Falling Like Snowflakes (Summer Harbor #1) by Denise Hunter {Review}

Falling Like Snowflakes (Summer Harbor #1)
by Denise Hunter

Kindle Edition, 346 pages

Published September 8th 2015 by Thomas Nelson 

 

 

Eden Martelli is too busy fleeing the clutches of danger to realize she’s running straight into the arms of a new love.

Speeding north through rural Maine, Eden Martelli wonders how her life came to this—on the run with her mute five-year-old son dozing fitfully in the passenger seat. When a breakdown leaves them stranded in Summer Harbor, Eden has no choice but to stay put through Christmas . . . even though they have no place to lay their heads.

Beau Callahan is a habitual problem solver—for other people anyway. He left the sheriff’s department to take over his family’s Christmas tree farm, but he’s still haunted by the loss of his parents and struggling to handle his first Christmas alone.

When Eden shows up looking for work just as Beau’s feisty aunt gets out of the hospital, Beau thinks he’s finally caught a break. Eden is competent and dedicated—if a little guarded—and a knockout to boot. But, as he soon finds out, she also comes with a boatload of secrets.

Eden has been through too much to trust her heart to another man, but Beau is impossible to resist, and the feeling seems to be mutual. As Christmas Eve approaches, Eden’s past catches up to her.

Beau will go to the ends of the earth to keep her safe. But who’s going to protect his heart from a woman who can’t seem to trust again.

 

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My Review: 4.5 Stars

 

I can't even imagine being on the run and constantly looking over my shoulder, as Eden is forced to do, but she handles herself and life so well. Me? I would be a complete mess! I love reading suspense, but there's no way I could actually live it. I thought that Ms. Hunter did a fabulous job in weaving together a great suspense with some fine, clean romance.

 

Eden's controlling husband is dead and when witness protection failed, she's on the run. I really loved how strong and resourceful Eden is. She's got a true mother's heart and will do whatever it takes to protect and provide for her son. When Beau helps her out, by providing her a job, she's unable to resist his manly charms and true goodness. Good thing he's taken! I absolutely adore Beau! He's a protector and as head of his family and a strong member of the community, he's got a lot going for him in solving some secrets--especially surrounding his new employee. He's definitely persistent, but in a steady and kind way.

 

I love a story with a good supporting cast. Paige, Beau's girlfriend is such a sweet woman and even grumpy Aunt Trudy grabbed a place in my heart. Of course, Beau's brothers are amazing--I'm hoping that Riley and Zac will get their own stories. My only issue is a slight inconsistency. Eden is very good at deciphering a person's personality and aura, yet she married a jerk. It was hard for me to understand why, except that she was desperate and young. Aside from that, I was completely happy with the story from start to finish and I'm looking forward to more!

 

Content: mild violence (vague and matter-of-fact descriptions of murder, spousal abuse, moments of peril); mild-moderate religious elements (the characters are obviously religious, but there's no preaching); no language; mild romance (kissing). Clean for an adult reader! 

 

*I received a copy from the publisher, through Netgalley, in exchange for an honest review*

 

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About the Author:

Denise Hunter is the award-winning author of 20 novels, including Dancing with Fireflies and Convenient Groom.

Denise lives in Indiana with her husband Kevin and their three sons. In 1996, Denise began her first book, a Christian romance novel, writing while her children napped. Two years later it was published, and she's been writing ever since. Her books often contain a strong romantic element, and her husband Kevin says he provides all her romantic material, but Denise insists a good imagination helps too!