The Perfect Holiday

by Sherryl Woods

Matchmaking is the theme of the season in this beloved Christmas novella from #1 New York Times bestselling author Sherryl Woods.

What was a holiday without a handsome husband? To Aunt Mae, it wasn't very festive at all! So she sent the perfect man to her single niece, Savannah Holiday. But would wealthy bachelor Trace Franklin become the perfect groom-to-be by Christmastime?

Previously published in 2002 in anthology So This Is Christmas.

Genres: Romance, Christmas, Fiction, Holiday, Contemporary

109 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 1, 2016

About the author

With two other careers to her credit before becoming a novelist and four states in which she's lived for extended periods of time, Sherryl Woods has collected friends and memories, along with way too much unnecessary junk.

"The friends are the only things I've brought with me through the years that really matter," she says. "I could probably live without one more chintz teacup, another tin-litho sandpail or another snowglobe, but I need those friends."

The theme of enduring friendships and families is always central to Sherryl's books, including her latest Chesapeake Shores series — THE INN AT EAGLE POINT, FLOWERS ON MAIN and HARBOR LIGHTS.

Author of more than 100 romance and mystery novels, Sherryl Woods grew up in Virginia. Over the years she had lived in Ohio and Florida, as well as California. Currently she divides her time between Key Biscayne, Florida and Colonial Beach, Virginia, the small, river-front town where she spent her childhood summers.

A graduate of Ohio State University School of Journalism, Sherryl spent more than ten years as a journalist, most of them as a television critic for newspapers in Ohio and Florida. For several years she also coordinated a motivational program for the more than 8,000 employees at the University of Miami-Jackson Memorial Medical Center.

Her first book, RESTORING LOVE, was published in 1982 by Dell Candlelight Ecstasy under the pseudonym of Suzanne Sherrill. Her second book, SAND CASTLES, under the pseudonym of Alexandra Kirk, was published later that same year by Bantam. She began using her own name when she moved to the Second Chance at Love line at Berkley Publishing. In 1986, she began writing full-time and also began her long career at Silhouette Books with the Desire title NOT AT EIGHT, DARLING, set in the world of television which she covered for so many years.

In addition to her more than 75 romances for Silhouette Desire and Special Edition, she has written thirteen mysteries — nine in the Amanda Roberts series and four in the Molly DeWitt series.

When she's not writing or reading, Sherryl loves to garden, though she's not at her best on a riding lawn mower. She also loves tennis, theater, and ballet, even though her top spin has long since vanished, she's never set foot on a stage, and she's way too uncoordinated to dance. She also loves baseball and claims anyone who's ever seen Kevin Costner in "Bull Durham" can understand why.

Reviews

[Jennifer · Rating 2 out of 5]

Fluff holiday read. At first I thought it was cute and enjoyed it, but once the characters got too physical, I was pretty disappointed. I had hoped the book would be better than that. I wish authors would realize that they don't need sex to make a good romance. I think the tension, desire, and love would have built stronger had the main characters not jumped into bed the first chance they got. Love is more than sex, love is restraint, love is delaying immediate gratification for a longer-lasting, deep devotion.

I know a lot of people won't agree with me, but it saddens me when authors cheapen love like this.

[Lyn Sweetapple · Rating 3 out of 5]

The setting is better developed than the characters.

[Monica Gearhart · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked this book but I feel lost with how it ended. It just sort of broke off. Is there another one after this?

[Nancy McQuaide · Rating 5 out of 5]

When have you ever read a bad Sherryl Woods book? Never so get to reading!

[Marcia Haskell · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this story, but it was so short that I missed the normal character development and descriptions about the town and its traditions.
The story about the love for a loved one who has passed away and what she has created to make life better for those she loved is a good read. The romance that develops in a few days was ok, but a little too contrived. The struggles each person had with the past seemed well done

[Esther · Rating 4 out of 5]

In the month of December, I read a lot of short Christmas stories. So far this year, this one has been my favorite. Yes, it is cheesy & predictable, but I liked the way the characters thought through their actions and how it will affect their life. Where they will go from here. I also felt their respect for Aunt Mae in following her last request for each of them. So get the hot chocolate and a warm blanket and enjoy.

[Kate Vale · Rating 4 out of 5]

Leave it to a dead woman to arrange for the meeting of one of her favorite male friends at the Inn she once ran and now is in the hands of her great-niece. Both Suzanna and Trace need each other, but never realized it until after Mae died and set things in motion.

But both will reap the benefits, as will Suzanna's young daughter, too. A nice way to spend an afternoon during the holidays.

[Kristin DuFresne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read for A Reading Road Trip Across the USA Challenge: Book based in Vermont

After reading a bunch of murder mysteries I needed a cozy romance. It was just that. The down side of this book is that it didn't give much for character development so you didn't get a connection to the characters. I did fall in love with the setting! I would love to stay at Holiday Inn myself.

[Merle · Rating 4 out of 5]

A nice story of a single mom, bitter after her divorce, but with an old inn as an inheritance. When a handsome man shows up, she finds that miracles and love do really exist. A great-aunt turns out to be the. Deus ex machina to turn the holidays around for all of them.

[Leslie Beebe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good Christmas story with the right amount of romance & great characters

[Julie Barrett · Rating 4 out of 5]

g read

[Cecilia Godwin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Predictable story! Good summer read!

[Linda McElvenny · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute romantic story but very predictable and somewhat unrealistic. Fast read!

[Marii · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was short and entertaining but these characters were lowk mid.

[Carolanne wollin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Short pick me up story. Great characters.

[Jill · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a short fluffy Christmas holiday book. I usually love Sherryl Woods books, but this was too short. The relationship developed so quickly as to be unrealistic. Even if characters fall in love at first sight, it takes time and some angst before they would be ready to become engaged, especially with a child involved. But if you want a short entertaining story, this fits the bill.

[Cindy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Trace and Savannah

I enjoyed this short book about two people brought together by Aunt Mae for their first Christmas without her. Savannah and her daughter Hannah inherited an inn and Trace promised Aunt Mae he would be there for Christmas.

[Beth · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a reread for me.

[Jessica · Rating 3 out of 5]

This story was ok. It had great moments but also had moments that weren't so great. I still recommend this story because you may love it.

[M. · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was a good read.

[Christina · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute story, characters have different shared experience that brings them together in their mourning.

[HTP Books]

Contemporary Romance, Small Town & Rural Fiction, Women's Fiction, Holiday Romance