole a secret. But when the local matchmakers conspire to send them to a secluded lakeside cabin, the two friends soon discover that a little love will keep them warm.

TV producer Nathaniel Ravelle knows the Bayberry Island mermaid legend is a joke— how could a statue grant a wish for true love? But when a Christmas Nor’easter lands him in close quarters with local Annie Parker, they see magic at work in matters of the heart in New York Times bestselling author Susan Donovan’s “A Seaside Christmas.”

In LuAnn McLane’s “Mistletoe on Main Street,” Clint isn’t sure how to rekindle his romance with high school sweetheart Ava—until his father bows out of playing Santa at the annual Cricket Creek holiday parade and Clint gets the chance to make this Christmas one to remember.

And in Alexis Morgan’s “The Christmas Gift”, business is booming at Bridey Roke’s pastry shop. Everyone in town stops in to sample her holiday treats. But in her spare moments, she’s perfecting a special recipe to charm the handsome new neighbor—who has his own surprise gift for her come Christmas Eve!

Series:
Release Date: November 5, 2013
Publisher: Signet
Source: NetGalley
Reviewer: Lucy
Rating:

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Reviewer’s Thoughts

Christmas on Main Street is an anthology that mixes small town living with and Christmas romance to start the holiday season off right. Four seasoned authors with four different romances all work together to bring a book that is sure to bring Christmas cheer. All four authors provide the reader with an enjoyable, if a bit fast paced, book about the holiday season, and the power of love within a small town.

JoAnn Ross starts with “Christmas in Shelter Bay,” the story of Cole Douchett and Kelli Carpenter, the story of two lifelong friends who get stuck together for the holidays. Home on leave from the Marines, Cole is at a loss of what direction he wants his life and career to go, but he knows he wants to make up with his former friend Kelli because the previous Christmas ended in an argument. A conspiracy by the town matchmakers leaves the two stuck in the same cabin, and both friends are forced to work through their differences and try to figure out what their relationship will be. Kelli reminds me of one of those old souls who knows exactly what she wants, mainly Cole, and shows a maturity beyond her years to try to get it. Although Cole has feelings for Kelli he fights them for several reasons, and has to determine whether he is better off with her or without her in his life.

“A Seaside Christmas” by Susan Donovan tells the tale of TV producer Nathaniel Ravelle and local business owner Annie Parker, whose story sounds more like a myth. While in town to investigate the local mermaid lore, Nathaniel stumbles into Annie’s shop, and what ensues is a hilarious mix of magic and mayhem. Although both are struck dumb by their instant attraction, their previous relationships and current career goals serve as stumbling blocks. Annie is well known for her short affairs that generally only last through a season, while Nathaniel struggles with his restlessness with both his life and career choices. Both have to overcome their own insecurities to see if their relationship is worth having, but their story will grip you until the end. Add to this as colorful cast of characters, including a mermaid fan club, and you have a Christmas story sure to entertain.

Luann Mclane tells the story of high school sweethearts Clint and Ava in “Mistletoe on Main Street.” Fifteen years have gone by with very little contact between the two former lovebirds because Clint lived in California and never kept in touch with Ava, but he is back and ready to reconnect with the one he loves. His plan to woo her is touching, and his reasons for staying away for so long will make your heart break for him. Ava seems like the kind of girl you would want to be friends with, and you can’t help but want the best for her. The two try to muddle through past hurt and previous mistakes to see if their love is worth saving.

“The Christmas Gift” by Alexis Morgan, tells the story of a reclusive artist who has lost his gift and a colorful baker in a small town outside Seattle. Seth Kyser is in Snowberry Creek to take a much needed vacation after his artistic muse seems to be gone. All he wants is to reclaim his talent, but what he finds is Bridey, the local bakery owner. He desperately needs a friend away from the artistic world, and you can really feel his yearning for some normalcy as he connects with someone else. Bridey understands that desire for something more, having stepped down from her fast paced prestigious restaurant career for the slower pace of Snowberry Creek, but she is unaware that the guy she believed to be unemployed is not so. The only issue I had was the fact that he did not disclose his identity to Bridey until almost too late because of his own insecurities and his lack of trust in a woman who had proven herself to him several times already. Despite that, it was a book sure to brighten the holiday spirits.