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Holiday Haven #1
Hazel's Christmas Duet
Will music and love heal Hazel’s heart?
To escape the awkwardness of her recent break-up with her boss, Hazel takes a new job in a distant town, Holly Haven. Miles from friends and family, Hazel does her best to stay cheery despite knowing she may be all alone for Christmas.
After making a new friend at the local bakery and joining the community orchestra, Hazel's holidays are starting to take a turn for the better. Hazel even begins to develop feelings for the orchestra director, Michael, and looks forward to getting to know him better.
However, a skidding car on an icy winter day leads Hazel to a shocking discovery.
Hazel’s Christmas Duet is about finding friendship and love in the more trying seasons of life when they are needed the most.
110 pages, Paperback
Published November 27, 2017
39 people are currently reading
195 people want to read
About the author
Olivia Rian
15 books14 followersOlivia Rian wrote her first book when she was seven, a comic book called "The Pimple-Faced Dragon" (poor dragon). After surviving a few frosty winters in the Mountain West, she received a degree in English education from Brigham Young University-Idaho and later a master’s degree in writing from Middlesex University. She writes children’s chapter books and clean romances. Olivia enjoys reading, shopping, surfskating, baking dessert, hiking, and making trips to New York City and the beach with her husband and two kids.
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
December 15, 2017
I believe this is my first read by Ms. Rian. It will not be the last.
A sweet holiday read with all the right notes both musical and emotional. A slow building friendship blossoming into sweet romance. There are all the right amount of obstacles to overcome and yet aren't insurmountable. Certainly a worthy read to your holiday schedule.
I hope she'll add more tales to this locale. I'd like to go back to this small town and get to know more characters.
A sweet holiday read with all the right notes both musical and emotional. A slow building friendship blossoming into sweet romance. There are all the right amount of obstacles to overcome and yet aren't insurmountable. Certainly a worthy read to your holiday schedule.
I hope she'll add more tales to this locale. I'd like to go back to this small town and get to know more characters.
December 26, 2023
wonderful book
I absolutely enjoyed this book because if it’s wonderful storyline, it made me smile the entire time, and I really thought that the author did a fabulous job depicting someone who is blind. I am blind myself and so I really thought that the portrayal was someone such as Michael Was a fabulous job.
I absolutely enjoyed this book because if it’s wonderful storyline, it made me smile the entire time, and I really thought that the author did a fabulous job depicting someone who is blind. I am blind myself and so I really thought that the portrayal was someone such as Michael Was a fabulous job.
December 4, 2020
Engaging Story
Hazel feels lost in a new place but friendly neighbors and a new love interest quickly make her feel welcome. I enjoyed sharing Hazel and Michael's story.
Hazel feels lost in a new place but friendly neighbors and a new love interest quickly make her feel welcome. I enjoyed sharing Hazel and Michael's story.
October 30, 2025
amazing
This novella was so sweet and enduring. It was nice to have a cute story. Definitely a book I would recommend
This novella was so sweet and enduring. It was nice to have a cute story. Definitely a book I would recommend
November 19, 2023
This is a very poorly written and researched book. I feel like the author knows nothing about sight loss and blindness.
It takes Hazel, an optometrist, days to realise Michael is blind. Even though his sight loss is so severe he looks past her and can’t make eye contact? But her jerk of an ex realises in minutes? How on earth does she fall for him so quickly before even noticing he was blind? She can’t have spent any time talking with him. You can’t hide that level of sight loss from people.
Only partially blind but ‘I can still see colours’. What else can he see? He couldn’t see the car headed towards him. He looked over her head when he answered the door until she spoke. He can’t make eye contact as he keeps looking past people and only turns in their direction when he hears or already knows where they are. But then he walks up to Hazel and taps her on the shoulder. So he can see her shoulder now, to be able to get that right first time?
Then putting aside the blatant errors with the sight loss, there is zero connection and chemistry with the two main characters. I’ve read other short stories that manage to still do this well. Lots of missed opportunities for emotional connection given the circumstances they find themselves in. Also Michael is a jerk for the way he treats Hazel knowing she likes him. Just replying ‘yes’ after their dates. I could not warm to him at all.
Terrible read. I only completed it because it was so short.
It takes Hazel, an optometrist, days to realise Michael is blind. Even though his sight loss is so severe he looks past her and can’t make eye contact? But her jerk of an ex realises in minutes? How on earth does she fall for him so quickly before even noticing he was blind? She can’t have spent any time talking with him. You can’t hide that level of sight loss from people.
Only partially blind but ‘I can still see colours’. What else can he see? He couldn’t see the car headed towards him. He looked over her head when he answered the door until she spoke. He can’t make eye contact as he keeps looking past people and only turns in their direction when he hears or already knows where they are. But then he walks up to Hazel and taps her on the shoulder. So he can see her shoulder now, to be able to get that right first time?
Then putting aside the blatant errors with the sight loss, there is zero connection and chemistry with the two main characters. I’ve read other short stories that manage to still do this well. Lots of missed opportunities for emotional connection given the circumstances they find themselves in. Also Michael is a jerk for the way he treats Hazel knowing she likes him. Just replying ‘yes’ after their dates. I could not warm to him at all.
Terrible read. I only completed it because it was so short.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 11, 2024
i do not have quotes because this was such a short little novella.
novellas really scratch an itch in my brain because it’s like such an accelerated story but it doesn’t bother me because the whole point is that it’s short.
this one was cute. the guys was BLIND!! i have never read a romance story with one of them blind so that was kinda fun and different.
blasted through it and feeling good!!! would recommend!
novellas really scratch an itch in my brain because it’s like such an accelerated story but it doesn’t bother me because the whole point is that it’s short.
this one was cute. the guys was BLIND!! i have never read a romance story with one of them blind so that was kinda fun and different.
blasted through it and feeling good!!! would recommend!
May 17, 2025
Hazel's Christmas Duet: I loved the concept of this story, but it needs more research and some filling out. Michael's blindness is not realistic, as it seems as though he can see, then all of a sudden, he can't--sort of like the author decided a few chapters in to make him blind.
Additionally, there were many missed opportunities to show Michael's inner turmoil with dating after suffering through a breakup because of his blindness.
Finally, the factor that dropped it from 4 stars to 3 stars is the abrupt way it ended. It was sort of a HFN ending, which would have been fine, but it needed to show more feeling between Michael and Hazel.
Additionally, there were many missed opportunities to show Michael's inner turmoil with dating after suffering through a breakup because of his blindness.
Finally, the factor that dropped it from 4 stars to 3 stars is the abrupt way it ended. It was sort of a HFN ending, which would have been fine, but it needed to show more feeling between Michael and Hazel.
November 18, 2025
This book was honestly just such a cute short story. It's got Christmas vibes and the main character is so sweet!
The story does jump forward a bit since it is a short story but you get the whole concept and story. I did wish some chapters didn't cut off like I felt they did because when the new chapter started, you get a bit confused on what happened at the end of the chapter before
The only thing I thought was odd, is she didn't realize sooner the guy she likes is blind. I just felt like there should have been a realization a bit sooner.
The story does jump forward a bit since it is a short story but you get the whole concept and story. I did wish some chapters didn't cut off like I felt they did because when the new chapter started, you get a bit confused on what happened at the end of the chapter before
The only thing I thought was odd, is she didn't realize sooner the guy she likes is blind. I just felt like there should have been a realization a bit sooner.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 30, 2021
Sweet story!
Well written, great character development and sweet story line. The small amount of medical information was interesting to me. And this was a new storyline and I enjoyed it.
Well written, great character development and sweet story line. The small amount of medical information was interesting to me. And this was a new storyline and I enjoyed it.
January 1, 2025
I wanted to try to fit in one more book in 2024 but only had a couple hours to do it in. Found this one on my Kindle and it was perfect. It is a quick read, has a Hallmark-esque vibe and was a sweet story with a HEA. Also, I want to be friends with that baker.
No sex, language or violence
No sex, language or violence
January 2, 2025
This was a cute slow burn holiday romance. Very much like a cute hallmark movie. I would love to go back and explore Holly Haven as the characters are really interesting. My only complaint was about how abrupt the endings was.
December 12, 2025
nice, Chrismassy romance
This was a sweet novella, I really loved that it didn’t just focus on the romance and showed her friendship and just having festive fun. The end was super cute too.
This was a sweet novella, I really loved that it didn’t just focus on the romance and showed her friendship and just having festive fun. The end was super cute too.
December 15, 2020
A sweet Christmas read. Hazel and friends sound like the people I like to hang out with. I love the warmth of a small town.
Wish the book were longer! But I’m glad to see this is a series.
Wish the book were longer! But I’m glad to see this is a series.
November 30, 2024
2.5 stars
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December 9, 2025Adorable
A very cute Christmas story of overcoming struggle and heart break. With an extra dose of Christmas music and small town magic
A very cute Christmas story of overcoming struggle and heart break. With an extra dose of Christmas music and small town magic
January 1, 2026
Happily Ever After, disability representation, small town!
December 28, 2024
Sweet Story
This sweet story combines the theme of Christmas with a special friendship that develops between two people who least expect it.
This sweet story combines the theme of Christmas with a special friendship that develops between two people who least expect it.
November 27, 2023
This is a sweet, clean Christmas romance. At first, Hazel feels lost in a new place until a new love interest and friendly, welcoming neighbors help her feel at home. Love the characters and the small town warmth.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews