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Wishful #9

The Christmas Fountain

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Elementary school teacher Mary Alice Reed wanted a nice, stable guy to share her happily ever after. When she thought she'd found him, everyone tried to tell her that the guy she thought was her Mr. Right, was really Mr. Somebody Else's. Living with a town's worth of I-told-you-so isn't easy, but she's coping. And definitely taking a break from love in order to get past her last disaster to chair her favorite Christmas charity.

Trauma surgeon Chad Phillips gave up the intensity and long hours of a big city hospital to move to Wishful. He wants a home and family, a town with a slower pace, where he can actually build a life. Being one of Wishful’s most eligible bachelors has gotten him a lot of pie and casseroles, but it hasn’t helped him find that special someone to come home to.

When a friend’s accident lands Mary Alice in his ER, Chad finds himself more than intrigued. Part Martha Stewart, part Mary Poppins, and all Girl Next Door, she’s exactly what he’s been looking for. Volunteering for the Fountain of Hope charity seems like the perfect way to get to know his Christmas crush. But just as he seems to be overcoming Mary Alice's once bitten, twice shy caution, that one tiny thing from his past, that he probably should have told her about, shows up for a Christmas season visit. Chad's gonna have some explaining to do.

Kindle Edition

First published November 21, 2017

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About the author

Kait Nolan

154 books1,363 followers
Kait Nolan is a RITA® Award-winning Mississippi author who calls everyone sugar, honey, or darlin', and can wield a 'Bless your heart' like a Snuggie or a saber, depending on requirements. She believes in love, laughter, and that tacos are the world's most perfect food. When she's not writing, reading, working the evil day job, or wrangling family (both the two-legged and the four-), you can find her obsessively watching The Great British Bake Off.

Sign up for her newsletter! rebrand.ly/kaitsnewsletter

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Displaying 1 - 30 of 93 reviews
Profile Image for Debbie DiFiore.
2,715 reviews313 followers
December 22, 2020
Sweet story

Very cute story about a woman whose ex boyfriend had dumped her for his best friend who was a girl. This is a sequel somewhat to his romance with the OW who he married. I liked this heroine and I could understand her pain so I won't be reading his story for sure. He slept with her for two years But was in love with his friend. Just not good. So I was happy Mary Alice got her man. A doctor to boot. And he was perfect. There was a tiny bit of angst when She sees him with another woman but it is quickly resolved. Enjoyed this story.
Profile Image for Jessica.
854 reviews24 followers
December 5, 2020
Super cute!

A heroine that is sweet as pie and a hot doctor that treats women right!? I mean this story was just warm and fuzzies, even when the character’s faults came out. I’m really glad I picked this one up!
Profile Image for E-Reader Addict.
1,326 reviews46 followers
December 25, 2018
Another visit to Wishful, another happy sigh…

I was so glad to read this book - Mary Alice was strung along by her boyfriend of two years in If I Didn’t Care (Wishing for a Hero #1), and she finally cut him loose when she realized he wasn’t ever going to commit to her. I can admire a heroine who is devoted and patient with her man, but knows when to kick him to the curb. But that doesn’t mean she wasn’t hurt terribly by the end of the relationship, and I wanted to see her find someone who would love her the way she deserved.

Enter ER doc Chad Phillips, who meets Mary Alice one night when she brings her cousin in after a night out drinking. When he uses the excuse of a left-behind scarf to see her again, she’s not sure if he’s just a decent guy, or if he’s flirting. Spoiler alert: he’s actually both!

This was another cute, sweet story by Kait Nolan. Chad was a really great guy, and treated Mary Alice the way she should have been treated all along. The only downside - as is the case with most of the books in the Wishful series - is that there’s a big miscommunication/misunderstanding, leading to a break up. But then they make up, of course.

I liked this story better than A Lot Like Christmas, and of all the holiday books I’ve read so far, it’s done the best job of putting a smile on my face. Yes, these Wishful books are a little formulaic. But that’s not always a bad thing. Why change what is working relatively well?

