Holiday Gifts

Castle Mountain Lodge #7

by Elena Aitken

Fall in love with Christmas at Castle Mountain Lodge! 

Ever since Ryan Morrison has taken over as Customer Service Manager at the famous Castle Mountain Lodge he’s witnessed the ‘magic of the Lodge’ and couples of all kinds falling in love around him. Is it the backdrop of the majestic mountains? Or maybe just the luxuriously rustic setting? Either way, Ryan’s convinced it won’t ever happen to him. 

For Julie Pitts her number one focus has always been raising sixteen-year-old Shay. Julie would do anything for her daughter, including organizing a special Christmas crafting retreat at Castle Mountain Lodge as a way for them to spend the holidays in the mountains the way her daughter has always wanted. 

Shay has also always wanted her mother to fall in love and when she sees a potential love match between the handsome manager and her mom who is long overdue for some romance in her life, she sets out to give the ‘magic of the Lodge’ a little festive help. After all…what’s more romantic than Christmas at Castle Mountain Lodge?

~A sweet, Contemporary Romance~

***Author's note: While Holiday Gifts can be read and enjoyed as a stand alone novel, check out the rest of the Castle Mountain Lodge Series for more mountain romance! 

Unexpected Gifts--(Colin & Andi)
Hidden Gifts--(Bo & Morgan)
Mistaken Gifts--(Jeff & Eva)
Secret Gifts--(Gage & Megan)
Goodbye Gifts--(Dylan & Carmen)
Tempting Gifts--(Jason & Lisa)
Holiday Gifts--(Ryan & Julie)

Genres: Romance, Christmas, Contemporary Romance, Holiday, Contemporary

134 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 23, 2015

About the author

Elena Aitken is a USA Today Bestselling Author of more than forty romance and women’s fiction novels. Living a stone’s throw from the Rocky Mountains with her teenager twins, their two cats and a goofy rescue dog, Elena escapes into the mountains whenever life allows. She can often be found with her toes in the lake and a glass of wine in her hand, dreaming up her next book and working on her own happily ever after with her very own mountain man.

Read a free novella — https://dl.bookfunnel.com/vxuimdz0j8

Reviews

[☆☆Hannah☆☆ · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a quick holiday read. Julie and her daughter are staying at the lodge. She meets Ryan and they hit it off. However, due to a misunderstanding they fight. Thankfully everything works out in the end and they get their happy ending.

[Constance · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received and ARC from the author of this book and immediately started reading it, I could not wait to get back to the Lodge! This book put me in the Christmas spirit and mood within the first few pages. It also had me thinking about crafting and all things holidays. I love this author, she has a way of allowing me as the reader to feel like I have jumped into the book and at Castle Mountain Lodge with Julie and Ryan and many of our favorite characters form previous lodge books. This story is a great stand alone or addition to this series as well. I really wish the lodge was not a fictional place as I would love to spend some time there myself. The Lodge has its own magic and when you mix in Christmas magic you are sure to have a fantastic story. Curl up with a cup of coffee or hot cocoa and a warm blanket and retreat to Castle Mountain Lodge and into this amazing story!

[Diane · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a delightful Christmas romance just perfect for this holiday time of the year when magic is in the air and Santa makes all our wishes come true. Julie and her daughter Shay are spending the days before Christmas at Castle Mountain Lodge where they meet Ryan, who is the manager of events at the popular getaway that specializes in catering to their guests every need. Julie doesn't know it, but Shay has plans to make sure she and her mother have the very best Christmas they have ever had. This is a sweet, clean and well written old fashioned romance for fans of contemporary romance. I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Debbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had the honor to review this book for the author. Julie and Ryan's story is truly amazing. When Julie and Shay went to the lodge she didn't realize her life would change. The way that Shay tries to get these two together is wonderful. Watching Julie and Ryan's relationship grow is remarkable. You won't be able to stop reading this book.

[Theresa Campbell · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an advance copy of this book for my honest review. This book is part of The Castle Mountain Lodge series. It is a fairly quick read but enjoyable if you're looking for a sweet romance. It's a clean story with no sexual references so this could be read by anyone. If you believe in Christmas magic and you're a romantic, then you should read this book.

[Melissa Addonizio · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this story, castle mountain lodge is a magical place I love how Ryan dressed as Santa and he is a man and I'm glad juila found Mr·Wonderful and how her daughter Shay liked Ryan and helped them together so sweet I love it and romantic setting and I wish there was a place like the mountain lodge

[Joy Whiteside · Rating 5 out of 5]

OMG, this was a totally amazing read that I could not put down. It moves along at the perfect pace, not to fast nor to slow. Has amazing characters that you cannot help but fall in love with and a story that will keep you interested and entertained from beginning to end. This is one of the best books that I have read this year. This book is a must read, there is no doubt about it.

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read. Wonderful story. I love the Castle Mountain Lodge and getting to revisit some of the people there. It has been too long since I've had a vacation! Thanks for taking me back to the lodge for Christmas. Great read to get into the holiday season!

[Donna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Elena Aitken brings us back to Castle Mountain for for another wonderful Christmas. Ryan and Julie both long for a little of this Christmas magic the lodge is famous for. Shay is trying to make that happen for her mom, but she needs a little help from Santa.

[Sue · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a cute story. I always love the stories of Castle Lodge, but I think this one was my favorite. Julie the crafter single mom Shay her daughter only wants her mom to be happy. It all happens with the magic of the castle mountain lodge. Thank you Elena for another great story.

[Michelle · Rating 1 out of 5]

When I read books in a series, I like there to be consistency and not to change characters in later books. Additionally, while I know this is fluff reading I prefer the author address concerns.
* In Hidden Gifts, Morgan leaves her child psychology practice because she was informed she couldn't have children of her own so she takes an event planning job at CML. Then at the Christmas ball in this book, she walks in with a baby?!? No explanation on this miraculous medical change; nothing.
* In this book there was a big elephant in the room (to me) that was completely ignored - the age difference bw Ryan & Julie. As a 30 yr old, Ryan was 14 yo when Julie had her baby and 13 when she got knocked up; kinda has an ick factor to me. It doesn't seem to say when Julie got pregnant & married but since it wasn't discussed as a high school pregnancy she'd be at least 18 so she's mid-30s, 2 yrs away from sending her child off to college and Ryan wants a family. Would Julie be willing or even able? Never addressed & should have been.
* Also on consistency/editing: Shay's "boyfriend" was Jeffrey or Jeffery throughout the book. Pick a spelling and go with it but stay consistent.
I just never saw any great chemistry or reason why Ryan & Julie were together in this story so very disappointed. May be the last in the series for me.

[Susanne M. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Do you believe?

Some believe in Santa. Some believe in love at first sight. While some don't know what to believe. Julie realized she was the cause of being alone for so long and Ryan ........ well you just have to read this cute story that happens at Castle Mountain Lodge. Snow, sleigh rides, and plenty of hot chocolate. No cheating or cliffhanger and the story ends on a happy note. Enjoy 🤓

[Margaret · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a quick, sweet holiday romance. Castle Mountain Lodge works it magic and single mum Julie finds love. There is a little interference from her teenage daughter, the required misunderstanding and the happy ending. A delightful addition to the series

[Jeri Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review of Holiday Gifts

This was a great book and I will recommend her books to anyone who loves romance novels. She keeps you involved from page one until the end.

[Karen Miracle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a cute story

This was a cute Christmas romance that reminds you of all the magic of the holiday. Another fun HEA story.

[Robin Dix · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice sweet holiday read. I just wish Julie had more confidence. It kind of took away from the happily ever after theme.

[Erin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sweet story but not my favorite romance of the season.

[Rosemary Hughes · Rating 5 out of 5]

He was the new customer liaison officer, she had a craft event happening. One glance and the magic was happening.

[Bonnie Gleckler Clark · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really did enjoy reading this novella, ever though it was quite predictable. Aitken’s book are heart warming in these time. Great reads for this holiday season.

[Trudy Gleason · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute book - loved it. Love the Castle Mountain at Christmas.

[Jimnlori · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love Christmas stories! This one by Elena Aitken is wonderful and it is another book in her Castle Mountain Lodge series so we are getting to catch up with old friends while meeting new ones.
Julie would do any thing that she possibly could to make her daughter happy and this year Shay really wanted to visit Castle Mountain Lodge for Christmas. All she had been talking about was Christmas at the Lodge and how wonderful it would be. Julie's job as a host for a craft party and retreat is a prefect way to make this visit because expenses are partially covered.
Ryan is the event manager at the Lodge and Christmas is his busiest time of the year with all of the events and festivities that revolve around Christmas. He enjoyed his job and celebrating Christmas at the Lodge, but he was missing someone special being in his life. He found it difficult meeting new people especially single women working in the tourism industry.
Ryan took notice of Julie almost immediately and it helped that her teenage daughter was doing everything possible to push them together, but Julie was gun shy and wasn't sure that she could trust Ryan especially since they had just met. Things like love at first sight just didn't happen, not in her life. Ryan would have to prove to her that it did and he was the real deal.

I was given an ARC for an honest review. All conclusions are mine and mine alone.

[Barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Once again Elena Aitken has put her talent as an author to the pages and came up with another fantastic, sweet, tender story that I couldn’t put down. This time it even had the beauty of Christmas and Castle Mountain Lodge added to it to make it even better. I have read the other Castle Mountain Lodge Romance books and this just fit in nicely but you could read this as a standalone as well.

Holiday Gifts is about a single mom, Julie, raising a teenage young lady Shay. Julie decided to give her daughter a great Christmas memory by going to Castle Mountain Lodge and doing a special crafting retreat. Castle Mountain Lodge has the reputation of being a place where people fall in love and Shay has it on her mind that this might work out for her mom so when she sees handsome Ryan Morrison who is the Customer Service Manager, she sorta pushes him towards her mom. Sparks do fly but nothing is easy.

The book is great, the characters are all very well written as in all of Aitken’s books and it’s just a delightful book to read for the holiday season. I was given the book to read for an honest review and it has nothing to do with my review. I look forward to more books in the Castle Mountain Lodge series.

[Eileen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Holiday Gifts by Elena Aitken is a wonderful love at first sight story. Julie, a crafting expert and single mom, and her teen daughter spend the Christmas holidays at the Lodge, where magic can happen. Shay meets Ryan, who works at the lodge, when she asks for help setting up the audio for Julie’s crafting retreat, held at the Lodge. Ryan is love struck when he meets Julie. As the day progresses, he pops into the crafting session to “check on things,” but to actually see more of Julie. Shay decides to get into matchmaking for her mom and arranges for them to partake of activities at the Lodge that Ryan also does. The chemistry between Julie and Ryan shocks them both but scares Julie a bit as she has not had much experienced dealing with a good relationship. Julie realizes that she needs to stop erecting walls around her heart and open it to Ryan.

I really enjoyed this Christmas story by Ms. Aitken and highly recommend it. I am looking forward to catching up on the other Lodge books written by Elena Aitken.

[Cynthia · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a very cute sweet and at time funny read. Two people not looking for love and one teen who want nothing more than for her mother to find love does her best to push Ryan and Julie together. Shay was a delight from her pushy teen ways to her wonderful delightful wit. This was a wonderful short read that keeps you entertained as the author gives you a wonderful playful read with lots of humor. This is a clean read with a heartwarming plot. I really enjoy how Shay got the ball rolling I found myself laughing out loud at the things she puts into action.

The author gives a very well written holiday read she reminds us what Christmas is all about family, love and dreams. She gives you wonderful characters you can relate to as she keeps you entertained. This story is for just about everyone who loves romance that warms your heart and keeps you smiling.

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

This sweet story starts with Julie and her daughter Shay going to Castle Mountain Lodge for a crafting event that Julie is in charge of. Shay is only 16 but wanted more than anything to spend Christmas at the Lodge. Julie being a single mom and wanting to make Shay happy, sets up this crafting event at the Lodge and decides to have a great Christmas with her daughter.

Shay more than anything wants her mom to fall in love and be happy. She quickly sees a chance at love between her mom and the sexy manager Ryan. Ryan sees it too and sides with Shay to make this Christmas the best Christmas it can be for Julie.

Julie and Ryan fall in Love, with a lot of thanks to some of the very funny schemes that Shay pulls. This story will have you laughing at some of the things Shay does. Again, this was a wonderful story by the amazing Elena and I can't wait to read more from the Lodge!

[Alicia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another wonderful Castle Mountain Lodge novel

It has been quite awhile since a Castle Mountain Lodge novel has been written. And what an absolute em this one was!! In fact, it easily is one of my top three in the series.

Combining the magic of the Lodge when it come to love, the good intentions of a daughter, believing in the power of and joy of Christmas, and the work of Santa Clause, Julie and Ryan find the!selves falling in love over the holiday.

This love story brings back some of the favorite characters from stories past while introducing several new characters. It also leads to future Castle Mountain Lodge books with a newly engaged couple and the successful long distance relationship, thus far, between Ryan and Julie.

A truly wonderful read for the holiday and anytime. A great addition to the series not to be missed.

[Nancy Stopper · Rating 5 out of 5]

Holiday Gifts is a sweet novella that returns you to the magical Castle Mountain Lodge for Christmas. I really enjoyed the book because both characters are relatable. Ryan is feeling that life is starting to pass him by and is interested in finding a woman and getting married. Julie has been relying on herself to raise her daughter alone for a long time. She isn't looking for love but finds it when she all but trips over it. Julie was especially relatable because every step in her relationship with Ryan was fraught with anxiety and second-guessing his feelings for her as well as her feelings for him - a very realistic emotion for someone who has been fending on her own for so long. Sweet story with a Christmas theme and a precocious teenager.

[Judyrudy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Holiday Gifts is the seventh book in Elena Aitken’s A Castle Mountain Lodge series. I really enjoyed reading about Julie Pitts and Ryan Morrison. I had such a connection with Julie because I love to craft and immediately fell in love with her. I loved Julie’s daughter Shay. She’s was perfect in bringing Ryan and Julie together.

Julie’s been raising her daughter alone since she was three and Ryan believes he is letting life pass him by without falling into a committed relationship. Christmas is a magical time of year but adding the lodge to the picture makes it even more magical. I loved reading Ryan and Julie’s story. I’d like to disclose that I received an advanced copy of Holiday Gifts in exchange for an honest review.

[Coral Mitchell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ever since Ryan Morrison has taken over as Customer Service Manager at the famous Castle Mountain Lodge he’s witnessed the ‘magic of the Lodge’ and couples of all kinds falling in love around him. Ryan is convinced it won’t ever happen for him. For Jlie Pitts her number one focus has always been raising sixteen-year-old Shay. Julie would do anything for her daughter, including organizing a special Christmas crafting retreat at Castle Mountain Lodge as a way for them to spend the holidays in the mountains the way her daughter has always wanted. Shay wants love for her mother and is not afraid to help Ryan along. Julie is set against any relationship and she backs away at the slightest whisper of assistance from Shay.

[Debra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Castle Mountain Lodge is a magical place for Love. Julie promised Shay a wonderful Christmas together at the Lodge after the weekend retreat planned making holiday crafts. Ryan is helping out at the front desk when he meets Shay looking for someone to help in the craft room. Once Ryan sees Julie he is smitten; however Julie is but won't admit it. It will take Ryan, Shay, Santa Claus and the magic of the Lodge for a happy ever after! This is a great book by the fabulous author, Ms. Aitken. I highly recommend! Enjoy with your favorite hot drink, laugh with Shay's attempts playing matchmaker and fall in love once again at the Castle Mountain Lodge.