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Holiday, Montana #1
Charmed Spirits
Jordan Cross has returned to Holiday, Montana after eleven long years to clear out her late aunt’s house, put it on the market, and figure out what she wants to do with the rest of her life. Soon, she finds herself facing the town that turned its back on her because she was different. Because being labeled a witch in a small town didn’t earn her many friends...especially when it wasn't a lie.
Matt Cooper has lived in Holiday his whole life. He's perfectly content being a bachelor alongside his four single brothers in a very small town. After all, the only woman he'd ever loved ran out on him without a goodbye. But now Jordan’s back and just as bewitching as ever. Can they rekindle their romance with a town set against them?
Warning: Contains an intelligent, sexy witch with an attitude and drop-dead gorgeous man who likes to work with his hands, holds a secret that might scare someone, and really, really, likes table tops for certain activities. Enough said.
Matt Cooper has lived in Holiday his whole life. He's perfectly content being a bachelor alongside his four single brothers in a very small town. After all, the only woman he'd ever loved ran out on him without a goodbye. But now Jordan’s back and just as bewitching as ever. Can they rekindle their romance with a town set against them?
Warning: Contains an intelligent, sexy witch with an attitude and drop-dead gorgeous man who likes to work with his hands, holds a secret that might scare someone, and really, really, likes table tops for certain activities. Enough said.
260 pages, Paperback
First published September 25, 2012
141 people are currently reading
1914 people want to read
About the author
Carrie Ann Ryan
268 books6,327 followersCarrie Ann Ryan is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of contemporary, paranormal, and young adult romance. Her works include the Montgomery Ink, Talon Pack, Promise Me, and Elements of Five series, which have sold millions of books worldwide. She's the winner of a RT Book of the Year and a Prism Award in her genres. She started writing while in graduate school for her advanced degree in chemistry and hasn’t stopped since. Carrie Ann has written over seventy-five novels and novellas with more in the works. When she’s not losing herself in her emotional and action-packed worlds, she’s reading as much as she can while wrangling her clowder of cats who have more followers than she does.
The Montgomery Ink World contains the following series, though each series is a stand alone and can be read in any order. Feel free to hop around:
The Montgomery Ink Series
The Gallagher Brothers Series
The Montgomery Ink: Colorado Springs Series
The Whiskey and Lies Series
The Fractured Connections Series
The Montgomery Ink: Boulder Series
The Less Than Series
The Promise Me Series
Her Elements of Five Series is her Young Adult Romance series while her other series are all adult.
Her Talon Pack series is set in the same world as the Redwood Pack series, only 30 years later.
The Dante's Circle, Holiday, Montana, and Branded Packs series are all individual series as well.
The Montgomery Ink World contains the following series, though each series is a stand alone and can be read in any order. Feel free to hop around:
The Montgomery Ink Series
The Gallagher Brothers Series
The Montgomery Ink: Colorado Springs Series
The Whiskey and Lies Series
The Fractured Connections Series
The Montgomery Ink: Boulder Series
The Less Than Series
The Promise Me Series
Her Elements of Five Series is her Young Adult Romance series while her other series are all adult.
Her Talon Pack series is set in the same world as the Redwood Pack series, only 30 years later.
The Dante's Circle, Holiday, Montana, and Branded Packs series are all individual series as well.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 170 reviews
September 21, 2021
**1.5**
This just didn't work for me at all. Firstly, the town being run like some medieval place where the shithole "ruler" could do what he wanted was lol ... just don't set it in modern real world then, okay? Seriously, we're told that it is in the town rules that the Mayor can have anyone arrested that he wants. Lolwut?
I didn't like either of the leads. Jordan was a whiny dumbass who let everyone treat her like complete garbage. The fact that she's even torn about staying in this hellhole town is unbelievable. The "Mayor" tried to rape her. They harass and arrest her for no reason, and they are trying to get her house torn down for ... literally no reason other than I guess that it is hers. And this is apparently a real possibility, like they could really do this. And she beats up on herself because she used her magic to zap a dude that was trying to rape her after he'd gotten her pants around her ankles. Yes, that's who this character is. Really.
Meanwhile, Matt is the self-absorbed dickhead who can't imagine why she ran away from this town at 18 ... hahahahahahahahahaha. Look, even if he didn't know about the attempted rape, we've gotten to see the harassment and abuse in full color here. You don't know why she left? You self-absorbed dickhead. He's also absolutely positive that she cursed him or something with her magic 11 years ago, which is why he turns into a ghost for 5 days a month. He has no reason to think that, other than the fact that she's a witch. But he is utterly, absolutely, unshakably positive that she was responsible. He's a self-absorbed prejudiced dickhead. And when shit happens - like, kids throw a rock though the window she's standing in front of and she gets all cut up from the glass - his first conclusion is "did you do that with your magic?" He is as bad as everyone else in this town, blaming her for everything - she must have done it, you guys, she's the witch! OooOoOoooooOoh!
Fuck this whole town, seriously.
And then after treating her badly the whole time, and backing the Mayor when he had her arrested for no reason, and nearly getting her killed... this town randomly turns on a dime and decides to make her Mayor because "they want her to know they support her". Again, lolwut? That was the most bullshit fake ending in the history of chicklit. How about they just decide to stop being mean to her and throwing rocks at her? I'd find that reasonably believable. Making her Mayor? Just no. No.
This was some dumb shit, y'all.
This just didn't work for me at all. Firstly, the town being run like some medieval place where the shithole "ruler" could do what he wanted was lol ... just don't set it in modern real world then, okay? Seriously, we're told that it is in the town rules that the Mayor can have anyone arrested that he wants. Lolwut?
I didn't like either of the leads. Jordan was a whiny dumbass who let everyone treat her like complete garbage. The fact that she's even torn about staying in this hellhole town is unbelievable. The "Mayor" tried to rape her. They harass and arrest her for no reason, and they are trying to get her house torn down for ... literally no reason other than I guess that it is hers. And this is apparently a real possibility, like they could really do this. And she beats up on herself because she used her magic to zap a dude that was trying to rape her after he'd gotten her pants around her ankles. Yes, that's who this character is. Really.
Meanwhile, Matt is the self-absorbed dickhead who can't imagine why she ran away from this town at 18 ... hahahahahahahahahaha. Look, even if he didn't know about the attempted rape, we've gotten to see the harassment and abuse in full color here. You don't know why she left? You self-absorbed dickhead. He's also absolutely positive that she cursed him or something with her magic 11 years ago, which is why he turns into a ghost for 5 days a month. He has no reason to think that, other than the fact that she's a witch. But he is utterly, absolutely, unshakably positive that she was responsible. He's a self-absorbed prejudiced dickhead. And when shit happens - like, kids throw a rock though the window she's standing in front of and she gets all cut up from the glass - his first conclusion is "did you do that with your magic?" He is as bad as everyone else in this town, blaming her for everything - she must have done it, you guys, she's the witch! OooOoOoooooOoh!
Fuck this whole town, seriously.
And then after treating her badly the whole time, and backing the Mayor when he had her arrested for no reason, and nearly getting her killed... this town randomly turns on a dime and decides to make her Mayor because "they want her to know they support her". Again, lolwut? That was the most bullshit fake ending in the history of chicklit. How about they just decide to stop being mean to her and throwing rocks at her? I'd find that reasonably believable. Making her Mayor? Just no. No.
This was some dumb shit, y'all.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 17, 2012
My Rating: ★★½
Book Description:
Jordan Cross has returned to Holiday, Montana after eleven long years to clear out her late aunt’s house, put it on the market, and figure out what she wants to do with the rest of her life. Soon, she finds herself facing the town that turned its back on her because she was different. Because being labeled a witch in a small town didn’t earn her many friends...especially when it wasn't a lie.
Matt Cooper has lived in Holiday his whole life. He's perfectly content being a bachelor alongside his four single brothers in a very small town. After all, the only woman he'd ever loved ran out on him without a goodbye. But now Jordan’s back and just as bewitching as ever. Can they rekindle their romance with a town set against them?
Warning: Contains an intelligent, sexy witch with an attitude and drop-dead gorgeous man who likes to work with his hands, holds a secret that might scare someone, and really, really, likes table tops for certain activities. Enough said.
Page Count: 229 Pages
My Thoughts:
Sadly, I did not care for Charmed Spirits
. It was a rather mundane read with mediocre characters and story plot. It's not that I hated the story because I didn't. There was just no pop, zing, or wow to it that retained my interest in it or prompted my interest in continuing the series. Jordan and Matt were ok but left no memorable impression. Stacey and Prescott were too crazy to even be believed (even in a fictional world). The story just left me feeling flat and unaffected. From the stellar reviews, I can see that I am in the minority and I'm ok with that. To each, their own :).
I have already purchased Santa's Executive
and will read it at some point to see if the characters or story peak my interest in the series.
Reading Time: 5 Hours
For more reviews, visit The BookChick with Kick blog
Book Description:
Jordan Cross has returned to Holiday, Montana after eleven long years to clear out her late aunt’s house, put it on the market, and figure out what she wants to do with the rest of her life. Soon, she finds herself facing the town that turned its back on her because she was different. Because being labeled a witch in a small town didn’t earn her many friends...especially when it wasn't a lie.
Matt Cooper has lived in Holiday his whole life. He's perfectly content being a bachelor alongside his four single brothers in a very small town. After all, the only woman he'd ever loved ran out on him without a goodbye. But now Jordan’s back and just as bewitching as ever. Can they rekindle their romance with a town set against them?
Warning: Contains an intelligent, sexy witch with an attitude and drop-dead gorgeous man who likes to work with his hands, holds a secret that might scare someone, and really, really, likes table tops for certain activities. Enough said.
Page Count: 229 Pages
My Thoughts:
Sadly, I did not care for Charmed Spirits
. It was a rather mundane read with mediocre characters and story plot. It's not that I hated the story because I didn't. There was just no pop, zing, or wow to it that retained my interest in it or prompted my interest in continuing the series. Jordan and Matt were ok but left no memorable impression. Stacey and Prescott were too crazy to even be believed (even in a fictional world). The story just left me feeling flat and unaffected. From the stellar reviews, I can see that I am in the minority and I'm ok with that. To each, their own :).I have already purchased Santa's Executive
and will read it at some point to see if the characters or story peak my interest in the series.Reading Time: 5 Hours
For more reviews, visit The BookChick with Kick blog
September 29, 2014
I wish I could rate this on potential, because the premise, the characters, and the banter were all intriguing and enjoyable. However, the execution was sorely lacking.
I hate saying that about a book, but this was a disappointing read. There was no depth, no detail, no real struggle, and only the barest of descriptions to get the reader through. There were so many lost opportunities here to bring readers in. Like when Jordan's fixing up the house, or struggling with controlling her powers. None of that gets shared; it's only glossed over. And it was confusing, too, since the descriptions that were given weren't always clear enough to figure out what action was taking place.
We don't see any really deep interactions between Jordan and Matt. We don't get any flashbacks that could help us really understand either point of view. We don't see any struggle, not from Jordan as she tries to get control over her powers, or from Matt as he works out what was done to him. The only internal thoughts we see revolve around lusty feelings and tiresome "I should do this!" moments. And yet everything gets magically fixed (pun intended) without any real work.
Which means that there's no real connection to the characters because they're so two dimensional. Like the author was ticking off boxes instead of writing a compelling story.
Basically, there's a LOT of telling but not showing.
Which is frustrating to begin with, but even more so when this could have been so much better and stronger. The story is pretty original, and I was hoping for more.
And don't get me started on how unrealistic some plot points were - like the way the mayor behaved. Just... no.
This was my first time reading this author, and sadly will be my last.
I hate saying that about a book, but this was a disappointing read. There was no depth, no detail, no real struggle, and only the barest of descriptions to get the reader through. There were so many lost opportunities here to bring readers in. Like when Jordan's fixing up the house, or struggling with controlling her powers. None of that gets shared; it's only glossed over. And it was confusing, too, since the descriptions that were given weren't always clear enough to figure out what action was taking place.
We don't see any really deep interactions between Jordan and Matt. We don't get any flashbacks that could help us really understand either point of view. We don't see any struggle, not from Jordan as she tries to get control over her powers, or from Matt as he works out what was done to him. The only internal thoughts we see revolve around lusty feelings and tiresome "I should do this!" moments. And yet everything gets magically fixed (pun intended) without any real work.
Which means that there's no real connection to the characters because they're so two dimensional. Like the author was ticking off boxes instead of writing a compelling story.
Basically, there's a LOT of telling but not showing.
Which is frustrating to begin with, but even more so when this could have been so much better and stronger. The story is pretty original, and I was hoping for more.
And don't get me started on how unrealistic some plot points were - like the way the mayor behaved. Just... no.
This was my first time reading this author, and sadly will be my last.
October 11, 2012
OMG was I annoyed over the way the town kowtowed to the mayor. Uh..how is it legal that he can demand someone be arrested? Or tear down a house someone lives in and is in the process of renovating? Crap that like annoys me.
And don't get me started on the ridiculous way Jordan and Matt acted at different times. Morons, both.
Having said that..I did think the premise was a good one and I wouldn't mind reading another of the books to see if she improves, hence the 2 stars.
And don't get me started on the ridiculous way Jordan and Matt acted at different times. Morons, both.
Having said that..I did think the premise was a good one and I wouldn't mind reading another of the books to see if she improves, hence the 2 stars.
July 23, 2017
Excellent start to a series, whitey, fun, sweet, sexy and emotional second chance romance in a small town with childhood sweethearts. Loved every emotional twist and turn. Looking forward to my next visit to Holiday, Montana.
Jordan Cross is a head strong, sassy, sexy and born witch that has been away from home for over 11 years and has been hiding from her magic just as long. Matt Cooper is a sweet, sexy, hot carpenter, alpha male (one of the many sexy Cooper brothers) and they boy she left behind the night she ran out her her small hometown with out saying goodby or looking back. Loved all the interesting twits in this awesome small town family filled adventure.
Jordan Cross is a head strong, sassy, sexy and born witch that has been away from home for over 11 years and has been hiding from her magic just as long. Matt Cooper is a sweet, sexy, hot carpenter, alpha male (one of the many sexy Cooper brothers) and they boy she left behind the night she ran out her her small hometown with out saying goodby or looking back. Loved all the interesting twits in this awesome small town family filled adventure.
August 28, 2013
Charmed Spirits is a wonderful start to a new series by Carrie Ann Ryan. Each story will focus on one holiday in particular in Holiday. Charmed Spirits takes place at Halloween and witches and ghosts are the least of the town's problems. They should be more concerned with the rotten greedy mayor and his bitch of a sister.
March 5, 2015
The trash bin is too good a place for this utter mess. Laughable, plot less, with no characters worth of this name. Ridiculous is really the only thing that I can say about it. And well, sorry, but writing is cringe worthy.
I have no idea what this book wants to be, but for me it's one huge fail.
I have no idea what this book wants to be, but for me it's one huge fail.
May 18, 2016
I liked the plot and dialogue, but the heroine was super annoying with all her "this is all my fault, I have to run away!" bullshit.
October 26, 2025
This book was a walking cliché if ever I’ve seen one. The plot is fairly basic: girl’s now all grown up and heads back to her hometown to deal with her dead relative’s property with the intention of leaving again as soon as possible, but she runs into her ex (who she ran out on 11 years ago) and sparks start to fly again. Unbeknownst to her, said ex has been subject to a certain ghostly affliction five days of the month ever since she left all those years ago.
There was no depth to anything, which made me not particularly care about any of what was going on. The story needed a good editor to strike out all the unnecessary words (if the MMC called the FMC “baby” one more time, I was gonna start ripping my hair out) and highlight the parts that really needed more development (pretty much everything). The whole town seems to run like a mediaeval fiefdom with the big bad pretty much twirling his mustachios as he muahahas to himself in his lair.
Yeah… it wasn’t great. But it also wasn’t bad enough that I wanted to get stabby.
Also, the narrator sucks and his narration probably added to my irritation at all the “baby”s flying around.
There was no depth to anything, which made me not particularly care about any of what was going on. The story needed a good editor to strike out all the unnecessary words (if the MMC called the FMC “baby” one more time, I was gonna start ripping my hair out) and highlight the parts that really needed more development (pretty much everything). The whole town seems to run like a mediaeval fiefdom with the big bad pretty much twirling his mustachios as he muahahas to himself in his lair.
Yeah… it wasn’t great. But it also wasn’t bad enough that I wanted to get stabby.
Also, the narrator sucks and his narration probably added to my irritation at all the “baby”s flying around.
February 2, 2023
3.5 stars
Quick, quirky read. In a small town with fears of the supernatural, Jordan's plan is to get in, fix up her grandmother's house to sell, and get out before the townspeople notice she's been there. She is a witch and left town after being bullied and misunderstood for her natural abilities.
This was a quick read, though at times felt a little on the cheesy side. I liked both main characters, but at times their second chance felt like a foregone conclusion and the secrets between them bothered me a bit. Over all it was enjoyable and I will likely pick up more of the series from KU when I need something completely light hearted.
Quick, quirky read. In a small town with fears of the supernatural, Jordan's plan is to get in, fix up her grandmother's house to sell, and get out before the townspeople notice she's been there. She is a witch and left town after being bullied and misunderstood for her natural abilities.
This was a quick read, though at times felt a little on the cheesy side. I liked both main characters, but at times their second chance felt like a foregone conclusion and the secrets between them bothered me a bit. Over all it was enjoyable and I will likely pick up more of the series from KU when I need something completely light hearted.
December 6, 2017
Holiday, Montana holds many a surprise for the inhabitants. Now that one, Jordan Cross, has returned and finds that she remembered the community just as it was. Except on aspect of the community. The one, Matt Cooper, she could never forget. The town if full of new and exciting revelations. Some are not as new as one would suspect.
Interesting story just too short to form a full attachment to the main characters. I liked Jordan from the start. Matt needed more time. His obsession with tables began a connection to him.
Gregory did a good job.
Interesting story just too short to form a full attachment to the main characters. I liked Jordan from the start. Matt needed more time. His obsession with tables began a connection to him.
Gregory did a good job.
February 24, 2019
Charmed 🤩
Charmed spirits is a cute cozy paranormal second chance story about Jordan and Matt. They were high school sweethearts but she left unexpectedly eleven years ago and now that her grandmother has passed away, she has come back to Holiday to fix up the house, sell it and move on. But she doesn’t account for her feelings when she sees Matt again or that she might make friends in Abby and Alli. Will she stay or ran away from the man she still loves?
Purchased this book in the Holiday, Montana box set😀
Charmed spirits is a cute cozy paranormal second chance story about Jordan and Matt. They were high school sweethearts but she left unexpectedly eleven years ago and now that her grandmother has passed away, she has come back to Holiday to fix up the house, sell it and move on. But she doesn’t account for her feelings when she sees Matt again or that she might make friends in Abby and Alli. Will she stay or ran away from the man she still loves?
Purchased this book in the Holiday, Montana box set😀
April 20, 2019
I didn’t think this book was one of the author’s stronger stories. I much prefer her more recent ones, but am glad that I check it out. While this one was a shorter story, it felt like things were left out, like the history of the town and why the mayor had so much power or how people had magic and it being an open secret.
I don’t know that I liked this one enough to keep reading the rest of the series.
I don’t know that I liked this one enough to keep reading the rest of the series.
July 26, 2017
This is a great start to a new series, I couldn't put the book down. The characters are fun, smart, and entertaining. Emotions were up and down between the main characters, the author did a nice job of conveying them. I look forward to reading more in this series.
I received a copy of this book from the author, my review has been voluntarily submitted.
I received a copy of this book from the author, my review has been voluntarily submitted.
December 24, 2017
amazing 2nd chance beautiful love story with Justin and jordan
October 19, 2025
This is not good. I got it for free on Audible and I still would not recommend
October 9, 2012
OMG – the warning in the synopsis is not only hilarious but extremely accurate (particularly the last part of the statement)! I’m not saying another word, but you will know exactly what I’m talking about if you’ve read the book or when you read it!!
I will say that this reads like a contemporary novel with the exception that the heroine is a witch and there are things that go bump in the night. It was a sweet, romantic story about high school sweethearts that may get that second chance and finally learn the truth regarding the events that lead them to be apart.
Jordan is strong (and by now you know I like my heroines to be strong and not ditzy or whiny, anyways, back to the review), smart, sarcastic, a hard worker but she is still vulnerable in that she hides her true self because of the abuse she suffered as a child on the hands of the town. She became an outcast at the age of five because of her gifts and she never got over that feeling, which caused her to neglect her gifts and not reach her full potential.
Enter Matt Cooper and his brothers (which, I’ll share more on them in a bit). Matt and Jordan were best friends since they were children, which blossomed into a romantic relationship in their teens. Matt and his brothers always considered Jordan part of their family and protected her when the town folks were mean. One night they were supposed to go out on a date and she never showed up. In fact, he found out that she left town. No goodbyes, no reasons, just got up and left. Now, eleven years later, she’s back. Sparks fly and their connection is just as strong as the day she left. However, she informs Matt that she is only back in town to get things squared away with her grandmother’s house and has no intentions on staying any longer than necessary. Matt hopes she changes her mind and offers to help her fix up her grandma’s house.
Onto the Cooper Brothers! Wow! Hot! Sexy! Professional! Family orientated! United Front! Their dynamic is entertaining and everything you would hope for bothers to be like! The stick up for one another and call each other names! Its quiet enduring, actually. Seems like the series will be following the Cooper Brothers as the next installment has been announced, “Santa’s Executive (Holiday, Montana, #2), expected to be released on December 4, 2012. I will say it will definitely be interesting!!
Remember how I said this read like a contemporary except for the witch and bump in the night aspect. Well, the only other thing that doesn’t read like a contemporary is the sex scenes. Holly Smokes Batman! Yeah, hot and steaming. Remember, this read like a contemporary and bam! Caught me off guard at first but then I was eagerly anticipating the next scene and was not disappointed.
Looking forward to getting to know the Cooper Brothers and the residents of Holiday, Montana better!!
Note: posted original review at Reading Between the Wines Book Club
For this and other book reviews, please visit Viviana, Enchantress of Books
I will say that this reads like a contemporary novel with the exception that the heroine is a witch and there are things that go bump in the night. It was a sweet, romantic story about high school sweethearts that may get that second chance and finally learn the truth regarding the events that lead them to be apart.
Jordan is strong (and by now you know I like my heroines to be strong and not ditzy or whiny, anyways, back to the review), smart, sarcastic, a hard worker but she is still vulnerable in that she hides her true self because of the abuse she suffered as a child on the hands of the town. She became an outcast at the age of five because of her gifts and she never got over that feeling, which caused her to neglect her gifts and not reach her full potential.
Enter Matt Cooper and his brothers (which, I’ll share more on them in a bit). Matt and Jordan were best friends since they were children, which blossomed into a romantic relationship in their teens. Matt and his brothers always considered Jordan part of their family and protected her when the town folks were mean. One night they were supposed to go out on a date and she never showed up. In fact, he found out that she left town. No goodbyes, no reasons, just got up and left. Now, eleven years later, she’s back. Sparks fly and their connection is just as strong as the day she left. However, she informs Matt that she is only back in town to get things squared away with her grandmother’s house and has no intentions on staying any longer than necessary. Matt hopes she changes her mind and offers to help her fix up her grandma’s house.
Onto the Cooper Brothers! Wow! Hot! Sexy! Professional! Family orientated! United Front! Their dynamic is entertaining and everything you would hope for bothers to be like! The stick up for one another and call each other names! Its quiet enduring, actually. Seems like the series will be following the Cooper Brothers as the next installment has been announced, “Santa’s Executive (Holiday, Montana, #2), expected to be released on December 4, 2012. I will say it will definitely be interesting!!
Remember how I said this read like a contemporary except for the witch and bump in the night aspect. Well, the only other thing that doesn’t read like a contemporary is the sex scenes. Holly Smokes Batman! Yeah, hot and steaming. Remember, this read like a contemporary and bam! Caught me off guard at first but then I was eagerly anticipating the next scene and was not disappointed.
Looking forward to getting to know the Cooper Brothers and the residents of Holiday, Montana better!!
Note: posted original review at Reading Between the Wines Book Club
For this and other book reviews, please visit Viviana, Enchantress of Books
November 30, 2012
Kitty's review posted on Guilty Pleasures Book Reviews
3.5 Stars
Charmed Spirits was cute, witty, sometimes just goofy but definitely fun. It was a light-hearted book that put a smile on my face and definitely has me looking at tabletops a little differently.
Jordan Cross ran out of Holiday, Montana as soon as she got the chance. People either hated her, loved her or just wanted her to use her “gift” to get them something – usually a man. When she left, she left with a secret and left the true love of her life behind and always regretted it.
Matt Cooper never really got over Jordan. She just left – no reason given, no good-bye. He resigned himself, along with his 3 hot brothers, to just live his life out without Jordan and live it to the fullest that he could. See, he had a secret too – one that he never told anyone about, not even his brothers. When Jordan returns and he finds himself back in her arms, how does he keep the secret from her? Does he trust her enough to possibly share it with him? Does he ever find out the real reason why she left all those years ago?
Well, she’ back – and nothing has changed. People are still looking at her strange, making fun of her and basically just trying to run her out of town. All she wants to do is get her aunt’s home put back together and get out of town again as soon as possible. But, the Cooper brothers are making it really hard to just fix the house and leave again, 3 of them think of her as the sister they never had and Matt can’t hide his true feelings. She’s falling, again (still) and it’s getting harder and harder to think about leaving. After several mishaps and mind-blowing sex with Matt, the final straw comes when someone tries to kill her and the whole truth comes out – both her’s and Matt’s secrets are revealed!
I enjoyed Charmed Spirits. We have a ghost, a witch and a small town that just lives up to what you would think a small town was about – gossip, back-stabbing and everyone having to know what everyone else is doing. We have a small town mayor who thinks he controls the world and his sister who thinks she deserves it all – well, they are the richest people in town. A hot sheriff (Matt’s brother, Tyler) and a grade-school teacher who’s as mousy (so she thinks) as what you would picture a small town grade-school teacher could be. Put them all together with sex on every tabletop they could find and you really have a fun story.
Review copy provided for an honest review.
3.5 Stars
Charmed Spirits was cute, witty, sometimes just goofy but definitely fun. It was a light-hearted book that put a smile on my face and definitely has me looking at tabletops a little differently.
Jordan Cross ran out of Holiday, Montana as soon as she got the chance. People either hated her, loved her or just wanted her to use her “gift” to get them something – usually a man. When she left, she left with a secret and left the true love of her life behind and always regretted it.
Matt Cooper never really got over Jordan. She just left – no reason given, no good-bye. He resigned himself, along with his 3 hot brothers, to just live his life out without Jordan and live it to the fullest that he could. See, he had a secret too – one that he never told anyone about, not even his brothers. When Jordan returns and he finds himself back in her arms, how does he keep the secret from her? Does he trust her enough to possibly share it with him? Does he ever find out the real reason why she left all those years ago?
Well, she’ back – and nothing has changed. People are still looking at her strange, making fun of her and basically just trying to run her out of town. All she wants to do is get her aunt’s home put back together and get out of town again as soon as possible. But, the Cooper brothers are making it really hard to just fix the house and leave again, 3 of them think of her as the sister they never had and Matt can’t hide his true feelings. She’s falling, again (still) and it’s getting harder and harder to think about leaving. After several mishaps and mind-blowing sex with Matt, the final straw comes when someone tries to kill her and the whole truth comes out – both her’s and Matt’s secrets are revealed!
I enjoyed Charmed Spirits. We have a ghost, a witch and a small town that just lives up to what you would think a small town was about – gossip, back-stabbing and everyone having to know what everyone else is doing. We have a small town mayor who thinks he controls the world and his sister who thinks she deserves it all – well, they are the richest people in town. A hot sheriff (Matt’s brother, Tyler) and a grade-school teacher who’s as mousy (so she thinks) as what you would picture a small town grade-school teacher could be. Put them all together with sex on every tabletop they could find and you really have a fun story.
Review copy provided for an honest review.
October 12, 2012
This one book is more like 1.5 stars for me. I didn't hate it but I didn't like it either. I think what disappointed me the most about this book was that there was a kernel of a very interesting story but it was never developed. Actually, that could pretty much sum up my entire thoughts about this book - it is almost completely lacking in any kind a development. The plot goes from points A to B to C but how we get to each point seems to have been forgotten. The characters are also incredibly one-dimensional.
This is a story that relies on "telling"; as in, if something is repeated often enough, hopefully you'll start to believe it. Example, Jordan (our heroine) is intelligent and bada**. No, no she's not. She's sarcastic, not intelligent, and nothing she does even remotely qualifies as bada**. Now don't get me wrong, I love good, witty sarcasm but this wasn't it.
The other thing that really bugged me was that no one in this book apparently has any sort of spine and they seem to see everything as a binary choice.
All in all, Ms. Ryan's writing isn't terrible and she seems to have some really good story ideas so I am willing to try another one of her books.
This is a story that relies on "telling"; as in, if something is repeated often enough, hopefully you'll start to believe it. Example, Jordan (our heroine) is intelligent and bada**. No, no she's not. She's sarcastic, not intelligent, and nothing she does even remotely qualifies as bada**. Now don't get me wrong, I love good, witty sarcasm but this wasn't it.
The other thing that really bugged me was that no one in this book apparently has any sort of spine and they seem to see everything as a binary choice.
All in all, Ms. Ryan's writing isn't terrible and she seems to have some really good story ideas so I am willing to try another one of her books.
November 4, 2012
Originally Reviewed for The Book Vixen
Pleasant enough novella which does better setting up a series than telling a strong romance.
Two words: Cooper brothers. Matt is the youngest of five totally super hottie brothers. Each of his brothers is unique with interesting personalities and I love how they love and support each other while needling each other. I’m a sucker for men in romance being part of a brotherhood so this totally set up a great series. In fact, at least two of the brothers’ romances are hinted at here and I can’t wait to read both of their HEAs.
Even though this is the reunited lovers trope that I’m not normally fond of, the author did a believable job of bringing Jordan and Matt back together. They didn’t have a big misunderstanding, which I hate in romances. Their reunion was fairly drama free with adequate emotional and sexual intimacy. This isn’t a romance that wowed me but it was decent enough.
I don’t read small town romances normally. I’d go so far as to say that the whole cutesy middle-America homespun setting irritates me (sorry, classic snobby New Yorker here!). I think it was ambitious to meld paranormal and small town romance but it felt a little fractured to me because of this. I’m likely just conditioned to the urban setting for my paranormal romances but it’s the setting I much prefer over the diner-eating-noisy-neighbor setting here.
This is a pleasant novella if someone wants a homespun romance with a dash of paranormal.
Pleasant enough novella which does better setting up a series than telling a strong romance.
Two words: Cooper brothers. Matt is the youngest of five totally super hottie brothers. Each of his brothers is unique with interesting personalities and I love how they love and support each other while needling each other. I’m a sucker for men in romance being part of a brotherhood so this totally set up a great series. In fact, at least two of the brothers’ romances are hinted at here and I can’t wait to read both of their HEAs.
Even though this is the reunited lovers trope that I’m not normally fond of, the author did a believable job of bringing Jordan and Matt back together. They didn’t have a big misunderstanding, which I hate in romances. Their reunion was fairly drama free with adequate emotional and sexual intimacy. This isn’t a romance that wowed me but it was decent enough.
I don’t read small town romances normally. I’d go so far as to say that the whole cutesy middle-America homespun setting irritates me (sorry, classic snobby New Yorker here!). I think it was ambitious to meld paranormal and small town romance but it felt a little fractured to me because of this. I’m likely just conditioned to the urban setting for my paranormal romances but it’s the setting I much prefer over the diner-eating-noisy-neighbor setting here.
This is a pleasant novella if someone wants a homespun romance with a dash of paranormal.
October 13, 2013
Title: Charmed Spirits (Holiday Montana Book 1)
Author: Carrie Ann Ryan
Publisher: Faded Desires Publishing LLC
Published: 9-23-2012
ISBN-10: 1623220092
ISBN-13: 978-1623220099
E-Book ASIN: B009G7H5YC
Pages: 228
Genre: Romance
Tags: Paranormal, Ghost, Witches
Welcome to Holiday, Montana. The place where the holiday spirit is a spirit and being called a witch is not just an insult. If your Jordan Cross being a witch could cost you your life. Which is why she left town years earlier. The only reason she returned now was to clean up her grandmother's house to clean it up from the vandalism of small minded townspeople and put it on the market to sell it quick. Then she is going to shake off the dust of Holiday and never look back again.
Then she runs into Matt Cooper, her high school boyfriend and the love of her life. The lines of flight or stay begin to blur. Stacey Prescott and her brother, , the mayor begin to stir up trouble and resentment against Jordan. The end will make you gasp, as will the fast paced events in the story itself. You will not want to miss the first installment of Carrie Ann Ryan's Series Holiday Montana. I am looking forward to reading book 2, Santa's Executive. Even the blurb makes me itch to begin.
Stop on by Holiday, Montana today and meet the Cooper boys and some of the interesting people who make up the town. Like most small towns, there are good and bad. Luckily the good out number the bad.
Author: Carrie Ann Ryan
Publisher: Faded Desires Publishing LLC
Published: 9-23-2012
ISBN-10: 1623220092
ISBN-13: 978-1623220099
E-Book ASIN: B009G7H5YC
Pages: 228
Genre: Romance
Tags: Paranormal, Ghost, Witches
Welcome to Holiday, Montana. The place where the holiday spirit is a spirit and being called a witch is not just an insult. If your Jordan Cross being a witch could cost you your life. Which is why she left town years earlier. The only reason she returned now was to clean up her grandmother's house to clean it up from the vandalism of small minded townspeople and put it on the market to sell it quick. Then she is going to shake off the dust of Holiday and never look back again.
Then she runs into Matt Cooper, her high school boyfriend and the love of her life. The lines of flight or stay begin to blur. Stacey Prescott and her brother, , the mayor begin to stir up trouble and resentment against Jordan. The end will make you gasp, as will the fast paced events in the story itself. You will not want to miss the first installment of Carrie Ann Ryan's Series Holiday Montana. I am looking forward to reading book 2, Santa's Executive. Even the blurb makes me itch to begin.
Stop on by Holiday, Montana today and meet the Cooper boys and some of the interesting people who make up the town. Like most small towns, there are good and bad. Luckily the good out number the bad.
November 11, 2012
You know how they say you can always go home? Well don’t ask Jordan Cross that. Home is the last place on earth that she wants to be. But she has no choice, she has to go home and take care of the family home after the death of her grandma. Jordan just hopes that this will be quick in and out of Holiday Montana with very little interaction with the locals. But as with every good plan you better have a backup escape route when the love of your life finds out your back in town.
Matt finally has another chance with Jordan and nothing or noone, not even Jordan is going to stand in his way. Will except maybe his little secret might be a problem, but what can he do about that right now. Right now he has to get Jordan to realize she can’t leave him again...Not ever.
Jordan & Matt are just too sweet together. And like any good love if they have faith in each other they will make it through anything. Even death can not keep them apart.
This was another great story from Carrie Ann Ryan and a great start to a new series. I am looking forward to book 2 in the Holiday Montana series. Justin’s book will be hitting the shelves in December 2012
.
Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review. The following review is my own opinion and not a paid review.
Matt finally has another chance with Jordan and nothing or noone, not even Jordan is going to stand in his way. Will except maybe his little secret might be a problem, but what can he do about that right now. Right now he has to get Jordan to realize she can’t leave him again...Not ever.
Jordan & Matt are just too sweet together. And like any good love if they have faith in each other they will make it through anything. Even death can not keep them apart.
This was another great story from Carrie Ann Ryan and a great start to a new series. I am looking forward to book 2 in the Holiday Montana series. Justin’s book will be hitting the shelves in December 2012
.
Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review. The following review is my own opinion and not a paid review.
October 15, 2013
The first book in the Holiday Montana series is a fast captivating read full of romance, intrigue, and a witch.
Jordan is a witch and she has come back to the town that persecuted her for it to settle her late aunt’s estate. Matt is boy she left behind when she ran and he still loves Jordan, but he has a secret that he doesn’t know how to explain.
The suspense builds as the some of the towns people try to get Jordan to leave town again. The author conveys the tension so well that the reader is feels like they are in the story with Jordan and Matt as they try to uncover the mystery of what happened to him.
The romance between the two is well written with some red hot sex and the author portrays their emotions as they come to terms with the past and their feelings for each other in a way that the reader connects to the characters.
The plot flows smoothly from one scene to the next and keeps the reader’s attention from beginning to end with intrigue and bewitching characters. This story of romance, old and new friendships and second chances has a couple of surprises and unique and fun elements as well that keeps things interesting. I just wish it had been longer and I can’t wait to read more about the town of Holiday, Montana.
Jordan is a witch and she has come back to the town that persecuted her for it to settle her late aunt’s estate. Matt is boy she left behind when she ran and he still loves Jordan, but he has a secret that he doesn’t know how to explain.
The suspense builds as the some of the towns people try to get Jordan to leave town again. The author conveys the tension so well that the reader is feels like they are in the story with Jordan and Matt as they try to uncover the mystery of what happened to him.
The romance between the two is well written with some red hot sex and the author portrays their emotions as they come to terms with the past and their feelings for each other in a way that the reader connects to the characters.
The plot flows smoothly from one scene to the next and keeps the reader’s attention from beginning to end with intrigue and bewitching characters. This story of romance, old and new friendships and second chances has a couple of surprises and unique and fun elements as well that keeps things interesting. I just wish it had been longer and I can’t wait to read more about the town of Holiday, Montana.
April 14, 2015
Meh. This book had the usual small town plot points:
1) Heroine is returning to the small town after leaving it many years ago to fix up and sell a relative's house.
2) She hasn't spoken to the relative in some time.
3) She's been pining for the boy she left behind.
4) He's tried to get over her, but still loves her.
5) There's a mean and good looking woman who's been chasing him since high school.
6) The mean ex/wannabe girlfriend says over the top mean things and warns the heroine off.
Bonus clichés:
7) Heroine's parents both died in a car crash several years ago and she was raised by another relative.
8) She disappeared without a word to anyone (much less a note to the hero) so no one knew why she left and couldn't tell her boyfriend (actually fiancé, but I don't think they told anyone).
9) No word on what she's living on since she's not working during the several months she's in town.
10) The town has a stupid name.
11) You'd never know from the cover that the main character is a woman or that she's a witch.
1) Heroine is returning to the small town after leaving it many years ago to fix up and sell a relative's house.
2) She hasn't spoken to the relative in some time.
3) She's been pining for the boy she left behind.
4) He's tried to get over her, but still loves her.
5) There's a mean and good looking woman who's been chasing him since high school.
6) The mean ex/wannabe girlfriend says over the top mean things and warns the heroine off.
Bonus clichés:
7) Heroine's parents both died in a car crash several years ago and she was raised by another relative.
8) She disappeared without a word to anyone (much less a note to the hero) so no one knew why she left and couldn't tell her boyfriend (actually fiancé, but I don't think they told anyone).
9) No word on what she's living on since she's not working during the several months she's in town.
10) The town has a stupid name.
11) You'd never know from the cover that the main character is a woman or that she's a witch.
November 12, 2013
I must admit I quite enjoyed this book as a quick read but while reading it all I could think was that it should have been so much better, Jordan is presented to us as a strong independent city girl who's also a witch, a strong one at that but she's too scared to use any of her power. I felt the book had potential and I liked the feel of it, I loved all the brothers, Abby and Ally but Stacey and Prescott were more like cartoon characters from a kids book, I won't be buying the other books since I was disappointed that this seemed naive and rushed even though I would like to find out what happens to the other brothers.
January 6, 2015
Magic happens. Jordan has been away from Holiday, Montana the town she grew up in. She left behind small minds and the boy she loved. She is a witch and all she ever wanted to be was normal. She was never going to be normal there. Matt was the boy she left behind. The youngest of five brothers Matt is a carpenter and owner of the local hardware store. He has never forgotten Jordan as he believes she is responsible for his becoming a ghost for five nights of the month. Charmed Spirits is a fun tale that brings Matt and Jordan back together.
March 10, 2015
Matt doesn't handle people hurting his woman well, "anger poured through him, and he clenched his fists. “What the hell do you think you were doing? You could have killed her!” I really did love Matt and his playfulness, "he ran a hand down her back, cupping her a**. She wiggled into him and let out a laugh. “Hey, I’m putting on my best moves here, why are you laughing?” He squeezed her a**, and she laughed hard." I enjoyed this book it was a fun read except.for a couple characters who just annoyed me but in the end got what they deserved.
November 11, 2021
I listened to this on audiobook, book 1 of a 5 book series.
So I wanted something light hearted, little funny and not too serious and this story Charmed Spirits and all it’s characters definitely fit the bill.
For sure there are a few things that are outright wrong and outrageous, like how the Mayor controls the Town and the residents just let him and don’t do anything, and that he can demand that someone be arrested just on his say so without going through the proper process and there’s a few more things I could add to the list but I won’t. As long as you don’t take this story too seriously and just enjoy it for the fun/entertainment value, the those outright wrong and outrageous bits won’t annoy you.
So yep I did enjoy this story, I liked the character of Jordan and her witchy ways, also enjoyed the chemistry that her and Matt clearly had, not going the lie, the naughty sexy screens were pretty hot too, nice to have that little escapism/indulgence throughout the story, although it wasn’t OTT at all, it was just right.
So will I be moving on to the second book in the series, yep I definitely will be. I believe each of the 5 books are based on each of the Cooper brothers, Matt being the first one whom I got to know in this story. So I’m looking forward to getting to know the other 4 brothers as the series progresses.
Oh and a little word on the narrator, she did a pretty good job, although I wasn’t overly keen on the voice that she used for Matt, it just didn’t do it for me, but other than that, all good.
So I wanted something light hearted, little funny and not too serious and this story Charmed Spirits and all it’s characters definitely fit the bill.
For sure there are a few things that are outright wrong and outrageous, like how the Mayor controls the Town and the residents just let him and don’t do anything, and that he can demand that someone be arrested just on his say so without going through the proper process and there’s a few more things I could add to the list but I won’t. As long as you don’t take this story too seriously and just enjoy it for the fun/entertainment value, the those outright wrong and outrageous bits won’t annoy you.
So yep I did enjoy this story, I liked the character of Jordan and her witchy ways, also enjoyed the chemistry that her and Matt clearly had, not going the lie, the naughty sexy screens were pretty hot too, nice to have that little escapism/indulgence throughout the story, although it wasn’t OTT at all, it was just right.
So will I be moving on to the second book in the series, yep I definitely will be. I believe each of the 5 books are based on each of the Cooper brothers, Matt being the first one whom I got to know in this story. So I’m looking forward to getting to know the other 4 brothers as the series progresses.
Oh and a little word on the narrator, she did a pretty good job, although I wasn’t overly keen on the voice that she used for Matt, it just didn’t do it for me, but other than that, all good.
January 31, 2018
Awesome
Jordan is a witch who was ostracized while growing up because she was a witch. The only friends she had were the Cooper family boys. She was the high school sweetheart of Matt Cooper. But one day when she was eighteen, something happened and she just packed up and left her home and her grandmother.
Now she is thirty and heading back to Holiday, Montana to clean fix and sell her grandmother's house because she passed away.
Matt can't believe that Jordan is back. He blames her for a few things but still loves her. Eventhough she keeps stating that she is going to leave as soon as she is done with the house, he will to whatever he can to make her want to stay.
But there are people who want her to leave especially the mayor and his sister. Where tries to get her to stay, these two will do everything in their power to get her to leave whether alive or dead.
This is a very interesting book. I have read Ms. Ryan's other paranormal books but somehow thought this was a contemporary. I saw it was on KU so I thought I would try it. I am so glad I did. I am a little in love with some of the brothers. I will be reading the rest of this series!
Jordan is a witch who was ostracized while growing up because she was a witch. The only friends she had were the Cooper family boys. She was the high school sweetheart of Matt Cooper. But one day when she was eighteen, something happened and she just packed up and left her home and her grandmother.
Now she is thirty and heading back to Holiday, Montana to clean fix and sell her grandmother's house because she passed away.
Matt can't believe that Jordan is back. He blames her for a few things but still loves her. Eventhough she keeps stating that she is going to leave as soon as she is done with the house, he will to whatever he can to make her want to stay.
But there are people who want her to leave especially the mayor and his sister. Where tries to get her to stay, these two will do everything in their power to get her to leave whether alive or dead.
This is a very interesting book. I have read Ms. Ryan's other paranormal books but somehow thought this was a contemporary. I saw it was on KU so I thought I would try it. I am so glad I did. I am a little in love with some of the brothers. I will be reading the rest of this series!
July 19, 2017
I received a review copy.
Jordan has returned home only to do what is necessary to sell her grandmother's house and then leave forever. She has very few good memories about Holiday, Montana and most of those involve Matt and his brothers. I enjoyed seeing the sparks that still remain between Jordan and Matt. They were high school sweethearts and though it ended abruptly, the feelings hadn't died on either of their parts. But as Matt rekindles his friendship with Jordan he is keeping a huge secret. And once Jordan learns his secret will she help him or run? This is a nice read by Ms. Ryan. Jordan and Matt have a friendship that has survived as if they never left which I enjoyed. I loved the interaction between him and his brothers as well. The are strong men who support and love each other and those they befriend. Ms. Ryan threw in a few unexpected twists which I thoroughly enjoy and I can't wait to see if the brothers follow in Matt's footsteps and find their happily ever after.
Jordan has returned home only to do what is necessary to sell her grandmother's house and then leave forever. She has very few good memories about Holiday, Montana and most of those involve Matt and his brothers. I enjoyed seeing the sparks that still remain between Jordan and Matt. They were high school sweethearts and though it ended abruptly, the feelings hadn't died on either of their parts. But as Matt rekindles his friendship with Jordan he is keeping a huge secret. And once Jordan learns his secret will she help him or run? This is a nice read by Ms. Ryan. Jordan and Matt have a friendship that has survived as if they never left which I enjoyed. I loved the interaction between him and his brothers as well. The are strong men who support and love each other and those they befriend. Ms. Ryan threw in a few unexpected twists which I thoroughly enjoy and I can't wait to see if the brothers follow in Matt's footsteps and find their happily ever after.
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