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Crimson, Colorado #4
A Very Crimson Christmas
IT'S THAT TIME OF YEAR
For years there'd been only one woman in Liam Donovan's life—his beloved nanny, who'd raised him as her own. But someone is clearly taking advantage of Ruth, which brings the studly CEO back to Crimson, the place he was all too happy to have left behind. And there Liam finds Ruth has live-in help—in the form of his high school love, Natalie Holt, and her adorable son… He better not fall for Nat a second time—because what if she is the cause of his nanny's missing money?
If Natalie had time for any guy besides her son, it would not be Liam Donovan, who'd broken her heart once, and now seems to think she could add thief to her long list of job titles! She could prove easily enough that she can be trusted with the money—but can Natalie trust Liam with her heart…again?
For years there'd been only one woman in Liam Donovan's life—his beloved nanny, who'd raised him as her own. But someone is clearly taking advantage of Ruth, which brings the studly CEO back to Crimson, the place he was all too happy to have left behind. And there Liam finds Ruth has live-in help—in the form of his high school love, Natalie Holt, and her adorable son… He better not fall for Nat a second time—because what if she is the cause of his nanny's missing money?
If Natalie had time for any guy besides her son, it would not be Liam Donovan, who'd broken her heart once, and now seems to think she could add thief to her long list of job titles! She could prove easily enough that she can be trusted with the money—but can Natalie trust Liam with her heart…again?
218 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 20, 2015
59 people are currently reading
117 people want to read
About the author
Michelle Major
281 books829 followersUSA Today and Top 5 Amazon Bestselling author Michelle Major writes swoon-worthy stories full of heart, heat, and guaranteed happily-ever-afters. When she’s not dreaming up romance, you’ll find her hiking the trails (or avoiding housework) in her home state of Colorado.
Connect with her at www.michellemajor.com or come say hi on Instagram and Facebook.
Connect with her at www.michellemajor.com or come say hi on Instagram and Facebook.
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
December 24, 2015
Lovely story of Christmas and second chances. Liam has come back to Crimson to check up on his old nanny. He believes that someone is stealing from her and wants to put a stop to it. He doesn't expect to find his old girlfriend and her son living there, too, and possibly the source of the missing money. Natalie is equally unhappy to see Liam, especially when she finds out about his suspicions. She's far too busy trying to make ends meet to deal with him right now, but he isn't going away any time soon.
Liam and Natalie each blame the other for the end of their high school romance. Both had had reasons for their decisions that the other either didn't know or didn't understand. Now that they are back in contact, all those old memories and feelings are coming back, but neither is ready to trust their hearts again.
I liked Liam a lot. I felt badly for him because he has always felt that Ruth was the only one who ever really loved him. He spent years working for his father, trying to win his approval, and has now decided to go out on his own. Even now he thinks that people are only nice to him because they want something from him. Though he is initially suspicious of Natalie, he really doesn't want to believe that she is guilty of stealing from Ruth. Liam is also dealing with a bunch of guilty feelings, from the death of a friend ten years earlier to feeling like he's been neglecting his relationship with Ruth. The walls that he's built up over the years start to crumble under the influence of her love and from being around Natalie again. There were times when he seemed to be trying too hard, such as decorating the house, and others when things seemed to come naturally. I really liked seeing him with Natalie's son Austin and how easily they got along. He also has to face his fear of whether other people in town hold him responsible for his friend's death. I loved seeing him reconnect with old friends, and his surprise at how they treat him.
Natalie was great. She has dealt with so much over her life that she feels that she can only really count on herself. She divorced her husband when he became controlling and abusive, but is still dealing with him and his demands because she wants to protect her son. She works multiple jobs just to make ends meet. She also has a neurotic mother to contend with, one whose influence on her she only started to recognize recently. Liam's return has her looking at her past decisions with different eyes.
