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Haven Point #7
Sugar Pine Trail
An unlikely attraction brings comfort, joy and unforgettable romance this holiday season!
Librarian Julia Winston is ready to ditch the quiet existence she's been living. She's made a list of new things to experience, but falling for Jamie Caine, her sexy military pilot neighbor, isn't one of them. Julia's looking to conquer life, not become the heartbreaker's latest conquest. But when two young brothers wind up in Julia's care for the holidays, she'll take any help she can get—even Jamie's.
Happy to step in, Jamie reveals a side of himself that's much harder to resist. Not only is he fantastic with kids, he provides the strength Julia needs to tackle her list. She knows their temporary family can't last beyond the holidays, but the closer she gets to Jamie, the more she wonders if things could be this merry and bright forever…
Librarian Julia Winston is ready to ditch the quiet existence she's been living. She's made a list of new things to experience, but falling for Jamie Caine, her sexy military pilot neighbor, isn't one of them. Julia's looking to conquer life, not become the heartbreaker's latest conquest. But when two young brothers wind up in Julia's care for the holidays, she'll take any help she can get—even Jamie's.
Happy to step in, Jamie reveals a side of himself that's much harder to resist. Not only is he fantastic with kids, he provides the strength Julia needs to tackle her list. She knows their temporary family can't last beyond the holidays, but the closer she gets to Jamie, the more she wonders if things could be this merry and bright forever…
345 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published September 26, 2017
About the author
RaeAnne Thayne
285 books3,292 followersI'm not one of those people who knew from birth she was destined to become a writer. I always loved to read and throughout my childhood I could usually be found with a book in my hands. To the disgust of my friends, I even enjoyed creative writing assignments that made them all groan. But I had other dreams besides writing. I wanted to be an actress or a teacher or a lawyer.
Life took a different turn for me, though, when my mother made me take a journalism elective in high school (thanks, Mom!). I knew the first day that this was where I belonged.
After I graduated from college in journalism, I took a job at the local daily newspaper and I reveled in the challenge and the diversity of it. One day I could be interviewing the latest country music star, the next day I was writing about local motorcycle gangs or interviewing an award-winning scientist.
Through it all -- through the natural progression of my career from reporter to editor -- I wrote stories in my head. Not just any stories, either, but romances, the kind of books I have devoured since junior high school, with tales about real people going through the trials and tribulations of life until they find deep and lasting love.
I had no idea how to put these people on paper, but knew I had to try -- their stories were too compelling for me to ignore. I sold my first book in 1995 and now, more than 30 books later, I've come to love everything about writing, from the click of the computer keys under my fingers to the "that's-it!" feeling I get when a story is flowing.
I write full-time now (well, as full-time as I can manage juggling my kids!) amid the raw beauty of the northern Utah mountains.
Even though I might not have dreamed of being a writer when I was younger, now I simply can't imagine my life any other way.
I love to hear from readers. You can reach me at my email address, [email protected]
Life took a different turn for me, though, when my mother made me take a journalism elective in high school (thanks, Mom!). I knew the first day that this was where I belonged.
After I graduated from college in journalism, I took a job at the local daily newspaper and I reveled in the challenge and the diversity of it. One day I could be interviewing the latest country music star, the next day I was writing about local motorcycle gangs or interviewing an award-winning scientist.
Through it all -- through the natural progression of my career from reporter to editor -- I wrote stories in my head. Not just any stories, either, but romances, the kind of books I have devoured since junior high school, with tales about real people going through the trials and tribulations of life until they find deep and lasting love.
I had no idea how to put these people on paper, but knew I had to try -- their stories were too compelling for me to ignore. I sold my first book in 1995 and now, more than 30 books later, I've come to love everything about writing, from the click of the computer keys under my fingers to the "that's-it!" feeling I get when a story is flowing.
I write full-time now (well, as full-time as I can manage juggling my kids!) amid the raw beauty of the northern Utah mountains.
Even though I might not have dreamed of being a writer when I was younger, now I simply can't imagine my life any other way.
I love to hear from readers. You can reach me at my email address, [email protected]
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October 11, 2017
Julia Winston is the town librarian with a secret long-time crush on sexy pilot Jamie Caine. She never imagines that he’d look at her twice, but when a friend suggests he rents the upstairs level in her large, historic home, and they can’t help but bump into each other. When two kids, eight and six-year-old Clint and Davy, need her to take them in, Jaimie steps up to help wrangle the boys, melting Julia’s heart in the process.
Jamie is surprised by the attraction he feels for the demure, uptight librarian, but he can’t let his attraction go anywhere. Julia’s a forever-type of girl, and he hardly ever goes on a second date. This might make you think Jamie is the usual player-type jerk, but he’s a sweetheart, plagued by guilt over the past. Soon spending time with Julia and the boys feels vital and he can’t hardly stay away.
Both Julia and Jamie were lonely in their own way, but you know there’s an end in sight when they lay eyes on each other. Clint and Davy, the two boys who need a home when their mom disappears melds them together into a makeshift family, one that completely tugged at my heart strings! Julia has such a big heart full of love, she helps both the kids and Jamie without an ounce of judgment or expectation.
Jamie stumbles on a sort of bucket-list of Julia’s, who’s lived the last few years helping ailing parents, and he can’t help but make it his mission to secretly help her check everything off.
I previously read Serenity Harbor by RaeAnne Thayne and it wasn’t my cup of tea, but that was more because of the circumstances of the book than because of the writing, so I was determined to give her another shot, and I’m glad I did. Sugar Pine Trail was a sweet, heartwarming story of love and finding the “one” when you least expect it. A perfect holiday kind of read!
A copy was kindly provided by Harlequin Books via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
This review is also posted at The Readers Den.
Jamie is surprised by the attraction he feels for the demure, uptight librarian, but he can’t let his attraction go anywhere. Julia’s a forever-type of girl, and he hardly ever goes on a second date. This might make you think Jamie is the usual player-type jerk, but he’s a sweetheart, plagued by guilt over the past. Soon spending time with Julia and the boys feels vital and he can’t hardly stay away.
Both Julia and Jamie were lonely in their own way, but you know there’s an end in sight when they lay eyes on each other. Clint and Davy, the two boys who need a home when their mom disappears melds them together into a makeshift family, one that completely tugged at my heart strings! Julia has such a big heart full of love, she helps both the kids and Jamie without an ounce of judgment or expectation.
Jamie stumbles on a sort of bucket-list of Julia’s, who’s lived the last few years helping ailing parents, and he can’t help but make it his mission to secretly help her check everything off.
I previously read Serenity Harbor by RaeAnne Thayne and it wasn’t my cup of tea, but that was more because of the circumstances of the book than because of the writing, so I was determined to give her another shot, and I’m glad I did. Sugar Pine Trail was a sweet, heartwarming story of love and finding the “one” when you least expect it. A perfect holiday kind of read!
A copy was kindly provided by Harlequin Books via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
This review is also posted at The Readers Den.
August 21, 2017
Sugar Pine Trail is Jamie Caine's and Julia Winston's story. Julia is the Haven Point's librarian. Jamie is the lead pilot for Caine Tech company jet fleet, second-youngest Caine brother and number five in line. Jamie needs short-term place to stay for six weeks while his condo is being finalized. Julia, who now owns her family house after her parents passed away, ends up agreeing to rent the upstairs apartment to Jamie.
Julia has been having crush on Jamie for a long time. When Jamie arrives in all of his gorgeous glory, Julia starts to think that the arrangement is a bad idea. However, before that issue is solved, Julia finds herself also being a temporary care person for two young brothers on this holiday season ...
Haven Point ... I've been with this series since the very beginning three years ago and I always LOVE return to this small town. I read the last book back in May, and I am happy to have another one not that far along.
I loved both Julia and Jamie ... I loved Julia's kind heart. She might be acting all awkward around Jamie but once Clint and Davy come into the picture, Julia is like mama bear. She might not have experience with kids, but she's willing to give it everything. I loved her background, and the fact that she tried to improve her life this holiday season. I loved that she finally found her confidence, despite initial thoughts that she was too ordinary, too plain, for Jamie Caine.
As for Jaime, well hell, he's a fine, FINE man :). I might not know much about him before since I didn't read Thayne's Hope's Crossings series but I loved the man that I read here. I loved his interacting with the kids (and cats!). I enjoyed the part where Jamie finally realized that he fell in love with Julia -- even if he didn't think that Julia was his type at first. And of course he had to give Julia the perfect Christmas gift *swoon*
Sure, this book enforces the "introvert librarian who lives with cats stereotype". Plus some things might be a little manipulative to evoke emotion, like the appearance of young Clinton and Davy. I mean if Clinton and Davy are not there, will the romance between Jamie and Julia be developed? I don't know. But I don't bloody care. Because in the end, I was touched in my heart, had tears in my eyes, and formed a huge smile on my face. That's all that matters.
PS: The rest of the Caine siblings are characters from Thayne's Hope's Crossings -- except Jamie and his older brother, Aidan, who starts Haven Point series with the book Snow Angel Cove. The siblings and their significant partners made appearance in this book, alongside the Caine patriarch and I loved being with them.
The ARC is provided by the publisher via Netgalley for an exchange of fair and honest review. No high rating is required for any ARC received.
Julia has been having crush on Jamie for a long time. When Jamie arrives in all of his gorgeous glory, Julia starts to think that the arrangement is a bad idea. However, before that issue is solved, Julia finds herself also being a temporary care person for two young brothers on this holiday season ...
Haven Point ... I've been with this series since the very beginning three years ago and I always LOVE return to this small town. I read the last book back in May, and I am happy to have another one not that far along.
I loved both Julia and Jamie ... I loved Julia's kind heart. She might be acting all awkward around Jamie but once Clint and Davy come into the picture, Julia is like mama bear. She might not have experience with kids, but she's willing to give it everything. I loved her background, and the fact that she tried to improve her life this holiday season. I loved that she finally found her confidence, despite initial thoughts that she was too ordinary, too plain, for Jamie Caine.
As for Jaime, well hell, he's a fine, FINE man :). I might not know much about him before since I didn't read Thayne's Hope's Crossings series but I loved the man that I read here. I loved his interacting with the kids (and cats!). I enjoyed the part where Jamie finally realized that he fell in love with Julia -- even if he didn't think that Julia was his type at first. And of course he had to give Julia the perfect Christmas gift *swoon*
Sure, this book enforces the "introvert librarian who lives with cats stereotype". Plus some things might be a little manipulative to evoke emotion, like the appearance of young Clinton and Davy. I mean if Clinton and Davy are not there, will the romance between Jamie and Julia be developed? I don't know. But I don't bloody care. Because in the end, I was touched in my heart, had tears in my eyes, and formed a huge smile on my face. That's all that matters.
PS: The rest of the Caine siblings are characters from Thayne's Hope's Crossings -- except Jamie and his older brother, Aidan, who starts Haven Point series with the book Snow Angel Cove. The siblings and their significant partners made appearance in this book, alongside the Caine patriarch and I loved being with them.
The ARC is provided by the publisher via Netgalley for an exchange of fair and honest review. No high rating is required for any ARC received.
November 14, 2017
While this is part of the Haven Point series, you probably don't need to read those before this one (though the one with Aidan starts off this series and that one wouldn't hurt). It's frankly more useful to have read the Hope's Crossing series first as most of the Caine siblings feature there. None of those play a huge role in this one, but it is nice to know details of the people you come across in this story.
I really liked the first half of this story, though I could see the problems start even then. Jamie is everything I like in a guy with his confidence and kindness and caring. Man that's just attractive. Add the veteran with a successful charter flight company and it's just all delicious goodness. And Julia is lovely, too, with her introvert-discovering-herself determination and the courage to take on seemingly impossible tasks way outside her normal routine. And it's a good thing that Thayne does children so well because the two that dominate this story were important to get right so that we can see their effect beyond being mere plot-moppets.
Unfortunately, the second half of the story is lame beyond all reason with both protagonists having a heaping helping of negative motivation* with a side-order of inappropriate guilt and some relentlessly hanging on to past pain for dessert. This is worst in Jamie where it's just piled on beyond all reason. Haunted by an event in the past can happen, sure, but if you can't process and heal (or at least move on) after fifteen years then that speaks very poorly for your maturity and suitability for adult relationships. He really shouldn't have had to hear first from Julia that he isn't to blame and that he needs to let it go. But even if she is the first, letting it define all of his relationships since then forever is tragic, sure, but not in the way romance authors want me to take it—i.e. it's tragic because it signifies a person who is emotionally stunted and/or learning impaired. Time not only functions to dull past pain, but it also serves to provide alternative examples and perspectives that allow us to heal from the various rashnesses of our youths.
Sigh. I'm getting all preachy and judgy and that's never a good sign. Suffice it to say that while the events described might have evoked sympathy and emotional resonance a year or two afterwards letting them have such strong effect a decade and more out just doesn't work for me. Negative motivation is bad enough. Having it spring from such ancient events just enhances my exasperation.
So this was headed for a strong four, possibly five stars. But I had such a hard time with their respective backgrounds that I coasted in at a mere three. Not even the outstanding relationships with the kids could save me from the dispiriting effects of the main couple's sadly predictable interactions.
A note about Chaste: There's no explicit sex or even any clothing removal. But some of the kissing . Making it a close call on keeping the chaste tag on this one.
* Negative Motivations: I kind of hate that the term "negative motivation" isn't widespread, yet. Since it isn't, I'm going to save off this little jag to append to my reviews that feature the term. Jennifer Crusie blogged about it a bit back and it changed how I understand story. The problem with the term is that if you've never heard it before, you'd assume it meant motivations that are harmful or immoral. Not so. What it refers to is motivations not to do something. The thing is that many of us are motivated to not do things for a lot of different, perfectly valid and reasonable, reasons. The problem is that in a story motivations to not do things are a huge drag on the plot—particularly considering the fact that most negative motivations are overcome by the character simply deciding they don't care any more (or, rather, that they do care and are now motivated to do the thing). So not only do you have a counter to action but you also have a situation where to overcome it, all a character has to do is change their mind. Which means eventually, the reader is rooting for the character to get over him/herself already and do the thing we want them to do. Conflict drives story. Conflict between a reader and a main character drives readers away from story.
I really liked the first half of this story, though I could see the problems start even then. Jamie is everything I like in a guy with his confidence and kindness and caring. Man that's just attractive. Add the veteran with a successful charter flight company and it's just all delicious goodness. And Julia is lovely, too, with her introvert-discovering-herself determination and the courage to take on seemingly impossible tasks way outside her normal routine. And it's a good thing that Thayne does children so well because the two that dominate this story were important to get right so that we can see their effect beyond being mere plot-moppets.
Unfortunately, the second half of the story is lame beyond all reason with both protagonists having a heaping helping of negative motivation* with a side-order of inappropriate guilt and some relentlessly hanging on to past pain for dessert. This is worst in Jamie where it's just piled on beyond all reason. Haunted by an event in the past can happen, sure, but if you can't process and heal (or at least move on) after fifteen years then that speaks very poorly for your maturity and suitability for adult relationships. He really shouldn't have had to hear first from Julia that he isn't to blame and that he needs to let it go. But even if she is the first, letting it define all of his relationships since then forever is tragic, sure, but not in the way romance authors want me to take it—i.e. it's tragic because it signifies a person who is emotionally stunted and/or learning impaired. Time not only functions to dull past pain, but it also serves to provide alternative examples and perspectives that allow us to heal from the various rashnesses of our youths.
Sigh. I'm getting all preachy and judgy and that's never a good sign. Suffice it to say that while the events described might have evoked sympathy and emotional resonance a year or two afterwards letting them have such strong effect a decade and more out just doesn't work for me. Negative motivation is bad enough. Having it spring from such ancient events just enhances my exasperation.
So this was headed for a strong four, possibly five stars. But I had such a hard time with their respective backgrounds that I coasted in at a mere three. Not even the outstanding relationships with the kids could save me from the dispiriting effects of the main couple's sadly predictable interactions.
A note about Chaste: There's no explicit sex or even any clothing removal. But some of the kissing . Making it a close call on keeping the chaste tag on this one.
* Negative Motivations: I kind of hate that the term "negative motivation" isn't widespread, yet. Since it isn't, I'm going to save off this little jag to append to my reviews that feature the term. Jennifer Crusie blogged about it a bit back and it changed how I understand story. The problem with the term is that if you've never heard it before, you'd assume it meant motivations that are harmful or immoral. Not so. What it refers to is motivations not to do something. The thing is that many of us are motivated to not do things for a lot of different, perfectly valid and reasonable, reasons. The problem is that in a story motivations to not do things are a huge drag on the plot—particularly considering the fact that most negative motivations are overcome by the character simply deciding they don't care any more (or, rather, that they do care and are now motivated to do the thing). So not only do you have a counter to action but you also have a situation where to overcome it, all a character has to do is change their mind. Which means eventually, the reader is rooting for the character to get over him/herself already and do the thing we want them to do. Conflict drives story. Conflict between a reader and a main character drives readers away from story.
September 13, 2017
4.5 stars. Review to follow.
October 3, 2017
Check out http://abooklionshideaway.blogspot.in/ for more reviews.
I discovered this author earlier this year when I read Serenity Harbor and I am so glad I did because I am enjoying reading her books. Sugar Pine Trail is the seventh installment in the Haven Point series but it can be read as a standalone. We meet Jamie and Julia in the previous books briefly and I called this couple as soon as I met the characters, so I was happy to read their story.
Julia was very nice, she was just a sweetheart! I loved her character, despite being painfully shy, seeing her make an effort to get out of the shell was amazing. She gets brownie points for being a librarian and hosting amazing book club meets. She takes two kids in who are in desperate need of help and that just made her one of my favourite heroines. She has a bucket list which everyone in the book club makes one in the beginning after reading an inspiring book. Her list is raw and all that she has missed out on, like learning how to ski. And Jamie helps her cross off those things on her list.
Jamie is renting Julia's apartment upstairs in her Victorian house. He initially thinks that Julia is stiff, every bit of stereotypical librarian but slowly he sees that she is so much more than that. Jamie is an ex-military pilot. Who is also a town charmer and Julia finds him irresistible. He is also very good with the Kids. Speaking of the kids, Clint and Davy couldn't get any cuter!
Jamie and Julia take care of the kids as their mother is missing. This scenario was different and shed a light onto foster care system and on the important and difficult problems of people around the world. It was refreshing. I liked meeting everyone from this series in the town, especially around the holidays. I loved reading about Wyn and I might go back and read the previous books because they all seem very lovely. It was a nice cozy read. I only wish there was a little more romance between Jamie and Julia. While I loved them as individuals, I didn't quite get the chance to like them together more. Apart from that I thoroughly enjoyed this read with some festive magic. I love visiting Haven Point. I can't wait to read more.
*A copy was provided in exchange for an honest review.*
I discovered this author earlier this year when I read Serenity Harbor and I am so glad I did because I am enjoying reading her books. Sugar Pine Trail is the seventh installment in the Haven Point series but it can be read as a standalone. We meet Jamie and Julia in the previous books briefly and I called this couple as soon as I met the characters, so I was happy to read their story.
