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Maple Springs #5
Holiday Baby
She's got a Christmas secret...
But is he ready for fatherhood in Maple Springs?
When Cat Zelinsky returns to her hometown, she doesn't expect to bump into Simon Roberts. The moment he sees her newborn daughter--and his own brown eyes looking back at him--Simon learns the secret Cat's been keeping. He's a daddy. And this Christmas, the globe-trotting bachelor might just discover that a loving family is exactly what he needs.
But is he ready for fatherhood in Maple Springs?
When Cat Zelinsky returns to her hometown, she doesn't expect to bump into Simon Roberts. The moment he sees her newborn daughter--and his own brown eyes looking back at him--Simon learns the secret Cat's been keeping. He's a daddy. And this Christmas, the globe-trotting bachelor might just discover that a loving family is exactly what he needs.
288 pages, Mass Market Paperback
Published October 16, 2018
29 people are currently reading
77 people want to read
About the author
Jenna Mindel
44 books85 followersI live in Northern Lower Michigan with my husband and our three adorable dogs. I enjoy the Great Lakes, anything outdoors, and a really strong cup of coffee.
My love of fairy tales as a kid paved the way for me to create my own happily-ever-after stories. My passion grew in writing flawed characters who realize their need to trust God before they can trust each other.
I love to hear from readers and can be reached through my website at www.jennamindel.com.
My love of fairy tales as a kid paved the way for me to create my own happily-ever-after stories. My passion grew in writing flawed characters who realize their need to trust God before they can trust each other.
I love to hear from readers and can be reached through my website at www.jennamindel.com.
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
January 1, 2019
Holiday Baby
Yes, I know Christmas is over and it is New Years. I still Holiday/Christmas books to read. Actually can read all year round.
Love Inspired books are some of my favorite to read. They are a fast read and short enough to read in one sitting but still a full book. I subscribe to the reader and I am no way required to post an review.
Cat comes back to her home town with her young baby. There was something that happened in her past that was very hard for her to accept. Being a young new mother she is very protective, very scared of something happening to the baby. I am sure a lot of people can relate to what she is feeling.
Simon is living there now. He sees Cat at church with Opal and realizes he has a daughter. To find how and why you will have to read the book. Simon has an jewelry shop in town.
This is part of a series, written as a stand alone. I will be checking out the other book though. I really enjoy the story of Simon and Cat, I believe you will too.
Yes, I know Christmas is over and it is New Years. I still Holiday/Christmas books to read. Actually can read all year round.
Love Inspired books are some of my favorite to read. They are a fast read and short enough to read in one sitting but still a full book. I subscribe to the reader and I am no way required to post an review.
Cat comes back to her home town with her young baby. There was something that happened in her past that was very hard for her to accept. Being a young new mother she is very protective, very scared of something happening to the baby. I am sure a lot of people can relate to what she is feeling.
Simon is living there now. He sees Cat at church with Opal and realizes he has a daughter. To find how and why you will have to read the book. Simon has an jewelry shop in town.
This is part of a series, written as a stand alone. I will be checking out the other book though. I really enjoy the story of Simon and Cat, I believe you will too.
January 6, 2021
I loved this book!
I felt like Cat and Simon’s relationship was very believable and I easily could feel the emotion in both characters. Initially in the first chapter I kind of felt dropping into the middle of a series in which I wasn’t sure who anyone was, but that quickly turned into the opposite. The writer has a way of quickly making you “friends” with her characters. I felt comfortable with Cat almost like she was my friend. I understood why she didn’t tell Simon about their daughter or the pregnancy and why she was didn’t want anyone knowing who the Opal’s father is. But upon Cat and Opal’s arrival in Maple Springs, Cat realizes that Simon now lives in her hometown. Simon fell in love with the town just by how Cat had described it over a year ago, so he moved there any became close friends with Cat’s family and opened a Jewelry store on the main strip.
Simon is taken for a whirlwind when he finds out about Opal and immediately wants to help care for his child (whatever that may look like) but Cat doesn’t want his money. Simon doesn’t feel like he can be an adequate father so he struggles with this whole thing, you can actually feel his struggle. When Cat’s family finds out that Simon is indeed the father to little Opal, they have very mixed feelings. Some are happy it’s Simon, and some are very upset that he wouldn’t “man up” and left Cat pregnant. -which isn’t the case, as Simon had just found out himself!
Simon was about to leave the small town of Maple Springs and had decided so prior to even knowing Cat was coming back for the holidays, as his lease is up. But now Simon is obviously very conflicted. Simon tries his hardest and wants to try. He ends up being invited to Thanksgiving dinner where things get interesting. But he is indeed welcomed into the family.
Simon is not a fan of the holidays but ends up getting a tree with Cat (and omg that’s one of my favorite moments) Cat helps get his home all decked out for Christmas and you can feel Simon get into the Christmas spirit! They do end up getting married.
Cat, Simon, and Opal get their HEA as one happy family.
The reasons for 4 stars instead of 5, is because I felt Cat could be pushy at times and just assume that Simon didn’t want to actually be a dad and at times didn’t let him speak for himself and answer her about what he wanted. It’s like she was answering for him at times, instead of just actually asking the questions and letting him speak. I also felt maybe their relationship and quickness to get engaged was a tad rushed, I know they have a baby but still. I also feel like we should have gotten more. The story almost felt kind of unfinished. As things can’t just be that easy to change minds, get leases taken care of, etc
Simon also forgives Cat very easily, it almost didn’t seem believable. As she could have reached out to him, but didn’t even give him a chance. It just doesn’t seem that he’s get over it as quickly as he did.
But with all of this being said, I actually have read this book a few times and even recommended it to a few friends. It is one of those books that I can read time and time again. As the author has a way of making you feel like a member of their family.
I felt like Cat and Simon’s relationship was very believable and I easily could feel the emotion in both characters. Initially in the first chapter I kind of felt dropping into the middle of a series in which I wasn’t sure who anyone was, but that quickly turned into the opposite. The writer has a way of quickly making you “friends” with her characters. I felt comfortable with Cat almost like she was my friend. I understood why she didn’t tell Simon about their daughter or the pregnancy and why she was didn’t want anyone knowing who the Opal’s father is. But upon Cat and Opal’s arrival in Maple Springs, Cat realizes that Simon now lives in her hometown. Simon fell in love with the town just by how Cat had described it over a year ago, so he moved there any became close friends with Cat’s family and opened a Jewelry store on the main strip.
Simon is taken for a whirlwind when he finds out about Opal and immediately wants to help care for his child (whatever that may look like) but Cat doesn’t want his money. Simon doesn’t feel like he can be an adequate father so he struggles with this whole thing, you can actually feel his struggle. When Cat’s family finds out that Simon is indeed the father to little Opal, they have very mixed feelings. Some are happy it’s Simon, and some are very upset that he wouldn’t “man up” and left Cat pregnant. -which isn’t the case, as Simon had just found out himself!
Simon was about to leave the small town of Maple Springs and had decided so prior to even knowing Cat was coming back for the holidays, as his lease is up. But now Simon is obviously very conflicted. Simon tries his hardest and wants to try. He ends up being invited to Thanksgiving dinner where things get interesting. But he is indeed welcomed into the family.
Simon is not a fan of the holidays but ends up getting a tree with Cat (and omg that’s one of my favorite moments) Cat helps get his home all decked out for Christmas and you can feel Simon get into the Christmas spirit! They do end up getting married.
Cat, Simon, and Opal get their HEA as one happy family.
The reasons for 4 stars instead of 5, is because I felt Cat could be pushy at times and just assume that Simon didn’t want to actually be a dad and at times didn’t let him speak for himself and answer her about what he wanted. It’s like she was answering for him at times, instead of just actually asking the questions and letting him speak. I also felt maybe their relationship and quickness to get engaged was a tad rushed, I know they have a baby but still. I also feel like we should have gotten more. The story almost felt kind of unfinished. As things can’t just be that easy to change minds, get leases taken care of, etc
Simon also forgives Cat very easily, it almost didn’t seem believable. As she could have reached out to him, but didn’t even give him a chance. It just doesn’t seem that he’s get over it as quickly as he did.
But with all of this being said, I actually have read this book a few times and even recommended it to a few friends. It is one of those books that I can read time and time again. As the author has a way of making you feel like a member of their family.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 21, 2018
Holiday Baby by Jenna Mindel. Simon Roberts traveled the world searching for rare gems. On one of the hunts, looking for opals, he met Cat Zelinsky. They had a one night affair. Eight months ago he moved to a small town in Michigan. Opened a little jewelry store where he designed everything in the store. Cat Zelinsky returned to her home town and sees Simon at church. Cat now has a little girl she named Opal. Simon can see his big brown eyes in Opals. Simon didn't know he was a father until that day. Cat has secrets and has a hard time telling Simon about her past. A romantic story that is very good.
February 15, 2019
Holiday Baby [She’s got a Christmas secret…But is he ready for fatherhood in Maple Springs? When Cat Zelinsky (journalist) returns to her hometown, she doesn’t expect to bump into Simon Roberts (gemologist). They met while she did a story for a travel magazine and he was hunting for opals. The moment he sees her newborn daughter Opal—and his own brown eyes looking back at him—Simon learns the secret Cat’s been keeping. He’s a daddy. And this Christmas, the globe-trotting bachelor might just discover that a loving family is exactly what he needs.] ‘18 G
March 10, 2019
Cat and Simon have a history. One that to Cat, is painful. They share a daughter but Cat doesn’t trust Simon to know, let alone to be a good father. Simon finds out he has a daughter when he runs into Cats brother who told him. They end up working out a system to care fro Opal their daughter and throughout their new relationship they end up falling in love and getting married. It was a sweet and quick read that mentions a few details to christmas.
August 9, 2021
Because some things that have happened in her past she has been reluctant to come home. But she has a little girl named Opal and she isn't sure she will be a good Mother for her so she wants to be at home near her Mom.
She hasn't told the babies father that she was pregnant because she had not seen him in a while. He had no idea that she was pregnant. Once she gets home around her family the book just gets better and better
She hasn't told the babies father that she was pregnant because she had not seen him in a while. He had no idea that she was pregnant. Once she gets home around her family the book just gets better and better
December 9, 2023
From heartache to God’s love
Sometimes we don’t know where life’s going to take us. With Cat and Simon, it was hard to know. With so much baggage neither one thought they could ever forgive themselves much less each other.
Sometimes we don’t know where life’s going to take us. With Cat and Simon, it was hard to know. With so much baggage neither one thought they could ever forgive themselves much less each other.
December 9, 2018
Beautiful Christmas story
February 27, 2020
A beautiful and sweet uplifting Love Story....truly inspiring!
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November 2, 2018Miniseries: Maple Springs
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November 2, 2018Miniseries: Maple Springs
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews