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Christmas Wishes #1
Santa's Secret
An alternative cover edition can be found here
Will the magic still be there when they wake on Christmas morning?
Having long since lost his Christmas spirit, Rudi comes to Santa s Secret Village looking to sell the resort. His seven-year-old daughter already knows the truth about Santa, and neither of them is particularly in the mood for the festive season.
Practically a recluse since the death of her husband, Eva s not looking for romance. Her trip to Santa s Village is for the sole purpose of making Christmas more festive this year for her young son. But Eva brings an unexpected sparkle to Rudi and Isabel s lives that renews their belief in the spirit of Christmas.
As the weather grows colder, things heat up between Rudi and Eva. But will the magic still be there when they wake on Christmas morning?
48,102 Words
Will the magic still be there when they wake on Christmas morning?
Having long since lost his Christmas spirit, Rudi comes to Santa s Secret Village looking to sell the resort. His seven-year-old daughter already knows the truth about Santa, and neither of them is particularly in the mood for the festive season.
Practically a recluse since the death of her husband, Eva s not looking for romance. Her trip to Santa s Village is for the sole purpose of making Christmas more festive this year for her young son. But Eva brings an unexpected sparkle to Rudi and Isabel s lives that renews their belief in the spirit of Christmas.
As the weather grows colder, things heat up between Rudi and Eva. But will the magic still be there when they wake on Christmas morning?
48,102 Words
146 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 7, 2013
1155 people are currently reading
759 people want to read
About the author
Serenity Woods
171 books917 followersUSA Today bestselling author Serenity Woods writes feel-good romances full of friends, family, and falling in love. Most of her stories are set in Godzone, aka Aotearoa New Zealand, where she lives.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 155 reviews
November 12, 2017
Everything Christmas with love in the air
My first Christmas book of 2017 and what a good choice it was. Serenity Woods writes lovely romances and when they include the holiday they shine.
Eva and Oscar are at a Christmas village when they meet Rudolph and issue. The setting was delightful and these four warmed my heart in such a grand way.
It triggered Christmas spirit and a sense of hope for romance. This is an excellent book to start this Christmas series.
My first Christmas book of 2017 and what a good choice it was. Serenity Woods writes lovely romances and when they include the holiday they shine.
Eva and Oscar are at a Christmas village when they meet Rudolph and issue. The setting was delightful and these four warmed my heart in such a grand way.
It triggered Christmas spirit and a sense of hope for romance. This is an excellent book to start this Christmas series.
January 10, 2015
Santa's secretSanta’s Secret is a warm and sexy Christmas novella that will definitely get you in the festive spirit. Set in Finland in a Christmas holiday village (I so want to go there!), you’ve got Santa, reindeer and the Northern Lights. There is a slight cheesiness go it, for example our heroine is called Eva, and is regularly referred to by the hero as his ‘Christmas Eva’ and wait for it… the hero is called Rudolph, yes Rudolph. Rudi (thankfully) for short.
Our hero and heroine are both single parents, both needing to move on in different ways and different reasons. Eva our heroine, mother to 3 year old Oscar is on holiday to try and give her and son a lovely Christmas following the death of her husband and his father. Rudi and his daughter Isabel are trying to reconnect and bond following Rudi’s divorce from his wife.
This is a warm and cosy romance. It had a real sense of family and as a mother of a 3 year old myself it was fun reading about a single mother of one and how she handled it. Of course it was a somewhat idealistic view, but this is after all a Christmas romance.
As I mentioned before there are some slightly tongue-in-cheek aspects of the story. The names of course, when we first meet Rudi he is in Rudolph slippers, but it was toned down enough to make you smile without slipping into the super cheesy zone.
The chemistry is instantaneous, but the author really managed to create a sense of anticipation as the relationship blossomed between Eva and Rudi. The nervousness and excitement and the trepidation, it felt realistic like how you would feel after embarking on a relationship after a divorce or being widowed.
I liked the children in the mix of the story, it added to the Christmassy theme. Got to love excited children and Santa and presents. But it gave depth to Eva and Rudi’s characters watching how they interacted and cared for their children. I enjoyed experiencing the Santa’s Village attractions through the characters.
I’m not sure what ‘Santa’s Secret’ was, not sure the title quite worked. Perhaps it’s just his secret that miracles can happen at Christmas? It didn’t seem to really make sense with the story. But that’s a minor comment.
Verdict
If you want a quick, easy and cosy Christmas read then this is a fun way to fill a peaceful festive afternoon. Christmas, surprisingly sexy, cheer with a much needed happy ending.
Rating: 3 Stars
Our hero and heroine are both single parents, both needing to move on in different ways and different reasons. Eva our heroine, mother to 3 year old Oscar is on holiday to try and give her and son a lovely Christmas following the death of her husband and his father. Rudi and his daughter Isabel are trying to reconnect and bond following Rudi’s divorce from his wife.
This is a warm and cosy romance. It had a real sense of family and as a mother of a 3 year old myself it was fun reading about a single mother of one and how she handled it. Of course it was a somewhat idealistic view, but this is after all a Christmas romance.
As I mentioned before there are some slightly tongue-in-cheek aspects of the story. The names of course, when we first meet Rudi he is in Rudolph slippers, but it was toned down enough to make you smile without slipping into the super cheesy zone.
The chemistry is instantaneous, but the author really managed to create a sense of anticipation as the relationship blossomed between Eva and Rudi. The nervousness and excitement and the trepidation, it felt realistic like how you would feel after embarking on a relationship after a divorce or being widowed.
I liked the children in the mix of the story, it added to the Christmassy theme. Got to love excited children and Santa and presents. But it gave depth to Eva and Rudi’s characters watching how they interacted and cared for their children. I enjoyed experiencing the Santa’s Village attractions through the characters.
I’m not sure what ‘Santa’s Secret’ was, not sure the title quite worked. Perhaps it’s just his secret that miracles can happen at Christmas? It didn’t seem to really make sense with the story. But that’s a minor comment.
Verdict
If you want a quick, easy and cosy Christmas read then this is a fun way to fill a peaceful festive afternoon. Christmas, surprisingly sexy, cheer with a much needed happy ending.
Rating: 3 Stars
December 20, 2014
I am a sucker for a good holiday book. I can't help it. The holidays are the one time that I am totally okay with a good smaltzy read. I saw the cover of this book on Netgalley and after reading the blurb went ahead and grabbed it, being auto approved for Kensington books.
What the blurb doesn't say is that this story is set in Finland. The male protagonist is Finnish and the female is from New Zealand via the UK. Rudi has a 7 year old daughter and Eva has a 3 year old son. Rudi is divorced and Eva is widowed. They are at Santa's Secret Village for very different reasons. Rudi is there to reconnect with his daughter and evaluate the resort, deciding whether or not to sell it Eva is there to escape from the mildly suffocating presence of her In-Laws and enjoy a quiet Christmas with her son. Neither was expecting to find love.
This was a surprisingly sweet yet steamy read. The tone of the book reminded me very much of the old Betty Neels books that I used to read, but with much more explicit smexy times. It was a refreshingly different read. Enough so, that I will be taking a look at some of the author's other works; specifically her 2 free reads: Stranded With a Scotsman & Treat with Caution. This earned 3 stars from me.
What the blurb doesn't say is that this story is set in Finland. The male protagonist is Finnish and the female is from New Zealand via the UK. Rudi has a 7 year old daughter and Eva has a 3 year old son. Rudi is divorced and Eva is widowed. They are at Santa's Secret Village for very different reasons. Rudi is there to reconnect with his daughter and evaluate the resort, deciding whether or not to sell it Eva is there to escape from the mildly suffocating presence of her In-Laws and enjoy a quiet Christmas with her son. Neither was expecting to find love.
This was a surprisingly sweet yet steamy read. The tone of the book reminded me very much of the old Betty Neels books that I used to read, but with much more explicit smexy times. It was a refreshingly different read. Enough so, that I will be taking a look at some of the author's other works; specifically her 2 free reads: Stranded With a Scotsman & Treat with Caution. This earned 3 stars from me.
December 28, 2024
Okay. OKAY.
So I'm in the holiday spirit with all these Christmas stories.
So what!?
Ahem.
Serenity Woods has quickly become my go-to author for real life romance when all else fails and I want to bang my head against the wall with frustration against certain books. She writes lively, dynamic characters, who inevitably have so much REALNESS in them, if that's even a word. They're down to Earth, relatable, and actually react the way a normal person would.
Rudi and Eva were no exceptions, and to top it off, the location being Santa's Village up in Finland just made this story all the more precious.
I can't help it. It's December, finally!
And oh, yes, Ms Woods does in fact write steamy scenes VERY well.
So I'm in the holiday spirit with all these Christmas stories.
So what!?
Ahem.
Serenity Woods has quickly become my go-to author for real life romance when all else fails and I want to bang my head against the wall with frustration against certain books. She writes lively, dynamic characters, who inevitably have so much REALNESS in them, if that's even a word. They're down to Earth, relatable, and actually react the way a normal person would.
Rudi and Eva were no exceptions, and to top it off, the location being Santa's Village up in Finland just made this story all the more precious.
I can't help it. It's December, finally!
And oh, yes, Ms Woods does in fact write steamy scenes VERY well.
January 10, 2020
Wonderful hero. Tender love scenes. Cute kids. Terrific romance in general and a fun holiday read.
Read
December 19, 2017LOOOOOOOOOVED!!!
November 26, 2025
I DNF'd this about 1/4 of the way in. Just could not get into it!
November 20, 2017
As a person living in Finland this book got my attention right away.. but there a few things that i was confused with..
the books info states that "...But then they meet Eva, struggling with a suitcase that bursts and scatters her underwear in the snow."
In book it was written as if the suitcase only had crashed to the ground without being opened...
Its just.. I was waiting for the embarrassing moment to happen and it didn't...
THEN i got more confused in book it was written-> "She checked her watch. She'd set it to Finnish time on the plane, but although it read 4 o'clock, in the UK it was after six."
LIKE HELLO?! if you start writing a book can you please check the time zone thingy? Its the opposite if its 4 o'clock in Finland its 2 o'clock in the UK... (cause UK have that prime Meridian line and its always + if you are heading towards Finland...)
Its a small thing yeah but it got under my skin for some sad reason ... then The Finnish words were written incorrectly .... (NOT ALL but there is no such word as mina, han etc... ITS MINÄ HÄN... yeah i know petty dots just missing but its a big deal... if you want to write something in Finnish at least write them correctly or Finns wouldn't understand... Plus seriously no one says "ARMAS" nowadays... its a such old word that usually is only used in poetry... even i didnt know what it was and I lived here for 10 years...
but all in all a easy reading book with HEA...
October 21, 2017
Santa’s Secret by Serenity Woods
Christmas Wishes #1
Is anyone ever too old for magic at Christmas? Well, if you think you are then pick up this book up and find out you are wrong! What is more magical than a Christmas village in Finland with everything a child and parent might need to make memories that will last a lifetime!
Eva and her son Oscar are at Santa’s Village for a few days to experience a joyful Christmas. At three Oscar knows what he wants and hopes to get it. He is a bit of a terror but oh so sweet and Eva a wonderful warm and caring single mom and widow. When Eva sees Rudi on the duplex porch when she arrives she is very aware of just how gorgeous he is. Rudi is there with his very mature perfectly behaved seven year old daughter, Isabel. Rudi’s mother hopes this trip to Santa’s Village will provide her son and granddaughter the opportunity to reconnect that they desperately need. The two families spend time and have fun together BUT this is just a short trip so how can there be more than a fling at best? Well, with the spirit of Christmas in the air and magic at hand there just might be a HEA for everyone.
I loved this story! I have a strong feeling you will, too!
Thank you to the author for the copy of this novella – this is my honest review.
5 Stars
Christmas Wishes #1
Is anyone ever too old for magic at Christmas? Well, if you think you are then pick up this book up and find out you are wrong! What is more magical than a Christmas village in Finland with everything a child and parent might need to make memories that will last a lifetime!
Eva and her son Oscar are at Santa’s Village for a few days to experience a joyful Christmas. At three Oscar knows what he wants and hopes to get it. He is a bit of a terror but oh so sweet and Eva a wonderful warm and caring single mom and widow. When Eva sees Rudi on the duplex porch when she arrives she is very aware of just how gorgeous he is. Rudi is there with his very mature perfectly behaved seven year old daughter, Isabel. Rudi’s mother hopes this trip to Santa’s Village will provide her son and granddaughter the opportunity to reconnect that they desperately need. The two families spend time and have fun together BUT this is just a short trip so how can there be more than a fling at best? Well, with the spirit of Christmas in the air and magic at hand there just might be a HEA for everyone.
I loved this story! I have a strong feeling you will, too!
Thank you to the author for the copy of this novella – this is my honest review.
5 Stars
November 13, 2017
I picked this book up on Amazon because it was on sale. Honestly the cover didn’t really do much to sell me on this book but the blurb seems interesting enough. I was VERY pleasantly surprised because this book ended up being really good.
It’s a bit of instalove but done really well, making it really believable. I adore the addition of the kids. Oscar, who’s kind of a handful, is the perfect way to bring back a little Christmas magic into Isabel’s life. Nothing makes a story feel more Christmasy than seeing the holiday through the eyes of children.
At first I was put off by the lack of contractions in the dialogue from Rudi but after it’s explained that English is not his first language but rather one of many languages he speaks, it makes total sense and even adds to the story.
This was a romantic and fun story with some pretty steamy scenes that were actually surprising to me (Go Rudi!). I think this might be one of those books that I pick up yearly.
It’s a bit of instalove but done really well, making it really believable. I adore the addition of the kids. Oscar, who’s kind of a handful, is the perfect way to bring back a little Christmas magic into Isabel’s life. Nothing makes a story feel more Christmasy than seeing the holiday through the eyes of children.
At first I was put off by the lack of contractions in the dialogue from Rudi but after it’s explained that English is not his first language but rather one of many languages he speaks, it makes total sense and even adds to the story.
This was a romantic and fun story with some pretty steamy scenes that were actually surprising to me (Go Rudi!). I think this might be one of those books that I pick up yearly.
April 30, 2018
Okay, so two single parents, he divorced, she widowed, meet in a special Christmas-marketing (or: Christmas magic spreading) village over the Christmas period. The inevitable happens.
The plot was not bad at all, however, I personally found the narration style a bit wooden, the protagonists weak and stereotypical, and the dialogues stilted. I just could not follow the thought processes of the main characters, nor would I believe the sudden change of heart of the divorced wife, or the mother-in-law - unless their expected behaviour was only in the mind of the protagonists, then it should have been made clearer.
On the whole, a nice enough story to occupy an hour or two, but nothing I would be interested in continuing as a series. Sorry.
The plot was not bad at all, however, I personally found the narration style a bit wooden, the protagonists weak and stereotypical, and the dialogues stilted. I just could not follow the thought processes of the main characters, nor would I believe the sudden change of heart of the divorced wife, or the mother-in-law - unless their expected behaviour was only in the mind of the protagonists, then it should have been made clearer.
On the whole, a nice enough story to occupy an hour or two, but nothing I would be interested in continuing as a series. Sorry.
December 15, 2020
3.5 stars
This book was fine. I didn't dislike it, but I also didn't love it. I enjoyed it for what it was, a short and sexy Christmas book but I won't ever read it again.
There was something about the writing style that threw me off. Maybe I'm too used to contemporary stories being written in first person and this one was written in third person.
The heroine kept referring to the hero as a viking in her head, which was fine at first, but it got weird as it continued. Especially when they were in bed.
The bedroom scenes were very detailed and very sexy, well written and different each time they did it.
I'm glad it had a happy ending and I'm also glad it was only 184 pages!
This book was fine. I didn't dislike it, but I also didn't love it. I enjoyed it for what it was, a short and sexy Christmas book but I won't ever read it again.
There was something about the writing style that threw me off. Maybe I'm too used to contemporary stories being written in first person and this one was written in third person.
The heroine kept referring to the hero as a viking in her head, which was fine at first, but it got weird as it continued. Especially when they were in bed.
The bedroom scenes were very detailed and very sexy, well written and different each time they did it.
I'm glad it had a happy ending and I'm also glad it was only 184 pages!
December 27, 2017
It was a beautiful story! In keeping in the Season he is named Rudi & she’s named Eva, like the Night Before Christmas! They each have a child, Isabel for him & Oscar for her. I always try to read a Christmas story and usually they are Serenity’s ! She writes so, well that you really get to know the characters, can laugh with them & even shed a tear at the appropriate time!
I definitely would recommend this story for a Christmas.
I voluntarily read and reviewed honestly an Advanced Reader Copy of this
Book
I definitely would recommend this story for a Christmas.
I voluntarily read and reviewed honestly an Advanced Reader Copy of this
Book
November 7, 2017
3 1/2. 4 stars. My first book by this author. Set in a Christmas Village in Finland. My absolute favorite thing about this story. So magical. And your never to old for Christmas magic. I absolutely want to go to Finland visit Santa's Secret Village now. I liked Rudi. Cute name and Eva. Though I connected and liked Rudi more. I loved when he spoke Finnish. I adored Rudi's daughter, Isabelle and Eva's son Oscar. A cute little Christmas story.
December 1, 2017
Everyone needs a little magic at Christmas and Santa's Secret Village is just the place to find it. Rudi is a divorced single dad who needs to reconnect with his young daughter no longer believes in Santa, he also owns Santa's Village. Eva is a widow, with a young son, who needs some love in her life. Both think they might be having a holiday fling but soon discover that there is magic at Christmas and get their happy ever after.
November 26, 2017
This wasn't a bad book, the characters where fine and nothing offensive or awful happened. But I found that I stopped reading for a few minutes to go do something and COMPLETELY forgot I was reading this book. A few weeks later I happened to open the kindle app on my tablet and could barely remember what was going on in the book.
January 15, 2018
I hate to say I gave up on this one early on. Just couldn't get into it. Maybe it was the setting, Finland. Didn't care for the characters either. Someone else might feel differently but it just didn't work for me.
Want to read
December 13, 2023🎁 FREE on Amazon today (12/8/2019)! 🎁
January 17, 2025
Rudi is going through a divorce; Eva is a young widow still recovering from her loss. He owns Santa’s Secret Village in the Arctic Circle and is looking to sell it off. He no longer has any Christmas spirit, nor does his daughter who has already learned the "truth" about Santa. And then they meet the young woman and her son in the cottage next to them. Thier overflowing enthusiasm for Santa soon has Rudi and his daughter Isabel questioning their own hearts. Eva’s not looking for romance and has rented the cottage to pull herself, and her son, out of a bad case of the blues. The kids become pals and the adults fall in love under the northern lights. I wrote to Serenity and said this was the most perfect romance I have ever read.
January 19, 2025
Loved it!
Steamy and fun to read. The stars aligned for Eva because she met her dream man and had a Christmas that exceeded her expectations in every way.
Steamy and fun to read. The stars aligned for Eva because she met her dream man and had a Christmas that exceeded her expectations in every way.
November 22, 2025
Such fun stories in this series! ***
January 7, 2025
Another excellent holiday read from Serenity Woods.
Eva, a young widow with a small boy takes him on a trip to Finland for Christmas. In the chalet next to hers, she finds Rudi.
"When the viking smiled, Eva's breath caught, a tingle running between her shoulder blades and down her spine. It had been a long time since a man had looked at her like that, as a woman and not as a mother, as if it didn't matter she had a bawling child in her arms, which usually caused men to act as if she sprayed herself with repellant. "
Finnish Rudi is a divorced father of a young girl. He's at the park on business.
"He remembered the moment he'd turned to see her standing there, arms full of suitcases, eyes wide as she stared at him. She'd worn a thick brown duffle coat and a scarlet scarf that had complimented her sleek, dark hair and the rosy flush in her cheeks."
From there the story has its ups and downs, laughter, tears and more spice than a mulled wine.
Thank you Serenity for offering this great story for free in the lead up to Christmas.
Eva, a young widow with a small boy takes him on a trip to Finland for Christmas. In the chalet next to hers, she finds Rudi.
"When the viking smiled, Eva's breath caught, a tingle running between her shoulder blades and down her spine. It had been a long time since a man had looked at her like that, as a woman and not as a mother, as if it didn't matter she had a bawling child in her arms, which usually caused men to act as if she sprayed herself with repellant. "
Finnish Rudi is a divorced father of a young girl. He's at the park on business.
"He remembered the moment he'd turned to see her standing there, arms full of suitcases, eyes wide as she stared at him. She'd worn a thick brown duffle coat and a scarlet scarf that had complimented her sleek, dark hair and the rosy flush in her cheeks."
From there the story has its ups and downs, laughter, tears and more spice than a mulled wine.
Thank you Serenity for offering this great story for free in the lead up to Christmas.
December 31, 2024
Cute and sweet holiday romance. Single mum, single dad, Santa’s village and holiday love, Santa’s Secret has it all! Eva and Rudi were very sweet.
December 27, 2024
It could have been sappy, but was so well done. The love scene in Chapter 11 is one of the most genuine and tender I've ever read. The book is set in Lapland which I found very interesting,
December 26, 2024
Typically sweet Christmas romance. This one is between two single parents who meet in Santa’s Secret Village and the Magic of Christmas infuses them all. A fun, quick read.
December 25, 2024
Love Christmas
Love Christmas stories. The feeling of a blessed season and romance. Wonderful characters with a realistic story. Enjoyed this book.
Love Christmas stories. The feeling of a blessed season and romance. Wonderful characters with a realistic story. Enjoyed this book.
December 18, 2024
Rudi is the divorced father of a young daughter. A busy businessman, he rarely spends time with her. Most of the time during his custodial periods, she lives with his mother. His ex-wife is bullying her into an eating disorder, but Rudi barely seems to notice. Eva is a widow with a young son of her own, a terror who blows drink bubbles on everyone surrounding him at the table. She indulges him endlessly because she feels guilty about insufficiently mourning her husband, who she didn't really love. It's not a good sign that when Rudi and Eva meet the main points of interest are 1) gosh, I hope things get better for these two neglected kids and 2) what is Santa's secret (it's painfully dull)?
December 18, 2014
Mixing in the traditions and feel of the holiday with a nice mix of traditions, heart, hope, love and that particular flavor that comes from children, Serenity Woods has hit every note in this wonderful little holiday romance.
Santa’s Secret Village Resort in Lapland, Finland is the setting for this story, and Eva and her three year old son Oscar are there to bring him a good and happy memory. Widowed just over a year before the story begins, Eva still isn’t ‘feeling’ the holidays, but wants Oscar to find the joy and fun in the holiday.
Rudi is the resort owner, and he and his seven year old daughter Isabel are going through the motions. A divorce and a lack of ‘spirit’ have him contemplating selling the resort and looking for a new venture.
Eva and Oscar are assigned to the cabin next to Rudi and Isabel, and instantly the two adults are intrigued. When the kids get along as well, and Isabel is drawn into the wonder of Christmas from the young Oscar, her lack of belief in “Santa” begins to waver. Far from being shuffled off and minor players in the story, these two children help their parents to believe in possibilities, and take a chance on their own relationship.
And what a whirlwind that relationship is: beautifully developed and given the right amount of hesitancy on both Rudi and Eva’s parts, their acknowledgement of the building attraction and allowing themselves to enjoy that attraction spiced up the story with some heat, yet never at the expense of the heart.
Sierra Donovan created a smooth-reading, emotionally intriguing story with plenty of heart and just enough heat. A lovely holiday romance!
I received an eArc copy of the title from the publisher via NetGalley for purpose of honest review. I was not compensated for this review: all conclusions are my own responsibility.
Santa’s Secret Village Resort in Lapland, Finland is the setting for this story, and Eva and her three year old son Oscar are there to bring him a good and happy memory. Widowed just over a year before the story begins, Eva still isn’t ‘feeling’ the holidays, but wants Oscar to find the joy and fun in the holiday.
Rudi is the resort owner, and he and his seven year old daughter Isabel are going through the motions. A divorce and a lack of ‘spirit’ have him contemplating selling the resort and looking for a new venture.
Eva and Oscar are assigned to the cabin next to Rudi and Isabel, and instantly the two adults are intrigued. When the kids get along as well, and Isabel is drawn into the wonder of Christmas from the young Oscar, her lack of belief in “Santa” begins to waver. Far from being shuffled off and minor players in the story, these two children help their parents to believe in possibilities, and take a chance on their own relationship.
And what a whirlwind that relationship is: beautifully developed and given the right amount of hesitancy on both Rudi and Eva’s parts, their acknowledgement of the building attraction and allowing themselves to enjoy that attraction spiced up the story with some heat, yet never at the expense of the heart.
Sierra Donovan created a smooth-reading, emotionally intriguing story with plenty of heart and just enough heat. A lovely holiday romance!
I received an eArc copy of the title from the publisher via NetGalley for purpose of honest review. I was not compensated for this review: all conclusions are my own responsibility.
November 27, 2018
Well, not bad but not really good either. I expected more.
I liked the beginning: getting to know the characters and their pasts, the descriptions of Santa's Secret Village and so on. I loved the getting to know each other, the children becoming friends, all the fun and playing and the lots of snow - in short: the bit of Christmassy Magic pouring from the pages.
That lasted until it turned, I'm sorry, into an sexfest. Not that I'm against it in books or stories, quiet the opposite. But it was... I don't know... it didn't fit into the story. If this one ended with a kiss - like the one in the sleigh -, that would have been a perfect story.
And once there, did we really need a repeat performance? (no I didn't find it particularly hot like the other reviewers)
For me it ruined the story. Same with the rushed ending. All those pages to cover the few days before Christmas and than what? A handful more to sprint through a span of 2+ years?
Also, I'd've really liked a bit more inside into Vanessa and Bridget - I couldn't help but be irritated by especially Vanessa's fast accepting of her Ex's new love-interest, when before she seemed so totally self-centered.
I rate the book with 3 out of 5 stars. The good, 70% Christmas-family-falling -in-love-story, outweighing the not-so-good.
I liked the beginning: getting to know the characters and their pasts, the descriptions of Santa's Secret Village and so on. I loved the getting to know each other, the children becoming friends, all the fun and playing and the lots of snow - in short: the bit of Christmassy Magic pouring from the pages.
That lasted until it turned, I'm sorry, into an sexfest. Not that I'm against it in books or stories, quiet the opposite. But it was... I don't know... it didn't fit into the story. If this one ended with a kiss - like the one in the sleigh -, that would have been a perfect story.
And once there, did we really need a repeat performance? (no I didn't find it particularly hot like the other reviewers)
For me it ruined the story. Same with the rushed ending. All those pages to cover the few days before Christmas and than what? A handful more to sprint through a span of 2+ years?
Also, I'd've really liked a bit more inside into Vanessa and Bridget - I couldn't help but be irritated by especially Vanessa's fast accepting of her Ex's new love-interest, when before she seemed so totally self-centered.
I rate the book with 3 out of 5 stars. The good, 70% Christmas-family-falling -in-love-story, outweighing the not-so-good.
November 23, 2014
This was a really good story about Eva who is almost a recluse. She lost her husband 18 months prior to the start of the story and wants to bring some joy to Oscar, her 3 year old son by flying from London to Lapland so he can enjoy the magic of Christmas at a Santa’s Secret Village Resort.
Rudi, a workaholic divorced father of a 7 year old daughter and owner of the resort has long sense lost any joy in Christmas. His daughter already knows the truth about Santa and neither have much interest in being at the resort. His primary plan is to evaluate the resort before he puts it on the market.
Then Eva and Oscar move into the cabin next door and they begin to spend time with Rudi and Isabel. They all start to have fun. Rudi and Eva are attracted to each other instantly and find themselves spending time together with and without the children. The story morphs into a romance. With their time together limited they wonder if it’s just a sexual attraction or could they make a long distance relationship work?
Pros: The author knows how to weave a tale and the characterization and pacing of the novel is good.
Cons: I felt the transition from attraction to a sexual relationship then love was really too quick.
Would I recommend? Yes, if you like sexy romances by a good writer.
Rudi, a workaholic divorced father of a 7 year old daughter and owner of the resort has long sense lost any joy in Christmas. His daughter already knows the truth about Santa and neither have much interest in being at the resort. His primary plan is to evaluate the resort before he puts it on the market.
Then Eva and Oscar move into the cabin next door and they begin to spend time with Rudi and Isabel. They all start to have fun. Rudi and Eva are attracted to each other instantly and find themselves spending time together with and without the children. The story morphs into a romance. With their time together limited they wonder if it’s just a sexual attraction or could they make a long distance relationship work?
Pros: The author knows how to weave a tale and the characterization and pacing of the novel is good.
Cons: I felt the transition from attraction to a sexual relationship then love was really too quick.
Would I recommend? Yes, if you like sexy romances by a good writer.
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