Dear Mister Frost

by Shanna Hatfield

He can’t save Christmas, but he can save her tree farm. Dr. Jaxon Frost, a highly regarded authority on Christmas trees, is known nationwide for his expertise in the field. Preferring solitude, he dedicates his life to his work. However, his routine is interrupted when he receives an unexpected letter from Holly Crest Tree Farms, seeking his assistance in identifying a disease affecting their Christmas trees. Jaxon heads to the farm and is caught completely by surprise to find the owner isn’t a crusty old farmer, but a beautiful woman who captures his interest and admiration. He will do anything to help Jaylyn save her trees, even at the risk of losing his heart.

Jaylyn Smith carries the weight of immense responsibility as the owner and manager for Holly Crest Tree Farm, a family-owned business passed down through four generations. The fate of their cherished legacy, symbolized by their beautiful Christmas trees, rests solely on her shoulders. When she can’t identify a disease attacking a section of trees, she reaches out to an expert for help. Jaxon Frost is nothing like she expected, but everything her heart has been longing for.

Will their collective efforts salvage the valued heritage of her family?

Discover the answer in Dear Mister Frost, a heartwarming and sweet holiday romance that exudes warmth, laughter, and the joy of the festive Christmas season.

Genres: Christmas, Romance, Christian Fiction, Fiction, Holiday, Ebooks, Christian

231 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 28, 2023

About the author

A hopeless romantic with a bit of sarcasm thrown in for good measure, Shanna Hatfield is a best-selling author of clean romantic fiction written with a healthy dose of humor.

In addition to blogging and eating too much chocolate, she is completely smitten with her husband, lovingly known as Captain Cavedweller.

Shanna creates character-driven romances with realistic heroes and heroines. Her historical westerns have been described as “reminiscent of the era captured by Bonanza and The Virginian” while her contemporary works have been called “laugh-out-loud funny, and a little heart-pumping sexy without being explicit in any way.”

She is a member of Western Writers of America, Women Writing the West, and Romance Writers of America.

To learn more about Shanna or the books she writes, visit her blog http://shannahatfield.com
or find out news at her facebook page
https://www.facebook.com/shanna.hatfield

Reviews

[Lyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not my cup of tea but well written with engaging characters and beautiful holiday setting. As an author, I have a pet peeve about people who write reviews and it comes out that I wrote a book that isn't something that they like. And I think well, nobody forced you to read it. If you didn't like it, why didn't you just put it down? Anyway, I started reading this book and I was instantly intrigued by the characters, the setting, the initial set up of the two characters' meeting. The prose was written beautifully, and I thought wow this is for me. However, I like a bit more action and plot in my sweet romance. Enough happened to keep me to about 76% read. Then I skipped ahead to read the ending. So I like more action, but if you like a romance, that primarily focuses on the differences in characters who are opposites and that is enough for you, this book is for you! Shana Hatfield is a great writer, and it was a charming story.

[Tonya Lucas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Shanna Hatfield’s imagination and talent at entertaining her fans each year with the best Christmas Romance books, is truly magical.
Dear Mister Frost filled my heart and soul with Christmas cheer.

Jaylyn Smith is a fourth generation farmer of her family’s Holly Crest Tree Farm, however she’s up against a disease that’s ravishing one section of her trees.
She is at a loss on how to fix her problem, so she reaches out to a professional in the field.

Dr.Jaxon Frost, a research professor, is an expert in trees, especially Christmas trees.
Although, Jax is a recluse, introvert, and has never celebrated Christmas, Christmas trees are his speciality.

When Jax finally answers Jay’s letter, he’s unprepared for the attraction she sparks in him. Jay herself is stunned when she meets Jax.

Can he save her trees and her business without losing his heart?
Can Jay open Jax’s eyes to the Christmas miracle?

I truly adored and loved this wonderfully written Christmas gift.

[Doni · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dear Mister Frost, is a wonderful book
for the Holidays. It's a great start to the
new series, Christmas Letters.
It's everything & more you expect from
reading a Shanna Hatfield book.
It's an incredible story.
A delightful, sweet & romantic storyline. Wonderful characters I could believe in.
There's much to love about
Dear Mister Frost. An engaging friendship
that kept me reading, and a happy ending.
I adored this book & recommend this
must read story.

[Shelby Grant · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jaylyn runs her family’s Christmas tree farm, but she’s running into problems with some of her trees. They seem to have some sort of disease. She finds out who is best to consult on diseased trees - Dr. Jaxon Frost & they work together to try to figure out what is going on. Soon their friendship ends up turning into something more. What a sweet sweet love story! Loved this one!

[Isabel · Rating 4 out of 5]

***1/2

[Diane · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sweet clean romance set in Oregon at a Christmas tree farm.

[Vicki F · Rating 5 out of 5]

Grab a cup of hot cocoa, your favorite throw, and comfiest chair. Sit down and plan on staying until you've read the last page!! Love, love, love.

[Mindy Clayton · Rating 5 out of 5]

An enjoyable Christmas story with some great characters that I can’t wait to get to know better. Jaylyn and Jaxon were a great start to the series and their friends will be interesting to get to know better.

[A. · Rating 3 out of 5]

3* This had some nice aspects. Lightly Christian. I will try this author again.

[Lana Burton · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was drawn in from page one! I loved that Jay had taken over the reins of her family’s Christmas tree farm of several hundred acres. Everyone who worked for her respected her so much, because she would never ask her employees to do one single thing that she hadn’t already done herself or wouldn’t be willing to do. They were all one big, happy family! The problem Jaylyn is having is that a whole section of fir trees had started losing their needles at a certain time of the year, the prior year, and so she couldn’t sell any of them this year if they were going to duplicate the problem this year. She studied and researched until someone told her about Dr. Jaxon Frost, Oregon State University’s expert on fir trees and their diseases, etc. She immediately starts trying to call him to no avail, sends texts and emails, and handwritten letters! She finally gives up on getting any help from him! So, imagine her surprise when “Mr. Jay Smith” receives a call from Dr. Frost, who wants to come, ASAP, to the tree farm to investigate the trees. He was very confused about the man’s high pitched voice however. His secretary was constantly on his case for the mountainous heaps of correspondence on his desk, filing cabinets, just anywhere there was a vacant spot. She warned him it would get him in trouble some day. When Jaxon finds out that Jay is indeed Jaylyn, and is a gorgeous woman, he just about swallows his tongue, and, as he is extremely introverted to begin with, he can barely carry on a conversation with her. He starts spending more and more time at the tree farm, trying to ascertain what was happening with these particular trees, which he was pretty sure he knew, since he had just written his second doctorate thesis on this very issue! But, it was going to break his heart to have to let Jaylyn know, because he knew it would break HER heart. She was very busy, because it was coming up on Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas time activities. Christmas time was their biggest money making season for the entire year, naturally. And, the biggest event and the most fun-to Jaylyn. Not so much to Jax, as Jaylyn called Jaxon. He finally decided he could no longer keep coming out there and spending all of his time with Jaylyn, even though he loved her dearly, and would never love anyone else like he did her. It just wouldn’t be right, with her extroverted personality, for her to be out greeting all of the people visiting the farm at Christmas and him to be holed up, trying to hide from all of the people. They were just too different! I cannot tell you what all happens next and ruin this amazing book for you. So, get on your iPad or Kindle and buy it and find out for yourself, because Shanna has several more “Letter” books besides this first one! You’re going to thank me if you get it for yourself! I promise! 🙏♥️🥰 I was given an advance copy of the book and the review is my own personal opinion.