I haven't read all the books in the Wishful series, but if I'm ever in need of something to read, I'm certain I could pick up where I left off, and be happy there.
2,341 reviews26 followers
July 27, 2021
I just didn't really like the characters or the story.
Profile Image for Rellim.
1,676 reviews43 followers
February 14, 2021
If you haven’t already read Nolan’s Make You Feel My Love (book 1 of Wishing for a Hero series) you might want to. Mary Alice and her breakup with Judd is featured in that book, which sort of sets the stage for her thoughts, emotions, reactions in The Christmas Fountain. That’s romantic suspense though, so if you’d rather stay firmly in sexy small town romance, you could get by without it.

I really felt for Mary Alice and was so looking forward to Nolan giving her an HEA. Nolan knows how to write a meet-cute and this one is hilarious, even though it’s more due to Mary Alice’s cousin, Tess, and her drunk antics. Chad is working the ER the day they come into the ER and there’s definitely sparks. He is a great guy, perfect for Mary Alice and they share common goals and dreams. Their romance is super sweet and yet very sexy. While there is a “big misunderstanding” exacerbated by a big announcement from her ex – Chad and Mary Alice work it out quickly. There’s even a terrific epilogue where we get a solidified HEA. Quick, but enjoyable novella.

If you’re like me and into reading stories chronologically, you’ll want to read Rowan & Nash’s book, Watch Over Me (Wishing for a Hero #2). If you want to skip the romantic suspense and just continue with the Wishful series, grab book #10 You Were Meant for Me which features Mitch and Tess.

Amy McFadden does a good job again bringing the Wishful folks to life. However, her portrayal of drunken Tess is absolutely side-splitting.
Profile Image for Marissa Chavez.
1,373 reviews4 followers
December 4, 2022
I’m so happy that Mary Alice found her happily ever after with Chad! They're perfect for one another! ❤️❤️❤️
920 reviews31 followers
August 12, 2019
The Christmas Fountain follows Mary Alice Reed and Dr. Chad Phillips. They meet in the emergency room when Mary Alice helps bring her friend Finn in for treatment. Dr. Phillips is an emergency room doctor and trauma surgeon. He’s taken with Mary Alice and when he delivers a scarf she’s forgotten at the hospital, a friendship and working relationship begins, and, of course, more. Can Mary Alice overcome her lack of trust in men, caused by her ex ditching her to marry his “best friend”? The handsome Dr. Phillips is waiting for her if she can, and he’s gorgeous, good-hearted, and super hot.

Mary Alice Reed’s trust in men was shredded when her long-time boyfriend, Judd, who’d sworn he and Autumn Buchannan were just friends, up and married Autumn. When she meets Dr. Chad Phillips in the emergency room, there’s an instant chemistry. Can she overcome the betrayal she suffered at Judd’s hands to pursue a relationship with Dr. Chad?

Chad Phillips moved to Wishful to practice a more personal form of medicine than he could in Atlanta. He moved because he wanted to get to know his patients and feel at home in the town of Wishful. When Mary Alice accompanies her friend into the emergency room, he finds that he truly wants to get to know her. He takes it upon himself to return a scarf she left at the hospital in the hope of getting to know her better. She’s still leery, but she’s a hospitable southern woman and invites him in out of the cold. It isn’t long before the two of them realize that they have much in common.

Then something happens to shake Mary Alice’s trust once again. Can she believe what she saw? Can Chad convince her it’s something different than what she thinks?

Come along for the ride as Mary Alice and Chad work together for The Christmas Fountain Charity helping to see that underprivileged children enjoy a happy Christmas, and see if they manage to figure out a way to each other and their own happy Christmas.

I received a free copy of this book from the author. I thank her for her generosity, but it had no effect on this review. All opinions in this review express my true and honest reactions to reading this book.
Profile Image for Nickole.
1,477 reviews9 followers
November 25, 2017
rcvd an advanced reader copy from the author for giving my two cents. i love kaits books. we meet Mary Alice, teacher by day, Christmas charity end by evening isn't looking for Mr Right...thr man she thought was it married his best friend shortly after breaking up with him..shr shouldve seen it coming. we then meet Chad, ER doc, tending to drunken injuries, he is more focused on the brunette with his patient then his actual patient. Chad volunteers with Xmas cheer just so he can get to know mary alice. flirting and working closely together make a great way to sagway a romance until mary Alice learns knead about her ex and then proceeds to see chad hugging a beautiful woman at work...mary Alice can't get a break. will mary Alice's wish to hear chad side of the story work or will she have lots another chance of love.
Profile Image for Stephanie Corbett.
693 reviews12 followers
November 26, 2017
This was a wonderful novella, set in small town Wishful, it is funny, heartwarming Christmas story. We met Mary Alice in a previous Wishful story and therefore you will get more from the story if you read that first, but it works well as a stand-alone too (I just love to get the full backstory!).

Mary Alice is a hardworking, kind and caring school teacher, but maybe has been a bit too much of a pushover in the past, and not demanding enough - she deserves to be treated well.

Chad is a new ER doctor who is immediately attracted to Mary Alice and wants to treat Mary Alice in the manner she truly deserves, but can she take the risk and open up her heart again after being hurt so publicly before!!

It is a charming story, full of the spirit of Christmas and I highly recommend this little slice of festive joy!!

I voluntarily reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book.
Profile Image for Timothy Hendricks.
477 reviews6 followers
November 27, 2017
I loved this book; but of course I love all of Kait Nolan's books. Especially those centered around Wishful and the Misfit Inn series. I love Kait Nolan as a writer. I am a very prolific reader and when I am reading something and a Kait Nolan book comes available I stop and immediately begin reading her book before finishing whatever I was reading. I also love to see familiar characters from earlier books mentioned as well I like recalling their stories. Mary Alice and Chad are interesting people and make a very nice couple. I like how they encourage community participation and giving. After all it is the Spirit of Christmas and the Spirit of Christmas is what this book is all about. I liked the book from start to finish; but the last 2 chapters were exceptional. I also like Isaiah and how he touched Chad's heart and how Chad responded to that little boy and his Grandmother.
Profile Image for Ann-Maree.
1,105 reviews10 followers
November 28, 2017
It is always a pleasure to read one of Kait Nolan’s books and this one was a very loving read about mending broken hearts. This story is from the Wishful series set just before Christmas with Mary Alice Reed that we have already met in another book “If I Didn't Care”: A Small Town Romantic Suspense (Wishing For A Hero Book 1). We get to read about the other side of an HEA as Mary Alice is just recovering from her break up with Judd. I enjoyed the take of the story and just LOVED Chad he is the dream guy, in my opinion, Kind, a Doctor, sweet, attentive, thoughtful, understanding, patient, sexy, talented, handsome, successful, and the list can just go on and on and on. I received an ARC copy of this book and this is my voluntary and honest review of it. If you have not read a Kait Nolan give this one a try you will not be sorry.
722 reviews5 followers
December 10, 2018
DELIGHTFUL BOOK!!!!!

This was a great story...... It made me so happy that Mary Alice got a sweet, kind, man that loved her so completely! It isn't easy being put aside by someone you loved for so long.... she tried to handle it as maturely as possible but as any of us who have been through rejection know it's very complex and takes courage. I like the way the author handled her heartache.... It was realistic and believable which made the book so insightful. Many times the woman in her situation in romance stories are portrayed like the bad guy.... What made this book so wonderful is that she was a genuinely nice woman and found the right person for "her" happily ever after!!!! Highly recommended!!!! 😊
Profile Image for Becky Claxon.
2,205 reviews18 followers
November 25, 2017
This was a sweet Christmas novella. Mary Alice Reed had been with Jude for two years. Had never put her first and she always felt he wanted to be with his friend Amanda. He denied it, but Mary Alice ended breaking it off with him. It wasn’t six weeks later he was married to Amanda. Mary Alice me Dr. Chad Phillips when she took her cousin to the emergency room. He was everything Jude wasn’t. You can’t help but fall in love with Chad. Mary Alice was a loving, giving woman but had to get over how her ex treated her. I enjoyed the book and encourage you to read the book. I voluntarily read an Advanced Reader’s Copy of this book.
327 reviews
November 28, 2017
The Christmas Fountain by Kait Nolan was a beautifully written romance story of Mary Alice and Chad around Christmas in the wishful series. Mary Alice is a school teacher who is heartbroken meets Chad an ER doctor while bringing her inebriated cousin who fell to the ER. Immediate attraction between Mary Alice and Cad and I loved how Chad became involved with her charity to be near and date Mary Alice. I really enjoyed reading The Christmas Fountain by Kait Nolan and all of her books. I highly recommend reading it and you will enjoy reading it. I received an ARC of this book and have voluntarily choose to review it.
Profile Image for Jennie Fortna.
2,540 reviews29 followers
November 30, 2017
ARC for honest review with no compensation

The Christmas Fountain is book 9 in the Wishful series by Kait Nolan and another great read!

Mary Alice and Chad have both had bad breakups but Mary Alice is determined that no man will ever hurt her again so when she meets Chad in the ER helping her drunk friend she decides that maybe it’s time to get back in the dating and flirting game but she wants to move on cautiously that is until Chad decides to take out all the stops to get to know Mary Alice and open her up to finding love with him.

Can Chad show Mary Alice that what happened in her previous relationship is not who she really is and for them to find their HEA??
Profile Image for Rachel.
3,963 reviews62 followers
July 6, 2020
This 9th book in the Wishful Romance series was a well written and sweet romance novella with good character development set in a lovely Southern small town. There is some sex, but it's more natural and less over-the-top. This novella had a less complex plot because its focus mostly remained on the main characters without many appearances from secondary characters or on the town itself unlike several other books in the series did. However, I still really enjoyed this novella and was so happy to see Mary Alice get her happy ending and to get to know Chad, such a compassionate and loving family man. I would give this one 4.5 stars if I could because it was so good but didn't quite give me that amazing, 5 star reaction. Anyhow, I am, of course, happily continuing on reading the Wishful Romance series and the Wishing for a Hero series in chronological order.
864 reviews8 followers
November 25, 2017
I do love the Wishful series. Mary Alice got a bad deal with her previous relationship, so it was good that she got a happily ever after story. Chad seems like a perfect guy. He has had a bad break up in his past as well. He and Mary Alice meet by chance (though in Wishful, it wouldn't have been long). The two are a great fit. Their story is a quick and fun read. I would recommend this visit to Wishful. While part of the series, it is not necessary to read the others to enjoy this book. I received an advance copy in return for an honest review.
246 reviews
December 17, 2017
I love returning to Wishful. It's like going home for a visit. This time we're catching up with Mary Ann. After two years with Judd, she's lost and uncertain of herself. Judd marries less than two months after their break up and Mary Ann is floundering. Is there really no one out there for her?
During a night out with the girls which leads to an ER visit, Mary Ann meets the new ER doctor, Chad.
This story starts like a meet cute but continues. Set during the Christmas season, it's a story of learning to love and trust again. Not just others but yourself.
Profile Image for Whitney .
987 reviews31 followers
November 27, 2017
I have been provided with a copy of The Christmas Fountain by the author for an impartial review. What another great Wishful Romance series installment. In this book you get to see what happened with Mary Alice Reed who you previously met in If I Didn’t Care. I am so glad that Kait Nolan decided to come back to Mary Alice and write her story. It was absolutely wonderful to see her find her way to happiness. I loved getting to see Mary Alice and Chad find their way to each other it was such a beautifully written story and I can’t wait to read more by this author.
32 reviews
November 27, 2017
A heartwarming, lovely romance set at Christmas time in wishful.
When Dr McHottie meets the lovely and passionate Mary Alice for the first time at the hospital he is immediately taken by her. When he realises that she has left her scarf behind he makes it his mission to get it back to her and to find out if his attraction to her could be exactly what he’s looking for in this small town. Sit back and enjoy wishful in all it’s Christmas spirit, you won’t be disappointed.
I received this ACR ( Advanced Readers Copy) from Kait Nolan in exchange for a honest review within a few days of release.
Profile Image for Donna.
Author 7 books33 followers
November 27, 2017
Once again, Kait Nolan has written a charming, sweet romance. Mary Alice and Chad make a terrific couple. Both are loving, compassionate, passionate people. Chad is darn near perfect. Definitely a swoon-worthy hero. The date he planned was beyond romantic. *sigh* I'm thinking I need to make a trip to Wishful and toss my coin in the fountain.

If you're looking for a delightful, well-written Christmas story with lovable characters and a dash of humor, look no further. I urge you to read all the books in the Wishful Series.
Profile Image for Nicki Conroy.
631 reviews11 followers
November 27, 2017
Wishful reminds me of where I live. While it is not in the mountains, it is small. Maggie Valley is also small.

This story is so fantastic! Everyone has that one that every body else knew was wrong but you were sure was right. Both Mary Alice and Chad have these relationships in their past. Can they get over them long enough to see if what might be arching between them is the right thing is the big question.

I received a copy of this book from the author. The review and opinions in are 100% my own.
Profile Image for Diane .
45 reviews
November 29, 2017
I really enjoyed this novella and almost wish that it had been a full book! I really enjoyed the way that past Kait readers got to know Mary Alice a little better based on her previous role as the jilted girlfriend to Judd. And talk about a hot doctor!! I would certainly love to have him help with my Christmas chores any day.

If you would like to enjoy a delightful, easy to read holiday romance you should really check this one out! Another great story from Wishful and a great bonus to the holiday reading season!
Profile Image for Madamoiselle Moi .
185 reviews
December 13, 2017
The newest book by Kait Nolan, The Christmas Fountain (book 9 of the Wishful series), is a story filled with hope. It carries on the theme that the author has set in the series. I couldn't wait to read Mary Alice's story and the Kait Nolan did not disappoint in this novella. It was beautifully written and felt like it was a shining star in what may have been a dimly lit night in Mary Alice's world. Kait Nolan does an excellent job in delivering a sweet and well written story that is not overly done.
Profile Image for Taryn.
185 reviews7 followers
November 25, 2017
A great, quick little love story! Now that I’ve read a few books in the series, I love seeing familiar characters and places pop up in each new book. I enjoyed getting to know these characters, and the way each of them were able to work to overcome their baggage and their past, to find a new level of understanding in their relationship. It was really nice to read about characters I felt I could relate to and see their love blossom. A great weekend read!
Profile Image for Jodi.
203 reviews
November 26, 2017
Another wonderful read for a wonderful author!!! The Christmas Fountain is the latest in a great series of Wishful books by Kait Nolan and a beautiful read. Chad and Mary Alive will warm your heart and soul through each page of this book. We all wish that we had a "Chad" in our life and this book, as all her books, takes you to the beautiful town of Wishful. As with each book, I wish I were there. Don't think twice, read this book and each one in the series!!!
879 reviews3 followers
November 27, 2017
Returning to Wishful for Mary Alice and Chad's story was such a joy. It is such a beautifully written sweet Christmas romance. Once I started I was unable to put it down until I finished. The characters are delightful and so loveable. I'm glad Mary Alice finds her happiness. Chad is perfect for the town and is a great addition. They have their ups and downs on the journey to happiness. I received this book as a gift and voluntarily give this review
Profile Image for Annette.
1,768 reviews10 followers
September 14, 2021
Mary Alice had her heart broken. In her small town, everyone knows the story. Her life is seems to be public information.

When she meets Chad, a new doctor in town, there is an immediate attraction.

This is a sweet short story about two people who find the perfect person to share their future.

If a reader is seeking a small town story with a happily ever after, this is the story to read.
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