The Lodge on Holly Road

Life in Icicle Falls #6

by Sheila Roberts

Revisit the sixth novel in bestselling author Sheila Roberts’ adored Life in Icicle Falls series

How Santa Gets His Christmas Spirit Back…

James Claussen has played Santa for years, but now that he’s a widower, he’s lost interest—in everything. So his daughter, Brooke, kidnaps him from the mall (in his Santa suit!) and takes him to Icicle Falls. She’s arranged a special Christmas at the lodge owned by long-widowed Olivia Wallace and her son, Eric. And yet…Brooke wants Dad to be happy, but she’s not ready to see someone else’s mommy kissing Santa Claus.

Single mom Missy Monroe brings her kids to the lodge, too. Lalla wants a grandma for Christmas, and her brother, Carlos, wants a dog. Missy can’t provide either one. What she’d like is an attractive, dependable man. A man like John Truman… But John’s girlfriend will be joining him in Icicle Falls, and he’s going to propose.

Of course, not everything goes as planned. But sometimes the best gifts are the ones you don’t expect!

Originally published in 2014

Genres: Romance, Christmas, Contemporary Romance, Contemporary, Fiction, Holiday, Grief

364 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2014

About the author

With fifty books to her credit, both fiction and non-fiction, Sheila Roberts is a frequent USA Today and Publishers Weekly bestseller - and a fan favorite. Her books have sold over three million copies and have been turned into movies for the Hallmark, Lifetime and Great American Family channels. Before settling into her writing career, Sheila owned a singing telegram company and played in band. When she's not traveling, Sheila can be found hanging out with friends, playing tennis, and, of course, writing and reading. Sometimes she even remembers to post books she's read!

Reviews

[Gail Hollingsworth · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoy books filled with new beginnings, hope, love and family and The Lodge on Holly Road delivers it all. Sheila Roberts has a knack for drawing you into the lives of those in Icicle Falls, making you wish you lived there. Olivia has a lodge that is filled with guests for Christmas. A single mother with two children, a widowed man playing Santa with not much Christmas spirit and his two grown children, two older ladies, a couple celebrating by themselves and a young man hoping to plan the perfect holiday to pop the question to his girlfriend. The community is a perfect Christmas setting with Christmas lights, ice skating rink, horse drawn sleighs, plenty of snow and quaint little shops with any gift you could ever want to buy, but even in fiction, life can through you curves. There's plenty of curves in this novel. I can easily see this being made into a favorite Christmas movie, especially a couple of scenes with a rather large puppy/dog wrecking havoc in the picture perfect lodge. And I loved that James, who dressed as Santa to surprise the guests on Christmas Eve after dinner had the last name Claussen! Santa Claussen! Perfect!! Humor? You bet! Romance? Wouldn't be a true Sheila Roberts book without it! Really gets you in the Christmas spirit and an added bonus is some of Olivia's yummy recipes in the back! Would absolutely love another book with these fun characters included. They get to feeling like friends and you want to continue reading about what they are doing!

[Gail · Rating 5 out of 5]

A delightful Christmas story! My new favorite Icicle Falls book. So heartwarming. So many great characters that come together for the Christmas season. A kidnapped Santa, a single mom scrapping by and trying to give her two kids an awesome Christmas, A young man planning a romantic get away for the girl he hopes to marry. The inn keeper Olivia and her two sons. So many stories going on at the same time but so connected with each other. It will show you that Christmas Dreams can come true. Make sure you have kleenex handy because you will need them. Looks like the makings of another awesome Christmas movie. Buy the book today it will put you in the Christmas spirit.

[K · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s a lazy Sunday morning, and I just finished Sheila Roberts The Lodge on Holly Road late last night. Of course with all of Ms. Roberts’s books, I loved this one. In case you do not already know, this book is the latest in the Life in Icicle Falls Series. As I sit here, I’m sipping a cup of coffee laced with Baileys, which is my preferred way to drink coffee. But of course I’m really longing to be at that lodge in Icicle Falls sipping Olivia’s homemade hot chocolate laced with Peppermint Schnapps.

I thoroughly enjoy spending time with the characters that inhabit and visit Icicle Falls. This missive brings several new visitors together to the town, but of course once they visit, many do not want to leave. The Lodge is owned and run by widow, Olivia Wallace and her (single) son Eric. Visitors to the Lodge are the recently widowed James (retied, who has played Santa in the mall for years, but is now somewhat of a Grinch) along with his two grown children, Brooke and Dylan; another visitor is (single mother) Missy Monroe and her two children, Carlos and Lalla; and lastly, John Truman and his girlfriend Holland. Yes, there are several other colorful visitors to the Lodge. And of course there are appearances from additional inhabitants of the town. Put them all together and you can’t help but enjoy the ride.

My husband, having been in retail for pretty near three decades, taught me to hate the hustle and bustle of shopping at Christmas time. I was almost forbidden from playing Christmas Carols. But of course, this book had me humming all the tunes at the beginning of each chapter. My hubby caught me singing “I saw mommy kissing Santa Clause...” and because it was the 25th, he asked if I was anxious for Christmas. Of course I pointed to the beginning of the chapter in the book I was reading. It’s my bet that you will be humming Christmas Carols in October, or whenever you read this, too. So, be sure to pick up this book as well as all of Ms. Roberts’s books. You are in for a treat!

http://www.sheilasplace.com/the-lodge...

In the interest of full disclosure, I'm part of Ms. Roberts's street team and got this book for free.

[Angela Holland · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can't say enough good things about this book. This is one of my all time favorite series. With each new installment in this series you get to go back to the great town of Icicle Falls and revisit your old friends and meet some new ones. This is a town I would love to live in. In this book we get to meet Missy who is a single mother trying to do the best she can and just needs a break. We also meet the Claussen family who lost their wife/mother just a year ago and are trying to have a happy Christmas. Next up is John who wants to propose to his girlfriend and have the perfect Christmas. There are also a couple of other families that play bit parts, two of them are a couple of friends Jane and Vera. You will find yourself laughing, crying and on the edge of your seat throughout this book. I can't wait for the next book in this series to see what happens next. This is one series that I recommend to everyone.

[Melinda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great book from Sheila Roberts. This time she has just outdone herself. Icicle Falls is my favorite place to be and I simply can not wait for the next book from there. I just love how Sheila lets you be a part of such a wonderful small town and make you feel like you know everyone. I feel like I could walk in to the Tea Shop and just say hello to Bailey or visit Dot at the Pancake Haus. And of course I want to go and visit Olivia at the Lodge on Holly Rd. Sheila takes us to a small fairytale town where dreams really do come true.
This time it's love for several couples over Christmas, including Santa Claus. Well, James Claussen, but he is close enough to Santa. After losing his wife on Christmas Eve the year before, James' family wants to make this Christmas special for him. After a little kidnapping from his daughter, he has just that, a very special Christmas. Maybe not the way his daughter had planned, but special indeed.
And Merry days are also ahead for a down and out hairdresser who just wants to give her two kids a great Christmas and who just may end up having her own Merry Christmas. For John and Holland, the "perfect couple" may not be all that it's it cut out to be, but you have to read the book to find out more about them!
So happy reading and enjoy this book, and enjoy this series. These books can all be read on their own without reading them in order, but it's fun to run into the same characters as you read Sheila's stories. And don't forget to check out the Christmas romances by Debbie Macomber, Sheila Roberts, Brenda Novak and Raeanne Thayne in a combined book called Together For Christmas. I get to visit my four favorite places in one book.

[Debbie Bothwell-palmer · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was wonderful to head back to Icicle Falls for Christmas! Christmas is such a magical time of the year and so many prayers and wishes go with it. Before you ever make it to the Lodge that Olivia owns with her son Eric you meet John and Missy. I found myself wanting them together only to find out he had a girl. Her kids help to take you back to maybe a Christmas or two of your own growing up.

This romance makes you believe in Santa and all that he can do if enough prayers and wishes are made. A little girl getting a Grandma, a little boy needing his very own dog and Santa himself needing a Mrs. Claus! Grown children learning that their Dad can miss their Mom and still love again! There is a lot of wishes and prayers full filled this Christmas season at The Lodge on Holly Road. Sit back with some hot chocolate and another wonderful book from Sheila Roberts! This book will be a movie some day soon!

[Lori Church · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another superb book by Sheila Roberts, we are reminded prayers really still get answered and miracles really still do happen.
We see familiar names and some new ones coming to the lodge in quaint Icicle Falls. We feel empathy for Missy and her kids as well as the doldrums James is feeling as he wears the "santa suit" but has lost his joy playing santa.
We rejoice to see Missy enjoying herself at the lodge. Christmas turns out to be a truly caring, sharing time of year and Missy's family gets blessings beyond measure.
We thank God John doesn't end up with Holland but finds a better "fit" as do the widow, who runs the lodge, and the widower, who finds his Christmas joy, love, and his enjoyment in playing Santa.
By the end I was chuckling aloud because I was so joyful seeing happy endings and glory being given to God.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a wonderful book! I enjoyed every minute of it!! In this book we are introduced to James Claussen, he is a widower and he played Santa at the local mall. His daughter Missy kidnaps him and takes him on a journey to Icicle Falls where he meets and falls in love with Olivia. Her son Eric falls in love with James daughter, Missy, and so our story begins. Poor John Truman tries to surprise his girlfriend with a ring on Christmas only it backfires in his face. She turns him down and he is falling for Missy instead. He is already falling for her children Lalla and Carlos. Lalla wants a grandma for Christmas and Carlos wants a dog. Everyone's wishes are granted on Christmas with a few twists and turns. If you love Christmas stories you must read this book. YOU will love it. I think this is my new favorite Sheila Robert's book. Don't miss this great book!!

[Marlene · Rating 4 out of 5]

Originally published at Reading Reality

I pulled The Lodge on Holly Road out of the virtually towering TBR pile because I’m scheduled to review the 8th book in this series, Christmas on Candy Cane Lane, early in November. I totally forgot that Holly Road was last year’s Christmas book in the Life in Icicle Falls series. So I get two heaping helpings of Christmas spirit in time for the upcoming holidays.

While Merry Ex-Mas is still my favorite Christmas book in this series, at least so far, The Lodge on Holly Road was definitely a tasty treat.

The first thing readers need to know about this series is that Icicle Falls is really Leavenworth, Washington, a small tourist town that really did change its look to make it seem like something out of an idealized Bavarian Forest. It is just this cute, and in the location relative to Seattle described in the book.

The Lodge on Holly Road is a bed and breakfast in Icicle Falls. In this story, the Lodge is open for its regular Christmas package, but the guests that arrive for this particular Christmas make the holiday a special treat for everyone involved.

Olivia Wallace owns the Lodge, and she and her oldest son Eric run the place. Her younger son Brandon drops in every once in awhile, especially at the holidays. Brandon is still making a way for himself, which currently involves traveling around the U.S. searching out the best ski resorts. He’s a teacher and trainer, but it does seem like a bit of an excuse to be a “ski bum”.

Olivia has been a widow for 14 years, and Eric, as much as he’d like to settle down and get married, hasn’t found the right woman in the small town he loves. And as he and his friends lament at the beginning of the story, most women who visit Icicle Falls from Seattle or wherever live in those other places because they don’t want to actually live in a small and sometimes remote place like Icicle Falls.

Brooke Claussen just wants her dad to recapture not just his Christmas spirit, but a little bit of his spirit in general. As James Claussen often spends the holidays as a department store Santa, he really needs a little Christmas, but has lost his heart. His wife (and Brooke’s mother) died last Christmas Eve after a long struggle with cancer. In his grief, James has turned inward and is shutting himself off from the world.

One of the really sweet things in this story is that Olivia and James are pretty much perfect for each other, and it is especially lovely to see their burgeoning romance take a chunk of the center stage in this multi-romance holiday treat. It’s also good that Brooke and Eric both have their own experiences with caretaking and jealousy, and need to figure out what their places are in their parents’ lives, and what place they might find in each other’s life as well.

But the heart of the story revolves around poor deluded John Truman, and Missy Monroe, the single mother he rescues on the way to Icicle Falls a couple of nights before Christmas.

John believes that his big city girlfriend, Holland, will just love Icicle Falls, the vacation he has meticulously planned, and the engagement ring he plans to present to her on Christmas Eve. It is pretty obvious to the reader and most of the other guests at Holly Lodge that John is seriously deluding himself, but as is so often said, “love is blind”. In Truman’s case, it’s even blind that what he feels is love.

Missy Monroe is a single mother with two young children by different fathers. She’s the first to admit that her choices in men have not been stellar, but her children are the light of her life and she is doing her best to raise them with much more love and care than she received from her alcoholic mother. Missy’s problem is money. It’s pretty clear that she isn’t collecting any child support, and her wages and tips at the low-end beauty salon where she does hair isn’t enough to make ends even wave at each other, let alone meet.

Missy has saved all year long to give her kids a beautiful Christmas someplace nice. But the presents that Carlos and Lalla want are beyond her budget and control. Carlos wants a dog that she’s not allowed to have in their apartment. And Lalla wants a grandma, which is even harder to magic up.

As John Truman finds himself more and more alone on what should have been a romantic holiday, he spends more and more time with Missy and her kids. Missy sees instantly that John is just the kind of man that she would love to be with – he’s caring, sincere, funny, willing to try new things and most of all, loyal. That he’s a stable accountant and not a flake doesn’t hurt either. But all the things that Missy likes about John, including his steadiness and his desire to settle down in a small town just like Icicle Falls, are all the things that his erstwhile fiance finds boring, if not downright low-class.

The Christmas miracle in this story is that everyone who comes to the Lodge on Holly Road this Christmas finds their happily ever after, no matter how remote a prospect it seemed at the beginning. There’s even a puppy and a grandma for Missy’s kids.

Escape Rating B+: Everyone gets what they need for this Christmas, even if (or especially because) it wasn’t what they thought they wanted. I also liked the way that Olivia and James’ romance was treated. We so seldom see romances that feature, frankly, anyone over 40, let alone anyone around 60. While both of their children have issues seeing their living parents with someone other than their dead parents, the fact is that 60 isn’t dead and they both have plenty to give a new partner that doesn’t take anything away from each of their happy first marriages or their relationships with their kids.

It was icing on the cake that when Eric and Brooke stopped squabbling over their parents getting together, they discovered that their parents had the right idea. The two families do belong together, and Eric has as much in common with Brooke as his mother does with her dad.

Icicle Falls is always lovely, and when John Truman’s would-be fiance Holland finally gets there and acts like the whole place is beneath her, we all know she’s evil and he needs to find someone who will love him as he is. Not wanting to go out clubbing every weekend is not a character flaw. And when he finally figures out that he was just Holland’s “starter boyfriend” in a new city and that now that she knows her way around she’s ready to trade him up for someone flashier, we know he’s WAY better off without her, whether he gets the clue to start a relationship with Missy or not.

While it is not necessary to have read the previous books in the series to enjoy The Lodge on Holly Road, the ambiance of Icicle Falls provides a nice backdrop for this story. We get to catch up with a few people that we’ve already met, but those old favorites are a side note to a story that is all about the newbies in town and in the story.

For a tasty bite of Christmas cheer, The Lodge on Holly Road is a lovely story. And Olivia’s mouth watering recipes for her Lodge will make you hungry for a holiday getaway of your own.

[Janet · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a wonderful holiday treat. All the characters bring this story to life. There are several romances at work here which totally fit. Grab some hot chocolate and settle in with this special story that will warm your heart.

[Carmen Lang · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 Lots of likeable characters and happy endings. Great holiday read.

