Some of the best things in life are worth the wait... Fiona Rangely loves her fast-paced life as a high-end real estate broker in New York City. Or at least, she does until her boyfriend dumps her, claiming that he doesn't get enough of her time. She retreats to her family's quaint Vermont Inn to evaluate her life...but her ex-boyfriend soon shows up with a brand new girlfriend. Fiona quickly devises a plan to win him back: pretend the handsome and laid-back head chef Derek is her new boyfriend! Will her ex realize what he's missing? And will Fiona herself start seeing life--and love--in a new light? This fun, feel-good romance includes a free exclusive recipe for Maple Glazed Sea Scallops.
I write romance novels starring swoon-worthy heroes that you can share with your daughter, the ladies at church and your grandmother without fear because my books never contain bad language, violence or adult content. I live in Texas where I’ve seen bobcats and beavers near my house, but sadly not one cowboy. I’m raising two mini-ninjas alongside the love of my life who cooks while I write, which is my definition of a true hero.
Come for the romance, stay for the happily ever after. My books will make you laugh, cry and swoon–cross my heart.
This is the first book I’ve read in the Hallmark line and it read exactly like a Hallmark movie plays out. Moonlight in Vermont is a heartwarming, insta-love, syrupy sweet story of two people from very different walks of life finding love when the least expect it.
Fiona Rangely has a successful career as a leading real estate agent in New York City; she loves matching people with the home perfect for them, she loves the city, and she loves the thought of her boyfriend popping the question any day now but when she puts work first before the boyfriend she finds her relationship over and a need to escape with her best friend to see her father and step-mother in Vermont. What she doesn’t expect is to tick off the big, burly lumberjack man when she kicks over mushrooms in the yard or to see her very recent ex show up at her father’s inn with a new girlfriend in tow forcing her to make a snap decision that changes the direction of her life.
Pretending to be boyfriend and girlfriend has Fiona and Derek spending lots of time together in the wilds of Vermont and attending various events at MapleFaire. I enjoyed watching Fiona learn to slow down, enjoy life, and really begin to understand that love wasn’t a place, it was what made you happy. At times I found Fiona to be immature and selfish and she drove me a bit nuts, but I do feel she grew over the course of this book and that was in direct correlation to the way Derek treated her and showed her she was worth more than what her ex had given her. I do think that Fiona was good for Derek; she made her see outside of his world and to not give up his dreams.
A light, fluffy, feel good love story; I enjoyed Moonlight in Vermont.
I watched Moonlight in Vermont on Hallmark Channel starring Lacey Chabert and Carlo Marks, so I was excited to read the novel that brought the story to life, written by Kacy Cross.
No offense, Lacey Chabert, but the novel was so much better than the movie!
The author switched up roles so that the readers could see and experience the emotions from the viewpoint of Fiona, Derek, Ang and Brandon. This story made me want to visit Vermont and taste Derek's cooking and try the infamous Maple Glazed Sea Scallops (recipe in the back of my book!)
The writer is incredibly descriptive, and I love how the two romantic relationships evolved (Derek + Fiona and Ang + Brandon).
I also enjoyed the message of slowing down, of appreciating the small things, of figuring out yourself, taking the time to mend fences (figuratively and literally!) .... and the visuals and examples of that message really echoed with me... the molasses dripping in the bucket, cooking from scratch, a nature stroll and not a swift run.
"Some of the best things in life are worth the wait."
There was an Epilogue, a part of the book the movie doesn't show, describing what happens to the two couples after the credits end. Super cute (second) ending!
Moonlight in Vermont is a feel good story that starts out on a low but turns into a fun and sweet read. Fiona Rangely is on top of her game as a real estate agent. She lives and loves the fast pace of New York City until her boyfriend, Nate, dumps her because of her fast paced life. Her best friend, Angela, convinces her that a trip to Fiona's dad and stepmom's inn in Vermont is just the thing to get her out of her slump. She never expected to see Nate and her new girlfriend at her parent's inn but guess what? They are there. What takes place there is a wild trip of having a fake boyfriend to let Nate see what he misses. This is a really cute story of crazy adventures and fun times. What will come of it? Will Nate and Fiona get back together? Or will Fiona's head turn to the fake boyfriend? After all, her life is in New York. She has some unresolved issues with her father to overcome but will she? Angela has always had a crush on Fiona's brother, Brandon and they have their own chance to spend time together. What a great story of sparks, romance and a little jealousy thrown in along with a cast of likable characters, a fun plot and beautiful sounding scenery. Thanks to NetGalley and Hallmark Publishing for the opportunity to read this in exchange for an honest review. Side not: I didn't realize that this is also a Hallmark movie...but it fits.
I was sent a copy of this book for free in exchange for my honest review. I was not financially compensated in any way and all opinions are 100 percent mine.
I am an avid Hallmark Channel supporter/watcher, and I even had the opportunity to view this movie in advance of its release date. I was enchanted with the movie, and I anticipated that the book would be equally as charming. And indeed, Hallmark and the author exceeded my expectations in every way. The style remained true to the story of the film, and it was such a joy to relive all the things that I adored about this delightful Hallmark story.
This is the third of the Hallmark books I have had the opportunity to read, and the author did something that I wasn't expecting, and it only enhanced my enjoyment of this tale. All too often, Hallmark movies focus on just the main couple and sometimes even just the leading lady. In this story, there is a secondary couple that received some quality screen time, but even so, the movie was unable to examine that secondary relationship in more than a cursory fashion.
Throughout this book, the author demonstrated her adeptness at telling the story from the point of view of the various characters. I never struggled with attempting to figure out whose perspective I was reading at any given moment, and I was incredibly pleased that she focused on all four characters as much as she was able. I found myself reexamining what I knew about the movie and comprehending things in a different way than I had previously. I felt as though I gained an accurate and intuitive peek at the vantage point of each character, and I even found myself moving beyond my own observations from the movie. I was immensely gratified at the depth and detail the author provided for each character. Indeed, she has a definite knack for utilizing the literary device of descriptive, judgment-free point of view, and I hope to see more books authored by her in the future.
In short, if you loved the movie, you'll adore the book. And if you haven't seen the movie, I recommend reading the book first because you are certain to gain a sense of who the characters genuinely are which will only enrich your understanding and enjoyment of the film.
Fake relationships/marriages is one of my favorite tropes. I just adore the thought of two people starting a fake relationship to fool parents or to make exes jealous...and then falling for each other themselves for real? Swoon! This story was crazy from start to finish. For Hallmark, I felt like this was extra dramatic! But I loved it!
The characters were everything I needed and more. Fiona's character was the best. I loved her development and the realization that she didn't even want her ex anymore was perfection. I think out of all of them, Kacy Cross wrote Fiona the best. She wrote Fiona like she had personally experienced something like this before and it made the story that much more real for me.
My favorite part of this novel was the sweetness of the romance. It wasn't too strong but it wasn't too much either. It was really a wonderful moment to see how the story of Fiona and Derek was going to play out. As the head chef, he knows he's too busy and it's almost like a forbidden love story at some parts.
The only reason why I didn't give this book five-stars is because I wish it was a little longer! It was only 182 pages and I wish it would just keep going and going. I think ultimately it was wrapped up well and the story was great, but I would've liked a little more.
Overall, I'd recommend this book to anyone. This was a good story for any age. Moonlight in Vermont was the perfect book to get me excited for the rest of Kacy Cross' books!
I received this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Fiona needs a break from the big city of New York after her boyfriend dumps her so she ends up at the one place she really doesn't want to be....at her father's inn in Vermont. What was supposed to be a nice vacation suddenly has Fiona tied in knots when her ex-boyfriend, Nate, ends up in the same inn...with his new girlfriend.
There's only one solution for this...Fiona must find a fake boyfriend for the weekend and chef Derek seems to be the perfect candidate. Except, he's the exact opposite of her and they can't stand each other.
I am obsessed with anything related to Hallmark and this book is no exception. Hallmark's new line of books is a diamond in the rough delivering sweet clean novels that anyone can enjoy. I highly recommend this book and it is suitable for all ages.
And if you end up liking this one, make sure to check out Hallmark Channel's original movie "Moonlight In Vermont." Neither the book nor the movie will disappoint you.
A valuable lesson in a heartwarming tale. Life is one surprise after another. What seems to be perfect can quickly fall apart. Moonlight in Vermont is a what if, wake up call. Kacy Cross uses simple logic and irresistible charm to lure readers into a sugary romance. Fiona is on the fast track to success, until her personal life starts to fall apart. Will she discover what really matters before it is too late?
“How else did you keep memories alive other than to hang on to the places where they’d been created?”
This is the second Hallmark movie-to-book that I've read (the previous one was Journey Back to Christmas), and, again, it's heartwarming, sweet, and a bit (maple) sappy. It's also adorably silly. Due to their professions, there's both real estate (after being dumped, Fiona moans “what if I’m like that half duplex that just sits on the market forever?”) and food (Derek thinks she's "more pleasing to the eye than a clean kitchen at the end of the day") comparisons. So, yeah, dad-jokes abound, but, for the most part, the book's so darn fluffy and sweet that it's hard to fault it for being, well, as corny as a Hallmark movie.
“Memories lived in the boards underfoot, in the walls surrounding you. In the ceiling that had seen years of laughter and tears.”
Fiona is constantly on-the-go, with her cellphone permanently melded to her hand, since she makes herself available to her real estate clients at all times. She prides herself on finding them not just a place to live, but a place to make a home. She's successful, loves her job, and content in her relationship - at least until her boyfriend dumps her. Devastated, her friend Angela convinces her to take a vacation to her family's inn in Vermont, despite her guilt - she's much too busy to call or visit her family regularly, and she still holds a grudge against her dad for selling their family home in NYC after her mother died.
“She had caffeine addict written all over her. She’d need it to speed through her day as she missed all the greatness of Vermont around her because she was too much in a hurry to appreciate the small things.”
Derek, the new cook at her family's inn, is still recovering from his own failed relationship. At first, they clash horribly, with a lot of smirking on Derek's part and bratty sarcastic teen behavior on Fiona's. Despite her “big mouth and speed demon tendencies,” though, there's a spark between them, and when Fiona runs into her ex and his brand new girlfriend, she concocts a dopey plan to have Derek pretend to be her new boyfriend (without asking him first, of course). Eventually, of course, they figure out together when to go fast (pancake eating contest) and slow (kissing). This is even a two-for-one romance as we also get to see a relationship develop between Fiona's friend, Angela, and her brother.
“The best dishes of my life… My grandma’s wedding meatballs. My dad’s shepherd’s pie. Maple torte on my aunt’s birthday. To me, food isn’t about perfection. It’s about love…and family…and tradition.”
The plot is predictable, and everything gets wrapped up nicely in the end, of course, complete with a wedding and baby in the epilogue. Fiona learns how to slow down, a conflict at the inn is resolved, and Fiona and her dad finally have an actual conversation, where she learns that, basically, she's been acting on a wrong assumption for years. Besides that, I had two main issues with the book. The first is Fiona's behavior - she really acts like an immature spoiled brat at times in how she treats her family and friends. Secondly, I felt awful for Fiona's ex's new girlfriend, Hayley. While I didn't think Fiona's ex was much of a catch - he definitely gave off "bro" vibes and seemed to not want to put any work into his relationships - Hayley had done nothing wrong and overall came off as a very sweet person. She's probably better off without the jerk, honestly, but it still felt like an awful thing for Fiona to do, and I wished Fiona had shown more remorse for that.
And now, I leave you with my favorite quote from the book, Derek's thoughts when he realizes he's in love with Fiona.
“Fiona was better than a perfect pie crust, far superior to getting the right crispiness to the bacon in his maple bacon pork loin, and definitely more pleasing to the eye than a clean kitchen at the end of the day.”
Fluffy, sappy, and sweet. Perfect book candy!
I received this book for free from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
This Hallmark book is a short - 182 pages - sweet stand alone story where you meet the main characters Fiona Rangely, and her boyfriend, Nate. Fiona is a top real estate agent and lives in New York City and loves the city’s fast pace. Fiona thinks Nate is ready to ask her to marry him, but instead, he dumps her because he feels her career is number 1 and he doesn't get enough of her time. Fiona’s best girlfriend, Angela, thinks she needs a getaway trip to visit her family’s quaint Vermont Inn so she can take a look at her life, and slow down to spend some time with her father and stepmother. Fiona is upset with her father’s decision to sell the old home place in New York and buy the Vermont Inn after her mother died. Once she arrives in New York, guess who shows up? Her ex-boyfriend, Nate, with his new girlfriend.
Fiona realizes she wants to win Nate back, but at the same time, she also wants to make him jealous. Then there's Derek. He's just getting over a failed relationship himself, and he has come to the Inn to work as the new chef. Fiona's plan becomes getting Derek to pretend to be her new boyfriend (without asking him first). At first they are not getting along, but their friendship develops. As a reader, we see their relationship grow from the "not getting along" stage to friendship, to courtship, to love while they take lots of twists and turns in the beautiful country of Vermont.
Angela and Fiona’s brother, Brandon, are strong second characters who are developing a loving relationship at the same time as Fiona and Derek. Usually Hallmark has only one couple as main characters and I am happy that this story was different.
This is my first Hallmark book and I have not seen the movie, Moonlight in Vermont yet, but I truly enjoyed reading this sugary sweet love story. I am definitely looking forward to watching the movie on the Hallmark Channel soon.
I was provided with a complimentary ebook from Hallmark Publishing in exchange for a post sharing the news about the book. They did not require a positive post on the ebook, but because it was really good, we are glad to do to!! Thanks Hallmark Publishing!
I’m a real fan of Hallmark movies both mysteries and romance. They are always clean and wholesome stories with a happy ending. Perhaps not as life-like as reality but certainly what we all hope and long for.
Hallmark has recently been releasing books which are based on their movies. “Moonlight in Vermont” is just such a book. I definitely enjoyed the movie, which starred Lacey Chabert who is a favorite of mine. Because of seeing the movie, I continue to see the character of Fiona (in the book) in the guise of Lacey.
The book reads like the movie but with a deeper feeling as, in the book, we are privy to the thoughts and feelings of the characters. This is something, in a movie, that an actor has to relate by expression or tone of voice and that is something I can miss seeing/hearing as a viewer. In a book, I can mull over the thoughts to see the why of what happens and not just the consequences of the action.
Fiona is a high stakes realtor in New York City. She was recently dropped by her boyfriend and heads to Vermont to heal her wounds, even though it means spending time with her father while their relationship has a bit of estrangement to it at the moment.
Fiona arrives with her best friend, only to find her ex is there as well and on his arm is his new girl friend. Seriously Fiona knows to the hour how short a time has passed since their break-up.
She develops a scheme to get him back and drags the Inn’s new chef into the plan (as a fake boyfriend.) Hilarity and missteps ensue but, by the end, things are sorted out well and life is looking a whole lot better for Fiona.
I was provided a digital advance reader copy of this book by the publisher via Netgalley.
If you’re a fan of those heart warming, flirty, relationship angst filled Hallmark romantic movies, you really don’t need a lengthy introduction to this storyline and will likely feel right at home with this one, folks. Derek and Fiona, the main couple, do get their HEA after Fiona finally finds closure in letting go of her hurt feelings after being dumped by a boyfriend who was pretty quick in finding her replacement. Not surprisingly, said boyfriend does pop up and presents some other man drama as he’s seen sporting the other woman on his arm. With a plot revolving around making him jealous and leaving the door open to winning him back, it all unfolds with Fiona realizing fate had other plans for her.
I personally couldn’t help but feel a little bad for the OW (who was not dating the boyfriend before or at the time of their original break-up) and even a tad bit for the boyfriend. It seemed like he did come in second place to Fiona’s career commitments/goals.
Country air and moonlight gets this leading lady to slow things down and realize she needed more than just career success to be happy. Derek’s special deal did the job in securing his future investment and the lady love he needed to get over his past, damaged heart.
Title: Moonlight in Vermont: Based on the Hallmark Channel Original Movie, Author: Kacy Cross, Pages: 182, stand-alone, non-steamy/romantic read, relationship angst, some OM drama, comes to her senses. Rating: 3.5 stars
(I received a free advanced reader copy provided via NetGalley. No type of compensation was given to this reviewer, nor is there is any relationship or affiliation between the reviewer and the author/publisher/NetGalley.)
This is the first time I've read a book from Hallmark, and frankly, this story did not disappoint! From the very first pages I felt like I was watching a movie play out in my mind. The characters were real, the settings were beautiful, and the budding relationships between Fiona and Derek and Angela and Brandon were entertaining and sweet. I liked how there was a subplot centered around Angela because it fleshed out her character even more for me. Her scenes were just as charming! Plus, I felt the message of slowing down and taking time to enjoy what's around you in life is very relevant in today's fast-paced world. I believe that's something we could learn about and try to do in our own lives.
I want to give the writer's writing style immense praise because she really takes readers right into the story, especially with the lush descriptions of Vermont. The book also made me hungry for some delicious food, so if you're a foodie, I would recommend reading this book (there's also a recipe at the end for you to check out).
Heartwarming, sweet, real, funny...all the makings of Hallmark. Wholesome stories still exist everyone and have so much value! Please consider checking out this story and adding it to that ever-growing book (or e-book) collection. I can't wait to read more Hallmark stories!!
I received this book for free from Hallmark Publishing in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
I received a copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
When I first started to read this book I was not particularly fond of Fiona Rangely, the main female character. She seemed rather self-centred and I felt sorry for her boyfriend Nate when she stood him up for a very important meeting with his bosses. Her best friend Angela persuaded her to head to Vermont for a break and also in the hopes that she could mend some fences with her father who she had been at loggerheads with since his remarriage and move to Vermont to run an Inn. Not long after their arrival in Vermont, who should turn up but Nate (and his new girlfriend). IN an attempt to stave off embarrassment, Fiona lies about having a new love of her own. Cue the entry of Derek, the chef at her father's Inn. He agrees to be her "fake" boyfriend for a week but it isn't long before sparks begin to fly and a transformation begins to take place in Fiona. I began to like her!
All of these events are set against the background of the rural Vermont area during their annual Maple Faire. It was a fun setting and there was quite a bit of humour throughout the book. There was also an engaging secondary romance to enjoy too.
I have not seen the movie that this was based on, but I did enjoy the book and the fact that it does not include graphic scenes or language. Each of the Hallmark books seems to include a recipe at the end and this one is for Maple Scallops. I think I will have to try it out!
Thanks to Netgalley for giving me this book to read in exchange for an honest review. No compensation was given, offered, or taken to alter the opinion.
Hallmark Publishing has done it again! Moonlight in Vermont is another heartwarming, sweet story in the Hallmark book line. This book tells the story of two people from very different walks of life finding love when they least expect it. The story follows 3 different view points: Fiona, Derek, and Angela. The backdrop of this story is a snowy Vermont spring, so it's a perfect read for either winter or spring time. This book is all about slowing down and taking time to enjoy what's around you. I highly recommend this book and any of the other Hallmark movie-to-books for Hallmark movie lovers. I look forward to reading more of these Hallmark books!
What a super cute, quick read. I am loving the books that Hallmark is putting out right now, and this was my favorite that I've read so far. There was a wit contained in the book that went beyond the movie. I love how it really explored the odd relationship between Fiona and Derek. I also love that we got extra snippets of Angela and Brandon's relationship, as well as Angela and Fiona's friendship. And THANK YOU Hallmark Publishing for epilogues! I love that we get that flash forward to where these couples are that we've met in the movie, and wish a happily ever after upon, let us enjoy the emotional investment we've made in their story. If you haven't seen the movie, you will love the book anyway. I can't wait to see more from Hallmark.
I was given a copy by my friends at Netgalley.com in exchange for my honest review.
A pretty sweet and entertaining read to unwind next to the fireplace.
After 8 months in a relationship with Nate, Fiona is ready for the next step. Unfortunately her plans are ruined when she gets dumped. Following her best friend advice, Fiona decides to visit her father in Vermont, hoping to clear her head and move on with her life.
I had a great time following Fiona's journey. The story was a bit predictable but sweet nonetheless. All the insights in the characters minds where a nice surprise that I appreciated.
If you are looking for an easy, sweet and entertaining romance between more intense reads, this book is a good choice.
I'm very big fan and black hole who sucks Hallmark movies in and I'm reading books since I was 7. So when I get to know that Hallmark movies are now books too, I was over the moon because I will love to cherish the same story in one of my more favourite versions and I really did.
I loved the book version more, sorry movies! But the way book is written is quite beautiful and really loved it. I loved the characters more in comparison of the movie.
Really looking forward for more Hallmark Movies to be converted to books.
Kacy Cross's Moonlight in Vermont pulled at my heart strings!
It is written in third person narration which added unique perspective and insight. A beautiful double love story with a hint of drama and revenge! In addition, a touch of family roots to the mix that really rounds out this adventure.
Don't be surprised if you to tear up with happy tears or even catch yourself laughing out loud.
I look forward to watching the Hallmark channel movie interpretation of Moonlight in Vermont!! 🍂 YA+
Hallmark movies are one of my guilty secrets so I just love these books and would recommend them to all romance lovers.This was a great read to curl up with on a cold afternoon it was well written and held my interest all the way through I cannot say if it is as good as the movie as I have not seen it but I did enjoy the book
Such a fun, feel-good romantic comedy. Trying to show her ex-boyfriend what he's thrown away, Fiona pretends that the head chef is her boyfriend. Sparks fly and the plan backfires when feelings start to arise.
This movie followed the book very well. The epilogue was the part that the movie didn't have. It would be nice if the movies followed the book to the end.
I'd previously seen the film, which I enjoyed, so figured this would be an easy pool-side read for my holiday.
To be honest, if you've seen the film, you don't really need to read the book, however I did enjoy the epilogue at the end which added to the ending of the film. I always wonder "what happens next" and so this was a nice addition.
Overall this was well written, and an enjoyable quick read, although I did find some parts a bit repetitive.
This is one of my favorite Hallmark movies, but I didn’t enjoy the book. The book was written based upon the movie, but I couldn’t picture Derek in the book as portrayed by Carlo Marks in the movie. The book had more of the relationship between Angela and Brandon than the movie was able to include. I liked the epilogue which went further in the future than the movie ending.
Knowing it’s a Hallmark book, you know what you are getting in to right off the bat. I needed something fluffy to read to counter all of the murder mysteries I have been reading lately. It’s cute and gave me the escape I was looking for.