Christmas Comes to Main Street

Briar Creek #5

by Olivia Miles

From the USA Today bestselling author of Christmas at the Cottage comes the perfect holiday romance for "readers seeking a peppermint-filled, cozy Christmas contemporary" (Publishers Weekly).

'Tis the worst season to be single, but Kara Hastings won't let a little Christmas funk spoil the festive season. Sure, running her own bakery is a little harder than she expected, but she can handle it. And she'll prove it to a certain infuriatingly handsome, bossy Big City guy. She may be sugar and spice, but she can kick his butt twice.

Nate Griffin is in Briar Creek only for the holidays, and he refuses to fall for the whole "small town, candy cane-scented Christmas Wonderland" thing. He's more interested in the fresh-faced cookie chef who always knows exactly how to get under his skin. So when Nate challenges Kara in the town's big holiday contest, it's not just the competition that starts to heat up. If he's not careful, Kara won't just melt his icy resolve against a small-town Christmas . . . she'll melt his heart too.

Genres: Romance, Contemporary Romance, Contemporary, Christmas, Holiday, Fiction, Small Town Romance

304 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published September 27, 2016

About the author

Olivia 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

Reviews

[Bri · Rating 4 out of 5]

Full disclosure, I am not a Christmas person. I hate the stupid songs that play incessantly on the radio, the decorations that 88% of the time look ridiculous, and of course I dread the family dinners. But while reading this book I was in such a Christmas mood and just had a genuinly happy time learning all about these characters. You're probably asking yourself why I even read a holiday book if I don't like the holiday's but I fell in love with this town and didn't want to miss out on Kara finding her happiness.

I loved that her character changed for the better and started to stand up to her family more than she did before. I was a little worried that she would continue letting them control her life and do whatever they wanted her to, but that wasn't the case. It took some time but she became a pretty tough woman by the end of this book and I really enjoyed seeing her get more confidence in not only herself, but her bakery that was her biggest dream.

I adored Nate and thought he and Kara were the perfect couple. I just knew that there two different personalities was going to make for some interesting times, and I was right. He wasn't in the holiday spirit as much as Kara and the rest of the town was but he still brought a lot of cheeriness to the story that I enjoyed.

Overall, I highly recommend this book and the series. If I, a self-proclaimed Christmas hater, can get in the holiday spirit while reading this book, then it can cheer up anyone that reads it. I already can't wait to see what the author has in store for us with this town but I know it's going to be something great.
ARC kindly provided in exchange for an honest review.

[Dianne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Let a Holiday Romance melt your heart as an elderly, yet sneaky aunt, a big city man who Bah Humbugs the Season with his past memories and a small-town wild child turned business owner discover there is more to the Season than one can see, unless they are looking with their heart. Olivia Miles brings Christmas to life, complete with all of the pressures humanity puts on the season with a heartwarming tale of, yep, you guessed it, L-O-V-E. CHRISTMAS COMES TO MAINSTREET is a delightful read, light, fluffy and sweet, like the cookies Kara Hastings bakes in her new little bakery!

Kara is working hard to make her business flourish, including doing her own deliveries. Nate has come to town to celebrate Christmas with his aunt, the owner of the local inn. To say he isn’t thrilled with the prospect of missing out on the hustle and bustle of the Big City would be an understatement, so when he literally bumps into Kara and destroys a box of her special cookies, let’s say they didn’t get off to a great start. Is it possible that the magic of the season has a sense of humor and is about to create its own special recipe for love? Can two people from diverse backgrounds stop assuming the worst about each other long enough to really see the person under the winter coat?

Past memories can weigh heavily on one’s heart, but the past is gone and here are two people who need to learn to look to the future with open minds and hearts. Olivia Miles has taken a slice of reality and sprinkled in her own special ingredients of attraction, competitiveness and a group of people who mean well, but seem to be missing out on the true meaning of the season. She topped all of this with two people in need of real love and joy and has come up with a cozy read that will make you smile, sigh and yes, that IS peppermint in the air!

I received this copy from Forever/Grand Central in exchange for my honest review.

Series: The Briar Creek Series - Book 5
Publisher: Forever (September 27, 2016)
Publication Date: September 27, 2016
Genre: Holiday Romance
Print Length: 337 pages
Available from: Amazon |  Barnes & Noble
For Reviews & More: http://tometender.blogspot.com

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5🌟

[Dani C. (Polly's Place) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love Christmas romances and this one by Olivia Miles was a delight to read! I zipped through it in no time at all and when I was done I had a smile on my face. I just love a good happy ending!

Kara Hastings finally owns her own little bakery. While it is a lot of work she really enjoys the work. Nate Griffin is only in town for the Christmas season to visit his Aunt Maggie who owns the local inn. While he is interested in Kara he makes a lot of assumptions about her and tries to keep her at arms length since he will be going back to the big city soon enough…

Christmas Comes to Main Street is the fifth book in the Briar Creek series. I enjoy the small town romances and I wish that there was going to be a next installment of this lovely series but there isn't.

[Anna's Herding Cats · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reviewed for herding cats & burning soup.
Amazon: http://amzn.to/2cXJwIP

A small town baker with a love for Christmas and a big city visitor who looks down on all things festive. Ah yes. That's quite the duo. Christmas Comes to Main Street was a Christmasy good time and utterly delicious!

Alright so the quick of it is that Nate is in town to spend Christmas with his elderly aunt then heading back to his real life that is blessedly Christmas free. But then he runs--quite literally-- into Kara. And crushes her cookies. Cookies that she was delivering to his aunt's inn. Yeah. He got in a little trouble for that. But it has him hooked on the Christmas loving Kara and somehow challenging her to a Christmas competition. So much for trying to ignore the holiday!

First off, I absolutely loved Kara. She was a heroine I just connected with from the very start. She's recently opened her own bakery and ever since she's been trying to prove to everyone--including herself--that she can stick to something and make this bakery work. Even if the Christmas rush is about to do her in. I loved her determination, her creativity, her kind heart and that she gave everything she had to everything she did, and seeing all of the delicious things she baked up. She was just lovely and sweet and I kept finding myself wanting to defend her against everyone.

And then there was Nate. Lord love him but he was quite the prick early on and rather judgy. And rocking a serious chip on his shoulder. He had a hard childhood and even though he's wildly successful these days he just can't seem to let go of the past. Or stop from giving his opinions. He was totally one of those people who tries to be helpful and give suggestions but it comes off as being a douche? Yeah. lol I really wasn't sure I'd be able to get on board with him but eventually he won me over.

It was fun seeing them together. A competition kicking off to win the town's decoration contest. Her dragging him into the spirit of the holiday and rubbing off on him. Things are very PG for most of the book with just a kiss or two then a fades to black scene.

All in all, I loved spending the holidays in Briar Creek. Miles has a wonderful talent of melding incredible personal journeys with sweet romance. It's impossible not to fall in love with Briar Creek and all of the people who call it home.

[Danielle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Christmas Comes to Main Street is the final book in the Briar Creek series by Olivia Miles which really bums me out a little. From the very beginning I fell in love with this series, it’s made me laugh and bring me to tears but each story is one I will cherish and re-read over and over again. Miles not only developed amazing characters but a town that stood out and had me wanting to move to Briar Creek.

Nate is in Briar Creek to spend time with his Aunt but as soon as the holidays are over he is heading back home. After running into Kara, literally, and crushes her cookies that she was delivering to his aunts Inn he knows he wants to get know her. The more time these two spend together the more the sparks start to fly and Nate realizes all he’s ever wanted he finds not only in Kara but in Briar Creek.

From the very beginning I loved Kara and how she was trying to find what she really wanted and enjoyed. In the previous books we see her struggling with quitting and wanting to start her own place and am glad she ended up doing that and her family supported her. She is determined to make this bakery work and the determination she brings gave her spunk. Nate started off a little on the Grinch side but the more time he spent with Kara the more warming up he did not only with her and the town but with Christmas. I loved how he wanted to help Kara and gave her suggestions to help her business come along but sometimes the way he said things had me shaking my head and saying start over buddy you are down fast, but he meant well.

I thought this story was sweet and while there are love scenes I liked that they were the fade to black scenes, it helped me see the romance for what it was and without all the details. From the moment they met I could feel the chemistry and attraction but as the story progressed I could also see their love starting to build.

I am sad this was that last book in a wonderful series, but this was the perfect ending to the Briar Creek series. I am excited to see what Ms. Miles will come up with for her next series and with her writing I have become a huge fan! If you’re looking for a cute and sweet Christmas read you won’t want to miss Christmas Comes to Main Street!

[Heather C · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is my first Olivia Miles book and I have to say that it was quite the surprise. This is a small town Christmas romance book that is full of all of the craziness that a small town offers.

I like how hard working Kara is and although I could see her struggling with how much work it is and being a one woman show, I could see the determination and will to continue to improve her dream. Not only does she run a store front bakery alone, she seems to be the sole baker that supplies the town with everything.

Nate comes into Kara's life at one of the worst times. She's tired and she's on a deadline and he messes that up. From that point on, the two of them are constantly running into each other. Sometimes by chance. Sometimes by coincidence. Most of the time by small town meddling women.

While Nate's Aunt wants nothing more than for him to move to Briar Creek, Nate has other plans. He has given himself a set amount of time to visit with his family and then he's back to the big city life that he believes he was born for. The only way to be successful. What he didn't expect was for Kara to make him rethink his decisions.

I certainly enjoyed the building relationship between Nate and Kara, what I enjoyed the most was the the craziness of the small town when it comes to just about everything. Especially the holiday competition that seems to spiral everyone out of control.

Overall, I enjoyed this book. It was quick, sweet and funny.


Review will be posted as a collective review with 4 other books via Forever Romance

*Copy kindly provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review*

[Vi ~ Inkvotary · Rating 4 out of 5]

Inkvotary

So, the time for this challenge is over and I am now allowed to post my review.

This was my first book written by the author. And for sure not the last. Good, I might not be over the moon with this, but it was very entertaining and great for a cozy afternoon read.

This book was a wonderful Christmas read. But why on earth had the author to write every few pages about why Kara was still single and why Nate had a huge problem with Christmas? I don´t mind getting told details from the past a figure obviously had, but that often? As if the author doesn´t believe that her readers can remember.

Despite that, I really had a good time while reading Christmas coming to Main Street. The language is sensitive, sometimes very emotional and all the snow and Christmas decoration was quite nice. Well, good, I am not that much of a Christmas decorator, when it comes to my own four walls, but in this novel, it kind of fit. And with that competition coming up, the participating figures had quite something to do, to get everything ready in time.

And Olivia Miles knows how to bring the daily life of a small town a few weeks before Christmas alive. The only thing I missed was the snowflake-cookie-recipe. After reading so much about them in almost every chapter, I was expecting the recipe at the end of the book – nope, wasn´t there. Sad, but reality. At least in the German edition.

Oh my gosh. Molly! What a fretful girl. She is obviously used to get everything she wants, when she wants and the way she wants. But is she asking her elder sister once if she can help her? Nope. Instead she does everything to make things worse. She can eat lots of cookies, oh yes, as if there´s no tomorrow. But helping bake them or do something else for her elder sister? Not gonna happen. Grrr, not my girl, not at all.

Kara on the other hand is a woman who must learn some things the hard way. She can´t say no, to almost nobody and that gets her into a serious time-problem. And then the fact that she obviously has absolutely no clue about account stuff or pricing. She stands every day for hours in her bakery to create all the sweet things she is selling. Can´t say no to her mother but on the other hand her mother is not encouraging her with her shop or her passion for cookies.

If you are looking for an easy to read Christmas novel with wonderful created characters and a white setting then this is your book.

[Babs · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Weihnachten in Briar Creek" ist der letzte Band einer wundervollen Reihe, die im kleinen Örtchen Briar Creek spielt. Ich war auf diesen Roman schon sehr gespannt, da ich die vorherigen Bücher der Reihe sehr mochte. Und auch bei diesem wurde ich nicht wirklich enttäuscht.
Olivia Miles entführt einen als Leser erneut in einer Welt, in der Gemeinschaftsgefühl und Freundschaft ganz oben angesiedelt ist und vermischt diese "Traumwelt" mit traumhaft weihnachtlichem Flair.

Im Mittelpunkt des Geschehens stehen in diesem Band vor allem Kara Hastings, die in Briar Creek soeben eine Cookie-Bäckerei eröffnet hat und die sich dagegen erwehren muss, dass jeder denkt, dass sie diese Geschäftsidee schnell wieder aufgeben wird, und Nate Griffin, der in Briar Creek zu Besuch bei seiner Tante ist und ebenfalls mit Vorurteilen zu kämpfen hat.
Insbesondere Kara ist überaus engagiert, zugleich hat sie aber stellenweise auch sehr wenig Selbstwertgefühl. Sie macht ihr Verhalten oftmals davon abhängig, was die anderen über sie sagen (könnten). Nach und nach gewinnt sie jedoch mit Hilfe ihres persönlichen Umfelds, und vor allem dank Nates Hilfe, an mehr Selbstvertrauen.
Als Kara und Nate das erste Mal aufeinander treffen, ist es nicht sofort Liebe auf den ersten Blick bei Kara, auch wenn von Beginn an die Funken sprühen. Zu arrogant und selbstgefällig kommt Nate anfangs daher, so dass es einem auch als Leser zunächst ein wenig schwer fällt mit ihm Mitgefühl zu haben, als Kara ihn von sich weist. Im Laufe des Romans erfährt man jedoch, warum Nate der ist, der er ist, so dass sein anfängliches Verhalten einen Sinn ergibt. Briar Creek bewirkt außerdem auf den überzeugten Großstädter einen Wandel des Wesens, so dass zwischen Kara und Nate irgendwann eine tolle Harmonie entsteht, auch wenn die zunächst nur von Dauer erscheint.

Dieser Roman schafft es neben einer tollen Liebesgeschichte, den perfekten Geist von Weihnachten einzufangen. Mal abgesehen, von der winterlichen Kulisse, in die die Handlung eingebunden ist, treten durch Reaktionen und Verhaltensweisen, der wahre Sinn von Weihnachten, die Nächstenliebe zutage. Ich für meinen Teil habe mir beim Lesen gewünscht real vor Ort zu sein. Ich konnte den Keks- und Kakaoduft förmlich riechen und habe mich beim Lesen ein weiteres Mal in den kleinen Ort mit seinen Bewohnern verliebt.

Allerdings muss ich auch leichte Kritik äußeren, da ich das Ende ein wenig abhakt und übereilt fand. Klar, wusste ich, dass mich ein Happy End erwartet. Jedoch tritt dies für jede Figur ein. Plötzlich ist alles eitel Sonnenschein und selbst Figuren, die zunächst mit sich und ihren Entscheidungen hadern (Molly, Karas Schwester) sind sich plötzlich über ihr Leben in Klaren?! Das wirkte dann selbst auf mich ein wenig unglaubwürdig.
Des Weiteren spielen in diesem Roman zu viele Figuren eine kleiner oder größere Rolle. Auch wenn mir die Paare der vorherigen Bände durchaus geläufig waren, fand ich es gleichzeitig ein wenig verwirrend, dass diese im Roman oftmals zur gleichen Zeit zusammenkommen, so dass ich dann doch irgendwann ein wenig den Überblick verloren habe. Für jemanden, der die vorherigen Bände nicht kennt, wirkt dies vermutlich sogar eher störend. Hier würde eine kurze Erläuterung dazu beitragen, wer mit wem in Verbindung steht. Zwar wird dies stellenweise mal kurz erwähnt, aber nicht näher darauf eingegangen, so dass Nates Satz relativ am Ende "Sind eigentlich alle Leute dieser Stadt irgendwie mit einander verwandt?" ein Sinnbild für diese Verwirrung. Hier hat er mir aus der Seele gesprochen.

Mal abgesehen vom etwas zu schnellen Ende ist dies jedoch ein traumhafter Weihnachtsroman, der einem die Vorfreude auf Weihnachten nur noch größer werden lässt. Der Ort und seiner Bewohner ziehen einem in seinen Bann. Was will man mehr? Daher lautet mein Urteil:
Unbedingte Leseempfehlung!

Note: 2

[Kittyzer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ganz nett, aber auch sehr klischeehaft.

[CatherineAA · Rating 3 out of 5]

Much to my surprise this year, the Christmas spirit hit me very early so I have been happily inhaling all the Christmas-themed books I can fit into my schedule and I was really looking forward to this from the teasers about Kara in the previous book. The end result was mixed feelings for me and I'll tell you why.

Kara Hastings knows what it's like to be considered a flake. After a history of being unable to stick with anything, the time has come for her to show Briar Creek that she's found something that she loves. As a bold step, she quit her job and poured her inheritance from her father into her new bakery and while it's a lot of work, she loves what she is building. But this holiday season is especially tough because of the memories of her father and also the fact that she's now the only single person among her coupled-up friends.

The last place Nate Griffin expects to find himself in during the holidays is Briar Creek, but there he is, coerced into spending time with his aunt. To his surprise, there is an upside - the town baker Kara and he finds himself wanting to get to know her better. Even though their first meeting was not the best, things could surely only get better.

Kara was my favorite part of this book because she embodies everything to love about the season. She had a dream and had the courage to bring it to life. She was determined to make a success of her dream and even in the face of skepticism from her family and friends, she just kept on which was admirable. Her pride in her accomplishments shone through and her love for her father was undeniable.

Nate on the other hand was Ebenezer Scrooge come to life. He was annoying, period. He just didn't want to relax and enjoy himself. He may have had good intentions, but his delivery was bad and it doesn't really matter to me that he came around in the end. It was too little, too late. I was actually so upset about him that my original review was a full out rant and it took some time to get a better perspective to write this one.

I have enjoyed this series very much and while this wasn't the best for me, I think Kara and the town of Briar Creek made it worth reading.


Disclaimer: I received this book for free from the Publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.



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[Arlena · Rating 5 out of 5]

Title: Christmas Comes to Main Street
Author: Olivia Miles
Publisher: Mass Market Paperback
Series: Briar Creek 5
Reviewed By: Arlena Dean
Rating: Five
Review:

"Christmas Comes to Main Street" by Olivia Miles

My Thoughts....

What a beautiful Christmas story that features Kara Hastings and Nate Griffin. Well it seems like Kara is the last sister that is not engaged since now her sister Molly has come home saying she is getting married to Todd. What was up with that since it seems that a year ago they had broken up.
Oh well! Now we have Nate who has come to Briar Creek to be with is aunt during this Christmas holiday but he wasn't to happy being there. Now, why was that? After Kara and Nate meet due to bumping into each other will they be able to form a friendship that could possibly lead to a HEA? This was a very good story of how each one of these two people will have something that they need to 'prove,' This story was so edifying as we see how hard Kara worked in her bakery when all she wanted was to prove to not only to herself but to others that she could stick with 'running her own bakery.' Nate had such a horrible childhood being bullied and with all that had happened in his family's hardship he simply did not want any form of life where he would be poor, so he only had one goal in mind and that was always found working so that he would never have to suffer like his parents had done while raising him. Even with all of that Nate had not really celebrated Christmas holidays like forever. So, when he arrives and his aunt is so excited wanting to win this contest that will involve his help and since its only him there since he had sent his parents on a cruise...Nate was left with no choice but to help her out with this contest because she wanted to win. But then the tables will turn because after talking to Kara he even gets her involved in this Christmas contest. Now, how will that involve him? To find out you will just have to pick up the good series to see for yourself how well this author will bring it all out to the readers. The characters will involve quite a few family members[many from past series] that will make this read so well developed, portrayed and believable giving the reader quite a interesting Christmas read where one may even like to visit this place called Briar Creek. This novel is the fifth in this series and I am not sure if is this is the last but this one was truly one amazing sweet heart-warming romantic reads.


Thank you to NOR for giving me this read for my honest opinion.

[Monique · Rating 3 out of 5]

Review written: September 21, 2016
Star Rating: ★★★☆☆
Heat Rating: ☀☀☼☼☼

An Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) of this book was received free via Netgalley for an honest review.

I've been meaning to give Olivia Miles' Briar Creek series a try for ages now so when I saw this on Netgalley I jumped at the chance to give it a whirl. And I am so glad I did!

Christmas Comes to Main Street is book 5 in the series so there is obviously a lot I have missed and sometimes I wondered how Kara came across in the other books. I felt she was very sympathetic in her own book, but there were hints that she might have played fast and loose with friends in previous books, especially since she is supposedly the flibbertigibbet who can't settle down and stick with anything.

If she was in those books, then she redeemed herself beautifully here. If she wasn't and she just felt like the screw up, then she grew out of that and proved something to herself. Either way, Kara was a fun and sweet character who was determined to succeed at her dream. I liked her sass but also her fear, her struggles to deal with her Mom and her disappointment with love.

Nate had the more powerful character arc, I think, but it was a bit cliched. He had to learn to ease up, take time to smell the roses, and figure out it was not all about the money. In fairness, I totally got why he was all about the money - a lack of a sense of security because of his childhood. I think his views of his parents needed to be re-adjusted into adult thinking but I totally got the little boy in him resenting it all. And I loved how his aunt manipulated him into coming to Briar Creek.

I loved how Kara, Nate's aunt, and one heck of a contest reawakened the magic and wonder of the season for Nate. I thought Kara's entry into the competition was the coolest thing and so in keeping the the sense of holiday in the book.

Overall, this is a frothy and sweet holiday confection (yes, complete with peppermint, Nate) and very enjoyable.

This review is ©September 2016 by Monique N. and has been posted to Netgalley.

[Hannah · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC REVIEW

This is a new one for me, I haven't read Olivia Miles before and with this being book 5 of the Briar Creek series I thought I would get lost in the characters and the setting but nope it can be read as a standalone. The main focus was on the two main characters and what was happening with them with a few side notes from another character which is setting up for her own book. This was an absolutely adorable book. I love books like this because it plays out in my head like a Hallmark Christmas movie. You have the typical grinch type character Nate and a Christmas angel Kara, opposites attract I love it.

Kara is doing something she has dreamed of doing, she has set up a cookie bakery in town and is now trying to prove to the whole town, especially her own mother, that she is not a fickle and that she will stick with it. Her biggest fear is failing, not only because will she lose something near and dear to her but it will prove the town right. In Kara desire to prove herself she has over working herself for the Christmas holiday, between the everyday workings she has special order gingerbread houses, cookies order for her mother's ballet recital, and a massive order of cookies for the food drive for the needy families in the area.

Nate is only visiting Briar Creek because he felt guilty for sending his parents on a cruise when they had originally to visit his aunt. His Aunt Maggie runs the inn and is getting on in the years Nate agreed to visit and help out around the inn. Coming from a poor background he worked hard to make a lot of money, he's also very good at what he does. Christmas was never a good memory for him and he grew up resentful because it was never a special time for him with his family. But the little town of Briar Creek and a certain cookie maker has him rethinking everything about his life.

Overall, this is probably one of my top favorite Christmas novels for the year. It made me cry and fill my heart with joy. It's a great story for getting in the Christmas spirit and for a lovely romance.

[MK · Rating 5 out of 5]

First this is an amazing series. The 5th book in A Briar Creek Novel Series. Love in a small town.

As Kara Hastings follows her dreams on opening her bakery Sugar and Spice, and she's confident in her baking skills. But she's also new to business ownership. She wants to succeed. Plus make her dad happy and proud. It was also for him after his passing she did this.
It's just when she meets Nate Griffin he does something to her insides.
He makes her mad, and he makes her feel special.

Nate Griffin comes to Briar Creek for a visit to see his Aunt Maggie. It soon turns out to be a lot more. Old feelings are brought up by his Aunt, and a beautiful women. They're from two different worlds.
He let's one thing his aunt tells him about her keep her at an arms lengflength. Well that's until he knows the truth. He misjudged her and feels like a heal.

It's Christmas time and so much going on in town. A contest held ever year which can help two women Nate cares so deeply for.

A bittersweet book. Love, loss, dreams and goals. What matters most?
Money as they say can't buy love.

Highly recommend:/ Also the first four. Puts you in a Christmas mood every time.

TBR Released 9/27/16

[Nelle Nazario · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a complimentary copy from the publisher and Netgalley for review.

I got this today and zipped through It! I loved Kara from the past story and was eager to see what happens with her. I love a feel good, Christmas Romance! This hit all the right spots for me!

[Heather andrews · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really liked Nate he gave me warm fuzzies, “nope,” Nate said, his dark eyes intensifying their hold on hers. “I don’t. Life’s too short. If you’re going to do something, go all in or don’t bother.” This book was great, it was heart-warming, sweet and put you in the holiday mood.

[Claudia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ich habe kürzlich „Weihnachten in Briar Creek“ von Olivia Miles beendet. Dabei handelt es sich um den letzten Band der Briar-Creek-Reihe aus dem LYX-Verlag, welcher am 29.09.2017 erschienen ist.

Nate Griffin tritt im alljährlichen Deko-Wettbewerb an. Dabei weiß jeder, dass dem arroganten Großstädter die Weihnachtsidylle von Briar Creek zuwider ist. Bäckerin Kara nimmt die Herausforderung an, auch wenn ihr Herz bei jeder Begegnung gefährlich aus dem Takt gerät…

Ich habe mich vorab sehr gefreut, zu erfahren, dass ich das Buch anlässlich einer Leserunde der Lesejury lesen durfte. Für meine Rezension ist eventuell wichtig zu wissen, dass es für mich der erste Teil der Reihe ist, den ich lese, da alle Teile auch unabhängig voneinander zu verstehen sind.
Die im Rahmen der Lesejury zu lesende Leseprobe hat mich bereits von Anfang an sehr überzeugt. Jetzt, nachdem ich das Buch beendet habe, bin ich froh, dass ich mich für diese Leserunde beworben hatte.
Der Einstieg in den Roman fiel mir wider Erwarten sehr leicht, obwohl ich die vorherigen Bücher nicht kenne.
Der lockere, angenehm leichte Schreibstil mit sehr weihnachtlicher Wortwahl sorgt von Anfang an für eine winterliche Atmosphäre, die ausführlich beschrieben wird. So konnte ich mir das Dorf Briar Creek direkt vorstellen und kann es gar nicht fassen, dass dieser Ort nur erfunden sein soll. Durch die detailgetreuen Beschreibungen wirkt die ganze Geschichte sehr realitätsnah, sodass ich mich von Beginn an in die Protagonistin und ihr derzeitiges Leben hineinversetzen konnte.
Die weihnachtliche Liebesgeschichte wird aus der Sicht von Kara Hastings erzählt, eine junge Frau, die gerade ihren Keksladen eröffnet hat. Durch ihre sehr alltäglichen Sorgen wie die Angst vor dem Versagen und dass sie nie einen Mann finden wird oder das verzweifelte Hoffen auf die Anerkennung ihrer Mutter handelt es sich hierbei um eine Protagonistin, mit der sich außer mir sicherlich auch andere Leser identifizieren können. Dabei weist Kara noch dazu viele bewundernswerte Eigenschaften auf, die sie zu einer liebenswerten, herzlichen Hauptperson machen, die man als Leser schlichtweg ins Herz schließen muss. Ihre Charaktereigenschaften wie die Zielstrebigkeit und Ehrgeizigkeit, mit der sie ihren Laden neuerdings wert, vermitteln einen sehr positiven Eindruck von ihr.
Nate Griffin, der zweite wichtige Charakter, konnte mich erst nach der Hälfte des Buchs zu hundert Prozent überzeugen. Dem Leser wird zu Anfang das Bild eines arroganten Geschäftsmannes vermittelt, welcher Kara zu vorschnell mit anderen reichen Frauen in einen Topf wird. Sein Verurteilen Karas ließ in mir lange Zeit in einem nicht ganz so positiven Licht erscheinen, doch glücklicherweise ändert sich seine Einstellung im Laufe des Romans. Durch seine große charakterliche Wandlung konnte ich auch ihn trotz anfänglichen Problemen schließlich ins Herz schließen.
Diese zwei Hauptpersonen sorgen natürlich für viele Momente voller Weihnachts- und Liebesglück, die mir als Leserin oftmals ein Lächeln ins Gesicht geschrieben haben. Als kleiner Kritikpunkt ist mir allerdings aufgefallen, dass die Liebesgeschichte teilweise einige Klischees enthält, darunter zum Beispiel das typische Ineinander-Laufen. Prinzipiell ist dies leider nicht sehr einfallsreich, aber in „Weihnachten in Briar Creek“ werden die Klischees trotz allem so verpackt, dass sie einem beim Lesen nicht direkt ins Auge stechen.
Des Weiteren lässt sich als Kritikpunkt nennen, dass mir die Gefühle von Kara und Nate zueinander zu Beginn etwas zu schnell fortschreiten. Die Geschichte verliert etwas an Realitätsgefühl dadurch, dass sich bereits nach der ersten Begegnung echte Gefühle zwischen den beiden zu entwickeln scheinen. Auch wenn dieses schnelle Fortschreiten für eine Liebesgeschichte manchmal notwendig und ganz bestimmt typisch ist, hat es mich doch gestört, dass sich so tiefgreifende Gefühle innerhalb weniger Tage herauskristallisiert haben.
In Bezug auf weitere Charaktere wie die Mutter von Kara muss ich leider sagen, dass diese weitesgehend eher flach bleiben und man wenig über ihre Beweggründe erfährt. Meine Wahrnehmung liegt aber wahrscheinlich daran, dass ich diese nicht bereits aus den vorherigen Büchern kenne und es deshalb nur mir so vorkommt.
Die Handlung von „Weihnachten in Briar Creek“ stellt natürlich keine weltbewegende Neuheit dar. Dies muss man sich bei einer Liebesgeschichte bzw. guten Unterhaltungslektüre dieser Art meiner Meinung nach von Anfang an klar machen. Die Autorin hat hier nicht das Rad neu erfunden, aber es definitiv in eine unterhaltsame, sehr romantische und etwas kitschige neue Geschichte verpackt.
Alles in allem hat mir die Geschichte von Kara und Nate sehr gefallen. Trotz des schnellen Fortschreitens und einigen kleinen Klischees bietet das Buch eine sehr romantische und gefühlvolle Geschichte für jeden Weihnachtsliebhaber.
Vielen Dank an die Lesejury und den LYX-Verlag für dieses Rezensionsexemplar!

[Wendy · Rating 4 out of 5]

In "Christmas Comes to Main Street" which I won through Goodreads Giveaways Olivia Miles blends the flavor of peppermint and cinnamon, Christmas cookies and holiday celebrations with a romance that begins when Nate Griffin bumps into Kara Hastings making her late for her delivery to Main Street Bed and Breakfast. Having sunk all her inheritance into the Sugar and Spice Bakery, Kara is determined to make it a success and is irritated by the city slicker who not only isn't easily charmed by the holiday festivities in a town that loves the Christmas season but continually makes suggestions for improvements in her business.

Intrigued by the spirited cookie chef Nate Griffin soon becomes swept up in Briar Creek's celebrations not only helping his aunt Maggie decorate her B&B for the popular "Holiday House Contest" but challenging Kara to enter the competition by creating an original gingerbread house. Both with competitive spirits Kara accepts Nate's dare, never expecting that he'll captivate her heart as she melts his firm resolve not to get caught up in the town's Christmas atmosphere.

Set in the small town Briar of Creek Olivia Mills sets the stage with the smells and sounds of Christmas, a season that Nate detests because of the pain of his childhood. In contrast Kara loves the holiday season even though it brings the remembrance of a loss in her past and especially after using her all her savings to open a business which she's struggling to make successful. The two clash when they meet, Nate thinking her inheritance has given her an opportunity not earned, and Kara seeing him as privileged with his MBA, luxury car and apartment in Boston. But as their chemistry sparks friendship quickly turns to the healing balm of love.

Love blooms in the spirit of a season that's celebrated with snowman building and Holiday Home Contests, a Winter Festival, ice skating and a Nutcracker ballet. With a touch of humor and Christmas magic intertwined, the story heats up as pain in his past mars the enjoyment Nate finds in the present with Kara, wanting to run back to Boston and bury himself in work. Compelling as emotions are aroused with a bitter confrontation and harsh words that break her heart Kara seeks solace in work, but yearns for the man who's leaving her behind. Woven into this delightfully romantic story that keeps you enthralled from beginning to the end are subplots like her sister Maggie's faltering engagement and Maggie Griffin's scheme to bring Nate to live in Briar Creek. Intense at times with Kara's mother's criticism and doubt that she'll succeed and Nate's fight not to let the season, town or Kara undermine his plans for his future, the plot moves swiftly and smoothly to a charming conclusion.

Kara Hastings who's skipped from job to job over the years and invested all her inheritance into her business is the talented and creative baker who wants to win the Holiday House Contest so she'll be able to have a financial cushion that will enable her to hire staff to help her. A perfectionist with a stubborn streak Kara is tenacious and hardworking, falling for a man who's just as conscientious and driven to succeed in all he does. Nate Griffin a management consultant visiting his energetic and spirited Aunt Maggie over Christmas is smart, charismatic and arrogant. Haunted by his family's poverty, solitary and bullied at school Nate a workaholic who seems smug, cocky and defensive shows a kind and caring side to Maggie and Kara.

I liked "Christmas Comes to Main Street" a well-developed and tender love story loaded with heart that you can't put down until finished.

[Lesezeichenfee · Rating 2 out of 5]

Nicht mein Fall

Kara Hastings hat eine Bäckerei eröffnet und versucht verzweifelt sie vor dem Ruin zu bewahren. Da tritt Nate Griffin in ihr Leben und läuft ihre Cupcakes zusammen. Er ist bei seiner Tante zu Weihnachten und hilft ihr das Haus zu schmücken, obwohl er nichts für Weihnachten übrig hat. Natürlich sehen sich Kara und Nate nun täglich, da sie die Pension seiner Tante täglich mit Cupcakes beglücken darf.

Dies ist der 5. und letzte Band einer Serie und man merkt auch gleich, dass das der Abschlussband ist. Ein Mal wird die Geschichte aus Nates Sicht und einmal aus der Sicht von Kara erzählt, was die Geschichte keineswegs spannender macht, sondern megaviele Wiederholungen zulässt. Auf 366 Seiten hätte ich mir mehr Spannung erwartet. Nun ja, ich hab die anderen 4 Bände nicht gelesen und bin echt froh darüber. Denn wahrscheinlich wäre dieser Band dann noch langweiliger gewesen.

Ich kannte den Lyx Verlag eher durch Phantasiegeschichten, die eine Bekannte von mir gelesen hat. "Weihnachten in Briar Creek“ war somit mein erster Band des Verlags. Beim ersten Band zeichnet sich aus, wenn er besonders toll ist, dann vergesse ich ihn nicht oder besonders schlecht, dann neige ich dazu, die Bücher des Verlags nicht mehr zu lesen. Dieses Buch war so mittendrin.

Dabei gefiel mir der Schreibstil gut. Die Beschreibungen der Winterlandschaft, die weihnachtlichen Vorbereitungen, vor allem das Schmücken für den Wettbewerb und die Feiern können einen in die vorweihnachtliche Stimmung bringen. Das hätte mir erst mal sehr gut gefallen. Aber es gab – gefühlt – zig Informationen und Beschreibungen doppelt und teilweise gab es Unstimmigkeiten und manches fand ich schlichtweg unplausibel.


Zum Beispiel, wenn ich eine Bäckerei/Cupcake Shop mit Tischen und Stühlen anbiete, dann biete ich auch Kaffee in allen Sorten her, die meine Kaffeemaschine schafft. Denn was trinken die meisten Leute zu „Kuchen allgemein“? Kaffee, Tee und Kakao/Milch. Aber sicher Kaffee an erster Stelle. Ich meine, gut, es soll gezeigt werden, dass Nate Kara tolle Tips gibt bzw. aufdrängt. Aber so blauäugig schätze ich die sehr sympathische Protagonistin nicht ein. Sicher, die Preise, die zu preiswert sind, dass sie ihre Arbeitszeit nicht mitrechnet, das ist plausibel, aber doch nicht, dass sie keinen Kaffee anbietet.

Die Protagonisten gefielen mir eigentlich recht gut. Nate ist am Anfang arrogant und man erfährt auch warum er so ist. Die Figur wird im Laufe der Geschichte sympathischer und aus der Verliererin Kara wird eine Gewinnerin. Die ganzen Nebencharaktere waren allerdings zu viel, da es kein Inhaltsverzeichnis für die Protas gab. Irgendwie kam ich immer durcheinander, weil hier jeder mit jedem verwandt war.

Und dann die Liebesgeschichte, die sich sehr, sehr langsam entwickelt hat. Was einerseits gut war, aber andererseits wieder und wieder in Wiederholungen mündete. Zudem gab es einige Sätze in dem Buch, die ich eher in einem billigen „LiroHeftchen“ erwartet hätte.

Das Cover wäre eigentlich schön. Ich finde es aber wenig traumhaft, so junge, schlanke Leute in einen Kuss versunken zu zeigen. Wo sind die spielerisch schönen Covers, von anderen Verlagen? Oder die gemalten Cover? Und wo bleibt das wirkliche weihnachtliche Motiv verborgen? Es könnte Winter sein, aber auch nebliger Herbst. Insgesamt finde ich das Cover zu wenig aussagekräftig. Leider.

Mein – Lesezeichenfees – Fazit:
Die weihnachtlichen Beschreibungen waren das Beste im Buch, der Rest mündete in Wiederholungen und einer etwas flachen Liebesgeschichte. Zwei Sterne, weil ich es trotzdem ausgelesen habe.

[Miri | tthinkttwice · Rating 5 out of 5]

Auf der Suche nach einem weihnachtlichen Buch für die Vorweihnachtszeit bin ich auf dieses hier gestoßen, ohne vorher zu wissen, dass es sich bei dem Buch eigentlich um den finalen Band einer Reihe handelt. Da die Bücher nicht wirklich aufeinander aufbauen, sondern in jedem Buch andere Figuren den Protagonisten-Part übernehmen, konnte ich “Weihnachten in Briar Creek” problemlos lesen, ohne das Gefühl zu haben, dass ich etwas verpasst hätte.

Jetzt nachdem ich das Buch beendet habe und den Klappentext noch einmal lese, muss ich sagen, dass dieser der Geschichte und den Figuren nicht wirklich gerecht wird. Die Bäckerei von Kara Hastings steht weder kurz vor dem Ruin (kann aber eine Finanzspritze natürlich sehr gut gebrauchen) noch ist Nate Griffin ein arroganter Großstädter, der Weihnachten nicht ausstehen kann. Ja, er hat seine Probleme mit Weihnachten, die im Laufe des Buches ganz gut aufgearbeitet werden.
Als Kara und Nate aufeinandertreffen, werden beide von der Autorin als sympathische Charaktere gezeichnet. Nate arbeitet als Unternehmensberater, der auch im Urlaub schwer von seinem Job lassen kann. Sein Ziel ist es jedoch Unternehmen ehrlich zu helfen mit seinen Vorschlägen und so macht er auch Kara für ihre Bäckerei einen Verbesserungsvorschlag. Ja, der Vorschlag kam ungefragt und wirkte im erste Moment auf Kara wirklich so, als wäre Nate etwas arrogant, doch das legt sich sehr schnell, da Kara auch klar wird, dass es ein wirklich sinnvoller Vorschlag ist, den sie schlicht übersehen hat. Keine Spur von Arroganz oder ähnlichem.
Meiner Meinung nach wurde Nate Griffin als sympathischer, höflicher und netter Mann gezeichnet, der im Buch versucht mit seinen Problemen, die ihn beschäftigen zurechtzukommen. Er ist definitiv kein Bad Guy, so wie der Klappentext einen zunächst glauben lässt.
Mir persönlich sind Nice Guys ehrlich gesagt auch lieber, da ich nahbare, authentische Charaktere viel lieber mag, als mysteriöse Bad Guys, deren Schale man erst durchbrechen muss.

Nicht nur die Figuren fand ich allesamt ganz großartig, auch das Setting des Buches hat mich sofort in weihnachtliche Stimmung versetzt. Briar Creek ist eine familiäre Kleinstadt, die gerade zu Weihnachten aufblüht und so richtig schön atmosphärisch daher kommt.

Die Mischung aus tollen Charakteren, einer schönen und nicht zu dramatischen Liebesgeschichte und dem atmosphärischen Weihnachtsflair einer Kleinstadt waren für mich die perfekte Mischung für ein gelungenes Weihnachtsbuch.
Olivia Miles Schreibstil und natürlich auch die Übersetzung von Yvonne Eglinger haben mich vollständig abholen und nach Briar Creek befördern können.

Ich kann dieses Buch jedem ans Herz legen, der auf der Suche nach einer herzerwärmenden und kurzweiligen Weihnachtsgeschichte ist.

Ich vergebe sehr gerne 5 von 5 Sternen.

[Petra Sch. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kurz zum Inhalt:
Kara Hastings hat sich mit ihrer kleinen Cookie-Bäckerei "Sugar&Spice" im kleinen Ort Briar Creek einen lang gehegten Traum erfüllt.
Maggie Griffin führt das "Main Street Bed and Breakfast" im Ort. Ihr Neffe Nate kommt sie über die Feiertage besuchen. Leider ist er ein absoluter Weihnachtsmuffel, was für ihn das Leben in Briar Creek nicht einfach macht, da alles hier weihnachtlich ist: ein Schneemann-Bau-Wettbewerb, ein Winterfest und ein Weihnachtshaus-Wettbewerb, den Kara gewinnen möchte, um mit dem Geld ihre Bäckerei zu unterstützen, da sie finanziell nicht so gut dasteht.

Kann Kara mit ihren Schneeflocken-Cookies Nates Herz gewinnen?


Meine Meinung:
Der Schreibstil ist flüssig und leicht zu lesen, man ist sofort in der Geschichte drin, auch wenn man die Vorgänger-Bände nicht kennt.
Das sympathische Örtchen Briar Creek ist liebevoll und detailliert dargestellt; und man lernt auch schnell alle Einwohner sehr gut kennen.

Ich habe natürlich Kara, aber auch ganz besonders Nates etwas eigenwillige Tante Maggie ins Herz geschlossen.

Was nicht ganz so meinem Geschmack entsprochen hat, waren die vielen Wiederholungen der Gedanke von Nate und Kara, warum es mit den beiden nie klappen kann; dass Nate bald wieder heim fährt; und dass Nates Vergangenheit und sein Aufwachsen in ärmlichen Verhältnissen ein großes Hindernis ist. Und gegen Ende hin ändert Nate dann plötzlich innerhalb einer Seite seine Meinung. Das ging mir dann doch ZU schnell.

Nichtsdestotrotz kommt man durch dieses Buch in wundervolle Weihnachtsstimmung und kann sich schön durch die Geschichte treiben lassen. Daher vergebe ich 4,5 Sterne.


Fazit:
Kurzweiliger, sehr weihnachtlicher Liebesroman mit wunderschöner Kulisse und idyllischem winterlichen Ambiente.

[Kristen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Finish to the Series

This was a great finish to the Briar Creek series, although I am sad to say good-bye to the wonderful characters. This story was the tale of Kara and Nate, both feeling like they are constantly judged by past circumstances and decisions. Turns out they are harder on themselves than others are of them. Together they have chemistry and a connection, and they seem to bring out the best in each other. The big question is, can they let go of the past and move forward? Lots of emotion, great characters, friendship, hope, letting go and moving on, and most of all love. A great read!

[C.L. Fame · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yet another small-town romance finished..
And this time a week before Christmas, so romantic.. Nate and Kara met on an unexpected circumstances but it turned out to be one of the meet-cute and I love meet-cute!!

I love how Kara and Nate's relationship blossomed. The mention of the snowflakes cookies and gingerbread houses made me wish I was in Briar Creek to taste how it really was described.. 🤧🤧

I fell in love with Ms. Olivia Miles writings by now. I know I started reading (unorganized )the book 2 of this series but I might as well finish them all.. I'm down to 3 books now so, 2 more books to go.. 🤣

-- C. L. Fame 🍁

[Manja · Rating 5 out of 5]

Es ist, wie ich gelesen habe, der letzte Band aus Briar Creek (B.C.), für mich aber der erste. Ich habe ihn sehr gerne gelesen und mich sofort in die Weihnachtswinterwelt und die Hauptfiguren Kara und Nate verliebt. Kara ist in B.C. geboren und führt dort seit kurzem eine Bäckerei und Nate kommt um seine Tante zu besuchen. Damit hat der Weihnachtsmuffel, der in In Boston lebt, nicht gerechnet, denn in dem idyllischen Ort B.C. Wird die Weihnachtzeit wahrhaftig gelebt. Tja und ist da auch noch die zauberhafte Kara, die ihm in seinem Kopf rumschwirrt. Familie wird hier ebenso groß geschrieben.

[Diane Morrell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good read. At least this couple wasn't as tormented as the past ones. Don't get me wrong I enjoyed this series but I have never read so many books where the guys especially, were so conflicted. The women were too though but seemed to nap out it quicker. If was almost too much. You would think that as an adult they could handle their problems better. Again, I really did enjoy this series and am looking forward to reading more from this author.

[JH · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very sweet and romantic. Also, the perfect book to read in December to get you in the holiday spirit. I didn’t like how the plot in the first half of the book hinged so much on miscommunication, but I guess it did give the story some conflict. I liked the details of Kara running a bakery, and how excited the town of Briar Creek gets about Christmas (reminds me of Stars Hollow!).

[Virginia Lloyd · Rating 5 out of 5]

Briar Creek At Its Best

Such delightful read! This novel takes you back to a yesteryear in your life. Often people cannot see the good in front of them for the shadows of the past encroach ing
Come join t h e good people of Briar Creek as they enjoy the weeks leading up to Christmas Day.

[Vicki Chicago-Marsh · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this romantic holiday series. This last book in the 5-book series was one of my favorites; it had a bunch of Christmas charm, likable characters, & well-described scenery. I really liked this series & recommend it to all romance readers.

[Nina · Rating 5 out of 5]

4,5 Sterne