Mine for the Winter

Winterville #6

by Carrie Elks

The elusive Kris Winter returns to Winterville. But is the little town in the snowy mountains ready for him?

Genres: Romance, Christmas, Second Chance, Friends To Lovers, Small Town Romance, Second Chance Romance, Slow Burn

320 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 30, 2023

About the author

Carrie Elks is an international bestselling author of traditionally-published and self-published novels. Her books are sweet yet sexy contemporary small town romance stories. You can find her in all these places:


Website:https://www.carrieelks.com
Amazon: http://author.to/CarrieElksAuthor
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CarrieElksAu...
Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/carri...
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/carrie.elks/

Reviews

[Naianne Lara · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is a ex-friends to lovers, single mom trope and nothing different from what Carrie Elks writes. I like her writing style, I think she doesn’t over complicate things and her stories are sweet and steamy. But, what bugs me every time is how she creates toxic relationships or at least toxic moments where the heroine takes all the verb violence without fighting back, or someone fighting for her. In this case, her son’s father - who barely calls his son and doesn’t pay child support - treats her like shit and she takes everything silently. I kept waiting for her or anyone to put him in his place and nothing happened. I think as an author you can’t create a situation like that and not make it clear for the reader that it’s not okay to be spoken like that. It’s almost as if she feels like it’s the job of the heroine to be abused and then turn the other cheek. It’s so fucking irritating.

[Dawn Clements · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love reconnecting with the winter family ~ it’s like reconnecting & catching up with old friends again.
Mine for the Winter is Kris’ story & the final book in the Winterville series.

I love Carrie Elks & know I can count on her for a book that is full of all the feels, Mine for the winter delivers all of that and more.

This is one of those books that pulls you in with the first chapter and you don't want to put it down until it's finished. At the same time you don't want it to end ~ Another fantastic read in the form of small town, second chance romance.

Kris, Kelly & Lyle grew up together, they did everything together. They was known as the three Musketeers.
Kris & Lyle were both secretly in love with Kelly but made a pact not to date Kelly & ruin their friendship.

When Kris left Winterville to attend college, Lyle & Kelly was left behind.
Kelly had lost Kris so the thought of loosing Lyle was just too painful for her. Their friendship turned more series & she became pregnant.
Kris hated walking away from Kelly when she needed him most but she should have been his !

Kris returns to Winterville 11 years later & wants to make amends to his childhood best friend ~ Kelly was the one that got away. They both begin to reconnect. The attraction & chemistry is still strong between them, both are vulnerable & trying to protect their hearts, neither one would survive loosing the other again………… I loved seeing their relationship evolve.
This is a heartbreakingly, beautiful second chance love story that will fill you with all the emotions.

We get to see flashbacks of their teenage years, showing their friendship, how they became close & what caused their bond to break.


As readers- we love being swept away by the magic of a good book. If we're lucky, we find stories that transport us ~ where we're completely consumed into a world where characters become living and breathing people, where emotions, love, and happiness are felt.
That is what the Winterville series has become for me. A series I know I’ll revisit time & time again

[Maureen · Rating 4 out of 5]

‘Mine For The Winter’ was a sweet story about two former best friends who never really got over losing each other. Although it takes a while before we, the readers, learn what really happened all those years ago, it was clear there was a lot of history between them. And definitely a lot of chemistry! I loved getting to know Kris and Kelly. They where two totally different characters and I was rooting for them from the start.

Kelly was definitely my favorite character. She worked hard in her fathers tavern to make sure it kept thriving, since her father wasn’t able to work anymore, and in the meantime she tried to be the best mom to her ten year old boy. Kelly armored her heart when Kris left her behind all those years ago. And I totally understood why she didn’t trust the guy right away when he unexpectedly returned. Especially since Kris’s character wasn’t my favorite. Don’t get me wrong, I loved him in the end. But him showing up after so many years, trying to make amends with Kelly.. I kept wondering why it took him so damn long. And even though we know the answer in the end, I still feel like he took way too long.

The setting of Winterville was definitely one of my favorite things about this read. It just has this magical feeling to it and I can totally imagine myself walking around those streets. ‘Mine For The Winter’ was a great ending to a great series. I loved coming back to Winterville, with all it’s Christmassy vibes. Reading little moments about previous characters. It was a lot of fun! I can’t wait what Carrie Elks has in store for us next.

[Tanja OMGReads · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kris Winters has been lingering in the background while we fell in love with all of his siblings and cousin. His name kept popping up but we don't get much info about what happened to make him leave town and not return. And now that I know the heartbreak that was his and Kelly's story I kinda wish I didn't because it was heartbreaking to learn what went down between the two.

Kelly is an amazing woman. She has been on her own mostly, trying to raise a child alone, taking care of her father and their tavern. She has no time for anything else but keeping her head above water. When Kris returns she not ready to open up old wounds even though Kris is trying really hard to make up for all his mistakes. It takes time and patience and I felt relieved when they were finally honest with their feelings and would let the past stir up problems for their new relationship.

The need to be loved was strong and I'm more than happy to say this series ended on a very high note.

[Becky · Rating 5 out of 5]

Carrie Elks' "Mine for the Winter" warmly welcomes readers back to the small town of Winterville, where Kris Winters returns after a 12-year absence. This poignant second-chance romance unfolds against the backdrop of family, friendship, and the bittersweet nostalgia of a town with a heart. 

"Mine for the Winter" serves as a satisfying conclusion to the Winter siblings/cousins series, offering a bittersweet farewell to Winterville. Carrie Elks delivers Kris's story with humor, charm, and poignancy, enriching the series with a narrative of love, loss, and second chances. The installment seamlessly explores the dynamics between former friends, adding a refreshing twist to the frenemies-to-lovers trope. 

"Mine for the Winter" emerges as a sweet and heartwarming conclusion to a series that has captivated readers with its unique take on second chances and the transformative power of love.

[Lauren Wulf · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve loved getting to know the Winters and spending time with the family in Winterville. This is a bittersweet end to an amazing series of books. I’ve been looking forward to reading Kris Winter’s story for some time now and Elks didn’t disappoint. Funny, charming, yet poignant, this installment of the Winter siblings/cousins really rounds out the series nicely. It’s a story of love, loss, and second chances that allows something to bloom between two former friends. I wish there were a few more backstory pieces, especially to explain when and why Kelly turned to Lyle, but the nostalgia and pieces given helped explain the dynamic between Kelly and Kris adequately enough. A sweet ending to a series that has stolen my heart, Mine for the Winter is a refreshing take on second chances and frenimies to lovers.

[Kristen Lewendon · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was so easy to tell, just from how much emotion the pair still had for each other, how much Kris and Kelly cared for one another. The opposite of love isn’t hate, it’s apathy. There were too many sparks flying between these two to ever have been confused with a lack feeling. It hurt my heart to see all the emotional baggage they needed to unpack, but it was a thing of beauty to watch their connection flourish afterwards. I have adored this series and I hate that I have to let it go after this.
I received a complimentary advance copy of this book from the author.

[Maggie's Book Collection · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well, this is the last book in the Winterville series and it definitely ends on a high note. I have loved this series and keeping up with the Winter family, their loves and lives in Winterville. This is Kris' story, he comes back to Winterville to see if he wants to return to live there with his family again. Meeting up with Kelly, his old friend and her son Cole, and old feelings are rekindled.

I love the characters in this story they are all so nice and Kris and Kelly are no exception. Catching up with the whole Winter family and their partners is like meeting old friends. Carrie Elks' writing is lovely and makes for a compelling read.

If you have read the other books in the series, then you must read this one. I can't recommend this series enough, if you are looking for a nice easy-to-read romance then this is the series for you; do read them in order though.

[Lexy · Rating 2 out of 5]

Spoilers….
I struggled with this. I just couldn’t get on board with Kris somehow being in the wrong or abandoning her when she refused to go with him. She chose to stay with an alcoholic for her kid and then when it didn’t work out, she blamed Kris for leaving her. But then she never responded to his texts so wtf!?! I don’t get what she got to be angry about. I feel like this book was written without knowing what the “break down” of the relationship was going to be. Oh but don’t worry, she works hard and makes the best of the situation by pushing everyone away.
There’s numerous other reasons why I just didn’t vibe with this book. I really wanted to as the others were nice cafe reads.

I just didn’t feel the connection with them.

[book_lover · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not a big fan of the lost love trope…. Wish the whole “threesome” drama didn’t happen but something else

[Peggy M · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an ARC of this book and this is my voluntarily, honest review of it.

During the winter period I love reading romantic Christmas stories. One of the winter series that I really enjoyed is ‘Winterville’. ‘Mine for the winter’ is the sixth story in the series and unfortunately also the last book in the series. This story is about Kelly Fraser, she was a secondary character in the previous stories, and Kris Winter, the youngest brother of North and Gabe Winter. Although he’s mentioned a lot in the previous books, we never met him. He left Winterville as a young man and settled in London, England but now he’s back and in this story we learn the reasons why he left as a young man and why he’s back now.

