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The Happy Holidays #2
This Christmas
The first time firefighter Jeff Kowalek looked into Holly Fulbright’s Christmas-green eyes, he was sure he’d met the girl of his dreams. But that was way back in college, and she was dating another guy. Full stop. So when she turns up ten years later, as his tenant, no less, he’s not sure what to think: has he been given another chance or is Holly not the girl he’d imagined her to be?
Life has not turned out the way Holly planned—her fiancé walked out two years ago, leaving her with a huge mess to clean up, and she’s holding down two jobs and denying herself even the smallest of luxuries to make ends meet. But when disaster hits one of her students and Holly teams up with Jeff and his crew to help, it may turn out that this Christmas is the one that changes everything…
Life has not turned out the way Holly planned—her fiancé walked out two years ago, leaving her with a huge mess to clean up, and she’s holding down two jobs and denying herself even the smallest of luxuries to make ends meet. But when disaster hits one of her students and Holly teams up with Jeff and his crew to help, it may turn out that this Christmas is the one that changes everything…
254 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 28, 2017
411 people are currently reading
180 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews
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July 25, 2018DNF at 17% There was no chemistry, no depth to the characters. The writing was somewhat stilted and there was no 'flow' to it, no sense of being in the story.
Not rating at this time.
Not rating at this time.
November 15, 2018
Holiday cheer
Jeff and Holly met in college years ago and somehow ended up as landlord and tenant years later. Jeff is a firefighter and Holly is a teacher.
Holly is broke and living on a shoestring working two jobs. She had a bad experience with a chance so she stays to herself and doesn't date.
Jeff had a bad experience with a woman so doesn't date. When he has some health issues he decides he needs to change his lifestyle.
Around the holidays things start getting friendlier between the couple.
A feel good story full of small town charm.
Jeff and Holly met in college years ago and somehow ended up as landlord and tenant years later. Jeff is a firefighter and Holly is a teacher.
Holly is broke and living on a shoestring working two jobs. She had a bad experience with a chance so she stays to herself and doesn't date.
Jeff had a bad experience with a woman so doesn't date. When he has some health issues he decides he needs to change his lifestyle.
Around the holidays things start getting friendlier between the couple.
A feel good story full of small town charm.
November 16, 2018
Not a great book but I did enjoy these people and will read it again another Christmas season.
December 6, 2018
Enjoyable Christmas Series
Brouder's Happy Holiday series brings together the comforts of family celebrations, new love and Christmas joy. 'This Christmas' leaves with you a sense of love and appreciation of family and friends to last through the holidays.
Brouder's Happy Holiday series brings together the comforts of family celebrations, new love and Christmas joy. 'This Christmas' leaves with you a sense of love and appreciation of family and friends to last through the holidays.
December 26, 2018
I enjoyed this as a light holiday read. There were several characters that all had some sort of issue and interaction with the main character, and the ending pulled it together for me.
October 28, 2018
A great read to get you started for the holidays
Holly and Jeff, this story is touching, tender and funny. It would be nice to think that you try to plan your future in the final year of college. But life
has it's own time line.
Holly and Jeff find them selves again and then does the dance of life begins.
Once I started reading, it was hard to stop. The story line is funny with Trixie and Fernando. Especially when Jeff insists on the meeting. I actually snorted on that and to stop for a bit with all he laughing. Enjoy!
Holly and Jeff, this story is touching, tender and funny. It would be nice to think that you try to plan your future in the final year of college. But life
has it's own time line.
Holly and Jeff find them selves again and then does the dance of life begins.
Once I started reading, it was hard to stop. The story line is funny with Trixie and Fernando. Especially when Jeff insists on the meeting. I actually snorted on that and to stop for a bit with all he laughing. Enjoy!
November 2, 2018
Needing a break from midterm elections, I have been reading and this is one of the books I have read so far.
Holly and Jeff first met in college and ten years later, she is his tenant. When they first met in college Jeff thought Holly was the girl of his dreams. Holly has changed because of a long-term relationship that left her holding the bag of her ex's debt. She is broke and is a teacher. There is so much more to this story. One of her students family's house burns down and Holly and Jeff make a plan to help them. Holly could ask her parents for a loan to help her financially but doesn't want to because her Dad would never let her live it down. But she finally talks to her Dad, not about the loan but about their relationship. He didn't realize he was making her feel that way and he worked on it and eventually, they even got together to have a breakfast date on the weekends. I think so many girls/women feel this way so it was nice seeing it as part of the story.
Holly was working a part-time job and as she was finishing her shift her ex-was there with a woman and a child. She followed them to find out where he lived because he hadn't been seen or heard from since he left Holly. She went later and confronted him and he had changed his name, got married and had a daughter. When she left nothing, his wife asked for her name and address and she said she would be in contact with her. His wife told him to do the right thing or she would leave him and take their daughter with her. But you will have to read the book to find out how it went.
The book has so much substance and it wasn't a book about Holly and Jeff, it was a book of life, baggage, family and a whole lot more.
Holly and Jeff first met in college and ten years later, she is his tenant. When they first met in college Jeff thought Holly was the girl of his dreams. Holly has changed because of a long-term relationship that left her holding the bag of her ex's debt. She is broke and is a teacher. There is so much more to this story. One of her students family's house burns down and Holly and Jeff make a plan to help them. Holly could ask her parents for a loan to help her financially but doesn't want to because her Dad would never let her live it down. But she finally talks to her Dad, not about the loan but about their relationship. He didn't realize he was making her feel that way and he worked on it and eventually, they even got together to have a breakfast date on the weekends. I think so many girls/women feel this way so it was nice seeing it as part of the story.
Holly was working a part-time job and as she was finishing her shift her ex-was there with a woman and a child. She followed them to find out where he lived because he hadn't been seen or heard from since he left Holly. She went later and confronted him and he had changed his name, got married and had a daughter. When she left nothing, his wife asked for her name and address and she said she would be in contact with her. His wife told him to do the right thing or she would leave him and take their daughter with her. But you will have to read the book to find out how it went.
The book has so much substance and it wasn't a book about Holly and Jeff, it was a book of life, baggage, family and a whole lot more.
February 2, 2019
A nice plot, sympathetic characters, unfortunately, the sequence of events and actions was sometimes a bit too far-fetched and made to fit.
Jeff, a slightly overweight firefighter, is happy to be a couch potato, until he meets his new tenant, Holly. She comes with a lot of baggage, highest among them her being broke because she has to pay off debts, her own and those of her ex-fiancé, who vanished into thin air and left her two years ago. When Holly helps Jeff after a cardiac fright, they slowly get to know each other better, the attraction is there, but neither believes the other one could be interested.
A good narration style and likeable characters save this book from drifting away onto a too unrealistic level: a cardiac fright out of the blue, when firefighters have to do regular physicals? Jeff never meeting Fernando, or hearing about what he is? Two blind dates with horrible women? Those are just some of the things that annoyed me a bit because they gave me the impression they were just made up and force fitted to continue the story and the plot.
Apart from that, however, it was indeed a nice and amusing read, and yes, I wouldn't mind to read more of this author.
Jeff, a slightly overweight firefighter, is happy to be a couch potato, until he meets his new tenant, Holly. She comes with a lot of baggage, highest among them her being broke because she has to pay off debts, her own and those of her ex-fiancé, who vanished into thin air and left her two years ago. When Holly helps Jeff after a cardiac fright, they slowly get to know each other better, the attraction is there, but neither believes the other one could be interested.
A good narration style and likeable characters save this book from drifting away onto a too unrealistic level: a cardiac fright out of the blue, when firefighters have to do regular physicals? Jeff never meeting Fernando, or hearing about what he is? Two blind dates with horrible women? Those are just some of the things that annoyed me a bit because they gave me the impression they were just made up and force fitted to continue the story and the plot.
Apart from that, however, it was indeed a nice and amusing read, and yes, I wouldn't mind to read more of this author.
November 12, 2018
A miscommunication romance
This is a good story, though I didn't like it quite as much as I did the first book. It's more low key. I would have enjoyed it more, but I'm one of those who gets frustrated with the miscommunication/wrong assumption trope.
The story itself, however, is well done with good pacing. The hero and heroine are very sympathetic and likeable. I definitely recommend it.
Clean romance level: sweet kisses, also implied sex by some side characters but no details
A few uses of the Lord's Name in vain & a swear word or two
This is a good story, though I didn't like it quite as much as I did the first book. It's more low key. I would have enjoyed it more, but I'm one of those who gets frustrated with the miscommunication/wrong assumption trope.
The story itself, however, is well done with good pacing. The hero and heroine are very sympathetic and likeable. I definitely recommend it.
Clean romance level: sweet kisses, also implied sex by some side characters but no details
A few uses of the Lord's Name in vain & a swear word or two
October 30, 2020
Holly is an interesting character - a nice teacher, lashes out when people want to help which makes its hard to like her at times. Jeff is a likeable guy who gets walked over by people like his neighbours and friends with their blind dates. Loved Ginger.
When Holly's mum Gloria puts her husband Allan in his place great scene with this conversation
Gloria: That's it, we're going.
Allan: Going? But I was going to have another slice of pie
Gloria: You're done. You can't play nice. Get your coat
When Holly's mum Gloria puts her husband Allan in his place great scene with this conversation
Gloria: That's it, we're going.
Allan: Going? But I was going to have another slice of pie
Gloria: You're done. You can't play nice. Get your coat
December 5, 2018
Great characters and storyline
I chose to read this book because the setting was Christmastime. But the story is so much more than just the setting. Holly and Jeff are the main characters. Both are good hearted souls who are so careful with each other that they almost miss their chance to become more than just friends.
I chose to read this book because the setting was Christmastime. But the story is so much more than just the setting. Holly and Jeff are the main characters. Both are good hearted souls who are so careful with each other that they almost miss their chance to become more than just friends.
May 14, 2019
This is a clean, sweet, second chance, Christmas romance.
Holly is living under a cloud of debt her ex-fiance had run up with their joint accounts before he disappeared. She just moved into a new home, a duplex, and her neighbor is her landlord. Jeff is a firefighter, and a bit of a "stuck in a rut" homebody, til he meets Holly.
