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jullecomer's review
4.0
My grandma said she loved this book and gave it to my mom and I to read, so I wanted to see why she loved it. I can absolutely see why this is a favorite of hers, it reminded me of a hallmark type story (with some spice…did not need to know my grandma read this BUT oh well) and it was such a nice concept to have an interconnected story written by different authors. I loved the growth they had, and loved the idea behind the book
scoutmomskf's review against another edition
4.0
This was a terrific collection of stories about second chances, self-discovery, and family. I loved seeing these four women overcome past hurts and find their ways back to the love and friendship they used to share.
Spring - Caitlin Crews
Keira and Remy
Keira is the first of June's granddaughters to arrive at the old homestead. Her task is to help with the cattle, which after five years of living in the city, will take some getting used to. Her partner in this endeavor is Remy, the former love of her life. Their relationship fell apart when he couldn't understand her need to move away for a while. It wasn't that she didn't love him or want to marry him, but that she had to get away from her parents and find out who she was without their influence. Remy was very cold to her at first, but it wasn't long before the old attraction rekindled. However, they are now older and better able to discuss the differences between them and see where things went wrong before. There were two scenes I especially liked: Remy being there to support Keira during her confrontations with her parents, and Keira facing off with Remy's mother about the way his family has treated him. I liked how they finally worked through their differences and were able to move forward together.
Summer - Nicole Helm
JJ and Cade
Grandma June's request of JJ was that she watches two little girls for the summer while their single dad does his work. JJ's parents divorced when she was young, leaving her with her father and her mother taking her little sister Lila. JJ's father was very anti-emotion and taught JJ to be the same way. She has spent years hiding and burying her emotions while trying to win her father's approval. Fulfilling her grandmother's request is the first time she's gone against him. JJ feels very much out of her depth at first with the two girls. I liked watching her relax with them, and begin to see similarities between Ellie and Lora and herself and Lila. There were sparks between Cade and JJ, but they tried to ignore them, as JJ wasn't planning to stay. They developed a very sweet friendship before the sparks started to burn out of control. I loved watching JJ learn to embrace her emotions and show them to those she cares about. It was sweet to see how Cade helped her express those emotions by not judging her when she did. The ending was terrific.
Fall - Maisey Yates
Lila and Everett
Fly-by-the-seat-of-her-pants Lila was tagged to organize and run the yearly Red Sled Festival, something she feels is way beyond her capability. But that's okay because Grandma June has also asked neighbor Everett to help Lila. This forces Lila to face the man she had a crush on as a teenager, and who she made of fool of herself in front of at his engagement party. But Bella is an eternal optimist who does her best to see the bright side of everything, so she sucks it up and deals, only to discover that the feelings she had for Everett never died. Everett is a very pragmatic man who views everything with a jaundiced eye. The opposites attract development of their relationship was an interesting one to watch. I especially enjoyed the discussions of their different ways of looking at life and the effect on their dreams of the future. It takes Everett a little longer to recognize his feelings for Lila. I loved his big moment at the end. There was also a terrific scene between Lila and JJ as they mended the rift caused by their parents' actions.
Winter - Jackie Ashenden
Bella and Noah
Bella was the missing cousin, the one who didn't come to the funeral because no one knew where she was. The lawyers finally tracked her down, just in time for her to have her season in Grandma June's house. The timing was fortuitous for Bella, as she recently had her bank account cleaned out, leaving her with nothing. She showed up at the house with little more than the clothes on her back. Bella is very independent. Having grown up with a mother who used men for whatever she wanted, then leaving them when something better came along, Bella works hard at never asking for help. Her letter from June tells her to fix up the house and sell it if she wants to, and not to be afraid to ask for help. When Bella arrives at the house, she immediately runs into the last person she wanted to see - her ex-stepbrother, Noah. Her mom was married to Noah's dad the year Bella was thirteen. Bella had a massive crush on nineteen-year-old Noah, who never seemed to notice her. Lila asked Noah to check on Bella. He wasn't happy about it, as he had cut himself off from everyone. Years of taking care of his drunk father had drained him, and he doesn't want anyone to need him. But something about Bella draws him like a magnet. The development of the relationship between them was a rocky one. There was intense chemistry, but both of them feared getting too close. Noah fought it, but couldn't stop himself from wanting to help her. There were some sweet scenes of the things he did for her, things that showed he understood her. Bella was a bit lost at first, having a hard time accepting his help. Though both fought against their growing feelings, they also found it easy to talk to each other about stuff they'd never told anyone else. I ached for Noah, who was afraid of becoming addicted to Bella the way his dad was addicted to booze, and caused him to push her away. I cried for Bella, who had finally let someone in, just to be rejected. I loved the ending and the unexpected visitors who arrived at just the right time to give Bella the support and kick in the pants that she needed. Her and Noah's big moment at the end was deeply emotional and perfect for both of them.
Spring - Caitlin Crews
Keira and Remy
Keira is the first of June's granddaughters to arrive at the old homestead. Her task is to help with the cattle, which after five years of living in the city, will take some getting used to. Her partner in this endeavor is Remy, the former love of her life. Their relationship fell apart when he couldn't understand her need to move away for a while. It wasn't that she didn't love him or want to marry him, but that she had to get away from her parents and find out who she was without their influence. Remy was very cold to her at first, but it wasn't long before the old attraction rekindled. However, they are now older and better able to discuss the differences between them and see where things went wrong before. There were two scenes I especially liked: Remy being there to support Keira during her confrontations with her parents, and Keira facing off with Remy's mother about the way his family has treated him. I liked how they finally worked through their differences and were able to move forward together.
Summer - Nicole Helm
JJ and Cade
Grandma June's request of JJ was that she watches two little girls for the summer while their single dad does his work. JJ's parents divorced when she was young, leaving her with her father and her mother taking her little sister Lila. JJ's father was very anti-emotion and taught JJ to be the same way. She has spent years hiding and burying her emotions while trying to win her father's approval. Fulfilling her grandmother's request is the first time she's gone against him. JJ feels very much out of her depth at first with the two girls. I liked watching her relax with them, and begin to see similarities between Ellie and Lora and herself and Lila. There were sparks between Cade and JJ, but they tried to ignore them, as JJ wasn't planning to stay. They developed a very sweet friendship before the sparks started to burn out of control. I loved watching JJ learn to embrace her emotions and show them to those she cares about. It was sweet to see how Cade helped her express those emotions by not judging her when she did. The ending was terrific.
Fall - Maisey Yates
Lila and Everett
Fly-by-the-seat-of-her-pants Lila was tagged to organize and run the yearly Red Sled Festival, something she feels is way beyond her capability. But that's okay because Grandma June has also asked neighbor Everett to help Lila. This forces Lila to face the man she had a crush on as a teenager, and who she made of fool of herself in front of at his engagement party. But Bella is an eternal optimist who does her best to see the bright side of everything, so she sucks it up and deals, only to discover that the feelings she had for Everett never died. Everett is a very pragmatic man who views everything with a jaundiced eye. The opposites attract development of their relationship was an interesting one to watch. I especially enjoyed the discussions of their different ways of looking at life and the effect on their dreams of the future. It takes Everett a little longer to recognize his feelings for Lila. I loved his big moment at the end. There was also a terrific scene between Lila and JJ as they mended the rift caused by their parents' actions.
Winter - Jackie Ashenden
Bella and Noah
Bella was the missing cousin, the one who didn't come to the funeral because no one knew where she was. The lawyers finally tracked her down, just in time for her to have her season in Grandma June's house. The timing was fortuitous for Bella, as she recently had her bank account cleaned out, leaving her with nothing. She showed up at the house with little more than the clothes on her back. Bella is very independent. Having grown up with a mother who used men for whatever she wanted, then leaving them when something better came along, Bella works hard at never asking for help. Her letter from June tells her to fix up the house and sell it if she wants to, and not to be afraid to ask for help. When Bella arrives at the house, she immediately runs into the last person she wanted to see - her ex-stepbrother, Noah. Her mom was married to Noah's dad the year Bella was thirteen. Bella had a massive crush on nineteen-year-old Noah, who never seemed to notice her. Lila asked Noah to check on Bella. He wasn't happy about it, as he had cut himself off from everyone. Years of taking care of his drunk father had drained him, and he doesn't want anyone to need him. But something about Bella draws him like a magnet. The development of the relationship between them was a rocky one. There was intense chemistry, but both of them feared getting too close. Noah fought it, but couldn't stop himself from wanting to help her. There were some sweet scenes of the things he did for her, things that showed he understood her. Bella was a bit lost at first, having a hard time accepting his help. Though both fought against their growing feelings, they also found it easy to talk to each other about stuff they'd never told anyone else. I ached for Noah, who was afraid of becoming addicted to Bella the way his dad was addicted to booze, and caused him to push her away. I cried for Bella, who had finally let someone in, just to be rejected. I loved the ending and the unexpected visitors who arrived at just the right time to give Bella the support and kick in the pants that she needed. Her and Noah's big moment at the end was deeply emotional and perfect for both of them.
tiredfangirl's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
mommasaystoread's review against another edition
4.0
Such a touching book. Four stories from four authors, all connected to the same world, but unique at the same time. I have a soft spot for cowboys, so this one was right up my alley. Plus I love anthologies. I think they're a great way to meet new authors, and this one was half new to me authors and half authors that I've enjoyed before, so I was sure to be happy with at least part of the book. As it turns out, I enjoyed each story, and will be looking forward to reading all four of these talented ladies again. As for this anthology, we get a romance for each season as well as four fun tropes to dig into. I would recommend this one to anyone who enjoys a good cowboy romance, and stories revolving around Grandma June's last wishes is a sweet touch.
alittlebitbooked's review
4.0
I was so excited for this, and with good reason! What a great group of writers coming together to create stories of my favourite genre, Rural Romance!
Each story was strong and I was intrigued immediately, however each story seemed rushed and short, like they needed a novel all their own. I would have liked it as a series of books...
Perhaps this is a good thing? You all made me want so much more.
My only reason for taking off a star, is like I stated earlier, I wanted more from the stories, perhaps a little longer, more information and perhaps a fifth instalment as a tie together with all girls tales intertwining a bit more?
All in all a very easy and enjoyable read! Thank you!
Each story was strong and I was intrigued immediately, however each story seemed rushed and short, like they needed a novel all their own. I would have liked it as a series of books...
Perhaps this is a good thing? You all made me want so much more.
My only reason for taking off a star, is like I stated earlier, I wanted more from the stories, perhaps a little longer, more information and perhaps a fifth instalment as a tie together with all girls tales intertwining a bit more?
All in all a very easy and enjoyable read! Thank you!
anabelsbrother's review
3.0
Spring - Caitlin Crews : 4/5 -- I'm always a sucker for second chance romance stories, and Keira/Remy can fit right in CC's Cold River series.
Summer - Nicole Helm: 3/5 -- eh it was okay. Couldn't connect to JJ so it was a bit hard to get into, even a single dad hero couldn't save it.
Fall - Maisey Yates: 4/5 -- EVERETT MCCALL, WHEW.
Winter - Jackie Ashenden: 3/5 -- it was cute but didn't really make me feel, iykwim?
E-ARC is received thanks to the publisher via Netgalley.
Summer - Nicole Helm: 3/5 -- eh it was okay. Couldn't connect to JJ so it was a bit hard to get into, even a single dad hero couldn't save it.
Fall - Maisey Yates: 4/5 -- EVERETT MCCALL, WHEW.
Winter - Jackie Ashenden: 3/5 -- it was cute but didn't really make me feel, iykwim?
E-ARC is received thanks to the publisher via Netgalley.
bzzylz's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
allingoodtime's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
I’ve been meaning to read this book since it came out a couple of years ago. All four authors who contributed to this book are writers I really enjoy. This book is, essentially, one story broken into four parts. Four cousins who lose their beloved grandma and are tasked with staying in her home for one season of the year each. Grandma June picked which season each should stay there and what task they should complete while there. Sounds like a fun set-up to me!
Spring by Caitlin Crews
To start things off, we have Keira. She moves into Grandma June’s house just weeks after the funeral. Keira once left behind her one true love in Jasper Creek in order to get away from her parents and prove to herself that she could stand on her own two feet. Now she’s back in town and that guy she left behind, Remy, pretty much wants nothing to do with her. She shattered his heart and he just didn’t understand her motivations at the time. Surprise! He’s running Grandma’s cattle operation and lives on the land, throwing these two together every single day.
There is a lot of angst with these two. I definitely felt the connection, but would have liked to see more. When they were together and interacting, be it to fight or get along, were the best parts. The reader, of course, needs to know the inner workings of the characters and why they made certain choices, but I felt we got a bit too much of the inner dialogue and not enough of them being together. So, while I enjoyed the story, I didn’t love the story. ~ 3 stars
Summer by Nicole Helm
It’s been a minute since I’ve read a Nicole Helm book, and this story makes me anxious to get her back into my rotation. This story gave me all the feels! JJ has a huge chip on her shoulder, with good reason, and Cade’s daughters are just the perfect little imps to help her open her eyes and her heart. Cade’s not so bad himself. A wonderful father and brother, a fantastic friend, really a great guy. The moments of vulnerability JJ is able to show in Cade are so touching and really helped to cement the idea that these two are meant for each other. I adore this story.
As I’m writing the review for each story in this book before moving onto the next story, I’m not sure that JJ’s story is truly over yet. She has her HEA with Cade and the girls, but there is still a lot to unload with her sister. Lila is next on the list to stay in Grandma June’s house. JJ may have come to terms with a lot that has to do with herself, her father, and the abandonment of her mother, but there is still a lot to unpack with her sister and I hope the authors find a way to show that by the end of this book. ~ 5 stars
To start things off, we have Keira. She moves into Grandma June’s house just weeks after the funeral. Keira once left behind her one true love in Jasper Creek in order to get away from her parents and prove to herself that she could stand on her own two feet. Now she’s back in town and that guy she left behind, Remy, pretty much wants nothing to do with her. She shattered his heart and he just didn’t understand her motivations at the time. Surprise! He’s running Grandma’s cattle operation and lives on the land, throwing these two together every single day.
There is a lot of angst with these two. I definitely felt the connection, but would have liked to see more. When they were together and interacting, be it to fight or get along, were the best parts. The reader, of course, needs to know the inner workings of the characters and why they made certain choices, but I felt we got a bit too much of the inner dialogue and not enough of them being together. So, while I enjoyed the story, I didn’t love the story. ~ 3 stars
Summer by Nicole Helm
It’s been a minute since I’ve read a Nicole Helm book, and this story makes me anxious to get her back into my rotation. This story gave me all the feels! JJ has a huge chip on her shoulder, with good reason, and Cade’s daughters are just the perfect little imps to help her open her eyes and her heart. Cade’s not so bad himself. A wonderful father and brother, a fantastic friend, really a great guy. The moments of vulnerability JJ is able to show in Cade are so touching and really helped to cement the idea that these two are meant for each other. I adore this story.
As I’m writing the review for each story in this book before moving onto the next story, I’m not sure that JJ’s story is truly over yet. She has her HEA with Cade and the girls, but there is still a lot to unload with her sister. Lila is next on the list to stay in Grandma June’s house. JJ may have come to terms with a lot that has to do with herself, her father, and the abandonment of her mother, but there is still a lot to unpack with her sister and I hope the authors find a way to show that by the end of this book. ~ 5 stars
Fall by Maisey Yates
Now it’s Lila’s turn at the farmhouse. Not only is she tasked with staying at the house, she has to plan the big Fall Bazaar. A sort of craft show, if you will. And it’s on the property of none other than Everett, the man she professed her love to back when she was the ripe old age of 17 and he was 27…at his engagement party…to another woman. Awkward!
Lila’s done a lot of growing up in the 7 years since she impetuously blurted out her truth to Everett. Turns out, she hasn’t had the perfect life with no problems she always tries to portray. To be fair, she never said she didn’t have problems. Lila just never saw the point of being doom and gloom when it’s not going to change the outcome. Everett, on the other hand, is nothing if not practical. While Lila’s matured a lot over the years, he has stayed in a bit of a rut when it comes to his emotional and social growth. These two don’t look like they’d work on paper, but that’s what makes them perfect together. That is, if they’d get out of their own way.
I didn’t get the warm-fuzzies I usually get from this author with this story. I was very interested to see how things would play out and liked the couple together, but I wasn’t getting the feels I wanted to feel. When it came to Lila and her sister JJ, they didn’t share a lot of time on the page together but the interactions gave me a lot of satisfaction. ~ 3 stars
Now it’s Lila’s turn at the farmhouse. Not only is she tasked with staying at the house, she has to plan the big Fall Bazaar. A sort of craft show, if you will. And it’s on the property of none other than Everett, the man she professed her love to back when she was the ripe old age of 17 and he was 27…at his engagement party…to another woman. Awkward!
Lila’s done a lot of growing up in the 7 years since she impetuously blurted out her truth to Everett. Turns out, she hasn’t had the perfect life with no problems she always tries to portray. To be fair, she never said she didn’t have problems. Lila just never saw the point of being doom and gloom when it’s not going to change the outcome. Everett, on the other hand, is nothing if not practical. While Lila’s matured a lot over the years, he has stayed in a bit of a rut when it comes to his emotional and social growth. These two don’t look like they’d work on paper, but that’s what makes them perfect together. That is, if they’d get out of their own way.
I didn’t get the warm-fuzzies I usually get from this author with this story. I was very interested to see how things would play out and liked the couple together, but I wasn’t getting the feels I wanted to feel. When it came to Lila and her sister JJ, they didn’t share a lot of time on the page together but the interactions gave me a lot of satisfaction. ~ 3 stars
Winter by Jackie Ashenden
This story is very emotional, and it’s the only one I felt compelled to use a content warning. Both Bella and Noah had a rough time of things as kids. Not that the other cousins didn’t have terrible parents, but there’s something about Bella’s backstory that seems a bit more dire than the others. Noah grew up with an alcoholic father and was basically abandoned by his mother. There’s just so much angst for them both. Yet they both find themselves compelled to make the other smile. It’s a beautiful thing.
Throughout these stories it’s become quite obvious that Grandma June’s house (yes, the house) is conspiring to help these women find their HEAs. With Bella’s way of dropping off the map and not being in any sort of contact with family for so long, the house is in emergency mode to get her to ask for help and not close herself off as she would usually do. I’d actually find it amusing to be in on the conversation of these cousins comparing notes on that house when all is said and done.
As for this pairing, Bella and Noah are perfect together. They are enough alike to understand each other, which they eventually start to realize, and enough different to be complimentary pieces to each other. They push when pushing is needed, and learn how to pull back once in a while…even when it goes against their first instinct. ~ 4 stars
This story is very emotional, and it’s the only one I felt compelled to use a content warning. Both Bella and Noah had a rough time of things as kids. Not that the other cousins didn’t have terrible parents, but there’s something about Bella’s backstory that seems a bit more dire than the others. Noah grew up with an alcoholic father and was basically abandoned by his mother. There’s just so much angst for them both. Yet they both find themselves compelled to make the other smile. It’s a beautiful thing.
Throughout these stories it’s become quite obvious that Grandma June’s house (yes, the house) is conspiring to help these women find their HEAs. With Bella’s way of dropping off the map and not being in any sort of contact with family for so long, the house is in emergency mode to get her to ask for help and not close herself off as she would usually do. I’d actually find it amusing to be in on the conversation of these cousins comparing notes on that house when all is said and done.
As for this pairing, Bella and Noah are perfect together. They are enough alike to understand each other, which they eventually start to realize, and enough different to be complimentary pieces to each other. They push when pushing is needed, and learn how to pull back once in a while…even when it goes against their first instinct. ~ 4 stars
Summary: This is a lovely family story, although the family doesn’t spend a lot of time together. The fact that they aren’t constantly in each other’s business is explained in an organic way that didn’t feel fake or forced. It came as a surprise to me that my two favorite authors out of this group of authors wrote my least favorite of the stories. They were still lovely, but not quite what I expected from them. But that also means the other two gave me more than expected, so I can’t complain.
Content Warnings
Minor: Alcoholism and Child abuse
alittlebitbooked's review against another edition
4.0
I was so excited for this, and with good reason! What a great group of writers coming together to create stories of my favourite genre, Rural Romance!
Each story was strong and I was intrigued immediately, however each story seemed rushed and short, like they needed a novel all their own. I would have liked it as a series of books...
Perhaps this is a good thing? You all made me want so much more.
My only reason for taking off a star, is like I stated earlier, I wanted more from the stories, perhaps a little longer, more information and perhaps a fifth instalment as a tie together with all girls tales intertwining a bit more?
All in all a very easy and enjoyable read! Thank you!
Each story was strong and I was intrigued immediately, however each story seemed rushed and short, like they needed a novel all their own. I would have liked it as a series of books...
Perhaps this is a good thing? You all made me want so much more.
My only reason for taking off a star, is like I stated earlier, I wanted more from the stories, perhaps a little longer, more information and perhaps a fifth instalment as a tie together with all girls tales intertwining a bit more?
All in all a very easy and enjoyable read! Thank you!
ssejig's review against another edition
3.0
Spring by Caitlin Crews
After the death of their grandmother, four women are tasked with staying at her house, each of them for one season. The first is Keira Long. Keira was raised by a con man father and a mother who thought that he was everything leaving no room for anyone else. The only place Keira felt loved was at her grandmother's. And then with Remy West. But his parents didn't approve and Keira felt like she needed to find out who she was on her own so she left when he proposed. That was five years ago. And now she's back, living in her grandmother's house on the same land the Remy lives on, helping with the cattle. Could it be that both of them of matured into people who can be together?
This was the best story of the four. We got to know both Keira and Remy. Was Keira a little bit more adult about them being together? Yes. But we got to see that both were human.
Summer by Nicole Helm
JJ is back for the summer and has promised to fill in for her grandmother, caring for Cade Mathewson's two girls. She remembers Cade from visiting her grandmother in the summer; he was the only boy that didn't get upset when she beat him at footraces. She is falling in love with the girls but can't deny that their situation (their mother decided to leave and hasn't seen them since) mirrors her own. It brings up a well of emotions that help her heal and maybe bring her to the life she wants to have.
I wish we had seen more of Cade realizing why JJ was so good for him. Of course, this is a short story so we don't get to see a lot but it was an okay story. Three stars.
Fall by Maisey Yates
Lila isn't sure why she's sticking around. It's not like she's organized enough to help run the Red Sled Holiday Bazaar but for some reason, that's what her grandmother asked her to do. And it's being run on Everett McCall's land. Yes, the same Everett that Lila confessed her love to when she was 17. At his engagement party. He's the whole reason she hesitated coming back to Jasper Creek, even ten years later. But working on this together might be a way to finally show the man that she's loved for so long that she is worth loving too.
I never did connect to Lila. She didn't get the closure with her mother that I was hoping for. An okay story but not one of Yates' best.
Winter by Jackie Ashenden
Bella is the last of the four cousins. She stopped coming back to Jasper Creek when her mother decided that it wasn't worth going. Now, after having all of her money stolen (and why wasn't there more follow-up on this? The bank can't just tell her that they won't replace her money), selling her grandmother's house is her last hope for opening up a cafe. But she has no money, no clothes, and little hope when she comes to the house. Luckily, her ex-stepbrother, Noah is keeping an eye on her. The same stepbrother she always loved. And he offers to help her get the house ready for sale while she... draws her cafe ideas? I guess that was supposed to show that he was helpful and dedicated but it would have been nice to see Bella make more of an effort. There are definitely going to be readers who want to read about a man taking care of a woman like that but I prefer more of a equal relationship.
After the death of their grandmother, four women are tasked with staying at her house, each of them for one season. The first is Keira Long. Keira was raised by a con man father and a mother who thought that he was everything leaving no room for anyone else. The only place Keira felt loved was at her grandmother's. And then with Remy West. But his parents didn't approve and Keira felt like she needed to find out who she was on her own so she left when he proposed. That was five years ago. And now she's back, living in her grandmother's house on the same land the Remy lives on, helping with the cattle. Could it be that both of them of matured into people who can be together?
This was the best story of the four. We got to know both Keira and Remy. Was Keira a little bit more adult about them being together? Yes. But we got to see that both were human.
Summer by Nicole Helm
JJ is back for the summer and has promised to fill in for her grandmother, caring for Cade Mathewson's two girls. She remembers Cade from visiting her grandmother in the summer; he was the only boy that didn't get upset when she beat him at footraces. She is falling in love with the girls but can't deny that their situation (their mother decided to leave and hasn't seen them since) mirrors her own. It brings up a well of emotions that help her heal and maybe bring her to the life she wants to have.
I wish we had seen more of Cade realizing why JJ was so good for him. Of course, this is a short story so we don't get to see a lot but it was an okay story. Three stars.
Fall by Maisey Yates
Lila isn't sure why she's sticking around. It's not like she's organized enough to help run the Red Sled Holiday Bazaar but for some reason, that's what her grandmother asked her to do. And it's being run on Everett McCall's land. Yes, the same Everett that Lila confessed her love to when she was 17. At his engagement party. He's the whole reason she hesitated coming back to Jasper Creek, even ten years later. But working on this together might be a way to finally show the man that she's loved for so long that she is worth loving too.
I never did connect to Lila. She didn't get the closure with her mother that I was hoping for. An okay story but not one of Yates' best.
Winter by Jackie Ashenden
Bella is the last of the four cousins. She stopped coming back to Jasper Creek when her mother decided that it wasn't worth going. Now, after having all of her money stolen (and why wasn't there more follow-up on this? The bank can't just tell her that they won't replace her money), selling her grandmother's house is her last hope for opening up a cafe. But she has no money, no clothes, and little hope when she comes to the house. Luckily, her ex-stepbrother, Noah is keeping an eye on her. The same stepbrother she always loved. And he offers to help her get the house ready for sale while she... draws her cafe ideas? I guess that was supposed to show that he was helpful and dedicated but it would have been nice to see Bella make more of an effort. There are definitely going to be readers who want to read about a man taking care of a woman like that but I prefer more of a equal relationship.
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