Jump to ratings and reviews
Rate this book

Winter Wishes #3

Winter Wonderland Romance

Rate this book
She never wanted to return to her hometown.
He needed an escape from his family.
When a chance meeting brings them together, will their attraction keep them from drifting apart?

Doctor Olivia Burton never intended to return to her hometown of Pinehill. After graduating high school, she set off on a new path, eager to leave her past behind. However, years later, an unexpected phone call from her mentor pulls her back to Pinehill to take over a thriving medical practice as the town's primary physician. Determined to avoid the local gossip mill, Olivia attempts to keep a low profile as she settles back into the community.

Alex Adams is desperate for an escape from his well-meaning but suffocating family. After a life-altering explosion ended his military career, he finds himself plagued with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. Surrounded by his loud and overbearing family only intensifies his struggles. Seeking respite, he retreats to his aunt's mountain cabin in Pinehill, desperate for peace and quiet.

When a chance encounter brings Alex and Olivia together, the sparks begin to fly. Olivia, cautious and hesitant to let anyone into her guarded heart, begins to question if it's time to leave her past behind and embrace the possibility of a winter wonderland romance. Alex, yearning for connection and understanding, finds himself drawn to Olivia's warmth and kindness.

As they spend more time together, will Olivia and Alex discover that love, much like freshly fallen snow, has a way of blanketing everything in a layer of beauty?

Uncover the joys that come with new beginnings, the transformative power of love, and the magic that can be found in the simplest moments in this sweet, wholesome, and tender romance.

213 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 25, 2024

Loading...
Loading...

About the author

Shanna Hatfield

160 books1,339 followers
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

Ratings & Reviews

What do you think?
Rate this book

Friends & Following

Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!

Community Reviews

5 stars
173 (75%)
4 stars
45 (19%)
3 stars
9 (3%)
2 stars
0 (0%)
1 star
1 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 62 reviews
Profile Image for Soleil Reader.
217 reviews3 followers
January 24, 2024
I totally recommend this book! I loved both main characters. Alex deals with PTSD, Olivia is a doctor wounded in the love department. They both have a complicated history and their friendship will help them overcome their issues. Dude, the dog, is so friendly I wish I had one!!! It was a really page turner. I couldn't stop!!
1,100 reviews9 followers
February 2, 2024
Winter Wonderland Romance is just exactly as described, a sweet winter romance. It is also the third book in the Winter Wishes Series by Shanna Hatfield. Doctor Olivia Burton gets her story in this lovely winter romance when she meets veteran Alex Adam in the most unusual way. Their story is one of friendship to much more even though there is a push to just stay friends.

Alex returned home after sustaining injuries while serving in the US military. I appreciate how the characters support him and his endeavors to recover as much as possible, but often the worst injuries are those not easily seen. I also thought it was interesting that Olivia had her own struggles holding her back in fully living her life with love and joy. This smooth pace story focuses on the characters and their healing, but also has the best dog ever, Dude. The characters from the first two books make appearances too, what fun.

Grab a cup of hot chocolate and enjoy this story. A wonderful small-town romance with delightful characters. However, don’t be surprised if you crave popcorn and want to watch an older movie when you finish reading.

4.5 Stars
The publisher through NetGalley provided a complimentary digital copy. I have voluntarily decided to read and review, my personal opinions and thoughts expressed in this review are completely my own.
Profile Image for Linda R.
541 reviews
January 14, 2024
Olivia Burton grew up in Pinehill, Oregon. Leaving at eighteen to earn her medical degree and begin practicing medicine in California, she had no plans to return. However, when the opportunity to take over the clinic in her hometown occurred, Olivia decided to return.

Alex Adams is a former Marine who is home to recuperate from injuries he received during an explosion overseas. Having healed physically, he is still dealing with the mental trauma. When his aunt offers him her cabin, Alex escapes to the mountains for some peace and quiet.

Olivia has been betrayed twice by people she loved. Married to her career, she intends to remain single and guard her heart. Alex feels he is not worthy of anyone's affection since his accident, so he plans to avoid relationships.

Winter Wonderland Romance is the third book in the Winter Wishes series by Shanna Hatfield. I loved this story. Olivia and Alex were the perfect couple, and Dude is such a sweet dog. It was a treat to have Rhett and Lolly included.