[Jeffrey · Rating 5 out of 5]

When reading a favorite author's works, there is a certain expectation that the reader anticipates. This author is a bottomless wellspring of original plots, characters, settings, romantic suspense and, yes animals! Jaylin Smith is the owner of one of the most thriving and successful Christmas tree farms but there is a serious problem that she cannot solve. One section is dying off in spite all of her efforts and may threaten her entire stock. So, she reaches out to the foremost authority on Christmas trees in her area: Dr. Jaxon Frost. It must be reiterated here that the author is the absolute master of melding total opposite personalities together into a challenging relationship! And so it is with Jaylen, who is sweet, outgoing, bubbly, sociable and optimistic. When Dr. Frost finally shows up to help Jaylen both are as shocked as they can be with the encounter. Dr. Frost, "Jax" as he goes by, is a world-class academician but because of his restricted upbringing, he is socially awkward almost to the point of manifesting an autism spectrum syndrome. Jaylen, expecting to meet a bespectacled researcher, instead finds a tall, slim good-looking, masculine sort of guy. Well, Jaylen is fascinated with his totally opposite withdrawn personality. While working together to solve the Christmas tree mystery, Jaylen, her grandfather, and all of the farmhands just take Jax under their collective wings and try to open him up. There is that sweet and awkward period of getting acquainted and some whimsical humor regarding some adorable animals. One is a squirrel that Grandpa tries to run down in his side-by-side (no worries, it's a game) and the other is a mountain Pika that both Jaylen and Jax make up outlanding stories of how this cute little critter came out of the mountains to live on the farm. Can Jax and Jaylen solve the Christmas tree blight problem while trying to mesh their polar opposite dispositions. What a heart-warming Christmas romance this one is. Read it because there is always so much more.

[Christie Pollard · Rating 5 out of 5]

A truly delightful book. I LOVED this book. It is so original.

Jaxon frost is the foremost authority on Christmas trees; Jaylyn owns one of the largest Christmas tree farms in the US. What could be a better match – EXCEPT….
One section of her trees seems to be diseased. She has researched but cannot seem to find the problem. In her research, one name came up repeated: Jaxon Frost. Jaxon is a genius, loner, geek with no social life. He was raised to study and research. So of course, he would have absolutely no interest in romance. Neither does Jaylyn since she is focused on successfully managing the tree farm. When Jaxton receives Jaylyn’s letter explaining her tree problem, he is interested and intrigued. His area of study is Christmas trees, so he wants to examine the trees. Upon meeting Jaylyn, Jaxon is immediately drawn to her. She is everything he is not: friendly, interested in others, outgoing. Until he met Jaylyn, he had never experienced joy. As they find a solution for the trees, can they also find a solution for their relationship?

This book is beautifully written with lovely phraseology. It contains many enjoyable elements such as humor, personality traits, romance, and Christian principles.

One sweet quote: “As though something in his heart had been waiting for her to come along before it began beating to life.”

I received a free advance copy of this book. My review is voluntary and unbiased.

[Renate Deutsche Oma · Rating 4 out of 5]

A sweet holiday romance set at the Holly Crest Christmas Tree Farm with humorous antics of Jaylyn’s grandfather, Squirrel Scrat, Chipmunk Charlie, Pika Pippa. This German American retiree remembers the days of letter writing and therefore I was intrigued by the premise of Shanna Hatfield Christmas Letter series. The covers of the books with the variety of rural mailboxes caught my attention. As a Michigander, I was pleased that Shanna Hatfield mentioned that Michigan is the 5th largest producer of Christmas trees in the United States. As an Oma, I enjoyed the stories of how Pippa, the Pika received her scraggly ear and scar on her side. Stories within the romance story. Pippa’s Twas the Night before Christmas poem as the conclusion to the story was fitting for a Christmas romance. Looking forward to Book 2.

Note: This retiree is an impatient reader, especially as I age; therefore the 4 star review. While I appreciated the details of Jaylyn and Jaxon reluctance for a romantic commitment – I skimmed passages. As a retired high school English and Creative Writing teacher, at times too much telling and not enough conversation. My brain gets muddled in lengthy descriptive paragraphs. My favorite Shanna Hatfield Christmas series remains: The Friendly Beasts of Faraday. Appreciated the succinct writing in this series.

[Frode · Rating 5 out of 5]

Delightful! I enjoyed this book. I have some connections that made it click. I am an Oregonian, and I am familiar with the upper Willamette Valley and the Amity area although I don’t live there. My grandson-in-law has a degree in forestry from OSU. Enough said.

Jaxon and Jaylyn are great characters. Both are driven to do well, Jaxon in his research and Jaylyn in her Christmas tree farm business. Her need to find a cure for some dying trees and his research on fir trees bring them together, albeit with a mishap in early communication. Once together on the farm attempting to find a solution, they find each other attractive. And so it moves on to a deeper relationship and ultimately love.

The two have their moments of fun, some of it from Jaxon’s awkwardness. The author’s word choice is sometimes a real chuckle, “as awkward as a thirteen year old boy at his first dance.” Whoa, that fit Jaxon to a T and truly gives a picture of his social graces, at least in that instance.

Cassidy provides a bit of humor as does Gramps. The stories of the pika are a fine addition. The Christmas holiday opening the day after Thanksgiving is a hoot when Jaxon plays Santa Claus, not his cup of tea at all.

It’s a nice love story with all its ups and downs, misunderstandings, conflicting inner thoughts, and lives of business and responsibilities that weigh heavily on their relationship. But they manage to get through it to the happy ever after. Wonderful. Maybe I am one of the author’s hopeless romantics, but I like stories with happy endings, and this is a good one. Thanks, Shanna

[Mitchy Beach · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have read three of the books in this series and, so far, this is my favourite (although they are all very good). By the time I was half way through the first chapter, I couldn't put it down. I love the characters of Jaxon and Jaylyn. Jaxon gives me a vision of the absent-minded professor, yet he seems to be such a lovable character. Jaylyn is such a capable and strong character. I love that she runs the Christmas tree farm that has been in her family for so many generations. We live in a rural area and go to a family tree farm (although it is nowhere as big as Jaylyn's), so the tree farm was a familiar, warm setting for me. Jaxon and Jaylyn bring out the best in each other. Their love story is so sweet and I loved following how they come together. Pikas are one of my favourite creatures, so having on in the story brought a huge smile to my face. I have been blessed to see on in my life-time, so once again, I was able to relate to Pippa. For a truly heartwarming, sweet story, I recommend reading Dr. Mr. Frost and all the books in this series. The author never disappoints in her books.

[Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m an avid Shanna Hatfield fan and have been since I discovered Aundy a few years ago. Since then I’ve devoured everything she has written. Her plot lines are creative and she puts in the research to make them plausible. Dear Mr. Frost is sweet, but with enough chemistry between Jaylyn and Jaxon to hope that they’ll make a future together. The plot and the setting are both interesting. Shanna is a master at character development and I always genuinely like the people she introduces us too. Jaylyn’s family has owned a Christmas tree farm for generations and when a section of trees suffers a mysterious disease she reaches out to a fir tree expert, Jaxon Frost. Jaylyn is full of energy, smart, and loves people. Jaxon is studious, an introvert and loves seclusion, but Shanna works her magic and makes the two of them click. I loved the book! It’s complete and a great story from the very first page until the end.

[Joyce Marion · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dr Jaxon Frost is your absent minded professor who specializes in trees - specifically Christmas trees. When he receives a letter from Holly Creek Farm, he goes to see if he can help figure out what is causing some of their trees to die.

Jaylyn - goes by Jay - is shocked when Dr. Frost responds to her letter after months of getting no response when she called or emailed. She expects him to be the balding college professor not a handsome young man.

Jaylyn is so funny. People love her in the community. She and her grandfather have names for some of the woodland animals. She'll stop and break into a story about what an animal has done for the day, etc. So cute!!! Jaxon doesn't know what to think of her. He is so introverted and socially awkward. As they work together to figure out what is going on with her trees, Jaylyn loosens him up.

Even though the story is about Christmas trees, the story takes place beginning in April and goes throughout the year.

[Sandy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Delightful!

Jay had tried to contact Mr. Frost by email, phone and letter but had no response from him for several months. He was the expert she so desperately needed to help her Christmas tree farm with a section of dying trees. He’s the typical absent-minded professor, having lost mail, emails and with a phone system that repeatedly disconnects people. Jay is shocked when he finally answers her letter, thinking Jay is a man. Jay is outgoing, loving Christmas and people. Mr. Frost is a socially inept professor who has never celebrated Christmas. Can he help keep more trees from dying? Can he survive in the farm’s atmosphere of community? Thoroughly enjoyed seeing him come a bit out of his comfort zone and improving his social skills. Yes, there is romance as well.

Received an ARC and this is my honest review.

[Elaine Kiefer · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a sweet story of opposites finding love. Dr. Jaxon Frost is a socially awkward introvert who doesn't like being around crowds. His background and upbringing made him a loner and unable to relate to people. When he is asked to help a Christmas tree farm find out what is killing their trees, he meets a beautiful, vivacious woman who invades his heart and mind. There is an instant attraction between them, but they are so different it seems a relationship will not work. As Jaxon begins to come out of his shell, it is fun to watch him change and grow, but he is still a man who prefers quiet solitude, or just being with those he is close to. When both Jaxon and Jaylyn realize they would rather be together than apart, they work to find compromise and true love. Another wonderful story from Shanna Hatfield.

[Teresa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jaylyn is beside herself with worry about her Christmas trees having an illness of some sort, so she writes a letter to a local Dr tree expert - she hears nothing from him and is afraid of losing her whole farm - Dr Frost is very IT illiterate and has no idea that all of his emails are going to a hidden folder and mail is getting lost on his messy desk! His assistant comes to the rescue when he asks her for help finding papers he needs. She locates Jaylyn's letter and he tries to call her - she is busy out in the field and misses the call - they are finally able to set up an appointment and the sparks aren't there but something is - he keeps dropping by and helping her with different jobs on the farm and their road to an HEA takes a turn when he dumps her - you need to read this NEW series from Shanna to find out anymore!! I read a bookfunnel version and freely leave my review!

[April Wilson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Match-making Christmas trees!

The love of Christmas trees allow Jaylan and Jaxon to meet but can their love for each other keep them together? Jaxon is so wrapped up in his work and Jaylan with the tree farm, can they ever make it work to have a life together?

I found Jaxon a gentle and caring man that was a little out of touch with modern society due to his upbringing. He is kind, selfless, giving, loving and has so much to give. A man willing to sacrifice everything for the one he loved. Jaylan was bubbly, personable, easy to love. Together they weave a tender Christmas story that I enjoyed very much.

I received a complimentary copy and these are my voluntary and honest opinions. I was not required to leave a positive review.

[Catherine Graham · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book and am so pleased it is part of a series as there are so many other stories I want to hear about from the characters within.
I loved the way the characters know their flaws and could see them and wanted to do something to make themselves better. I also loved that the story was so relatable being about busy people who are struggling to find a balance and to prioritise what is important - these are clearly things I am struggling with!
I loved Jay’s dedication and relationship with her Grandpa, respect for her workers and the way she gave back to her community. I loved the way Jax put himself in positions he felt uncomfortable in but did it to help others and to extend himself.
A 5 star read that transported me into Christmas and the smell of pine!

[Julia David · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved the story and the characters. Jaxon is so socially awkward and so adorable. He has always been such a literal person and then he meets Jaylyn. She is so full of life and friendly to everyone, he is not. He feels better in isolation. Jaylyn runs a Christmas tree farm and is so different than anyone Jaxon knows. He is an authority on Christmas trees and Jaylyn needs his help. Neither of them saw it coming. The more time Jaxon spent with Jaylyn, the more he wanted a regular life. He has never had a regular life. Jaylyn deserves someone who is as full of life as she is, but Jaxon can't seem to stay away from her. When he decides that he needs to leave her alone for her own good, Jaylyn doesn't take it well. Will she forgive him for being such a dolt?

[Sharon S · Rating 5 out of 5]

The first book in the Christmas Letter series by Shanna Hatfield.
Jaylyn is the newest family member as president and general manager of the Christmas Tree farm. It has been in the family for four generations but last year a disease caused problems with her trees.
Dr. Jaxon Frost is the expert in the field of Christmas trees including diseases. Jaylyn had tried to contact him multiple times but several mishaps kept them from connecting.
He was raised in a family that didn’t believe in fantasy or fun, but when he meets Jaylyn he’s fascinated with how her mind works.
Both feel they have no time for dating but are strangely drawn to each other.
*I received this book as an ARC reader and am leaving my unbiased review.

[Diane · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it! Jaxon is a brainy introvert who has never had the benefit of a loving family. His professional expertise and research is in all types of Christmas trees. Jaylyn is the gregarious leader of her family business—growing Christmas trees. When some of her trees have a problem—she reaches out to the expert. The author creates a flowing narrative that will quickly have you totally engrossed in the story. When you are riding with Gramps in the side by side you will be holding on for dear life! You will laugh and you will cry while reading this sweet, clean, heartwarming story. I am looking forward to others in this series!

[Judy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jaxon and Jayla are two peas in a pod, but they do not recognize their similarities. this author has done a wonderful job in showing the hang-up's, idiosyncrasies and distance apart. they also did not trust love as they had no idea what true love was, especially Jaxon. Thankfully our writer has woven in their faith to help lead the way to their ever after. Life is fulfilling to a point, and they are made to see that point and endeavor to reach past it to find true happiness. Thankfully GOD leading was not left out of their plans to reach success in their relationship. A truly heart warming tale at this holiday season.

[Laura Davies · Rating 5 out of 5]

Somehow Shanna always manages to write a new favorite- I am not sure I could pick one over any other but Dear Mr. Frost is certainly high on my list.
Jaylyn and Jaxon seem opposite in humor and personality, reserved and outgoing, but they share a love of Christmas trees that brings them together in an unexpected way while sharing made up stories of their local animal friends and recipes they enjoy together.
Shanna’s attention to detail both of characters and setting really draw you in and have you hoping and wishing for the happy ending that just has to come while making you hungry while attending all the meals. And breathe deeply of the scent of Christmas …

[Lynn Hyman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Exactly What I Expect From This Author

Shanna Hatfield has been a favorite author of mine for years. I look forward to reading her heartwarming stories, and this one was beautiful. Jaxson's personality couldn't have been more opposite to Jaylyn's, yet those relationships complete the people involved if they're willing to work on it. I loved reading about the Christmas tree farm and all that entailed. I also loved reading about Jaxson's accomplishments as well as, or in spite of, his upbringing. Jaylyn's relationship with her grandfather was so special. The whole book was like a warm holiday hug!

[Marie Bourgery · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jaylyn’s family owns a tree farm, which is a popular setting for holiday movies but it’s not all sunshine when some of the trees are dying and what’s hurting them could spread to the others. I would have been frustrated with Jaxon’s lack of response too, but he’s one of those extremely intelligent absent minded because he’s so focused on his work researcher. And when he realizes his blunder he’s quick to help but still bumbles at times because of his insecurities in their growing romantic relationship. I loved the appearances of all the friendly wildlife and the stories Jaylyn made up about them. I felt like she should have a second career as a children’s book author.

[Annie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dear Mister Frost, the enchanting Christmas Letters series opener, unfolds a heartwarming small-town holiday romance. Dr. Jaxon Frost, a Christmas tree expert, seeks solace in his work due to childhood traumas until he meets Jaylyn Smith, owner of Holly Crest Tree Farm. The narrative delves into healing, love, and the holiday spirit, emphasizing the importance of listening and overcoming past traumas for future happiness.

Highly recommended for those seeking a heartwarming escape into the magical realm of small-town holiday romance. Having already acquired the entire series, I look forward to Amazon Alexa bringing these festive tales to life.