A snow-covered log cabin surrounded by Christmas trees brings plenty of surprises for Holly … do you believe in Christmas miracles?
Holly is looking for a change and even though not everyone agrees with her career choices, she’s determined there’s more to this life than the long hours she works as an editor in New York City. What she doesn’t expect is to meet Mitch, a recluse who’s hiding more than she realises.
Mitch spends his days hidden away in a little log cabin in the woods out in Inglenook Falls where he owns a Christmas tree farm. He speaks to people only when and if it’s necessary, so when Holly falls into his life, he’s not sure how to react. All he knows is that something needs to change if he ever wants to get his life back on track.
Along with friends Cleo and Darcy, Holly is determined to bring joy back to Mitch’s life, but will he appreciate their interference? And when a business proposition throws everything up in the air, will it do more harm than good and ruin lives forever?
Both Holly and Mitch must learn that on the surface people aren’t always what they seem…but if you dig a little deeper, they can take you by surprise.
Curl up this Christmas for plenty of snowflakes, roaring log fires, a marriage proposal, unlikely friendships and second chances as we return to the much-loved New York Ever After series.
Location is a big part of the adventure in Helen's books, and she enjoys setting stories in different cities and countries where she thinks her readers might like to escape to.
Helen J. Rolfe also writes for Orion Books under the name Helen Rolfe.
Born and raised in the UK, Helen graduated from University with a business degree and began working in I.T. This job took her over to Australia and it was there that she finally turned to what she loved and studied writing and journalism. She spent a while freelancing for women's health and fitness magazines, volunteered with the PR department of a children's hospital where she wrote articles and media releases, and eventually began writing fiction in 2011. And now, she thinks she may just have found her dream job.
Helen currently lives in Hertfordshire, UK, with her husband and their children.
Helen loves to hear from readers so please don't hesitate to get in touch. She can be found at:
Holly has given up her high powered, well-paid job to go follow her dream and work as a freelance photographer. Her first assignment is at the luxurious hotel in Inglenook Falls, New York, which is run by her boyfriend.
She decides to stay with old family friends and on her first day out looking to take photos she comes across a gorgeous, picture perfect log cabin. She just can’t help herself and starts taking pictures. However, the owner is a bit of a recluse and startles Holly as she thinks he’s a bear and ends up knocking herself out.
After being a gentleman and helping Holly to recover, Mitch, the owner of the cabin, sees her home, but people are shocked to discover that she has been in Mitch’s house as there are lots of rumours about the man, none nice. Holly though is sure the rumours are just that and is determined to help the man lose his bad image and give him some festive cheer.
Christmas Miracles at the Little Log Cabin is the fourth book in the New York Ever After series and the first that I have read, in fact, it is the first book by Helen J Rolfe that I have read.
The book starts off slowly as we witness Holly’s last day at work and her nerves at going it alone. If I’m perfectly honest, I nearly gave up just a couple of chapters in as I felt like I was getting lots of information but not much story. The plot comes alive when Holly and Mitch meet and for me, this is when the story really picked up and got interesting.
Both Holly and Mitch are lovely characters. They also have very different personalities which work well together. It was lovely to witness Holly feel a connection to someone and really want to help them out.
There are lots of sensitive issues in the book but all have been handled with care and respect and they don’t overpower the storyline as this is a festive read with plenty of cheer too.
Inglenook Falls sounds like such a beautiful part of New York, far away from the glitz and glamour. It has a caring, tight-knit community who look out for one another.
The book makes you feel warm and cosy inside and really gets you in the festive mood, especially with all the glorious snowy scenes.
Christmas Miracles at the Little Log Cabin is an Enchanting, heart warming, sweet Romantic read that will leave you feeling warm and fuzzy inside. Simply a joy to read!
This is the fourth book in the series, but can be read as a standalone perfectly fine. This is my first book and I am definitely going to add the others to my list.
Holly has quit her well paid, high flying job to become a freelance photographer and journalist. Scary stuff but she couldn't be more happier. Her first assignment is to interview and photograph her boyfriends new luxury spa hotel in Inglenook Falls. At the most magical time of the year...Christmas!
Holly is even more excited at getting to spend the holidays with her best friends.
On Holly's first day back in Inglenook Falls, she wanders into the woods. It's getting dark and cold and she finds herself getting lost. On hearing a noise she falls trying to escape, what she believes is a bear! But what she doesn't realise is she has just been rescued by Mitch.... the Falls recluse.
Oh I loved Mitch!! Mitch hasn't had it easy, he has a troubled past which has led him to hide himself away from the village and live like a hermit in his Father's Old Log Cabin. With only his beloved trees for company.... he truly has the most extravagant Christmas Tree Forest. When he does venture into the village people cross the road afraid. But what they don't see is his softer, gentler side. After all we shouldn't .....judge a book by it's cover!
Holly is intrigued by Mitch and his heart breaking story, that she is determined to help Mitch come out of his shell and inject a little Christmas Sparkle into his life..... little does she know she is already helping the minute he rescues her! But can Holly truly melt Mitch's walls or is his pain too deep.
