December Wishes

A Year in Paradise #12

by Hildred Billings

Welcome to Paradise Valley, where the locals thrive on the rural landscape, the quirky Oregonian living, and the history of the lesbian commune that founded it. Mixing small town attitudes with lesbian dating? Sounds like another day in Paradise. In the final installment of A YEAR IN PARADISE, we fly through town and catch up with every couple to grace the page so far. But while Christmas shopping and holiday parties light up the windows, one lonely resident comes to the unfortunate conclusion that Paradise Valley might not be for her. Skylar Kersten originally moved to town with friend Mikaiya a year ago. Yet what Skylar quickly realized was that one could not simply pack up her bags and leave her worries behind. Paradise Valley is a small, claustrophobic town. It’s hard to make friends. It’s even harder to face one’s chronic singledom when happy couples grace every sidewalk. While Skylar comes to terms with what she wants from life, the rest of Paradise Valley’s citizens rejoice in their strengthened bonds with one another. As the new decade approaches, one thing’s for sure. It’s been an eventful year in Paradise Valley.

Genres: Lesbian

Kindle Edition

Published December 15, 2019

About the author

Hildred Billings is a Japanese and Religious Studies graduate who has spent her entire life knowing she would write for a living someday. She has lived in Japan multiple times in multiple locations, from the heights of the Japanese alps to the hectic Tokyo suburbs, with a life in Shikoku somewhere in there too.

Currently, Hildred lives in Oregon with her partner and two cats. When she's not commandeering the corner of the neighborhood coffee shop on hours on end (it's okay, she's on a first-name basis with the baristas) she's probably parked on the couch watching Bob's Burgers or screaming at a Zelda game. (Seriously, Link, why don't you move right?)

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Reviews

[Lisa R Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

A good read, wraps up A Year in Paradise with a smile.

This is the last book in a year long series. It was fun to read a book a month about women living in a small Oregon town where lesbians came to find love, raise their children, and live in peace. There was nothing idealized about this community, the women whose stories we read had money problems, broken hearts turned to happy hearts, problems with their children, problems with their folks, and career and job angst. In this last book Billings let us peak back into the lives of the characters we had come to know and she leaves with a sense, on this Christmas at least, all is right in Paradise. Thanks Hildred, it was a great ride and I enjoyed it. You will, too.

[♡Matty♡ · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really liked my time in Paradise valley, and I'm a little sad to say goodbye. It's always so interesting to see how an author incorporates multiple worlds to build one and I think Hildred Billings did a good job with this series.

[Lorraine Rusnack · Rating 5 out of 5]

We get to revisit all the characters from the past year through Skylar’s eyes. She is bored with her job and her life so far. She gives her views on what’s happening in town. Can she finally find something positive by the end? You have to listen and find out. Great small town drama.

[Jeff · Rating 3 out of 5]

The entire Year in Paradise series overall was good, but the last few books were very light on romance and sex. December Wishes as just ok as a conclusion. I enjoyed it jumping around from couple to couple that we have seen in previous books. There just wasn't a lot of meat to the story for me. I was thinking there might be a hot Christmas romance or even something leading up to romance on New Year's Eve to round out the year. So I was disappointed in not getting more of a wrap-up with some of the characters and no Christmas romance. I was just expecting more from the concluding book than was delivered.

[DR · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a cute happy/sad story. Skylar's been alone for an entire year and re-evaluates her young life and comes up wanting. It was good to read about all the couplings that occurred in earlier books in the series. I wonder if it will continue with Skylar considering how this story ends. Crisp writing, hilarious dialogue and believable characters. I enjoyed reading a story about a small town of women loving women freely and openly. Thanks for that Hildred Billings.

[Doug Elliott · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nice finish for the year with brief updates on the lives of several couples in Paradise Valley. Of course the most important development is a possible love interest for Skylar who has been quietly making pizza all year long. Unfortunately this occurs in the last few paragraphs but there seems to be potential.

[Carolyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Year End Review

Skylar had a accompanied her best friend Mik to Paradise Valley. Now she was looking for a reason to stay or leave. Can a Christmas miracle give her some hope? The book updates the stories of January through November. Recommend Series.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Delicious!

A fitting conclusion to "A Year in Paradise", revisiting old friends and catching up with everyone. These characters have become my new friends while reading this series. This is a wonderful series for your must read list!

[Kathleen Austin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really like this story but...

I want to know more about what happens with Skyler now that she has her heart fluttering. Ending the book with a cliffhanger is like a good season finale .

[MizLiz · Rating 3 out of 5]

The year in review with a chapter for each of the couples. Story very G rated again. Recommended reading the series for Gay Youth.