Review: Summer in Snow Valley

Summer in Snow Valley (Snow Valley Romance Anthologies Book 2) 

 June 2015, 724 pages

My Rating: 5 Stars

Source: I received a copy in exchange for an honest review

I am going to write my review underneath each description and will wrap it all up at the end.

#1 Bestselling Amazon Authors of Christmas in Snow Valley, have teamed up again with six wonderful summer novellas that are sure to make your summer sweet and sassy!

Catching Caytie by Amazon Top Seller Cindy Roland Anderson
On the night Caytie Holbrook intends to break up with her cheating boyfriend, he blindsides her by announcing their engagement at a dinner party. When Caytie discovers her father is in on the scheme, she runs away from her home in Beverly Hills to hide out at her uncle’s ranch in Snow Valley, Montana. While Snow Valley is a beautiful place, Caytie only plans to stay until her twenty-fifth birthday when she’ll inherit a trust fund her grandmother left her, allowing her to pursue her dream to move to Italy. That is until she meets Jace McAllister, an incredibly sexy—although somewhat grumpy—cowboy who threatens to disrupt her plans.

 

I really enjoyed this story. Caytie is a spoiled rich girl but hasn't ever known what it feels like to be loved. Her uncle provides a home, complete with love, for her and I enjoyed watching her discover feelings of contentment. Money really doesn't buy everything. Her first meeting with Jace had me laughing, as did a few other parts. Clean romance and humor is a big bonus for me. Jace is a grumpy cowboy, but soooo sweet and endearing. I really enjoyed Kellan, too, and the way Caytie is able to reach him.

Tin Foil Tiaras by Amazon Top Seller Jeanette Lewis
Cameron Elliott has come to Snow Valley to coach Annalisa Drake in the Miss Snow Valley pageant, and prove to her demanding boss that she deserves a place at the prestigious Westbrooke Agency. But Annalisa’s handsome and protective big brother, Kyle, is determined to keep his sister from becoming a reluctant beauty queen. As Cameron tries to win Kyle over, Kyle insists some things are more valuable than a title and as crazy as it sounds, Cameron might just believe him. 

 

I've always been a little fascinated with beauty pageants myself, just like Cameron, but haven't ever had the desire to be in one. Annalisa doesn't have the desire, but her mom sure does! Cameron is a good coach with a great ability to lift up those around her. Kyle is very protect, with good reason. I love the way they work together...and disagree. They definitely have some chemistry! 

A Touch of Love by Amazon Top Seller Cami Checketts
Annie Stirland has endured a lifetime of teasing, embarrassment, and isolation due to her speech impediment. When irresistible cowboy, Luke Wilson, seems to be falling for her, she’s certain he’s too good to be true. A tragedy involving his ex-girlfriend proves she’s right. What man can resist sheltering someone they once loved? Annie knows she should walk away, but Luke isn’t ready to give her up. 

This story totally touched my heart! Annie has a speech problem that is made worse when she's in uncomfortable situations. Luke is a gentle cowboy with a giant heart and is able to looks past any barriers and straight into a person's heart. I could completely relate to Annie's insecurities involving people from the past. Such a fun, sweet story.

First Love by Amazon Top Seller Taylor Hart
Janet Snow doesn’t expect to get caught in a full-blown make out session at her brother’s wedding. Especially not with Michael Hamilton, the boy she’d written off ten years ago. Even though they both agree to no complications, Janet's not sure they can stick to it given their past. After a trip to the hot springs, a helicopter ride, and a proposal, even the most cautious single mother would start to wonder if true love really is just about the timing. Now Janet has to make a choice—play it safe or trust that her first love could also be her last. 

I love a good second chance romance story and this one was perfect. Everyone has regrets and makes mistakes, but it takes a big person to try and right wrongs and fix things. Janet tries to shelter those she loves and to keep things secret, but sometimes it's best to keep things in the open. A lot of misconceptions and assumptions lead to confusion and heartache, but all's well that ends well...right? This ending was the most romantic ending ever!

Romancing Rebecca by Amazon Top Seller, Kimberley Montpetit
Rebecca Dash loved spending her teen summers swooning over Jane Austen and helping her aunt at the Starry Skies Bed & Breakfast in Snow Valley. But as a recent college grad, she’d rather write sappy romance novels than go out with guys that make her a nervous wreck. When a team of fire-fighters set up camp on the lawns of the B&B and Captain Wade catches her eye, Becca soon learns that there’s more to a happily-ever-after than a flirty firemen with muscles the size of the Montana hills. 

Swoon, swoon. Becca does all her swooning through her books and her cheesy writing.  When a group of fire fighters show up to battle a forest fire nearby, all that changes and she has some real men to base her characters on. Becca is such a dreamer and lives with her head in the clouds, but she's so innocent and selfless--you can't help but like her. Her aunt is one fun character and is totally young at heart. Sometimes a true love is not who you expect him to be--he could totally be the boy next door. I also enjoy these types of stories because they parallel (in a small way) my own love story with my husband.

Love in Light and Shadow by Amazon Top Seller Lucy McConnell
Mercedes O'Shay has sworn off gorgeous men because they have a tendency to break her heart. When she meets her new neighbor, Chet Bauer, she immediately puts him in the Do Not Date category based on his well-defined muscles and stunning blue eyes. But the more Mercedes learns about the cowboy who reads classics and forges iron, the more she realizes the heart doesn't see in black and white; it sees light and shadows.

Mercy and Cat are two FUN sisters! They don't fit the mold of elegant Eastern girls and aren't afraid of tools and hard work. They are afraid of good looking men because how can they be anything but heart breakers? Chet is a shy, hard working cowboy who doesn't have a lot to offer, aside from himself. I had fun reading about the way this relationship hesitantly came together. Aiden, Chet's nephew, had me cracking up throughout.

Overall Review: I grew up in a small town and have such fond memories of the lazy days of summer. Most everyone knew each other and the town pulled together for our Town Days, celebrated at the end of July. This compilation really brought back those memories for me and I'm now longing for those simpler times. In fact, I really want to find a place such as this to finish raising my family in. I loved Christmas in Snow Valley and this book solidified my love for this fictional town.

I really enjoyed seeing snippets of the lives of the characters from the previous book (Christmas), but I really loved getting to know new characters. Each story brought a piece of the town and its inhabitants to life and it's so hard for me to choose a favorite. I loved each one for different reasons. 

The feelings of belonging, hope for the future, forging new ties and cementing old ties, hard work, and family are common themes running through each of these stories. I really hope there is more about this place and these people on the horizon! 

Content: mild romance and one or two had mild religious elements. Clean!

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