HOME FOR CHRISTMAS A Sweet Historical Western Holiday Romance Novella (Rated G) Holidays in Mountain Home, #1
Miranda sneaks home after a long absence, determined to avoid her former fiance. But Hunter wants far more than his old role as brother-in-law-to-be. Abundant Christmas spirit, matchmaking mothers, and hometown holiday celebrations conspire against Miranda's plans for a quiet, at-home Christmas. Her heart doesn't stand a chance.
Kristin Holt, USA Today Bestselling Author writes Sweet Victorian Romance set in the American West. She writes frequent articles about the nineteenth century American west--every subject of possible interest to readers and amateur historians. She contributes monthly to Sweet Americana Sweethearts.
Kristin, has such an amazing ability to write stories emphasizing something hard to deal with. The prequel to this series was written about healing after adultery, and this one is about forgiving the fiance who practically left her at the alter. But Kristin's wonderful gift is really in being so tender to the feelings women especially have in these terrible circumstances. And then, conquering this impossible feat with words that make the pain and the healing so real. It's like your best friend was crying on your shoulder, or you are writing, (through tears) in your diary! It's truly amazing!
3.5 Miranda was still dealing with a broken heart after her fiance jilted her hours before the wedding. When she finally goes home for the holidays after years away, she realizes that it's probably more her pride that's hurting, than her heart. I wonder how many times that's really the case in situations like this. Time heals the heart, but pride takes much longer to get over.
Hunter was very persistent in his pursuit of Miranda, yet it seems that their relationship was a little sudden and kind of awkward for me. Maybe I somehow missed the blossom. The awkwardness stems back to that pride. Falling for your ex-fiance's brother couldn't be anything but uncomfortable. Yet, all was handled gracefully.
3.5 Fun, heartwarming love story with a holiday setting. I enjoyed the characters and thought it was a nice read. I look forward to checking out more books from Ms. Holt.
Humiliated, Miranda left her home and family three years ago when her then fiancé, Warren, dumped her two hours before their wedding. Now she's returned home for Christmas and realized how much she has missed out on. Her large family is growing and she's missed it all, but she can't stay here, or can she? Hunter is Warren's younger brother and he's been in love with Miranda since grade school, but he kept silent when his brother proposed to her, but now can he convince Miranda that he would never hurt her like his brother did? This book is short, but well-written and gives all the warm holiday feels. I really enjoyed it.
This was a very well written short story about a young woman that had her heart broken and had been left at the alter. She come back to her home for Christmas and meets the brother of the man that had left her at the alter. You will love reading about the new found trust, love, trust, forgiveness and the happily ever after that is found over this return home for Christmas.
I was so emotional throughout this whole story. I had difficulty putting it down to fix meals because I wanted a happy ending so badly and couldn't wait to get to the end to make sure it turned out the way I wanted it to., but fearful that it wouldn't Very touching and heartfelt. Definitely well worth reading.
This short story is beautifully written as always by one of my favorite authors. Sweet but never boring, always a lovely romance without sexual content. Will be buying the next one. JudyE
Miranda finally comes home for Christmas after being gone for 3 years as a companion. She meets up with Hunter her ex fiancé brother. He takes her home to her family but proves he is the better man.
I didn't really like this book too well. It's too sweet, syrupy so. The people are too nice, and there's stuff that goes on that should evoke more stronger reactions from the characters. This book had the potential to be a really awesome book, but the author just didn't develop it enough, and didn't put enough bite in it. It's a nice book, but not a great one. I found the characters and their reactions to be quite annoying at times. They should have been more upset than what was written.
This is the author’s first published work and it shows. But the bones of the story are good and the characters believable. I will definitely be continuing with this sweet series. 3.5 stars
I found this offering a bit bland. It is a sweet, clean, historical romance. However, I found it very predictable with very little deviation from a boilerplate romance. The first half of the novella was quite uninspiring with numerous editing errors which were distracting. The writing style did not flow and seemed that the author was struggling to find a rhythm to her writing. It was at about the midpoint that she seemed to overcome the struggle, the words began to flow and the editing errors disappeared. Still, the story line was all too predictable. Miranda’s refusal to accept a marriage proposal from Hunter came across as a manufactured bit of intrigue, but it fell short for me. The primary upside for me with this novella is the manner in which family love and outreach to neighbors and friends were on display in a very positive and upbeat manner. Unfortunately, the best I can offer for this offering is three stars.
Cute, quick, clean Christmas read... Perfect for you if you are the kind of person who loves to watch Hallmark movies at Christmastime!
Miranda left home three years ago when her fiance, Warren Kendall, broke off their engagement a few hours before the wedding and broke her heart. And now she is finally returning home for a few weeks for Christmas and is dreading having to face him and his younger brother, Hunter (who looks so much like his older brother). Miranda runs into Hunter right away and starts spending a lot of time with him. She starts falling in love with this kind, generous man and for the first time in three years her heart is in danger of falling in love again. But she will do anything to protect her heart, even if it means leaving Hunter behind...
Hunter has always loved Miranda. He loved her when they were kids in school, he loved her when she was engaged to his older brother, and he definitely loves the kind and beautiful woman that she is today. But he knows the only way he will ever have a chance at winning her heart is by showing her that his love is never going to change, and that he is NOT his older brother. She is planning to return to Denver so he only has a week to prove to her that he will always protect her heart...
A sweet rendering of how a love gone wrong can turn into the best thing for everyone involved, and then some. Miranda had been left at the altar three years ago, never knowing why, what she had done wrong or how she was lacking. For the past three years, she has stayed away from her family and friends, suffering from the gossip and pity that came from her misfortune. She moved to Denver to become a companion to an elderly spinster, until her recent demise. She has missed her family so much that she decides that it's time for a visit, at least until she is due to start her new employment in the new year. It's time to let her old ghosts be put to rest and move on with her life. Resigning herself to a life of spinsterhood, she allows her former brother-in-law to be into her circle of friends. But Hunter has a secret. He's been in love with Miranda forever and then some, even though she was to have married his brother. Can he win her heart? Or will he forever be alone without the only woman he will ever love? A touching love story that will have your heart melting and tears flowing.
WHAT IT'S ABOUT Miranda sneaks home after a long absence, determined to avoid her former fiance. But Hunter wants far more than his old role as brother-in-law-to-be. Abundant Christmas spirit, matchmaking mothers, and hometown holiday celebrations conspire against Miranda's plans for a quiet, at-home Christmas. Her heart doesn't stand a chance.
MY TAKE This is a sweet, western romance set during the Christmas season. There characters were engaging, though the history between Miranda and her ex-fiance was obscure until the very end. That was probably the weakest part of the story. There is an element of insta-love, but it didn't detract from the story too heavily.
I adored this book. This book has everything from being jilted on her wedding day, her escape from pain and humiliation then returning home to find the one who has loved her almost his entire life. The characters were so well developed I immediately began to care for them. I hurt when they and my heart jumped for joy when they were happy. I liked the book so much I purchased the next book in the series.
Miranda comes home after three years of wondering what was wrong with her to make her get left at the alter. Hunter is tied up in knots trying to get Miranda to see him, rather than be a reminder of his brother. The story is sweet and filled with the best of Christmastime - family, forgiveness, reunion, and love.
Was an awesome book to read. How one woman left town because her husband to be left her at the altar. After 3 years she comes home. Warren's brother has loved her for years, since they were children.
Cute novella. Can easily be finished in an afternoon or in one's spare time. Fair warning though, if cute and sweet isn't your thing this really isn't the book for you.