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Christmas in Echo Creek
Can the magic of a small town Christmas convince her that love is worth the risk? When Willow Renner ends up stranded in the quaint little town of Echo Creek, she intends to lay low until she can pay for car repairs and get back on the road. But the locals can’t seem to stop trying to help her, and their obsession with Christmas cheer makes her want things she never thought she’d have. Home. A family. Maybe even a chance at love with a certain handsome sheriff’s deputy… Deputy Cale Matthews was planning to skip Christmas, until a quiet newcomer makes him rethink everything. Willow is clearly hiding something, but she’s also beautiful, courageous, and in desperate need of hope. It doesn’t take long for Cale to decide he wants more than just friendship, but Willow’s been hurt too often to trust easily. With the help of a meddling matchmaker and a little mistletoe, will Cale be able to convince Willow to take a chance on love, or will the shadows of her past tear them apart forever?
264 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 18, 2017
120 people are currently reading
102 people want to read
About the author
Kacey Linden
3 books17 followersKacey Linden is a coffee-fueled romance author from Oklahoma. She grew up in the Pacific Northwest, and still misses the trees, the mountains, and yes, even the rain. She believes in the power of a good story, and loves the holidays almost as much as she loves horses, kind-hearted heroes and happily-ever-afters.
When she’s not dreaming up her next romance, you’ll probably find Kacey reading, baking, or enjoying the outdoors with her family.
Kacey also writes fantasy and science fiction under the name Kenley Davidson.
When she’s not dreaming up her next romance, you’ll probably find Kacey reading, baking, or enjoying the outdoors with her family.
Kacey also writes fantasy and science fiction under the name Kenley Davidson.
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
November 28, 2022
The moment I started reading Christmas in Echo Creek, I knew I was going to have a hard time putting it down. Ms. Linden captured me from the very first chapter and I quickly fell in love with Willow and Cale.
Life for Willow has been anything but easy. She has lived in constant fear and uncertainty. She learned the hard way that she can’t trust anyone, and no one will save her but herself. My heart broke for her when I learned of her circumstances. She had been through some horrible things but she was a fighter and did whatever it took to take care of herself.
When Cale first laid eyes on Willow, his protective instincts kicked in. He didn't know who or what she was running from, he just knew that he had to help her. He knew that getting to know Willow and getting her to trust him was going to take a lot of time and patience. But there was something about her that called to him. He was going to do everything in his power to keep her safe.
Watching Willow and Cale go from acquaintances to friends to something more made my heart smile. Their journey was not easy. There was a lot that Willow had never experienced and didn't know how to deal with. But all the bumps along the road only made them stronger.
I absolutely loved the small town setting. I found myself not only falling in love with Willow and Cale, but with the town and the people in it as well. It was endearing to see everyone come together whenever someone was in need. Sprinkle on a little Christmas magic and you have the perfect afternoon read!
This is my first book by Ms. Linden and I can already tell you that it won't be my last. The feels were definitely real in this book and I loved every minute of it! I cannot wait to read the next book in the series. I have already one-clicked that baby! ;)
And of course I can't forget my casting. I am seriously in love with these two! What do you think?!
Life for Willow has been anything but easy. She has lived in constant fear and uncertainty. She learned the hard way that she can’t trust anyone, and no one will save her but herself. My heart broke for her when I learned of her circumstances. She had been through some horrible things but she was a fighter and did whatever it took to take care of herself.
When Cale first laid eyes on Willow, his protective instincts kicked in. He didn't know who or what she was running from, he just knew that he had to help her. He knew that getting to know Willow and getting her to trust him was going to take a lot of time and patience. But there was something about her that called to him. He was going to do everything in his power to keep her safe.
Watching Willow and Cale go from acquaintances to friends to something more made my heart smile. Their journey was not easy. There was a lot that Willow had never experienced and didn't know how to deal with. But all the bumps along the road only made them stronger.
I absolutely loved the small town setting. I found myself not only falling in love with Willow and Cale, but with the town and the people in it as well. It was endearing to see everyone come together whenever someone was in need. Sprinkle on a little Christmas magic and you have the perfect afternoon read!
This is my first book by Ms. Linden and I can already tell you that it won't be my last. The feels were definitely real in this book and I loved every minute of it! I cannot wait to read the next book in the series. I have already one-clicked that baby! ;)
And of course I can't forget my casting. I am seriously in love with these two! What do you think?!
December 6, 2019
I really enjoyed this and am excited to find a new author. I enjoyed the small town setting, Christmas festivities and likable characters. It had a good storyline and I thought the story moved along nicely.
Content: Clean romance, very mild language (maybe two curse words), very mild violence
Content: Clean romance, very mild language (maybe two curse words), very mild violence
December 1, 2019
Sweet Romance
I picked this book up on recommendation from a friend and I'm glad I did. It had lots of great elements with characters who grew on me- the more I read, the more I liked them. Honestly, it was their mistakes that really cemented those feelings for me. There were lots of Christmas festivities, perfect for this time of the year. I'm really looking forward to the next book in this series!
I picked this book up on recommendation from a friend and I'm glad I did. It had lots of great elements with characters who grew on me- the more I read, the more I liked them. Honestly, it was their mistakes that really cemented those feelings for me. There were lots of Christmas festivities, perfect for this time of the year. I'm really looking forward to the next book in this series!
December 15, 2017
Fine tale
Cale being the sheriff of Echo Lake and Willow running away from her abusive brother meet when Willow runs out of gas in no parking place. Cale has her car towed and realizes she has no money or no where to stay decides to tel a lie to get her to stay in town over the holidays.
There are a lot of characters in the small town who try to get Willow to see she belonged in their community. Willow has a hard trusting g that people can be this nice as she Nevers has been around any nice people.
A great Christmas story for all to read.
Cale being the sheriff of Echo Lake and Willow running away from her abusive brother meet when Willow runs out of gas in no parking place. Cale has her car towed and realizes she has no money or no where to stay decides to tel a lie to get her to stay in town over the holidays.
There are a lot of characters in the small town who try to get Willow to see she belonged in their community. Willow has a hard trusting g that people can be this nice as she Nevers has been around any nice people.
A great Christmas story for all to read.
July 25, 2018
I really enjoyed that the romance was clean and sweet. I thought it was adorable how Cale was willing to treat Willow like the person she should've been treated her whole life. The conflict of trust between those two seemed believable and realistic.
On a steaminess level I would rate it a hot PG.
***Spoiler
The only unrealistic thing seemed to be how quickly and the method used to capture Elliot!
On a steaminess level I would rate it a hot PG.
***Spoiler
The only unrealistic thing seemed to be how quickly and the method used to capture Elliot!
January 1, 2025
4 Stars
Kindle Unlimited
This was a sweet holiday romance.
Kindle Unlimited
This was a sweet holiday romance.
January 3, 2018
Despair to delight
Wonderful story of hopelessness, escape and sanctuary. Loved all the characters. The spry little old lady was a delight. Definitely will read this author again!!!
Wonderful story of hopelessness, escape and sanctuary. Loved all the characters. The spry little old lady was a delight. Definitely will read this author again!!!
Read
December 26, 2020I ordinarily don't pick up books in the romance genre, sweet or otherwise. But I have read and loved the other books by this author (this is a pen name for Kenley Davidson) and thought, if anybody can do romance without being cheesy, it's her. She told me that this was intended to be a Hallmark movie in book format, which are quintessentially cheesy, but I was looking for something fluffy, so why not.
I was very engrossed for about the first 50%. Having never really watched Hallmark movies, I thought the plot seemed original and I was engaged in the dynamic between Willow and Cale. But as the story went on, the cheese factor ratcheted up, and the story fell prey to what I think is the typical shortcomings of almost any chick flick: perfect man, hot mess woman, and yet for reasons unknown, the man falls in love fast and hard and is thus willing to withstand any distance or mistreatment in his pursuit of her. Because Willow's entire character revolves around her rough past, I also had a hard time believing the banter between her and Cale intended to be flirtatious. It seemed too forced. After awhile, Cale's desperation to be Willow's knight in shining armor stretched my suspension of disbelief to the breaking point. I gave up at about 61%.
I was very engrossed for about the first 50%. Having never really watched Hallmark movies, I thought the plot seemed original and I was engaged in the dynamic between Willow and Cale. But as the story went on, the cheese factor ratcheted up, and the story fell prey to what I think is the typical shortcomings of almost any chick flick: perfect man, hot mess woman, and yet for reasons unknown, the man falls in love fast and hard and is thus willing to withstand any distance or mistreatment in his pursuit of her. Because Willow's entire character revolves around her rough past, I also had a hard time believing the banter between her and Cale intended to be flirtatious. It seemed too forced. After awhile, Cale's desperation to be Willow's knight in shining armor stretched my suspension of disbelief to the breaking point. I gave up at about 61%.
October 8, 2024
This reminded me of a Sharon Sala book. I think of this sub genre of romantic fiction as small town sap. It was so cute and sweet it hurt your teeth. LOL. Not that that's a bad thing. Sometimes I just want something adorable and safe, with a hunky, too good to be true hero. :)
I appreciated the clean content, and the cutesy townfolk. I'm also a sucker for Christmastime stories, and this story fit the bill. However, I did miss the deeper characterization and character development of a less sappy story. ;)
I appreciated the clean content, and the cutesy townfolk. I'm also a sucker for Christmastime stories, and this story fit the bill. However, I did miss the deeper characterization and character development of a less sappy story. ;)
August 23, 2019
Good read.
Almost the whole I was reading, it felt familiar. Not as a book I'd already read though. Finally figured it out when I got to the end. Kacey Linden writes some of my favorite books as Kenley Davidson. I love her sci-fi and fantasy novels! No wonder I liked this one so much. Looking to get the second one now.
Almost the whole I was reading, it felt familiar. Not as a book I'd already read though. Finally figured it out when I got to the end. Kacey Linden writes some of my favorite books as Kenley Davidson. I love her sci-fi and fantasy novels! No wonder I liked this one so much. Looking to get the second one now.
December 19, 2017
I think this could be a great Christmas movie! The Hallmark channel or Netflix should really make that happen! The story kept me interested throughout & I really enjoyed this book & look forward to reading more of her books.
November 5, 2019
Absolutely delivers
The story never falls to cliché, or leaves you wishing the characters would act reasonably. Any lack of communication is well written and in character. Its never solely to artificially inflated the stakes.
The story never falls to cliché, or leaves you wishing the characters would act reasonably. Any lack of communication is well written and in character. Its never solely to artificially inflated the stakes.
December 2, 2019
The perfect Christmas Romance
Christmas in Echo Creek was a heartwarming story. From the start I could not put this book down. It made me laugh, cry, and reminded me that love is really all that matters.
Christmas in Echo Creek was a heartwarming story. From the start I could not put this book down. It made me laugh, cry, and reminded me that love is really all that matters.
January 31, 2020
Sweet Holiday Read
I adore holiday romances, especially Christmas ones. Kacey Linden delivered a sweet, touching holiday read with tension and giggles thrown in. I'm looking forward to more romance from Echo Creek.
I adore holiday romances, especially Christmas ones. Kacey Linden delivered a sweet, touching holiday read with tension and giggles thrown in. I'm looking forward to more romance from Echo Creek.
December 27, 2020
Short romance tale with great characters and plot. Great to read in one sit down, whenever we need to wind down or simply for the joy of it. I'm looking forward to future sweet romances written by Kacey. I mean really looking forward to them :). Happy reading!
December 25, 2022
best romance novel I’ve ever read!
I don’t read novels very often, but I love Christmas and decided to give this book a read. I absolutely loved it and was never bored with it. It just kept getting better and better!
I don’t read novels very often, but I love Christmas and decided to give this book a read. I absolutely loved it and was never bored with it. It just kept getting better and better!
December 17, 2024
oh she deserves a 4.5 rating it’s just what i needed from a small town romance! a super quick read ! it was missing that 5 star feeling but it’s still a VERY good book ! i don’t usually enjoy christmas themed books but i looooove this one and im so excited to read rory’s book!
November 23, 2017
I thoroughly enjoyed this fun, clean Christmas romance! It's well written, with the perfect amount of romance, along with a helping of drama that made the resolution even more satisfying. This was the perfect feel good romance to dive into for a cozy evening read!
December 8, 2017
a very sweet and romantic holiday story of love and fun.
December 18, 2017
Not my cup of tea
January 23, 2018
Beautiful story.
I absolutely adored this story. I stayed up all night to read it. No regrets. The characters are loveable and human, so easy to understand and relatable.
I absolutely adored this story. I stayed up all night to read it. No regrets. The characters are loveable and human, so easy to understand and relatable.
February 11, 2018
The Runaway
A young woman runs away from her abusive brother and ends up in a small town where she finds love for the first time. Sweet romance.
A young woman runs away from her abusive brother and ends up in a small town where she finds love for the first time. Sweet romance.
October 4, 2018
Awesome
Such a good love story. Learning to trust, love and be loved. This is my first Kacey Linden book and I thoroughly enjoyed it.
Such a good love story. Learning to trust, love and be loved. This is my first Kacey Linden book and I thoroughly enjoyed it.
December 24, 2018
Adorable
Just the perfect quick before Christmas read! Lovely little romance that can give you all the feels just in time for Christmas.
Just the perfect quick before Christmas read! Lovely little romance that can give you all the feels just in time for Christmas.
January 20, 2019
Read on Kindle Unlimited. I like the authors other books better than this one. Still a good read
October 17, 2019
Reading this book was like watching a Hallmark movie. It was cute and fun and kind of predictable, but in an enjoyable, feel good way. I enjoyed reading this book.
October 25, 2019
Echo creek
This is a good story with many twists and turns that keeps you , the characters are interesting and likable.
This is a good story with many twists and turns that keeps you , the characters are interesting and likable.
December 24, 2024
Sweet, simple love story
Don’t take my headline the wrong way - there is plenty of action and intrigue in this story. Perfect Christmas-time read!!!
Don’t take my headline the wrong way - there is plenty of action and intrigue in this story. Perfect Christmas-time read!!!
April 16, 2025
A quick love story
I thought it was a nice story. It was a bit of mystery a little adventure and a lot of love. The story was interesting and entertaining to read with the best happily ever after. This is a good read.
I thought it was a nice story. It was a bit of mystery a little adventure and a lot of love. The story was interesting and entertaining to read with the best happily ever after. This is a good read.
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews