Christmas in Granite Harbor: a Moments in Maine novel

by Candice Sue Patterson

Small-town traditions, a Maine Coon, and a decades-old mystery knit hearts together this Christmas.

Josephine "Joey" Rockwell has made history as Granite Harbor's first female harbormaster. Adopted as an infant, Joey has fought to prove she belongs in the community. Defeating her childhood rival, Jace McClintock, for the coveted position is a triumph sweeter than she imagined--almost. Jace has returned to Granite Harbor after years away, brooding and withdrawn, haunted by a past he's desperate to escape. Once a promising doctor, he's now tethered to the grueling life of lobstering, a choice that puzzles everyone--especially Joey. She senses there's more driving him home than meets the eye.

Jace wrestles with the fallout of a malpractice accusation that could cost him everything. It won't take long for the town to learn the truth behind his sudden departure from medicine. But the longer he works on his dad's lobster boat, the harder it becomes to imagine leaving home again. The new harbormaster has a history of distracting him, and a relationship is the last thing he needs.

With tensions rising between tradition and change, Joey is determined to unite Granite Harbor for the holidays. She turns to a beloved town the harbormaster's honor of selecting a community member to build the town's Christmas tree made of lobster traps. Joey bestows the honor to her grumpy rival who's in desperate need of Christmas spirit. Amid the glow of holiday lights and the whispers of the past, Jace and Joey discover that some mysteries are worth unraveling--and some hearts are worth risking everything for.

Christmas in Granite Harbor is a heartfelt tale of heritage, resilience, and the magic of finding love where you least expect it.Enemies to moreWorkplace romanceAnne and Gilbert rivalryAdoptionOvercoming a difficult pastSwoony kissesWhile the chemistry is sizzling and the themes are heartfelt, the language and physical attraction are clean and wholesome.

Genres: Christmas

363 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 17, 2025

About the author

Candice Sue Patterson studied at The Institute of Children's Literature and is an elementary librarian. She lives in Indiana with her husband and three sons in a restored farmhouse overtaken by books. When she's not tending to her chickens, snuggling with her Great Pyrenees, or helping children discover books they love, she's working on a new story. Candice writes Modern Vintage Romance--where the past and present collide with faith. For more on Candice and her books, visit www.candicesuepatterson.com.

Reviews

[Lynn Watson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I listened to this one on Audible. It's a fun story with great characters and an excellent plot. Learning much about the lobster industry was a bonus. I wish I had read it instead of listening, however. I would have preferred to put my own imagined voices to the characters' words.

[Martic · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 1/2 stars. The characters are well-developed, there are emotional ups and downs, good tension throughout, and a sweet love story. Looking forward to her next book in the series.