When Kelly was young, she had two best friend Kris and Lyle. Family and friends called them The three musketeers. They had a lot of fun together but sadly things went wrong when they were 22 years old. Kris left Kelly and Winterville to start a new life elsewhere. Now he’s back in Winterville to see if Kelly can forgive him for the past mistake he made as a young man and in the hopes that maybe they can rekindle their friendship.

Kelly never left Winterville, she took over the tavern from her father and has a 11 year old son, Cole. Cole’s father left them when Cole was a baby. So Kelly has been a single mother for a long time. She has a lot of worries because she not only takes care of her son but also of her father. Her mother died when she was young and her father raised her alone. He now has knee problems that makes it difficult for him to walk and causes him a lot of pain. He needs knee surgery but money is tight.
Kelly is very surprised to see Kris again after so many years. He broke her heart when he left, so it takes him a while to convince Kelly to listen to him and forgive him. Both have missed the other and soon the feelings they have kept hidden for so long return. Now that they are both older and wiser, will they take a chance on love or will Kris leave again and this time not only break her heart but her son’s as well?

The story was told in both POV’s. It took me a little bit to get into the story but the more I discovered about Kelly and Kris’s past, their friendship and the mistakes they made, the more I got into the story. It was beautiful to see how close they were when young and it was really sad to see that friendship end due to misunderstandings and loyalty to the wrong person. It took a very long time for Kris to return to Winterville, but I was very happy that he found the courage to come back and patch things up with Kelly. You could really feel that they had both become more mature and wiser. I also loved discovering that even during all those years of living apart and far apart, Kris continued to care for Kelly in his own way without her knowing. That showed the magnitude of his feelings. I loved that! Kris was intelligent, hardworking and although he was a good friend, he had difficulty expressing his feelings. Like Kelly, something broke inside him when he left her. Kelly was a hardworking woman, a great friend, daughter and a caring mother. She was both strong and vulnerable. Luckily, she had her good friend Amber (North’s wife) to talk to.

It was great to see how Kelly and Kris rekindled their friendship and how something more came from it. They really took the time to rebuild their bond and in the meantime we got to see how Kris and Kelly’s son Cole built a relationship on their own. Cole was a good kid who missed a father figure in his life and Kris took the time to listen to him and spend time with him.

Just like in the previous stories there were some sex scenes in the story. I loved the epilogue. It was nice to see family and friends supporting them. They were there when they needed them. It was also great to see the three brothers together, North, Gabe and Kris. To see them teasing and giving each other advice.

I’m sorry to leave Winterville but also happy to see everyone happy.

[Char (1RadReader59) · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was a head-on collision in the cafeteria. Nothing could have stopped it. The first time Kelly Fraser and Kris Winter met. You could say it was their meet cute. He knocked her over, and her tray went as well; it flew out of her hands, causing her sandwich to grow instant hair. He felt bad and invited her to sit with him at his table and share half his sandwich. They introduced themselves to each other and realized how their lives intersected.

Kris knew her dad bought the tavern from his grandma, and she knew his grandma was the famous Candy Winter, an actress who loved her friends and family, and when she made it big, bought her hometown. She paid to have it fixed up, giving jobs to those she loved and who needed it. Once refurbished, she also gave them permanent careers. Creating the town knows and loves today. As they were talking a guy sits with them. “And this is Lyle. General asshole. My best friend.”

“So your dad bought the tavern. You think you can get us some free beer” “No.” This time she did roll her eyes. It made Kris smile. “That would not be fine,” Kris said, deadpan, looking at Lyle. “Completely un-fine,” Kelly agreed. Lyle looked from Kelly to Kris and then back again. “You two are weird,” he muttered, then grabbed his own sandwich and bit into it, still looking at her. “Wanna hang out with us after school? We’re going to my place to play some Legend of Zelda.” That's when she should have known to stir clear of him no matter what.

Yes, of course, she would never trade Cole for all the world, however, had she known then what she knows now about who and what his character was about as a human, instead of trying to save him and what she felt was her last connection to Kris and the three musketeers. Nothing ever stays the same. The pact was made between the guys not because of Kris but because of Lyle. He was jealous of Kris for going off to college. Something he could have done had he applied himself and taken advantage of the hockey program, but he chose the drugs instead. Over everything.

Selling out his two best friends by breaking his pact with Kris to not be with Kelly, so they could always be the three musketeers didn't matter to Lyle. He knew Kris and Kelly were in love with each other that’s why he could and won’t ever be happy he stole what wasn’t his. Lyle knew that when he forced the pact he lied to Kelly about all the
s-x Kris was getting while at college. Letting Kelly down in their relationship by just using her to get his rocks off, didn't matter to him as he used her to cover for his drug and alcohol addiction.

But worst of all letting his son, Cole, down. By not even picking up the phone to make a call, and then trying to play the martyr, when you have another family but want to be a dick because Kris is there for Cole and Kelly, so not cool. When Lyle shows he is not dad material.
But to accuse Kelly of screwing around. When it's clear Lyle had been the one going god knows where, doing god knows what, and god knows with whom. No one ever had a clue where he was or what he was doing. Kelly never got a penny from him.

This was a good series. I hope there is more but if not good where it is. Loved the characters and the family closeness.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mine for the Winter is the final book in the Winterville series. It is the story of Kris, who we have heard about in the previous books but are finally getting to meet, and Kelly, his childhood friend.

Kris and Kelly were childhood friends, along with the third member of their trio, Lyle. Kris left for college and it began a disconnect between the friends, he grew distant and Kelly became closer to Lyle. When Kris decided to start a new life somewhere else he made some rash and immature decisions that would make him lose touch with Kelly for the next decade.

When he returns to Winterville, he wants to rekindle with Kelly. She is still living there, taking care of her bar, her son and her father. She was my favourite part of this story, she was so strong and was taking care of everyone and everything around her to the best of her ability at all times. It takes her a while (as it should) to warm back up to Kris. He really hurt her when he left the way he did.

Throughout the story you get to learn what happened in the past, how they got to where they are now. You get to see Kris and Kelly slowly repair their friendship and have it turn into a relationship. It is very obvious that they care so much about each other, and how much love they have for each other. It was nice to see Kris and Cole have a relationship, Kris was stepping into a role of being a father figure that Cole was missing.

The one thing I will say is that I dont love it when the main characters are separated for a long time (like 10 years) and the guy is moving on physically and getting engaged and the girl has no partners at all in the time apart. BUT I didnt mind it here because it was only mentioned once that she wasnt with anyone else.

I also loved seeing the past characters. It was so nice to be back in Winterville one last time, I am going to miss it. But I cannot wait to see what Carrie has up her sleeve next!

[Ptiteaurel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Je n'aime pas dire au revoir aux personnages dans les sagas familiales car je sais que j'ai passé un super moment avec eux et il est donc difficile de leur dire au revoir et de ne plus prendre de leur nouvelle. Mais toutes les bonnes choses ont une fin et Carrie Elks signe un final de toute beauté.

Les Winters s'étaient mis en tête de sauver la charmante petite ville fondée par leur grand-mère et on peut dire que la mission est réussi. Ce tout dernier tome se focalise sur Kris, qui est le moins connu et aussi le plus secret de la famille. Il a quitter Winterville il y a 10 ans pour vivre à Londres mais il est temps d'affronter son passé et de racheter ses fautes. Il ne revient pas de gaité de coeur mais il le doit car sinon il aura des regrets à vie. Il ne sera pas accueilli à bras ouvert et on s'y attendait mais on va souffrir un peu avec lui. Il va devoir faire face non seulement à sa famille mais aussi à celle qui fut sa meilleure amie. Il n'a pas oublié la jeune femme et son coeur bat toujours quand il la voit mais rien ne sera facile.
.
Kelly gère le bar depuis des années. C'est une mère célibataire qui garde une certaine rancoeur vis à vis de cet abandon qu'elle n'a jamais oublié ou pardonné. On a donc ce trope que j'aime beaucoup, à savoir celui des secondes chances. L'alchimie est certes présente mais ils ont tous les deux des démons à combattre et un passé à surmonter. Le fils de cette dernière est son pilier et elle fera tout pour lui offrir une vie meilleure. Elle pourrait être perdue mais étonnement Kris pourrait être le phare dans la tempête qui va s'abattre sur elle. J'ai su être touchée par ces deux héros qui partagent clairement un lien unique et indéfectible.

Leur histoire est pleine d'émotion et met l'accent sur la guérison, les secondes chances, la confrontation avec le passé et la nécessité de faire ce qui est juste. Elle englobe la magie de Winterville et tout ce qui rend cette ville de montagne et ses habitants inoubliables.

[Sofie Sehested · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really love the Winterville series and can definitely recommend it to those who love a Winter and Christmas romance. It reminds me a lot of the Hallmark Christmas movies mixed with a little bit of spice and Carrie Elks write characters who you fall in love with.
I love how she has build the small town of Winterville for us throughout the romances she has written and now we have come to the last romance in the series.

Kris Winter, the brother to Gabe and North, returns to Winterville after living in London many years. He comes back to make amends for running away and not being present in his family’s life and turning his back on his two best friends, Kelly and Lyle.
Kris has been in love with Kelly ever since he can remember but he made a pact with Lyle about them not making a move on her because of their friendship. Unfortunately Lyle doesn’t keep to the pact and Kris is heartbroken. When he gets ready to do something about it Kelly becomes pregnant and he leaves.
Now he wants to see if she will open her heart to him and forgive him for not staying and supporting her through her horrible relationship with Lyle. And what about her son Cole who misses a father figure and starts to get attached to Kris can Kelly let that happen?

I love the dual perspective and the dual timelines because you get the whole story about what happens in the past and why everything changes.
Kris and Kelly are amazing together and I cried so many times because they can’t figure out their feelings for each other and also because of Lyle and his problems that sabotage them.

I think that this is an amazing ending to the series about Winterville but I am going to miss the Winters and the small town sooo much but hopefully we get books about their children:) ;)!

I got this book from Carrie Elks and this is my honest opinion and my voluntary review.

[books.tea.happy · Rating 4 out of 5]

❄️ARC Review❄️

Mine for the Winter by @carrie.elks

ARC received from the author and I happily give my honest opinion.

Kris Winter comes back to his family home after a long time away and he is back to amends for past mistakes.

Kelly has so much on her plate, looking after her not quite teenage son, her dad and their business, the local Tavern. Now another thing has been added to her plate, the return of the friend she lost many years before.

Kris, Lyle and Kelly had been childhood friends, but things did not go the way they all hoped and the friendship did not survive.

Kris went off to College, leaving Kelly and Lyle behind and events conspired to keep their lives going in different directions.

Kris is back in town to make things up to his family who he left behind and to try to make his friendship with Kelly right again after they both made mistakes.

I loved how Kris took blame for his part in their parting of ways and how great he was with Kelly’s son Cole. It definitely would have melted the coldest heart.

Kelly had played her own part in their troubles which made her cautious about seeing Kris again. She was also very wary of opening her heart up again and even more so for her son.

They definitely had so much to work through and certain other people caused so much harm!

I loved how he took care of her and her loved ones and how she made him feel like he was finally home for good.

This was a lovely Christmas romance, with a nice little bit of heat and it was so nice to be back in Winterville. I will miss this series as this is the last book!

#mineforthewinter
#carrieelks
#secondchanceromance
#christmasromance
#winterville
#singlemomromance

[Cat · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is such a bittersweet story for me because it is the 6th and final book in The Winterville series...Its been such an Amazing series and I have LOVED and Enjoyed every single one of them.
I am going to miss The Winter family.
We end the series though with a bang and a blast of emotions and all the feels,this is Kris and Kelly's story,they were best friends and then they weren't with over a decade without being in touch or seeing one another it is a shock to their systems to be in eachothers lives once again.
Kris Winter is back in Winterville after years of being away,he is hoping to make amends towards his family and to the girl he has always loved.
Kelly is the one that slipped through his fingers and seeing her again brings back all the feelings he always had for her.
They have a tangled and complicated history but Kris wants to put things right and explain why he left,but can Kelly forgive him...he broke her heart....She is a mother to a son Cole and can't afford to be complacent.
But the chemistry and attraction is still there after all this time and I loved the way they got to know one another once again.
I enjoyed the switch between past and present so we get the full extent to Kris and Kelly's connection.
This is a classic LOve story and a beautiful romance written perfectly by Carrie Elks,she never fails to make my heart flutter and to make me laugh and cry in equal measure.
Mine For The Winter is a stunning read and I enjoyed being back in Winterville and being with these characters once again.
Kris and Kelly stole my heart...I LOVED IT !!
Excellent book.
5 Stars.

[Stacy M · Rating 4 out of 5]

A father isn’t the one who created a kid. He’s the one who’d do anything for him 🥹🩵

❄️ Second Chance
🩵 Childhood Friends
❄️ Single Parent

The Winterville family series continue to be a favorite of mine during the holidays. It gives us all the small-town mountain, tree farm vibes that I love this time of year and in this one we finally get to know Kris who’s been away most of the time during this series and now we know why.

Kris and Kelly were childhood best friends, but after he leaves after high school their friendship takes a hit, not to mention she’s starts dating his other best friend Lyle. Kris had been secretly in love with Kelly for years but never wanted to cause any friction in their friendship and once he came back and saw her with Lyle it all was a little too late. Now Lyle and Kelly’s relationship did not end well, they had a beautiful boy that is now 11 years old but he hasn’t been in the picture since the beginning. Kelly is still upset with Kris and for how things ended between them but with him back in town vowing to make up for lost time, Kelly can’t stay mad for long. Especially when her son Cole takes a liking to Kris and starts inviting him everywhere. As things progress these three start to build something new but will the past still come back to haunt them?

I loved Kris and Kelly’s story. They both deserved to finally find happiness after all they went through. Some people are just the right person at the wrong time and I think that holds firm here. They both needed the time to grow and Cole was also a big blessing that Kris didn’t know he needed. Their found family was everything and it was the perfect wrap up to this series!

*ARC Review

[Alison · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 Winter Magical Stars!

I was given this book in return for an honest review.

The Winterville Series has come to an end with Kris’ story in Mine for the Winter: his story is a heart wrenching one, with years lost because of childhood mistakes. I wasn’t sure what to expect of Kris and Kelly’s story and Carrie Elks made sure to keep us hanging and guessing until towards the end of the story, especially as her two main characters were too scared to talk and open those old wounds, ones that would either tear them apart all over again or heal them.

As Carrie left us hanging for the answers of the past, she did an amazing job of making sure to build the undeniable connection and sexual tension between them, one that clearly hadn’t diminished the years they had spent apart.

I loved both Kris and Kelly equally, I just feel that someone else from their past wasn’t the person they thought they were, maybe they hadn’t been all along, or maybe they changed because in truth, this person’s life hadn’t always been the easiest. However, when they came back into their lives, I could have easily given them a piece of my mind and told them to be on their merry way! Nothing like a bit of angst in a story to keep you on your toes and have you feeling all those different emotions as you read a story, something which Carrie Elks delivers, time and time again.

If you haven’t read the Winterville series, you are missing out! And the best part is you can read them as standalones, although if you want to understand how all the different characters intertwine into the stories, I’d recommend reading them in order, either way you will not be disappointed!

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great ending to the Winterville Series.
Ms Elks has given us an emotional, heartwarming story of second chance love that I found hard to put down once I started reading. Kris, Kelly, and Lyle were the best of friends when they were younger, going everywhere and doing everything together until at 17, they both saw her as something more but made a pact to always just be friends, a pact Lyle broke when Kris was off in college.
While the book is set in the present, 12 years after Kris had left Winterville and Kelly and Lyle behind, and after the relationship between Kelly and Lyle had broken down in the wake of his addictions, we get all the complicated history between Kris and Kelly and the three of them interspersed throughout the story with episodes that dip into the past.
The past forms Kris and Kelly’s complicated feelings for each other in the present, only made more so by Cole, Kelly and Lyle’s 11-year-old son.
While she was mad at him and unsure of her feelings when Kris first lands back in Winterville, the progression of them opening their feelings to each other and falling in love all over again, or simply rekindling the long-ago love, was so naturally written it just swept you along for the ride. The budding relationship Kris has with Cole who is almost desperately looking for a father figure and finding it in Kris, was heartwarming to read.
I enjoyed this so much. I loved the way it was structured to bring the story out and the inclusion of North and Amber in the story as Kris and Kelly’s confidantes.
“You said the summer. Like you’re happy for me to stay with you. Like you’re mine for more than just the winter”.

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

💞Good second chance with a spoiler guy who's a waste of space!

I found the romance here quite steamy and an emotional draw in how returning MC Kris Winter, prodigal grandson of the town's founder, connects and supports his long-time heartthrob Kelly's son Cole and her father Paul. There's plenty of guilt and regret in Kris that he'd like to put to rest, but I thought he took too much responsibility for their youthful mistakes. Still, their attempt to start fresh was a good story and gave Kris lots of opportunities to demonstrate that, no matter what he did or failed to do in the past, he's the total good guy now and devoted to making things easier for Kelly.

As for Lyle, the third musketeer in Kris and Kelly's small clique in their school years, he just made my blood boil! The story of his betrayal of both his "friends" is just so sad as he kept coming between them. Ugh!

This story generated strong emotions for me mostly because of Kelly's stubborn desire to handle everything on her own and Lyle's perfidy. Thank goodness Kelly's attitude toward letting Kris back into her circle eventually softens!

Though the plot takes place in a town that celebrates Christmas all year 'round in the last weeks before the holiday, the festive celebration side of the setting really took on a minor role here. The human drama and heated romance totally dominated and that was okay with me.

I read a complimentary advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest opinion.

[Korkoi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Their Long Road to Forever Happiness -
Kelly was still upset over Kris leaving when they were younger, so she made it a point keep him at arms length when he returned home years later. However, her attitude changed once she discovered what he had done for her family and the way he doted over her son. Spending time together reliving their past brought them closer and reignited their feelings for each other, but Kelly was still apprehensive about their budding romance, as she knew he still had to leave.

However, their path to happiness was nearly derailed when Kelly’s ex-husband returned and he tried to break them up just out of vindictiveness. Luckily, their love for each other gave them the strength to overcome the problem and find their way towards the life they had both been craving for years. I am really upset that this is the final book in the Winterville series, as I have been so invested in the lives of the characters and the description of the town through all the books has made me want to live there. Grab a copy of this book and immerse yourself in a reading experience that you won’t regret.

I received an advanced copy of this book and I am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Steph N · Rating 5 out of 5]

This might just be my favorite Winter family story! It’s nice to finally learn a little more about Kris, who’s been living in Europe throughout the other books in the series. His return to his hometown after so long definitely had me wondering what kept him away…
I immediately liked Kelly. She’s doing everything she can to be a good mom & daughter, while trying to keep the family business afloat. Former best friends, Kelly & Kris have a long history. It’s interesting to get insight into their past through flashbacks. They both have many years’ worth of emotional baggage to unpack while they reconnect & sort out their feelings for each other.
When the main reasons for their estrangement are finally revealed, I felt terrible for both of them. It made me root even harder for them to figure things out. It also made me want to shout “just talk this time!” Thank goodness for second chances.
I like that Carrie Elks writes characters & situations that are easy to identify with. Besides the obvious love story, the relationship between Kris & Cole is one of my favorite parts. Fun epilogue, too.
Thanks to the author for allowing me to read an advance copy. I’m sad she’s run out of Winter siblings & cousins.

[Isabel Debono · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a perfect ending for this amazing series.
Kris and Kelly were the perfect couple... the problem was they weren’t a couple. Just best friends who lost touch at the most crucial point in time.
I loved how these two never lost their connection even though nothing seemed to go their way.
Kris and Kelly definitely threw meant to be vibes out there.
I adored Kris’ connection with Kelly’s son Cole. One not shared by his father Lyle (the third musketeer of Kris and Kelly’s friendship clique when they were young).
Silly things are agreed upon when you are young and Kris learnt the hard way when Lyle suggested he not date Kelly and all three stay friends. kris feelings were put on the back burner and by the time he told Kelly he was too late.
Kris proved youthful mistakes are just that... mistakes.
He also proved that a father is the person who turns up, and is there for the child. Not the sperm donor.
Kris and Kelly went through many trials but came out the other side much stronger together.
I loved this emotional read and all the stories that took place in Winterville.
Hoping we find some way to revisit the town in the future.
Wonderful series.... amazing final read.

I was given a complimentary copy but voluntarily chose to review

[Kia B · Rating 5 out of 5]

OVERALL RATING –5

First my usual points:
- I do not do spoilers unless warned.
- Read the summary above; it will tell you what the book is about. I will not reiterate.
- This is a standalone but the final in a series.
- No errors that I caught as far as editing.
- The author was not new to me.

BOOK:
- Genre/troupe: contemporary romance / single mom / returning home / best friends to lovers
- 3rd person POV

Star Ratings - 1 (poor) - 4 (READ THIS BOOK)
• Writing Quality: 5 stars
• Story ingredient: 5 stars
• Ease of reading/Pace: 5 stars
• Plot strength: 5 stars
• Steam Level: 4 stars

Personal Opinion:
A beautiful conclusion to this series of cousins and siblings! Kris and Kelly have a history that needs to be repaired if either are to move on in life. Through family and friends and Kelly’s son, the path has it’s challenges but the reward is so much sweeter.

I’m sorry to say goodbye to this series but I know Carrie has more small town goodness to come! I loved the underlying theme of Christmas throughout these books.

Loves:
• He admits first – sort of
• Struggling single mom
• Kid and H instant connection
• Extended family interference
• Main characters history told in flashback

[Carol · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful part of the Winterville series. I have loved every story. This one's characters (Kelly and Kris) had a history and they struggled to find their footing. They and Liam were best friends from middle school on. They did everything together. Kris and Liam made a pact to not date Kelly so not to ruin their friendships. Kris went off to school and Liam and Kelly were left in town. They hung out together and when Liam's mother died, he begged her to move in with him to help him cope. They eventually slept together and she got pregnant. But Liam was a wreck - on alcohol and drugs and she finally kicked him out. Kris came back to town and wanted to clear things up between Kelly and him. It was hard for both of them because they loved each other, but hadn't admitted it. It was frustrating at times watching what they were going through but it was necessary to clear all the air. Kelly's son Cole was a sweet kid who latched on to Kris pretty easily as his dad had moved out of state and hardly ever contacted him.
All and all, it was a very good story that I had trouble putting down.
I got this book from the author and am voluntarily leaving a review

[DJ Sakata · Rating 5 out of 5]

Favorite Quotes:

Never cry over money or men.

Please don’t break my kid’s heart. Or I’ll have to twist your balls until you become a soprano.

None of us really know what we’re doing. One minute we’re kids without a clue, the next minute somebody’s putting this tiny human life in our arms and telling us we’re responsible for keeping it alive for the next eighteen years.

It was strange how the woman’s demeanor changed once she knew his name. She sat up straighter, touched the back of her hair. Pushed her tits out. Christ. “Are you here to visit?” Even her voice sounded lower. Like she’d just smoked a pack of fifty and was channeling Lauren Bacall.

A father isn’t the one who created a kid. He’s the one who’d do anything for him.


My Review:

I have relished each and every installment of this entertaining series while looking forward to more upon reaching the last page. Ms. Elks conjures endearing characters who are uniquely appealing yet realistically flawed and slots them into an unusual community that pleasantly occupies my gray matter, although I’d never want to live there.

[Emily · Rating 3 out of 5]

The end to a good series, but unfortunately was a little lackluster of an ending. I had big hopes for something more because we had just come off North’s book which was my favorite of the series!
Kris and Kelly had been friends since middle school. Then something happened and Kris ran away for 10 years. Both Kris and Kelly are great characters – and the best is Cole, Kelly’s 10 year-old son. He’s lovely and finds a special bond with Kris since he doesn’t have strong male figure in his life (except his grandfather). I enjoyed reading about Kris and Kelly, but wasn’t blown away by them. I also felt that the reason for Kris leaving was a little vague and didn’t really flow well with the huge deal it had been made into by both Kris and Kelly. Seems to me that it was both of their faults, but they both blamed mostly Kris.

So a good series as a whole, but this wasn’t even close to my favorite of the books. And I was hoping for more of a closing for all of the siblings, cousins, and families but they were mostly only mentioned in the beginning. I bit disappointing, especially as a final book in the series.

[Jayne Wheatley · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great finale I loved Kris and Kelly together, they seemed perfect together and my heart broke for them seeing what Lyle did to them and the repercussions from their youth. One thing I love about this series is the family interaction and the family dynamics coming together when one is in need.
Kris thought he was the troublesome family member and it kept him away from his family, but once he realised he missed them and Kelly and was letting them all down by staying away he came back for forgiveness and got a second chance at the same time which was more than he could have ever wished for.
He got the family connections back and the love of his life plus her son. A wonderful HEA ending.

I would have liked to see a showdown between Kris and Lyle, and I wish Kris had adopted Cole, giving him the Winters name as Cola adored Kris and called him dad, His birth dad Lyle neglected him so it was a shame he didn’t get to take the Winters title..

I wish the whole Winters family would have made it into the epilogue as a final farewell in celebrating a new little Winters.

[Booklover BEV · Rating 5 out of 5]

Winterville book six, my favourite in this series but I say the same every time, this talented author has once again captured another feel good warm hearted read for all to enjoy.
Kris Winter is back it's been a long time, and spotting Kelly Fraser who works in the Winterville tavern he cannot take his eyes off her, but she will keep for later first he must show his face to his family, Kelly finds out sooner rather that later she's not happy to see him back the man who broke her heart in every way, will he stay will he go and can she trust herself around this guy without him taking her heart away once again, she has her son Cole and her father to put first now, and this book will take you back to Kelly and Kris in their youth.
Oh this book is such a heart breaking story in lots of ways and your emotions will fly all over the place, the Christmas season is magical at Winterville, I honestly wish I could take a holiday there myself, All the characters bond together in every one of these books with a magic touch of love and friendship that I so love to read.