[Jackie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book Info
Paperback, 368 pages
Expected publication: October 28th 2014 by Harlequin MIRA
ISBN 0778316610 (ISBN13: 9780778316619)
edition language English
series Life in Icicle Falls #6
other editions None found
Source:Netgalley EARC

Book Buy Links
Amazon
B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS

How Santa Gets His Christmas Spirit Back…

James Claussen has played Santa for years, but now that he's a widower, he's lost interest—in everything. So his daughter, Brooke, kidnaps him from the mall (in his Santa suit!) and takes him to Icicle Falls. She's arranged a special Christmas at the lodge owned by long-widowed Olivia Wallace and her son, Eric. And yet…Brooke wants Dad to be happy, but she's not ready to see someone else's mommy kissing Santa Claus.

Single mom Missy Monroe brings her kids to the lodge, too. Lalla wants a grandma for Christmas, and her brother, Carlos, wants a dog. Missy can't provide either one. What she'd like is an attractive, dependable man. A man like John Truman… But John's girlfriend will be joining him in Icicle Falls, and he's going to propose.

Of course not everything goes as planned. But sometimes the best gifts are the ones you don't expect!

My Thoughts

Never expected to become engrossed in and than spellbound so easily by this story, a story which brings together a group of strangers and transforms them into friends and family!

Not having read previous Life in Icicle Falls books this was a grand introduction to the series, even though it came 6 books in.

The ambience that permeates the town of Icicle Falls is described in a manner that takes the reader right into the heart of everything, from the smell of roasted nuts to the sound of carolers and the shimmering lights glinting off the fallen snow.

Not only do we feel the magic of Christmas but we also feel joy for each character who is in need as they each find that this holiday season wishes long held in their heart are finally coming true in ways they never expected or planned for.

Having lost family at Christmas it was a very easy thing to empathize with both James and Olivia as well as his children and hers, it was even nicer to see their past memories of happier times overcome the pain of loss that lingered and be replaced instead with new memories filled with the joy of making someone else happy.

Fun as well as seriously uplifting this book will help create anticipation for a holiday that deserves more than just fancy wrapping paper, shiny bows and stress. If you are are looking to find a story that invokes the true spirit of Christmas you have found one, this was a fun engrossing tale that left me feeling nostalgic and happy at the end.

We all could use a holiday hideaway like the Lodge on Holly Road!

[EArc from Netgalley in exchange for honest review]

[Dean Frech · Rating 5 out of 5]

Once again, one of my favorite authors doesn’t disappoint with her latest novel, The Lodge on Holly Road. The latest in the Life in Icicle Falls Series, as well as her latest holiday read, this time we follow Olivia Wallace and her two sons and get a peek at life at her B&B in the mythical tourist town of Icicle Falls. This time we get to see a typical Christmas celebration at the Lodge and two special families that converge on Icicle Falls for Christmas. Sheila pulls out all the stops for a fun-filled celebration that is reminiscent of Steel Magnolias and Beaches…tears of sorrow one minute, tears of laughter and frivolity the next. I don’t think I’ve ever been able to get through a Sheila Robert’s title without crying.

For Writers: If you’re a writer and considering a series, I would highly recommend Sheila’s Life in Icicle Falls series. Even though they are written and things happen in a chronological order, you can read each title separately and catch up later. For example, The Lodge on Holly Road mentions the Chocolate Festival that happens every Valentines Day. Even if you haven’t read Better Than Chocolate yet, you can go back read that after and learn about how the Samantha Sterling brought about the annual Chocolate Festival.

P.S. Although Muriel Sterling’s books didn’t play a large role in this title, I am still waiting for Sheila to publish them, as Muriel Sterling, of course!

As a member of Sheila’s street team, I did receive an ARC of this title.

[April · Rating 5 out of 5]

For me, the Holiday season never truly begins until I have read and indulged within the latest Holiday masterpiece written by Sheila Roberts. Her stories are filled with warmth, real people, real issues, hope, inspiration, fun and brimming with can't-wipe-the-smile-off-your-face moments from start to finish. I had actually read this book about a month or so ago and it is still so fresh in my mind and heart. The characters and story have left an amazing, lasting impression on my mind and heart.
Ms. Roberts has such an amazing way of bringing her characters to life. I found myself particularly fond of Missy and her two children. They truly endured themselves to me. Another favorite character that I found myself drawn to was John. These, as well as all of the characters pulled at my heart strings.
I found myself truly falling within the pages of The Lodge on Holly Road. The visualizations were written in such a vivid way that I could easily envision the glistening snow, the brilliant and colorful lights, as well as feel the excitement, happiness, peace and anticipation of moments throughout. There really is nothing that I did not love about this book and I cannot wait to read the next incredible work the Sheila Roberts graces us with.

[Cindy Reifel · Rating 5 out of 5]

There is a place in Icicle Falls called The Lodge on Holly Road. This Christmas, James Clausen's daughter Brooke has decided that she is kidnapping him for a special Christmas since his wife and her mom died the Christmas before and she wants to make new memories for her dad and brother. Missy Monroe, a hairdresser, has saved all year to bring her children to The Lodge for a special Christmas because she believes they deserve it. John Truman comes to The Lodge because he's decided he's going to propose to his girlfriend there. Unfortunately, she has other plans. Olivia Wallace and her son Eric run The Lodge.
Let's just say that nothing works out the way anyone expects and that is what makes this book such a joy and a pleasure to read.
I thoroughly enjoyed it and it put me in the Christmas spirit WAY too early this year!

[Dani C. (Polly's Place) · Rating 4 out of 5]

It’s Christmas and what better place to spend your Holiday than in the small town of Icicle Falls. There you will find a Lodge that is owned by the widow Olivia and her son Eric. This year the Lodge is full of guest like Missy and her two children, John who is waiting for his girlfriend to join him and the Claussen family. Each of these people has their own story to tell as they get to know one another during this wonderful time of the year.

The Lodge on Holly Road is the sixth book in the Life in Icicle Falls series. While this wasn’t my favorite in the series it was still a sweet and entertaining story. I feel this book will be perfectly fine to read as a standalone if you so desire to do that. I know I have enjoyed this series and am looking forward to the next installment

[Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love visiting Icicle falls and it's great residents. This Christmas story gives us 3 great romances and plenty of info for book # 7. You don't need to read any of the previous stories to enjoy this one. A kidnapped Santa, a desperately needed getaway by a single mom a man ready to propose and an innkeeper who loves Christmas all ad to this fantastic read. Get this one for sure.

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed the characters in this book in the series - although some of the story lines did seem rushed at the end to provide a happily ever after. And thank goodness there was only a very brief mention of the cheating, whiny, untrustworthy brat Bailey so I didn't have to skip through too much to avoid her in this book.

[Rosemarie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Truly puts you in the holiday spirit. I'm never disappointed with her books. I can never stop reading her books! You feel like your part of the town. I greatly appreciate getting a advanced copy of this book from Sheila.

[Harlequin Books]

"Heartwarming and full of second chances at love, Roberts’ latest is a fun holiday read complete with Christmas charm and chock-full of genuine, colorful characters" (RT Book Reviews, 4 stars).

Life in Icicle Falls #6

[Trisia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this story! If Icicle Falls was real, I'd move.

[Ria F · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quick read --- really too predictable even for this genre

[Gina · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Lodge on Holly Road
by Sheila Roberts

In the same vein as Debbie Macomber but not quite as sappy I think.

[Alicia · Rating 4 out of 5]

A predictable and easy read but so well written! Some Christmas romance novels are so cheesy but this one was enlightening, sweet and heart warming. A Hallmark worthy book.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such an awesome series!!

[Julia · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Lodge On Holly Road by Sheila Roberts is the most delightful contemporary festive offering. It is the sixth book in the Life In Icicle Falls series but can be read as a stand-alone.
This really is Christmas in a book. It is warm and welcoming with all the elements of Christmas – snow, cookies, gingerbread, Santa, trees and family. The reader can ‘see’ and experience a traditional Christmas as we enter the world of Icicle Falls for a few hours.
Christmas can be magical – but it can also be hard – we follow a single parent determined to give her two children an unforgettable time. Their wishes to Santa are not of monetary value but of flesh and blood. One wants a dog and the other wants a grandmother for Christmas – but where will we find those?
Two families are facing Christmas with empty seats around the table. We see how hard loss is – whether it was one or ten years ago. “It was spring when I lost George. I’d hear the birds singing and want to shoot them. I love birds.” We can ‘feel’ the pain and empathise with the character. Why does the world still continue when life as we know it, has shattered? “Every morning I wake up and ask myself, ‘Why get up?’ “ Life is hard alone. We need someone to share it with.
All the characters were wonderfully drawn. They were realistic, likable and easy to relate to.
Give yourself a treat this year and visit Icicle Falls for Christmas, you won’t want it to end.

[Shelly Hammond · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a terrific feel good Christmassy story that takes place in that idealistic town of Icicle Falls. You'll be reunited with old friends from previous books and meet some new ones as well. Though I suppose you don't really have to read the books that came before this one in the series, I would highly recommend you do. It makes each one that much better when you go in order but if you are just looking for a Christmas book, you could easily pick this up and just read it.
This book takes place in the Icicle Creek Lodge (on Holly Road!) that is owned by Olivia Wallace. There are a bunch of different people coming up to spend the Christmas holiday there. There is a dadnapped Santa and his grown son and daughter, a single mother with her two kids, a man planning to propose to his girlfriend (if she ever gets there), and a handful of other colorful and memorable characters. To keep this review fairly short I'll just list the main players. There is a lot of drama that unfolds but most of it is very humorous for us, the readers, though perhaps not for the characters!
The writing is terrific and the story is so much fun. With great characters and a charming town it's easy to get lost in this one. This was so much fun to read!

[Gina Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Lodge on Holly Road by Sheila Roberts encompasses everything magical and beautiful about Christmas! The town of Icicle Falls is idyllic and whimsical with gingerbread houses and shops, a charming town square with glittering trees, a skating rink and snowy hillsides. The lodge is a charming family owned bed and breakfast which captures the spirit of Christmas with its ornate and cozy atmosphere. I could almost taste the cookies and casseroles, smell the hot chocolate and peppermint. Each chapter flips to different characters and what they are experiencing though all are connected in some way, similar to the style of Susan Wiggs, which I love. There are 3 different romances crackling like logs in a fireplace. There’s even a real live Santa. It seems that the Claussens, John Truman, and Missy & children all retreated to the lodge to create a special Christmas memory but what they gained was so much more than expected. It’s a beautiful and cheerful book that put me in the Christmas spirit!

[Joan · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Lodge on Holly Road by Sheila Roberts is a story about an older gentleman (James Claussen) who has played the role of Santa for many years. His wife died a year before and his daughter is going to surprise him and to try to make their family Christmas a little nicer by taking the whole family to a lodge near Seattle. You get to meet a lot of likeable characters, learn of their stories of love and lost, and of those who are just trying find a way to make the best of their Christmas this year. It is like a Hallmark movie but with an edge. Some of the characters are so lonely that they don't see what complications they may be bringing into their lives if they keep going down the path they have been going. It is a somewhat predictable story and some of the dialogue is a little trite but you just don't care. I would say it is a clean read but if it was a movie it might be PG. I enjoyed it.

[Lori Tremain · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sweet novel of family, Christmas, Christmas wishes and love. Several families go to a lodge in Icecyle Falls. The lodge is run by Olivia and her son. Olivia, a widow carrying on her husband's dream.
Brooke, picks her daddy up from a Santa job and whisks him to Icecycle Falls lodge to meet with her brother. They all lost their wife and mother last Christmas Eve and are trying to bring some Christmas Spirit back to their dad and family.
John has big plans for a perfect romantic holiday with his woman Holland. But she can't get there with him but the next day. That is ok, he is going to propose that night.
Missie, a poor hairstylist with 2 kids has saved up for an entire year to bring a perfect family Christmas for her children.
They all met at the form beautiful new relationships.