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mrsherrera's review
hopeful
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief
Minor: Child death, Death of parent, and Car accident
erinnejc's review
3.0
I enjoyed this, but not as much as previous Shannon Stacey novellas. Nathaniel was gorgeous, but while Will and Christina's relationship was very sweet, I felt it lacked that spark present in other couples. Overall it was a well written, sweet story set at Christmas time.
hlawona99's review
4.0
I gave the book 4stars it was a lovely light read that had you laughing and crying and hoping that they will become a family. Will had a tragic loss of his wife a little girl. Now he feels guilty in loving his neighbor and little boy, but decides on giving love another shot.
jonetta's review
4.0
I expected a "feel good" holiday romance and was not disappointed!
Christina Forrester and her 7-year old son are starting over in a small New Hampshire town following her divorce from her former wealthy husband, now in prison for financial investment fraud. She's struggling to make ends meet but on many levels, her life is so much better. Will Broughton returns home after a 5-year absence following the death of his wife, only to find his recently widowed mother has taken Christina and her son under her maternal wings.
It's a lovely story of two lonely but healing people who were badly hurt and are a bit wary of investing in another relationship. Christina's son, Nathaniel, is not only adorable but their bridge to each other. They redefine family during the holiday season and learn to treasure the time they have now.
I really liked how both Christina and Will were crafted...once broken but mending nicely. This is a perfect story for the Christmas season, not too sweet but extremely heartwarming. Loved it.
(I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review)
Christina Forrester and her 7-year old son are starting over in a small New Hampshire town following her divorce from her former wealthy husband, now in prison for financial investment fraud. She's struggling to make ends meet but on many levels, her life is so much better. Will Broughton returns home after a 5-year absence following the death of his wife, only to find his recently widowed mother has taken Christina and her son under her maternal wings.
It's a lovely story of two lonely but healing people who were badly hurt and are a bit wary of investing in another relationship. Christina's son, Nathaniel, is not only adorable but their bridge to each other. They redefine family during the holiday season and learn to treasure the time they have now.
I really liked how both Christina and Will were crafted...once broken but mending nicely. This is a perfect story for the Christmas season, not too sweet but extremely heartwarming. Loved it.
(I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review)
ssejig's review
3.0
I hesitate to call this a novella; it feels more like a story taken out of a romance anthology. In it, we meet single-mother Christina and her hunky new neighbor, Will. Christina's husband cheated his friends out of a lot of money and left Christina with no money and no discernible skills. She was lucky to find a job at a convenience store and a neighbor kind enough to watch her son when he came home from school. Then, Gail's son comes home from his travels. He left after his wife and unborn child were hit by a drunk driver.
They both have their issues. Can they get beyond their pasts to find a new future together?
They both have their issues. Can they get beyond their pasts to find a new future together?
anacoqui's review
4.0
Will ran away from his life after his pregnant wife was killed in a car accident. He has been drifting ever since working short-term contracts all around the country. After his father's unexpected death and with the holidays coming, he packs up all his gear and head back home to be there for his mom. But home has changed since he left. His mother is not as lonely as he expects her to be. She has taken under her wing, Christina and Nathaniel, a divorced mother and son, who live across the street. As his initial suspicious reaction to Christina and Nathaniel fade, he becomes uncomfortably aware of his strong attraction to her. Christina is new to town, having relocated there after her ex-husband bankrupted them when his financial pyramid scheme collapsed. Without family and friends to depend on she has fallen a long way from society wife to convenience store attendant. It is has been a very long time since she has felt the pull of attraction too but the last thing she wants is to get involved with a man that might pick up and leave when things get tough.
Over multiple encounters Christina and Will try to ignore their attraction before eventually they settle one of my favorite tropes, the “we both know this is going nowhere but” secret sexual relationship. Will’s grief and Christina’s trust issues mean they both are scared of getting involved again but can’t help getting attached. Of course Christina’s son Nathaniel and Will’s mom Gail are not oblivious to what is really going on and Christina and Will might hope.
I cried buckets reading this book. Stacey did a wonderful job presenting Will’s grief and the underlying fears he is struggling with. I thought their big conflict was incredibly believable, it sounded like a real fight, and I believed their emotions. And after putting me through the wringer it had a wonderful resolution that still makes me smile.
I am grateful for the review copy of Her Holiday Man I received from Carina Press via NetGalley.
4.5 stars
Over multiple encounters Christina and Will try to ignore their attraction before eventually they settle one of my favorite tropes, the “we both know this is going nowhere but” secret sexual relationship. Will’s grief and Christina’s trust issues mean they both are scared of getting involved again but can’t help getting attached. Of course Christina’s son Nathaniel and Will’s mom Gail are not oblivious to what is really going on and Christina and Will might hope.
I cried buckets reading this book. Stacey did a wonderful job presenting Will’s grief and the underlying fears he is struggling with. I thought their big conflict was incredibly believable, it sounded like a real fight, and I believed their emotions. And after putting me through the wringer it had a wonderful resolution that still makes me smile.
I am grateful for the review copy of Her Holiday Man I received from Carina Press via NetGalley.
4.5 stars
writerlibrarian's review
3.0
A longish novella that centers on four people that learn to love again, feel again, trust again and live again.
Will finds that he is ready to move on after the lost of his wife and unborn daughther, his mom, Gail finds she can still live and be happy after losing her husband after almost 40 years of marriage, Christina and Nathaniel, mother and son learn they can love and trust people again after losing everything but each other.
It's not flashy but it's a solid character driven, sweet and up lifting tale.
A solid 3 stars.
Will finds that he is ready to move on after the lost of his wife and unborn daughther, his mom, Gail finds she can still live and be happy after losing her husband after almost 40 years of marriage, Christina and Nathaniel, mother and son learn they can love and trust people again after losing everything but each other.
It's not flashy but it's a solid character driven, sweet and up lifting tale.
A solid 3 stars.
shell74's review
4.0
“I’m not the man you need, Christina.”
“I don’t need any man at all, but right now you’re the man that I want.”
Leave it to Shannon Stacey to make my heart melt with this sweet and tender holiday romance. Who doesn’t love a story set in a cozy, wintery New England town? Especially one so filled with genuine people whose hearts are on the mend during such a magical season.
Author Shannon Stacey writes amazing small town stories with authentic-feeling plots and details. Her Holiday Man is a shining example of this. I loved that the storyline depicted just how close-knit Mrs. Broughton’s neighborhood was, to the point that she befriended Christina and helped her find a home to rent right across from her.
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“I don’t need any man at all, but right now you’re the man that I want.”
Leave it to Shannon Stacey to make my heart melt with this sweet and tender holiday romance. Who doesn’t love a story set in a cozy, wintery New England town? Especially one so filled with genuine people whose hearts are on the mend during such a magical season.
Author Shannon Stacey writes amazing small town stories with authentic-feeling plots and details. Her Holiday Man is a shining example of this. I loved that the storyline depicted just how close-knit Mrs. Broughton’s neighborhood was, to the point that she befriended Christina and helped her find a home to rent right across from her.
Read More
amandaainge's review
3.0
I really shouldn't even read books that are less than 250 pages, they just annoy me because everything reads as rushed and a little superficial. This was actually one of the better novella/short books I've read. But I just couldn't seem to care about the characters. Christina was just a little to well adjusted after her life turns upside down. And Will was a little too sweet. I liked the book, I didn't love it. It was a little bit too sweet for me, and I love sweet books.
It did contain one of my pet peeves, which is when the heroine throws themselves as the hero. A little too aggressively. And all of the characters are just a bit too perfect to really connect with.
Overall I'd recommend it, but there's no rush to read it before another book that you're highly anticipating.
It did contain one of my pet peeves, which is when the heroine throws themselves as the hero. A little too aggressively. And all of the characters are just a bit too perfect to really connect with.
Overall I'd recommend it, but there's no rush to read it before another book that you're highly anticipating.