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Briar Creek #1
Winter in Briar Creek
Autorin Grace Madison kehrt nach fünf Jahren das erste Mal zurück nach Briar Creek und muss feststellen, dass sich in ihrem Heimatort nichts verändert hat. Die Zeit scheint stehen geblieben zu sein, und die weihnachtliche Behaglichkeit des idyllischen Örtchens schreckt sie nach all den Jahren in der Großstadt regelrecht ab. Sie kann sich nicht vorstellen, jemals wieder in Vermont zu leben. Doch der plötzliche Tod ihres Vaters und sein kleiner Buchladen, um den sich sonst niemand kümmern kann, lassen ihr erst einmal keine Wahl. Und dann begegnet ihr auch noch Luke Hastings, der Mann, den sie nie wiedersehen wollte – und der ihr Herz immer noch höher schlagen lässt …
446 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2014
218 people are currently reading
1165 people want to read
About the author
Olivia Miles
79 books446 followersOlivia Miles is a two-time USA Today bestselling author of heartwarming women's fiction and small town contemporary romance. She has frequently been ranked as an Amazon Top 100 author and Kindle All Star, and her books have appeared on several bestseller lists, including Amazon, Barnes & Noble, BookScan, and USA Today. Olivia has been published by Harlequin, Grand Central Publishing/Hachette, and Montlake, and her books have been translated into more than half a dozen languages.
After growing up in New England and later living in Montreal, Olivia traded salt water for fresh water, and now lives on the shore of Lake Michigan with her family and an adorable pair of dogs.
Join Olivia's mailing list at: https://subscribepage.io/jQkafo
After growing up in New England and later living in Montreal, Olivia traded salt water for fresh water, and now lives on the shore of Lake Michigan with her family and an adorable pair of dogs.
Join Olivia's mailing list at: https://subscribepage.io/jQkafo
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 114 reviews
December 10, 2017
Das Buch war leider nur so mittelmäßig für mich. Zuerst einmal dazu was mir gut gefallen hat: ich mochte das Setting im vorweihnachtlichen Vermont sehr und auch, dass die Geschichte aus mehreren Blickwinkeln erzählt wurde. Den Schreibstil fand ich an sich auch recht angenehm, muss aber sagen, dass am Ende sich die Rechtschreibfehler ganz schön gehäuft haben 😱 jetzt zu dem was mir die (Buch-)Suppe irgendwie versalzen hat: ich fand alle Charaktere zu Anfang echt unsympathisch, tragische Vergangenheiten hin oder her. Das hat sich zum Glück im Verlaufe des Buches gebessert. Was ich aber noch viel schlimmer fand war die depressive Grundstimmung in diesem Buch, nicht grade das was ich mir vorgestellt hatte. Außerdem konnte ich so manches nicht verstehen, vor allem von dem was Luke so getan hat... Immerhin hat das Ende noch ein bisschen was reißen können und es ließ sich an sich ja auch echt schnell lesen, ein nettes Buch für ein verschneites Wochenende ❄️
December 7, 2017
3,5 / 5 Sternen
March 31, 2015
Christmas, small-town romance, and second chances … sound like a recipe for a story I would like. Plus, the cover is so pretty. And who says I can’t start reading a Christmas story in September anyway? Right?
Unfortunately, while it is still pretty good, I thought the story moved rather too slowly for me to sympathize with Grace and Luke and their story to return back to love. My issue was mostly on the reasons of they broke up in the first place. I thought there was too much bitterness coming from both: Grace thought that Luke forgot about her too easily after she decided to leave their hometown by marrying another woman. Meanwhile, Luke was overcome with guilt because he never did love his ex-wife (who died two years previously) as much as he loved Grace. They had issues and it went on for a bit too long for me to be able to believe in their reunion.
Both Luke and Grace also lacked that sizzling chemistry which could make me root for them. Also, I wasn’t such a huge fan of Grace when she made that move towards Luke when he was already engaged and then angry at Luke for not taking the step. Although, I wasn’t a big fan of Luke either for being rather undecided with the whole thing. I guess both characters didn’t impress me much.
However, I did like the secondary characters in this, i.e. Grace’s siblings: The fiery Anna, who owned a café and seemed to have this vibe of a romance-history-never-told with Luke’s cousin, Mark. And the kind-hearted Jane, who in this book suffered from a failed marriage when she found out that her husband cheated on her. Those two seemed to have a more interesting story, and I would love to follow their journey to happily ever after.
A Guest Review for The Blogger Girls
The ARC is provided by the publisher via Netgalley for an exchange of fair and honest review. No high rating is required for any ARC received.
Unfortunately, while it is still pretty good, I thought the story moved rather too slowly for me to sympathize with Grace and Luke and their story to return back to love. My issue was mostly on the reasons of they broke up in the first place. I thought there was too much bitterness coming from both: Grace thought that Luke forgot about her too easily after she decided to leave their hometown by marrying another woman. Meanwhile, Luke was overcome with guilt because he never did love his ex-wife (who died two years previously) as much as he loved Grace. They had issues and it went on for a bit too long for me to be able to believe in their reunion.
Both Luke and Grace also lacked that sizzling chemistry which could make me root for them. Also, I wasn’t such a huge fan of Grace when she made that move towards Luke when he was already engaged and then angry at Luke for not taking the step. Although, I wasn’t a big fan of Luke either for being rather undecided with the whole thing. I guess both characters didn’t impress me much.
However, I did like the secondary characters in this, i.e. Grace’s siblings: The fiery Anna, who owned a café and seemed to have this vibe of a romance-history-never-told with Luke’s cousin, Mark. And the kind-hearted Jane, who in this book suffered from a failed marriage when she found out that her husband cheated on her. Those two seemed to have a more interesting story, and I would love to follow their journey to happily ever after.
A Guest Review for The Blogger Girls
The ARC is provided by the publisher via Netgalley for an exchange of fair and honest review. No high rating is required for any ARC received.
November 26, 2014
Caffeinated Breakdown of Mistletoe on Main Street
World: This is the first in the Briar Creek series set in the picturesque town of Briar Creek, Vermont. Complete with covered bridges, snowfall, and a charming main street where everyone knows everyone. Yearly house decorating contests, school plays and charming little pastry shops…I am packing my bags.
Characters: The tale centers on Grace Madison, an author whose last book was a flop. She is heading home after five years away. She traded the love of her life for her big city dreams and suddenly they do not seem so glamorous. Luke Hastings was her childhood sweetheart, and the one who let her go. Luke has always known exactly what he wanted to do with his life but maybe he made a mistake. The two have baggage, and it was interesting to see them reconnect. Grace's siblings will be the characters in the next books and I liked them both.
Plot: Like most small-town stories, there are several different threads. Grace’s mom is newly widowed and not quite feeling Christmas this year. Her youngest sister Jane is carrying a secret regarding her marriage and Anna middle sister, a successful pastry shop owner is feeling bitter. It was fun learning about all of the different characters in Briar Creek and I look forward to their stories. Miles did a nice job of weaving these side stories around Grace and Luke’s growth and rekindling romance.
Romance: This was a slow-burning romance, where both were afraid to make the first move. It created some banter, snarkiness, and some angst. While at times I wanted to lock them in a dark closet until, they reconciled and I struggled with Luke’s issues I enjoyed them both. I am not entirely sure that Luke’s issues worked, and at times, it made him unappealing. However, the chemistry between them felt genuine and the bumps to my HEA were worth it in the end. This was very low-heat and will appeal to a large audience.
Caffeinated Conclusion: Are they a favorite couple? Not at all, but the town and siblings have me wanting to continue. Mistletoe on Main Street was a satisfying holiday read and I look forward to returning to Briar Creek with, A Match Made on Main Street. It will be Anna Madison’s story and releases in April 2015.
Copy provided by publisher.This review was originally posted at Caffeinated Book Reviewer
World: This is the first in the Briar Creek series set in the picturesque town of Briar Creek, Vermont. Complete with covered bridges, snowfall, and a charming main street where everyone knows everyone. Yearly house decorating contests, school plays and charming little pastry shops…I am packing my bags.
Characters: The tale centers on Grace Madison, an author whose last book was a flop. She is heading home after five years away. She traded the love of her life for her big city dreams and suddenly they do not seem so glamorous. Luke Hastings was her childhood sweetheart, and the one who let her go. Luke has always known exactly what he wanted to do with his life but maybe he made a mistake. The two have baggage, and it was interesting to see them reconnect. Grace's siblings will be the characters in the next books and I liked them both.
Plot: Like most small-town stories, there are several different threads. Grace’s mom is newly widowed and not quite feeling Christmas this year. Her youngest sister Jane is carrying a secret regarding her marriage and Anna middle sister, a successful pastry shop owner is feeling bitter. It was fun learning about all of the different characters in Briar Creek and I look forward to their stories. Miles did a nice job of weaving these side stories around Grace and Luke’s growth and rekindling romance.
Romance: This was a slow-burning romance, where both were afraid to make the first move. It created some banter, snarkiness, and some angst. While at times I wanted to lock them in a dark closet until, they reconciled and I struggled with Luke’s issues I enjoyed them both. I am not entirely sure that Luke’s issues worked, and at times, it made him unappealing. However, the chemistry between them felt genuine and the bumps to my HEA were worth it in the end. This was very low-heat and will appeal to a large audience.
Caffeinated Conclusion: Are they a favorite couple? Not at all, but the town and siblings have me wanting to continue. Mistletoe on Main Street was a satisfying holiday read and I look forward to returning to Briar Creek with, A Match Made on Main Street. It will be Anna Madison’s story and releases in April 2015.
Copy provided by publisher.This review was originally posted at Caffeinated Book Reviewer
January 7, 2021
Auf dieses Buch habe ich mich echt schon gefreut, da es in Vermont spielt und es klang daher sehr winterlich. Doch leider konnte ich mich in den ersten Seiten nicht so richtig auf die Geschichte konzentrieren und daher tat ich mir schwer beim lesen. Doch trotzdem werde ich die Serie weiterlesen, sie hat diesen Gemütlichkeitsfaktor und ich freue mich weitere Charaktere besser kennenzulernen.
4 Sterne
4 Sterne
December 17, 2015
I thought the book was well written. I didn't understand why Luke and Grace broke up to begin with and how he could move on so quickly from his love for Grace. If you were with someone from childhood and never asked her to marry you then get involved with someone else it only takes you 6 months then you really didn't give a shit about the first girl from the get go. I would say I wouldn't want Grace to take him back Grace gave him so many chances to pick her and everytime he chose Helen over Grace I think that's pretty cut and dry Grace will always be his second choice.
December 25, 2019
3 - 3,5 ⭐
June 15, 2015
Good book. Grace had moved away from Briar Creek to New York City years earlier to pursue her dream of a writing career. In doing so, she left behind the man she loved. Now she's back in Briar Creek for the holidays, and to make some decisions about her future. But first she has to face her past. Luke never left their hometown. He's now the principal of the elementary school, and a widower. Having Grace back in town is stirring up unwelcome memories and emotions, and making him think about past choices.
Overall, I liked Grace. She's come back to Briar Creek for the first time in five years, except for her father's funeral a few months earlier. Her life is currently in turmoil. She has broken her engagement as she discovered that she and her fiance had different ideas for their future. She has been living with a friend, sleeping on the sofa, since then. Her writing career has stalled, as her last couple books were not well received. Now she has discovered that her father's beloved bookstore, a place with some of her best memories, has been closed since his death. All she needs to make things worse is to run into Luke, the man who broke her heart. Unfortunately, with Briar Creek being such a small town, she can't avoid him. She's been wondering if she made the right decision all those years ago, and being home just intensifies those feelings. Seeing Luke again shows her that her feelings for him never really went away, even though she tried to pretend that they did. Every time that they are together she's reminded of what she left behind. The attraction is still there, as are the good memories. I loved seeing her take her memories of the bookstore and look at reviving it, and then expanding it. It gave her a new focus for her life and a reason to stay in Briar Creek.
The reviving of the relationship between Grace and Luke was not easy. Both of them have hurt feelings from their breakup. Grace had been left feeling that Luke neither understood or supported her need to leave Briar Creek and experience the larger world. When she came back to see him a few months later, to see about reconciliation, he rejected her rather cruelly. Meanwhile, Luke had also felt that she didn't understand his need to stay in his hometown, where his life and career made him happy. He had forced himself to move on, and found a woman who wanted the same things he did. Grace's first visit back made him question his choices, which made him angry. He didn't believe that Grace would be happy back in town after giving up her dream, so his rejection of her was not very nice. He went on and married the other woman, who died a couple years later.
I was frustrated through a lot of the dealings between Grace and Luke. Grace was actually willing to see what might happen between them, after their first few encounters showed her that the feelings and attraction were still there. She didn't have any problem knowing that he had also loved his wife, feeling that there was room for both of them in his heart. But Luke would blow hot and cold. First he would be sweet and let the attraction take control, then he would suddenly pull back, feeling like he was betraying his late wife. It turns out that he is dealing with a boatload of guilt over the fact that he had still had some feelings for Grace when he married Helen. He felt that he had ruined their marriage, even though she had never known and had never given any indication that she was unhappy. Since her death he hasn't been able to let go of those feelings, to the point that he won't allow himself to move on. It all comes to a head when letting go of something from the past would make it possible for Grace to stay in Briar Creek, and Luke can't do it, in spite of his professed love for Grace. At that point I wanted to beat him with a blunt object and tell her she was better off without him. I liked that she had the strength of will to go after her dream in spite of him. Of course, he does eventually see the light, but it was almost too late.
Outside of the relationship with Luke, I loved seeing the changes that Grace went through. It was great to see her new appreciation of Briar Creek and what a big part of her life it really was. She also had to repair her relationships with her sisters, after her long absence and the death of their father. I liked seeing her reconnect with them. Her plans for the bookstore gave her a new appreciation for Anna, the chef and cafe owner. I also liked the way that she was there for her sister Jane, who was going through some issues of her own. I also liked the way that she formed a new bond with her mother, and how it helped them both through their grief. I'm looking forward to the next book.
Overall, I liked Grace. She's come back to Briar Creek for the first time in five years, except for her father's funeral a few months earlier. Her life is currently in turmoil. She has broken her engagement as she discovered that she and her fiance had different ideas for their future. She has been living with a friend, sleeping on the sofa, since then. Her writing career has stalled, as her last couple books were not well received. Now she has discovered that her father's beloved bookstore, a place with some of her best memories, has been closed since his death. All she needs to make things worse is to run into Luke, the man who broke her heart. Unfortunately, with Briar Creek being such a small town, she can't avoid him. She's been wondering if she made the right decision all those years ago, and being home just intensifies those feelings. Seeing Luke again shows her that her feelings for him never really went away, even though she tried to pretend that they did. Every time that they are together she's reminded of what she left behind. The attraction is still there, as are the good memories. I loved seeing her take her memories of the bookstore and look at reviving it, and then expanding it. It gave her a new focus for her life and a reason to stay in Briar Creek.
The reviving of the relationship between Grace and Luke was not easy. Both of them have hurt feelings from their breakup. Grace had been left feeling that Luke neither understood or supported her need to leave Briar Creek and experience the larger world. When she came back to see him a few months later, to see about reconciliation, he rejected her rather cruelly. Meanwhile, Luke had also felt that she didn't understand his need to stay in his hometown, where his life and career made him happy. He had forced himself to move on, and found a woman who wanted the same things he did. Grace's first visit back made him question his choices, which made him angry. He didn't believe that Grace would be happy back in town after giving up her dream, so his rejection of her was not very nice. He went on and married the other woman, who died a couple years later.
I was frustrated through a lot of the dealings between Grace and Luke. Grace was actually willing to see what might happen between them, after their first few encounters showed her that the feelings and attraction were still there. She didn't have any problem knowing that he had also loved his wife, feeling that there was room for both of them in his heart. But Luke would blow hot and cold. First he would be sweet and let the attraction take control, then he would suddenly pull back, feeling like he was betraying his late wife. It turns out that he is dealing with a boatload of guilt over the fact that he had still had some feelings for Grace when he married Helen. He felt that he had ruined their marriage, even though she had never known and had never given any indication that she was unhappy. Since her death he hasn't been able to let go of those feelings, to the point that he won't allow himself to move on. It all comes to a head when letting go of something from the past would make it possible for Grace to stay in Briar Creek, and Luke can't do it, in spite of his professed love for Grace. At that point I wanted to beat him with a blunt object and tell her she was better off without him. I liked that she had the strength of will to go after her dream in spite of him. Of course, he does eventually see the light, but it was almost too late.
Outside of the relationship with Luke, I loved seeing the changes that Grace went through. It was great to see her new appreciation of Briar Creek and what a big part of her life it really was. She also had to repair her relationships with her sisters, after her long absence and the death of their father. I liked seeing her reconnect with them. Her plans for the bookstore gave her a new appreciation for Anna, the chef and cafe owner. I also liked the way that she was there for her sister Jane, who was going through some issues of her own. I also liked the way that she formed a new bond with her mother, and how it helped them both through their grief. I'm looking forward to the next book.
September 30, 2014
Ok....I was so excited to start MISTLETOE ON MAIN STREET, because I am a HUGE fan of the second chance romance, especially when the hero ends up with someone else, and the heroine knows she screwed up, which is exactly what we have with the first in the Briar Creek Series....but...and not a BAD but, but the heroine Grace kinda made me NUTS!
As with MOST of the romances I read, I am usually a fan of the heroes, and not a HUGE fan of the heroines (I think I have a handful of heroines that I actually LOVE), so I guess to say I felt that way with Grace. And not that I HATED her, not at all! I wanted her and Luke to end up back together, and I was ready to jump into the book and SHAKE HER!
The story was fun, the emotions were heartbreaking at times, and frustrating at times, and the secondary characters were SO MUCH FUN! Let's just say I can't WAIT until the next book for Anna and Mark's romance and poor Jane needs some love too!!
MISTLETOE ON MAIN STREET is a second chance romance to keep you turning pages late into the winter nights!
As with MOST of the romances I read, I am usually a fan of the heroes, and not a HUGE fan of the heroines (I think I have a handful of heroines that I actually LOVE), so I guess to say I felt that way with Grace. And not that I HATED her, not at all! I wanted her and Luke to end up back together, and I was ready to jump into the book and SHAKE HER!
The story was fun, the emotions were heartbreaking at times, and frustrating at times, and the secondary characters were SO MUCH FUN! Let's just say I can't WAIT until the next book for Anna and Mark's romance and poor Jane needs some love too!!
MISTLETOE ON MAIN STREET is a second chance romance to keep you turning pages late into the winter nights!
January 31, 2020
3.5
"Winter in Briar Creek" hat mich neugierig gemacht, da ich Geschichten, die in kleinen Orten spielen, immer sehr gerne lesen.
Die Atmosphäre war auch sofort sehr gemütlich, als wir Grace dabei begleiten wie sie nach Briar Creek zurückkehrt. Die Stimmung ist zudem sehr winterlich und ich mochte das Setting der Geschichte sehr gerne.
Die Geschichte selbst ist unterhaltsam erzählt, auch wenn für mich ab und an die eine oder andere Länge dabei war. Einiges wurde für meinen Geschmack doch ein wenig künstlich in die Länge gezogen, aber dennoch war das Buch nett und unterhaltsam.
Die Charaktere waren mir zwar prinzipiell sympathisch, aber eine richtige Verbindung habe ich zu den beiden nicht gefunden.
Das Buch lebt vor allem durch das wundervolle Setting, während die Handlung eher an der Oberfläche kratzt.
Der Schreibstil ist sehr flüssig und angenehm zu lesen und ich freue mich auf die weiteren Geschichten aus Briar Creek.
"Winter in Briar Creek" hat mich neugierig gemacht, da ich Geschichten, die in kleinen Orten spielen, immer sehr gerne lesen.
Die Atmosphäre war auch sofort sehr gemütlich, als wir Grace dabei begleiten wie sie nach Briar Creek zurückkehrt. Die Stimmung ist zudem sehr winterlich und ich mochte das Setting der Geschichte sehr gerne.
Die Geschichte selbst ist unterhaltsam erzählt, auch wenn für mich ab und an die eine oder andere Länge dabei war. Einiges wurde für meinen Geschmack doch ein wenig künstlich in die Länge gezogen, aber dennoch war das Buch nett und unterhaltsam.
Die Charaktere waren mir zwar prinzipiell sympathisch, aber eine richtige Verbindung habe ich zu den beiden nicht gefunden.
Das Buch lebt vor allem durch das wundervolle Setting, während die Handlung eher an der Oberfläche kratzt.
Der Schreibstil ist sehr flüssig und angenehm zu lesen und ich freue mich auf die weiteren Geschichten aus Briar Creek.
December 8, 2017
3,5/5 Sterne
November 23, 2022
3.5 stars. This was a sweet book that started off really strong for me. This is about Grace and Luke. Grace moved away from their small Vermont town to pursue her dreams of writing. She and Luke broke up and he moved on really quickly and that was that. Now many years later her dad has died so she goes home and Luke is now a widower. This book is their second chance at love as well as her reevaluating if the city is what she still wants. Her family didn't tell her that her fathers beloved bookstore is now closed down because they weren't making a profit so Grace makes it her goal to save the bookshop. However, the one person that can help her happens to be Luke. He owns the space next to the bookstore that she wants to make into a cafe and he won't let it go for his own reasons. I love a good first love second chance so this delivered on that, but the 2nd half definitely slowed down and I'm not sure this is going to be very memorable.
October 26, 2015
Cute and sweet romance set in a smalltown at Christmas time!!!
November 25, 2018
Mistletoe On Main Street is a touching and sweet romance story that is sure to score a special spot in your heart and leave you with a smile on your face! The characters pull you into their charming little world and make you feel right at home, and have you never wanting to part with them. I thoroughly enjoyed this one, I was in the mood for a sweet story that would give me the feels, and this one hit the mark!! Highly recommend it!!
October 27, 2017
I really like the writing but I was not a fan of the plot. I don’t fully comprehend how Luke could have been so in love with Grace but managed to move on so quickly after giving her up. It’s thought process throughout the book was pretty confusing. I actually really loved him and Grace together and their history together was pretty great, I just wish the plot for their separation and reunion would have been different.
December 18, 2017
Grace is reluctantly home after five years and of course keeps running into the reason she stayed away from her family: ex-boyfriend Luke, who never left. This was fun, but most of it fell flat for me. Grace did seem selfish for staying away from her family for so long because of a big breakup, and I didn't really like the way Luke's issues with his late wife were handled, and it all came together too quickly. Second chance stories are really hard, because you have to sell the breakup and the coming back together, and not minimize the lives between and growth that should be there. I didn't really buy any of it here. I do hope that Jane gets a nice happily ever after, though.
January 17, 2016
Title: Mistletoe on Main Street
Author: Olivia Miles
Publisher: Forever
Series: The Blair Creek Series #1
Reviewed By: Arlena Dean
Rating: 4.5
Review:
"Mistletoe on Main Street" by Olivia Miles
Book Description...
"Sleigh bells, snow, and second chances . . .
Briar Creek's quaint shop windows, cozy homes nestled in snow, and neighborly residents are what Christmas dreams are made of--for everyone except Grace Madison. She left her hometown years ago to pursue a writing career. But when her father's death leaves his bookstore empty, Grace must return to face why she fled Vermont in the first place: Luke Hastings, who still heats her up like a shot of smoky whiskey on a cold winter's night.
Grace is back, and Luke is worried. How much has she changed as a bestselling author in the big city? What memories will she stir up? And was the choice he made five years ago the biggest mistake of his life?
Now, with their past, present, and future rocking around the Christmas tree, it's time for Grace and Luke to face the music . . . and the mistletoe."
What I liked from this novel.....
This author really gives the reader quite a interesting place in 'Briar Creek' and definitely a good Christmas read that will keep your attention from start to the finish. The two main characters Grace and Luke will keep you entertained as they find their way through his love story. It seems like Grace after being gone five years is trying to make up her mind will she stay in Briar Creek after this Christmas holiday with her family or return to NY? Did she even have anyone waiting for her back in New York after she had dropped Derek? Then there is her father's book store that is not opened any more. What had happened after her father's death to the book store and why wasn't see told about it being closed. I found this love story was about Grace and Luke. What had happened to cause her to want to leave Briar Creek five years ago in the first place and what happened when she came back (seeing only Luke)...leaves again...then back for her father's funeral... leaves.....now back again for this Christmas holiday? In all of Grace's coming and going would she stay this time and run the book store that seems to have closed and just what all did Luke Hastings have to do in all of this? Between these two there will be a lots of drama going on. I don't want to leave out Grace's sister Jane who also seemed to have quite a bit of drama going on in her life and their mother Kathleen. I don't want to spoil it by telling too much of the story. I know I have presented a lots of questions and all of the answers will be answered in this well written novel: "Mistletoe on Main Street." I found this author really worked it with such a beautiful description of the snow during Christmas holiday season of Briar Creek really making me what to find this beautiful place with such unique characters which I found were richly developed that seemed to come alive on the pages presented as Ray, Mark, Sophie, Anna and Rosemary Hastings to name a few. Be prepared for a long read because this author leaves nothing out even a little hot sex scene.
What I also liked about this novel....
I liked how this author was able to give us a story that showed a lots of emotions along with the drama of a real love story showing the past and the present of how it is from one reaction can bring on another reaction. In the end will it be a good decision for all involved at this point in their life's? I thought this was a very interesting read and I really enjoyed how this author closes the story.
December 30, 2015
Hier kommt ihr zu meiner Video Rezension: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uqPbK...
Inaltsangabe:
Als Grace Maddison zum ersten Mal seit fünf Jahren wieder das Haus ihrer Eltern betritt, glaubt sie erst, sich in der Tür geirrt zu haben: Ihre Mutter, die preisgekrönte Deko-Königin von Briar Creek, will Weihnachten einfach ausfallen lassen, und der geliebte Buchladen ihres Vaters ist nach dessen Tod völlig verwaist. In ihrem Heimatort scheint nichts mehr so zu sein wie früher. Doch dann begegnet sie Luke Hastings wieder, der ihre Gefühlswelt innerhalb von Sekunden völlig auf den Kopf stellt, als seien sie nicht Jahre voneinander getrennt gewesen …
Meinung:
Als ich online auf das Buch aufmerksam wurde, durch das wunderschöne Cover und die Inhaltsangabe, die mich auch ansprach, habe ich angenommen, dass es sich bei diesem Buch um ein typisches Weihnachtsbuch handelt.
Dem war leider nicht ganz so, ich hatte mir einfach ein relativ lockere, leichte Geschichte vorgestellt, allerdings ist es bei diesem Buch so, dass die Hauptcharaktere, Luke und Grace ihr Päckchen mit sich herum tragen und noch lange Zeit in der Vergangenheit und in den damaligen Geschehnissen festhängen und diese noch nicht verarbeitet haben. Das führt dazu, dass sie sich lange Zeit nicht sonderlich viel weiterentwickeln, dies geschieht erst zum Ende hin.
Außerdem ist es so, dass ich die spezielle Verbindung der beiden Protagonisten nicht gespürt habe, für mich kam zwischen den Beiden nicht der gewisse Funke auf und ich könnte keine richtige Beziehung zu den beiden aufbauen.
Das Weihnachtsthema ist zwar immer mal wieder präsent, meiner Meinung nach aber nicht übermäßig, was nicht schlecht ist, da man das Buch somit auch noch nach Weihnachten lesen muss.
Was mir an dem Buch sehr gut gefallen hat, war die Tatsache, dass diese Geschichte in einer kleinen Stadt spielt. Auch die Nebencharaktere haben mir sehr gut gefallen, wie z.B. Graces Schwester und Lukes Cousin. Um die Beiden wird es in Band 2 der Reihe gehen, welchen ich mir auf jeden Fall auch zulegen werde.
Die wechselnde Perspektive zwischen Haupt- und Nebencharakteren hat mir auch sehr gut gefallen, sie hat das Ganze abwechslungsreicher gestaltet.
Von mir gibt es 3 bis 3,5 von 5 Sternen für dieses Buch, aufgrund der Tatsache, dass ich mir die Handlung einfach etwas anders vorgestellt hatte.
Alles in allem kann gesagt werden, dass dieses Buch sich sehr mit den Charakteren, ihrer Vergangenheit und den Problemen dieser befasst, was meiner Meinung nach gut ist vorher zu wissen, da man sich darauf einstellen kann und ganz anders an das Buch heran geht.
Inaltsangabe:
Als Grace Maddison zum ersten Mal seit fünf Jahren wieder das Haus ihrer Eltern betritt, glaubt sie erst, sich in der Tür geirrt zu haben: Ihre Mutter, die preisgekrönte Deko-Königin von Briar Creek, will Weihnachten einfach ausfallen lassen, und der geliebte Buchladen ihres Vaters ist nach dessen Tod völlig verwaist. In ihrem Heimatort scheint nichts mehr so zu sein wie früher. Doch dann begegnet sie Luke Hastings wieder, der ihre Gefühlswelt innerhalb von Sekunden völlig auf den Kopf stellt, als seien sie nicht Jahre voneinander getrennt gewesen …
Meinung:
Als ich online auf das Buch aufmerksam wurde, durch das wunderschöne Cover und die Inhaltsangabe, die mich auch ansprach, habe ich angenommen, dass es sich bei diesem Buch um ein typisches Weihnachtsbuch handelt.
Dem war leider nicht ganz so, ich hatte mir einfach ein relativ lockere, leichte Geschichte vorgestellt, allerdings ist es bei diesem Buch so, dass die Hauptcharaktere, Luke und Grace ihr Päckchen mit sich herum tragen und noch lange Zeit in der Vergangenheit und in den damaligen Geschehnissen festhängen und diese noch nicht verarbeitet haben. Das führt dazu, dass sie sich lange Zeit nicht sonderlich viel weiterentwickeln, dies geschieht erst zum Ende hin.
Außerdem ist es so, dass ich die spezielle Verbindung der beiden Protagonisten nicht gespürt habe, für mich kam zwischen den Beiden nicht der gewisse Funke auf und ich könnte keine richtige Beziehung zu den beiden aufbauen.
Das Weihnachtsthema ist zwar immer mal wieder präsent, meiner Meinung nach aber nicht übermäßig, was nicht schlecht ist, da man das Buch somit auch noch nach Weihnachten lesen muss.
Was mir an dem Buch sehr gut gefallen hat, war die Tatsache, dass diese Geschichte in einer kleinen Stadt spielt. Auch die Nebencharaktere haben mir sehr gut gefallen, wie z.B. Graces Schwester und Lukes Cousin. Um die Beiden wird es in Band 2 der Reihe gehen, welchen ich mir auf jeden Fall auch zulegen werde.
Die wechselnde Perspektive zwischen Haupt- und Nebencharakteren hat mir auch sehr gut gefallen, sie hat das Ganze abwechslungsreicher gestaltet.
Von mir gibt es 3 bis 3,5 von 5 Sternen für dieses Buch, aufgrund der Tatsache, dass ich mir die Handlung einfach etwas anders vorgestellt hatte.
Alles in allem kann gesagt werden, dass dieses Buch sich sehr mit den Charakteren, ihrer Vergangenheit und den Problemen dieser befasst, was meiner Meinung nach gut ist vorher zu wissen, da man sich darauf einstellen kann und ganz anders an das Buch heran geht.
November 13, 2014
We are entering my favorite time of the year. Cozy little holiday reads fill up my time during the fall months and I love it. I start off the season right with Mistletoe on Main Street. Ms. Miles set the bar high with a fun and heartwarming read about second chances and moving forward.
Grace Madison left Briar Creek for New York City to become a famous author. Her dreams did come true but she couldn’t hold onto them. After the failure her last book and the death of her father, she comes back home to figure out her next move. Her homecoming is not exactly ideal when she discovers that her mother is barely holding up, her sister, Amy, hates her guts. The one person who is glad she returned home (her sister Jane) is going through her own crisis. The only thing to make this trip back to Briar Creek worst is knowing that she will have to face Luke Hastings.
Luke is shocked to see that Grace is back in town. She left him five years ago claiming Briar Creek was a boring town. He never held her back but she took a piece of his heart with her. He moved on and remarried, only to lose his wife. The guilt weighed heavily on him as he felt he never gave her the loved he felt she deserved.
This book reminds me of a good hallmark Christmas story. Grace and Luke have been in love for so long. They are the couple that everyone thought would make it. Her arrival back in town is rocky as they both struggle with the pain of their break up and Luke’s marriage to his deceased wife.
There is so much more to this book than a second chance romance. There is also the fact that Grace has to get closure of her father’s death and make amends with her family. Grace and Luke have a lot of wounds to heal during the holiday season.
My only dislike for the book is that the two held onto so much of their pain for the bulk of the book. It became a vicious cycle that went on for entirely too long.
I loved the small town and all the close knit community. Amy and Mark have an interesting past that I hope to learn more about in the next book. Jane deserves her own story and I hope she comes out on top.
Overall this is recommended for fans of cozy, small town, feel good romances. Get a cup of hot cocoa and cozy up to Mistletoe on Main Street.
Review posted at http://smittenbybooks.com/blog/2014/1...
Grace Madison left Briar Creek for New York City to become a famous author. Her dreams did come true but she couldn’t hold onto them. After the failure her last book and the death of her father, she comes back home to figure out her next move. Her homecoming is not exactly ideal when she discovers that her mother is barely holding up, her sister, Amy, hates her guts. The one person who is glad she returned home (her sister Jane) is going through her own crisis. The only thing to make this trip back to Briar Creek worst is knowing that she will have to face Luke Hastings.
Luke is shocked to see that Grace is back in town. She left him five years ago claiming Briar Creek was a boring town. He never held her back but she took a piece of his heart with her. He moved on and remarried, only to lose his wife. The guilt weighed heavily on him as he felt he never gave her the loved he felt she deserved.
This book reminds me of a good hallmark Christmas story. Grace and Luke have been in love for so long. They are the couple that everyone thought would make it. Her arrival back in town is rocky as they both struggle with the pain of their break up and Luke’s marriage to his deceased wife.
There is so much more to this book than a second chance romance. There is also the fact that Grace has to get closure of her father’s death and make amends with her family. Grace and Luke have a lot of wounds to heal during the holiday season.
My only dislike for the book is that the two held onto so much of their pain for the bulk of the book. It became a vicious cycle that went on for entirely too long.
I loved the small town and all the close knit community. Amy and Mark have an interesting past that I hope to learn more about in the next book. Jane deserves her own story and I hope she comes out on top.
Overall this is recommended for fans of cozy, small town, feel good romances. Get a cup of hot cocoa and cozy up to Mistletoe on Main Street.
Review posted at http://smittenbybooks.com/blog/2014/1...
January 13, 2018
Reviewed by Gemini
3.5 Stars
Mistletoe on Main Street was a good book that touches on some sensitive subjects regarding love, loss, and pursuing your dreams. Considering that it was a Christmas book, I was surprised that it was so deep. Although there is the required happy ending, there was a lot of emotion and sadness that permeates throughout the book.
Mistletoe on Main Street is the story of former couple Grace Madison and Luke Hastings. They grew up in a small town called Briar Creek in Vermont. They should have gotten married to each other but instead Grace left to pursue a writing career in New York and Luke stayed in Briar Creek to become an educator. Fast forward five years, Grace has broken off her engagement to someone who couldn’t live up to Luke and is headed back home to Briar Creek for Christmas. She was a best-selling author but her last book was panned by the critics and she is questioning all of her prior life choices. On the other hand, Luke is now a principal and a widower. He never stopped loving Grace and is evaluating his own life choices.
All things considered, I do like Grace and Luke as a couple. It’s just that I’m not quite sure that I was totally sold on how their relationship is rekindled. There is so much baggage between the two of them that I felt like there should have been some additional interactions and other situations that should have transpired before they even broached the subject of getting back together. Grace needed to spend more time with her family and rebuild that relationship while Luke really needed to get over his guilt regarding his feelings toward his deceased wife. There just needed to be more time to have passed before this happy ending. I get that it’s a book and things have been tied up in a nice little bow but I would have been more sold on the reconciliation had it not happened so fast. Plus, there is this whole other story line regarding Grace’s sisters that seemed to be touched on so much that they may as well have told their story too. Instead, I’m sure that they will both get their own books. I guess what I’m saying is that there was a lot going on in this book that it’s hard to focus on just Grace and Luke. I hope that the next book is more streamlined.
**Received a copy of the book courtesy of the publisher and voluntarily reviewed it.**
3.5 Stars
Mistletoe on Main Street was a good book that touches on some sensitive subjects regarding love, loss, and pursuing your dreams. Considering that it was a Christmas book, I was surprised that it was so deep. Although there is the required happy ending, there was a lot of emotion and sadness that permeates throughout the book.
Mistletoe on Main Street is the story of former couple Grace Madison and Luke Hastings. They grew up in a small town called Briar Creek in Vermont. They should have gotten married to each other but instead Grace left to pursue a writing career in New York and Luke stayed in Briar Creek to become an educator. Fast forward five years, Grace has broken off her engagement to someone who couldn’t live up to Luke and is headed back home to Briar Creek for Christmas. She was a best-selling author but her last book was panned by the critics and she is questioning all of her prior life choices. On the other hand, Luke is now a principal and a widower. He never stopped loving Grace and is evaluating his own life choices.
All things considered, I do like Grace and Luke as a couple. It’s just that I’m not quite sure that I was totally sold on how their relationship is rekindled. There is so much baggage between the two of them that I felt like there should have been some additional interactions and other situations that should have transpired before they even broached the subject of getting back together. Grace needed to spend more time with her family and rebuild that relationship while Luke really needed to get over his guilt regarding his feelings toward his deceased wife. There just needed to be more time to have passed before this happy ending. I get that it’s a book and things have been tied up in a nice little bow but I would have been more sold on the reconciliation had it not happened so fast. Plus, there is this whole other story line regarding Grace’s sisters that seemed to be touched on so much that they may as well have told their story too. Instead, I’m sure that they will both get their own books. I guess what I’m saying is that there was a lot going on in this book that it’s hard to focus on just Grace and Luke. I hope that the next book is more streamlined.
**Received a copy of the book courtesy of the publisher and voluntarily reviewed it.**
September 30, 2014
I have read Olivia Miles' books before and I was so excited that she was releasing another Christmas book. She sets the mood beautifully for the season-and for the characters to heal their wounds and fall in love.
Luke and Grace are both wonderful characters with depth and layers. They are both at a pivotal point in their lives and though neither of them realize it, at the perfect place to try and love again. This is a second-chance at love story for them and I was cheering them on to their HEA.
The topic of Luke's wife being deceased was handled with compassion and realism. I thought Luke was sensitive, heroic, and romantic. His feelings for Grace were obvious, but they both needed to move on from the past in order to make a new start.
With plenty of Christmas cheer, small-town charm, and romance, Mistletoe on Main Street is a fantastic read!
I can't wait for the next book in this series, to visit Briar Creek again, and *hopefully* catch glimpses of a happy Luke and Grace!
Wonderful book for the holidays and year round!! Highly recommend!!!
Luke and Grace are both wonderful characters with depth and layers. They are both at a pivotal point in their lives and though neither of them realize it, at the perfect place to try and love again. This is a second-chance at love story for them and I was cheering them on to their HEA.
The topic of Luke's wife being deceased was handled with compassion and realism. I thought Luke was sensitive, heroic, and romantic. His feelings for Grace were obvious, but they both needed to move on from the past in order to make a new start.
With plenty of Christmas cheer, small-town charm, and romance, Mistletoe on Main Street is a fantastic read!
I can't wait for the next book in this series, to visit Briar Creek again, and *hopefully* catch glimpses of a happy Luke and Grace!
Wonderful book for the holidays and year round!! Highly recommend!!!
November 14, 2015
I received a copy of this book from the author as a goodreads Giveaway. This is the first book by this author that I have read and I found that I thorough enjoyed the story. Grace Madison decides to return to her hometown when she inherits her father's book store after his death. The author does such a lovely job of describing this town at Christmas that you want to be find this place and become a visitor if not a resident. What I also enjoyed about this author's writing is that I found all of her characters to be well developed, especially her main characters who must reconcile the pain of their past with their present. The emotion of the story comes through as the author intended.
In my opinion, this was a good first start to a new series. It allowed you to get to know the characters and become invested in their lives. Once you finished the story, it left you wanting more in the series to find out what happens in the lives of the other residents of the town. I will definitely check out future books in this series as well as other books written by the author.
In my opinion, this was a good first start to a new series. It allowed you to get to know the characters and become invested in their lives. Once you finished the story, it left you wanting more in the series to find out what happens in the lives of the other residents of the town. I will definitely check out future books in this series as well as other books written by the author.
November 2, 2014
I swear I had no idea when I started reading Mistletoe on Main Street that it was a widower romance. If I had I wouldn’t have probably passed on it. Unfortunately it is and for that reason it took me a whole week to finish reading it. If you know me, that is not my normal at all. It usually takes me a day and a half at the most to finish a book this size. But the whole widower story really put me off, especially as I got deeper and deeper into the story.
I was not impressed with Luke at all. The decisions he made and they way he treated Grace really put me off. I honestly didn’t see his appeal at all.
Other than that this is a good story about three sisters who are grieving the loss of their father at Christmas time. Each of them obviously has their own story to tell and this one was Grace’s. Even though I didn’t enjoy this book as much as I had hoped to I think I will check out the next in the series. I am curious as to what will happen in Grace’s sister’s lives.
I was not impressed with Luke at all. The decisions he made and they way he treated Grace really put me off. I honestly didn’t see his appeal at all.
Other than that this is a good story about three sisters who are grieving the loss of their father at Christmas time. Each of them obviously has their own story to tell and this one was Grace’s. Even though I didn’t enjoy this book as much as I had hoped to I think I will check out the next in the series. I am curious as to what will happen in Grace’s sister’s lives.
August 11, 2014
This is a nice little Christmas story of coming home. Grace left town years ago when Luke chose Helen and Briar Creek over her. She has decided to spend Christmas with her family and see if she can run the bookstore her father once owned. Luke is is widower and living in the past. You want to give him a swift kick. There are lots of opportunities for future stories about Briar Creek and hopefully we can reconnect with Luke and Grace again.
February 9, 2016
Fa-la-la-la-loving it!
August 5, 2019
Als die junge Autorin Grace Madison in ihren Heimatort Briar Creek zurück kehrt, tut sie dies nicht ganz freiwillig und mit einem flauen Gefühl im Magen. Fünf Jahre ist sie nicht mehr in ihrem Heimatort gewesen, seit jenem Tag. Fünf Jahre hat sie sich von allen familiären Pflichten losgesagt. Fünf Jahre hat sie kaum Kontakt zu ihren Freunden gehabt. Fünf Jahre, bei denen sie nur kurz heim kehrte, um der Beerdigung ihres geliebten Vaters beizuwohnen. Fünf Jahre, seit dem sie IHM aus dem Weg gegangen ist und es in ihrer Familie ein unausgesprochenes Gesetz gewesen ist, nicht mehr über IHN zu reden. Doch nun ist Grace auf dem Weg nach Hause, um das Weihnachtsfest mit ihrer depressiven Mutter, ihren zwei Schwestern und ihrer kleinen Nichte zu feiern. Der Weg erweist sich jedoch als sehr erschwerlich und kurz bevor sie Briar Creek erreicht, hat sie einen Unfall auf der schneebedeckten, glatten Straße. Sofort kommt ihr jemand zu Hilfe, doch es ist jemand, den sie ganz bestimmt nie wieder in ihrem Leben sehen wollte. NIE! Ihre Jugendliebe Luke Hastings. Herzensbrecher und der Grund, weshalb Grace es nie wieder nach Briar Creek geschafft hat. Doch nun ist sie auf Luke angewiesen und während die beiden auf dem Weg zu Grace Haus sind, stellt sie fest, dass er noch immer so charmant und attraktiv ist, wie er es einst gewesen ist. Und Luke selbst? Der junge Witwer ist ebenfalls sofort wieder Feuer und Flamme für seine Jugendliebe, wären da nicht so viel Missverständnisse zwischen den beiden, die sie immer wieder aneinander geraten lassen. Und dann gilt es auch noch den Buchladen von Grace Vater zu retten oder ihn endgültig zu schließen. Grace muss viele Entscheidungen treffen, die immer wieder durch familiäre Probleme oder Luke verschoben werden müssen.
Ich habe mir dieses Buch wegen dem Cover geholt, weil ich es so verträumt und romantisch fand. Und ich muss sagen, dass es sich definitiv gelohnt hat. Die Geschichte ist so schön locker und doch voller Spannung, besonders, wann man sich immer wieder fragt, ob die beiden Protagonisten sich denn nun endlich wieder finden, oder eben nicht. Man merkt immer wieder, dass die beiden einfach zusammen gehören, doch sie machen sich selbst das Leben schwer.
Grace als Protagonistin ist eine sehr eigenwillige Person. Sie hat ihr Leben in Briar Creek aufgegeben, weil sie das Abenteuer gesucht hat. Ihre Verlobung hat sie erst vor kurzem gelöst, da sie für sich selbst festgestellt hat, dass die Beziehung zu ihrem Exfreund nicht das Wahre war. Außerdem ist sie eine sehr junge Autorin, dir ihre ersten schlechten Kritiken bekommen hat und nun unter einer Schreibblockade leidet. Für Grace scheint ihr Traum von einer Karriere als Autorin vorbei und sie hat Geldprobleme. Trotz allem steht aber für Grace fest, dass sie nach dem Fest wieder nach New York zurück kehren wird und dem Landleben den Rücken kehrt. Erst durch die familiären Umstände, den geliebten Buchladen ihres Vaters und durch Luke kommen ihre Pläne langsam ins Schwanken und man erkennt, dass sie doch an ihrer alten Heimat hängt - mehr, als sie sich selbst eingestehen will.
Luke hingegen ist charmant und weiß, wie er auf seine Umwelt wirkt. Als junger Witwer fühlt er sich seiner Frau gegenüber sehr schuldig, weil er sie angeblich nicht fair behandelt hat. Deshalb hält er nun an ihrem Andenken sehr fest und scheint sich immer und immer wieder dadurch selbst im Weg zu stehen. Luke in seiner Art scheint immer nur vor anderen auf der Flucht zu sein, er kapselt sich sogar zeitweise richtig ein. Außerdem fragt er sich oft, was wohl gewesen wäre, wenn er damals anders gehandelt hätte, was ihn immer wieder zum hadern bringt.
Das Buch kann ich allen empfehlen, die eine schöne Liebesgeschichte mögen und ausdauernd sind, denn die beiden Protagonisten tanzen wirklich immer wieder um sich her, bis sie eine Entscheidung finden. Das kann manchmal sehr langwierig werden. Trotzdem ist das Buch sehr lesenswert, vor allem, weil es auch viele Alltagssituationen beinhaltet, die der eine oder andere schon selbst erlebt hat. Es regt definitiv zum nachdenken an.
Taschenbuch: 448 Seiten
Verlag: Egmont LYX; Auflage: 1 (1. Oktober 2015)
Sprache: Deutsch
ISBN-10: 3802599330
ISBN-13: 978-3802599330
Originaltitel: Mistletoe on Main Street
Größe und/oder Gewicht: 12,4 x 2,9 x 18 cm
Ich habe mir dieses Buch wegen dem Cover geholt, weil ich es so verträumt und romantisch fand. Und ich muss sagen, dass es sich definitiv gelohnt hat. Die Geschichte ist so schön locker und doch voller Spannung, besonders, wann man sich immer wieder fragt, ob die beiden Protagonisten sich denn nun endlich wieder finden, oder eben nicht. Man merkt immer wieder, dass die beiden einfach zusammen gehören, doch sie machen sich selbst das Leben schwer.
Grace als Protagonistin ist eine sehr eigenwillige Person. Sie hat ihr Leben in Briar Creek aufgegeben, weil sie das Abenteuer gesucht hat. Ihre Verlobung hat sie erst vor kurzem gelöst, da sie für sich selbst festgestellt hat, dass die Beziehung zu ihrem Exfreund nicht das Wahre war. Außerdem ist sie eine sehr junge Autorin, dir ihre ersten schlechten Kritiken bekommen hat und nun unter einer Schreibblockade leidet. Für Grace scheint ihr Traum von einer Karriere als Autorin vorbei und sie hat Geldprobleme. Trotz allem steht aber für Grace fest, dass sie nach dem Fest wieder nach New York zurück kehren wird und dem Landleben den Rücken kehrt. Erst durch die familiären Umstände, den geliebten Buchladen ihres Vaters und durch Luke kommen ihre Pläne langsam ins Schwanken und man erkennt, dass sie doch an ihrer alten Heimat hängt - mehr, als sie sich selbst eingestehen will.
Luke hingegen ist charmant und weiß, wie er auf seine Umwelt wirkt. Als junger Witwer fühlt er sich seiner Frau gegenüber sehr schuldig, weil er sie angeblich nicht fair behandelt hat. Deshalb hält er nun an ihrem Andenken sehr fest und scheint sich immer und immer wieder dadurch selbst im Weg zu stehen. Luke in seiner Art scheint immer nur vor anderen auf der Flucht zu sein, er kapselt sich sogar zeitweise richtig ein. Außerdem fragt er sich oft, was wohl gewesen wäre, wenn er damals anders gehandelt hätte, was ihn immer wieder zum hadern bringt.
Das Buch kann ich allen empfehlen, die eine schöne Liebesgeschichte mögen und ausdauernd sind, denn die beiden Protagonisten tanzen wirklich immer wieder um sich her, bis sie eine Entscheidung finden. Das kann manchmal sehr langwierig werden. Trotzdem ist das Buch sehr lesenswert, vor allem, weil es auch viele Alltagssituationen beinhaltet, die der eine oder andere schon selbst erlebt hat. Es regt definitiv zum nachdenken an.
Taschenbuch: 448 Seiten
Verlag: Egmont LYX; Auflage: 1 (1. Oktober 2015)
Sprache: Deutsch
ISBN-10: 3802599330
ISBN-13: 978-3802599330
Originaltitel: Mistletoe on Main Street
Größe und/oder Gewicht: 12,4 x 2,9 x 18 cm
September 22, 2022
Meine Meinung
Allgemein
Ich bin so ungefähr, wie die Protagonistin im Buch. Nur eben mit Büchern! Mir gefallen keine zeitgebundenen Bücher und der Protagonistin eben kein Weihnachten. Doch dieses Buch war anders. Dieses Buch konnte Gefühl vermitteln und hatte viel mehr zu bieten, als eine bloße Liebesgeschichte.
Der Alltag einer Familie in einem kleinen Dorf, mit denen viele sich ab einem gewissen Alter bestimmt identifizieren können.
Eigentlich will Grace ja gar nicht zurück, aber wenn ihre Familie sie doch so bittet, kann sie schlecht absagen. Nach Jahren kehrt sie also zurück in das Dorf, welches sie unter keinen Umständen auf eine längere Zeit wiedersehen wollte.
Doch als sie ankommt ist plötzlich alles ganz anders. Niemand ihrer Freunde und Bekannten scheint im Mindesten in Feierlaune zu sein und Grace hat alle Hände voll zu tun für ihre Familie da zu sein... Doch auch sie bleibt vom Schicksal nicht verschont und so läuft sie ihrer großen Liebe Luke im kleinen Dorf immer und immer wieder über den Weg. Eine Mischung aus Witz, Verletzung, Erinnerungen und tiefen Gefühlen.
Die Protagonisten verändern sich im Laufe der Geschichte. Den Prozess an sich fand ich sehr glaubwürdig dargestellt. Die Art des Denkens, des Überdenkens. Man lernt nie aus im Leben und so lernen das auch die beiden Erwachsenen Luke und Grace.
Das Ende war praktisch genau richtig für mich. Obwohl es kein direktes HappyEnd geben kann, da einige Geschehnisse einfach unumkehrbar sind, so finden doch viele ihren persönlichen Segen. Wie dieser aussieht? Lest selber!
Charaktere
Der Wandel der Charaktere waren sehr glaubwürdig und mich hat es gefreut sie durch unterschiedlichste Emotionen begleiten zu dürfen und mich von ihnen packen zu lassen.
Am liebsten mochte ich die Familie von Grace. Alle unterschiedlich und doch so gleich. Es gibt den Miesepeter, den Zusammenhalter, den Zuhörer. Allesamt authentisch dargestellt. Am Anfang war mein einziges Problem alle auseinander zu halten, da selbst die Mutter mit Vornamen angeredet wurde und alle so simple Namen hatten, das ich alle über den Haufen geworfen habe.
Auch Luke sagte mir auf Anhieb zu. Der verletzte Junge, der dachte, er hätte gelebt. Vor allem seine Mutter konnte mir einige Lacher hervorlocken.
Schreibstil & Sichtweise
Das Buch wurde versehen mit vielen Auf und Abs und vor allem Gefühlen. Der Schreibstil nimmt einen auf eine Entdeckungsreise und regt an über sich selbst nachzudenken.
Geschrieben wurde das Buch in der dritten Person aus den Sichten von Grace, Luke und Grace Schwester Jane.
Cover & Titel
Das Cover ist - passend zu Weihnachten - winterlich gestaltet. Das Paar soll die beiden Protagonisten darstellen.
Der Titel gefällt mir sehr gut. Er ist sehr schlicht gehalten und trotzdem aussagekräftig. Denn trotz einer Normalität, die auch zu Weihnachten herrschen kann, ist die Winterzeit eine magische Zeit.
Zitat
"Ihr Mund bildete eine dünne Linie. Das Dunkeln in ihren Augen war verschwunden. Aber selbst jetzt sah sie so wunderschön aus, dass er die ganze Nacht dastehen und sie anstarren wollte."
- Position 3619
Fazit
Ein herrlicher Winterroman, der einem das Herz erwärmt und zum Nachdenken anregt. Ich durfte ein paar gemütliche Stunden mit wunderbaren Charaktere und einer berührenden Geschichte verbringen.
Allgemein
Ich bin so ungefähr, wie die Protagonistin im Buch. Nur eben mit Büchern! Mir gefallen keine zeitgebundenen Bücher und der Protagonistin eben kein Weihnachten. Doch dieses Buch war anders. Dieses Buch konnte Gefühl vermitteln und hatte viel mehr zu bieten, als eine bloße Liebesgeschichte.
Der Alltag einer Familie in einem kleinen Dorf, mit denen viele sich ab einem gewissen Alter bestimmt identifizieren können.
Eigentlich will Grace ja gar nicht zurück, aber wenn ihre Familie sie doch so bittet, kann sie schlecht absagen. Nach Jahren kehrt sie also zurück in das Dorf, welches sie unter keinen Umständen auf eine längere Zeit wiedersehen wollte.
Doch als sie ankommt ist plötzlich alles ganz anders. Niemand ihrer Freunde und Bekannten scheint im Mindesten in Feierlaune zu sein und Grace hat alle Hände voll zu tun für ihre Familie da zu sein... Doch auch sie bleibt vom Schicksal nicht verschont und so läuft sie ihrer großen Liebe Luke im kleinen Dorf immer und immer wieder über den Weg. Eine Mischung aus Witz, Verletzung, Erinnerungen und tiefen Gefühlen.
Die Protagonisten verändern sich im Laufe der Geschichte. Den Prozess an sich fand ich sehr glaubwürdig dargestellt. Die Art des Denkens, des Überdenkens. Man lernt nie aus im Leben und so lernen das auch die beiden Erwachsenen Luke und Grace.
Das Ende war praktisch genau richtig für mich. Obwohl es kein direktes HappyEnd geben kann, da einige Geschehnisse einfach unumkehrbar sind, so finden doch viele ihren persönlichen Segen. Wie dieser aussieht? Lest selber!
Charaktere
Der Wandel der Charaktere waren sehr glaubwürdig und mich hat es gefreut sie durch unterschiedlichste Emotionen begleiten zu dürfen und mich von ihnen packen zu lassen.
Am liebsten mochte ich die Familie von Grace. Alle unterschiedlich und doch so gleich. Es gibt den Miesepeter, den Zusammenhalter, den Zuhörer. Allesamt authentisch dargestellt. Am Anfang war mein einziges Problem alle auseinander zu halten, da selbst die Mutter mit Vornamen angeredet wurde und alle so simple Namen hatten, das ich alle über den Haufen geworfen habe.
Auch Luke sagte mir auf Anhieb zu. Der verletzte Junge, der dachte, er hätte gelebt. Vor allem seine Mutter konnte mir einige Lacher hervorlocken.
Schreibstil & Sichtweise
Das Buch wurde versehen mit vielen Auf und Abs und vor allem Gefühlen. Der Schreibstil nimmt einen auf eine Entdeckungsreise und regt an über sich selbst nachzudenken.
Geschrieben wurde das Buch in der dritten Person aus den Sichten von Grace, Luke und Grace Schwester Jane.
Cover & Titel
Das Cover ist - passend zu Weihnachten - winterlich gestaltet. Das Paar soll die beiden Protagonisten darstellen.
Der Titel gefällt mir sehr gut. Er ist sehr schlicht gehalten und trotzdem aussagekräftig. Denn trotz einer Normalität, die auch zu Weihnachten herrschen kann, ist die Winterzeit eine magische Zeit.
Zitat
"Ihr Mund bildete eine dünne Linie. Das Dunkeln in ihren Augen war verschwunden. Aber selbst jetzt sah sie so wunderschön aus, dass er die ganze Nacht dastehen und sie anstarren wollte."
- Position 3619
Fazit
Ein herrlicher Winterroman, der einem das Herz erwärmt und zum Nachdenken anregt. Ich durfte ein paar gemütliche Stunden mit wunderbaren Charaktere und einer berührenden Geschichte verbringen.
August 20, 2019
Grace Madison kehrt nach vielen Jahren in ihre kleine Heimatstadt Briar Creek in Vermont zurück. Nach ihrer erfolgreichen Karriere als Schriftstellerin kehrt sie New York City den Rücken und zieht wieder daheim, bei ihrer Mutter ein. Denn nach dem Tod von Grace Vater ist ihre Mutter, trotz Grace Schwestern, nicht mehr die selbe. Grace beschließt, für längere Zeit in Briar Creek zu bleiben, um auch den geliebten Buchladen ihres Vaters wieder zu eröffnen. Doch als plötzlich ihr Ex-Freund; Luke Hastings vor ihr steht, steht Grace Welt plötzlich wieder Kopf. Denn sofort sind die alten Gefühle für ihren Ex wieder da....
Ich habe mich sehr auf diese Reihe gefreut, da die ganzen Bücher dieser Reihe nach einer schönen, leichten Unterhaltung klingen und alle Teile dieser Reihe so hübsche und romantische Cover haben.
Mich hat diese Geschichte/Reihe und auch besonders das Setting an die Redwood Love-Trilogie erinnert. Es gibt ziemlich viele Parallelen zwischen diesen zwei Reihen! Nicht nur das Setting, auch die Geschichten sind sich sehr ähnlich. Es sind Wohlfühlbücher, ohne viel Anspruch und Tiefgang, dafür aber mit viel Herz.
Ich LIEBE das Setting hier.
Briar Creek ist eine sympathische Kleinstadt in Vermont. Dort gibt es voll die netten Menschen, urige Geschäfte, viel Schnee und einfach ALLES, was man sich für Weihnachten wünscht. Am liebsten würde ich dort selber mal hinfahren, aber leider gibt's diese Stadt ja nicht.
Ein schöner,winterlichter/weihnachtlicher Liebesroman vor der schönen Kulisse Vermonts in der fiktiven Kleinstadt;Briar Creek! Die Geschichte erzählt zwar nichts Neues, allerdings wird sie ganz süß erzählt,auch wenn es stellenweise ein paar kleinere Längen gibt, die so aber nicht groß stören.Die Geschichte ist zwar vorhersehbar und bietet keine großen Überraschungen, dennoch fühlte ich mich gut unterhalten.Der Schreibstil von Olivia Miles ist recht flüssig und ich hatte das Buch relativ schnell durch, auch wenn es sich an manchen Stellen (leider) etwas gezogen hat
Grace kehrt nach vielen Jahren wieder zurück in ihre kleine Heimatstadt. Sie hat die Stadt fünf Jahre lang gemieden, da ihre damalige Beziehung zu Luke in die Brüche ging. Grace hat sich ein Leben in New York aufgebaut, schnell Karriere als Schriftstellerin gemacht, sie wurde gefeiert, bis ihr letzter Roman ein Flop war. Seitdem ging's mit ihrem Leben etwas bergab; ihre Beziehung mit einem anderen Mann ging auch in die Brüche und ihr geliebter Vater ist gestorben. Um sich über ihre Zukunft vollkommen klar zu werden, fährt sie zurück nach Hause.
Luke hat Briar Creek nie verlassen und führt ein normales, bürgerliches Leben. Er ist der Direktor der örtlichen Grundschule und Witwer. Als er auf seine frühere Liebe trifft, kommen sowohl bei ihm, als auch bei ihr, wieder viele Erinnerungen und Emotionen hoch.
Grace und Luke mochte ich sehr, sehr gerne. Ich fand beide sehr sympathisch und bodenständig. Die zwei nehmen sich auch füreinander wieder genügend Zeit, lernen sich neu kennen, bevor sie sich wieder näher kommen. Die Liebesgeschichte ist sehr süß und authentisch.
Ein schöner Liebesroman, der sich vor allem perfekt für die Vorweihnachtszeit eignet!
4 von 5 Sternchen
Ich habe mich sehr auf diese Reihe gefreut, da die ganzen Bücher dieser Reihe nach einer schönen, leichten Unterhaltung klingen und alle Teile dieser Reihe so hübsche und romantische Cover haben.
Mich hat diese Geschichte/Reihe und auch besonders das Setting an die Redwood Love-Trilogie erinnert. Es gibt ziemlich viele Parallelen zwischen diesen zwei Reihen! Nicht nur das Setting, auch die Geschichten sind sich sehr ähnlich. Es sind Wohlfühlbücher, ohne viel Anspruch und Tiefgang, dafür aber mit viel Herz.
Ich LIEBE das Setting hier.
Briar Creek ist eine sympathische Kleinstadt in Vermont. Dort gibt es voll die netten Menschen, urige Geschäfte, viel Schnee und einfach ALLES, was man sich für Weihnachten wünscht. Am liebsten würde ich dort selber mal hinfahren, aber leider gibt's diese Stadt ja nicht.
Ein schöner,winterlichter/weihnachtlicher Liebesroman vor der schönen Kulisse Vermonts in der fiktiven Kleinstadt;Briar Creek! Die Geschichte erzählt zwar nichts Neues, allerdings wird sie ganz süß erzählt,auch wenn es stellenweise ein paar kleinere Längen gibt, die so aber nicht groß stören.Die Geschichte ist zwar vorhersehbar und bietet keine großen Überraschungen, dennoch fühlte ich mich gut unterhalten.Der Schreibstil von Olivia Miles ist recht flüssig und ich hatte das Buch relativ schnell durch, auch wenn es sich an manchen Stellen (leider) etwas gezogen hat
Grace kehrt nach vielen Jahren wieder zurück in ihre kleine Heimatstadt. Sie hat die Stadt fünf Jahre lang gemieden, da ihre damalige Beziehung zu Luke in die Brüche ging. Grace hat sich ein Leben in New York aufgebaut, schnell Karriere als Schriftstellerin gemacht, sie wurde gefeiert, bis ihr letzter Roman ein Flop war. Seitdem ging's mit ihrem Leben etwas bergab; ihre Beziehung mit einem anderen Mann ging auch in die Brüche und ihr geliebter Vater ist gestorben. Um sich über ihre Zukunft vollkommen klar zu werden, fährt sie zurück nach Hause.
Luke hat Briar Creek nie verlassen und führt ein normales, bürgerliches Leben. Er ist der Direktor der örtlichen Grundschule und Witwer. Als er auf seine frühere Liebe trifft, kommen sowohl bei ihm, als auch bei ihr, wieder viele Erinnerungen und Emotionen hoch.
Grace und Luke mochte ich sehr, sehr gerne. Ich fand beide sehr sympathisch und bodenständig. Die zwei nehmen sich auch füreinander wieder genügend Zeit, lernen sich neu kennen, bevor sie sich wieder näher kommen. Die Liebesgeschichte ist sehr süß und authentisch.
Ein schöner Liebesroman, der sich vor allem perfekt für die Vorweihnachtszeit eignet!
4 von 5 Sternchen
June 16, 2015
Read my full review HERE at Into the Hall of Books.
Mistletoe on Main Street by Olivia Miles is a huge win for me because I love small-town settings, second-chance romances, holiday stories, and companion series. I love basically everything about this story. I'm excited that I caught this series as it is beginning (and at holiday season, FUN!) so I can keep up with each release in real time. You guys, this is pretty much EVERYTHING I love in a fun, flirty romance.
Writer Grace Madison is on her way home for the holidays when she finds herself stranded on the side of the road...in the snow. WOULDN'T YOU KNOW the first person to pass by would be the one guy she never wanted to see again - Luke Hastings! He pulls up, looking handsome, and Grace's feelings of holiday cheer turn to dread instantly. She should've known she couldn't have slipped into a town as small as Briar Creek without bumping into the ex-love-of-her-life! Grace knows she will be reminded of everything she gave away, everything she doesn't have, and everything she wished was hers. Just like the Knight-In-Shining-Armor that he always was, Luke gives her a ride, and she joins her family for the festivities...except...everything in Briar Creek seems to be different.
When Grace arrives at her mother's home, she notices right away that there are no decorations - SUPER ODD - and that there is some awkward tension oozing off of her sisters. What did she expect, really? She fled town five years ago, after she and Luke broke up, and vowed never to return to Briar Creek. And MAN OH MAN, she really hasn't returned. Okay, well, she may have come back a time or two - but that's it! She wasn't there for big birthdays, to see her niece grow up, when she published her first book. Sadly, she also missed most of the end of her father's life. She hasn't been around to help pick up the pieces of that loss. And no one has forgotten it. And life has gone on without her. And it just isn't the same.
And she has no clue what has happened with Luke.
I started reading Mistletoe on Main Street by Olivia Miles earlier this morning and read throughout the day. I walked around with my Kindle in my hand. I worked in my kitchen with my Kindle in my hand. I took more "breaks" than necessary because I was so invested in the story of Grace and Luke, separately, but also together. (And I was VERY invested in the relationships between the siblings in this one.)
Grace is one of those characters that left her small town life, probably speeding and never looking back. The thing about that is that now she is ready to settle down and...she wants to come back. (THIS IS ME. THIS IS ME. I JUST DID THIS after leaving my hometown 15+ years ago and it feels incredible.) Grace is fiesty and independent, but better than that: she is willing to admit that leaving wasn't the best idea. She realizes that she missed out on SO MUCH while she was gone, and she is ready to throw herself back into small-town life with her family and her friends, and she wants to find herself a place again. I love Grace and her thinking process and the way she willingly admits that her plans need to change a bit. She is stubborn but not overly-plucky, and she has the perfect amount of "go-getter" in her to do some pretty big things that not only help her but her family too.
And Luke Hastings, the love interest. The ex-boyfriend that everyone thought she would marry! OH YES, I've read about this particular guy before, see, but the thing is: as long as this guy is written well and he is a good guy - I will NEVER get tired of reading about him. Luke has been dealt some blows since Grace left town. Interestingly, the whole town knows about his life - small town life! - but Grace doesn't, see. SHE LEFT, so it kind of serves her right to not be privy to all of his past hurts, right? Well, Luke has to work through working out his issues, and he is vulnerable as a character because it is hard for him. You guys, it is HARD to move past hard things sometimes. It is hard to lay some things down and move on, and this is where Luke finds himself - can he move beyond guilt and pain in order to rekindle a new life with Grace, the girl he used to love and likely always did?
I LOVE IT. I LOVE IT. I LOVE IT.
I love the other things in this book: the Christmas-ness of everything, the small-town atmosphere, the family on both Grace's side and Luke's side, and the fact that the book isn't necessarily centered completely on Grace and Luke. Author Olivia Miles has taken a little bit of time to set us up with characters that are probably, most likely, please-please-please going to be the objects of forthcoming books in this series, so by the time we get to read their stories and backstories, we are already connected to them. There is one couple in particular - hello there, tension! Not sure why these two have a history, but it is there. The things that these two DON'T SAY are quite loud, and I want to know what they are. I'm holding my breath for the next book in this series...
A holiday story is a fun way to start the Briar Creek series! I'm excited to have read this first installment - this is exactly the kind of holiday story that I like. Today, when I read this, it just happened to be a little chilly in my house and I found myself bundled up more than normal, and this reading was PERFECTION. This book calls for snow, hot chocolate, and blankets OR if you aren't in a snowy area (like me), it is STILL great holiday reading and I highly recommend it for this year's holiday list. Plus the cover is really cute, which is always a plus.
I recommend Mistletoe on Main Street by Olivia Miles to fans of holiday stories, second-chance romances, great family/sibling relationships, and companion series. This is what I consider a perfect holiday story and I will most-likely read it during holiday seasons to come. I will CERTAINLY be continuing with this series as the books are released.
Mistletoe on Main Street by Olivia Miles is a huge win for me because I love small-town settings, second-chance romances, holiday stories, and companion series. I love basically everything about this story. I'm excited that I caught this series as it is beginning (and at holiday season, FUN!) so I can keep up with each release in real time. You guys, this is pretty much EVERYTHING I love in a fun, flirty romance.
Writer Grace Madison is on her way home for the holidays when she finds herself stranded on the side of the road...in the snow. WOULDN'T YOU KNOW the first person to pass by would be the one guy she never wanted to see again - Luke Hastings! He pulls up, looking handsome, and Grace's feelings of holiday cheer turn to dread instantly. She should've known she couldn't have slipped into a town as small as Briar Creek without bumping into the ex-love-of-her-life! Grace knows she will be reminded of everything she gave away, everything she doesn't have, and everything she wished was hers. Just like the Knight-In-Shining-Armor that he always was, Luke gives her a ride, and she joins her family for the festivities...except...everything in Briar Creek seems to be different.
When Grace arrives at her mother's home, she notices right away that there are no decorations - SUPER ODD - and that there is some awkward tension oozing off of her sisters. What did she expect, really? She fled town five years ago, after she and Luke broke up, and vowed never to return to Briar Creek. And MAN OH MAN, she really hasn't returned. Okay, well, she may have come back a time or two - but that's it! She wasn't there for big birthdays, to see her niece grow up, when she published her first book. Sadly, she also missed most of the end of her father's life. She hasn't been around to help pick up the pieces of that loss. And no one has forgotten it. And life has gone on without her. And it just isn't the same.
And she has no clue what has happened with Luke.
*****************************************
I started reading Mistletoe on Main Street by Olivia Miles earlier this morning and read throughout the day. I walked around with my Kindle in my hand. I worked in my kitchen with my Kindle in my hand. I took more "breaks" than necessary because I was so invested in the story of Grace and Luke, separately, but also together. (And I was VERY invested in the relationships between the siblings in this one.)
Grace is one of those characters that left her small town life, probably speeding and never looking back. The thing about that is that now she is ready to settle down and...she wants to come back. (THIS IS ME. THIS IS ME. I JUST DID THIS after leaving my hometown 15+ years ago and it feels incredible.) Grace is fiesty and independent, but better than that: she is willing to admit that leaving wasn't the best idea. She realizes that she missed out on SO MUCH while she was gone, and she is ready to throw herself back into small-town life with her family and her friends, and she wants to find herself a place again. I love Grace and her thinking process and the way she willingly admits that her plans need to change a bit. She is stubborn but not overly-plucky, and she has the perfect amount of "go-getter" in her to do some pretty big things that not only help her but her family too.
And Luke Hastings, the love interest. The ex-boyfriend that everyone thought she would marry! OH YES, I've read about this particular guy before, see, but the thing is: as long as this guy is written well and he is a good guy - I will NEVER get tired of reading about him. Luke has been dealt some blows since Grace left town. Interestingly, the whole town knows about his life - small town life! - but Grace doesn't, see. SHE LEFT, so it kind of serves her right to not be privy to all of his past hurts, right? Well, Luke has to work through working out his issues, and he is vulnerable as a character because it is hard for him. You guys, it is HARD to move past hard things sometimes. It is hard to lay some things down and move on, and this is where Luke finds himself - can he move beyond guilt and pain in order to rekindle a new life with Grace, the girl he used to love and likely always did?
I LOVE IT. I LOVE IT. I LOVE IT.
I love the other things in this book: the Christmas-ness of everything, the small-town atmosphere, the family on both Grace's side and Luke's side, and the fact that the book isn't necessarily centered completely on Grace and Luke. Author Olivia Miles has taken a little bit of time to set us up with characters that are probably, most likely, please-please-please going to be the objects of forthcoming books in this series, so by the time we get to read their stories and backstories, we are already connected to them. There is one couple in particular - hello there, tension! Not sure why these two have a history, but it is there. The things that these two DON'T SAY are quite loud, and I want to know what they are. I'm holding my breath for the next book in this series...
*****************************************
A holiday story is a fun way to start the Briar Creek series! I'm excited to have read this first installment - this is exactly the kind of holiday story that I like. Today, when I read this, it just happened to be a little chilly in my house and I found myself bundled up more than normal, and this reading was PERFECTION. This book calls for snow, hot chocolate, and blankets OR if you aren't in a snowy area (like me), it is STILL great holiday reading and I highly recommend it for this year's holiday list. Plus the cover is really cute, which is always a plus.
I recommend Mistletoe on Main Street by Olivia Miles to fans of holiday stories, second-chance romances, great family/sibling relationships, and companion series. This is what I consider a perfect holiday story and I will most-likely read it during holiday seasons to come. I will CERTAINLY be continuing with this series as the books are released.
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