I received a free Kindle copy of this book. I volunteered to read it and write a review.
Profile Image for Jeffrey.
384 reviews24 followers
January 24, 2024
Dr. Olivia Burton Finally returns to her hometown of Pinehill, Oregon, after years away due to a broken heart. She assumes the practice of her long-time mentor who is retiring. Alex Adams escapes to Pinehill for entirely different reasons. Forced into retirement from his military career after receiving severe injuries from an IED explosion, he needs escape from his hovering family in order to cope with PTSD. When his faithful dog, Dude, chokes on a chicken bone, Dr. Olivia saves the dog. From that chance encounter, a fragile and tentative relationship begins. While neither Olivia nor Alex see the potential, they keep running into each other until the possibility there is much more to their attraction than friendship. Along the way, there is the beauty of the winter paradise that is Pinehill and the emotional and physical healing both of them crave. Can these two, from so totally different worlds "make a go" at romance? The author, like no other writer can, emphatically sells this romance and made this reader hope so much for both of these deserving people. Such a beautiful story, so full of love, friendship and possibilities.
Profile Image for Marty Moore.
812 reviews3 followers
January 25, 2024
I have a heart for Veterans, those who have gone through so much for this country. This story takes us to Pinehill, Oregon where Olivia has taken over the medical practice of the now retired physician who ran it all her life. She's adjusting back to small town life and very snowy winters.
Alex, our veteran, arrives in this winter wonderland to decompress from the trauma of war. Having an IED explode while he was driving a truck; killing his friends and fellow soldiers, was life changing. He suffered physical wounds as well as emotional injuries. Pinehill, is just the place to find his new normal.
Alex meets Olivia at one of his most unsettling moments. Dude, his companion dog, was choking. He did the only thing he knew to do, take him to the clinic; the human clinic. Olivia, jumped in and saved Dude. This of course made her high on Alex's list of special people.
As time goes on Alex and Olivia form a friendship and spend a good deal of her free time together. Feelings grow but neither felt ready for a relationship.
I cheered them on and enjoyed how the story played out. This is an amazing story that gives our service members a huge shout out.
Profile Image for Joyce Marion.
582 reviews7 followers
February 4, 2024
Alex is a wounded warrior. He lost most of his hearing and vision on his left side when the truck he was driving hit an IED. His physical wounds have healed, but his mental ones still plague him. His family is well-meaning but suffocating. His aunt suggests that he go to their cabin in PineHill to have some peace and quiet. Alex takes off with his dog, Dude. Dude had washed out of the service dog program because he was too friendly, but he was perfect for Alex.

Olivia had left town for college and med school and never looked back. When her mentor calls to say he is retiring, she moves home to take over his practice. Because of things in her past, she has sworn off men. She will be married to her career and not think about having a family of her own.

When Dude is hurt, Alex rushes into the clinic. Olivia is shocked to see a dog in her clinic, but she can't turn them away. She also realizes that Alex has struggles of his own. She befriends him and shows him around town.

Such a good book! Love a wounded warrior and his dog!! Fun banter, meddling men at the barbershop, and a winter wonderland.
17 reviews
January 27, 2024
Wounded veteran Alex Adams moves to Pinehill, Oregon in hopes that a change of scenery and space away from his family will help ease his PTSD. He meets Dr. Olivia Burton, and sparks fly. But he’s still learning to cope with his PTSD, and she has been hurt by past relationships, so they decide not to pursue a romantic relationship and just be friends.

This was a sweet, well written story where two hurting people slowly go from just friends who are helping each other, to maybe something more. Alex’s PTSD scenes were realistic and well handled, and it was understandable why Olivia’s past experience would make her reluctant to enter a relationship as well. That makes for my favorite type of character driven story: one that makes the characters feel like real, dynamic, but flawed people, and where the tension comes from each character’s very understandable reactions to avoid being hurt.
2,783 reviews20 followers
February 28, 2024
This was a beautiful, romantic story of two wounded characters meeting each other in the small town of Pinehill in Oregon. They were brought together by a warm, loveable dog named Dude.
The characters of Oivia and Alex were so likeable and real that their friendship and fun outings pulled me quickly into the story. The town and the winter festival sounded like so much fun, especially the snowman made up of wishes. What a beautiful idea.
My heart went out to Alex, who suffered from PTSD. He needed the quiet town and his aunt and uncle's cabin to find himself again. I liked how Olivia tried to help him and was sensitive to his needs without trying to baby him. I also liked how Olivia needed Alex too to show her that not all men were unfaithful. I received an advance copy of this book and I willingly chose to write an honest review.
247 reviews6 followers
January 17, 2024
I loved meeting Olivia, Alex, and Dude! I enjoyed the way Olivia and Alex hit it off right away and were able to become really good friends. I felt that the author handled the PTSD and anxiety attacks very well. It felt so very real, and to Alex it was a stumbling block to his future happiness, but the author also showed some of Alex’s coping mechanisms and his improvement that may give hope to others in similar situations. And, of course, the romance was great. Olivia had to work through some things in her past to be able to know that Alex was trustworthy, but that is often a journey many have to take. The dog had so much character and added a lot to the overall feel of the story! I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book.
Profile Image for patrick Lorelli.
3,834 reviews38 followers
February 23, 2024
A Nice is a simple story that is a slow burn between Doctor Olivia Burton who left Pinehill after high school and has returned as a doctor. Adam is in town staying at a relative's cabin and is working through his PTSD from the Marines along with his dog Dude. It is through Dude that the two of them meet and slowly run into each other again until she asks him for a date to show him the sights of the area. As they begin to get close each remains guarded until he begins working at a garage and one day when there is a big accident on the highway she becomes concerned and their relationship becomes stronger. A good story to go along with the others and this one felt more real like two people. A good book with good characters. I received this book from Netgalley.com
378 reviews4 followers
January 16, 2024
Lovely story! Alex, a wounded warrior, and Olivia, a small town doctor each have reasons for not getting romantically involved. But when God steps in you just have to listen to what He wants and not your preconceived ideas. It always amazes me how Shanna Hatfield can write dialog and feelings that are so real—you sometimes feel like you are in the middle of the conversations. And Dude . . . you will want to bring Dude home with you! It was also great to catch up with some previous characters from the Pinehill area. (Sally Reynolds is my kind of girl!) Don’t miss this new sweet, clean, inspirational romance. You will want to check out the earlier books in this series, too!
Profile Image for Ronnie Fody.
58 reviews3 followers
January 16, 2024
Alex and Olivia are each in need of healing from life’s journey and together they help each other heal and move forward towards falling in love with each other. They meet in Pinehill, a small town in the mountains, when Alex’s dog “Dude” chokes on a chicken bone. I enjoy how Shanna weaves a story filled with believable characters that are often part of another story. From the very first page she captures your imagination and pulls you into the storyline and by the time you turn the last page you feel a part of their lives. I always look forward to reading her next novel.
R. Fody
Jan 16, 2024
Profile Image for April Wilson.
477 reviews22 followers
January 17, 2024
Two wounded hearts help heal each other

Alex is a wounded vet trying to re-adjust to civilian life after his injury, although he sees himself as forever damaged. Olivia is just trying to live her life without any more heartache from someone she loves. An emergency with Alex’s pet, Dude, sets their lives on a different path.

A touching story of loss and acceptance and learning to love someone else and see yourself as valuable. Some carry such pain hidden within; we would do well to look past the outside and learn their heart.

I enjoyed the story. I received a complimentary copy and these are my voluntary and honest opinions. I was not required to leave a positive review.
Profile Image for Laura Michelle.
132 reviews14 followers
January 21, 2024
I loved this story! I found Alex to be very relateable, especially since I myself suffer from some panic attacks and phobias. The counsel he was getting was very realistic and I was happy to see him going from thinking he was broken to being confident in himself and knowing that it takes work to overcome what he had to overcome to enjoy living again. I liked that Olivia was willing to see that she was letting her past hamper her future and happiness and that by letting her fears go she could embrace the love that Alex offered her. I also enjoyed seeing some familiar characters from Pinehill and Faraday as well, it was like seeing old friends again. :)
Profile Image for Tracy Sylvester.
1,046 reviews9 followers
January 25, 2024
Dr. Olivia Burton comes home to Pinehill, Oregon after a long-needed vacation. She’s used to long hours and her work consuming her life and has no time for relationships. When a new man in town Alex Adams comes barreling through her medical practice door trying to help his choking dog, he finds himself face to face with Dr. Olivia Burton. Alex is a wounded warrior who has discharged from the military and trying to heal from his PTSD and trauma at the country cabin in Pinehill his family owns. Sweet story of friends to romance story with characters you can’t help but root for. I felt drawn to the storyline and characters.
442 reviews7 followers
January 25, 2024
Olivia is a physician who has recently moved back to her home town of Pinehill to take over the practice of the retired physician. Alex is a veteran, with PTSD, who is staying in a nearby cabin while he tries to overcome many aspects of his PTSD. They meet when Olive treats Alex’s dog when he chokes on a bone, since there is no veterinarian in town. They have a very strong attraction which turns to love as they spend time together, but they can only be friends. Except….

Very good romance with Christian aspects.

I received a free advance copy of this book. My review is voluntary and unbiased.
218 reviews8 followers
January 31, 2024
I really enjoyed the first two books in this series so was looking forward to reading this third book. It did not disappoint! I loved the interactions between Olivia and Alex and how Dude helps things along. An aspect I am beginning to really notice and love about Shanna’s books is how she pays homage to the influence of the older generation/grandparents in her stories and I certainly noticed it in this story. I won’t go into the storyline as other will but it was a book I loved reading and was really well done from the aspect of portrayal of the impact of PTSD in people’s lives. A book I am sure I will read again.
5 stars
Profile Image for Kathy.
2,694 reviews18 followers
January 13, 2024
I love Olivia and Alex's story. Olivia is a small town doctor having returned to the home of her roots after her parents moved far away. Alex is a vet having issues with loud noises and PTSD. His large family is triggering his trauma so he moves temporarily to the small town where Olivia is the doctor. As they spend time together as "friends" their feelings grow while experiencing their small town, its' winter festival and building snowmen. This sweet romance has wonderful holiday spirit, a history of the song "Winter Wonderland" and a wonderful recipe.
252 reviews6 followers
January 14, 2024
This was a great story of 2 people who have given up on love, finding each other. The first time they meet there is an instant attraction, but both Olivia and Alex resist it and try their best to keep their relationship in the friend zone. Of course they both eventually realize they were meant for each other. The subject of PTSD was handled with care and respect for those who suffer from it. It was so encouraging to watch Alex find his way back to a healthy life with help from God, his friends and his counselor. It was fun to revisit Pinehill and Faraday.
1,382 reviews10 followers
January 14, 2024
Winter Wonderland, is another
sweet book in the Winter Wishes series.
It's a feel-good & emotional romance.
Adam, needed some peace
& quiet in his life. After being
injured while serving as a Marine,
the PTSD was something he was
still working on.
Olivia, became to town's Doctor
a year ago. She has always loved
Pinehill. A relationship is the last thing
she wanted. After a very sad experience,
it changed the way she thought about love.
Great characters & small
town charm.
I truly enjoyed reading it!
Profile Image for Maria.
2,638 reviews50 followers
February 10, 2024
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book, given to me by Wholesome Hearts Publishing via Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
A feel-good, sweet and fast read, with really likeable characters - a delicious blue-collar wounded hero and a resolute doctor heroine -, “Winter Wonderland Romance”, by Shanna Hatfield, is about healing, new beginnings and changing directions in life.
I really liked how the romance bloomed between Olivia and Alex, both not wanting it initially and gradually becoming friends and then attracted to each other.
Watching them doing things together. enjoying each other’s company and getting closer was heartwarming.
I also appreciated Alex’s healing process, the sessions with the therapist, Jay, and how Olivia contributed to dissipate the pain, too.
His issues aren’t miraculously solved.
Seeing Alex’s pleasure and competence as a mechanic was also fun.
The leads’ jobs are important to the story and I enjoyed this dimension.
I liked the small-town atmosphere, the beauty of a winter landscape, Tony and his friends, the unforgettable Dude.
The opening scene with the dog was hilarious and set the pace for a light, sweet, romantic read that still addresses serious issues.
Profile Image for Sharon.
59 reviews
February 6, 2024
We meet Alex, a man trying to move forward dealing with his PTSD and all he went through in the military. I learned about what someone would need to deal with. He ends up going to a small town and staying at his aunts cabin.He and his dog Dude end up meeting Dr. Olivia Burton, the youngest physician in the clinic in her hometown that she never expected to return to. They meet Olivia ends up showing him around. She introduces him to all the holiday festivities. They enjoy their time together and I felt such a part of this story. I didn’t want it to end, I wanted to move next door!
Profile Image for Sharon S.
1,052 reviews8 followers
February 15, 2024
What a sweet addition to the series by Shanna Hatfield.
Olivia grew up in Pinehill but left after high school, she returned to be the doctor at the clinic.
Alex is a former Marine with PTSD who is staying at his aunt’s cabin to try to find peace and quiet. Olivia helped him with his dog and there is an instant attraction between them.
Both are broken in different ways, can they help each other heal and find the peace they are looking for?
*I received this book as an ARC reader and am leaving my unbiased review.
52 reviews1 follower
February 15, 2024
I have written many reviews for this author of how amazing it is that she continues to write books that are interesting and well written with unique stories. This book is another one to add to that list. I loved Alex and and his dog Dude and how they met Dr. Olivia Burton. Olivia was a perfect fit for them as she was a compassionate doctor and knew how to interact with Alex in his struggles with PTSD. A few characters from prior books in this series make appearances in this book. So much fun to catch up with them. Another well crafted story.
1,105 reviews5 followers
January 13, 2024
This is a beautifully written story about a veteran, Alex, with PTSD and a small-town doctor, Olivia. Would he ever get past his negative thoughts about himself to pursue his feelings for her? Would she accept her feelings for him, even though she wanted to remain in the friend zone?

You'll want to read the book to get all the details. You won't be disappointed.

I received a free ARC, and this is my honest opinion.
502 reviews3 followers
January 16, 2024
Alex has really bad PTSD and needs to escape his overbearing Mom and Dr Olivia hides from her parents by taking a 2 week Christmas cruise - Dude (Alex dog) has a choking incident is how they meet - both consider themselves broken beyond repair and they end up having many areas to connect and work things out! Shanna is such an awesome writer and I love reading her stories! I read a beta version and freely leave my views!
Profile Image for Mary Jane McLeod.
3,101 reviews7 followers
January 25, 2024
Absolutely loved it/Great Series

I have so enjoyed this series and getting to know all the characters. I absolutely loved Alex and Olivia's story. He had been in the war and had PTSD. She'd been betrayed by her father and her fiance. Neither thought they were lovable but when love strikes it can't be ignored. I enjoyed watching these two work out their feelings. A captivating read.
5,138 reviews31 followers
January 25, 2024
After suffering a traumatic experience in the military Alex seeks the quietness in Pinehill, Oregon where he meets local doctor Olivia when his PTSD service dog gets chocked and she saves him. Alex and Olivia have both been through some trauma and was not looking for anything but friendship but as they spend time together their relationship grows into something they both need. Enjoyed this lovely story with damaged characters that find healing with each other and of course Dude the dog.
Profile Image for Kathleen Ryder.
Author 40 books949 followers
February 4, 2024
A sweet, clean romance. My favourite kind of romance is friends to more, and this fit the bill.

The MFC and MMC feel they are broken, and therefore don’t deserve love in their lives, settling on friendship instead. Obviously, fate has other ideas.

The characters were both well developed, and while the plot was one I have seen many times before, it was still a nice read.

Thank you to NetGalley for a copy of this ARC in return for my honest review.
Profile Image for Hannah.
198 reviews
February 8, 2024
Another great book by Shanna!! Olivia and Alex started off just right, with a budding friendship. The dog definitely helped to bring them together and gave them the perfect excuse to see each other again.
I enjoyed reading about the town of Pinehill again and their lovely and sometimes quirky characters. It just feels like a place you really want to go visit!
I am such a fan of a sweet, clean romance, so this was perfect!!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 62 reviews