Christmas at Reedy Falls: A Romance

by Elizabeth Sumner Wafler

Perfect for fans of A Winter in New York by Josie Silver and Always in December by Emily Stone, Christmas at Reedy Falls is an opposites-attract, wholesome Christmas romance that will leave readers believing in the magic of the holiday—and how it brings people together.

When Mamie Morrow, a fledgling Charleston journalist, is offered an assignment covering the Grand Bohemian Lodge in Greenville, South Carolina, at Christmastime, she jumps at the chance. Her grandfather recently passed away and left her a mysterious box of objects from the time she spent with him in New Mexico when she was three. Mamie has zero recollection of her time with her grandfather, but she now knows that he was Navajo—and as the majestic Grand Bohemian is filled with Native American art, she hopes being there will help her regain those memories.

Robert Fitzpatrick is an upstart photographer from South Boston. Through equal parts inspiration and perspiration, he’s managed to compile a stunning portfolio, and he’s just relocated to slower-paced Charleston for its lush beauty and creative community. He’s also looking for the one—a girl to whom he can give his whole heart forever. But he harbors family secrets of his own.

Rob is smitten with Mamie’s energy and pluck, but to Mamie, career comes first. As Christmas Day approaches, the two grapple with the complications that arise when dreams confront reality—and witness the Christmas magic that can happen when you put your faith in love.

Genres: Christmas, Romance, Fiction

288 pages, Paperback

Published October 29, 2024

About the author

I believe in second chances. The theme has surprised me by prancing into every one of my books. So many people live out their lives without getting what they want or what they need. Instead, they settle for less, subsisting instead of making things happen.

As you get to know my characters, I want you imbued with a sense of hope and possibility--with the magic that can happen when someone first pokes a toe out of her comfort zone and decides to make things happen. I want you to relate to my discretely individual characters who, like most women, desire and deserve true love; authentic relationships, whether they be friends, mothers, grown children, lovers, or partners; and work that is meaningful. I want you to care about the character's emotional hurts and the misunderstandings that cause them to stumble and to cheer them on as they make choices that ultimately lead them to create empowered and fulfilling lives. As you read the last page, I hope my work will have given you that "Aww-that-was-so-good" feeling that makes you want to hop up and share the story with your best friends.

As an evocative writer, I bring strong images, memories, or feelings to mind. You will find my work filled with vivid metaphors, unique prose, and detailed descriptions that make you feel part of the scene. And alliteration. I go gaga over glorious alliteration. That's the kind of book I enjoy reading myself. My stories will always involve friendship and a love interest for my main character. You'll find swoon-worthy love scenes, but the sex will be "behind closed doors." You will find conflict at every turn, tension on most pages, and "cliffhangery" scene and chapter enders. I hope my overall style pleases and resonates with you and further deepens your reading experience.

I enjoy working with other writers through my freelance editorial business Four Eyes Editorial. I live with my husband and a pair of puppers in a sweet spot of South Carolina, between the Blue Ridge Mountains and some of the country's most beautiful beaches. I can be found reading or enjoying a glass of sauvignon blanc on my screened porch, gardening, at a yoga class, working at my blue desk, or at a farmer’s market in search of the perfect heirloom tomato.

Website: https:/elizabethsumnerwafler.com

Instagram: #elizabeth_sumner_wafler

Four Eyes Editorial: https://elizabethsumnerwafler.com/edi....

Reviews

[Linda Knauer]

I DNF the book. I made it about 30 pages, but the way the characters spoke and interacted just bugged me a lot.

[Allyson Gilbert · Rating 1 out of 5]

I tried so hard I really did. The story felt rushed and no general direction. The romance was cringey and couldn’t relate or understand the language used between the MCs. It was also frustrating how little they cared about their work and their deadline. Just wish the storyline was different and it took a different path! It was very fun that I could picture the setting of the book tho!!

[Michelle Freeman · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a sweet story. I live in Greenville SC, so when I found it at Barnes and Noble I just had to buy it. It’s definitely worth the time to read.

[Madison Cassavaugh · Rating 1 out of 5]

Gosh this book was just so cringy and shallow.

The two main characters are perfect from the get-go, meet under perfect conditions, and move full speed ahead into a perfect romance with the perfect outcome. I kept reading thinking “oh there must be something that happens late in the book,” but just kept waiting and waiting.

[Laurie Buchanan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I fell in love with "Christmas at Reedy Falls!" A perfect companion for the holidays, the characters bring the story to life in a captivating way. I was utterly engrossed, feeling the warmth and joy of the season with every page. For a cozy escape, grab a mug of hot chocolate and let this beautiful tale fill your heart. I highly recommend it!

[Rachel b00ksrmagic · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book is set in my hometown. I loved seeing all of the sites and watching two people fall in love in the picturesque park and Main Street and hotels of my local stomping grounds. I loved the shoutout to my favorite bookstore, M Judson Books. However, the dialogue was so unnatural I could not stay in the story. And the instant love (but no spice) and expecting deep levels of trust and commitment without even knowing each other and within days of meeting each other was so strange. I probably should have DNFd this one.

[Sam Slover · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was really excited for this as it is set in the city I fell in love with but I was let down. The character names were a bit of a hard grasp from the get go, and it was just not good. I felt like I was waiting for something to happen and then when it did, it was a little too far fetched. Usually this type of book would be a one day read for me, but it took me over a week to get past the first few chapters. I should’ve DNF’d :/

[Savannah Bradley · Rating 5 out of 5]

this the perfect romance novel for any Greenville sc lovers ❤️ it was so fun to read about a town I’ve grown up in and love so much.

[Ernestine Whitman · Rating 5 out of 5]

"If you're looking for an engaging, light romance, Christmas at Reedy Falls is a great choice. Written in first person, Wafler's chapters alternate between Mamie and Rob, capturing each young lover's initial inner thoughts and feelings of infatuation, then admiration, then developing love. The love story is deepened by tension from each one's past, Mamie's regarding a connection to the Navajo Nation, that generate a suspenseful tug of war between trust and doubt as they get to know each other. Wafler's vivid descriptions put the reader right in the scene, with plenty of sensual delights. A truly delectable romance!"
                  —Author Ernestine Whitman

[Katherine Dorosh · Rating 1 out of 5]

Oof. My Christmas books this year were all misses, with this one being the worst. I was excited for this book being from SC. That was the only redeeming quality to the book. I felt zero chemistry from either of the main characters. They were awkwardly just immediately attracted to each other like middle schoolers. Their inner dialogue felt like they were middle schoolers. They freaked out to each other over the smallest things. The small “mystery” in the story was never even solved. The book took place over the span of about 5 days and WAY too much happened in those days for it to even be remotely realistic. I was so bored the entire time. There were so many random details thrown in that didn’t contribute to the overall story. I think my mom would enjoy this story more, but it just wasn’t for me.

[Amy Ustanik · Rating 1 out of 5]

A young journalist from Charleston, Mamie Marrow, is assigned to work on an article featuring the Grand Bohemian Lodge in Greenville. She meets with the photographer for the article, Robert Fitzpatrick, and as they work on the assignment together they quickly make a connection during their short stay in Greenville.

Being from Greenville I appreciated all the references to the city. However, the romance was incredibly rushed and cringey. The dialogue was unnatural and I couldn’t stand the main characters, they came off as pretentious and irritating.

[Emily Lavender · Rating 2 out of 5]

I do not like insta-love, sorry. This book felt like grand bohemian lodge propaganda, like they paid the author to write this book. It went on way too long and felt repetitive.

[Mary Beth · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this delightful and engaging book! It’s a different sort of romance and not your typical formula. It is about love at first sight, which I totally believe in, but also about families and second changes. With an intriguing back story I was anxious to keep turning the pages until the heartwarming ending. A refreshingly different Christmas story!
5 🌟

[Not Even A Mouse · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was a sweet gift from Sammie. The story is nothing but sweet romantic, wholesome, first true love…starting in Charleston and quickly moving to downtown Greenville.

[Lucy · Rating 2 out of 5]

DNF :/ I really wanted to read this book, but I couldn’t get into the writing.

[Korin · Rating 1 out of 5]

Christmas romance?

Ugh I really hate doing this but I did not enjoy this book at all. I literally never dnf a book and I did this one. My book club chose this book and since we are all from or live near Greenville we were all very excited to read it. I was good the first couple chapters and then it got to a point where I had to set a timer to force myself to read. The main characters were so cringey I hate the nickname
sweetheart. I made it about halfway before I gave up. The writing was rough and the “slang” used was not modern but it seemed like the author was trying to make it modern if that even makes sense.

[Summer Song · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Christmas at Reedy Falls: A Romance" is the perfect Christmas book! The setting, characters, and story are written very well and with such clarity and a vividness that really makes the reader feel invested in this book. The characters feel three-dimensional and are so lovable! After reading this book I feel as if Rob and Mamie are friends of mine. This author is not only dedicated to her work but is also incredibly gifted! This author always does such wonderful work crafting stories that are original, thought-provoking, emotionally deep, sweet, swoony, and absolutely unforgettable! The speed of the plot is perfect, the writing style is smooth and dazzling with beauty, emotion, and originality, the characters are lovable, the romance is sweet, swoony, and perfect for anyone and everyone, and the story and its characters are amazing. I always love reading this author's books! They are always 5 star reads for me. I cannot recommend "Christmas at Reedy Falls" highly enough! This author is truly gifted and one of a kind. If you read only one book I've recommended this year read "Christmas at Reedy Falls"! It is original, refreshing, charming, emotionally deep, and is the perfect read for any time of year but especially right now as we are getting closer to Christmas. I love this book! Read "Christmas at Reedy Falls"! You will be so glad you did.

I had the absolute joy of being a beta reader for this book! Thank you very much to the author for the great opportunity and for providing me with a finished physical copy to read and review honestly.

[Chile at NoShelf.Control · Rating 1 out of 5]

I’m going to be real honest here. I started this book almost a year ago, and stopped reading around page 80 or so. I wasn’t super feeling it at the time, but I also had a lot going on so I also entered into a big reading slump then and figured I’d continue reading once I was ready again.

I picked it up again, finally, last night and I really wanted to like this one, but not even 10 pages later and I quickly remembered that part of the reason I didn’t get far last year was because I couldn’t connect with the story or the characters.

I felt like I was reading a romcom written by a teenager who was writing how they presume adults flirt and experience new romance. The writing style kept taking me out of the story and I had to DNF and admit that this story was just not for me. And I rarely ever DNF.

The final straws were lines like “That’s what I call him in my private thoughts now” or “…checking out her legs and shapely rear view, as most of the men in the room seem to be, but my perfect gentleman’s eyes are glued not to hers, but to mine in the jumpsuit”. Just seemed like something ChatGPT could write, especially where fancier words were suddenly added; like how we would use a thesaurus in high to change random words to sound more eloquent.


DNF’d on page 90.

[Jaime · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book took place in Greenville and that is the only redeeming quality. I did not like the characters. I did not enjoy their insta-love and I abhor the nicknames they constantly use. Mamie was so career focused in beginning and then when they had a deadline she took her sweet time getting to work and going shopping it made no sense. She also magically got over the fact that she did not want to get married or have kids. I did not enjoy Rob’s constant discussion about “how adorable” Mammie was. I did know this book wasn’t for me when he stated that their 5 year age difference was the perfect age gap between a man and a woman but I can’t not finish what I started so I angrily read 80% of the book. I am sure that some people will enjoy this book and as I said the setting is wonderful and I love the Grand Bohemian at Christmas time but I dislike the I love you after 48 hours of knowing someone. To me it just feels like false intimacy.

[C · Rating 4 out of 5]

A delightful, clean, meet-cute contemporary romance, that is very fast-paced but offers character growth through hard personal histories and current fears. There felt like some plot continuity holes in the middle around timeline, but I am very glad to have found this book at my local bookstore, as this is a breath of fresh air in the romance genre.

Also, emphasis on the clean romance portion, as this might be the cleanest adult romance I've ever read. Rating: G or PG; I think pre-teens could handle the content, even if they don't understand everything the characters are going through.

[Jody Crawford · Rating 5 out of 5]

Set in beautiful downtown Greenville and the Grand Bohemian Lodge makes you want to visit to take it all in. Living in this area makes me want to take a day to just walk around again.
This lighthearted romance is a great Christmas read. The parallel of the main characters Mamie and Rob with the couple celebrating their 60th anniversary Betty and Gary gives ‘meet-cute’ love credibility.
I’ve not read much over the past 15-20 years and this was a great fast read, leaving to want to keep reading.

[Matt And · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very easy to read book and the story was very Hallmark Christmas movie vibe. I found myself a little annoyed with the drama the main characters kept running through their heads. The majority of the book covered only a five-day period, so I just felt the emotions/thoughts were a bit much at times given the timeline. The story was very sweet, and I would totally recommend it. I loved the Christmas theme, and I had recently visited this area of Greenville, so it was cool to be able to actually picture the places in my head as I read.

[Carla · Rating 3 out of 5]

I loved the instant connection between Mamie and Robert when they first meet on their way to Greenville, SC. I also loved the fact that Mamie inherits a box of artifacts from her late grandfather that helps in restoring her memories of him and serves of a reminder of her true heritage. But sometimes I felt like the story wasn't progressing in that there always was the back and forth between the two of flirting and being standoffish. There's little to no on screen spice but a few more kissing scenes would have made their romance more enticing.

[Tara · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5/5⭐️

A cute & cozish Christmas read. Also a zero spice (🎉), meet-cute romance that takes place in Greenville, SC.

3.5 stars because the language is a little unrealistic—the way they talk to each other sounds a little too cheesy to be real, and it doesn’t get deep enough for the ending to be the way it is (for me, at least). The characters are love able though, but it only goes so deep, despite the potential to go deeper.

**A thank you to my friend Mia that gifted this to me last year for Christmas! Always neat to read a book that takes place somewhere that I have personally visited!

[Francene Katzen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book. The first thing I loved about this book was the cover. So pretty and happy. Also love a great holiday book and this was it for me. I really think you can read this book anytime of the year. Greenville, SC is always been a place I wanted to visit so I knew from the start I wanted to read this story. I highly recomment this book. The first time reading this author for me, but now I want to read everything she has ever written. 5 stars for me.

[Price · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a fun read being from Greenville with the setting at the Grand Bohemian hotel. I enjoyed all the downtown references but the Native Americans parts of the story felt underdeveloped and never reached true resolution. The way the characters spoke to each other felt over the top and while it was a whirlwind romance with some realistic moments overall it felt fake. Still a fun Christmas rom com but was quite haphazard with its plot.

[Laurie Leilo · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a charming romance set in Greenville, SC at the Grand Bohemian Lodge! Being from this area and Charleston SC, I just had to read it, especially around Christmas time!
It was fun and very nostalgic to read the author’s wonderful descriptions of several places we go visit regularly. It was definitely worth the time to read!

[Cindy Watters · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is best kind of Christmas book...filled with all the festive feelings, magic and sparkle of the season. It is sweet and captiviating. I really want to visit the Grand Bohemian Lodge and try some of the restuarnats mentioned in the book. Grab a hot beverage and be qucikly swept into this endearing read!

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

The prefect book for the Christmas season. This book is so very special to me because the setting is in Greenville where I live. It focuses on the Grand Bohemian Lodge in downtown which I have been to many times. Wonderful story!

[Kristin Couch · Rating 3 out of 5]

As a native of Greenville I was excited to read this book. Especially around Christmas. I loved the little nods to our adorable city. I wasn’t super fond of the characters and their romance but it was still a fun quick read.