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The Christmas Key to Her Heart
After fifteen years as a widow, is it Nora's turn for love?
Nora Cooper has spent long years running her restaurant, raising her kids, and keeping a lock on her heart. Now she’s tired—especially with Christmas coming and trying to pull her son’s wedding together in four short weeks. She can’t help but wonder how empty her life will be with the kids moving on.
When retired CEO Forrest Holt visits McCormick’s Creek, Oregon, something about the small town charms him. He’s entranced with the way strangers are welcomed, with the way townspeople pull together, and especially with the way Nora Cooper lights up a forgotten feeling inside him. But he’s used to love ‘em and leave ‘em relationships, and she’s not that type.
As her son’s Christmas wedding draws ever nearer, Nora’s life becomes a flurry of activities after long days of work. Can she make time for Forrest, who is beginning to open her heart? And is he willing to risk himself and commit to more than a fling?
"Jen Peters writes sweet and satisfying romances with a dose of persevering through troubles and just the right chemistry between characters."
The McCormick's Creek Sweet Romance series (can be read in any order):
Trusting His Heart (Cat & Justin)
Finding Her Heart (Ree & Mitch)
Safe in His Heart (Robin & Cliff)
Stealing His Heart (Raine & Brandt)
The Christmas Key to Her Heart (Nora & Forrest)
Nora Cooper has spent long years running her restaurant, raising her kids, and keeping a lock on her heart. Now she’s tired—especially with Christmas coming and trying to pull her son’s wedding together in four short weeks. She can’t help but wonder how empty her life will be with the kids moving on.
When retired CEO Forrest Holt visits McCormick’s Creek, Oregon, something about the small town charms him. He’s entranced with the way strangers are welcomed, with the way townspeople pull together, and especially with the way Nora Cooper lights up a forgotten feeling inside him. But he’s used to love ‘em and leave ‘em relationships, and she’s not that type.
As her son’s Christmas wedding draws ever nearer, Nora’s life becomes a flurry of activities after long days of work. Can she make time for Forrest, who is beginning to open her heart? And is he willing to risk himself and commit to more than a fling?
"Jen Peters writes sweet and satisfying romances with a dose of persevering through troubles and just the right chemistry between characters."
The McCormick's Creek Sweet Romance series (can be read in any order):
Trusting His Heart (Cat & Justin)
Finding Her Heart (Ree & Mitch)
Safe in His Heart (Robin & Cliff)
Stealing His Heart (Raine & Brandt)
The Christmas Key to Her Heart (Nora & Forrest)
- GenresNovellaContemporary
92 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 15, 2019
58 people are currently reading
17 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
December 12, 2019
This story is so sweet! It was lovely to see Nora get a second chance at love with Forrest, and see that he was true to her. So cute!!
I received an arc copy of this book, all opinions here are my own.
I received an arc copy of this book, all opinions here are my own.
December 17, 2019
WHAT IT'S ABOUT
After fifteen years as a widow, is it Nora's turn for love?
Nora Cooper has spent long years running her restaurant, raising her kids, and keeping a lock on her heart. Now she’s tired—especially with Christmas coming and trying to pull her son’s wedding together in four short weeks. She can’t help but wonder how empty her life will be with the kids moving on.
When retired CEO Forrest Holt visits McCormick’s Creek, Oregon, something about the small town charms him. He’s entranced with the way strangers are welcomed, with the way townspeople pull together, and especially with the way Nora Cooper lights up a forgotten feeling inside him. But he’s used to love ‘em and leave ‘em relationships, and she’s not that type.
As her son’s Christmas wedding draws ever nearer, Nora’s life becomes a flurry of activities after long days of work. Can she make time for Forrest, who is beginning to open her heart? And is he willing to risk himself and commit to more than a fling?
MY TAKE
This was a fun visit back to McCormick's Creek with a chance to see cameo appearances from characters from the other books. This time, it's Justin Cooper's mother's turn. He was the love interest in the first book, Trusting His Heart. Well, his wedding is quickly approaching, and Nora's got her hands full with the preparations. After all these years of being alone, she certainly doesn't expect to be falling for someone.
This is a fast, sweet read. I love books that show romance for older couples too. *sigh*
After fifteen years as a widow, is it Nora's turn for love?
Nora Cooper has spent long years running her restaurant, raising her kids, and keeping a lock on her heart. Now she’s tired—especially with Christmas coming and trying to pull her son’s wedding together in four short weeks. She can’t help but wonder how empty her life will be with the kids moving on.
When retired CEO Forrest Holt visits McCormick’s Creek, Oregon, something about the small town charms him. He’s entranced with the way strangers are welcomed, with the way townspeople pull together, and especially with the way Nora Cooper lights up a forgotten feeling inside him. But he’s used to love ‘em and leave ‘em relationships, and she’s not that type.
As her son’s Christmas wedding draws ever nearer, Nora’s life becomes a flurry of activities after long days of work. Can she make time for Forrest, who is beginning to open her heart? And is he willing to risk himself and commit to more than a fling?
MY TAKE
This was a fun visit back to McCormick's Creek with a chance to see cameo appearances from characters from the other books. This time, it's Justin Cooper's mother's turn. He was the love interest in the first book, Trusting His Heart. Well, his wedding is quickly approaching, and Nora's got her hands full with the preparations. After all these years of being alone, she certainly doesn't expect to be falling for someone.
This is a fast, sweet read. I love books that show romance for older couples too. *sigh*
December 19, 2019
I received a complimentary copy of this book and I also purchased a copy.
This was a wonderful book. I adored to see a romance with a middle-aged couple. There are so many romance stories but only a few rare ones such as this. The plot of the story was an enchanting one. Nora Cooper has a lot on her plate. Her son is getting married in just a few weeks. She is a busy lady as she owns and operates her own restaurant. Christmas is also just a few weeks away and this stress baker is baking up plenty!!! Forrest Holt visits McCormick Creek with his son, Gary. Gary is friends with Nora's son. When they meet at her restaurant, Forrest and Nora feel an attraction to each other. Nora has been a widow for 15 years. She has concentrated on her two children so now she is a little more stress trying to figure this attraction out. Bring out the cookie sheets!!!!
The story is just charming and hard to put down. It is a novella so it was accomplished in one sitting. Even though this was written in Nora's POV only (and I prefer a dual POV), it still felt that it would be a story that I would re-read again. Possibly to get the middle-age romance in!
This is a sweet, clean romance that I would recommend to anyone. While this is a part of a series and two of the prior books are about her children, this really can be read as a stand-alone.
This was a wonderful book. I adored to see a romance with a middle-aged couple. There are so many romance stories but only a few rare ones such as this. The plot of the story was an enchanting one. Nora Cooper has a lot on her plate. Her son is getting married in just a few weeks. She is a busy lady as she owns and operates her own restaurant. Christmas is also just a few weeks away and this stress baker is baking up plenty!!! Forrest Holt visits McCormick Creek with his son, Gary. Gary is friends with Nora's son. When they meet at her restaurant, Forrest and Nora feel an attraction to each other. Nora has been a widow for 15 years. She has concentrated on her two children so now she is a little more stress trying to figure this attraction out. Bring out the cookie sheets!!!!
The story is just charming and hard to put down. It is a novella so it was accomplished in one sitting. Even though this was written in Nora's POV only (and I prefer a dual POV), it still felt that it would be a story that I would re-read again. Possibly to get the middle-age romance in!
This is a sweet, clean romance that I would recommend to anyone. While this is a part of a series and two of the prior books are about her children, this really can be read as a stand-alone.
December 17, 2019
The author has spun us an nice story - of unexpected second chance romance for an older couple, giving them a happy ending without subjecting the reader to a gut-wrenching "speed bump" or tragic outcomes.
It is a story for a comfort read.
One the reader can relax and not fear any more tension than a misunderstanding . . . which is nicely resolved.
This story gives one a pleasant respite from the seamy side of life portrayed in so many novels and the network news.
It is one in which neither the characters nor the reader is subjected to any moral or mortal danger.
This writer, while receiving this story as an advance read - found it as welcome as wearing a nice pair of sweats while enjoying a really good mug of hot chocolate while relaxing by the fireplace.
Thanks - I needed that.
It is a story for a comfort read.
One the reader can relax and not fear any more tension than a misunderstanding . . . which is nicely resolved.
This story gives one a pleasant respite from the seamy side of life portrayed in so many novels and the network news.
It is one in which neither the characters nor the reader is subjected to any moral or mortal danger.
This writer, while receiving this story as an advance read - found it as welcome as wearing a nice pair of sweats while enjoying a really good mug of hot chocolate while relaxing by the fireplace.
Thanks - I needed that.
December 27, 2019
It's nice to have a romance with an older couple!
It's Christmastime, Nora Cooper has her restaurant to run and her son is suddenly getting married in a month. She's scrambling as it is, and then Forrest Holt--a very successful, retired CEO--shows up. She's been wrapped up raising her kids in the years since her husband died, but he's handsome and courtly and romantic. And VERY interested in her!
The Christmas Key to Her Heart is a fun, short read. It's the fifth book in the series and while the author says they can be read in any order, you might enjoy this one more if you've read the others first.
It's Christmastime, Nora Cooper has her restaurant to run and her son is suddenly getting married in a month. She's scrambling as it is, and then Forrest Holt--a very successful, retired CEO--shows up. She's been wrapped up raising her kids in the years since her husband died, but he's handsome and courtly and romantic. And VERY interested in her!
The Christmas Key to Her Heart is a fun, short read. It's the fifth book in the series and while the author says they can be read in any order, you might enjoy this one more if you've read the others first.
November 8, 2023
The Christmas Key to Her Heart
What a sweet Christmas story featuring a more mature couple. Nora has been widowed for fifteen years. She has trouble trusting as she has had bad experiences with both romance and business. Her son’s friend introduces her to his retired father, Forrest. As she works to make sure her son has a memorable wedding in only a short while, she also runs her restaurant and supports the town Christmas activities. Forrest stays in town to try to get to know Nora better. Will he be able to convince her that she is worth risking a chance to be in another loving relationship?
What a sweet Christmas story featuring a more mature couple. Nora has been widowed for fifteen years. She has trouble trusting as she has had bad experiences with both romance and business. Her son’s friend introduces her to his retired father, Forrest. As she works to make sure her son has a memorable wedding in only a short while, she also runs her restaurant and supports the town Christmas activities. Forrest stays in town to try to get to know Nora better. Will he be able to convince her that she is worth risking a chance to be in another loving relationship?
December 16, 2019
Nora is madly trying to arrange her son’s wedding in a few weeks in the midst of the busy Christmas season and meets up with Forrest her son’s friend’s father. I liked how the story showed how previous life experiences influence our perceptions and the need to look beyond the obvious. Even though it was book 5, and I hadn’t read any of the others, I found it a good standalone read (though am very tempted to go back and read the other stories). I was given an ARC, but this review is entirely my own.
December 24, 2019
Review of The Christmas Key to Her Heart
This was a wonderful book and I will recommend her books to anyone who loves romance novels. She keeps you involved from page one until the end.
This was a wonderful book and I will recommend her books to anyone who loves romance novels. She keeps you involved from page one until the end.
January 1, 2020
Anew love
Very good book it kept you guessing with Nora not knowing if she could trust Forrest or not .But he was a trust worry person both was looking for real love like Nora with her deceased husband it wonderful
Very good book it kept you guessing with Nora not knowing if she could trust Forrest or not .But he was a trust worry person both was looking for real love like Nora with her deceased husband it wonderful
July 31, 2020
Loved It!!!
Jen Peters McCormick Creek series is wonderful. The story progressions and how the characters change through love gets you rooting for each couple's happy ending. The last book was Nora's story. It was great to read about a mature romance.
Jen Peters McCormick Creek series is wonderful. The story progressions and how the characters change through love gets you rooting for each couple's happy ending. The last book was Nora's story. It was great to read about a mature romance.
didn-t-bother-to-finish
December 8, 2020Not my kind of thing. Only got a couple pages in.
December 9, 2020
I love this sweet Christmas book. The characters are so wonderful and the story is heart warming.
December 10, 2020
Short and sweet little romance set at Christmastime. I don’t love novellas cause I think the characters don’t have enough time to develop but this one was cute and clean.
December 10, 2020
It’s an okay story. I don’t feel like we got to really see or feel the connection between Forrest and Nora. It’s simply written with not a lot of detail or elaboration.
December 12, 2020
This story is so sweet! I loved the chemistry between Nora and Forrest. Forrest was so romantic, that I kind of fell for him! This is a super sweet, clean romance.
January 10, 2021
Cute, clean, quick-read romance. Very short so relationship moves quickly. Likable characters.
No sex, language or violence
No sex, language or violence
November 5, 2021
2. Clean romance. Nice, mature woman meets a nice, mature man. There is hope for a HEA. There was way more about her busy schedule than there was romantic connection.
October 20, 2020
The Christmas Key to Her Heart is a delightful book. Thank yous to Ms. Peters for writing about a 60 something woman falling in love. I adored Nora and fell for Forrest also. In this wonderful story Nora, a widow for 15 years, is busy planning a wedding for her son and fiancee while running her restaurant and getting ready for Christmas. There are some bumps in this road to a second love. Both Nora and Forrest have some growing to do. The author handles everything in a most satisfying way. The book captured my interest immediately and I could not put it down.
Merged review:
The Christmas Key to Her Heart is a delightful book. Thank yous to Ms. Peters for writing about a 60 something woman falling in love. I adored Nora and fell for Forrest also. In this wonderful story Nora, a widow for 15 years, is busy planning a wedding for her son and fiancee while running her restaurant and getting ready for Christmas. There are some bumps in this road to a second love. Both Nora and Forrest have some growing to do. The author handles everything in a most satisfying way. The book captured my interest immediately and I could not put it down.
Merged review:
The Christmas Key to Her Heart is a delightful book. Thank yous to Ms. Peters for writing about a 60 something woman falling in love. I adored Nora and fell for Forrest also. In this wonderful story Nora, a widow for 15 years, is busy planning a wedding for her son and fiancee while running her restaurant and getting ready for Christmas. There are some bumps in this road to a second love. Both Nora and Forrest have some growing to do. The author handles everything in a most satisfying way. The book captured my interest immediately and I could not put it down.
December 12, 2019
This sweet, clean story was the first book I have read by this author, and I am glad I did. Now I want to read the previous stories in this series.
The novella centers around Nora Cooper and Forrest Holt. Nora is a widow, restaurant owner, and the Mom of two adult children. Her son is marrying and she’ll do anything to make the day special for him and his bride to be.
Forrest is a retired executive, visiting town with his son. When he meets Nora he’s enchanted.
The story shows us the ups and downs of a mature woman not sure if she can love again. A woman trying to help everyone , but when Forrest offers his help, she interprets it as manipulation.
All in all, a well written novella where the characters are well developed. Something few authors can manage in just a few pages.
It’s a story about hope, new beginnings and second chances.
I was entrusted a copy of this book. The opinions expressed are solely my own.
The novella centers around Nora Cooper and Forrest Holt. Nora is a widow, restaurant owner, and the Mom of two adult children. Her son is marrying and she’ll do anything to make the day special for him and his bride to be.
Forrest is a retired executive, visiting town with his son. When he meets Nora he’s enchanted.
The story shows us the ups and downs of a mature woman not sure if she can love again. A woman trying to help everyone , but when Forrest offers his help, she interprets it as manipulation.
All in all, a well written novella where the characters are well developed. Something few authors can manage in just a few pages.
It’s a story about hope, new beginnings and second chances.
I was entrusted a copy of this book. The opinions expressed are solely my own.
January 4, 2020
Oh my, this has got happy tears and wonder-filled sighs.
The wedding couple is sweet and needing just enough encouragement to keep the fact that their wedding is too quickly approaching as the main conflict––Nora has taken much of the prep on her own.
Add to that the fact that Nora has confidence and trust issues...
It was a fun read with a couple of very hopeful HFNs at the end. :)
Merged review:
Oh my, this has got happy tears and wonder-filled sighs.
The wedding couple is sweet and needing just enough encouragement to keep the fact that their wedding is quickly approaching as the main conflict––Nora has taken much of the prep on her own.
Add to that the fact that Nora has confidence and trust issues...
It was a fun read with a couple of very hopeful HFNs at the end. :)
The wedding couple is sweet and needing just enough encouragement to keep the fact that their wedding is too quickly approaching as the main conflict––Nora has taken much of the prep on her own.
Add to that the fact that Nora has confidence and trust issues...
It was a fun read with a couple of very hopeful HFNs at the end. :)
Merged review:
Oh my, this has got happy tears and wonder-filled sighs.
The wedding couple is sweet and needing just enough encouragement to keep the fact that their wedding is quickly approaching as the main conflict––Nora has taken much of the prep on her own.
Add to that the fact that Nora has confidence and trust issues...
It was a fun read with a couple of very hopeful HFNs at the end. :)
April 30, 2020
Sweet Romance
I was so happy to hear that Nora was getting her story. And what better time of year than Christmas? This book brought out all the nostalgia of my childhood home. The smells of baking, after church get-togethers, and family.
I liked that love came to Nora even in her middle years. The emotions of a second chance, and the doubts that came made me empathize with Nora, and hope for the happy ending.
Forrest was the perfect gentleman for Nora. He had the means, and the heart to help her lay aside her worries, and begin to enjoy life again.
The bonus was that we get to see Justin and Cat’s wedding.
This was a perfectly satisfying novella, short enough to enjoy in one sitting.
I was so happy to hear that Nora was getting her story. And what better time of year than Christmas? This book brought out all the nostalgia of my childhood home. The smells of baking, after church get-togethers, and family.
I liked that love came to Nora even in her middle years. The emotions of a second chance, and the doubts that came made me empathize with Nora, and hope for the happy ending.
Forrest was the perfect gentleman for Nora. He had the means, and the heart to help her lay aside her worries, and begin to enjoy life again.
The bonus was that we get to see Justin and Cat’s wedding.
This was a perfectly satisfying novella, short enough to enjoy in one sitting.
December 12, 2019
I received an ARC of this book from the author, Jen Peters, via Bookfunnel and this is my voluntary and honest review. I enjoyed this book and read it in one sitting because it was so interesting. This book is about a romance between an older couple. Nora is a widow and Forrest is a retired divorcee. They meet while Nora is planning her son's wedding which makes their romance even more special. This whole series has been great, and I look forward to reading more books by this author. I highly recommend her books if you like clean Christian books.
December 15, 2019
This was a nice 2nd chance at love story. I've enjoyed getting to know the people of this town & am happy Nora got her own story. This was a romance involving people a bit older and the writing respected that while still getting in a satisfying love story. I enjoy previous characters making appearances and it helps to really create the feel of a small town. The people of the town, romance and characters in the book all felt realistic. I think this could be a stand alone as all titles in this series or read out of order. The reader gets a fuller effect when having read the series.
February 22, 2020
Wonderful read! I couldn't put it down. Another great story told in a way that made me feel I was right there with them.
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews