Review: A Heartwarming Christmas: Boxed Set of Twelve Sweet Holiday Romances

A Heartwarming Christmas: A Boxed Set of Twelve Sweet Holiday Romances
*I received a copy of Book 2, in exchange for an honest review*
My Rating: 4.5 out of 5 Stars



About Book 2: The Fisher Brothers Christmas by Carol Ross, Cheryl Harper, & Amy Vastine: Three brothers with a Christmas Eve family tradition in jeopardy until love leads them home.

Novella 1: The Christmas Bell by Carol Ross, Harlequin Heartwarming author.
Novella 2: Making Up Under the Mistletoe by Cheryl Harper, Harlequin Heartwarming author.
Novella 3: My Christmas Hero by Amy Vastine, Harlequin Heartwarming author.

My Review:

I love stories that build on each other and that's just what these novellas do.  In The Christmas Bell, we meet the oldest Fisher brother, Ben. He's got a successful business in CA, but is home in Christmas Town, Maine for the holidays. Coming from a long family line of fire fighters, he decides the perfect gift for his father, the fire chief, is to find the missing bell and bring it home. Ben is a very determined character, who is also a little insecure and clueless at times. He is so adorable, in kind of a dorky way, and I couldn't help but to like him.  

Andrea is an old high school classmate, one who always seemed to have it all. Determined to make her own way in life, she's now into history and antiques and Ben contacts her for help finding the bell. I love how independent Andrea is and the cautious way this friendship develops into more.

What good is a love story without a little misunderstanding, some mistletoe, and a cozy, heartwarming setting? I loved this town, this family, these characters, and their story. I love a small town with a homey feel, well established traditions, and this really came through for me.

 *****

In Making Up Under the Mistletoe, we treated to the story of the next brother in the Fisher family--Josh. Josh married his high school sweetheart, Ivy, eight years ago and they've had quite a marriage. He is a fire fighter with his dad and brother, Rick, but his heart is set on moving on and having a break from Christmas Town. On the verge of divorce, Ivy and Josh have to figure out what really matters if they want to have any chance of saving their marriage.

I'm chalking it up to marrying so young, but this couple really has trouble communicating. Ivy is so set on helping her dad and doing what she thinks is best that she doesn't ever really hear Josh and his opinions. On the other hand, Josh, otherwise known as Crash, is a risk taker, knows what he wants in life, and thinks he's doing what's best for his small family, but he doesn't stop to talk about things with Ivy. Too much assumption going on!

I loved the Christmas miracles that occurred in this story. I grew to love the characters and to understand them and their motives. My heart was touched with this enjoyable story.

*****

My Christmas Hero really hit home for me! Rick is next in line to be fire chief, but has to continue to prove himself, since his dad is the current chief. He's a very commanding, yet likable guy and I easily fell for his character.

Julianna, or Jules, is a sweet local girl who does odd jobs, including that of a dog walker. What hit home most is that she's not a perfect woman. While walking a dog, she ends up stuck in a tree and has to be rescued. And that's only the beginning! Her day goes from bad to worse and Rick's right there in the middle of it all. I relate best to Jules because we're a lot alike.

I love the way Rick is able to take an embarrassing situation and turn it around. He is challenged to ask Jules out, but is determined to follow his own timetable when it comes to love and not that of someone else. The romantic sparks flickering in this wonderful Christmas setting hit the spot. The icing on the cake is the humor and banter. I completely enjoyed this one!

Content: all three stories are sweet, clean romances with mild kissing only. Clean!

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About the Authors: 

Carol Ross was born and raised in Washington, where she lives with her husband and one perfectly loveable miscreant of a dachshund. She adores the Pacific Northwest because it offers so many opportunities to do what she loves--hiking, skiing, running, and spending time outdoors. Although she enjoys reading in many genres, she writes what she loves the most--romance, especially light-hearted stories about the fun, flirty, and often-tumultuous path toward a happily ever after. Stop by her website for all the latest news: http://www.carolrossauthor.com/ You can follow Carol on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/carolrossauthor AND Twitter @_CarolRoss 

  

Cheryl Harper discovered her love for books and words as a little girl, thanks to a mother who made countless library trips and an introduction to Laura Ingalls Wilder's Little House stories. Now she spends her days searching for the right words while she stares out the window and her dog snoozes beside her. 

Amy Vastine has been plotting stories in her head for as long as she can remember. An eternal optimist, she studied social work, hoping to teach others how to find their silver lining. Now, she enjoys creating happily ever afters for all to read. Amy lives outside Chicago with her high school sweetheart-turned-husband, three fun-loving children, and their sweet but mischievous puppy dog.