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Cavanaugh Island #4.5

Home for the Holidays

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This Christmas novella is set in charming, Sanctuary Cove featuring popular characters from Rochelle Alers' bestselling small-town, Cavanaugh Island contemporary romance series.

Love is always in season.

There's no place like home for the holidays, especially for divorced pastry chef Iris Nelson. After escaping an abusive marriage, she's found peace on charming Cavanaugh Island. As the holiday approaches, Iris looks forward to spending it with her newfound best friend's family . . . and their very handsome visitor.

On leave from Afghanistan, Army Master Sergeant Collier Ward is excited to be reunited with his family for Christmas. But the best gift of all may be this warm, beautiful stranger who joins them for the festivities. With his visit coming to an end, Collier can't deny the heat smoldering between them. Yet Iris can't help but wonder if it's just the glow of the season-and one night of passion-or a true miracle of love that will change their lives forever . . .

138 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 2, 2014

77 people are currently reading
314 people want to read

About the author

Rochelle Alers

220 books1,053 followers
Rochelle Alers was born in Manhattan, New York, USA, where she raised. She obtained degrees in Sociology and Psychology, before started to work. She is a member of the Iota Theta Zeta Chapter of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc., and her interests include gourmet cooking and traveling. She has traveled to countries in North, Central and South America, and Europe. She is also in accomplished in knitting, crocheting and needlepoint.

Published since 1988, today a full-time writer, has been hailed by readers and booksellers alike as one of today's most prolific and popular African-American authors of romance and women's fiction. With more than fifty titles and nearly two million copies of her novels in print, she is a regular on the Waldenbooks, Borders and Essence bestseller lists, regularly chosen by Black Expressions Book Club, and has been the recipient of numerous awards, including the Gold Pen Award, the Emma Award, Vivian Stephens Award for Excellence in Romance Writing, the Romantic Times Career Achievement Award and the Zora Neale Hurston Literary Award. She also wrote as Susan James and Rena McLeary.

Rochelle Alers lives in a charming hamlet on Long Island.

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5 stars
217 (53%)
4 stars
121 (29%)
3 stars
52 (12%)
2 stars
11 (2%)
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4 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews
Profile Image for ☕️Kimberly  (Caffeinated Reviewer).
3,587 reviews785 followers
December 10, 2014
Espresso review of Home for the Holidays

Iris Nelson is a pastry chef who is leery of dating after her marriage turned abusive. Fortunately, she had the good sense to walk away and has since rebuilt her life on Cavanaugh Island. She unexpectedly meets Army Master Sergeant Collier Ward when he is on leave for the holidays. The two have a connection, but she is all for taking things slow. The two discover a connection within town and soon are spending time together. This was a sweet romance, with low angst and discovery. I enjoyed the sense of family, small town and festive tale. The recipes are southern and delightful. Each chapter starts with a new one from comfort food to Rum Punch.

Home for the Holidays was a quick escape during the bust holiday season and the perfect intro to this author and series.

Copy received from publisher.This review was originally posted at Caffeinated Book Reviewer
Profile Image for Valerie.
927 reviews437 followers
December 3, 2014
This is a heartwarming holiday story where two people who weren't looking for a relationship but found one. Both have issues that prevent them from thinking about being together but those reasons could be exactly why they should be together.

I enjoyed both characters. Iris is incredibly strong for having survived what she went through with her jerk of an ex. Collier has served his country and paid the price with some memories that won't stay in the past. Together they are sweet. They have pet names pretty quickly and they just seem to fit together. I enjoyed the rest of the family too. Especially Iris' dad, James. Protective much? Yep, he is.

It's a fast read that happens over the holiday's and sets a nice spirit for this time of year. There's holiday food, decorations and happy little girls to enjoy as well as some great family get together's. At about 100 pages, it can be read in an evening so it's perfect for this busy time of year.

Great for a December read.
Profile Image for Monica **can't read fast enough**.
1,033 reviews371 followers
December 3, 2014
In HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS we meet Iris who has survived an abusive husband and has begun to rebuild her life while working toward her dream of owning her own bakery. Collier is home on leave and not looking to form a lasting relationship on his short visit with his sister. One night of passion quickly becomes more than either anticipated. Iris and Collier both have obstacles to overcome when it comes to relationships. However being willing to take a chance may lead them to their own version of happily ever after. HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS is a quick and sweet holiday romance. At only 99 cents it's a holiday romance novella worth picking up.

You can find more from me at Monlatable Book Reviews
http://www.monlatablereviews.com/

Profile Image for Kim.
2,120 reviews64 followers
November 22, 2014
This was a really sweet story in the Cavanaugh Island series. I enjoyed it so much I've gone back to buy the first in the series. I will enjoy reading the rest of the books.

Iris has escaped an abusive relationship and is enjoying working in a small bakery with dreams of running her own cake making business one day. She has a best friend with a young daughter and they help each other out. Her friends brother comes home for Christmas and he turns out to be the man she met out the previous night.

They fall for each other- but will the course of true love run smoothly? He's due to return to base soon and possibly back out to Afghanistan before leaving the army in a couple of years. After living that lifestyle as a child can she imagine waiting for him?

I loved the descriptions of the gatherings she organised for her family.

With many thanks to Forever and Net Galley for a copy of this book to review.
Profile Image for Carol.
62 reviews3 followers
December 5, 2015
Novella about second chances at love on Cavanaugh Island

Well written, but too short to warrant a higher rating. Just enough to leave you wishing that the book didn't end so soon. Good introduction to Iris Daniels and Collin Ward and their families. I hope they are included in some of the other books in this series.
Profile Image for DEBRA JOHNSON.
66 reviews2 followers
January 29, 2017
Small town Love

I have been reading books by Ms Alers for years now and she has always kept me coming back for moire. I like the small town setting of the story and his she brings everyone together and shows the newcomer how close they really are. I will definitely continue this series.
206 reviews1 follower
November 17, 2020
Home For The Holidays

This was a story about two broken souls becoming one healed loving couple. They begin as new coup friends who by gate become attracted and smitten with on another. Both must shed old sad and bad memories before the healing begins. As usual Rochelle Alerts has written a heartfelt love story!!!
Profile Image for Mary Calton Gerard.
1,212 reviews6 followers
February 12, 2021
Short and sweet

The "Cavanaugh Island" series was great! My favorite was the first "Sanctuary Cove". This story warmed my heart, delicately touching various topics very delicately. A very poignant story that is well written and expressed like this author can tackle effortlessly.
21 reviews1 follower
June 24, 2021
Love for Rochelle Alers

Another sweet deal with Ms. Alers on Cavanaugh Island. Too quick, but excellent. Can’t wait to see more on that beautiful sea island.
788 reviews4 followers
March 3, 2023
Our safety as a nation, takes an excruciating toll on our military men and women!

We see that here in the recurring nightmares suffered by Sgt. Collier Ward when such a nightmare almost cost Iris the love of his life, her life! Too many of our military people see and engage in things we civilians cannot even imagine let alone process as sometimes every day occurences! I am glad that night compelled Collier to get help! I pray that our military people in real life get help too if they need it. This was a sweet, loving and in some instances heart wrenching story that I truly enjoyed! Having had a brother who was a Vietnam Vet who was traumatized there and here at home, I can relate to the familial response to the hurt our loved ones endure especially when that trauma is endured for a country that hates them because of the color of their skin, yet will not hesitate to use and in most cases misuse them! As you can see this story woke up some feelings I have about how the country of our birth disregards us as a people and as human beings! ShakingMyHeadInTearS!!!!!!
1,243 reviews9 followers
March 6, 2023
Great read

Great read, I enjoyed the characters and storyline. Iris and Collier are a good match. Their attraction was strong. This is Iris and Collier’s journey to love and happiness.
Profile Image for Turtleberry Turtleberry.
Author 49 books50 followers
November 4, 2024
Iris and Collier had a nice story. They met at a bar. He ended up being her best friend's brother.
The story had some heavy themes. I would have liked a little bit more of the story to be more comfortable with their happily ever after, but overall it was a good book.
52 reviews
December 2, 2018
Nice winter holidays story.

Nice winter holidays story. I didn't care for the abrupt ending. Story could Have been much more interesting. Didn't get the sudden ending.
8 reviews
August 18, 2023
expected more

I was hoping the story would give me more once his secret was out. I was also hoping to see how Iris would’ve support
Profile Image for OpenBookSociety.com .
4,104 reviews135 followers
December 13, 2014
http://openbooksociety.com/article/ho...

Brought to you by OBS reviewer Jerjen

Home For The Holidays by Rochelle Alers is a novella in the Cavanaugh Island series. This novella takes place during the holidays and is a great quick read to help get you in the holiday spirit.

Iris Nelson has returned to Cavanaugh Island after an abusive marriage. She works in a bakery, her speciality being baking cakes. She dreams of opening her own cake shop and hopes to someday make this dream a reality. She has plans with her friend, Tracy, to go out for drinks and let off some steam. When Tracy has to back out of the plans, Iris decides to go to Ladies Night by herself. She’s hoping to find Mr. Tonight because she is getting lonely being single. She has not fully recovered from her abusive marriage but she realizes she needs to try and meet new people and move on with her life.

Collier Ward is back in Cavanaugh Island on a holiday leave from the military. He is there to surprise his sister and niece and spend some much needed family time with them. He is suffering from PTSD and he is hoping that being with family will help relieve some of the stress he is experiencing. When he accidently runs into Iris at the club, he thinks that the holiday break will be much more interesting and fun.

Iris and Collier feel an instant attraction to each other but are reluctant to pursue a relationship. Collier knows that he will be leaving after the holidays to return to the military for two more years and Iris is afraid of trusting another man after the abuse she suffered at the hands of her ex-husband. The more time they spend together, the harder it is for them to deny their feelings. Will a little holiday magic happen and things work out for them, or will they each go their separate ways after the holidays?

The writing style flows easily and this book is a very easy read. Rochelle Alers is a very descriptive writer and I could feel the small town setting with all the quirkiness as though I was there. Reading about the holiday traditions that the Island participate in made the area come alive for me. I love reading about small town traditions and the activities that they plan and it makes me wish I was there to take an active part in the festivities.

The Gullah culture was described well and there are many recipes included from that culture and area. At the beginning of each chapter there is a recipe for food or drink that is mentioned in the chapter. I really like this and there are some recipes I want to try. There is a lot of history concerning the area and the culture which I found very interesting.

The characters are well developed and well rounded. There is a strong sense of family ties and bonding in the book and I really enjoyed that. The characters seem very real to me and are people I would like to meet and hang out with.

I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a well written romance. I may not let a young adult read it because there was some steaminess included, but it was not too over the top. This is the second book that I have read in the Cavanaugh Island series and I enjoyed them both. It is getting close to the holidays and this is a great novella to read to help you get into the holiday spirit.

*OBS would like to thank the publisher for supplying a free copy of this title in exchange for an honest review*
Profile Image for Cindy.
957 reviews33 followers
December 14, 2014
I love holiday books and this is an excellent one! It is my first visit to Cavanaugh Island and I plan on going back and starting at the beginning. This was book #4.5 in this series, yet I never felt lost in the book with the various characters.

The book takes place in the month before Christmas. The author creates a beautiful Christmas scene with her words! I loved the small town feel and how it was decorated. When the main character has parties, you wished you were there too! The author described all the good foods to make you hungry. And of course, I can't forget the sweet romance,

Seriously, what more could you want? Well, the author also added recipes to the book and they sound delicious! I plan on making the devils eggs since the recipe is a little different from the one I have.

I thought this was a well written romance that did not disappoint. I highly recommend it for reading at Christmas time!

* I received this book from the publisher and NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.
Profile Image for Reese Ryan.
Author 174 books604 followers
March 10, 2015
A heart-warming holiday-themed novella that explores the growing romance between two people struggling with the burdens they bear from their pasts. Talented pastry chef, Iris Nelson, barely escaped her abusive marriage. She's made Cavanaugh Island her home where she has a job she loves, aspirations of owning her own bakery, and a wonderful, newfound best friend who has become like family to her. But when she meets her friend's brother, on leave from Afghanistan, she discovers he is the same gentleman she flirted with the night before.

Master Sergeant Collier Ward is thrilled to spend the holidays with his sister and niece. Getting to know his sister's new best friend is an unexpected bonus. As their relationship grows, the secrets they're both hiding threaten any chance of their relationship becoming anything more than a holiday fling.

Moving story with well-developed characters and a world you'll want to visit again and again. I look forward to reading the remainder of the series.
Profile Image for Kortney.
225 reviews4 followers
January 1, 2015
This is first book that I have read of Rochelle Alers in her Cavanaugh Island series. I think that Rochelle did a great job of setting the scene of this book. I really felt like I was in the small town of Cavanaugh Island and Iris's next door neighbor. She did a great job of also really building the characters background story so that you would understand why they were the way they were.

In addition, I think that she did a good job keeping the characters real. She did this by showing what abuse could do to a woman and what war does to our men who serve over seas. I was very impressed how real it was and made me want to read the book until the end.

Even though this was a short christmas novella I felt like it impressed me just as much as a regular book would. I am very interested to read more in this series and from this author.
Profile Image for Brenda.
235 reviews10 followers
January 20, 2015
A charming novella of love, forgiveness, and the strength to move forward. A military friendly story about Collier, on leave from the Army, and Iris, a new pastry chef in town. Iris has divorced an abusive husband, and hopes to open her own Bakery one day. Unbeknownst to Iris and his family, Collier is suffering from PTSD. These two strike serious sparks off each other, and the result is a sweet love story.

Rochelle Alers writes believable characters and steamy love scenes. Love, love, love the recipes! Each chapter begins with a new one, mostly comfort food with a twist.

I received my ebook copy from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Profile Image for Kelly Akemann.
850 reviews8 followers
November 15, 2014
this book ended rather abruptly. I found that I like the character but the story ended so quickly that I was left wanting more. it was a sweet story that had predictable little twists and turns. I enjoy holiday reads like this just wish it was a little longer.

I received this book from the NetGalley in exchange for an honest and fair review.
Profile Image for Angela Devouse.
24 reviews1 follower
December 3, 2014
Mislead

When I first pre-order this book it was supposed to be about a long lady getting a young man after she help his grandmother in the nursing home.this was as supposed to be about Deborah and Acer Monroe daughter what happen. Even though this book is good it not what I was waiting on.
Profile Image for Antionette.
206 reviews3 followers
December 14, 2014
Loves holiday

Rochelle Alers has written a wonderful love story filled with passion, love ,and life trials. Collier and Iris battle past experiences and present problems to proclaim their love. I enjoyed the author's ability to include domestic abuse, PTSD, and long distance in the storyline. Never a dull moment on Cavanaugh Island. Five star worthy read.
Profile Image for JoMarie DeGioia.
Author 69 books239 followers
November 16, 2014
I really enjoyed this book but, even though I knew it was a novella, it felt rushed to me. I missed the part where the hero and heroine fell in love. All the characters were very well drawn and I loved the recipes. I'll look for more from this author!
Profile Image for Lena Neely.
135 reviews7 followers
February 16, 2015
A Soldier's Story

Love comes in all shapes, sizes and styles. Iris and Collier met as strangers and ended up being the joy of each other's life. I know it was a novella, but I wanted more than the quick ending. Maybe I'll meet up with them when Cherry Lane comes out.
Profile Image for Crystal.
294 reviews1 follower
December 3, 2014
Home for the Holidays

After waiting over a year for this book to be published, I was not disappointed. The story was great as usual. I love all her books about Sanctuary Cove. She has shown how Iris and Collier over came their demons and let their love thrive.
712 reviews11 followers
January 7, 2015
I was in the mood for some light holiday reads, so I thought I'd try this one. I thought it was okay, but nothing special. Not my usual type of read, so perhaps it's just me!
I received an eGalley of this title from the publisher.
3 reviews
May 19, 2015
Captivating

I love reading this series of books. Rochelle makes you like you are right there in the story it's like you are living on Cavanaugh island. I am excited and can't wait to read Cherry Lane. I am sure it will be just as romantic as the others.
Profile Image for Teresa Scott.
359 reviews4 followers
June 13, 2015
Great short novella. I am just loving this author and her characters. I am catching up on this series and loving every book. This is a must read if you are reading this series. Love it! Love it! Love it!
61 reviews2 followers
December 8, 2014
Slow

It was boring and slow. I didn't feel the chemistry between the main characters. I guess I was hoping for more in this short story.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews

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