Julia was very nice, she was just a sweetheart! I loved her character, despite being painfully shy, seeing her make an effort to get out of the shell was amazing. She gets brownie points for being a librarian and hosting amazing book club meets. She takes two kids in who are in desperate need of help and that just made her one of my favourite heroines. She has a bucket list which everyone in the book club makes one in the beginning after reading an inspiring book. Her list is raw and all that she has missed out on, like learning how to ski. And Jamie helps her cross off those things on her list.
Jamie is renting Julia's apartment upstairs in her Victorian house. He initially thinks that Julia is stiff, every bit of stereotypical librarian but slowly he sees that she is so much more than that. Jamie is an ex-military pilot. Who is also a town charmer and Julia finds him irresistible. He is also very good with the Kids. Speaking of the kids, Clint and Davy couldn't get any cuter!
Jamie and Julia take care of the kids as their mother is missing. This scenario was different and shed a light onto foster care system and on the important and difficult problems of people around the world. It was refreshing. I liked meeting everyone from this series in the town, especially around the holidays. I loved reading about Wyn and I might go back and read the previous books because they all seem very lovely. It was a nice cozy read. I only wish there was a little more romance between Jamie and Julia. While I loved them as individuals, I didn't quite get the chance to like them together more. Apart from that I thoroughly enjoyed this read with some festive magic. I love visiting Haven Point. I can't wait to read more.
*A copy was provided in exchange for an honest review.*
September 27, 2017
This is the seventh book in the Haven Point series, I jumped in at book six with Serenity Harbor and have been bummed that I didn’t get in on the ground floor of this one. These books are SO sweet, I love how each one focuses on a new developing romance but there are appearances from previous characters in the subsequent books, that’s always so fun. I know I’ll never have time to go back and read the first five books, but I’ll definitely be following it from here on out.
Julia is the town librarian and lives a fairly quiet life. She has plenty of close friends but her parents have both passed away and she’s an only child so she doesn’t have any real family left. Jamie needs a rental for a few weeks so his sister sets him up in Julia’s apartment that is attached to her own house. It’s a total opposites attract saturation, he’s a bit of a ladies man with a huge family, (he has six siblings) and she’s more reserved but besides the obvious cliche there isn’t anything cheesy here. I loved both of them and watching them fall in love was adorable. Jamie was quite the charmer and Julia was beyond cute but they both had wounds that needed to heal and darkness in their pasts. As much as I enjoyed their storyline two little boys stole the show and my heart. Clint and Davy end up staying with Julia while they wait for a spot with a foster family and they were the cutest kids and such a sweet addition to this already endearing story. Hot guys and darling kids, what more could a girl want?!
This was a cozy little read, tons of Christmas magic set in an idyllic, charming town. There’s a strong message of hope in Thayne’s novels that’s truly heartwarming, I’m in love with her writing style, there’s a natural ease and fluidity that just makes reading her books so much fun. If you need a book to add to your holiday reading list that would be perfect to read fireside make sure you add this one!
All of my reviews can be found on www.novelgossip.com
Julia is the town librarian and lives a fairly quiet life. She has plenty of close friends but her parents have both passed away and she’s an only child so she doesn’t have any real family left. Jamie needs a rental for a few weeks so his sister sets him up in Julia’s apartment that is attached to her own house. It’s a total opposites attract saturation, he’s a bit of a ladies man with a huge family, (he has six siblings) and she’s more reserved but besides the obvious cliche there isn’t anything cheesy here. I loved both of them and watching them fall in love was adorable. Jamie was quite the charmer and Julia was beyond cute but they both had wounds that needed to heal and darkness in their pasts. As much as I enjoyed their storyline two little boys stole the show and my heart. Clint and Davy end up staying with Julia while they wait for a spot with a foster family and they were the cutest kids and such a sweet addition to this already endearing story. Hot guys and darling kids, what more could a girl want?!
This was a cozy little read, tons of Christmas magic set in an idyllic, charming town. There’s a strong message of hope in Thayne’s novels that’s truly heartwarming, I’m in love with her writing style, there’s a natural ease and fluidity that just makes reading her books so much fun. If you need a book to add to your holiday reading list that would be perfect to read fireside make sure you add this one!
All of my reviews can be found on www.novelgossip.com
October 11, 2017
3.5 stars
Yes I know it’s a little early to be thinking about holiday reading. Every year, I swear that I will hold all holiday related reviews until at least November so I can reserve October exclusively for crime fiction, thrillers, and mystery reads.
However, some how a book always manages to grab my eye and I end up sneaking at least one holiday book in well before my November holiday kick off.
This book sounded like a charming holiday romance and sometimes you just need a little holiday cheer and romance.
This is a completely new author to me. I haven’t read any of her books, nor am I familiar with any of them–let alone this series. As you can see, this book is number seven in this series. Personally, I didn’t have any issues with picking this book up without having read the others. It read fine as a stand alone, though there are hints of past books sprinkled throughout, but I don’t think you are missing a lot if you just pick this one up and start.
I gather that this author specialized in Christmas romances after looking up a few of the other books in the series on Goodreads. So if you are a sucker for Christmas romances, I would look into the other books in this series. They read quick and have the predictable HEA and Christmas joy that one would expect from such a novel—and I love it.
This book was a little predictable and formulaic in it’s approach, but honestly, I didn’t care. I liked this one a lot more than I anticipated. I loved Julia–who was the stereotypical librarian–and even though she was predictable, I liked her all the same. Sometimes there is comfort in familiarity. And Jamie–sexy. I liked him in spite of his flaws and I could see why Julia was harboring a lengthy crush on him. What did it for me was his ability to step up and help Julia when things got a little challenging in her world….I will leave it at that so I can avoid spoilers.
The story was fast paced and full of romance and Christmas cheer which was exactly what I was looking for. Predictable and a HEA in spades but I loved it all the same, as I said there is comfort in the familiar which allowed me to escape in just the way that I needed to.
I did want to take a minute and talk about the cover. The cover leaves something to be desired. I realize all of her books in this series have very similar art work for their covers. I found it boring and ‘dated’ if you will. I think the series itself needs a cover overhaul. Something fresh to appeal to a wider audience. For me this says ‘old lady romance’ and this book is NOT that. It’s not erotic literature but it’s more than my grandma’s romance novels.
See my full review here
Yes I know it’s a little early to be thinking about holiday reading. Every year, I swear that I will hold all holiday related reviews until at least November so I can reserve October exclusively for crime fiction, thrillers, and mystery reads.
However, some how a book always manages to grab my eye and I end up sneaking at least one holiday book in well before my November holiday kick off.
This book sounded like a charming holiday romance and sometimes you just need a little holiday cheer and romance.
This is a completely new author to me. I haven’t read any of her books, nor am I familiar with any of them–let alone this series. As you can see, this book is number seven in this series. Personally, I didn’t have any issues with picking this book up without having read the others. It read fine as a stand alone, though there are hints of past books sprinkled throughout, but I don’t think you are missing a lot if you just pick this one up and start.
I gather that this author specialized in Christmas romances after looking up a few of the other books in the series on Goodreads. So if you are a sucker for Christmas romances, I would look into the other books in this series. They read quick and have the predictable HEA and Christmas joy that one would expect from such a novel—and I love it.
This book was a little predictable and formulaic in it’s approach, but honestly, I didn’t care. I liked this one a lot more than I anticipated. I loved Julia–who was the stereotypical librarian–and even though she was predictable, I liked her all the same. Sometimes there is comfort in familiarity. And Jamie–sexy. I liked him in spite of his flaws and I could see why Julia was harboring a lengthy crush on him. What did it for me was his ability to step up and help Julia when things got a little challenging in her world….I will leave it at that so I can avoid spoilers.
The story was fast paced and full of romance and Christmas cheer which was exactly what I was looking for. Predictable and a HEA in spades but I loved it all the same, as I said there is comfort in the familiar which allowed me to escape in just the way that I needed to.
I did want to take a minute and talk about the cover. The cover leaves something to be desired. I realize all of her books in this series have very similar art work for their covers. I found it boring and ‘dated’ if you will. I think the series itself needs a cover overhaul. Something fresh to appeal to a wider audience. For me this says ‘old lady romance’ and this book is NOT that. It’s not erotic literature but it’s more than my grandma’s romance novels.
See my full review here
September 29, 2017
If there is one thing I know about RaeAnne Thayne is that she can create a wonderful Christmas story and she has done it again. Sugar Pine Trail is a holiday hit that combines a small town setting with all their holiday community traditions, two adorable children that are in need of fostering, a swoon worthy hero, and an ordinary heroine that really isn’t quite ordinary. Jamie Caine and Julia Winston may appear to not belong together but looks can be deceiving, and only love can see how very right these two need each other.
Jamie is going to rent the upstairs apartment at Julia Winston’s Victorian home and comes to her rescue more than once over a short period of time. Julia quite unexpectedly starts to foster two young brothers during the holidays and is totally out of her element. When Jamie saves the day she sees a different side of Jamie and realizes there is more to this handsome man, and more desirable in her eyes. When Jamie began to help her with the boys and accidentally saw her bucket list, he thought it would be fun to help her with it. It might have started out innocently but the more he is with her, the more he begins to care for the passionate woman underneath the librarian shell she shows to the world. A sweet romance develops and makes it a holiday miracle when she finally realizes that Jamie is the man she loves and wants.
RaeAnne Thayne set the mood for the holidays with cookies baking, holiday shopping and tree trimming. A romance between two unlikely characters that was delightful and very entertaining. A special bonus was seeing his family again and the other couples from Hope’s Crossing. She also highlights what the holidays can be when you give back in small ways to make someone else’s a little brighter for someone in need. I absolutely loved this story and with each new one I fall more in love with RaeAnne Thayne and the small town of Haven Point.
May 24, 2020
Review originally published on my blog, Musings of a Bookish Kitty:
http://www.literaryfeline.com/2017/12...
Sugar Pine Trail (Haven Point #7) by RaeAnne Thayne
Harlequin, 2017
Romance (Holiday); 345 pgs
Source: E-copy provided by publisher via Edelweiss for an honest review.
An only child to two older now deceased parents, librarian Julia Winston has always lead a quiet life. For a book club assignment, Julia jots down some ideas of experiences she would like to do--a bucket list of sorts. She doesn't take it very seriously, at least not until her long time crush rents the apartment above her. Jamie Caine is sexy as can be. He's a pilot for his family's company. He doesn't give much thought to his plain librarian landlord at first. But when she takes in two young boys whose mother has disappeared, he begins to see her in a different light. And then he accidentally stumbles on her list. He wants to fill her life with the same awe and joy he's felt since getting to know her. Only Jamie has his own demons from the past to ward off. He doesn't want to get involved in a serious relationship--and he knows Julia is the kind of woman who deserves no less.
I always enjoy my time in Haven Point and getting to know Julia and Jamie was no different. Julia is a bit reserved at first, and I admit it took me a little bit to warm up to her. I think it must be the same way Jamie saw her at first--but once I got a real look into who she was, I was pretty taken with her loving heart and generous spirit too. Jamie was pretty cool as well. He could have turned out to be one of those playboys that make me cringe in romance novels, but his own back story is pretty compelling. And those two boys . . . Talk about heartbreak! Their story is what really made this book for me. I cannot say this is my favorite of RaeAnne Thayne's novels, although I did enjoy it quite a bit. I adore the Caine family and wouldn't mind spending more Christmases with the family.
http://www.literaryfeline.com/2017/12...
Sugar Pine Trail (Haven Point #7) by RaeAnne Thayne
Harlequin, 2017
Romance (Holiday); 345 pgs
Source: E-copy provided by publisher via Edelweiss for an honest review.
An only child to two older now deceased parents, librarian Julia Winston has always lead a quiet life. For a book club assignment, Julia jots down some ideas of experiences she would like to do--a bucket list of sorts. She doesn't take it very seriously, at least not until her long time crush rents the apartment above her. Jamie Caine is sexy as can be. He's a pilot for his family's company. He doesn't give much thought to his plain librarian landlord at first. But when she takes in two young boys whose mother has disappeared, he begins to see her in a different light. And then he accidentally stumbles on her list. He wants to fill her life with the same awe and joy he's felt since getting to know her. Only Jamie has his own demons from the past to ward off. He doesn't want to get involved in a serious relationship--and he knows Julia is the kind of woman who deserves no less.
I always enjoy my time in Haven Point and getting to know Julia and Jamie was no different. Julia is a bit reserved at first, and I admit it took me a little bit to warm up to her. I think it must be the same way Jamie saw her at first--but once I got a real look into who she was, I was pretty taken with her loving heart and generous spirit too. Jamie was pretty cool as well. He could have turned out to be one of those playboys that make me cringe in romance novels, but his own back story is pretty compelling. And those two boys . . . Talk about heartbreak! Their story is what really made this book for me. I cannot say this is my favorite of RaeAnne Thayne's novels, although I did enjoy it quite a bit. I adore the Caine family and wouldn't mind spending more Christmases with the family.
September 19, 2017
SUGAR PINE TRAIL can only be described as a lovely story. It was very easy to read and get lost between the pages. It has a timeline from Thanksgiving to Christmas so it is perfect for a seasonal read.
Jamie was the ultimate commitment-phobe, almost a bit frustrating in this but he had lots of pluses. He was a pilot, kind, great with kids and came with an awesome family. Jamie seemed to have a well-earned reputation with women and the looks to go with it.
"Up close, Jamie Caine was, in a word, breathtaking. He was Mr. Darcy, Atticus Finch, Rhett Butler and Tom Cruise in Top Gun, all rolled into one glorious package."
Julia, a prim and proper, mousy librarian was looking to inject some life into her mundane existence and she found herself taking in two kids from social services. These children absolutely made this book excellent. The kids themselves, but more, the emotions and connections between the kids and both Julia and Jamie made for the most heart-warming feels. The chemistry between the two main characters sizzled but although I enjoyed the slow burn, I did want a bit more heat.
This is my first read by RaeAnne Thayne, which might be odd considering this is number seven in the series but these reads do stand alone. I am definitely going back to number one because I feel the need to read about a number of Jamie's family that I met along the way.
A copy of this book was provided by the publisher, through netgalley, in return for a honest review.
Reviewed for JoandIsaLoveBooks Blog.
Jamie was the ultimate commitment-phobe, almost a bit frustrating in this but he had lots of pluses. He was a pilot, kind, great with kids and came with an awesome family. Jamie seemed to have a well-earned reputation with women and the looks to go with it.
"Up close, Jamie Caine was, in a word, breathtaking. He was Mr. Darcy, Atticus Finch, Rhett Butler and Tom Cruise in Top Gun, all rolled into one glorious package."
Julia, a prim and proper, mousy librarian was looking to inject some life into her mundane existence and she found herself taking in two kids from social services. These children absolutely made this book excellent. The kids themselves, but more, the emotions and connections between the kids and both Julia and Jamie made for the most heart-warming feels. The chemistry between the two main characters sizzled but although I enjoyed the slow burn, I did want a bit more heat.
This is my first read by RaeAnne Thayne, which might be odd considering this is number seven in the series but these reads do stand alone. I am definitely going back to number one because I feel the need to read about a number of Jamie's family that I met along the way.
A copy of this book was provided by the publisher, through netgalley, in return for a honest review.
Reviewed for JoandIsaLoveBooks Blog.
December 16, 2017
Very good book with a roller coaster of emotions. The story opens with Julia, a shy, quiet librarian, watching nervously as the person she has rented her upstairs apartment to arrives. Her gut feeling is that she has made a terrible mistake, as it is none other than Jamie Caine, local heartthrob and the man she's had a crush on for years. But she is determined to take charge of her life and not let her fears hold her back.
Jamie is the corporate pilot for Caine Technologies and spends his days flying people all over the country and the world. He has quite the reputation with the ladies as a charming flirt who will never commit but is fun to be around. He is very careful not to lead anyone on.
I loved his first evening at the house when he came across Julia after the end of her book club meeting. She was a little the worse for wear thanks to the drinks that had been served. She no longer seems quite so starched and stiff, and Jamie is intrigued but determined to keep his distance. Julia's life is about to change dramatically though, as she discovers that two young boys who have been spending a lot of time in the library are living on their own because their mother is missing. After calling a friend who is a social worker, Julia finds out that the boys will likely be sent to separate foster homes. Horrified by the idea, Julia offers to keep them herself.
Julia is way out of her depth but determined to do her best. Things are rough at first because Clint and Davy resent being removed from their home, in spite of the conditions they were living in. Luckily for her, Jamie is part of a large family with lots and nieces and nephews, so he has lots of experience in kid wrangling. I loved watching him connect so quickly with them. It isn't long before he is captivated by the sweet and kind woman under Julia's starchy exterior. As Jamie spends time helping Julia with the boys, she sees a different side of him, one that is far too appealing to her.
I loved seeing the development of their relationship. Jamie is protective of her, something that comes out when he comes to her rescue when she has the flu. He is surprised by the depth of his need to take care of her. I loved his reaction to her bucket list, and how much he wanted to help her achieve those dreams. What he didn't expect was how much he enjoyed bringing that kind of happiness to her life. But no matter how much he likes her, he won't allow himself to let it go too far because she deserves someone much better than he is. Jamie is haunted by some things that happened in his past that have convinced him that he doesn't deserve the kind of happiness that having her in his life would give him.
Once Julia gets over her tongue-tied reactions when Jamie is near, she discovers that he is a wonderful man. Watching him with the boys melts her heart and makes her wonder why he doesn't have a family of his own. I loved how quickly she tumbled onto the realization that he uses his charm and his killer smile to distract when he doesn't want to talk about something. I loved seeing her call him on it when he tries it on her. She knows that she is well on the way to falling for him, which will get her a broken heart. After all, a man like him isn't really going to be interested in a plain, small-town librarian.
I loved the time they spent together, with and without the boys. The ski lessons were great, especially Jamie's "rewards" for helping her up when she fell. The charity gala was incredible and I loved seeing Julia bloom under the attention of various members of Jamie's family. I ached for her when she was confronted by that woman and loved that she was able to get Jamie to open up to her about what had happened. I loved her support and how she tried to make him see that he wasn't responsible.
I loved the way that Julia, Jamie, and the boys started to feel like a family. I cried when they received unexpected visitors right before Christmas and the change it brought to Julia's life. I hated seeing her push Jamie away when he wanted to comfort her. I loved that he finally figured out how he felt about Julia and ached for him when she refused to believe him. I wondered what it was going to take for her to see and accept the truth and loved that it was something so simple and sweet. I loved the ending as Julia opened her eyes and her heart and took a big chance. They brought me to tears and made me smile with the depth of their feelings. The epilogue was fantastic, especially with the completion of Julia's list. Jamie was adorable with his attempt to appear innocent. The love and happiness they felt simply glowed.
Jamie is the corporate pilot for Caine Technologies and spends his days flying people all over the country and the world. He has quite the reputation with the ladies as a charming flirt who will never commit but is fun to be around. He is very careful not to lead anyone on.
I loved his first evening at the house when he came across Julia after the end of her book club meeting. She was a little the worse for wear thanks to the drinks that had been served. She no longer seems quite so starched and stiff, and Jamie is intrigued but determined to keep his distance. Julia's life is about to change dramatically though, as she discovers that two young boys who have been spending a lot of time in the library are living on their own because their mother is missing. After calling a friend who is a social worker, Julia finds out that the boys will likely be sent to separate foster homes. Horrified by the idea, Julia offers to keep them herself.
Julia is way out of her depth but determined to do her best. Things are rough at first because Clint and Davy resent being removed from their home, in spite of the conditions they were living in. Luckily for her, Jamie is part of a large family with lots and nieces and nephews, so he has lots of experience in kid wrangling. I loved watching him connect so quickly with them. It isn't long before he is captivated by the sweet and kind woman under Julia's starchy exterior. As Jamie spends time helping Julia with the boys, she sees a different side of him, one that is far too appealing to her.
I loved seeing the development of their relationship. Jamie is protective of her, something that comes out when he comes to her rescue when she has the flu. He is surprised by the depth of his need to take care of her. I loved his reaction to her bucket list, and how much he wanted to help her achieve those dreams. What he didn't expect was how much he enjoyed bringing that kind of happiness to her life. But no matter how much he likes her, he won't allow himself to let it go too far because she deserves someone much better than he is. Jamie is haunted by some things that happened in his past that have convinced him that he doesn't deserve the kind of happiness that having her in his life would give him.
Once Julia gets over her tongue-tied reactions when Jamie is near, she discovers that he is a wonderful man. Watching him with the boys melts her heart and makes her wonder why he doesn't have a family of his own. I loved how quickly she tumbled onto the realization that he uses his charm and his killer smile to distract when he doesn't want to talk about something. I loved seeing her call him on it when he tries it on her. She knows that she is well on the way to falling for him, which will get her a broken heart. After all, a man like him isn't really going to be interested in a plain, small-town librarian.
I loved the time they spent together, with and without the boys. The ski lessons were great, especially Jamie's "rewards" for helping her up when she fell. The charity gala was incredible and I loved seeing Julia bloom under the attention of various members of Jamie's family. I ached for her when she was confronted by that woman and loved that she was able to get Jamie to open up to her about what had happened. I loved her support and how she tried to make him see that he wasn't responsible.
I loved the way that Julia, Jamie, and the boys started to feel like a family. I cried when they received unexpected visitors right before Christmas and the change it brought to Julia's life. I hated seeing her push Jamie away when he wanted to comfort her. I loved that he finally figured out how he felt about Julia and ached for him when she refused to believe him. I wondered what it was going to take for her to see and accept the truth and loved that it was something so simple and sweet. I loved the ending as Julia opened her eyes and her heart and took a big chance. They brought me to tears and made me smile with the depth of their feelings. The epilogue was fantastic, especially with the completion of Julia's list. Jamie was adorable with his attempt to appear innocent. The love and happiness they felt simply glowed.
September 12, 2017
Review to come
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September 25, 2017
Earlier this year I read Serenity Harbor, the sixth book in the Haven Point series. Instantly, I found myself madly in love with RaeAnne Thayne’s storytelling and I wanted more. I wanted to go back and read the prior Haven Point books, I wanted to read the next Haven Point book, and I wanted to dive into the other books the author has written. Fortunately, I didn’t have to wait long before I was able to dive into Sugar Pine Trail, the seventh book in the Haven Point series.
If the truth is to be known, I enjoyed Sugar Pine Trail even more than I enjoyed Serenity Harbor. I feared such would not be the case – I’m not the biggest fan of seasonal romance stories, plus Serenity Harbor had set the bar extremely high – and yet I was quickly shown a wonderful story through Sugar Pine Trail.
From the first page I was pulled into the story, into the lives of our characters. It starts on a high and the book only gets better. There are so many experiences throughout, so many emotions to work through, leaving you unable to put the book down for any extended period of time. I tried to blame my night of no sleep on my injured back, but that was just an excuse I used to spend the night reading Sugar Pine Trails. It was impossible to put down, and I’m positive my neighbours heard my sounds of distress when my Kindle ran out of batter at the sixty-eight percent mark.
Honestly, I was addicted.
It’s hard to pinpoint what part of the story I loved the most. One minute I will claim it was the emotion, the next I will claim it was the characters, and a few moments later I will change my mind to reference sweet scenes. It really is a combination of these things – and others – that make the book so good, one of those stories where the individual elements are great but the collective makes for an even stronger read.
As I’ve said, this book is deeply emotional. I was laughing out loud. I was on the edge of my seat with worry. I was crying ugly tears at the events. I felt everything. We really do go through such a wide range of emotions in this one, each emotion hitting you hard at the most perfect of moments. It was wonderful, making for a very real read.
A large part of why things felt so real, for why the story hits you so hard, is due to the characters. The cast is wonderful. I fell head over heels for our main characters, as they worked so well together. I also fell madly in love with our other characters. In Serenity Harbor I found RaeAnne Thayne writes a wonderful child character, and the same is true here. The realness of the children characters adds so much to the story, gripping you so deeply. Honestly, I loved this.
As for the events that played out – well, damn. There were so many wonderful scenes. I could list them out, but to do so would ruin the events. Just know you’ll be on a rollercoaster of events, and that you’ll love all that plays out. It really does pull you through so much.
Overall, this was a wonderful second RaeAnne Thayne read; a solid four-point-five star read that works perfectly fine as a standalone should anyone want to pick it up without first reading the prior books. I cannot wait to go and read even more of the author’s work, something I know will certainly be happening in the future. I’m a fan now, and I’ll be need another fix soon.
If the truth is to be known, I enjoyed Sugar Pine Trail even more than I enjoyed Serenity Harbor. I feared such would not be the case – I’m not the biggest fan of seasonal romance stories, plus Serenity Harbor had set the bar extremely high – and yet I was quickly shown a wonderful story through Sugar Pine Trail.
From the first page I was pulled into the story, into the lives of our characters. It starts on a high and the book only gets better. There are so many experiences throughout, so many emotions to work through, leaving you unable to put the book down for any extended period of time. I tried to blame my night of no sleep on my injured back, but that was just an excuse I used to spend the night reading Sugar Pine Trails. It was impossible to put down, and I’m positive my neighbours heard my sounds of distress when my Kindle ran out of batter at the sixty-eight percent mark.
Honestly, I was addicted.
It’s hard to pinpoint what part of the story I loved the most. One minute I will claim it was the emotion, the next I will claim it was the characters, and a few moments later I will change my mind to reference sweet scenes. It really is a combination of these things – and others – that make the book so good, one of those stories where the individual elements are great but the collective makes for an even stronger read.
As I’ve said, this book is deeply emotional. I was laughing out loud. I was on the edge of my seat with worry. I was crying ugly tears at the events. I felt everything. We really do go through such a wide range of emotions in this one, each emotion hitting you hard at the most perfect of moments. It was wonderful, making for a very real read.
A large part of why things felt so real, for why the story hits you so hard, is due to the characters. The cast is wonderful. I fell head over heels for our main characters, as they worked so well together. I also fell madly in love with our other characters. In Serenity Harbor I found RaeAnne Thayne writes a wonderful child character, and the same is true here. The realness of the children characters adds so much to the story, gripping you so deeply. Honestly, I loved this.
As for the events that played out – well, damn. There were so many wonderful scenes. I could list them out, but to do so would ruin the events. Just know you’ll be on a rollercoaster of events, and that you’ll love all that plays out. It really does pull you through so much.
Overall, this was a wonderful second RaeAnne Thayne read; a solid four-point-five star read that works perfectly fine as a standalone should anyone want to pick it up without first reading the prior books. I cannot wait to go and read even more of the author’s work, something I know will certainly be happening in the future. I’m a fan now, and I’ll be need another fix soon.
October 3, 2017
SUGAR PINE TRAIL by RaeAnne Thayne made me smile and made me shed a tear, but most of all it gave me that wonderfully warm and happy feeling that only a Christmas romance can give you!
Julia Winston has always lived her life for other people - caring for her parents before they passed, and helping out anyone that may need her. Wrapped up in her job at the library and her old family home, she keeps love and romance at a distance ever since that one time when she was younger. But when her best friend convinces her to rent out part of her home to playboy Jamie Caine, Julie knows that she will have to be on her guard around her secret crush even though she knows he would never look at plain old her.
Jamie Caine lives an interesting life as a successful pilot and knows he has a reputation as a bit of a womaniser. But underneath it all, Jamie carries scars from the past that haunts him to this day, and he will do whatever it takes to keep people at a distance.
But when Julia discovers two little boys who need her more than anyone else, it will place her and Jamie in closer quarters than either expected, and they begin to discover that maybe love is the best gift of all this Christmas...
SUGAR PINE TRAIL by RaeAnne Thayne is such a beautiful and heartwarming story of finding the courage to reach for your dreams and allowing yourself to open up to the possibility of love. I laughed and cried, especially towards the end (No, you will just have to read it to find out what I'm talking about 😉), and I couldn't put this book down as it made me feel so cosy and warm. SUGAR PINE TRAIL by RaeAnne Thayne is the perfect Christmas read this winter and I highly recommend it!!!!!
*I voluntarily reviewed this book from Netgalley.com
Julia Winston has always lived her life for other people - caring for her parents before they passed, and helping out anyone that may need her. Wrapped up in her job at the library and her old family home, she keeps love and romance at a distance ever since that one time when she was younger. But when her best friend convinces her to rent out part of her home to playboy Jamie Caine, Julie knows that she will have to be on her guard around her secret crush even though she knows he would never look at plain old her.
Jamie Caine lives an interesting life as a successful pilot and knows he has a reputation as a bit of a womaniser. But underneath it all, Jamie carries scars from the past that haunts him to this day, and he will do whatever it takes to keep people at a distance.
But when Julia discovers two little boys who need her more than anyone else, it will place her and Jamie in closer quarters than either expected, and they begin to discover that maybe love is the best gift of all this Christmas...
SUGAR PINE TRAIL by RaeAnne Thayne is such a beautiful and heartwarming story of finding the courage to reach for your dreams and allowing yourself to open up to the possibility of love. I laughed and cried, especially towards the end (No, you will just have to read it to find out what I'm talking about 😉), and I couldn't put this book down as it made me feel so cosy and warm. SUGAR PINE TRAIL by RaeAnne Thayne is the perfect Christmas read this winter and I highly recommend it!!!!!
*I voluntarily reviewed this book from Netgalley.com
September 22, 2017
Review
What a lovely holiday romance!!! I enjoyed this book so much more than I anticipated. While a predictable romance the setting and characters really made this such a great read.
First, I can almost never resist a librarian as an MC. Julia was such a great character who somewhat fit into that stereotypical uptight, single, stuffy librarian. But through that you can that she was much more than that. Also, she had a big heart and it was hard not to root for her the entire story.
Then enter the handsome, wealthy pilot who needs to rent the upstairs from Julia while his house is finished. Known as "player", Jamie also turns out to be more than first meets the eye. That becomes clear when Julia has two kids stay with her due to extenuating circumstances. He is amazing with the kids and helping Julia navigate her new life with these kids.
The combination of Julia and Jamie, the adorable kids and their heartbreaking situation, the quaint town and of course the holidays, this book was just the perfect sweet holiday read for me and a great addition to the series.This review was originally posted on Rebel Mommy Book Blog
What a lovely holiday romance!!! I enjoyed this book so much more than I anticipated. While a predictable romance the setting and characters really made this such a great read.
First, I can almost never resist a librarian as an MC. Julia was such a great character who somewhat fit into that stereotypical uptight, single, stuffy librarian. But through that you can that she was much more than that. Also, she had a big heart and it was hard not to root for her the entire story.
Then enter the handsome, wealthy pilot who needs to rent the upstairs from Julia while his house is finished. Known as "player", Jamie also turns out to be more than first meets the eye. That becomes clear when Julia has two kids stay with her due to extenuating circumstances. He is amazing with the kids and helping Julia navigate her new life with these kids.
The combination of Julia and Jamie, the adorable kids and their heartbreaking situation, the quaint town and of course the holidays, this book was just the perfect sweet holiday read for me and a great addition to the series.This review was originally posted on Rebel Mommy Book Blog
May 13, 2019
Wonderful, perfect,5-star, feel-good-read! Characters you will love, with no nasty villains. Kept me smiling except for a few lump-in-my-throat scenes. There is one non-graphic sex scene near the end. Such wonderful, wonderful characters, and a really precious story. :D
December 13, 2020
Re-read 13/12/2020
Still not a 5-star book, objectively, but Christmas made me do it. This book and its characters just make me happy. And I still wish we'd get an epilogue book that's just about all of the Caines and their happily ever afters.
Original review
Hahahaha, this is probably, most definitely, objectively not a 5-star book. But I don't care because JAMIE CAINE.
I admit, I liked this book most of all because I've had my own crush on Jamie (I'm with you, Julia!) ever since he first showed up or was mentioned in RaeAnne Thayne's Hope's Crossing series. So I was biased from the start and that never really changed, because:
1) JAMIE CAINE
2) Julia is me and I am Julia. Barring a few differences, we really are remarkably similar which meant that I had no problem whatsoever identifying with her and (part of) her lifestyle. Yes, she is kind of the stereotype introverted librarian with cats who likes to keep to herself, but hey, stereotypes exist for a reason and sometimes it's okay to have a book be about that person too.
3) Speaking of cats: one of them is called Audrey Hepburn and obviously that is the best name ever.
4) ALL THE CAINES. Given that this was Jamie's book and he was the last Caine sibling to be paired off, we finally had all the Caines together again and that is really all I want from life. I need RaeAnne Thayne to just write a book about all of the Caines happily living their lives, okay? And the brothers getting on each other's case all day every day, teasing each other mercilessly about how much they love their women.
5) I am all about the holiday themed books and romances once November rolls around, so that was an added bonus.
6) Clint and Davy were far too adorable. Yes, everything was a little too easy there and provided the perfect context to sort of bring both leads together more, but who cares.
7) THAT CHRISTMAS PRESENT, THOUGH. *swoon*
8) There's no proposal at the end and they don't even move in together. Granted, this takes place over the course of about 6 or 7 weeks so it would have been soon, but it's not like that's ever stopped other romance authors. So the fact that they actively decide not to move in together right away because they both think it would be too soon IS A BREATH OF FRESH AIR.
I had been hoping I was going to love this book, after the last one in the series was a bit of a bust for me personally. At the same time, I was worried that my expectations would prove to be too high and I was inevitably going to be disappointed. But turns out it was everything I wanted it to be and more. All of the books in this series are pure wish fulfilment, naturally, but it made me so happy that I honestly don't care even a little bit.
Like I said at the beginning: objectively this is definitely not a 5 star book. There are certain things regarding Jamie's past that don't get explored as deeply as I wanted them to be, and for a good part of the book, Jamie carries around a lot of guilt and believes he's not worthy of love and all that, and we all know how annoying that can get. Luckily, though, it never went too far and it never became a big deal with an over-the-top resolution, because instead he just realised and easily accepted that Julia was it for him. And I really, really liked that.
So I've decided to overlook those things that could've been done a little better and focus instead on the fact that Julia and Jamie were my one bright spot in an otherwise pretty shitty week. I can't even remember a time when I finished a book and immediately wanted to start reading it again, but I did with this one.
This book + copious amounts of hot chocolate with Baileys were my best friends this rainy weekend and it was perfect.
Still not a 5-star book, objectively, but Christmas made me do it. This book and its characters just make me happy. And I still wish we'd get an epilogue book that's just about all of the Caines and their happily ever afters.
Original review
Hahahaha, this is probably, most definitely, objectively not a 5-star book. But I don't care because JAMIE CAINE.
I admit, I liked this book most of all because I've had my own crush on Jamie (I'm with you, Julia!) ever since he first showed up or was mentioned in RaeAnne Thayne's Hope's Crossing series. So I was biased from the start and that never really changed, because:
1) JAMIE CAINE
2) Julia is me and I am Julia. Barring a few differences, we really are remarkably similar which meant that I had no problem whatsoever identifying with her and (part of) her lifestyle. Yes, she is kind of the stereotype introverted librarian with cats who likes to keep to herself, but hey, stereotypes exist for a reason and sometimes it's okay to have a book be about that person too.
3) Speaking of cats: one of them is called Audrey Hepburn and obviously that is the best name ever.
4) ALL THE CAINES. Given that this was Jamie's book and he was the last Caine sibling to be paired off, we finally had all the Caines together again and that is really all I want from life. I need RaeAnne Thayne to just write a book about all of the Caines happily living their lives, okay? And the brothers getting on each other's case all day every day, teasing each other mercilessly about how much they love their women.
5) I am all about the holiday themed books and romances once November rolls around, so that was an added bonus.
6) Clint and Davy were far too adorable. Yes, everything was a little too easy there and provided the perfect context to sort of bring both leads together more, but who cares.
7) THAT CHRISTMAS PRESENT, THOUGH. *swoon*
8) There's no proposal at the end and they don't even move in together. Granted, this takes place over the course of about 6 or 7 weeks so it would have been soon, but it's not like that's ever stopped other romance authors. So the fact that they actively decide not to move in together right away because they both think it would be too soon IS A BREATH OF FRESH AIR.
I had been hoping I was going to love this book, after the last one in the series was a bit of a bust for me personally. At the same time, I was worried that my expectations would prove to be too high and I was inevitably going to be disappointed. But turns out it was everything I wanted it to be and more. All of the books in this series are pure wish fulfilment, naturally, but it made me so happy that I honestly don't care even a little bit.
Like I said at the beginning: objectively this is definitely not a 5 star book. There are certain things regarding Jamie's past that don't get explored as deeply as I wanted them to be, and for a good part of the book, Jamie carries around a lot of guilt and believes he's not worthy of love and all that, and we all know how annoying that can get. Luckily, though, it never went too far and it never became a big deal with an over-the-top resolution, because instead he just realised and easily accepted that Julia was it for him. And I really, really liked that.
So I've decided to overlook those things that could've been done a little better and focus instead on the fact that Julia and Jamie were my one bright spot in an otherwise pretty shitty week. I can't even remember a time when I finished a book and immediately wanted to start reading it again, but I did with this one.
This book + copious amounts of hot chocolate with Baileys were my best friends this rainy weekend and it was perfect.
December 17, 2017
A fantastic Christmas story. Jamie Caine was a pilot for his family's business. He decides to rent Julia Winston's upstairs apartment when his condo isn't ready for him to move in. The local librarian isn't anything like he first thought and he doesn't count on falling for her. And the two little boys she's temporarily fostering are so much fun to be around.
Julia knows Jamie Caine's reputation and has no intention of getting involved with him no matter how charming and good looking he was. When she agrees to foster little Davy and Clint, Jamie becomes indispensable to her, helping however he can. Julia finds herself experiencing things she's only dreamed of doing in the past. She's quickly falling for him and although she tells herself to keep her distance, that's easier said than done.
This is a typical RaeAnne Thayne book with truly loveable characters and a wonderful, heartwarming plot. Loved it from beginning to end. Definitely recommend.
Julia knows Jamie Caine's reputation and has no intention of getting involved with him no matter how charming and good looking he was. When she agrees to foster little Davy and Clint, Jamie becomes indispensable to her, helping however he can. Julia finds herself experiencing things she's only dreamed of doing in the past. She's quickly falling for him and although she tells herself to keep her distance, that's easier said than done.
This is a typical RaeAnne Thayne book with truly loveable characters and a wonderful, heartwarming plot. Loved it from beginning to end. Definitely recommend.
November 23, 2017
All the mushy feelings for this one! What a sweet holiday season story. I loved the characters of Julia and Jamie. Throw in two little boys needing a home during the holiday season, and I just knew this one would tug on the old heart strings.
I say this every time I finish a RaeAnne Thayne book -- she writes the best heart-warming books that just make you feel good. This one was no different. Loved it!
I say this every time I finish a RaeAnne Thayne book -- she writes the best heart-warming books that just make you feel good. This one was no different. Loved it!
October 29, 2017
3.5 STARS
Librarian Julia Winston lives a very sedate and quiet life in the big old house her parents left her. Until that is the man she has been crushing on moves in as her lodger over the Christmas season. Her tactic of avoiding him until he moves out so he doesn’t figure our her embarrassing crush comes to a halt though when she fosters two young brothers who have no where else to go. Now her old house is full of life and laughter…and maybe even love, but will Julia be willing to step outside her quiet life to claim it?spacer
It felt very strange reading this Christmassy book in my swimsuit under the hot Mexican sun…somehow I managed though, cocktail in hand. But, despite (or maybe because of) the strange juxtaposition in weather and atmosphere between where I was and what was happening in the book, I really enjoyed the cozy seasonal read. Yes, it was predictable and yes it was almost nauseatingly sweet, but at the same time it managed to get me in the Christmas spirit whilst on a summer holiday, so kudos!
If you’re looking for a hot romance to read over the season than this probably isn’t for you, it’s more of a steady build. As they begin to get know one another their feelings build as Jamie starts to notice Julia and Julia sees Jamie as more than just the womanising charmer and begin to know the real him. I thought it was a really sweet romance, it’s nice to read something that isn’t over saturated with sex and lust without anything deeper mixed in. I also liked the addition of Julia fostering the two young boys, is there anything more likely to tug on your heart strings than orphans at Christmas?
I haven’t RaeAnne Thayne before but I would definitely give her books a go when I am in the mood for something sweet to chow down on. If you want to snuggle up with something cute that makes you feel all fuzzy inside this Christmas season than I recommend that you give Sugar Pine Trail a try.
September 19, 2017
My Review:
Aww, this book made me cry (and I was finishing reading it in the middle of a group of parents waiting for kids at gymnastics, so it wasn't exactly an opportune time to be bawling over a book). So, yeah...crying is an automatic recommendation from me. A book with characters that will move me to that point is a really well developed and written book.
So, this book...first of all...for book lovers everywhere, this one features a librarian as the heroine. And Julia is a bit of a stereotypic librarian. She's a homebody living in her big, rambling Victorian house with the three cats that she inherited from her mom.
Jamie moved into her upstairs apartment as a temporary thing while his condo was getting finished. Jamie is fairly famous for both his charm and not sticking. He's not looking for a relationship. Julia has had a crush on him for years, and he doesn't remember ever meeting her although they've met several times. Yeah, it's sad. He's not a bad guy. He's just that good looking and personable...and Julia is not.
But this change in living arrangements is not the only huge change in Julia's life. She finds two young boys in her library and things become even more of an upheaval.
There are so many sweet moments in this book. There are two young boys kind of lost in this world, as well as two adults that didn't realize that they were both kind of fumbling through, too. Add in the holidays and I loved it.
It's definitely a sweet romance and I enjoyed reading it.
I received a complimentary copy of this book in return for an honest review.
Aww, this book made me cry (and I was finishing reading it in the middle of a group of parents waiting for kids at gymnastics, so it wasn't exactly an opportune time to be bawling over a book). So, yeah...crying is an automatic recommendation from me. A book with characters that will move me to that point is a really well developed and written book.
So, this book...first of all...for book lovers everywhere, this one features a librarian as the heroine. And Julia is a bit of a stereotypic librarian. She's a homebody living in her big, rambling Victorian house with the three cats that she inherited from her mom.
Jamie moved into her upstairs apartment as a temporary thing while his condo was getting finished. Jamie is fairly famous for both his charm and not sticking. He's not looking for a relationship. Julia has had a crush on him for years, and he doesn't remember ever meeting her although they've met several times. Yeah, it's sad. He's not a bad guy. He's just that good looking and personable...and Julia is not.
But this change in living arrangements is not the only huge change in Julia's life. She finds two young boys in her library and things become even more of an upheaval.
There are so many sweet moments in this book. There are two young boys kind of lost in this world, as well as two adults that didn't realize that they were both kind of fumbling through, too. Add in the holidays and I loved it.
It's definitely a sweet romance and I enjoyed reading it.
I received a complimentary copy of this book in return for an honest review.
September 27, 2017
I love returning to Haven Point. It's such a cozy town. I love the people of the town. I've been waiting for Jamie Caine's story. I loved that the heroine was a meek librarian named Julie Winston. She was your typical librarian. Julie had some confidence issues and has always had a crush on Jamie but never thought he would be attracted to someone as plain as her. Little did she know she ignited a spark in Jamie who showed a tough exterior but truly had a softness to him that he kept hidden because of some darkness in his past. They both had some healing to do. What better way to heal two hearts than two little boys in need of a home. They turn Julie's world upside down. This is a very heartwarming holiday read that will pull at your heart strings. It truly shows that opposites do attract and that there is truly magic in the Christmas season. I highly recommend this book. Ms. Thayne has a wonderful way of bringing you into her stories. You become part of the town and find yourself entangled with the characters and feel what they feel.
September 20, 2017
Thank you to Little Bird Publicity for sending me a free copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.
Sugar Pine Trail releases Sept. 26th 2017 and I recommend you buying a copy. However my next request will be a little odd. Once this book is purchased I want you to let it sit, don't touch it. As a reader we all face reading slumps. Gosh they are no fun. I want you to hold off on this book for your worst reading slump because it will pull you out of it so fast! ReaAnne Thayne is a new author to me but I'll forever be reading is series to see where she takes things.
This book captured me from the very beginning. As mentioned above, I've been in a book slump but I couldn't put this book down. I fell in love with both Julia and Jamie, as well as the two sweet extras Julia recused. Thayne creates so many emotions between both characters that will drive you crazy wondering where they will lead. This is the sweetest book that I've read in soooo long. It's definitely going to be a great Holiday read and I hope you find time this Holiday to first, be in a slump and second to read this novel. I can not wait to read the next in the series.
For more follow me on Instagram @book.blogging.momma
Sugar Pine Trail releases Sept. 26th 2017 and I recommend you buying a copy. However my next request will be a little odd. Once this book is purchased I want you to let it sit, don't touch it. As a reader we all face reading slumps. Gosh they are no fun. I want you to hold off on this book for your worst reading slump because it will pull you out of it so fast! ReaAnne Thayne is a new author to me but I'll forever be reading is series to see where she takes things.
This book captured me from the very beginning. As mentioned above, I've been in a book slump but I couldn't put this book down. I fell in love with both Julia and Jamie, as well as the two sweet extras Julia recused. Thayne creates so many emotions between both characters that will drive you crazy wondering where they will lead. This is the sweetest book that I've read in soooo long. It's definitely going to be a great Holiday read and I hope you find time this Holiday to first, be in a slump and second to read this novel. I can not wait to read the next in the series.
For more follow me on Instagram @book.blogging.momma
September 22, 2017
Originally published at Reading Reality
It may only be September, but welcome to the first holiday book review of the year!
And we’re back in cozy Haven Point in this follow up to Serenity Harbor and my personal favorite in the series, Riverbend Road.
Sugar Pine Trail even ties up a bit of the story in Riverbend Road, right along with the series’ ongoing efforts to get all the Caine brothers of Caine Tech matched up with the women they’ve been waiting their whole lives for – even if they haven’t known it.
The hero this time around is Jamie Caine, the pilot. Jamie spends his days flying his brothers and the other executives of Caine Tech wherever and whenever they need to go. And his nights with a seemingly endless succession of beautiful but ultimately forgettable women who go in knowing that all they’ll get is a few good rides.
Jamie is a flirt and a charmer, and not in the least shy of using those charms to get whatever, or whoever he wants. While he’s not quite a player – he’s the closest thing that tiny Haven Point has ever seen.
Julia Winston, on that other hand, is the town librarian. And she seems to have bought into the stereotype just a bit too much, even though she’s only in her early 30s. Renting Jamie the upstairs apartment in her huge Victorian house is way outside her comfort zone – if only because Julia, along with more than a few women in town – has an unrequited crush on Jamie.
But Julia has also discovered within herself a desire to finally take charge of her own life, and to stop letting her fears hold her back from all the experiences that she once upon a time believed she wanted. Including an orgasm not brought about entirely by her own efforts.
Jamie’s not the only new male to enter her life. In an act of concern and charity, Julia follows home two little boys who seem to be living in the library – and who don’t seem to have an adult around. Once she discovers their true situation and brings social worker Wyn Emmett (the heroine of Riverbend Road) into the case, she learns that the only way that these two brothers can stay together for Christmas is if someone steps up and can foster them together while officials hunt for their missing.
To everyone’s surprise, including her own, Julia volunteers to step so far out of her comfort zone that there’s no looking back. She fosters them herself, knowing nothing about fostering and even less about take care of children.
Lucky for her, her new upstairs tenant comes to her rescue when she finds herself way, way over her head. Jamie not only takes the two boys under his wing, but manages to even charm her supercilious cats into purring under his hand.
And finds himself, in turn, charmed by the woman that Julia reveals as she opens her heart to the boys and lets her hair down, both metaphorically and physically with him. Once the starch is worn out of Julia, he discovers that the sweet, lovely and slightly flustered woman she is underneath is someone he can’t resist.
No matter how much he tells himself that he should.
Escape Rating B: I like Haven Point a lot. It’s a great place to visit, filled with lovely people that it is a joy to get to know.
On the one hand, the problem that pulls the lives of Julia and the two boys together is one that every library faces in some way, in both large and small places. At the end of the evening, it is not uncommon to discover one or two (or more) children who are too young to be left on their own but who don’t seem to have a responsible adult picking them up. Leaving them feels unsafe, but when it happens night after night, the staff who feel forced to stay overtime end up both worried and resentful. While calling the police seems heartless, it is often the only way to deal with the problem so that everyone, including the library staff, feel safe and protected.
Julia’s solution to this dilemma is unique, but the problem happens more often than people think, although usually not in such dire circumstances. As much as I applauded her in the book, at the same time, that she fostered the children herself made her feel like “not one of us” as did her continual harping on how she both fit and embraced the stereotype of librarian. As a group, we pretty much deride the stereotype whenever and wherever possible. It’s almost a game we play of complaining just how terrible and just plain wrong the old stereotype is.
Of course, readers who are not themselves librarians will not be bothered by this aspect. But I did want to shake her and drag her to a big library conference to see for herself.
The fears that held Julia back in so many ways, while they had nothing to do with being a librarian, felt all too real. She had created a shell around herself, for reasons that often made sense at the time. But her desire to break out of that shell and find out who she really wanted to be was well portrayed.
As a character, I liked Jamie and loved the way that he stepped in, stepped up and helped Julia figure out her sudden immersion in parenting. Not that he had any more experience as a parent, but he did have experience both as a sibling in a large family and in wrangling his nieces and nephews. As the only child of two only children, Julia’s life just hadn’t included much of those kinds of interactions. She needed his help, and as difficult as it was for her, accepting that help was necessary for her to grow up and to break out of that shell.
However, I’m not sure I really bought their romance. The relationship that Julia forged with the boys, and her heartbreak at the end, was sweet and crazy and just right. But I didn’t quite feel the chemistry between Julia and Jamie.
But I still had a great time visiting Haven Point for the holidays, and will be happy to make a return trip sometime soon. Maybe in the spring, when I won’t have to read about SNOW!
It may only be September, but welcome to the first holiday book review of the year!
And we’re back in cozy Haven Point in this follow up to Serenity Harbor and my personal favorite in the series, Riverbend Road.
Sugar Pine Trail even ties up a bit of the story in Riverbend Road, right along with the series’ ongoing efforts to get all the Caine brothers of Caine Tech matched up with the women they’ve been waiting their whole lives for – even if they haven’t known it.
The hero this time around is Jamie Caine, the pilot. Jamie spends his days flying his brothers and the other executives of Caine Tech wherever and whenever they need to go. And his nights with a seemingly endless succession of beautiful but ultimately forgettable women who go in knowing that all they’ll get is a few good rides.
Jamie is a flirt and a charmer, and not in the least shy of using those charms to get whatever, or whoever he wants. While he’s not quite a player – he’s the closest thing that tiny Haven Point has ever seen.
Julia Winston, on that other hand, is the town librarian. And she seems to have bought into the stereotype just a bit too much, even though she’s only in her early 30s. Renting Jamie the upstairs apartment in her huge Victorian house is way outside her comfort zone – if only because Julia, along with more than a few women in town – has an unrequited crush on Jamie.
But Julia has also discovered within herself a desire to finally take charge of her own life, and to stop letting her fears hold her back from all the experiences that she once upon a time believed she wanted. Including an orgasm not brought about entirely by her own efforts.
Jamie’s not the only new male to enter her life. In an act of concern and charity, Julia follows home two little boys who seem to be living in the library – and who don’t seem to have an adult around. Once she discovers their true situation and brings social worker Wyn Emmett (the heroine of Riverbend Road) into the case, she learns that the only way that these two brothers can stay together for Christmas is if someone steps up and can foster them together while officials hunt for their missing.
To everyone’s surprise, including her own, Julia volunteers to step so far out of her comfort zone that there’s no looking back. She fosters them herself, knowing nothing about fostering and even less about take care of children.
Lucky for her, her new upstairs tenant comes to her rescue when she finds herself way, way over her head. Jamie not only takes the two boys under his wing, but manages to even charm her supercilious cats into purring under his hand.
And finds himself, in turn, charmed by the woman that Julia reveals as she opens her heart to the boys and lets her hair down, both metaphorically and physically with him. Once the starch is worn out of Julia, he discovers that the sweet, lovely and slightly flustered woman she is underneath is someone he can’t resist.
No matter how much he tells himself that he should.
Escape Rating B: I like Haven Point a lot. It’s a great place to visit, filled with lovely people that it is a joy to get to know.
On the one hand, the problem that pulls the lives of Julia and the two boys together is one that every library faces in some way, in both large and small places. At the end of the evening, it is not uncommon to discover one or two (or more) children who are too young to be left on their own but who don’t seem to have a responsible adult picking them up. Leaving them feels unsafe, but when it happens night after night, the staff who feel forced to stay overtime end up both worried and resentful. While calling the police seems heartless, it is often the only way to deal with the problem so that everyone, including the library staff, feel safe and protected.
Julia’s solution to this dilemma is unique, but the problem happens more often than people think, although usually not in such dire circumstances. As much as I applauded her in the book, at the same time, that she fostered the children herself made her feel like “not one of us” as did her continual harping on how she both fit and embraced the stereotype of librarian. As a group, we pretty much deride the stereotype whenever and wherever possible. It’s almost a game we play of complaining just how terrible and just plain wrong the old stereotype is.
Of course, readers who are not themselves librarians will not be bothered by this aspect. But I did want to shake her and drag her to a big library conference to see for herself.
The fears that held Julia back in so many ways, while they had nothing to do with being a librarian, felt all too real. She had created a shell around herself, for reasons that often made sense at the time. But her desire to break out of that shell and find out who she really wanted to be was well portrayed.
As a character, I liked Jamie and loved the way that he stepped in, stepped up and helped Julia figure out her sudden immersion in parenting. Not that he had any more experience as a parent, but he did have experience both as a sibling in a large family and in wrangling his nieces and nephews. As the only child of two only children, Julia’s life just hadn’t included much of those kinds of interactions. She needed his help, and as difficult as it was for her, accepting that help was necessary for her to grow up and to break out of that shell.
However, I’m not sure I really bought their romance. The relationship that Julia forged with the boys, and her heartbreak at the end, was sweet and crazy and just right. But I didn’t quite feel the chemistry between Julia and Jamie.
But I still had a great time visiting Haven Point for the holidays, and will be happy to make a return trip sometime soon. Maybe in the spring, when I won’t have to read about SNOW!
October 25, 2018
This story was out of the normal formula that I have come to find with RaeAnne Thayne stories and I must say that I really, really enjoyed the unpredictability of it. Julia is the town librarian that everyone fears will turn into the town spinster since her mother's death. Jamie is the smoking hot pilot that needs a place to live while his condo is being finished away from his family due to his past. Jamie rents a room from Julia, Julia reaches out to two little boys that need a helping hand. This story is all about self-discovery and helping others in need. It was super sweet and touched on some possible triggering issues. Overall, I enjoyed it.
This specific video review will be included in the October 2018 wrap-up.
For other video book reviews check out my YouTube Channel: Steph's Rom Book Talk.
This specific video review will be included in the October 2018 wrap-up.
For other video book reviews check out my YouTube Channel: Steph's Rom Book Talk.
September 22, 2017
A fantastic book with an emotionally charged story that kept me turning page after page.I really enjoyed both of these characters and the growth as people they both experienced. Julia is the quiet, reserved librarian who is ready for something new in her life. Living alone in a huge house just isn't working anymore. She has no idea how much her life will change this holiday season. First she rents her upstairs apartment to carefree Jamie Caine. Then she finds herself the temporary care provider for two young brothers. Things are definitely picking up around the old house these days!
I highly recommend this one!
I highly recommend this one!
Read
August 9, 2017Words cannot decribe what I have read in this book. amazingly written. there needs to be more people like Julia in this world and more people like Jamie who would support the Julia's. best book I have read so far. such a roller-coaster of love, heartache and caring. it will bring a tear to your eye. I'm sooooo in love with is book.
September 3, 2018
3.5 stars Heartwarming Christmas romance featuring two nice but slightly wounded protagonists and a pair of adorable young boys. Longer review to come.
October 9, 2017
I love RaeAnn Thayne’s books. She takes us into her world and lets us meet wonderful people who care about each other in lovely ways. Each one is better than the one before it. Yea!!
February 28, 2019
I think this book in the series is the one that I relate to the most so far. I really enjoyed the blossoming of the main character, Julia and her relationship with EVERYONE. The boys, Clint and Davy were so well written as they dealt with the horrible hand they had been dealt. And Jamie. Oh, Jamie was just perfect.
One of my favorite things about this series is how every book basically jumps ahead 6 months and alternates between Christmas & 4th of July (where the town of Haven Point has huge celebrations and all of our characters can meet up).
On to the next one...
One of my favorite things about this series is how every book basically jumps ahead 6 months and alternates between Christmas & 4th of July (where the town of Haven Point has huge celebrations and all of our characters can meet up).
On to the next one...
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