When Christmas Comes: A Single Dad, Age Gap Christmas Romance

Bravo Family Ties Miniseries #25

by Christine Rimmer

Could a wild Wyoming summer bring healing for the holidays?

Divorced workaholic Maddox Hale is ready to be the dad his kids deserve. But when a visit to his injured father’s ranch brings the jaded tycoon face-to-face with nurse Sarah Bravo, his plan goes awry. She’s fresh from running a free clinic in the wilds of Bolivia—too young, too independent and too beautiful by far. She’s not interested in Maddox’s alpha rules or attitude. In fact, their only commonality is their off-the-charts chemistry. Mixing business with pleasure is a terrible idea. Until Maddox and his two children worm their way into Sarah’s heart… 

From Harlequin Special Believe in love. Overcome obstacles. Find happiness.

A Bravo Family Ties Romance

Book 1: Fifty Ways To Say I'm Pregnant
Book 2: Marrying Molly
Book 3: Lori's Little Secret
Book 4: Bravo Unwrapped
Book 5: The Bravo Family Way
Book 6: Married in Haste
Book 7: From Here to Paternity
Book 8: A Bravo Christmas Reunion
Book 9: Valentine's Secret Child
Book 10: Having Tanner Bravo's Baby
Book 11: The Stranger and Tessa Jones
Book 12: The Bravo Bachelor
Book 13: A Bravo's Honor
Book 14: Valentine Bride
Book 15: A Bride for Jericho Bravo
Book 16: Expecting the Boss's Baby
Book 17: Donovan's Child
Book 18: Marriage, Bravo Style!
Book 19: A Bravo Homecoming
Book 20: The Return of Bowie Bravo
Book 21: Hometown Reunion
Book 22: Taking the Long Way Home
Book 23: Her Best Friend's Wedding
Book 24: When Christmas Comes
Book 25: His Best Friend's Girl

Genres: Romance

276 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 22, 2024

About the author

New York Times bestselling author Christine Rimmer has written more than one hundred contemporary romances for Harlequin Books. She has won Romantic Times BOOKreview’s Reviewer’s Choice Award for best Silhouette Special Edition. She has been nominated seven times for the Romance Writers of America’s prestigious RITA award and five times for Romantic Times Series Storyteller of the Year.

A California native who first longed to be an actress, Christine earned her theater degree from California State, Sacramento and then went to New York to study acting. Later, she moved to Southern California, where she began her writing career with short stories, plays, and poems. Her poems and short stories were published in a number of small literary journals. Her plays were produced at The Back Alley and Group Theaters in Southern California and have been published by Dramatists Play Service and West Coast Plays.

She now lives in Oregon with her family and two very contented cats named Tom and Ed.

Reviews

[Harlequin Books]

Contemporary Romance
Miniseries
Bravo Family Ties (Book #25)

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Terrific book. Maddox Hale grew up on the ranch next to the Bravos but couldn't wait to leave Medicine Creek behind. He's now a successful businessman, thanks to his workaholic ways. For the same reason, he is divorced and hasn't been much of a dad to his two kids. He plans to right that wrong by spending the summer on the family ranch with his kids. Those plans alter when his father breaks his leg, and Maddox goes home early to care for him. First on the agenda is to hire a nurse to supervise Fergus while he heals.

Sarah Bravo is home recovering from an injury sustained while running a free clinic in Bolivia. She is saving money to get her Master's in nursing, and when she hears of the opening at the Hale ranch, she applies.

The story starts with a bang as Maddox and Fergus interview potential nurses. Feisty Fergus isn't thrilled with any of them until Sarah shows up. He knows Sarah well and likes her. Maddox is not as enthusiastic. She's too young, too pretty, and too much of a possible distraction. I laughed out loud at the conversation between Maddox and Fergus as they debated hiring her. Obviously, Fergus wins.

I enjoyed watching Maddox and Sarah's relationship develop. Their attraction is evident from the start, but there are obstacles. Nursing ethics prohibit Sarah from getting personally involved with a patient or a patient's family member. Maddox has no plans to marry again. However, discussions during late-night swims encourage a closeness neither expected, and the attraction becomes harder to resist.

Giving in to the attraction for the summer is one thing, but what happens when Sarah wants more? Maddox's past convinces him that he is unworthy of love, and nothing will convince him otherwise. I loved seeing Sarah stand up for herself and her needs. Maddox earned his misery when he walked away from what he had with Sarah. Some well-meaning interference from Fergus leads to an unexpected twist that motivates Maddox to take a chance. I loved the ending.

Fergus was my favorite secondary character. Nothing gets him down for long. The story behind his broken leg is hilarious, and I loved seeing him deal with the consequences. Maddox's kids were great. I liked the realism of RJ's issues with his father's neglect and Maddox's determination to redeem himself.

[Tricia Verschage · Rating 5 out of 5]

When Christmas Comes- A Bravo Next Generation

Loved this book! Maddox Hale and Sarah Bravo grew up on neighboring ranches growing up. Maddox left the ranch behind to become a successful business man with a divorce behind him and two children he needs to reconnect with. Planning to spend time at the family ranch to do just that, plans quickly change when his father, Fergus, breaks his leg and he has to return to the ranch earlier than planned and hires a nurse to help him wrangle his Dad. Sarah left home to become a nurse and help save the world until she returns home with an injury of her own to nurse. Maddox hires Sarah after she applies for the position in an effort to save money for school for her Masters in Nursing.

Fireworks from the very start thanks to Fergus not liking any of the candidates until Sarah comes in and wants to hire her despite Maddox’s objections because she just may be too young, pretty, and too much of a distraction for him. Sarah and Maddox eventually allow their relationship to develop as friends because neither of them are in this for anything more. Sarah will not get involved with a patient or the family and Maddox has no plans to ever marry again.

In usual Rimmer fashion, the author has a gift for bringing the characters to life and the story taking on a life of its own. You aren’t simply reading a book, you are embedded in the community cheering on the relationships of the main characters. You experience the characters develop not only as a person to be stronger even when they show vulnerability but also stronger in their prospective relationship with each other. The secondary characters come to life and make the story funny, sweet, a little sad, and in some cases, hit a little close to home. Ms. Rimmer knocked another Bravo story out of the ballpark!

[Patty Duplechin · Rating 5 out of 5]

When Maddox Hale’s father, Fergus broke his leg, Maddox decided to hire a nurse, full time to help him until he is back on his feet. Maddox will spend the summer in Medicine Creek, Wyoming at his father’s ranch and work from there. Maddox is a very busy, divorced father of two from Manhattan and a very wealthy man. He’s a workaholic and that’s why he’s divorced now. In comes Sarah Bravo, a nurse who is looking to get her RN degree. Taking care of Fergus is just the job she needs, plus the pay is good. Maddox seems to think she’s too young. She’s only twenty four. Could it be that Maddox finds her attractive? After all he’s forty, but he can feel the chemistry. Does Sarah feel it too? When his father decides to hire Sarah, Maddox knows he needs to stay away from her. Sarah ends up being good fit for Fergus. She gets along with his children. As his father heals, and Sarah and Maddox is thrown together a lot, the more they try to resist the attraction? Will they cross that line? Sarah knows it’s not right to cross that line with her patient’s son. She could lose her job. Will Fergus get better? How did Fergus break his leg? That’s a secret of it own. The characters are wonderful. Love how they all bonded together. The children fell in love with Sarah and so did Fergus. Could Maddox feel the same way? Maddox seems to think he is not husband worthy. Been there, done that. He just can’t seem to believe he’s worthy of a second chance and doesn’t want to take it. Is he too old for her? How does Sarah feel? I was so rooting for these two, the children Maddox’s loves so much and his father, Fergus. Worth the read. Christine Rimmer always make you feel like you’re part of the story. I received this book for my honest review. I give it voluntarily.

[Cyndi Cook · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing story! Next generation Bravo story, magnificent! Christine Rimmer leaves you wanting more! Maddox Hale & Sarah Bravo spark a scary fireworks of a connection from the moment they meet thanks to Maddox’s father Fergus breaking his leg. Sarah is a nurse fresh home from her work in Bolivia and Maddox is home from his high profile city career. Maddox insists his father have a live in nurse and until he interviews and Fergus rejects many, but once he reconnects with little Sarah all grown up, he picks her as his nurse and nothing Maddox can say will change his mind. Chemistry sparks from first meeting with Sarah & Maddox and continues to try Sarah’s work ethics and Maddox’s belief he isn’t partner material. Maddox brings his 2 kids with his former wife, to reconnect at the ranch. His son RJ challenges him at every turn but they both connect to Sarah right away. Ferguson is a hoot throughout the storyline and all their ups and downs. You cannot ignore strong chemistry and Fergus sees it with his son and Sarah. This is a story you cannot put down! No spoilers here but only a guarantee that you need to pick this book up and you will not be disappointed. Will Sarah & Maddox figure out their undeniable connection? Will Maddox and his son get back on track again? Read and find yourself taken in by this story.

[Janie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this story. Welcome back to the Bravo's from Medicine Creek, WY. From the time we learned how Sarah Bravo first met Maddox Hale as a little girl around five years old when she told him to hold her garter snake named Dickie, to the present day, about 20 years later when she is hired as a live-in health aid for his Dad, Fergus there was quite a bit of life that happened in between. Maddox had been married to Alexis and they've since divorced. They have two children together: Reginald Jones, aka RJ, is 13 years old, and Stephanie Angelica, aka Stevie, is 11 years old. Maddox's Dad, Fergus, injures himself when he falls out of a second-story window at a retirement community called Sylvan Acres in Sheridan. We'll eventually find out how a fellow resident named Erlene Pugh was involved. Fergus is a widow, and his wife's name is Mary.

Sarah is looking for a job that utilizes her RN degree. She was in Bolivia when an accident sent her home, so she applied to become Fergus's on-call nurse. The story between Sarah and Maddox starts to unfold as they confide in each other after their late nights at his home's indoor pool. We also get to meet the housekeeper, Alma, who sounds like a wonderful lady. Quite a bit of both of their stories brings them together.

[Marie Campbell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Maddox Hale is tasked with finding his father a competent home nurse. Little does he know that his whole life is about to change. In When Christmas Comes by Christine Rimmer, we meet workaholic tycoon Maddox Hale and second generation Bravo, Sarah Bravo. Maddox is just trying to be a better father and son. Sarah is fresh from a challenging job running a clinic in Bolivia and a life threatening injury.
Maddox has a strict set of rules he lives by and Sarah is all about breaking those rules. Can their overwhelming attraction overcome their different approaches to life? Both Maddox and Sarah are looking a new direction in life. Can their passion and love unit them?
In When Christmas Come Christine Rimmer reunites us with the wonderful Bravo family. We are able to continue with her adventurous, exciting, romantic literary family! Her heroes are legendary and her heroines are brave and complex.
I can't recommend When Christmas Comes by Christine Rimmer enough. This gorgeous romance will touch your heart and bring all the joys of Christimas to you! Rimmer creates exciting compelling characters that you will love and heartwarming romances you can't put down! You will love this gorgeous Christmas romance! I can't wait for Christine Rimmer's next romance!!!

[Judyrudy · Rating 5 out of 5]

When Christmas Comes is the twenty-fourth book in Christine Rimmer’s Bravo Family Ties series. Nurse Sarah Bravo has returned home after a horrible incident in Bolivia. She lands a job as a nurse for Maddox Hale’s father who recently broke his leg. Despite an age difference, an instant attraction develops between Sarah and Maddox. While Sarah doesn’t want to get involved with a patient’s relative, Maddox could care less. On top of dealing with their attraction, Maddox is trying to build a relationship with his son who has come to visit the ranch for the summer.

Will Sarah remain employed with Maddox, or will she quit when her feelings grow stronger? What will Maddox do if Sarah leaves?

When Christmas Comes is a lovely story about the love of family. Watching Maddox develop a better relationship with his son is special as well. I absolutely loved this book and highly recommend it along with the other books in the series. Looking forward to the next Bravo book. It can’t come soon enough.

I received an advance copy which I chose to read and review. This is my honest opinion.

[Cassie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sarah Bravo is at a crossroads. After a devastating attack she is back home to regroup and recuperate.
Since she has recovered, she needs to find a temporary job until she starts back to school to get her master's in nursing. Maddox Hale has come home to Wyoming to help his dad since he broke his leg and needs to hire a nurse to help him. Fergus, Maddox's dad decides that Sarah is the perfect nurse for him. Maddox isn't so sure, but he hires her anyway. As time goes by Maddox and Sarah start to have feelings for each other. Maddox having trust issues, and one failed marriage has decided he is done with relationships has no intention to ever get married again. He is trying to rebuild a relationship with his children first. Well fate has other intentions for these two. I hope you love this story as much as I do.

[Perrin Larton · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am absolutely loving the 'Next Generation' Bravo stories! Ms. Rimmer just keeps giving us wonderful books about the kids we watched grow up!

Maddox Hale and Sarah Bravo were neighbors and aquaintances as children, then life took over and they went on to make their fortunes. Now Sarah is back from a nursing position that went bad, and needs to get another nursing position since she wants to go back to school. Maddox has decided he needs to be more of a father to his children since he and his wife have divorced and he wants to be more of a dad.

Now we have a bit of intrigue! How did Maddox's father, Fergus, break his leg? He fell from a window but the big question is, how? Sarah gets the job helping Fergus even though Maddox isn't all for it.

Then...well you really need to read this book to get the whole story! You know you want to!

[Phylis Carpenter · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you have ever read a book by Christine Rimmer then you will know that she has never written a bad book yet. I loved this one as much as the others of hers I have read. Once I started I just could not put it down.

I loved the cast of characters and the storyline, I think Fergus was my favorite character, he reminded me of myself, he told you just what he thought whether you wanted to hear it or not.

Fergus, Maddox's father, broke his leg at the Senior Center after Bingo on Friday night. Maddox couldn't understand the story because he broke his leg long after Bingo was over and how did he fall out of the window in the first place.

Check out the story I think you will enjoy it as much as I did.

[Callie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sarah Bravo lived next door to Maddox Hale as a child but hasn’t seen him in years.
Maddox only slightly remembers her, but dismisses the thought of hiring her as a nurse for
his father to help him out while he heals from a broken leg. But Fergus overrides his sons
decision to not hire the pretty young RN.
As Maddox and Sarah navigate feelings and concerns of propriety, things get more
complicated.
Great book, caught me in my feels as it ended. Absolutely grab this book and read and
share with friends. Sometimes things happen in our life we can’t control, but how we
respond to and grow from them can make a difference. Loved this book

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another fantastic story, a heartwarming read from Christine Rimmer.

Sarah Bravo goes home and takes a job for neighbor, Maddox Hale's father, who broke his leg. Maddox begins to develop feelings for Sarah, but Sarah normally would not get involved with a client or their family.

Maddox is divorced with a son, that he desperately wants to better his relationship with. In the past, he was not a good father, but he wants to right his wrong. Sarah is picking up after a nursing job that went bad, and came home to pick up the pieces and get another nursing job, and go to school.

I highly recommend purchasing this book, to get the whole story. You won't be disappointed.

[Dawn Posey feltner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book. Sarah Bravo becomes her next door neighbor Fergus Hales live in Nurse. But Fergus son Maddox thinks she not the right fit for his dad. Fergus won't take no for a answer and wins.
Maddox and Sarah start ending there nights by the pool and things start heating up. Sarah knows nothing can happen as long as she is Fegus nurse. But Sarah gives in to attraction while they are in Maddox s penthouse in New York city. Sarah quiets and her job and her Maddox have a special night.
Sarah decides she wants more but with Maddox s past trama can he give her what she needs?

[Lois Bates · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ahh....another Christine Rimmer novel.  A Bravo story at that.  I see Rimmer's name on a book and I just have to have it.  I don't even need to read the blurb on the back because I know it'll be good!  When I see it is about a Bravo, then I NEED to add it to my collection.

Sarah Bravo is a nurse who has come home to heal.  Maddox Hale is looking for a nurse for his father, Fergus, who, for some reason, fell out of a window at the Senior Center and broke his leg.  

My advice, again, is to buy the book and read what happens.  You won't be disappointed!

Thanks, Ms. Rimmer!

[Sharon · Rating 5 out of 5]

When Christmas Comes by Christine Rimmer is the latest in the Bravo Family Ties series. I love how Maddox Hale tries to fight against his instant attraction to Sarah Bravo while everyone in the family is trying to get him to embrace it. The tension between Sarah and Maddox started when he hires Sarah to be a full-time live-in nurse to his dad, Fergus, after an accident. Their relationship builds until they can’t keep away from each other. I loved how Ms. Rimmer ties in the secondary characters and shows their stories. I can’t wait for the next edition.

[Peggy Moore · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the story of Maddox and Sarah, Sarah is a nurse who is home recovering from a stabbing in Bolivia and now need a job to get back on her feet and go back to school. Her neighbor Maddox's father broke his leg and need a nurse for the summer. Fergus wants Sarah and wins the right to hire her. As they get to know each other their feeling are growing but Maddox has been married and has no plans to do so again. Also he is trying to work on his relationship with his son. How will things work out ? What will things look like at the end of the summer?

[Diane Ball · Rating 5 out of 5]

I always wanted to be the type of person I could love someone so much and refuse to give up. I am glad I am that person. I remember my husband didn't want to be that person at the time. He also had been married before and didn't think he was a one person man. Well I can say 40 years later he is that man. Maddox is that type of man. That he doesn't think he deserves it/ can make it happen. Christine Rimmer has written another Fantastic story that could be my background. 5 Stars

[Lynda Kirby · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another wonderful 2nd generation Bravo family love story that delivers the goods with strong family love and values & totally relatable family dynamics!!!. Maddox & Sarah are made for each other!!! Despite the age difference & all the other possible reasons that would make a future seem hopeless they only have to realize that only LOVE & TRUST truly matter!!!When Christmas Comes is a great holiday treat!!!

[Nalria · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Christine’s Bravo stories! She always writes about strong heroines and Sarah Bravo is one. She knows what she wants and works with integrity to achieve it. She is a shock to Maddox Hale’s system when she becomes his dad’s nurse. She is nothing like the women he has known before. He has never believed in love so he has a hard time accepting that he’s falling in love. No spoilers. Highly recommend this book.

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

Maddox Hale is a very successful business man. After his divorce he vowed that he’d never get married again. When Maddox’s father breaks his leg he decided to hire a nurse to take care of him. Sarah Bravo just got back from working in Bolivia and is lookig for a temporary job until she can go back to get her Masters Degree. She applied to be the nurse who takes care of her neighbor. Sarah takes on the roll of nurse. Maddox and Sarah have an instant attraction that complicates the situation. They’ll have to make a decision about their feeling, but When Christmas Comes will their holiday be forever?

When Christmas Comes by Christine Rimmer is the current book in the Bravo Family Ties series and the fourth in the Next Generation series. Maddox Hale is spending the summer with his children at the family ranch, while looking after his father with a broken leg. Sarah Bravo is looking for a temporary nursing position after being in Bolivia. Maddox and Sarah feel the attraction from the job interview. They fight their feelings but one passionate kiss may put it all in jeopardy. On a trip to New York their feelings come to an impasse that could put their future together in the past.

Christine Rimmer continues her Bravo Family Ties series. She continues her signature series with the Next Generation who have now grown up. The newest book in the series called When Christmas Comes. The book is the story of Sarah Bravo and neighbor Maddox Hale home for the summer. An instant attraction and a temporary job bring the two together, but past trauma, ethics and stubbornness play into two people finding their happily ever after. Christine Rimmer takes her readers on an emotional road of ups and downs as her characters work through the issues that come between them and hopefully come out victorious and live happily ever after. When Christmas Comes is a must read for Christine Rimmer fans and a great story to read during the holiday season. Get caught up with the Next Generation of the big and wonderful Bravo family that just keeps getting bigger and finding their true love. This reader has been a fan since finding my first Christine Rimmer’s Bravo book and started collecting them.

[Nancy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I always like when someone in the relationship knows what they want and never gives up. That spirit of never giving up is in Sarah and she knows Maddox is the one for her. Now to convince him. Funny, heart warming and very enjoyable to watch the story unfold. Another great book by Christine Rimmer.

[Kim Woodcock · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this Christmas story very much. Had all of the elements of should we or shouldn't we. Spoiler, they definitely should! A couple that was kept apart by circumstances from high school, coming back together after a failed teen marriage. Good reading! Thanks for another great book Christine Rimmer!

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved the book it made me believe in love again and it also loved that even if you are broken love can make it easier to manage if you are willing to do the work on yourself Maddox and Sarah were great I loved Fergus too he was the rock that held the story together

[Dotty · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful story. Read about Maddox and Sarah. How does a 40 year old divorced dad and a 25 year old nurse uncomplicate their lives to be together. Always love books by Christine Rimmer, they make my heart happy.

[Dyan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nothing like knowing a happily ever after is coming but having to wait for it. I throughly enjoyed the build up of this story and I love the characters, especially Fergus! I can’t wait to see more of them in future books. There’s so much more I need to know about where life takes them.

[Bridgette Tullos · Rating 5 out of 5]

When Christmas Comes by Christine Rimmer is a wonderful Christmas present. I love the Bravo family and this doesn’t disappoints. The journey that Maddox and Sarah journey from employer to employee and finally husband and wife. I enjoy seeing other Bravo charters from other books.

[Cathi Lange · Rating 5 out of 5]

Christine Rimmer is one of my favorite authors. She has never disappointed a reader with her stories especially the Bravo series. This story is about Sarah & Maddox how they start off as employer employee and wind so much more.

[Brittnay Knighton · Rating 5 out of 5]

wondeful holiday book that love can happen when you least expect it like a curveball out of left field and definitely puts you in the holiday spirit. I truly love reading this author and can't wait for the next one.

[Tami · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love at first sight is truly awe inspiring. Amazing how incredibly dumb some people can be and make themselves miserable. Great story. Love all of Christine Rimmers books.