Holly is living under a cloud of debt her ex-fiance had run up with their joint accounts before he disappeared. She just moved into a new home, a duplex, and her neighbor is her landlord. Jeff is a firefighter, and a bit of a "stuck in a rut" homebody, til he meets Holly.
July 13, 2023
This Christmas is a cosy, feel good read.
Jeff is a firefighter who is perpetually single, although he is the heart of his neighbourhood, he lacks confidence on the dating scene. His new neighbour Holly has been let down by someone she trusted implicitly, and has neither the will nor the means to pursue a social life. This Christmas however, fate might just have plans for both of them..
Jeff is a firefighter who is perpetually single, although he is the heart of his neighbourhood, he lacks confidence on the dating scene. His new neighbour Holly has been let down by someone she trusted implicitly, and has neither the will nor the means to pursue a social life. This Christmas however, fate might just have plans for both of them..
October 29, 2018
Second Chances, the magic of the holidays helped with this romance. A meeting in college left Jeff with memories of her. Then finding out his tenant was Holly, now it’s ten years later. Nice tender love story, that is always nice to read.
November 3, 2018
All's well that ends well.
Very enjoyable book. The characters were well thought out and very believable. Quite the cast of characters too. Everyone had a distinct personality and it certainly livened up the story. I look forward to reading more by Michele Brouder.
Very enjoyable book. The characters were well thought out and very believable. Quite the cast of characters too. Everyone had a distinct personality and it certainly livened up the story. I look forward to reading more by Michele Brouder.
November 26, 2018
Enjoyable
This book was a very enjoyable read. The emotions of the characters felt like my own. If you like a light, romantic, lifelike story......this is definitely the book for you!
This book was a very enjoyable read. The emotions of the characters felt like my own. If you like a light, romantic, lifelike story......this is definitely the book for you!
October 29, 2019
Sweet little romance with no bang, shoot-ups, or real fire. Real life folks. Everyone has their own baggage and it was displayed quite well in this story. It felt a little long, but I wasn't ever feeling like I wanted to just stop reading. I wanted to know how it ended.
November 1, 2019
Sweet & christian
His was such a wonderful Christmas story. Jeff& Holly were such wonderful characters.The storyline was great & well written.They went through hard times & still made time to help others out.They made you see the true meaning of Christmas.
His was such a wonderful Christmas story. Jeff& Holly were such wonderful characters.The storyline was great & well written.They went through hard times & still made time to help others out.They made you see the true meaning of Christmas.
December 15, 2019
This really is a sweet clean Christmas romance. Nothing spectacular, just the joy and purpose of the holiday spirit. A good Holiday read.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.
October 26, 2020
Good 👍
Sweet story with a HEA ending! Holly who is so far in debt because of an ex that she can't see anything good in front of herr and Jeff who is an introvert
meet after ten years.
Sweet story with a HEA ending! Holly who is so far in debt because of an ex that she can't see anything good in front of herr and Jeff who is an introvert
meet after ten years.
January 13, 2022
My kind of people
This was just a wonderful book with the best character s. They are just my type of people that I can identify with. Please read and develop a relationship with these good people.You will not be disappointed.
This was just a wonderful book with the best character s. They are just my type of people that I can identify with. Please read and develop a relationship with these good people.You will not be disappointed.
May 27, 2018
An enjoyable read
This is the first book I’ve read by this author and I found it to be a quick, enjoyable read.
This is the first book I’ve read by this author and I found it to be a quick, enjoyable read.
October 26, 2018
☺☺☺☺☺
A sweet story of, two damaged people finding their way to healing and each other. The characters are engaging and relatable, the plot interesting and the story well told.
A sweet story of, two damaged people finding their way to healing and each other. The characters are engaging and relatable, the plot interesting and the story well told.
October 26, 2018
Really Enjoyed
A tale of debts and repayment. Marriage and abandonment. Striving to repay by taking on a second job. Creating a happy holiday
A tale of debts and repayment. Marriage and abandonment. Striving to repay by taking on a second job. Creating a happy holiday
October 26, 2018
Kindle-Free-Robin Reads Team. A nice holiday romance
October 27, 2018
This is the 1st book I read by Michele Brouder. I'm sorry I reading this story at chapter 2 because it didn't grab my interest.
October 29, 2018
Heart warming
This is a very sweet, delightful story. I really enjoyed the characters and the family dynamics that could be anyone’s family. Makes you connect with the characters.
This is a very sweet, delightful story. I really enjoyed the characters and the family dynamics that could be anyone’s family. Makes you connect with the characters.
November 11, 2018
Contentment
I smiled throughout this story too. Hope, Christmas magic and finding yourself run throughout the story. A sense of peace and warmth when you close the pages~
I smiled throughout this story too. Hope, Christmas magic and finding yourself run throughout the story. A sense of peace and warmth when you close the pages~
November 12, 2018
This book was a nice Christmas read. But it was just nice, no real excitement. Even the ex showing up, was very little drama.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 17, 2018
This is definitely a more realistic romance with a greater dose of reality and current day circumstance.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews