Our First Holiday

Pelican Bay Orchards #1

by Megan Matthews

Bank balance: Zero
Farm Bills: Due

I’m going to lose the Halliday family farm. I promised to save the place when my father let me take over, but the buildings are crumbling around us. There’s no time to focus on anything but staying above water. We’re not ready for a guest in the unfinished bed-and-breakfast, but that doesn’t stop the town busybody from finding us a hesitant visitor.

Let’s hope my adorable Alaskan Malamute puppy wins Ember’s heart. Maybe then she won’t notice the peeling wallpaper, squeaky steps, or the bill collectors knocking on the door. Right when I’m at my breaking point, Ember tells me her secret.

One that will change everything. If she can only get me to listen.

Genres: Christmas, Holiday, Contemporary, Amazon, Novella, Romance, Anthologies

123 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 2, 2023

About the author

Megan Matthews loves writing humorous romantic suspense featuring heroes with unbelievable abs, billionaire bosses, and heroines with attitude for days. She lives in Michigan with her techie husband, homeschooled son, their cat, and two guinea pigs.

When she’s not writing, you can find her on Instagram posting about reading, home life, half-dead plants, her ridiculous notebook and fancy pen collections, plus the occasional crochet project.

Reviews

[James McRay · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was just. really. bad.

I was going to DNF it around the 35 percent mark, but then thought, 'It's so short and I can finish it in a couple of hours.' But then I did DNF it at 55 percent, right after the brief but still cringy consummation scene.

I understand that in a short book, the romance is going to be accelerated, but this book just tried too hard, if that's possible.

Anyway, not recommended.

[Ramona · Rating 2 out of 5]

I wish there was more

Though I liked the characters, the pacing needs a little work. I felt like the ending was moving too fast and the relationship between the main characters, though cute it was not believable. There was only Rainbow and Sunshine and no real conflict or difference between them that made them more real

[Colleen Sutter · Rating 1 out of 5]

Meh. I probably would have DNF but it was only a novella (one I got free on Amazon for a promotion) so I powered through. It was really hard to ignore all of the spelling and grammatical errors; it distracted from what started out a decent premise. But it just got worse the longer I read. The writing was juvenile, there was very little character development, and when writing a short story you have to create magic very quickly between the characters and I felt none. And the so-called "love scenes" were terribly written.

[Christine · Rating 2 out of 5]

This felt like a rushed Christmas movie with some very much not spicy smexy scenes.
The plot promised more - but there was too much in it to fit in a short story. Also the new side we briefly saw from one of the side characters would probably have felt more right with more pages to elaborate 😊

The chemistry between the main characters feels akward because they have so few pages to work it out and the first more than a kiss scene is just… not good.
Actually I think if the author had dropped the attempts at making those scenes that would have been better for the whole story 🤓

⭐️ for the cute dog
⭐️ for the promise of the plot that would have been cool in a full length book

[Nati · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.7 stars
It was a short story, so I get that many things cannot be developed as they should... however... I found it rushed. A lot of description and then in the last 5% of the book everything is solved.

Some paragraphs are not well written. Some scenes are even cringy (spoiler alert: as another reader said, the consummation scene, the language used... cringy).

[Luann Vega · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very cute love story. Makes you want to book a bed and breakfast somewhere cold and snowy for the holidays. Very quick, fun read

[Lisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really like Holston and his drive and his vision. I also fell in love with Ember. I like that she was caring of her family and wanted her elderly aunt and uncle near her. I like that she was open to friendship and relationships. I like that she was sweet and thoughtful. That being said this is my least favorite of the Pelican Bay books. I had a hard time with the dialogue and felt some.of the inner dialogue and thoughts and feelings projected by the main characters was a bit stilted. Overall this is a nice story. 3.5 stars

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Liss Holley · Rating 1 out of 5]

This was not good. The idea had potential and could have been done so much better if the book was just longer. The main character, Ember, goes to visit her aunt and uncle for a vacation (we literally only even met the uncle 1 time in the last 3 chapters and he said maybe 2 sentences even though the rest of the book he is being talked about like he is there. WHERE IS HE THE ENTIRE TIME?) She then meets this guy who owns and lives on the farm. Everything was way too rushed and the main characters went from having 2 conversations and being attracted to eachother but just kind of interested to literally immediately sleeping with eachother in 2 days. The spice in this was painful to read as the first scene was completely unromantic and felt like it was way too soon, and the second was cringey and uncomfortable. Holston, the main male lead, was wholesome at first but then immediately showed several red flags. The second time they had interacted, he mentions Ember's ass three times in 3 pages completely out of nowhere. That alone made me so uncomfortable I almost DNFed the book. He also started acting really weird towards the middle of the book, and it seemed like he just had a really fragile ego and masculinity. I did not like his character at all. There were also countless grammatical errors, spelling mistakes, etc. And it drove me crazy. I usually don't notice stuff like that, but it was pretty bad, so you can't really miss it. This book could have been done a lot better, and I liked the idea, but it just wasn't good at all. I only finished it because it was so short

[Trish · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a quick, fun holiday read. Though you will see some of Pelican Bay Security series characters you don’t have to read any of the book in that series to enjoy this one. It’s a standalone holiday romance with none of the action and drama you get in the Pelican Bay Security books.

Pearl’s great niece Ember is in Maine to visit and hopefully try to convince her aunt and uncle to move to Florida with her after the visit. Her aunt Pearl is a class A meddler, anyone who’s read the Pelican Bay series knows what a character Pearl is and how she loves meddling in peoples love lives. She’s a hoot. She puts Ember up in Holston’s farmhouse turned B&B. Holston is trying to make the family cider farm a year-round place to visit so the family doesn’t have to sell. As he and Ember get to know each, they start to fall for each other. Can Holston convince Ember to stay with him in Maine instead of heading back to Florida?

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Debbie Caswell · Rating 5 out of 5]

While this book is set in Pelican Bay it has non of the suspense and drama that the Pelican bay Security books do No this is a more of a small town romance after saying that there are cross over of characters in the series

Ember has come from Florida to Pelican Bay to visit her Aunt Pearl (we all know her from the security series) and Pearl has put pressure on Holsten who is trying to get Oceanview Orchards back to life to put her up as his first guest in the farmhouse which he will be opening as a B&B The connection between Holsten and Ember is instant but she is due to return to Florida As someone works to try to make sure that the orchard and business doesn't succeed they will have to work together to solve who it is Can they get a HEA and will they stay in Pelican Bay you will have to read to see

[Katherine Tedder · Rating 3 out of 5]

I recently read "Our First Holiday" by Megan Matthews, and it was a delightful journey into the challenges of farm life and unexpected romance. Holston's determination to save his family's crumbling farm was both inspiring and heart-wrenching. The introduction of Ember as their first guest added a layer of intrigue, especially with her secret that promised to change everything. The setting was vividly described, making me feel the rustic charm of the unfinished bed-and-breakfast and the warmth brought by Holston's adorable Alaskan Malamute puppy. The chemistry between Holston and Ember felt genuine, and I found myself rooting for them as they navigated their personal struggles. While some plot points resolved a bit quickly, it didn't detract from my overall enjoyment. This heartwarming read is perfect for those who appreciate small-town romances with a touch of holiday spirit. I'm looking forward to exploring more of Matthews' work in the future.

[J · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ember visited her great aunt Pearl during the holidays to convince her great aunt and uncle to move to Florida so they could be closer to her. She stayed at the bed-and-breakfast on Oceanview Orchards owned by Holston Halliday. Ember's holiday visit turned into a romantic affair with Holston. How will this budding relationship work out with Holston being occupied in managing the Halliday family farm and Ember being only there for a few days? I love this story. It is not only about love and romance but it is also about family and legacy. I like how the story was written. It is light, well paced, the characters are wonderful, and it has a satisfying ending. I truly enjoyed reading this story.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Judy Gittleson Hendrickson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ember is up from Florida to visit her Aunt Pearl, who shows up in many of the series books, and she is staying at a local B&B. They each want to talk the other into moving - Florida or Maine, which is fun to read as Holston would also like her to stay there. Loved the banter and the romance starting up. Suspense is high as someone is trying to buy the farm, but Holston and his family really want to make it better and self sufficient again. Ember has ideas that could help, but they sometimes fall on deaf ears. Miscommunication and other twists keep the storyline on a roller coaster ride. The ending is just perfect, like always.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Jean · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is book one in The Pelican Bay Orchards Series and it is Holston and Ember's story. This is a really great holiday story set in Pelican Bay and has many twists and turns which is just what you would expect from Megan Matthews. I love the characters in this book and it had a really magical storyline along with some great chemistry and it is so well written by Megan Matthews who is a brilliant author and writer and I definitely recommend you read this book and others by her and you will not be disappointed.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Samantha · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an ARC from the author thru Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving my review. I thought this was a sweet love story between Ember and Holsten. She comes to Pelican Bay and stays at the orchards. Holsten is doing everything he can to bring Oceanview Orchards back to life. They have an attraction between them that cannot be denied. Ember wants to help with the farm if he will let her. There is some drama they have to get thru but they find their happy ending. This was a short and sweet story with great characters. I look forward to what comes next from Pelican Bay

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[casvec · Rating 5 out of 5]

Our First Holiday is a gem and what is needed for the holidays. Holston has great plans for his family's farm, in hopes to make it into something so he does not have to sell. Ember is up visiting her Aunt and Uncle in hopes to get to move back with her to Florida. When Holston and Ember meet the instantly feel a connection, but will Ember be able to help before she goes back home, or can Holston talk her into staying.

But not all things are simple when there is twist and turns through out the story that will keep you turning the pages.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Tina Layner · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. When Embers aunt invites her to Pelican Bay, she has no idea how it would change her life.
Even though Oceanview Orchards bed and breakfast was not ready to have customers stay, Holston fixed up one room for a friend. Her niece needed a place to stay for a week or so while she worked on her to move there from Florida. As the b&b needed fixed up there was little money in Holston pocket to complete the tasks as well as the taxes that were due. Will he get the money and the girl or will he have no other option but to sell the farm?

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Joyce · Rating 4 out of 5]

We can all use an early dose of comfort and joy this year, whether it is decorating and putting up our tree early or curling up with a holiday book while listening to Christmas music.  Our First Holiday is a great one to get into the season as Ember finds herself a change of pace at small snowy Pelican Bay after she loses her job in sunny Florida.  Her friendship with Holston develops into something more as he is dealing with a similar situation where someone is trying to buy out his farm, except unlike her boss, money talks does not work with him.

[Jill · Rating 5 out of 5]

So good! It is a new series by Megan Matthews and starts really well. I was sad that it ended. I finished the book in a day, kept me entertained to say the least. The story is about Holston and Ember. Ember comes to Pelican Bay (You will notice characters from Megan's other series) to talk her Great Aunt into moving but Pearl has other ideas. Holston's family owns a farm and is having issues. The story is how they come together with a HEA. I can't wait to see what is in store for the next book.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Sheila · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a sweet romance with Ember visiting Pelican Bay hoping to convince her aunt and uncle to move back to Florida. When she arrives she is staying at the Oceanview Orchard B&B that is run by Holston and to say her arrival made a splash. Holston is trying to help save the orchard that has been in his family for years by opening the main house as a B&B and getting the apple cider mill open year round but they is someone who wants the property. Ember has some ideas to help Holston if he would just listen and while they are attracted to each other would she leave Florida for Maine.

[Aliama · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ember is visiting her Aunt Pearl in Pelican Bay just before Christmas. She meets Holston, the owner of the B and B where she’s staying, and they find and instant connection. As their time together continues they realize there is something between them but with Houston trying to save the family farm and her trip coming to an end, will they have a Happy Christmas or not? Loved this story! These characters were great together and each brought the true meaning of the season to each other. I received an arc copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Anita Fuhrmann · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was the Christmas season personified with the struggling cider mill and Holston being determined to save it no matter what. Ener Ember and her way to do just that if Holston would only slow down enough and keep from distracting her with his sweetness and rugged good looks, and his gosh-darn cute puppy enough to listen! This was just what I needed to read at the time that I did and I thoroughly enjoyed every single word!

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[CJ · Rating 4 out of 5]

The author has taken us back to Pelican Bay for Christmas and it sounds heavenly. Ember arrives to visit her great aunt and uncle for the holiday. She ends up staying at the farm that Holston is trying to restore. Things become complicated when someone is trying to buy the farm and Holston does not want to sell.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

Super sweet story of a dreamer and a believer. A must read if you want a happy ever after.
Ember while visiting her great aunt Pearl gets a Christmas holiday she was not expecting.
Holston is the oldest brother of the family that’s taking care of his farm. He wants to make the family legacy into a bed and breakfast & holiday attraction. There of course is the villain wanting to buy the farm. It is a great story.

[Cathylynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such a good book. I reads well and I flew through it, just could not put it down. Holston is trying to save his orchard. Ember is stayting there as a guest. Her great aunt is meddling. The characters are warm and wonderful. The story was a great plot and flowed really well. This is a delightful holiday read. Absolutely wonderful.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Marilyn Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is story from Pelican Bay but the first in the Orchard Series! This has Holston returning to build up the small farm that his family owns. He’s ready to rebuild it but then Pearl has her niece staying there as it’s a B&B too. This is great as she loves the farm and has ideas about it also. Will the two work together and find a way to get things turned around?

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review

[Jeanne Richardson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've read several books written by Megan Matthews; she has done a great job at writing a good book; she is becoming one of my favorite authors. I can’t wait to read more of books her books.

The story line caught my attention at the very beginning and kept me interested throughout the entire book.

I loved the characters.

I received a free copy of this book via booksprout and I’m voluntarily leaving a review.

[Fiona · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this story of Ember and Holston. Ember visits Pelican Bay to see her great aunt Pearl, queen of the phone tree! Pearl, as conniving as ever, books Ember into Holston’s B&B. The pair spend quite a bit of time together and fall quickly in love however Ember is to depart the day after Christmas! A really great read, with humour, drama, love and romance! Great characters and a great read!

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Betty · Rating 5 out of 5]

Holston values his family heritage, a Bed and Breakfast named Oceanview Orchards. Add Ember, a young woman who can see his dreams of making the place better than when his grandparents ran it, and a cute Malamute puppy. Stir in Christmas celebrations and family and you have a beautiful romance!
I loved this book!

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Linda Elliott · Rating 5 out of 5]

A short story with a lot of heart

I love this story Emma was trying to convince her aunt and uncle to move to Florida and the ant was trying to do the reverse. But the connection made between the 2 marine characters was so cute. I like the idea she saw his idea she is the project he was working on. I liked it both seemed so compatible. All of this in a short story that the author woved together so well.