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Wishful #11
A Lot Like Christmas
Jaded Army medic Ryan Malone never expected his next mission would bring him back from Afghanistan to tiny Wishful, Mississippi. His great uncle's health is failing and the cantankerous old coot has pushed everyone in the family away. Ryan is their last resort to get Uncle Percy to move into assisted living before he breaks a hip—or something worse. He's looking to get in, get it done, and get back out. That definitely doesn't include taking time out for a sweet-faced waitress with a heart bigger than the Atlantic.
Interior designer Hannah Wheeler is a long way from the high-powered clients of her old Atlanta firm. Despite the fact that she's currently spending her days waiting tables, she's discovered she really enjoys the small-town life she found with her sister. This Christmas season, she's finally ready to introduce Wishful to her true capabilities by using her skills to spread some holiday spirit. But with Ryan and Percy, she's definitely got her work cut out for her.
Will Hannah's evergreen cheer thaw their frosty hearts and remind these two that the most important part of the holidays is family?
Interior designer Hannah Wheeler is a long way from the high-powered clients of her old Atlanta firm. Despite the fact that she's currently spending her days waiting tables, she's discovered she really enjoys the small-town life she found with her sister. This Christmas season, she's finally ready to introduce Wishful to her true capabilities by using her skills to spread some holiday spirit. But with Ryan and Percy, she's definitely got her work cut out for her.
Will Hannah's evergreen cheer thaw their frosty hearts and remind these two that the most important part of the holidays is family?
165 pages, ebook
First published November 30, 2018
770 people are currently reading
642 people want to read
About the author
Kait Nolan
153 books1,362 followersKait Nolan is a RITA® Award-winning Mississippi author who calls everyone sugar, honey, or darlin', and can wield a 'Bless your heart' like a Snuggie or a saber, depending on requirements. She believes in love, laughter, and that tacos are the world's most perfect food. When she's not writing, reading, working the evil day job, or wrangling family (both the two-legged and the four-), you can find her obsessively watching The Great British Bake Off.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 219 reviews
December 27, 2022
A lovely tale about discovering love, discovering a new purpose in life, and rediscovering the spirit of Christmas. Since this book is a part of the Wishful series, we get to re-visit some familiar faces as well as meet some new ones. However, if you haven't read any, you can start with this one and then go back to the beginning to learn more about this great small town.
Hannah Wheeler, a professional interior designer who now works as a waitress, tells her story in this book. She meets Ryan Malone, an army medic who is home on leave, just as she is getting set to restart her life!
Ryan and Hannah made a fantastic couple. Hannah is very kind. She exudes generosity, joy, happiness, kindness, and the spirit of the season. As a bonafide badass, Ryan was first a touch stern, but seeing him with Percy (who is similar to the beautiful old neighbor we all grew up with) immediately convinced me that he wasn't a jerk, but a man carrying a lot of weight.
It's interesting to see how their relationship develops as their respective backstories become clear. I adore how Ryan and Hannah are each battling their own problems and are able to support one another in overcoming their worries.
In particular, the start is fascinating. A very well written. This novella is a nice story to read over the holiday season because it has a Christmas theme set in the quaint, small, Mississippi town of Wishful. Despite being a short story, it has a lovely epilogue and a perfectly happy HEA.
The only drawback to this story was that there wasn't enough of it. Although I'm a hungry reader and wanted more, it was pretty much perfect!
Hannah Wheeler, a professional interior designer who now works as a waitress, tells her story in this book. She meets Ryan Malone, an army medic who is home on leave, just as she is getting set to restart her life!
Ryan and Hannah made a fantastic couple. Hannah is very kind. She exudes generosity, joy, happiness, kindness, and the spirit of the season. As a bonafide badass, Ryan was first a touch stern, but seeing him with Percy (who is similar to the beautiful old neighbor we all grew up with) immediately convinced me that he wasn't a jerk, but a man carrying a lot of weight.
It's interesting to see how their relationship develops as their respective backstories become clear. I adore how Ryan and Hannah are each battling their own problems and are able to support one another in overcoming their worries.
In particular, the start is fascinating. A very well written. This novella is a nice story to read over the holiday season because it has a Christmas theme set in the quaint, small, Mississippi town of Wishful. Despite being a short story, it has a lovely epilogue and a perfectly happy HEA.
The only drawback to this story was that there wasn't enough of it. Although I'm a hungry reader and wanted more, it was pretty much perfect!
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November 27, 2022Available in eBook, print and audio: https://books2read.com/alotlikechristmas
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December 31, 2024
3.5 stars
I liked this one a lot. It was a very heartwarming story about two lonely people who fit so well together.
I liked this one a lot. It was a very heartwarming story about two lonely people who fit so well together.
May 31, 2021
Slow burn, small town, Christmastime, romance novella
When Hannah first meets Ryan, she assumes he is a homeless veteran because of his military fatigues, his long, unkempt hair and mountain-man beard, and his dirty, beat-up jacket. She invites him into the coffee shop where she is working as a waitress and, using her own money to pay for it, offers him coffee and soup.
Hannah has a particular affinity for homeless veterans, having developed a relationship with a coterie of such veterans in her home city, Atlanta, where she had lived her whole life until recently. To her surprise, before the stranger exits the restaurant, he leaves a huge tip for Hannah, which contradicts her theory that he's broke and homeless.
Weary, cynical Ryan feels decades older than the beautiful, cheery waitress at the coffee shop, even though he estimates that she is very likely about his same age of 27. He is a medic with Delta Force, and he has been on a mission for some time in Afghanistan. He is on temporary leave for a week in order to use his medical training to determine if his 80-year-old Uncle Percy needs to move to a residential facility due to inadequately caring for himself since his wife died the previous year. Ryan had not expected to become involved with someone like Hannah, a Christmas loving elf of a woman, who is determined to bring Christmas cheer to people all over Wishful. She is using her training as an interior decorator to beautifully create holiday themed decorations for many different shops and private homes, including offering to decorate packrat Uncle Percy's extremely messy house.
This is a delightful romance novella. It is part of the extensive series of books by this author set in the quaint, small, Mississippi town of Wishful. I have personally read every single book in this series, and this novella is one of my favorites. The beginning is especially intriguing. I was rapidly drawn into the romance of these two attractive, honorable and lovable protagonists. Given that it is Christmas themed, this novella is also a lovely story to read during the holiday season. Though this is not a long story, it has a completely satisfying HEA, including a wonderful epilogue.
I have experienced this book in both Kindle and audiobook format. The narrator of the audiobook is excellent.
When Hannah first meets Ryan, she assumes he is a homeless veteran because of his military fatigues, his long, unkempt hair and mountain-man beard, and his dirty, beat-up jacket. She invites him into the coffee shop where she is working as a waitress and, using her own money to pay for it, offers him coffee and soup.
Hannah has a particular affinity for homeless veterans, having developed a relationship with a coterie of such veterans in her home city, Atlanta, where she had lived her whole life until recently. To her surprise, before the stranger exits the restaurant, he leaves a huge tip for Hannah, which contradicts her theory that he's broke and homeless.
Weary, cynical Ryan feels decades older than the beautiful, cheery waitress at the coffee shop, even though he estimates that she is very likely about his same age of 27. He is a medic with Delta Force, and he has been on a mission for some time in Afghanistan. He is on temporary leave for a week in order to use his medical training to determine if his 80-year-old Uncle Percy needs to move to a residential facility due to inadequately caring for himself since his wife died the previous year. Ryan had not expected to become involved with someone like Hannah, a Christmas loving elf of a woman, who is determined to bring Christmas cheer to people all over Wishful. She is using her training as an interior decorator to beautifully create holiday themed decorations for many different shops and private homes, including offering to decorate packrat Uncle Percy's extremely messy house.
This is a delightful romance novella. It is part of the extensive series of books by this author set in the quaint, small, Mississippi town of Wishful. I have personally read every single book in this series, and this novella is one of my favorites. The beginning is especially intriguing. I was rapidly drawn into the romance of these two attractive, honorable and lovable protagonists. Given that it is Christmas themed, this novella is also a lovely story to read during the holiday season. Though this is not a long story, it has a completely satisfying HEA, including a wonderful epilogue.
I have experienced this book in both Kindle and audiobook format. The narrator of the audiobook is excellent.
December 19, 2021
12/19/2021 - I know I listened to this for the first time earlier this year, but I loved it so much I wanted to experience it again during the holidays. Gah! So perfect. I just adore Ryan & Hannah. 💗🎄🎁
4/13/2021 - Kait Nolan made me cry!
Okay, to back up a bit... this novella stands on it's own and if you're just in the mood for some Christmas cheer or to get a taste of what Kait Nolan's small town sexy writing is all about - this would be perfect! Be warned - you'll get a little intro to other folks in Wishful and you'll want to hear them all.
Kait Nolan made me cry! Other stories in the series have definitely made me mist up a bit - but I seriously had ALL. THE. FEELS. with this one. For such a short story - I truly felt like I knew Ryan and Hannah, got majorly invested in their relationship, and hurt for both of them when it seemed things wouldn't work out. No worries - Nolan always delivers an HEA and the epilogue here was perfection.
Up next is the last book for the Wishful series, Dancing Away With My Heart.
Narration:
Look, I adore Amy McFadden and her narrations. After listening to almost 20 books she's performed for Nolan - I think they're the perfect duo of awesomeness. 'nough said.
4/13/2021 - Kait Nolan made me cry!
Okay, to back up a bit... this novella stands on it's own and if you're just in the mood for some Christmas cheer or to get a taste of what Kait Nolan's small town sexy writing is all about - this would be perfect! Be warned - you'll get a little intro to other folks in Wishful and you'll want to hear them all.
Kait Nolan made me cry! Other stories in the series have definitely made me mist up a bit - but I seriously had ALL. THE. FEELS. with this one. For such a short story - I truly felt like I knew Ryan and Hannah, got majorly invested in their relationship, and hurt for both of them when it seemed things wouldn't work out. No worries - Nolan always delivers an HEA and the epilogue here was perfection.
Up next is the last book for the Wishful series, Dancing Away With My Heart.
Narration:
Look, I adore Amy McFadden and her narrations. After listening to almost 20 books she's performed for Nolan - I think they're the perfect duo of awesomeness. 'nough said.
November 27, 2018
If hanging out in Wishful doesn't rev your Christmas spirit, you might be a hopeless cause. I wanted MORE from this book because it was over TOO SOON.
Although I loved the characters, they felt a little shallower than most that Nolan introduces us to in Wishful. Maybe because the book was shorter? I don't know, but the obstacles for this couple didn't make me worry for them.
The problems they faced? Real. And the tension was high. In the climactic scene, I was breathless along with these characters.
Another wonderful visit to Wishful. I can hardly wait for the next one.
Although I loved the characters, they felt a little shallower than most that Nolan introduces us to in Wishful. Maybe because the book was shorter? I don't know, but the obstacles for this couple didn't make me worry for them.
The problems they faced? Real. And the tension was high. In the climactic scene, I was breathless along with these characters.
Another wonderful visit to Wishful. I can hardly wait for the next one.
December 12, 2019
This was an enjoyable gem of a Christmas romance, part of my yearly Christmas fiction binge. I had to appreciate the book, if only for the following quote:
“We were much more into A Christmas Story.”
“That is only the worst Christmas movie ever made.” <== Preach!
Seriously, the story was well written and error free. It had real-life issues, not simply a holiday fluff piece, though there were definitely Christmasy elements. There was one minor bedroom scene, but it wasn't the focal point. And the author even gave a warning at the beginning about it. I think I'd like to look into more stories about the town of Wishful.
“We were much more into A Christmas Story.”
“That is only the worst Christmas movie ever made.” <== Preach!
Seriously, the story was well written and error free. It had real-life issues, not simply a holiday fluff piece, though there were definitely Christmasy elements. There was one minor bedroom scene, but it wasn't the focal point. And the author even gave a warning at the beginning about it. I think I'd like to look into more stories about the town of Wishful.
December 30, 2018
She decorates a house for Christmas and wins the love of two men. A beautiful story about finding love, a new meaning in life and finding Christmas spirit again. Kait Nolan sent this as a Christmas countdown to her newsletter subscribers. What a wonderful Christmas present! Thank you!
December 24, 2018
2.5 Stars
I’m a big fan of the small town romance. And I’ve enjoyed Kait Nolan’s Wishful series - it strikes the perfect blend of wit, charm, and sweetness. All things I’m short on right now as we go head-first into the holidays.
This story went a lot like a Hallmark Christmas movie. (Full confession: I’ve never actually watched one, but don’t we all know the basic plots?!) Hannah is the quintessential small-town transplant: hiding from her “real” life, but finding that life in Wishful suits her just fine. Everyone loves her, and she’s a ray of sunshine to everyone she meets. Right now she’s working as a waitress in the local diner, but she’s really an interior decorator, and has recently decided to offer her services - for free - to the businesses around town, making everything merry and bright, one string of Christmas lights at a time. Then one of the local ladies “hires” her to decorate a widow’s house…
Ryan Malone is on leave from the military to make a visit to his Uncle Percy. He is, of course, haunted by the horrors of Afghanistan, and plans to check on his uncle, then get back to his post. He’s not sure what to think of the young woman who shows up to decorate Percy’s house, but decides to enjoy what little time he has off with Hannah Wheeler.
There really wasn’t much to this sweet, cute story, and it started out a bit slow for me. They meet, fall in love, and then Ryan acts like a big jerk. I thought his over-reaction to some bad news was out of character for him, but I did like how Hannah handled it. One of the standards for Ms. Nolan’s stories is usually a big miscommunication, and that wasn’t the issue here, so that was a nice change of pace! At any rate, they work things out, and live happily ever after.
I DO rate novellas on their own merits. I don’t expect the level of plot and character development that I would from a full-length book. Even so, this book rated middle-of-the-road for me. Thankfully it didn't push me further into my borderline bam-humbug funk! But it didn't pull me out, either. Hopefully, one of these holiday books will...
I’m a big fan of the small town romance. And I’ve enjoyed Kait Nolan’s Wishful series - it strikes the perfect blend of wit, charm, and sweetness. All things I’m short on right now as we go head-first into the holidays.
This story went a lot like a Hallmark Christmas movie. (Full confession: I’ve never actually watched one, but don’t we all know the basic plots?!) Hannah is the quintessential small-town transplant: hiding from her “real” life, but finding that life in Wishful suits her just fine. Everyone loves her, and she’s a ray of sunshine to everyone she meets. Right now she’s working as a waitress in the local diner, but she’s really an interior decorator, and has recently decided to offer her services - for free - to the businesses around town, making everything merry and bright, one string of Christmas lights at a time. Then one of the local ladies “hires” her to decorate a widow’s house…
Ryan Malone is on leave from the military to make a visit to his Uncle Percy. He is, of course, haunted by the horrors of Afghanistan, and plans to check on his uncle, then get back to his post. He’s not sure what to think of the young woman who shows up to decorate Percy’s house, but decides to enjoy what little time he has off with Hannah Wheeler.
There really wasn’t much to this sweet, cute story, and it started out a bit slow for me. They meet, fall in love, and then Ryan acts like a big jerk. I thought his over-reaction to some bad news was out of character for him, but I did like how Hannah handled it. One of the standards for Ms. Nolan’s stories is usually a big miscommunication, and that wasn’t the issue here, so that was a nice change of pace! At any rate, they work things out, and live happily ever after.
I DO rate novellas on their own merits. I don’t expect the level of plot and character development that I would from a full-length book. Even so, this book rated middle-of-the-road for me. Thankfully it didn't push me further into my borderline bam-humbug funk! But it didn't pull me out, either. Hopefully, one of these holiday books will...
January 2, 2025
2.5 stars. This book was okay. A bit slow so I had to skim sometimes. Nothing much really happens. They like eachother fairly quickly and at the same time basically. There is dual point of view so we know what both characters are thinking and feeling about everything all the time. No real conflict happens except one dumb one that he creates for no good reason except for there to be a conflict. I actually was really put off by Ryan after how he treated Hannah at the end. That was a big red flag to me. And she’s the one who has to do the work for him to apologize. It all just rubbed me the wrong way. I wouldn’t really like a guy that was pushing me away “for my own good” or because he “didn’t want to get too attached” or any of those dumb reasons. If a guy did that to me I’d be like, great see ya! On to the next! I want a guy that wants me so much he would never dream of trying to break it off like that. Maybe that’s just me. Anyway overall it’s okay. All they do is decorate this old guys house and go out on two dates and that’s basically all it is. It’s short so there isn’t much to it.
November 16, 2020
Hannah and Ryans romance is set during the magical Christmas holidays and lived up to it's name in spades for me.
November 22, 2018
Kait Nolan, ‘A Lot like Christmas’,
A Wishful Novella.
As ARC reader I received this book for free and promised an honest review. Here it is.
English isn’t my first language. Sorry for errors.
Rating: 5 (of 5) stars.
In general: Nice small-town love story.
Main characters:
- Hannah Wheeler.
Waitress at Dinner Belles Diner. Studied interior design and had a good,
but stressful job in Atlanta. After a car accident she went to little country-
town Wishful to live with her sister. She likes living in Wishful and perhaps
she wants to stay in the small town. Then Hannah has the ambition to start
there an event planning business.
- Ryan Malone (27).
On deployment in Afghanistan as a medical sergeant. In Wishful to look
after his uncle Percy, an old man. Two years ago Percy’s wife died and
afterwards uncle Percy neglected his health and his social contacts.
Ryan’s mother (and sister of Percy) is very worried about the lonely man
and asked her son to take his leave and look after the health of his uncle.
Ryan and Hannah meet at uncle Percy’s home. Hannah is there to make the house nice for Christmas and Ryan has to stay with his uncle because uncle Percy stubbornly refuses medical examinations. And Ryan has enough work to do recovering the neglected house.
Ryan and Hannah like each other but both hesitate to fall in love. Ryan has to return to Afghanistan and Hannah isn’t certain of her future in Wishful. But when the head tells ‘no’, the heart can have other feelings.
Author Kait Nolan writes with love and insight about the development of their relationship. And creates a lot of credible and sympathetic characters living in Wishful, the small town in which a lot of her books are situated. Again the reader gets a ‘feel good’ experience when he sympathizes with the inhabitants of this town in the country where many people are interested in the other inhabitants and give help to those who need it. All in all: a pleasure to read this small-town love story.
R.Huiszoon.
A Wishful Novella.
As ARC reader I received this book for free and promised an honest review. Here it is.
English isn’t my first language. Sorry for errors.
Rating: 5 (of 5) stars.
In general: Nice small-town love story.
Main characters:
- Hannah Wheeler.
Waitress at Dinner Belles Diner. Studied interior design and had a good,
but stressful job in Atlanta. After a car accident she went to little country-
town Wishful to live with her sister. She likes living in Wishful and perhaps
she wants to stay in the small town. Then Hannah has the ambition to start
there an event planning business.
- Ryan Malone (27).
On deployment in Afghanistan as a medical sergeant. In Wishful to look
after his uncle Percy, an old man. Two years ago Percy’s wife died and
afterwards uncle Percy neglected his health and his social contacts.
Ryan’s mother (and sister of Percy) is very worried about the lonely man
and asked her son to take his leave and look after the health of his uncle.
Ryan and Hannah meet at uncle Percy’s home. Hannah is there to make the house nice for Christmas and Ryan has to stay with his uncle because uncle Percy stubbornly refuses medical examinations. And Ryan has enough work to do recovering the neglected house.
Ryan and Hannah like each other but both hesitate to fall in love. Ryan has to return to Afghanistan and Hannah isn’t certain of her future in Wishful. But when the head tells ‘no’, the heart can have other feelings.
Author Kait Nolan writes with love and insight about the development of their relationship. And creates a lot of credible and sympathetic characters living in Wishful, the small town in which a lot of her books are situated. Again the reader gets a ‘feel good’ experience when he sympathizes with the inhabitants of this town in the country where many people are interested in the other inhabitants and give help to those who need it. All in all: a pleasure to read this small-town love story.
R.Huiszoon.
December 26, 2018
A sweet story, most enjoyable, and a lovely, if delayed happy ever after. Well worth reading in this Christmas season. I read a chapter a day, provided by the author, and I was really looking forward to receiving the next chapter every day.
Hannah is a lively character. She had a few health problems, so went to live with her sister, and found a job waitressing at a local diner. She is scared to go back to her old life in case the problems recur. She had been a designer, and would very much like to go back to that, so she starts in a small way, decorating homes and businesses for Christmas. One day a bedraggled, tired man is outside the diner. It is a very cold day and he is not dressed for the cold. She invites him in and buys him a coffee, and a plate of the special of the day, because she assumes he is broke. Ryan is not broke, he is a soldier on leave, who has come to he town to check up on his family adopted 'uncle' because his mother is worried about him. He had been in a borrowed van which had broken down miles out of town and he had walked in to find a garage to repair it. Percy is not particularly pleased to see him.
A couple of days later there is a knock on the door, and it is Hannah, who has been commissioned by someone, (she wasn't allowed to say who) to decorate Percy's house for Christmas. Hannah and Ryan form an easy friendship, but he is aware he has to go back to his team and as always, tries to keep emotion out of it. He is just starting to think that he could perhaps have a life with this woman when he gets a message that one of his team has been killed. He is rude to Hannah to drive her away, his life is easier with no attachments. Then things happen that pull them back together, and he realises that just maybe, he can leave the forces and go to medical school, always his dream, and lead a proper life with a wife and children. Of course it cannot happen quickly, but if you want something badly enough you work for it, eventually your dreams can come true.
This is a short story, but feels a whole lot longer. A good read.
Hannah is a lively character. She had a few health problems, so went to live with her sister, and found a job waitressing at a local diner. She is scared to go back to her old life in case the problems recur. She had been a designer, and would very much like to go back to that, so she starts in a small way, decorating homes and businesses for Christmas. One day a bedraggled, tired man is outside the diner. It is a very cold day and he is not dressed for the cold. She invites him in and buys him a coffee, and a plate of the special of the day, because she assumes he is broke. Ryan is not broke, he is a soldier on leave, who has come to he town to check up on his family adopted 'uncle' because his mother is worried about him. He had been in a borrowed van which had broken down miles out of town and he had walked in to find a garage to repair it. Percy is not particularly pleased to see him.
A couple of days later there is a knock on the door, and it is Hannah, who has been commissioned by someone, (she wasn't allowed to say who) to decorate Percy's house for Christmas. Hannah and Ryan form an easy friendship, but he is aware he has to go back to his team and as always, tries to keep emotion out of it. He is just starting to think that he could perhaps have a life with this woman when he gets a message that one of his team has been killed. He is rude to Hannah to drive her away, his life is easier with no attachments. Then things happen that pull them back together, and he realises that just maybe, he can leave the forces and go to medical school, always his dream, and lead a proper life with a wife and children. Of course it cannot happen quickly, but if you want something badly enough you work for it, eventually your dreams can come true.
This is a short story, but feels a whole lot longer. A good read.
December 1, 2018
Oh my goodness, did I need to read this today! This lovely little quick read is a great entry into the Wishful "universe" if you haven't read any of Kait Nolan's other wonderful Wishful books (although if you haven't, I highly recommend you get started!)--but if you have read some of the Wishful books before, you'll feel right at home with some old friends while you get to know some pretty terrific new ones.
Hannah might be one of my favorite Wishful characters yet...especially at Christmas. She's just so darn...open and hopeful and giving...pretty much everything we probably all should aspire to be, especially this time of year. Ryan, our hero, is a soldier back from Afghanistan on leave, checking on his Uncle Percy in Wishful on behalf of his worried Mom....Percy lost his beloved wife a couple of years ago, and he's been declining ever since. Ryan keeps his heart locked away; he's a soldier and doesn't have time to get attached; Percy is angry at the world, and doesn't have much interest in anyone or anything anymore...and Hannah? Well, Hannah is just firmly fixed in the present and is all about trying live with as much joy as she can muster, and if she can find a way to spread it around? Well, that's pretty cool too! She's not perfect, she has her issues too, but two men have never needed a little joy and sunshine and Christmas spirit as these two stubborn men needed Hannah.
She wreaked a little havoc and worked a little magic...and I was genuinely surprised at how much emotion was packed into this short little parcel. It brought me to tears a couple of times, and just made me so happy at others. Lots of joy and Christmas in Wishful this year...I highly suggest you pick up this little gem right away--it will help you get through the next few weeks a little happier, I suspect.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Hannah might be one of my favorite Wishful characters yet...especially at Christmas. She's just so darn...open and hopeful and giving...pretty much everything we probably all should aspire to be, especially this time of year. Ryan, our hero, is a soldier back from Afghanistan on leave, checking on his Uncle Percy in Wishful on behalf of his worried Mom....Percy lost his beloved wife a couple of years ago, and he's been declining ever since. Ryan keeps his heart locked away; he's a soldier and doesn't have time to get attached; Percy is angry at the world, and doesn't have much interest in anyone or anything anymore...and Hannah? Well, Hannah is just firmly fixed in the present and is all about trying live with as much joy as she can muster, and if she can find a way to spread it around? Well, that's pretty cool too! She's not perfect, she has her issues too, but two men have never needed a little joy and sunshine and Christmas spirit as these two stubborn men needed Hannah.
She wreaked a little havoc and worked a little magic...and I was genuinely surprised at how much emotion was packed into this short little parcel. It brought me to tears a couple of times, and just made me so happy at others. Lots of joy and Christmas in Wishful this year...I highly suggest you pick up this little gem right away--it will help you get through the next few weeks a little happier, I suspect.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
December 5, 2018
This was a very delightful Christmas book that will have you wanting to put your tree up and decorate for the holidays. This book is part of the Wishful series so we get to catch up with a few characters plus some new ones. If you have read some of the Wishful books you would be familiar with the Casserole Patrol who we get to learn a bit more about during this book. I loved the book but would have loved it more if it was longer so the characters had the time to give us more of themselves. If you had not entered the land of WISHFUL I highly recommend you start with this one and then go back to the start to learn more about this wonderful small town and the great characters that Kait Nolan has given us to read. Wishful is my happy place in the book world where I would love to live in. I received an ARC copy and this is my voluntary and honest review.