Neither Liam nor Natalie expected their old feelings to make a comeback. Both were determined to protect their hearts from being broken again and tried hard to resist what they were feeling. Liam tried very hard to believe that Ruth was the only reason he was staying in Crimson for so long, but it was obvious to everyone around that Natalie still meant something to him. His growing feelings for her scare him, especially when he's sure that she's hiding something from him. When it comes out, what he feels is her lack of trust in him makes him feel rejected all over again. Natalie's feelings for Liam are also growing, aided by the way he treats her son. But she's ashamed of the mistake she made by marrying her husband. She also suspects that her problems with him have something to do with Ruth's missing money, which is something she really doesn't want to admit to Liam. The confrontation between them leaves them both hurting. I loved seeing Liam's friend Tanner be blunt with him about what he sees Liam doing. I loved Natalie's big moment at the end and seeing both of them move forward with their future together.
*I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Liam and Natalie each blame the other for the end of their high school romance. Both had had reasons for their decisions that the other either didn't know or didn't understand. Now that they are back in contact, all those old memories and feelings are coming back, but neither is ready to trust their hearts again.
I liked Liam a lot. I felt badly for him because he has always felt that Ruth was the only one who ever really loved him. He spent years working for his father, trying to win his approval, and has now decided to go out on his own. Even now he thinks that people are only nice to him because they want something from him. Though he is initially suspicious of Natalie, he really doesn't want to believe that she is guilty of stealing from Ruth. Liam is also dealing with a bunch of guilty feelings, from the death of a friend ten years earlier to feeling like he's been neglecting his relationship with Ruth. The walls that he's built up over the years start to crumble under the influence of her love and from being around Natalie again. There were times when he seemed to be trying too hard, such as decorating the house, and others when things seemed to come naturally. I really liked seeing him with Natalie's son Austin and how easily they got along. He also has to face his fear of whether other people in town hold him responsible for his friend's death. I loved seeing him reconnect with old friends, and his surprise at how they treat him.
Natalie was great. She has dealt with so much over her life that she feels that she can only really count on herself. She divorced her husband when he became controlling and abusive, but is still dealing with him and his demands because she wants to protect her son. She works multiple jobs just to make ends meet. She also has a neurotic mother to contend with, one whose influence on her she only started to recognize recently. Liam's return has her looking at her past decisions with different eyes.
Neither Liam nor Natalie expected their old feelings to make a comeback. Both were determined to protect their hearts from being broken again and tried hard to resist what they were feeling. Liam tried very hard to believe that Ruth was the only reason he was staying in Crimson for so long, but it was obvious to everyone around that Natalie still meant something to him. His growing feelings for her scare him, especially when he's sure that she's hiding something from him. When it comes out, what he feels is her lack of trust in him makes him feel rejected all over again. Natalie's feelings for Liam are also growing, aided by the way he treats her son. But she's ashamed of the mistake she made by marrying her husband. She also suspects that her problems with him have something to do with Ruth's missing money, which is something she really doesn't want to admit to Liam. The confrontation between them leaves them both hurting. I loved seeing Liam's friend Tanner be blunt with him about what he sees Liam doing. I loved Natalie's big moment at the end and seeing both of them move forward with their future together.
*I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
October 23, 2015
Everyone who knows me knows that I'm a sucker for romance and a sucker for the holidays, whether it be on film or in a book. Add them together and I become completely sucked in and don't resurface till I'm done either watching the movie or reading the book. That's what happened with me this month when I started reading Michelle Major's latest romance, A Very Crimson Christmas. By the time I finished with first chapter I was not only in love with Liam and Natalie but I was also completely enthralled with his former Nanny, Ruth and Natalie's little boy Austin. (For me there's always been something extra special in a book where you not only fall in love with the main characters but just as much if not more with the seconday characters as well. For me that was definitely A Very Crimson Christmas.
I just couldn't put it down cause I had to see what was happening, was I correct in assuming where Ruth's money was disappearing to? was I correct to hope that Liam and Natalie would be able to find their way back to each other? ( for me , who married my best friend years later I really had to hope they found a way back to each other after life and circumstances had separated them). Would Natalie be able to overcome her neurotic mothers influence throughout her life? Deal with her abusive and controlling ex-husband once and for all? Would Liam be able to forgive himself for his part in the death of his friend 10 years earlier? And stop hoping his father would finally be proud of him and realize that until you make yourself happy you wont be able to make anyone else truly happy?
All these thoughts kept running through my mind and I didn't want to put A Very Crimson Christmas down because I was afraid I would miss something, it was that enthralling.
So if you want to be captivated by an amazing author who managed to enthrall me from the onset then pick of a copy of A Very Crimson Christmas and be prepared to be swept away by the book and romance author Michelle Major. Like me you won't be disappointed!!!
I just couldn't put it down cause I had to see what was happening, was I correct in assuming where Ruth's money was disappearing to? was I correct to hope that Liam and Natalie would be able to find their way back to each other? ( for me , who married my best friend years later I really had to hope they found a way back to each other after life and circumstances had separated them). Would Natalie be able to overcome her neurotic mothers influence throughout her life? Deal with her abusive and controlling ex-husband once and for all? Would Liam be able to forgive himself for his part in the death of his friend 10 years earlier? And stop hoping his father would finally be proud of him and realize that until you make yourself happy you wont be able to make anyone else truly happy?
All these thoughts kept running through my mind and I didn't want to put A Very Crimson Christmas down because I was afraid I would miss something, it was that enthralling.
So if you want to be captivated by an amazing author who managed to enthrall me from the onset then pick of a copy of A Very Crimson Christmas and be prepared to be swept away by the book and romance author Michelle Major. Like me you won't be disappointed!!!
November 18, 2015
I love second chance romances and Liam and Natalie give us just that. The author developed a relationship between Liam and Natalie where each blames the other for their high school relationship ending. Natalie has had a hard life since then whereas Liam has made it big. I really enjoyed both characters and the depth of their flaws and challenges made them interesting to read. Liam has very little self-esteem and is constantly looking for the angle when people warm up to him. He thinks that no one can possibly like him for him, and that is an endearing character trait in him. Natalie is distrustful of everyone because she's been burned more than once and her mother, from an early age, has created a deep feeling of fear in Natalie. Natalie's mother's toxic views on life have permeated every aspect of her life and relationships. Both Liam and Natalie have to overcome some pretty major hurdles if they're going to have a chance together.
The storyline revolves around Christmas and I love stories set at Christmas. I think the holiday season helped break the shell around Liam, but made him vulnerable at the same time. And Natalie has the additional burden of trying to make Christmas special for her son while dealing with an overbearing-alpha in Liam, a sweet old lady who means well, and an ugly, angry ex-husband who makes an appearance at just the worst, or is it the best, time. It is a sweet story with a happy ending, although the characters has to travel a long road to get there.
Disclosure: I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
The storyline revolves around Christmas and I love stories set at Christmas. I think the holiday season helped break the shell around Liam, but made him vulnerable at the same time. And Natalie has the additional burden of trying to make Christmas special for her son while dealing with an overbearing-alpha in Liam, a sweet old lady who means well, and an ugly, angry ex-husband who makes an appearance at just the worst, or is it the best, time. It is a sweet story with a happy ending, although the characters has to travel a long road to get there.
Disclosure: I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
December 1, 2015
Michelle Major is an author that I have had the pleasure of reading from a very young age. I read my first book by her at sixteen and have not looked back since. Throughout the years and her many stories she continues to mystify me with her moving stories. A Very Crimson Christmas is the most recent edition. I received a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review. The reason I enjoy reading books by this particular author is because there is always a connection that she creates between her two characters whether it be a volatile past relationship or a common acquaintance. That connection is what steers the direction of the story. Liam's trust issues played a part in coming between Natalie and himself the first go round. Will the problems that ended their relationship help them build a stronger bound? Or will mistrust, heartache and secrets ruin their second chance. There is a reason I continue to be a fan of Ms. Major, she appeals to the heart in any story she creates.
January 23, 2017
Liam Donovan left Crimson, CO to make a name for himself, first in his father's company, and then on his own. He's back in town to find out why money is leaving his former nanny's account. She was more a mother to him than his own mother, but she refuses to go into assisted living after falling and injuring her hip. When Liam goes to her house who should he run into but the woman he had a crush on (it was mutual) in high school.
Unlike Liam who couldn't get out of town soon enough, Natalie Holt is too fearful to leave and has stayed through a bad marriage and divorce to raise her 8 yr old son. However, she's being blackmailed by Brad and fears that he's getting money from Ruth, Liam's nanny. What a mess, especially when Liam at first suspects her of having a hand in the disappearance of the money.
When it's clear she isn't the one responsible, but Brad may be, everything Liam and Natalie had rekindled explodes in their faces. What will they do now? Read to find out.
Unlike Liam who couldn't get out of town soon enough, Natalie Holt is too fearful to leave and has stayed through a bad marriage and divorce to raise her 8 yr old son. However, she's being blackmailed by Brad and fears that he's getting money from Ruth, Liam's nanny. What a mess, especially when Liam at first suspects her of having a hand in the disappearance of the money.
When it's clear she isn't the one responsible, but Brad may be, everything Liam and Natalie had rekindled explodes in their faces. What will they do now? Read to find out.
October 23, 2015
Another delightfully heartwarming tale from this author, wrapped up with a Christmas bow! As with all of Ms. Major's books, Natalie and Liam give you so many heart tugs, it's hard to keep up! Natalie is a hard-working single mom with an adorable little boy doing all she can to make ends meet. Liam was her high school boyfriend all grown up and now a successful, powerful executive starting his own company. This is a second chances story that is perfect for a cold winter's night. Love the setting of the small town of Crimson, Colorado, and thoroughly enjoyed catching up on the characters from her previous Crimson stories to see how they're doing. Natalie and Liam sizzle with sexual tension but the issues keeping them apart keep you guessing until the end. This is another one for my keeper shelf! More stories set in Crimson please, Ms. Major!
December 27, 2015
"A Very Crimson Christmas (Crimson Colorado)" is in a series of books. Author Michelle Major pens this one and it's a classic, quick romance read that is perfect for the holidays. Liam Donovan is back in town after leaving town and his love Natalie Holt behind. She is divorced with a child and living with his old Nanny Ruth. Some money in Ruth's account is not accounted for and Liam of course blames Natalie. We find out that she is connected to the missing money.....but you'll have to read the book on your own and find out what happens.
September 17, 2025
Reviewed at Happily Ever After Romance
A Very Crimson Christmas is the fourth title in the Crimson, Colorado series, bringing Natalie and Liam together once again, years after their young love imploded on them. Now, Liam is back with the intention of protecting his beloved former nanny from what he suspects is robbery from someone close to Ruth… and who does he find living with Ruth? Natalie and her son. And Liam does not believe in coincidence.
Have you ever wanted to reach into a story and just smack a character upside the back of their head? Yeah, me, too. Liam got that reaction from me…a lot. I mean, seriously, dude! Did you just hear the idiotic garbage that came out of your mouth?! I suppose, we need to cut him some slack, considering his relationship with his piece of work father… but just a teeny, tiny bit. Doesn’t mean I didn’t love the guy; I just shook my head at his reactions so often.
Natalie has escaped her piece of trash husband and is rebuilding her life back in her hometown. She’s holding down several jobs just to keep up with her financial obligations. She didn’t steal anything from Ruth. But she has suspicions; she hopes to heaven that she’s wrong, but, knowing her luck, the truth is just going to wedge an even deeper divide between her and the man she still loves.
I enjoyed A Very Crimson Christmas by Michelle Major very much. It’s well-written, emotional, with a touch of humor and underlying tensions. Watching Liam and Natalie deal with their pasts, the issues that arise, and fighting their feelings was an emotional, satisfying journey. Add the magic, healing power of Christmas, familiar faces as they also continue their own journeys, and you’ll find a story that will touch your heart.
I read this title through my Kindle Unlimited subscription.
A Very Crimson Christmas is the fourth title in the Crimson, Colorado series, bringing Natalie and Liam together once again, years after their young love imploded on them. Now, Liam is back with the intention of protecting his beloved former nanny from what he suspects is robbery from someone close to Ruth… and who does he find living with Ruth? Natalie and her son. And Liam does not believe in coincidence.
Have you ever wanted to reach into a story and just smack a character upside the back of their head? Yeah, me, too. Liam got that reaction from me…a lot. I mean, seriously, dude! Did you just hear the idiotic garbage that came out of your mouth?! I suppose, we need to cut him some slack, considering his relationship with his piece of work father… but just a teeny, tiny bit. Doesn’t mean I didn’t love the guy; I just shook my head at his reactions so often.
Natalie has escaped her piece of trash husband and is rebuilding her life back in her hometown. She’s holding down several jobs just to keep up with her financial obligations. She didn’t steal anything from Ruth. But she has suspicions; she hopes to heaven that she’s wrong, but, knowing her luck, the truth is just going to wedge an even deeper divide between her and the man she still loves.
I enjoyed A Very Crimson Christmas by Michelle Major very much. It’s well-written, emotional, with a touch of humor and underlying tensions. Watching Liam and Natalie deal with their pasts, the issues that arise, and fighting their feelings was an emotional, satisfying journey. Add the magic, healing power of Christmas, familiar faces as they also continue their own journeys, and you’ll find a story that will touch your heart.
I read this title through my Kindle Unlimited subscription.
October 3, 2019
Novel in a Nutshell - Natalie is employed as a live-in Nurse by Ruth, the former and now elderly Nanny of Liam, Natalie's childhood sweetheart who moved away from Crimson. Now Liam is back, and determined to find out who has stolen money from Ruth, but finds his old feelings for Natalie resurfacing.
My review - This book felt like quite a change of pace for me; prior to reading it, I had read several, more light-hearted romances, and this one felt quite heavy and emotional in comparison. I liked the character of Natalie, but found it harder to warm to brooding Liam. There were a lot of storylines in this book, and not all of them were tied up neatly at the end. That's fair enough, as it doesn't always happen like that in real life, but it just felt a bit rushed at the end (e.g. Natalie finding her Dad). Natalie had such a lot thrown at her, I think I would have had some kind of breakdown if I were in her shoes. I do like the Crimson series, this one was just a bit intense for me.
My review - This book felt like quite a change of pace for me; prior to reading it, I had read several, more light-hearted romances, and this one felt quite heavy and emotional in comparison. I liked the character of Natalie, but found it harder to warm to brooding Liam. There were a lot of storylines in this book, and not all of them were tied up neatly at the end. That's fair enough, as it doesn't always happen like that in real life, but it just felt a bit rushed at the end (e.g. Natalie finding her Dad). Natalie had such a lot thrown at her, I think I would have had some kind of breakdown if I were in her shoes. I do like the Crimson series, this one was just a bit intense for me.
December 28, 2021
Liam has loved his Nanny Ruth since he was a boy and it looks as if someone is taking advantage of her generosity, he means to find out who and why. To find out who, he returns to his home town of Crimson.
He is surprised to find that Ruth has live in help, his high school love Nathalie and her adorable son. Ruth is thrilled that Liam is home and in time for Christmas. He wants to work out the thief and then get back to his life but Ruth has other ideas. As he spends time with Ruth, Nathalie and her son he learns that things are maybe not what he thought. He has his own ideas as to where Ruth should be living and she wants to stay in the farm house. Can Liam learn that money is not the answer to everything and also that he is loved. Can Nathalie learn to trust again.
A lovely story and one I would recommend. Will definitely be reading more books in this series.
He is surprised to find that Ruth has live in help, his high school love Nathalie and her adorable son. Ruth is thrilled that Liam is home and in time for Christmas. He wants to work out the thief and then get back to his life but Ruth has other ideas. As he spends time with Ruth, Nathalie and her son he learns that things are maybe not what he thought. He has his own ideas as to where Ruth should be living and she wants to stay in the farm house. Can Liam learn that money is not the answer to everything and also that he is loved. Can Nathalie learn to trust again.
A lovely story and one I would recommend. Will definitely be reading more books in this series.
March 13, 2019
Liam Donovan doesn't trust many people, which makes his attraction to Natalie impossible...since he suspects her of taking advantage of his former nanny. Watching these two grow individually and toward each other made for a great read.
December 17, 2024
A sweet, second chance romance set in the small town ofr Crimsom. I liked both characters and their history was interesting. I would have liked more time with them once they figured it all out, but getting their was very interesting.
December 15, 2017
Such a heartwarming story - a truly outstanding book! Love this series!
February 3, 2019
Another great book by Michelle. Great story read it in 4 hours.
February 27, 2023
***1/2
December 18, 2023
Enjoyed it very much!! I won this signed copy from the author herself!!
June 30, 2024
awesome series
Love the book and the series! Read them all for absolutely enjoyment! Can’t wait to start the next one soon!
Love the book and the series! Read them all for absolutely enjoyment! Can’t wait to start the next one soon!
March 10, 2025
Almost DNF’d at 40% but glad I decided to push through. Ended up being a cute feel-good holiday story.
November 23, 2015
This is a new author for me. Michelle Major spins a web of teenage love that was torn apart by family and a tragic accident. Natalie heeded her mother's phobia of leaving town and forced Liam to leave without her. During the time Liam is away making something of himself, Natalie marries and has a son. She learns awful things after her son is born and leaves her husband to his gambling addiction. She works multiple jobs to make sure she can give her son the life he deserves. One of those jobs is for Liam's old nanny, Ruth.
Liam has made a name for himself trying to gain his father's approval. He leaves the company to open one that is totally his to prove to his dad that he is not riding on his father's coat tails. He discovers that Ruth is missing $10,000 and goes back to the very town he swore never to return to to find out what happened to the money. He finds Natalie as Ruth's at home nurse.
Their worlds collide and past come back to bite them. A lot of twists and turns made for a wonderful novel. I look forward to the next one.
Liam has made a name for himself trying to gain his father's approval. He leaves the company to open one that is totally his to prove to his dad that he is not riding on his father's coat tails. He discovers that Ruth is missing $10,000 and goes back to the very town he swore never to return to to find out what happened to the money. He finds Natalie as Ruth's at home nurse.
Their worlds collide and past come back to bite them. A lot of twists and turns made for a wonderful novel. I look forward to the next one.
December 18, 2015
A sweet second-chance at love! Enjoyable characters that really have you pulling for them to forgive each other and see what they could have if they would open their hearts to the future.
Liam Donovan has returned to Crimson, CO to visit his childhood nanny Ruth Keller. He finds out that his high school love, Natalie Holt is Ruth's live-in nurse, along with her 9 year old son, Austin.
Natalie let fear of the unknown ruin her future with Liam all those years ago. Now she's got a no-good ex-husband who's only good quality was giving her the son she adores.
Will Liam convince Natalie to give them another chance? And when he learns her secrets, will he still want that future with her?
** Received free in exchange for an honest review **
Liam Donovan has returned to Crimson, CO to visit his childhood nanny Ruth Keller. He finds out that his high school love, Natalie Holt is Ruth's live-in nurse, along with her 9 year old son, Austin.
Natalie let fear of the unknown ruin her future with Liam all those years ago. Now she's got a no-good ex-husband who's only good quality was giving her the son she adores.
Will Liam convince Natalie to give them another chance? And when he learns her secrets, will he still want that future with her?
** Received free in exchange for an honest review **
November 19, 2015
Liam Donavan has had Ruth his nanny as the only woman in his life from a child ,she raised him, now he has come back to Crimson to find out why large amounts of her money is starting to disappear. Natalie Holt and her son live with Ruth as Ruth has had a fall. Liam believes at first that Natalie took the money, but as their feelings for each other grows he thinks not.Who has the money and why, will it make Liam leave Natalie ? I was given a copy for an honest review. barwatts@telus.net
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January 12, 2016"Mistakes and secrets headline this wonderful second-chance holiday tale. Major poignantly mixes laughter and tears and presents a genuinely deserving couple. Her family blended by love is the perfect conclusion" (RT Book Reviews, 4 stars).
Miniseries: Crimson, Colorado
Miniseries: Crimson, Colorado
November 11, 2015
Michelle Major creates a strong male character that I instantly was able to connect with. I loved that he comes in to save the day! Not only does he ride in to save his nanny, his caring nature extends to Natalie and her son Austin! This proved to be a great trip back to Crimson! I can't wait for the next book in this series!
January 12, 2016
Love, love, loved this book. My favorite so far of all of Michelle Major's books.
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews