I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.
The December Market by RaeAnne Thayne Series: Shelter Springs #2
Published by Canary Street Press on October 8, 2024
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The magic of Christmas—and a second shot at romance—is in the air in Shelter Springs this holiday season…
Amanda Taylor isn’t a fan of Christmas, but as the owner of a local soap shop, ignoring the holiday season isn’t an option. To forget the pain of Christmases past, Amanda focuses on making the season bright for her customers at the Shelter Springs Holiday Giving Market. But when her beloved grandmother, Birdie, starts dating the dashing new resident of the Shelter Inn retirement community, Amanda smells trouble. Fortunately, Rafe Arredondo, the grandson of Birdie’s charming suitor, is equally dubious of the match. Unfortunately, he's just as fiery as his grandfather—and Amanda has zero interest in getting burned.
As a single father, paramedic and assistant fire chief, Rafe has more than enough on his plate. Sure, he and Amanda share a common goal in keeping their grandparents apart. Still, that doesn’t mean he should allow himself to feel as drawn to her as he does. Even if she is great with his young son. Even if she does help the burden of his own painful past feel a little lighter… But when their paths keep crossing at the holiday market, it starts to feel like fate, prompting them both to wonder if taking a chance on love might gift them everything they’ve been wishing for.
A holiday journey of healing and rediscovery! This sweet and sentimental story has a lot going on between the main character stressing over trying to make amends to a town she really owes nothing to, to her elderly grandma finding herself a beau, to a hottie single dad firefighter finding love again … lots to sink your teeth into! With Thayne, you are always guaranteed a heartwarming setting with characters we can connect with early on. She develops her core cast well and builds a scenic backdrop in our mind of the small town and holiday decor. A smidge slow in parts, but overall a really sweet story that will delight anyone looking to get into the holiday spirit!