Army Delta Force medic Ryan Malone was given a mission of a different kind from his mother to go check up on his great-uncle Percy in Wishful just before the Christmas holidays. This mission just might change his life completely or will he learn that it was not only Percy that needed an intervention to change his outlook on life? He was to complete his mission than return to Afghanistan to rejoin his unit we were not to complicate his life by a woman in the short time he was back on home soil.
Hannah Wheeler has been in Wishful for the past year after a life-changing accident in Atlanta forced her to take a change in her life. Hannah is an interior designer who has been working in the dinner, she loves her new life in Wishful and wants to start her own business in town. She decides to spread some holiday cheer by volunteering to help the citizen of Wishful to decorate for the holidays. Her first customer wants to spree the spirit so Percy, but will Hannah find for in the attic than boxes of old Christmas decoration?
Army Delta Force medic Ryan Malone was given a mission of a different kind from his mother to go check up on his great-uncle Percy in Wishful just before the Christmas holidays. This mission just might change his life completely or will he learn that it was not only Percy that needed an intervention to change his outlook on life? He was to complete his mission than return to Afghanistan to rejoin his unit we were not to complicate his life by a woman in the short time he was back on home soil.
Hannah Wheeler has been in Wishful for the past year after a life-changing accident in Atlanta forced her to take a change in her life. Hannah is an interior designer who has been working in the dinner, she loves her new life in Wishful and wants to start her own business in town. She decides to spread some holiday cheer by volunteering to help the citizen of Wishful to decorate for the holidays. Her first customer wants to spree the spirit so Percy, but will Hannah find for in the attic than boxes of old Christmas decoration?
November 27, 2018
A Lot Like Christmas is another 5 star hit!!! A nice, "tip your hat" to the military and a lesson in giving rather than receiving. It always comes back 10 fold, so make it a positive heartfelt gift of giving, for the happiness one gets doing so are numerous!
Hannah having a form of PTSD from an accident over a year before and now afraid to drive is something I see often as a caregiver to TBI patients. I often see too, the ones that can't wait to get back behind the wheel, only to freak out as soon another car or truck gets near them and then get in another accident sometimes worse than the first. All the military who are serving or have served, along with all the first responders deserve ONE BIG THANK YOU!!! from each of us for the gift of selflessness they give each day of service. Ryan serving in the Army and taking his valuable leave time to help an honorary "Uncle" he loves and respects gets a well-deserved gift too. It was fun and heartwarming watching these two, fall in love and get a happy start to what looks to be their happy ending. It's always nice to see some or all of Wishful's residents. To reacquaint in their community. To see that wishes are still coming true and give us hope for ours to possibly come true too.
The quality of writing, the depth of characters, and the passion each show for their friends and families are amazing! Well done. This too is a stand-alone, but starting from the first "Wishful" story will help fill in the blanks and really give one the full experience of what makes this wee town and its residents so wonderful. As an ARC reader, this is my honest opinion.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Hannah having a form of PTSD from an accident over a year before and now afraid to drive is something I see often as a caregiver to TBI patients. I often see too, the ones that can't wait to get back behind the wheel, only to freak out as soon another car or truck gets near them and then get in another accident sometimes worse than the first. All the military who are serving or have served, along with all the first responders deserve ONE BIG THANK YOU!!! from each of us for the gift of selflessness they give each day of service. Ryan serving in the Army and taking his valuable leave time to help an honorary "Uncle" he loves and respects gets a well-deserved gift too. It was fun and heartwarming watching these two, fall in love and get a happy start to what looks to be their happy ending. It's always nice to see some or all of Wishful's residents. To reacquaint in their community. To see that wishes are still coming true and give us hope for ours to possibly come true too.
The quality of writing, the depth of characters, and the passion each show for their friends and families are amazing! Well done. This too is a stand-alone, but starting from the first "Wishful" story will help fill in the blanks and really give one the full experience of what makes this wee town and its residents so wonderful. As an ARC reader, this is my honest opinion.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
December 1, 2018
Kait Nolan does it again! I always enjoy returning to Wishful, getting to know her newest characters while checking in on those we've met before and come to love and this story is no different. As always, the "Casserole Patrol" shows up bringing a chuckle as they tend to do. No worries, if this is your first or many of Wishful tales as they can all be read as stand-alones. Army Medic Ryan takes leave from his military duty and has his hands full checking up on his "Uncle Percy" who is getting up there in age without insulting Percy's pride and dignity but still needing to determine whether Percy can maintain his independence. Meanwhile, Interior Decorator Hannah is new to Wishful and decides to decorate storefronts and homes in preparation for the holidays as a way to showcase her design talents and spread Christmas cheer. Hannah gets tasked to decorate Percy's home since Christmas just hasn't been the same since Percy's wife died. With more time on his hands than he is used to, Ryan jumps in with both feet to help Hannah decorate while Ryan elicits Hannah's help in assessing Percy's health and fortitude. While Percy's struggles are more apparent as a lonely widow, Ryan and Hannah both have baggage they are carrying around that comes to clash with one another and all three are more stubborn than the next which creates some challenging pitfalls. Don't want to say more so as to avoid spoilers but oh so loved the character development which is always a strength of Kait Nolan's. Definitely a must read!!!
-- I received an advance complimentary copy of this book and am delighted to offer this review.
-- I received an advance complimentary copy of this book and am delighted to offer this review.
December 2, 2018
A Lot Like Christmas is the eleventh book in the Wishful Romance series, but can read completely as a stand alone. Hannah is an interior designer turned waitress with her heart full of Christmas magic and friendly cheer. When she sees a stranger outside who looks down on his luck, she takes him in the diner and buys him food. As she spreads the Christmas spirit through her interior designing, she runs into him again while helping his uncle. Ryan is home on leave from the military, trying to help his uncle out, and completely surprised by his feelings towards Hannah. What starts as a Christmas flirtation takes a turn for so much more, but when his time is up in Wishful, what will happen to them next?
This book is so wonderful and warm and really fills you up with the Christmas spirit! I absolutely loved Hannah, with her positive outlook, not being afraid to open her heart towards others, and putting others’ needs above her own. I really felt like I could relate to her and wish some of her positivity was in my real daily life, haha. Ryan was a soldier through and through, one to compartmentalize his emotions and thoughts, and one to keep working to push through his concerns. I loved that Hannah crashed down his walls and that he was really able to think about what his life could truly look like! I loved them together, because while she could life him up, he could be her steady rock when needed. They were a beautiful balance. I loved some of the side drama in this book and of course, the Casserole Patrol! I have loved this series, look forward to each new one, and can’t wait for more in Wishful!
This book is so wonderful and warm and really fills you up with the Christmas spirit! I absolutely loved Hannah, with her positive outlook, not being afraid to open her heart towards others, and putting others’ needs above her own. I really felt like I could relate to her and wish some of her positivity was in my real daily life, haha. Ryan was a soldier through and through, one to compartmentalize his emotions and thoughts, and one to keep working to push through his concerns. I loved that Hannah crashed down his walls and that he was really able to think about what his life could truly look like! I loved them together, because while she could life him up, he could be her steady rock when needed. They were a beautiful balance. I loved some of the side drama in this book and of course, the Casserole Patrol! I have loved this series, look forward to each new one, and can’t wait for more in Wishful!
December 3, 2018
This might be my favourite book by Kait Nolan.
What starts of with Hannah mistaking Ryan for being homeless, because of this appearance - he has been travelling for what seems like weeks, to get home to his ailing 'Uncle' Percy.
The attraction is instant the moment Hannah sets down coffee and soup in front of Ryan, at the diner. He realizes what she might think - but he's watching her decorate the Christmas tree, with quiet enjoyment; forks, spoons etc., make an interesting choice of ornaments - he's amused. He quietly, slips out, leaving her a big tip.
A little time passes, and Hannah is to do a favour for a friend - decorate the house for Percy, who is lonely and had lost his wife a couple of years ago - Hannah goes to the house, and who opens the door but Ryan. She is pleasantly surprised. Sparks are flying, the mutual attraction is hard to miss. He helps with the decorating, with a lot of encouragement from Percy.
Ryan and Hannah get close, but she has some baggage, and he is battle weary, he is a soldier. They have each other to confide in - they each need that. But, a friend of Ryan's is killed in action, and this brings out all bad feelings out of Ryan which he then throws on Hannah - she doesn't accept that and confronts him, They do work through it all, with a few bumps in the road from Percy.
There is so much more to this story - it really is so very good; you need to get all the depth Kait takes her characters, and struggles Hannah is facing. They do get a HEA, but the journey there is worth the read.
What starts of with Hannah mistaking Ryan for being homeless, because of this appearance - he has been travelling for what seems like weeks, to get home to his ailing 'Uncle' Percy.
The attraction is instant the moment Hannah sets down coffee and soup in front of Ryan, at the diner. He realizes what she might think - but he's watching her decorate the Christmas tree, with quiet enjoyment; forks, spoons etc., make an interesting choice of ornaments - he's amused. He quietly, slips out, leaving her a big tip.
A little time passes, and Hannah is to do a favour for a friend - decorate the house for Percy, who is lonely and had lost his wife a couple of years ago - Hannah goes to the house, and who opens the door but Ryan. She is pleasantly surprised. Sparks are flying, the mutual attraction is hard to miss. He helps with the decorating, with a lot of encouragement from Percy.
Ryan and Hannah get close, but she has some baggage, and he is battle weary, he is a soldier. They have each other to confide in - they each need that. But, a friend of Ryan's is killed in action, and this brings out all bad feelings out of Ryan which he then throws on Hannah - she doesn't accept that and confronts him, They do work through it all, with a few bumps in the road from Percy.
There is so much more to this story - it really is so very good; you need to get all the depth Kait takes her characters, and struggles Hannah is facing. They do get a HEA, but the journey there is worth the read.
November 26, 2018
This is the story of the waitress Hannah Wheeler whom we have met in previous books. She is ready to re-enter life and fortuitously meets Ryan Malone, an army medic home on leave, at that very time!
I really enjoyed this book. I liked that Ryan developed over the course of the book. He starts out a man who has seen too much horror in his life and moves towards a man who remembers the good things he is fighting for.
I also like Hannah. She is multifaceted which made her much more realistic. When we start the book she is portrayed as a merry elf of a woman, but as we come to know her through the book, we find she has a backbone and has had her fair share of hardship. Her positivity is a choice, not naivety.
The story does go by very quickly! I didn’t want to do anything but read, and the quick timeline of a few weeks didn’t negatively affect the story. I liked how the ending was realistically portrayed as happening a year later.
This book also offers some humor in the form of the great uncle Percy. His timing is horrible, but led me to giggle several times:)
Finally, this book also communicated a great message. When Ryan is upset about something, Hannah encourages him to see that he was meant to be where he was. We can’t carry all the burdens or take all the blame for events.
I thank Kait Nolan for the free ARC in exchange for an honest review. This book definitely keeps up the excellent Wishful series.
I really enjoyed this book. I liked that Ryan developed over the course of the book. He starts out a man who has seen too much horror in his life and moves towards a man who remembers the good things he is fighting for.
I also like Hannah. She is multifaceted which made her much more realistic. When we start the book she is portrayed as a merry elf of a woman, but as we come to know her through the book, we find she has a backbone and has had her fair share of hardship. Her positivity is a choice, not naivety.
The story does go by very quickly! I didn’t want to do anything but read, and the quick timeline of a few weeks didn’t negatively affect the story. I liked how the ending was realistically portrayed as happening a year later.
This book also offers some humor in the form of the great uncle Percy. His timing is horrible, but led me to giggle several times:)
Finally, this book also communicated a great message. When Ryan is upset about something, Hannah encourages him to see that he was meant to be where he was. We can’t carry all the burdens or take all the blame for events.
I thank Kait Nolan for the free ARC in exchange for an honest review. This book definitely keeps up the excellent Wishful series.
December 2, 2018
Rcvd an advanced reader copy from the author for giving my two cents. We meet Hannah, an interior designer who moved to Wishful last yr after having a seizure while driving. She wants to get back into the swing of things and working at the diner is great but its not what she loves. While decorating the tree with utensils she notices a man at the window...he looks scruffy and homeless. She invites him in for a coffee and smtg to eat. Ryan is cold and grumpy but when he sees a beautiful woman decorating a tree, his interest is peaked. Elf girl has him intrigued and to think she thinks hes homeless. Hes in town to check up on his uncle percy and is on a LOA from delta force. Percy knows Ryan is there to check up on him. Hannah gets admirers for her decorating and she offers free services just for ppl to get to know her trade and an opportunity knocks when one to the casserole patrol wants to pay her to help a friend find his xmas spirit. When Ryan opens the door he sees Elf girl...both shocked but eleated. Hannah tells percy about that she was sent to decorate his house. Percy obliges and sets things in motion. Getting percy out of the house and socializing again will be good for him. Will a dance between Ryan and hannah turn into more? Both know hes on limited time. Or will Ryan push her away..keeping himself from wanting more.
November 29, 2018
There really is a Santa!
by FranS
A Lot Like Christmas
First of all let me say I have read many if not all of the Wishful series and this is by far my favorite story. I started two night ago. Last night, I read until I was finished.
Kait Nolan has covered so many different emotions in this story of Ryan Malone and Hannah Wheeler.
When you hear that opposites attract, its interesting to see how you know these two light a fuse and slowly , sooooo slowly, combust!
From everyday living, to living with PTSD (both characters in their own way), dealing with life in general, we see two humans come together when least expected. Ms. Nolan has a keen insight into the depth of an army medic- pain humbled with many feelings within the raw surface as well as the harsh reality of death. She also shows Hannah in the same respect, which is probably why both characters understand each other so well. But she also covers what the human spirit is ultimately about and that the bottom line is love.
Read this story. OMG, cannot wait to hear more of the Wishful population. Ms. Nolan works her characters within each story and you get to know them as old friends within each next story. Thank you Ms. Nolan for a pure story which made me laugh, cry and believe.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
by FranS
A Lot Like Christmas
First of all let me say I have read many if not all of the Wishful series and this is by far my favorite story. I started two night ago. Last night, I read until I was finished.
Kait Nolan has covered so many different emotions in this story of Ryan Malone and Hannah Wheeler.
When you hear that opposites attract, its interesting to see how you know these two light a fuse and slowly , sooooo slowly, combust!
From everyday living, to living with PTSD (both characters in their own way), dealing with life in general, we see two humans come together when least expected. Ms. Nolan has a keen insight into the depth of an army medic- pain humbled with many feelings within the raw surface as well as the harsh reality of death. She also shows Hannah in the same respect, which is probably why both characters understand each other so well. But she also covers what the human spirit is ultimately about and that the bottom line is love.
Read this story. OMG, cannot wait to hear more of the Wishful population. Ms. Nolan works her characters within each story and you get to know them as old friends within each next story. Thank you Ms. Nolan for a pure story which made me laugh, cry and believe.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
November 30, 2018
Kait Nolan has done it again! When she write about a town, she makes the reader want to move there and become a part of the community! "A Lot Like Christmas" is another installment in the "Wishful" series. This town is full of characters that you want as friends and a community where you want to live! Hannah has moved to Wishful, Mississippi to live with her sister while she recovers from an accident. As she heals both physically and mentally, she works as a waitress in the town diner. One cold night, she spies a man outside the diner who she believes to be homeless. She invites him in for a warm cup of coffee. He comes in and sits down and Hannah treats him with the same respect she would show anyone. She even brings him a meal and pays for it out of her own pocket. She has no idea that the "homeless veteran" is actually a part of the Special Ops in the army and in Wishful to help take care of his great uncle.
I love the way both Ryan and Hannah are dealing with their own demons and are able to help each other to conquer their fears. Kait Nolan has a unique talent of weaving current issues into each of her stories while not bombarding the reader with a depressing story line. She has just the right amount of humor, poignancy, and love to make the reader want to read more and more.
I love the way both Ryan and Hannah are dealing with their own demons and are able to help each other to conquer their fears. Kait Nolan has a unique talent of weaving current issues into each of her stories while not bombarding the reader with a depressing story line. She has just the right amount of humor, poignancy, and love to make the reader want to read more and more.
March 30, 2024
*** MINOR SPOILERS ***
This book is really a novella. I was expecting it to be a bit longer, but the last 15% of the book or so was sneak peaks and other information. I read the Kindle version of the book so it was not as apparent as it might have been in paperback form.
Because it was a novella, the book focused on the early stages of the relationship between Hannah and Ryan. Later, Ryan goes back to military duty and this phase of their relationship is skimmed over. I think it would have been interesting to try to explore that part of the relationship, but it would have to have been expanded into a full-length novel. Given that it was a novella, the focus on the early stages was appropriate.
The characters are fleshed out and the author does a good job at showing why Hannah and Ryan are a good fit for each other. The author gives them depth individually as well.
I did find Hannah’s reason for not driving to be unbelievable. She has a seizure which results in a car crash. It is not really explained other than it was a one-time thing. That seems really unrealistic. People do not just have one -time seizures.
This was upbeat book for the most part. It is a good beach read, quick and has a happy ending. If this were a book review, I would say the story is incomplete and needs more substance. Because it is a novella, it works.
November 24, 2018
Another of Kait’s fantastic Wishful instalments, perfect for the holidays. This one features Dinner Belles’ waitress Hannah and army medic Ryan.
I try to avoid using “sweet” as a descriptor because so often it refers to the cloyingly sweet variety, but Hannah really is sweet. She’s kind, compassionate, happy, cheerful, generous and full of Christmas spirit. She has just decided to expand on the interior design experience she has from a lifetime ago and starts off with a custom tree for Dinner Belles – using cutlery as a decoration.
Ryan has returned on leave to assess his great-uncle-by-choice, who has become distant and withdrawn in the years following his wife’s death. Circumstances have left Ryan looking less than desirable upon his arrival in Wishful, but the kindness of the townspeople grows on him.
Watching their relationship unfold as their backstories emerge is quite enjoyable, and the appearance of other residents adds to the small-town feel (because you can’t think about sneezing in a small town without somebody knowing it!)
And “pajamaficated” has to be the best word!
Definitely one I will be re-reading! 4.5 stars from me
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I try to avoid using “sweet” as a descriptor because so often it refers to the cloyingly sweet variety, but Hannah really is sweet. She’s kind, compassionate, happy, cheerful, generous and full of Christmas spirit. She has just decided to expand on the interior design experience she has from a lifetime ago and starts off with a custom tree for Dinner Belles – using cutlery as a decoration.
Ryan has returned on leave to assess his great-uncle-by-choice, who has become distant and withdrawn in the years following his wife’s death. Circumstances have left Ryan looking less than desirable upon his arrival in Wishful, but the kindness of the townspeople grows on him.
Watching their relationship unfold as their backstories emerge is quite enjoyable, and the appearance of other residents adds to the small-town feel (because you can’t think about sneezing in a small town without somebody knowing it!)
And “pajamaficated” has to be the best word!
Definitely one I will be re-reading! 4.5 stars from me
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
December 1, 2018
My wish this holiday season is that I get to move to Wishful. Yup! Wishful seems like such a welcoming place that I’m ready to pack up and move. May I, please?
No? *sigh*. It’s only for the characters the author chooses? Darn! I guess I’ll need to live through them. It’s no hardship, I assure you.
Ryan Malone is home on leave from the army. His main purpose in returning stateside is to check on his Uncle Percy, an 80 year old living in his own.
Hannah Wheeler was an interior designer living in Atlanta, until she had an accident. She moved to Wishful to live with her sister, the baker, while she recovered. Now, she’s working as a waitress at Dinner Bells. When Ryan shows up outside the restaurant, looking for all the world like a homeless veteran, it touches Hannah’s heart.
That first encounter will prove the start of another Wishful romance. As with all the Wishful pairings, Ryan and Hannah will have you cheering and jeering, pulling for them to get over their insecurities and give love a chance.
As always, you come away from this Kait Nolan Book smiling. And if we readers are lucky, there’s another couple or two presented in this volume upon which she can expand. I’m so happy I came across this series and this author. These books present a town where we’d all like to live and people we’d like to know.
I received a free advanced copy of this book from the author. I thank the author for her generosity, but all opinions in this review express my honest reactions to and assessment of this book.
No? *sigh*. It’s only for the characters the author chooses? Darn! I guess I’ll need to live through them. It’s no hardship, I assure you.
Ryan Malone is home on leave from the army. His main purpose in returning stateside is to check on his Uncle Percy, an 80 year old living in his own.
Hannah Wheeler was an interior designer living in Atlanta, until she had an accident. She moved to Wishful to live with her sister, the baker, while she recovered. Now, she’s working as a waitress at Dinner Bells. When Ryan shows up outside the restaurant, looking for all the world like a homeless veteran, it touches Hannah’s heart.
That first encounter will prove the start of another Wishful romance. As with all the Wishful pairings, Ryan and Hannah will have you cheering and jeering, pulling for them to get over their insecurities and give love a chance.
As always, you come away from this Kait Nolan Book smiling. And if we readers are lucky, there’s another couple or two presented in this volume upon which she can expand. I’m so happy I came across this series and this author. These books present a town where we’d all like to live and people we’d like to know.
I received a free advanced copy of this book from the author. I thank the author for her generosity, but all opinions in this review express my honest reactions to and assessment of this book.
November 30, 2018
First off, I love reading about the goings on in Wishful. I also love Christmas so what is there not to love about a book set in Wishful at Christmas. Add to this both the main characters are not Wishful born and bred.
Ryan is on leave from the Army to take care of his "grandfather" who is really a close family friend. Percy doe not realize Ryan is there to check up on him anymore than Ryan realizes his mother wants Percy to check in on Ryan. Enter Hannah who is currently waiting tables at Dinner Belles. She really wants to get back to her chosen career of interior design. She loves Christmas. Why not meld the two and get the town use to seeing her as something other than a waitress?
When someone pays Hannah to decorate Percy's house, she and Ryan are thrown together. Ryan is hardened by what he has seen. Can he and Hannah - ever the optimist and a Christmas lover - manage to meld together? What about Percy?
You need to pick up a copy of A Lot Like Christmas and see how Kait Nolan weaves this story. It's a great read and sure to put you in the holiday mood.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Ryan is on leave from the Army to take care of his "grandfather" who is really a close family friend. Percy doe not realize Ryan is there to check up on him anymore than Ryan realizes his mother wants Percy to check in on Ryan. Enter Hannah who is currently waiting tables at Dinner Belles. She really wants to get back to her chosen career of interior design. She loves Christmas. Why not meld the two and get the town use to seeing her as something other than a waitress?
When someone pays Hannah to decorate Percy's house, she and Ryan are thrown together. Ryan is hardened by what he has seen. Can he and Hannah - ever the optimist and a Christmas lover - manage to meld together? What about Percy?
You need to pick up a copy of A Lot Like Christmas and see how Kait Nolan weaves this story. It's a great read and sure to put you in the holiday mood.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
November 30, 2018
I absolutely love this book and the way it still makes me feel good just thinking about it! It's a standalone story set in Wishful, Mississippi. Hannah is so sweet and kindhearted that she buys soup for a man she believes to be homeless. Ryan is on leave from the Army to check up on his aging Uncle Percy. Things are not quite as they seem. There is so much warmth, kindness and love radiating from this book and sparks do fly! The main characters each have personal issues to overcome and Kait weaves these so well into the story!
After reading this, I want Hannah to be my new best friend! She is so genuine and deserving of receiving the love that she puts out in the world. Percy is like that wonderful old neighbor who we all grew up with and Ryan? A true hero who takes chances with his life but not his heart!
For those of us who have read other books in Kait Nolan's Wishful series, many fun and quirky characters reappear, like the Casserole Patrol. It leaves the reader wanting more Wishful adventures!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
After reading this, I want Hannah to be my new best friend! She is so genuine and deserving of receiving the love that she puts out in the world. Percy is like that wonderful old neighbor who we all grew up with and Ryan? A true hero who takes chances with his life but not his heart!
For those of us who have read other books in Kait Nolan's Wishful series, many fun and quirky characters reappear, like the Casserole Patrol. It leaves the reader wanting more Wishful adventures!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
December 1, 2018
Hannah and Ryan were great together! From the moment we meet her, decorating the diner Christmas tree with forks and spoons, she won me over. Bubbly and sweet with a hint of spice, despite the fear and trauma that brought her to Wishful.
Ryan was a little gruff to start but he was a certified badass so that much was expected, but seeing him with Percy told me right away that he wasn’t a jerk, just a man with a lot on his shoulders. Together they were fantastic: flirty and fun and sexy. And the best part was that they embarked on a bit of matchmaking on their own which was sweet and funny.
One of the things that makes reading a Kait Nolan novel such a wonderful experience is the Casserole Patrol but during A Lot Like Christmas I have to say that Percy stole the show. A recent widower who hasn’t been able to cope with life without his Janie, he’s the reason Ryan is in town and when all three of them were on the page together, I couldn’t stop smiling.
Everything about this story was great…except there wasn’t enough of it! I’m a greedy reader and I wanted more but it was pretty much perfect.
Ryan was a little gruff to start but he was a certified badass so that much was expected, but seeing him with Percy told me right away that he wasn’t a jerk, just a man with a lot on his shoulders. Together they were fantastic: flirty and fun and sexy. And the best part was that they embarked on a bit of matchmaking on their own which was sweet and funny.
One of the things that makes reading a Kait Nolan novel such a wonderful experience is the Casserole Patrol but during A Lot Like Christmas I have to say that Percy stole the show. A recent widower who hasn’t been able to cope with life without his Janie, he’s the reason Ryan is in town and when all three of them were on the page together, I couldn’t stop smiling.
Everything about this story was great…except there wasn’t enough of it! I’m a greedy reader and I wanted more but it was pretty much perfect.
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