...from the publisher... Amanda Taylor isn’t a fan of Christmas, but as the owner of a local soap shop, ignoring the holiday season isn’t an option. To forget the pain of Christmases past, Amanda focuses on making the season bright for her customers at the Shelter Springs Holiday Giving Market. But when her beloved grandmother, Birdie, starts dating the dashing new resident of the Shelter Inn retirement community, Amanda smells trouble. Fortunately, Rafe Arredondo, the grandson of Birdie’s charming suitor, is equally dubious of the match. Unfortunately, he's just as fiery as his grandfather—and Amanda has zero interest in getting burned.
As a single father, paramedic and assistant fire chief, Rafe has more than enough on his plate. Sure, he and Amanda share a common goal in keeping their grandparents apart. Still, that doesn’t mean he should allow himself to feel as drawn to her as he does. Even if she is great with his young son. Even if she does help the burden of his own painful past feel a little lighter… But when their paths keep crossing at the holiday market, it starts to feel like fate, prompting them both to wonder if taking a chance on love might gift them everything they’ve been wishing for.
...my thoughts... I was hooked from the moment Amanda met young Isaac after a mishap with a radio controlled sports car and five bags of groceries. After working all day, shopping for grocieries for Thanksgiving, the last thing she needed was to find herself reaching for the hand of Isaac's father, one handsome Rafe Arrendondo. She was just walking down the halls to her grandmother Birdie's apartment at the Shelter Inn retirement community minding her own business, after all!
In the coming days she finds herself faced with the handsome assistant fire chief as if that one encounter was meant to keep them in mind of each other. Both Amanda and Rafe have had past hurts and are definitely ready for nothing more than a passing friendship, at the very least. Fate, however, had other ideas.
Amanda has dealt with her painful past by pouring herself into every civic volunteer role possible. This year, once again, she is managing the Giving Market and pulling together a large community event in addition to running her own successful business. Rafe, after an on the job injury, is manning the first aid booth and observing the beautiful Amanda. Isaac has his own designs on Amanda and isn't the least bit shy about wanting to spend time with her. He seeks as many ways for his father to spend time with them. As Amanda warms up to Issac and Rafe, she is alarmed that her grandmother has found romance with Rafe's grandfather. The conflicting emotions she has for Rafe and his son, and observing the budidng relationship with the grandparents, she struggles to deal with the situations. It is only when something happens to threaten Birdie's new happiness that Amanda realizes the true meaning of love.
I was touched by this story of love, forgiveness and second chances. Set in the Christmas season makes it all the more magical. After all, how many times have wee heard that miracles do come true at Christmas? I recommend this book for those who enjoy snuggling with a good book, warm afghan and cup of hot tea.