Christmas Miracles at the Little Log Cabin is a warm emotive read about Friendship, heartbreak, opportunities, relationships, secrets, drama, new beginnings and family. It's a sweet festive romance, that will melt your heart, have you giggling, feel good, and will get you in the festive spirit.
I absolutely adored this gorgeous book, it's a cosy, enchanting, poignant read, with warm likeable characters that had me enthralled and invested in their storylines. The setting descriptions are beautifully written, transporting me straight into the heart of Inglenook Falls, I didn't want to leave!
So if your looking for a Christmas Read that will leave you feeling warm and fuzzy inside, then grab a copy of Christmas Miracles at the Little Log Cabin, a cosy blanket and prepare to be charmed by this deliciously enchanting tale.
Thank you to Rachel Random Resources for this copy which I reviewed honestly and voluntarily.
‘People are scared of you, you know… I heard someone call you a yeti last time we were here.’ Mitch’s laughter rang out across the street making the woman coming out of the candy store jump. She crossed the road pretty quick. ‘You’ve got a real way with women,’ Jude joked.
My Review:
I adored this unexpectedly poignant and emotive tale. Ms. Rolfe’s sensitive writing and well-crafted story captured and held my attention, squeezed my heart, and kept me tethered to my Kindle all the way to the sweet and oh so satisfying conclusion. The storylines were original, unpredictable, slowly paced, and cast with a uniquely complicated and intriguing main character. Mitch had become a hermit who had gone off the deep end when his wife had left him and took his son with her after he had experienced an extremely difficult and devastating period in his career. However, there were far more levels to him underneath his crusty layers of scruff and hair than anyone knew. While he was reclusive and feared as possibly dangerous, he was most likely the gentlest person residing in his small town. His spirit had been reawakened and he was starting to come back to himself after several years of near seclusion. This was my first exposure to Ms. Rolfe’s lovely arrangement of words and although I may have been at a slight disadvantage as I jumped in at the fourth book of her series, I had no problem keeping up, yet my interest was sparked to delve into her previous books as well as any and all other collections of words she has and will ever scribble.
this adorable book was a wHoHoHole lot of festive fun!❄️
This was such a delightful story that put a big smile on my face and a warm feeling in my heart... The perfect holiday Reid complete with a snowman, Christmas trees, a log cabin, and even the Grinch... this is the fourth book in this series, but it can absolutely be read as a standalone.... although I may go back and read the previous books I’d really like to get Cleo and Darcy’s full stories....
Holly quits her high power job as an editor to freelance as a writer/photographer... not everybody is completely on board with this decision including her boyfriend Pierre... Holly’s first assignment is to report on a luxury hotel opening in small town New York... while staying at the quaint inn of old family friends Holly runs across a very picturesque log cabin.... while taking a picture she gets spooked, hits her head and meats.... The Yeti... the Grinch... Mitch.... Mitch is a hairy recluse who has been living half a life after his wife ran off with his son... so can Holly help Mitch’s heart grow two sizes?
This was just the perfect feel good holiday story with just the right balance of romance and holiday cheer... Holly was a fun character, loved her enthusiasm and heart and the bond she shared with her friends.... Mitch was a bit rough at first, but he had such tremendous heart felt character growth, he went from grinch to Saint Nick all in the course of this book... so many layers to this little lovely story!
Absolutely recommend, perfect to curl up with for a wonderful heartwarming afternoon of holiday reading🎄❄️
*** Big thanks to the author and Rachelle for my copy of this book ***
I have just closed my kindle with a huge grin that tells all about this miraculous story. The beginning was a bit slow with Holly embarking on a new career path and also shows insights into her friendship with Darcy and Cleo. Since I haven't read the other books in the series (as a matter of fact I was not even aware that this was the fourth), that left me in a bit of a muddle. So it will be wise to look at the blurb of the previous books before reading this one and that will equip you with the background stories of Darcy and Cleo and their significant others. But soon Holly's voice was joined with Mitch, the local scary recluse and things begin to look up. Unlikely though it seemed at first, they do make a handsome couple and the ending was just as beautiful as its cover. Since its a Christmas story, the author had wisely put off any possible grudges and everyone gets their fair share of Christmas miracles. The beautiful narrative voice will soon have you transported to the snow-covered Inglenook with its ethereal beauty and charming Christmas farm (if you could minus the Grinch of course). Snowman building, tree felling, wood chopping and a cosy log cabin . . . ya, you are going to live and breathe through it all. A wonderful, bewitching Christmas read that should not be missed!
I thoroughly enjoyed the way that Christmas Miracles at the Little Log Cabin tugged on my heartstrings and the emotional journey that this wonderful story took me on. It really took me through the gauntlet of feelings.
There are sensitive issues addressed within the story and I really felt like they were dealt with in a decent and considerate way.
Mitch absolutely stole my heart with his strength and courage and Holly was a delight. Their character development felt natural for me.
I had not read the previous books in this series before and found that, it wasn't really an issue . Having said that, I would like to read the other books as this was so beautifully written and the characters were so great that I want to know more.
Thank you to Helen J Rolfe and Rachel’s Random Resources, for gifting me a review copy of Christmas Miracles at the Little Log Cabin . The gifting of this book did not influence this review.
Engaging, heartwarming and brimming with depth and emotion, CHRISTMAS MIRACLES AT THE LITTLE LOG CABIN by Helen J. Rolfe is a wonderful story with something for everyone this festive season.
When Holly takes a chance and leaves her secure job in the city to set up as a freelancer, she never imagined the changes it would bring to her life. Spending the holidays in Inglenook Falls for work, she gets to reconnect with her friends and spend time with her boyfriend who is in charge of a hotel there. But when she stumbles across an old log cabin in the woods and meets recluse, Mitch, Holly cannot simply walk away from him. Uncovering his past, Holly is determined to help him and bring some festive cheer back into his life but life is never clear-cut. And when a business choice leads to an awful misunderstanding, will Holly and Mitch be able to find the magic in the air before it is too late?
Dealing with plenty of tough issues in a beautiful and sensitive way, CHRISTMAS AT THE LITTLE LOG CABIN by Helen J. Rolfe is so much more than a festive romance. The characters have many sides to them and it was a joy to chisel beneath their facades and get to know the real them. There is plenty of drama, friendship, community spirit, and misunderstandings to keep you hooked and I thoroughly enjoyed this book from start to finish.
*I voluntarily reviewed this book from the tour organiser
Can someone please make me a snowman? It's not snowing here or anything.. but please make it snow.
Christmas Miracles at the Little Log Cabin is the fourth installment of the New York Ever After series. All I can is.. I wouldn't mind falling in love with a log cabin or the guy living in it after reading this cute holiday book. Also, I have a feeling that I should go to a small town ANYWHERE just because they sound so freaking cute.
In it, you will meet Holly and Mitch. Now these two were adorable. Even if he scared the crap out of her when they first met. I just knew that it was love at first fright because they couldn't stop looking at one another after. It was kind of cute in a weird ass way.
In the end, I am loving this series so much and I can't wait to dive into the next book and fall in love with the next couple!
Holly has given up her high level career to become a freelance photographer and writer. In exploring the site of a rustic log cabin, she is startled by a fierce looking man, falls, and hits her head, losing consciousness. He brings her inside, cares for her until he is sure she can function, and leads her out of the woods to town. Taken with his kindness, Holly wants to know more about this mysterious man. The more she learns about Mitch, the more she is drawn to his quiet ways. This tale has some serious story lines, and the author deals carefully with the issues of abandonment, mental health, greed, entitlement, and control issues. The characters are well developed and most show growth as the story progresses. It’s a well written and heartwarming tale, but not overly sweet or predictable. A nice Christmas novel, the audio version is well narrated by Andi Ackerman and Andy Ingalls.
Christmas Miracles at the Little Log Cabin is a delightful festive read where being brave enough to make a new start and willingness to try to help others are the key to finding a HEA for the main characters. Holly is a highly successful editor in New York but she's handed in her notice and is going to become a freelance writer and photographer. When she visits Inglenook Falls she goes for a walk in the woods and discovers a little log cabin and Mitch, the recluse who lives there and runs the Christmas tree farm. He's the hairy Grinch who the locals avoid but the more she learns about Mitch, the more she wants to help him be happy and enlists the willing help of her friends Cleo and Darcy..... whether he wants it or not!
It is a poignant and emotive story as revelations from what happened to Mitch in the past explain so much about his current behaviour. It is moving how meeting Holly provides the impetus to help him move on with his life and start to live again, rather than just exist. Jude is a fifteen year old who helps Mitch and he's another great character in the story. There are revelations from the past, secret talents and much more as Holly and Mitch both discover what you see isn't necessarily what you get as people aren't always what you initially expect! Get ready for a lovely, close knit community, a problematic business proposition, plenty of snow, an unexpected snowman, family, friends and love along with multiple second chances and many miracles to restore beliefs and happiness. This is the fourth book in the New York Ever After series but works well as a standalone - I haven't read the earlier books yet, but will endeavour to do so in future after enjoying this one!
This is an entertaining festive story which I requested and was gifted a copy of without obligation. I enjoyed reading it and this is my honest review after doing so.
Helen J Rolfe really does know how to do festive romance fiction well. In this book, I met Holly, a friendly, bubbly woman who has made the big step to leave her job and go freelance. Pierre thinks it is a phase and in a couple of months she will get a “proper job”.
Mitch is a loner, but the community of Inglenook Falls still keep an eye on him and I soon discovered why. His past has been gossip around town and he does nothing to help himself at all. Holly and her photographer’s eye realises that sometimes it not what you can see that is important.
This is a story that has a lovely festive feel right from the get-go. The author has done a fabulous job drawing me in with descriptions of snow-laden hills, wonderfully scented smoke fires, festive food and fresh cut Christmas trees. The little log cabin would be my absolute dream home.
I liked the mix of the hustle and bustle of city life and the contrasting quieter country life pace. It gave a good balance that is the excitement and drama of Christmas.
The characters have their ups and downs as their feelings, histories and own stories gradually come out. The author has provided a story that has a good amount of human interest and heartbreak but without going over the top. It means you get more than you expect and is another way of keeping this readers eyes glued to the page.
Holly herself is a character I really liked, she is motivated but also patient and can see the best in people. Mitch is moody and initially a bit of a shocking character, but as I learnt more about his story and how he has come to be where he is I saw that he was more than first meets the eye. He was probably my favourite character, but only just. For me, it was how his life had gone through a roller-coaster on an emotional level that added that extra intrigue and poignancy.
This book is part of a series, and even though this is book 4 it really can be read as a stand-alone. There are characters from previous books that are reintroduced and they are done in such a way as you wouldn’t feel you were missing any details, but it will leave you wanting to go and get the previous books as you will want to know said details.
This is a book and also a series that has a charming, festive, cosy and enchanting feel to it. A story that has a heart and just ticks all the boxes in what I am looking for in this type of book. One I would definitely recommend
I hadn’t realised this was part of a series — it seems to be becoming a habit lately. Apart from feeling at a slight disadvantage when the characters make an appearance initially, it works well as a standalone. There are snippets here and there which fill in some of the background. Christmas Miracles at the Little Log Cabin is told in alternating chapters from the third person perspectives of Holly and Mitch.
Holly has quit her high pressure job in the magazine industry and is about to embark on a career as a freelance writer and photographer, despite her less than supportive boyfriend. Moving from Seattle to Manhattan hadn’t given her the boost she felt was missing, hence the career change, although the lack of a regular salary will take some getting used to. However, things are looking up as Holly begins to build a portfolio.
Mitch is a recluse, living in a log cabin in the woods, running his late father’s Christmas tree farm. Unkempt and anti social, the people of Inglenook Falls, the local town, are wary and avoid him. Mitch is a complex character with much more to him than meets the eye. His backstory is moving and he’s been in a very bad place, deeply distressed and depressed when his wife left after losing their home, taking their young son. He hasn’t seen Albie for three years and is basically just going through the motions. The only bright spot in his life is young Jude who helps him on the farm.
'Mitch wondered if Albie had been living in surrounds like this for the past three years, or whether he was a city kid. Hard to believe he didn’t know even the most basic facts about his own son.’
Holly is in Inglenook Falls for her first project. She and Mitch meet in unusual circumstances when Holly is out and about taking photographs. Although Mitch is adamant he’s living the way he wants to, Holly isn’t so sure and is determined to help him.
Christmas Miracles at the Little Log Cabin is a lovely story, much more than a festive romance, incorporating as it does, more serious issues and new beginnings. The main characters are engaging with depth and charm and develop throughout. The secondary characters are also well defined and add to the story. Inglenook Falls has a wonderful small town atmosphere with a close knit community, just the type of place where I’d love to live. I also enjoyed very much the descriptions of Manhattan at Christmas time.
Once, just once I want the main character to stay in their corporate job and not leave their partner for another man. I want Christmas without the relationship drama.
Christmas Miracles at the Little Log Cabin is the fourth book in the New York Ever After series by Helen J. Rolfe. Although it's part of a series it can easily be read as a standalone book.
Holly is fed up of the high powered, fast-paced job she has in the city. She decides to be brave, quit, and start up as a freelance photographer/writer. It's a big step but one that she knows she has to do for the sake of her sanity. She wants much less stress in her life. She has friends that she stays with sometimes in Inglenook Falls and during her latest visit she meets Mitch.
Mitch lives in a small log cabin practically as a hermit despite owning and managing a Christmas tree farm. After personal disaster a few years earlier struck he went to pieces and let himself go. Now he looks like a mess with his hair uncut, his clothes shabby, and with a beard that more often than not has food in it from previous meals. People in town remember him and although most seem scared of him now, he still manages to make a living.
When Holly meets Mitch life changes for both of them. She realises what a nice, kind man he is and wants to help him come back to the land of the living. She can see past his 'hobo' look and although he appreciates that, he doesn't appreciate her attempts to change how he runs his life.
To start with this book seemed a little slow, but the more I read, the more I got into the story and happily continued to the end to find out just what the Christmas Miracles at the Little Log Cabin were. They were definitely not what I expected, and even brought tears to my eyes. Happy tears of course.
There was much written about photography which as somebody not bothered about photos unless a person is in them did get a little monotonous for me. Apart from that though, I loved reading the dynamics of the relationships between Holly and her friends, her boyfriend, yes she has one, and with Mitch. I enjoyed how both Holly and Mitch's characters really grew throughout the story. Holly learned to love being her own boss and taking life at a slower pace. She re-evaluated her life and made great changes. Mitch, well the changes he goes through I won't tell you about, it will spoil the book. Suffice to say that Holly does good!!! Another thing that I really enjoyed about the book is learning about Christmas tree farming, who knew that you didn't just plant a tree, let it grow and then sell it. They say you learn something new every day, and I definitely did with regards to that subject.
I definitely felt festive and had a big smile on my face by the end of this book, so if you want a nice feel-good read this Christmas then I can recommend this one.
Simply charming Christmas story, with a definite feeling of Christmas miracle.
We have the grinch sort of character out in the woods, in a log cabin, sort of reclusive, not really a part of the local town and some people cross the road to avoid him. And we have Holly, who has just started freelancing as a journalist and photographer, and she comes across the cabin, and soon meets the man in it.
Once you hear what Mitch has been through you will understand why he hides away in the woods but its clear meeting Holly has a catalyst affect on his life.
This may be book 4 of the New York Ever After series but I felt it could definitely be read as a standalone. I had read the first book a year ago, but didn't recall most of the key details going into this, so it felt like a new book to me. Holly's best friends are the main characters from the previous books and you get the gist of what has happened with them so I really didn't feel at any sort of disadvantage. I did feel that I had missed out on some lovely books though!!
This book has just such a warm and cosy feel to it, definitely felt festive and is just a lovely story. The characters were really realistic and the descriptions fabulous. It is just a really enjoyable story, and I loved all the different facets to it.
Inglenook Falls is a charming part of New York, has the small town vibe that I love, and clearly a close knit community. Not only did I love Mitch;s character development as the book went on but I also loved learning about photography from Holly and the different sorts of photos you can sell to stock libraries, and other photography tips.
A thoroughly enjoyable book from an author that I love and highly recommend.
Thank you to Helen Rolfe for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.
This book is part 4 of a series, but you can read it as a standalone. I had no problem picking the story up. My only problem is that now I want to read the others as well. LOL Oh my poor ever increasing to be read pile.
In the beginning of the book there is a lot of descriptions. The advantage is that you really feel like you are part of the story because you can imagine everything to the last detail. On the other hand it gives the book a slow start.
But once you are familar with all the people and the surroundings, the author draws your attention to the 'action'.
Holly and Mitch take turns in telling us what the novel is about.
It's a feel good book, so you know you are in for misunderstandings, love, romance, some drama and a happy ending with the festive season as background.
It certainly is a fun and well written story perfect for this time of the year. I enjoyed it very much.
Thank you, Helen J. Rolfe and RachelsRandomResources.
Many Aussie’s celebrate Christmas in July wanting to experience a traditional Christmas dinner on the coldest month of the year, well, I’m not going as far as making a Chrissy dinner but it is giving me the excuse to read some of my Christmas books this month and as it’s wintry here in Australia it’s the perfect opportunity to read books with a snowy vibe and winter scene.
Christmas in July read #3
4th instalment in the New York Ever After series.
A captivating, feel good Christmas story that will warm your heart and turn your insides to goo.
It’s always comforting to return to a favourite author and know exactly what to expect from the book. Yes, I go out of my comfort zone sometimes and there is nothing wrong with that but coming ‘home’ always ensures there will be a happy smile by the end. Christmas Miracles at the Little Log Cabin is actually the fourth in a series but never fear you can easily read this as a stand alone, though I have to question why you would want to miss the other three but then I’m a fan.
Knowing the setting is in my favoured New York is always a promising start. Inglenook Falls is a delightful area away from NYC, a little town with a close knit community. Holly is sick of her high powered job in the city and risks all by leaping into life as a freelance journo/photographer. Her boyfriend disagrees with her choice and that really winds me up, it’s her life and she deserves to do something that suits her personality.
It’s when Holly meets Mitch the story becomes interesting and I was desperate to find out more about him. On the surface he is a bit of a bum, unkempt, a bit of a loner, weird possibly .. certain people will cross the road if he ventures out into town but why? He runs a Christmas tree farm which is ideal for the time of year. He doesn’t find mixing with customers easy and retreats into his log cabin.
Once Holly and Mitch meet there is an underlying attraction and each needs to find a way to begin again. Holly with the help from her friends Darcy and Cleo become intent on bringing Mitch out of his shell but will he appreciate that, there is obviously a deep lingering reason why he is behaving as he is.
Christmas Miracles at the Little Log Cabin is the perfect book for the festive season, full of snow and an understanding that not everyone is who they think or say they are. It’s about reaching out, taking a chance on life and sometimes just beginning again. I love the way this author holds the readers attention, the characters get under your skin and you really do begin to care what happens to them. Another winner from Helen, a tale to warm your heart as you sit and read with a mug of the obligatory hot chocolate.
Thanks to the author, publisher and Rachel from Random Resources. I read and reviewed voluntarily.
I love Christmas. I love the decorations, the music, the snow, the food, and the festive feeling. And I love the Christmas novels that come out at this time of the year. I love their heartwarming and cosy atmosphere, the beautiful stories, and the evocative settings. And CHRISTMAS MIRACLES AT THE LITTLE LOG CABIN meets all these requirements, starting from the setting. The author chose two beautiful locations for this novel. One of them is Manhattan that I think it’s one of these places that turns magical during the Christmas period. The other is Inglenook Falls, a small town outside of New York, that with its Christmas markets, snow, isolated cabins, and general good feeling gives a real atmospheric tone to the novel.
The protagonists are engaging, realistic, and very likable. Holly is a journalist who left her well-paid job at a magazine to go freelance and become her own boss. Her first assignment is to cover a new luxury hotel at Inglenook Falls and it’s here that one day she stumbles upon Mitch’s remote cabin. Following a bad few years, Mitch has isolated himself from the rest of the world and spends his time in the woods surrounding his cabin where he occasionally sells beautiful Christmas trees. Holly and Mitch couldn’t be more different: where she is cheerful, friendly, and outgoing, he is reclusive, ill-tempered, and stubborn. But their meetings were entertaining and they were the part of the story I mostly looked forward to reading.
The plot is romantic, engrossing, funny, and overall Christmassy and it made me wish I was reading it in front of a fireplace while sipping hot chocolate.
This is the fourth book in the New York Ever After series and I am sorry to say I haven’t read the first three books, yet, but I am definitely going to do it soon. If, like me, you’ve just found out about this fabulous series, you won’t have any problem following the story and the characters in CHRISTMAS MIRACLES AT THE LITTLE LOG CABIN, as the novel can be read also as a stand-alone. I’d like to thank Rachel’s Random Resources for inviting me to take part in the blog tour and for introducing me to this faboulous series.
It was so nice to find out more about Holly who we meet in the previous book in this series. She is now a freelance journalist and photographer after giving up her high powered job to follow her dream. I really like her character. She’s very determined to make a success of her new venture but is warm and caring with it. It was nice to catch up with other characters that we’ve met in previous books and good to meet new ones too.
Helen’s writing is excellent and I have a very clear vision of what Inglenook Falls looks like and it was lovely that most of the story was set in this beautiful area. It was easy to imagine the Christmas markets, Santa sat on the bandstand with a queue of children waiting to meet him and all the different snowmen on the green that families had built.
My heart went out to Mitch. I really liked his character, despite his history. I don’t want to say too much about him as I don’t want to spoil the book for anyone
I have loved every single book that I’ve read in this series. They are beautifully written with characters that you can’t help but like. Another ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ from me.
At the beginning, I thought there was an awful lot of information just dumped into the story. Inevitably as this is book 4 in a series there needs to be some backfilling but I wonder if it might have been possible to drip-feed this to the reader rather than offloading it all at the start. This is a minor point however as the rest of the story flowed brilliantly. The setting is superb and the characters jump off the page. It has a real Christmassy feel to it without being sugary. A Christmas tree farm, a bedraggled loner who shuns society, a woman who is trying to work out what is important and of course snow. Lots of it! It's a really lovely story about broken people who begin to heal with a little Christmas miracle thrown in. The locations are so vivid I could imagine myself in the wool shop and the Inn and of course the little cabin. Food, friendship and forgiveness are the essence of this book and sum up Christmas perfectly. Now I have to go back and read the others.
I really enjoyed this story, it left me feeling like I’d had a warm hug!
The flow the author has with the story is great and I read the book in an evening after I’d put my daughter to bed so it was a complete treat for me! I loved the characters, I thought that they worked really well together and the interaction was spot on.
I have been lucky enough to visit New York a few times but I’ve only even been in summer and autumn and this one definitely makes me want to go at Christmas now – great settings for the story – I thoroughly enjoyed it!
4 stars from me, highly recommended and I love the cover!!
Filled with hope and love, my first Christmas novel of 2018 has an overwhelming message of never giving up on a dream.
Holly loves living in New York but wants the freedom to pursue her dreams. She decides to quit her job as an editor to become a freelance journalist where she can indulge her interest in photography. She's happy with the decision and as she becomes her own boss, with work already lined up she knows she made the right decision for her. She's happy and positive, but disappointed her boyfriend Pierre doesn't support or share her enthusiasm. During her first assignment in Inglenook Falls, she meets a dishevelled man, who helps her. Despite his appearance, he intrigues her in a way she never thought possible, making her realise she needs to make more changes in her life.
Mitch is a mess, hidden away living like a recluse, a position he wants to get out of but most of the time he lacks the determination to improve his situation. When a trespasser near his log cabin falls and loses consciousness, he's angry but does what any decent person would do – he helps her. When she leaves, he hopes he never sees her again, but does he really want that?
A feel-good novel which embraces the atmosphere of the season as two people find each other at a crossroads in their lives. Mitch misses his son, not knowing where he is, while Holly seizes a career ambition, which makes her question some aspects of her life. Yet not everything is rosy in the cosy town as heartbreaking details from the past surface. Predictably, it leads to an uplifting and romantic finale. We all love a happy ever after, don't we?
The author manages to capture the essence of the winter holiday, using descriptions to bring the small town of Inglenook Falls to life. The secondary characters add additional warmth and humour to the magical narrative, where believing in a little faith, means miracles can come true. The protagonists compliment each other perfectly despite their differences against a winter wonderland backdrop. Like many holiday-themed novels, this is a perfect read to curl up and enjoy with a glass or mug of your favourite seasonal drink. Christmas Miracles at the Little Log cabin is the fourth book in the New York Ever After series and can be read and enjoyed (as I did) as standalone.
***arc received courtesy of the publisher via Rachel's Random Resources***
Holly has taken a gamble, quitting her high-flying New York career to become a freelance writer and photographer. It’s this new start that means she finds herself taking in the scenery of Inglenook Falls on the hunt for photo opportunities when she inadvertently stumbles upon a log cabin hidden away in the woods. Unable to resist a closer look and a few snaps she moves nearer only to find she has disturbed the cabin’s resident, recluse Mitch.
Unkempt and anti-social Mitch keeps himself to himself, preferring to stay ensconced within the walls of his log cabin when he’s not tending his Christmas tree farm. The towns folk are wary of Mitch and with gossip about his past rife is it any wonder he has opted to become a recluse? However, his unexpected encounter with Holly begins a chain of events that neither of them could have anticipated. But, with the help of her friends will Holly be able to draw Mitch out of his life of solitude and integrate him back into town life?
Christmas Miracles At The Little Log Cabin is the 4th book in Helen J Rolfe’s New York Ever After series, however it feels more like a standalone book to me as there weren’t too many references to past events. This was great for me as it’s the first of Helen’s books I have read.
As a massive Christmas and snow fan I adored the backdrop of this story and the scenery and surroundings are described so beautifully, I truly felt transported into the story. I immediately fell in love with Holly’s character, a girl brave enough to cut ties and go freelance what’s not to love. Mitch though was a real unknown entity for me for quite a while until details of his heart-breaking story emerged which meant I could fully understand what lead him to withdraw.
I don’t want to give too much away as the story is truly wonderful and something to be enjoyed without spoilers. It’s a fabulously festive feel-good read that will leave you with a warm, cosy feeling. Filled with friendship and romance the message at its core is one of hope and starting over, something the festive period is all about. If you read one book this Christmas then make it Christmas Miracles At The Little Log Cabin, snuggle up with a mug of hot chocolate and lose yourself in this wonderful snow dappled tale.
Christmas Miracles at the Little Log Cabin is a lovely festive read from Helen Rolfe. It's actually the fourth book in the New York Ever After series although I haven't read the previous books. I think I would have liked to have known more about the other characters who were mentioned just to add to my enjoyment, but I was certainly able to read and enjoy this story as a standalone.
The story begins when Holly who has recently gone freelance as a magazine feature writer, goes to to photograph her boyfriend's new hotel in Inglenook Falls. Falling and banging her head, she is rescued by the reclusive Mitch who takes her back to his log-cabin to recover. Mitch runs a Christmas tree farm which is at its busiest of course at the time the book is set but he really needs to work on his people and business skills! Over the next few weeks, their paths cross quite a few times, sometimes by accident, sometimes by design.
What I enjoyed most about the story was finding out about Mitch. He was such an interesting person and you could understand how his past relationship and loss had turned him into this reclusive person. His past hurts made it difficult for him to open himself up and trust people. Holly though, just seems to have that special something which might melt his heart but, with her already being in a relationship, could she ever feel anything but sympathy (and sometimes irritation) for Mitch? I loved watching Mitch's character begin to open up throughout the book as he began to understand that people could actually care for him.
Helen Rolfe's description of a festive New York and snowy Inglenook Falls were lovely and conjured up a really Christmassy picture in my head. The Christmas markets sounded like somewhere I would love to visit, the decorations both in the city and the town sounded wonderful and oh how I would love a proper white Christmas! Inglenook Falls sounded like a great community to be part of, so friendly and with lots of supportive residents.
Christmas Miracles at the Little Log Cabin was a sweet festive read and yes, deserving of the phrase 'heart-warming'. Having got to know a little about some of Holly's friends in this book, I'd be keen to read more about them in Helen Rolfe's other books in the New York Ever After series.
Although this is the fourth book in a series and I haven't read the previous ones, actually this is the first book I have read of Helen J. Rolfe, and despite all that, I didn't felt like I was completely lost in the book. Well, I would have loved to have read the previous books so I had another understanding of the characters and the community, but it's okay, it made me curious about the other books.
This novel was a delight to read, and it took me forward in getting ready for the holidays. Its was captivating, emotional, warming, funny, exciting and visual. It had all the right components for a Christmas novel, from the friendship and romance to the community interactions, the drama and twist and turns caused by the misunderstandings.
The characters were well written and each one brought something to the storyline, from the emotions to the humor and everything in between, they felt real and I felt like I knew them and was a part of the community. Of course the main characters were the center of the action, and I love them. There were sweet interactions between them that I loved, there were moments that made me laugh and others that made me want to enter the story and talk to them and say what had to be said. And all of that made Holly and Mitch (and every other character in the book) relatable.
Then there were the descriptions. The author not only gave us an interesting plot and characters, but also amazingly visual descriptions that transported me into the book. I was able to imagine the scenes the places and the people, and that's always something I love.
Overall, it was the kind of book that makes me want to stay home, surrounded in blankets and by the fire, with a cup of tea or hot chocolate and just enjoy the story. I haven't been disappointed with the Christmas Stories I have read so far, and this one is a book I also recommend.
[I want to thank Rachel, at Rachel’s Random Resources, and Helen for the eCopy of this book and for allowing me to join in the fun and by being a part of the blog tour with my honest review of the book.]
Holly has given up her very well paid job to go freelance doing the things she loves most, taking photographs and writing stories. She is not sure she is doing the right thing but she has to try. On one of her first assignments she encounters Mitch, a local resident who runs the local Christmas Tree Farm but likes to keep to himself. Mitch has managed to avoid the locals for a long time, only dealing with them when absolutely necessary and the last thing he wanted was to have to deal with someone snooping around his property. I have to say that I really enjoyed reading about Holly and Mitch and how their friendship slowly developed. Holly is determined to help Mitch by trying to show him that people do care about him and that he is not alone. It’s not all plain sailing though, as Mitch fights her every step of the way. He is determined to remain alone, needing no one. Despite his gruff, unkempt exterior he really can’t help himself and you get to see his kinder side in the way he cares for Holly when she is injured and how he has befriended Jude, a young local lad who lived with his gran. As you learn about the events in his past that left him acting the way that he does you feel for him but at the same time hope that Holly can work her magic and get him to re-join civilisation. The one person that I could have cheerfully thumped was Holly’s career minded boyfriend. He didn’t seem to understand Hollys need to make a new career for herself and was constantly pushing her to return to the type of career she had just escaped. He also believed that if you threw enough money at a situation you could get what you wanted. I will admit to giving a little bit of a silent cheer when Holly called time on the relationship. Christmas at the Little Log Cabin really is a true Christmas read that will leave you smiling at the end. The setting of the story is in itself charming and adds to the atmosphere of the book. This is the fourth book in the series but I can honestly say that if even if you have not read the first three books then you will still love this one as a standalone book.
I’ll admit it took me a little while to get used to the US setting and flavour of this book – after my recent experience of the author’s Salthaven-on-Sea, I felt just a tad outside the story, and I didn’t immediately take to Holly as she adapted to her new life as a freelancer, taking her photographs and settling on her future direction. Her relationship with Pierre didn’t really convince me either – there didn’t seem any warmth to it – and I was a little worried where the story might going. But then she found Mitch and his log cabin, and suddenly the story became everything I hoped for – and Inglenook Falls (and Manhattan at Christmas) was the place I really wanted to be.
Helen Rolfe really is wonderful at locations – she totally captures the “small town” feel, the way everyone knows everyone else’s business, and her descriptions (I feel like I’ve actually visited The Knitting Box…) are quite superb. I loved the scene at opening night for the new hotel – over the top and glitzy, the taking of photographs providing the perfect frame for lingering over its sumptuousness, and all in such sharp contrast to the lives of ordinary people. Mitch’s cabin is drawn in loving detail too – with a heart, brought about by the important links with love and family.
It’s a great story – corporate greed and sheer nastiness, full of misunderstandings and wrong turns, people showing their true colours, carefully plotted and well tangled. But I particularly loved the ongoing transformation of Mitch – his loss and sadness, his disintegration, his gentleness, his love of his environment and its trees, and the glimpses of his loveliness inside in his friendship with young Jude. There’s a perfect – real and believable – love story too, with happy endings all round, but a satisfying number of twists and turns in getting there. The whole story has a lovely Christmassy feel – the trees themselves, the Christmas markets, the tinsel and lights, the gifts – and who doesn’t enjoy experiencing Manhattan in all its festive excess?
I thoroughly enjoyed this one – and really recommend it as a late addition to your Christmas reading list!
Holly drops the life she knows, leaves her well-paid job and moves in a small town leaving New York. She is tired from editing, shopping and having lunch at finest restaurants in New York. The biggest decision in her lifetime is to run off all those things that made her acts “robotic”. Holly feels alive when she did it. Inglenook Falls is a small place surrounded by nature idyllic and impressive where everything is different than New York from the size of buildings to the people’s behavior. Holly expects not much from her unsecured future but photographing and being free away from the big city life. However, she didn’t imagine that she will meet Mitch, a big hairy “wild” man living in a log cabin in the wood. “He scooped her up in his arms. She weighed less than any of the logs he’d had to haul up from the fields earlier and he carried her carefully back down the path.” Christmas Miracle in a Log Cabin is sweet holiday book. The story was interesting for me because I was used to reading the story with a heroine who rises up to the stars building her career and big city life. This is quite opposite the heroine goes away from the big city, drops her career and comfort life. “She signed the forms, collected the keys, programmed the satnav and stowed her belongings in the trunk before setting off down…” The book shows Christmas magical atmosphere and the feeling is bigger because I was reading it before the holiday.
It doesn't get much more Christmassy than this: snowmen, Christmas trees, a log cabin and a roaring fire at every corner. Then there's a damsel (not quite in distress, but definitely on a discovery journey as she - Holly - sets out to prove herself as a freelance photographer) and a dastardly villain (the self-indulgent Pierre who is used to getting his own way), and finally the rough-and-ready Prince Charming (in need of a shave, a wash and brush-up, and a huge dose of self-esteem - Mitch.) Throw them all together in Inglenook Falls, the most idyllic setting you can imagine, and one brought stunningly to life by the author's gorgeous descriptions and attention to detail, and - hey presto, you have a modern Mills and Boon story that you can't help but get wrapped up in.
Easy to read, charming at every step, this story is filled with an abundance of interesting characters. I look forward to picking up the other books in this series and getting more involved in the lives of Cleo, Darcy, Dylan and Sarah; their backstories are hinted at here, and I'd love to explore their histories more. That's not to say this cannot be enjoyed as a stand-alone - it most certainly can - but once you meet these folk, I'm sure you'd want to know more about them too.
A delightful, seasonal read fill that oozes with humour and charm, friendship and love: the perfect feel-good story for this time of year.