Reviews

The Christmas feel-good vibes are high and tucking into a comfy smalltown sweet holiday romance is responsible. Rae Anne Thayne is a superstar of holiday books, but wouldn’t you know it, I’d never dipped my toe into the waters yet. Christmas at the Shelter Inn was a fine way to acquire a taste for the author’s charming, with just the right sugar romances.

The set-up is one I enjoy. Natalie Shepherd (don’t you just how her name even as a holiday-esque connection—inn-shepherd-natal?)… anyway, our heroine has been away from her home town and kept nomading away by her own issues with abandonment, but a sister’s bedrest pregnancy causes a predicament and she has to heed the call of family need. She is there to run the retirement housing and look after her cute nieces. But, soon, she’s drawn back into reluctant feelings for her brother’s bestie.

Meanwhile, small town doctor and all around good guy Griff is eating his heart out about the return of Natalie and stressing over a long-held guilt-ridden secret. Even beyond his struggles, Natalie gives him an uphill battle toward love. But, as we all know, its holiday romance magic time and with festivities, snowy town setting, cute nieces and Griffin’s gran, and sweets, this pair don’t stand a chance. I appreciated how the author gave emotional depth to the romance with the need to deal with the past and grief and reconnect as older people and with family.

In summary, I adored Christmas at the Shelter Inn and it left me satisfied, but wishing I hadn’t waited to so long to experience the author’s books. Do yourself a Santa solid and snatch this one up with your comfy throw, a hot cocoa, and curl up in your reading nook for some holiday cheer.

susanjanette's review

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hopeful lighthearted medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.75

ckreads28's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional funny hopeful lighthearted reflective sad 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

4.0

This was a very sweet read. The community had a very found family. The kids were sweet but I loved more the coming home feeling and falling back in love with something you used to love. It was super cozy.

tabtalksbooks's review against another edition

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emotional lighthearted medium-paced

4.0

Disclaimer: There could be what you would consider slight spoilers below. Read with your own judgement. I will never come out and blatantly spoil something however small hints may be unintentionally given.

Thank you so much to @uplitreads and @raeannethayne for #gifting me an ARC to read and review!

This book gave you the best winters holiday feels ever. Including a big snowstorm on Christmas Eve. This story follows Natalie and Griffin who were childhood friends. Natalie is a nomad traveling doing freelance all over the world. Natalie’s sister is on strict bed rest while pregnant with her third baby and has two little girls and a retirement housing complex to manage. Natalie comes back home to Shelter Inn to help her sister while she’s on bed rest. The feel god community vibes from this book were beyond. It goes into life and death and how to move on and find love again. I absolutely loved the family aspect of this book.

colleend's review against another edition

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lighthearted slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

1.5

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