Review copy was received from Publisher. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
One Christmas Wish by Brenda Jackson Series: Catalina Cove #5
Published by HQN Books on October 26, 2021
Genres: Contemporary Romance
Pages: 384
Format: eARC
Source: Publisher
Goodreads
Amazon, Audible, Libro.fm, Barnes & Noble, Apple
Vaughn Miller’s Wall Street career was abruptly ended by a wrongful conviction and two years in prison. Since then, he’s returned to his hometown, kept his head down and forged a way forward. When he is exonerated and his name cleared, he feels he can hold his head up once again, maybe even talk to the beautiful café owner who sets his blood to simmering.
Sierra Crane escaped a disastrous marriage—barely. She and her six-year-old goddaughter have returned to the only place that feels like home. Determined to make it on her own, Sierra opens a soup café. Complication is the last thing she needs, but the moment Vaughn walks into her café, she can’t keep her eyes off the smoldering loner.
When they give in to their attraction, what Sierra thought would be a onetime thing becomes so much more. Vaughn knows she’s the one. Sierra can’t deny the way Vaughn makes her feel, but she’s been burned before. With Christmas approaching, Vaughn takes a chance to prove his love, and it will be up to Sierra to decide if her one Christmas wish—true happiness—will come true.
A small town for the holiday is just the sort of comfy, heartwarming romance setting I crave. Brenda Jackson has brought her readers back to Catalina Cove for a new lovers getting a second chance surrounded by friends, family, and community that makes the magic of the holidays a delicious extra to an already engaging story.
One Christmas Wish is the fifth in a series of standalone romances. There are mentions of previous couples and updates with them, but there is no trouble jumping in with this one like I did.
Catalina Cove is a small hamlet on the gulf coast of Louisiana with a rich history of Creole, southern, and, oh yes, a pirate finding romance founded the town. A wealthy business owner has put up low interest business loans to help draw back former residents and revitalize the town business district. This ends up revitalizing several lonely people who find love and home in Catalina Cove.
The latest pair to discover an attraction have complicated painful pasts to overcome.
Vaughn Miller went to prison for a crime he didn’t commit and was exonerated, but the damage had been done in some quarters like his fiancé who took off and wouldn’t believe in his innocence. He has been afraid to give love a second chance until he encounters a lovely woman who attracts him on all levels. She is more hesitant than he is, but he decides she’s worth it and settles in for the long game of coaxing Sierra Crane into giving happily ever after a chance.
Sierra once had a marriage, that on paper, would be the envy of all until she caught her husband cheating and realized he would make her choose between him and her late best friend’s orphaned child since he wanted no children to gum up his life. Opening a soup and sandwich shop in her hometown and focusing entirely on six year old Teryn and her business is all she wants. Never again will she take a chance with her heart even for a man who makes her feel like she never felt before. She gets one Christmas wish according to her goddaughter so what should she use it on?
For the most part, this was a lovely, gentle low-angst holiday romance against backdrop of a town celebrating the holidays with some bedroom spice and a southern style. Oh sure, there are some exes to contend with and Sierra did hold out a long time and even chose to blow up some drama because she got cold feet after she did open up, but yes, it was a sure heart-warmer. Another favorite part of this fab holiday romance was that it left me craving all sorts of home-made soups, sandwiches, and regional holiday cooking.
So, a small town Gulf Coast holiday romance hit the spot and left me craving more Catalina Cove. Those who enjoy a slightly spicy low angst romance should add this one to the holiday reading pile.
About Brenda Jackson
Brenda Jackson is a New York Times bestselling author of more than one hundred romance titles. Brenda lives in Jacksonville, Florida, and divides her time between family, writing and traveling.
As a lifelong reader, it was inevitable that Sophia would discover book blogs and the joy of blog reviewing.Sophia is a prolific reader and audiobook listener which allows her to experience so many wonderful books, authors, and narrators.Few genres are outside her reading tastes, but her true love is fiction particularly history, mystery, sci-fi, and romance.Though, sorry, no horror or she will run like Shaggy and Scooby.
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I like the sound of this holiday romance. And I love the idea of a soup cafe!
Yes, soup and sandwiches hit the spot in the winter season. Loved the mention of several shops in the town.
I like the idea of living in Catalina Cove! Lovely review Sophia
Same here. I wish it weren’t fictitious. 🙂
I love the foodie aspects. Great review Sophia.
Same here! I was so hungry for soup and sandwiches that I had to hit our local sandwich shop twice the week I read this one. 🙂
It’s always nice to have books like that!
It really is. So cozy!
I love homemade soups this time of year! Sounds like a wonderful shop on top of a wonderful romance! I need to look into this series!
It sure is. I think I hit the sandwich shop twice for soup and sandwiches while reading this one. 🙂 I thought the other stories in the series sounded promising, too.
The last thing I need is a new series but this sounds wonderful! Great review, Sophia💜
I hear you. Sooo many book temptations out there. Thanks, Jonetta!
Sounds like a perfect holiday read. 🙂
It really hit the spot and got me in the mood. 🙂
I also enjoy small town settings and romance in books :). This sounds like a lovely romance and I can see why both are a bit hesitant to give love another try. That’s nice it’s low on the angst and with a holiday backdrop. I can definitely see why you enjoyed this one 🙂
Yes, it was a perfect read for my mood and likes. 🙂 Thanks, Lola!
I have always wanted to try this author’s work. I am so glad that you enjoyed this one. It sounds fantastic!
Sharonda put me onto her cowboy books, but I thought this small town series looked fab. I’ll definitely be watching for the next one and maybe fit in the backlist at some point.
This sounds really good. I do love a small town romance.
Glad to put you onto it. 🙂