Christmas at Pinecone Cottage: Snowy Vail Series Book 1

by Clare Keyes

Four best friends from college decide it’s time to make up for lost time.

It’s been nearly 15 years since they graduated from college together and life hasn’t gone as expected for Scarlett, Madison, Hannah, or Marcy.

After years of chasing careers and heartbreak, they decide it’s time to reunite their friendship. For once, everything else can wait.

The best friends start planning and decide it’s time to book a trip over Christmas.

This year, it will be Christmas at the Pinecone Cottage in the snowy mountains of Vail, Colorado. What they expected to be a simple relaxing weekend away turned into a life-changing getaway.

From pain to redemption…from broken hearts to true love… Follow the best friends’ journey as they attempt to find life’s true meaning.

This Christmas romance will warm your heart and keep you on the edge of your seat this Christmas season.

This is Book 1 of 6 in the Snowy Vail Series.

Audible Audio

Published May 19, 2024

Reviews

[Lia Lorimer · Rating 3 out of 5]

The idea behind this story was the magnet for my interest. Unfortunately, the first half of the book was rather disappointing (and I almost stopped reading!) as the characters were mature women who behaved like teenagers, with their main focus seeming to be on getting drunk as soon as possible each day. Marcy gives her friends potentially devastating news, then refuses to allow any further discussion or questions.
In Chapter 2, Madison is distraught by her fiancé breaking off their relationship…but is immediately attracted to their landlord at the cottage!
Moving on…the gift exchange idea, which reflected how well they knew each other, was a nice touch and their relationship discussions were potentially helpful, giving them each food for thought. The plot definitely improved as the story progressed and, although there are several more books in the series, this first book did not end on a cliff-hanger.
I hope the typos and errors have been addressed prior to publication. Hannah, while on her flight to join her friends) is suddenly referred to as Madison by the author.
I was given a free ARC copy and am posting an honest review.

[Lauri · Rating 2 out of 5]

Meh. Virtual voice narration was lackluster.

[Kath · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an exciting and interesting read learning about these 4 ladies who are best of friends for many years. They are all caring, compassionate women who genuinely care for each other and have their own personal lives they are having to deal with and this Christmas weekend was the perfect way to talk and visit these realities out.

Scarlett is a lawyer in New York city and loves the excitement and work that goes along with being a lawyer in New York City. She is single, attractive and dating no one as she puts all her time into her work. However, she met Luke a tow truck driver who took her to her destination after pulling off the road because of a blizzard. They visited during the 2 hr drive the cabin from Denver airport. Madison has just been through a brutal breakup, her fiancees request with wedding plans already in place and most paid for. He dropped her off, she feel out of his vehicle and he couldn't even check to see that she had skinned knees and hands. She helps Asher, the owner of the cottage they are staying at, while he gets the backup generator going for their loss of power.

Marcy who found the cottage and is the mother hen and planner for the group is having her first Christmas with a cancer diagnosis and husband is out of town with work. Hannah is a mother of an adorable little girl, Gracie. Hannah loves Oliver, but Oliver says that he has fallen out of love with Hannah, who is heartbroken by all of this. Oliver's turn to have Gracie, so that is why Hannah was able to go along on this trip for Christmas Cottage.

Lots of fun was to be had at the cottage by these women. They enjoyed adult beverages along with playing drunk Twister, doing manicures, making meals and planning goals. These goals are to help themself to get their personal issues resolved or at least worked on. Christmas gifts were all uniquely picked out for each ohter.

Cannot wait to see how everyone's goals work out and what happens since they have all left and headed toward their homes. Story very solid and plenty of twists and turns and was kept interested in story and how life is going to go for each of these beautiful, compassionate and uniquely different women.

I received an advanced copy for my honest and voluntary review.

[Reva Parks · Rating 5 out of 5]

Four girlfriends from college get together fifteen years later for a few days leading up to Christmas. They have sad news to share and a day to give gifts to each friend. The first gives a piece of clothing of her own that each had admired as she admitted that she had cancer. A marriage separation, a broken engagement, and loneliness experienced by a hotshot lawyer are other stories. On the last day together they help each other make commitments about solving their problems. And they agree to meet in the same cabin in Vail next year.

[Nicole · Rating 2 out of 5]

I don’t know if it was the virtual voice that was so monotonous that made the story bad or if it really just actually felt like I was reading a watt pad novel that needed some proofreading🫩 the story line is such a cute idea but i feel like i needed more back story rather than being thrown into the story and the characters lives as well as more chapters on each of the characters OR less characters to follow all at once. Like give them each one book and intertwine them still- too many things happening at once for me so I’ll leave this series as is

[Lori R · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this book intriguing as four, old friends met at a cabin in Vail, Colorado.  They all knew each other from college and had a lot of news to share and catching up to do.  I enjoyed learning about the women, their struggles, and their hopes as they celebrated Christmas together with some fun activities.  I received an advance copy of this book and I willingly chose to write an honest review.

[Rebecca White · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute story

This story introduces us to a cast of characters and the problems in their lives. Plan to read further if you want to know the outcomes. Too much alcohol use and discussion of premarital sex for me.

[LaRae Galloway · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fun book about 4 friends reuniting after many years. They've each been through unexpected things and its fun to see the strength and help they are to each other. A nice quick read.

[Edwina Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a woman’s fiction Christmas story. It is a clean book. It is a reconnection between friends. It is a wonderful story.

[Leslie Beal · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sweet short read about some true authentic sisterhood relationships.

This book kept my attention and I read it in a few days. Since I want to know more I am moving on to book 2. 😁

[Nan Weaver · Rating 4 out of 5]

visit with friends at pinecone cottage

Interesting friendship dynamics makes you want to know these ladies. See if their goals are met. Four good friends helping

[Donna Peake · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like the characters.

[Tabitha Fernandes · Rating 3 out of 5]

it was cute

[Anna · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not my favorite but I will read book 2 to see if I find myself more interested. I was a little bored…not terrible, just not very thrilling in my opinion.

[Stacey · Rating 2 out of 5]

this was a virtual read and the voice fell flat. I felt this was a very predictable.

[Virginia Shea · Rating 4 out of 5]

I absolutely LOVED this group of girls! Keyes highlighted the importance of good friends throughout this book, and the element of the gift of girlhood shone through each paragraph!

[Diana Bustamante · Rating 2 out of 5]

Kind of dumb like it was written by dt

[Michelle - TravelingLiterary · Rating 2 out of 5]

The virtual narration distracts from a seemingly fun seasonal plot.

[Shallon · Rating 1 out of 5]

It felt very slow paced book to read and then I tried listening and it was just as slow.