Candy Cane Commander

by Harper Pugh, Heather C. Myers

220 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 9, 2026

Reviews

[Shawna · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Absolutely Loved It! Candy Cane Commander by Heather C. Myers completely stole my heart! This story had everything I love in a romance—emotional depth, strong characters, and that perfect slow-burn tension.

Luke and Abby’s story was so beautifully written. The grumpy Marine with a painful past paired with a Christmas-loving baker was the perfect contrast, and their chemistry felt so real. I loved how their relationship developed through forced proximity and shared responsibility—it made every moment feel authentic and earned.

What really stood out to me was the emotional layer. The grief, the misunderstandings, and the journey toward forgiveness added so much depth to the story. It wasn’t just a romance—it was about healing, growth, and seeing people for who they truly are.

The small-town setting was cozy and charming, especially with the Christmas festival woven throughout. It made the story feel warm and immersive, even while tackling heavier themes.

If you love enemies-to-lovers, redemption arcs, and heartfelt holiday romances, this book is a must-read. I couldn’t put it down!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Jen B · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another book in The Christmas Valor series, back to Holly Rodge we go for another story that takes place around the holiday season. This is Luke - the grumpy marine and Abby - the community baker who loves the holidays' story. The challenge for these two - Luke was on the mission that killed Abby's brother,Danny. This story contains it all when it comes to small town judgement and sides, the emotional heartache of a loss but how to move forward and figuring out that your person is the last person you would have ever thought. I loved the emotional ride this book offered as theae two characters figure things out and find their true happiness. Enjoy!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Kyrie Mangus · Rating 5 out of 5]

Abby and Luke

Candy Cane Commander is book 4 of the Christmas Valor Series. One town, different couples, one holiday. This series brings the love of the holiday with the grumpy military men and their leading ladies.

This is a small town cozy Christmas story where enemies Abby and Luke become lovers. The tension and spice of this book grips you and doesn't let go. Your heart will go through a series of palpitations through out the book. When the commander of the town Luke, who is blamed for the death of Abby's brother in combat, proposes a fake dating relationship with Abby so they can save the town, things dont go the way they planned. What starts out a fake soon crosses the blurred lines when the chemistry begins to light up. I love these two together.

[Rosemary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Candy Cane Commander - a review by Rosemary Kenny.
The eponymous Candy Cane Commander is Luke Taylor and the person whose heart he'd like to command his own, is Abby - the woman who, like the rest of their home community - blames him for her brother Danny's death In combat.
A fake romance to save Abby's Christmas Festival and secure funding is the starting point for Heather C Myers', (writing as Harper Pugh) heartwarming, enemies-to-lovers Christmas HEA.
Join in the fun when you grab your copy of Candy Cane Commander
...it's perfect for all-year-round reading pleasure, so go get it today!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Luke, a former military, and Abby, a baker, find love in this small town, enemies to lovers Holiday romance. This is a heartbreakingly beautiful story as Luke and Abby deal with grief, heartbreak, small town drama, slander, and so much more. While working together to secure a grant for Holly Ridge, they are forced to face the tragedy of her brother's death while under his command. It brings them together and has me cheering them on to find forgiveness and finally get their happily ever after. This is a well written, emotional story that pulled at my heartstrings. I recommend this book, this series, and this author. I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book.

[Bernie · Rating 4 out of 5]

The author has thrown a lot of things into this romantic storyline. It is set against the background of small town gossip and public opinions.
The couple share a sense of grief and loss, but for different reasons. Guilt is carried and blame assigned. Luke was the Marine Commander, in charge of a military operation that did not go entirely as planned. Lives were saved, but some were lost. Abby's brother died during the mission.
It is a story of forgiveness, when two individuals need to work together. Truths and characters emerge. A variety of heartfelt emotions are involved.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Indie · Rating 5 out of 5]

loved it !! love this series !! love Luke and Abby... this is their story... a fun fast paced heart breaking rom/com drama.. he never wanted to come home... he's here to sell the house fast and leave... he's the towns villain.. his mission killed the golden boy ... she's the baker that's holding Christmas together all by herself at least that's how it feels like...now, they have to work together to save the fair... and she finds that he's not the villain and maybe he's the hero in the story after all !!! so good !!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

The fourth book in the Christmas Valor series, a compelling small-town, enemies-to-lovers romance. The story follows former Marine Commander Luke Taylor and baker Abby Shaw as they work together to secure a critical town grant for Holly Ridge. As they navigate the grief surrounding a tragic mission involving Abby’s brother, their forced proximity leads to a powerful journey of redemption. This slow-burn romance features exceptional characters and is a standout read. I received a copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Marie Bourgery · Rating 5 out of 5]

His home town villainized Luke because he made a choice during a military operation that saved lives but cost Abby’s brother. He’s back to sell his family home and move on until he’s asked to make public appearances with Abby and volunteer so they can receive a veterans grant that will save their holiday celebration and fundraiser. Abby reluctantly agrees and ends up slandered by the townspeople who couldn’t be bothered to help her and find a way to save the festival. When she learns the truth will she forgive Luke and convince him to stay?

[Nicola · Rating 4 out of 5]

The grief, the emotional torment, the catching feels against better judgment. All of that is what made this such an emotional rollercoaster of a read. Luke and Abby go through so much as they try to overcome prejudices and to become a strong. With the history between them, would they normally had come together? No, definitely not, but as they attempt to overcome the history laying between them, they find something strong and worthwhile having and fighting for.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Johanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book 4 of The Christmas Valor Series. Can be read as a standalone.

'A heartfelt, emotionally charged, small-town Christmas romance filled with enemies-to-lovers tension, grief, redemption, and slow-burning heat.'

The characters were very appealing and likeable and complicated and absolutely perfect together. Plot was intriguing and well paced. World building was solidly drawn and impressive. Enjoyed immensely and highly recommend.

Grab a copy, kick back and enjoy!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Debbie Benson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review. I liked how the blame that Luke carried is finally released by the only one who mattered. While thrown together to gain funding for Christmas, Abby and Luke start getting closer and defending each other. I'm glad Abby finally read the truth about her brother and forgave Luke. Abby and Luke are finally free to act on the love they are building together.

[rochelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Abby and Luke had a hard‑fought journey to their HEA, filled with anger, hurt, and grief. I felt for them both, but I have to admit I especially felt for Luke and how he tried to deal with the consequences of his actions given his position. It couldn’t have been easy for him, particularly when he wasn’t able to share the full circumstances of their missions.
Their story was an emotional journey, and the author made it feel credible and authentic every step of the way.
Well worth a read.

[Raylene Weber · Rating 5 out of 5]

Luke was the one who had to make a call, Abby is the one who makes him the villain and now they are thrown together for the small town. The town has lost it big support for the Christmas festival, but the have a military grant if they can find a person who has service and is staying in town. That is Luke but how will Abby take it and the town people. Read and find out.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Merry Jelks-Emmanuel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Luke and Abby come together in this emotionally charged story about second chances and redemption. He is former military and she is a baker who find themselves working together on a grant for their town. Close proximity has them opening up old wounds and coming to terms. It is a well written story that follows their relational transformation.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Leanne Bryson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book 4 in the Christmas Valor series — a cozy small-town military hero enemies-to-lovers Christmas romance.
The characters are lovable and relatable. The slow-burn relationship builds beautifully with strong chemistry on every page.
I loved the heartwarming HEA ending. Well-written and packed with real emotion, angst, and love.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Dee Mac · Rating 5 out of 5]

This really grabbed my heart and held on tight. Abby and Luke were realistic and so relatable, their shared grief was a sharp and intense wall between them, but a Christmas festival in need drew them together in unexpected ways.
This was full of deep sadness, regret, animosity, and town gossip. But there was careful and quiet adjustments, growing feelings, forgiveness and healing.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Nicole Deanne Veracruz · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was, in my opinion, slightly heavy when it comes to grief and suffering. Luke blames himself for the loss of Abby's brother, when in all actuality, it was not his fault. She also blames him. But they are together, and in that time, feelings grow, and she learns to forgive him, and he learns to forgive himself.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[LizJ. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Candy Cane Commander Book 4 of The Christmas Valor Series by Heather C. Myers is a sweet, small town, enemies-to-lovers Christmas romance. Ms. Myers has created a well written story with realistic and relatable characters. This story has all the feels of a Hallmark Christmas movie. Well done.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[The Book Ssirren · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a sweet story about Abby and Luke. I was so happy to see that the two of them were able to with through things and come together in the way that they did. This was such a wonderful story. I really enjoyed reading this.

[Amanda Grange · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is kind of heartbreaking and heartwarming at the same time. I feel so bad for Luke. It would be so hard to be blamed for something like that by people who just dont have a clue. Ugggh. TEAM Luke, all the way.